Private Always Within Reach

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

The enclave was wrapped in silence. Beyond the stone walls of Snowpeak Sanctuary, the peaks of Eshan lay cloaked in silver moonlight, snow drifting softly in the high winds. Within, the corridors had long gone still, the last of the hearth fires dimmed to embers. Only a few lamps glowed faintly in the Sanctuary, marking the hours when even the most diligent should have been at rest.

Eve was not among them.

Seated at her desk, she scrolled wearily through the weekly reports Steward Orien had sent, the pale glow of her datapad painting her tired features. Her silk nightie clung lightly to her frame, its softness at odds with the sharp lines of datapads and paper files. Her hair hung loose, strands falling across her cheek as she blinked hard to chase away the blur of overworked eyes.

Isari lay curled at her feet, already deep in her own sort of meditative slumber, silver eyes shut to the world. Eve glanced down at the fox, and a small pang of envy touched her chest.

Her gaze drifted next to the small portrait on her desk: Scarif. The sunlit beach, the spray of salt air, Tigris at her side. She exhaled a quiet sigh and brushed her thumb against the frame, as if the warmth of that moment might rise through the surface.

So much had shifted in only a handful of months ever since Coruscsant. Now Snowpeak Sanctuary. Her knighting, her first Padawan, the tide of requests and decisions. Life had surged forward without pause, carrying her along with it, leaving little room to simply be.

Least of all with Tigris.

The datapad chimed softly with another reminder of unfinished work. She ignored it. Her silver eye had drifted elsewhere—through the walls, across the landing, into the quiet hum of their personal chambers. Tigris was there. Even at rest, her presence lingered steady and grounding, a pulse of warmth beneath the weight of everything else.

Alas, she had more work to do.

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale

Tigris had made her evening rounds. She stalked the hallways of the Sanctuary, then the grounds outside. When asked, the Atrisian would claim she was 'checking security'. This was partially true. While not in any official capacity at the Sanctuary, Tigris took it upon herself to keep an eye on things, ever since she and Ace had uncovered an imperial listening post in a nearby town. She was especially invested in Snowpeak Sanctuary, not only as a jedi of the Hidden Path, but because of Everest Vale.

But why Tigris really took the nightly strolls was the serenity it brought to the end of the day. The quiet halls, lights low, allowed her to process, to think. And outside, the glorious mountains of Eshan surrounded them, its starlit sky offering a solace, a majestic canopy under which she could allow her spirit to wander, to be purified.

And it was not only for herself that these walks were so reverently pursued. It was for Eve. Their lives had become richer, and more complicated. Everest's duties alone had multiplied exponentially. Tigris wanted the end of their days, and the beginning of their nights, to bring respite from those duties, for their bedroom to be a refuge where together they can rest peacefully. If Tigris came to bed with a clear mind and cleansed soul, she could help Eve find the same. Then they could enjoy their pillow talk, to discuss the events of the day.

Returning to their suite, Tigris saw the light in the office. Eve was still working.

After bathing and changing for the night, Tigris slipped from the 'fresher and across the landing to Eve's office. A peak into their room proved the Atrisian's hunch. Her fiance was still working, even as she sat in her nightie. Tigris padded into the room on silent feet. It was more out of habit than any intention to surprise Everest. Eve was the only person the tattooed shadow could not sneak up on. Their bond in the Force had only grown stronger over time, and the Echani already knew that her lover had returned from her walk, bathed, and stalked up behind her like a cat. Pausing to reach and give Isari an affectionate stroke between her ears, Tigirs drew close behind Eve's chair.

Bronzed hands laid gently on creamy shoulders, smoothing down to her upper arms as Tigris leaned down. Her lips paused next to Eve's ear, warm breath stirring stray strands of silver hair.

"It will be there tomorrow, Angel. I promise. Come to bed." She urged in a low, smooth voice.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

Eve leaned back into the warmth of her, a long breath slipping from her chest as though she'd been holding it for hours. The datapad's glow caught against her tired eye; she rubbed at it with the heel of her hand, shaking her head faintly.

"These reports need to be reviewed by morning," she murmured, the words almost reflex, worn from overuse.

The silence that followed made her hear them more clearly than she wished. How many times had she said that in recent weeks? How many times had she put Tigris second to lines of text and figures that never seemed to end?

Her shoulders sank. She let her head loll back until it rested against Tigris, silver eye half-closed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, voice soft with the weight of it. "I've been so... distant lately..."

Her thumb brushed idly over Tigris' hand where it lay on her arm, needing that contact. Another slow exhale left her lips.

"I'm just… tired..."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale

Tigris pouted behind Eve's back. Reports. Eve's fiance had an idea of what she wanted to do with those reports. She took a quiet breath. Tigris knew the work was important, especially since the enclave was so new. But Tigris cared more for Everest than for reports or supplies or politics or any of it. And when she saw the weight it placed on those ivory shoulders, Tigris became overprotective.

She let out a soft sigh, leaning down to kiss Eve's forehead as the woman leaned back against her. Tigris's small but strong hands began to massage the tense muscles in Eve's shoulders.

" I know you are tired Angel, they are going to burn you out." Tigris said, with more concern in her voice than she had wanted. "You are the guide for this enclave, its visionary. The direction of Snowpeak Sanctuary is your responsibility. Filling out reports, counting inventory... are not your job. That is why Orien is here. He knows what needs done and can task others to do them. Let him do his job."

Tigris liked the older Echani knight, mostly because she could see his loyalty not only to Eshan and the Jedi, but to Eve personally. She herself had consulted Orien Daral on occasion. While Mariana Vale was her mother figure, Orien had become the father figure.

"And if those reports are not reviewed by morning, I am sure our good Knight Daral can manage to make amends." Tigris urged, her voice dipping into a faux conspiratory tone. Her hands slid up Eve's neck to comb through her silver hair.

"I know you want to succeed here, and you carry it all on you. But you are succeeding, and you are surrounded by capable people who want to help keep this wonderful place going." Tigris encouraged, again leaning down to kiss Eve's head.

Then Tigris' fingers slipped from her fiance's silvery mane, giving a light, playful smack on Eve's bare thigh. "I know you are the knight and I am the padawan, but in these rooms, we both know who is in charge." The Atrisian crooned. "Now, shut that thing off and get your ass across the hall, missy. No more work tonight, you need rest." Tigris teased, stepping back and folding her arms across her chest, her brow quirked.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

Eve closed her eye as Tigris’ lips brushed her head, the slow sweep of fingers through her hair coaxing a sigh from her chest. The exhaustion she’d been holding at bay began to seep in heavier, and for once she didn’t resist it. She just leaned into the touch, savouring the warmth and care.

When Tigris’ voice dipped lower, urging her toward rest, she only managed a weary nod. The datapad dimmed as she set it aside, and with her hand sliding into Tigris’ for balance, she finally rose from the chair.

* * *​

Their quarters were quiet, the tidy, minimalist lines softened by the glow of low lamps. It wasn’t their old home on Tython. The walls here still felt too new, the air not yet steeped in memories. But it was enough. Enough to be safe, enough to be theirs.

Eve was stretched out along the sofa, silk nightie brushing against her thighs as she curled lazily on her side. Her head rested against Tigris’ lap, the familiar strength beneath her cheek grounding her more than any report or title ever could. Isari was already deep in sleep again in her chair of choice, having hesitantly woken herself up to follow them back into the quarters.

She tilted her face upward, silver eye catching the lamplight as a warm smile bloomed unguarded across her lips.

"How did I get so lucky," she muttered, voice low and honest, words meant only for the woman above her.

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale

Though the room didn't quite feel like it yet, it was home. Not because the small suite was designed for them, but because Everest was there. Maybe the enclave would become their home, or somewhere closer to Marianna, or Naboo, or Atrisia. They would need a ship to call home as they traveled. The truth was, they could have many places to call home. Home was wherever you found refuge from the galaxy, together. Eve was Tigris' home, and would only become moreso when she made Everest her wife.

Tigris peered down at Eve, her dark hair falling around her face, the faintest smile touching her lips. Her hand idly stroked the Echani's silver hair, taking several strands between her fingers and gliding her fingers down until the fluttered free. Eve's eye, lined with fatigue, but ever bright, held dark eyes in deep affection.

Eve's comment rang with sincerity. She truly felt lucky. Tigris wrestled with the implicated compliment. Her smile stretched a little wider. "Any good thing you have, you deserve, Angel." Tigris replied, not willing to argue who was more lucky. The Atrisian felt much more emphatic about the fact that she was the lucky one. Everest was a shining star. Everyone could see it. She could have anyone. She chose a brooding, anti-social former killer instead. In the darkest hours of the nights, Tigris often wrestled with this miracle.

After a quiet moment, Tigris spoke, her voice low and thick with sentiment. "I want to marry you so bad Eve. I can't wait to make you my wife, to be yours." She admitted. "I don't want anything more in the galaxy." She assured Eve, her hand shifting to rub a thumb gently acoss the soft skin of Eve's cheek., the pad brushing over Eve's bottom lip. "Can we talk about it? It makes it feel more real when we talk about it." She asked.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

Eve bit down on her lip, warmth flooding her cheeks until she was sure she was glowing. She leaned into the press of Tigris' thumb against her skin, closing her eye with a soft hum that slipped out before she could hold it back.

Her fingers caught lightly at the fabric of Tigris' nightie, clinging there as though she might drift away without that anchor. When she opened her eye again, it was only to find herself caught, wholly and helplessly, by the woman above her. Every line of her face, every brush of her hand, left her adrift in the same daze she always fell into.

A quiet smile curved her lips, fragile but full, as she glanced at the ring that wrapped delicately around her pale finger.

"Mhm," she breathed, the sound half a sigh, half a laugh, before she asked, soft and eager, "What do you want to talk about, my love?"

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale
Sound became sacred. Without the noises of the enclave's daily activity, their bed chamber was comfortingly quiet. Only the soft background sound of the heating above which was layered Isari's subtle, restful breathing. Closer, Eve's own breathing, rhythmic with the slight rise and fall of her chest, was a precious sound, so real, it was a physical testimony of a life irrevocably entangled with Tigris' own.

Eve's reply was not an interruption of the whispering serenade, but a delicate melody that danced over it.

Tigris' had slipped from Everest' porcelain features, reaching to rest lightly on her bare thigh. The other continued to lightly play in her hair. "Well, I know we are waiting...on me." She said offhand. The padawan felt a bit badly that she insist they wait until she be made a knight. It was something personal to Tigris. "And we know where we want to honeymoon..." She added. They had agreed on Naboo. It was a beautiful place, and one Tigris knew intrigued her fiance.

"But we haven't narrowed down to where." She finally commented. Tigris liked talking about the wedding. It made it seem more real to her. Sometimes it felt like it was a dream, something she wished for that may or may not come.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

Eve's smile lingered as she listened, the warmth of Tigris' touch and voice wrapping around her until the world felt hushed, distant, far away. She closed her eye again, savouring the way her fiancé's fingers wove gently through her hair, the weight of her hand resting against her thigh. Every small contact seemed to draw her deeper into the quiet certainty of them.

"Mhm," she murmured again, soft and affectionate. "Theed was lovely when I was there. Beautiful… but it is a big city, and even when it's beautiful it can still be so loud."

Her eye fluttered open, thoughtful now, a glimmer of memory in it.

"Maybe I could ask Ala. She might have some suggestions for nice spots."

She let the thought hang, drifting for a moment into the memory of her time with the young Master. Ala's bubbly nature, the ease of her welcome, how quickly trust had grown between them. She remembered the heartening moment they had shared, speaking of love, the quiet recognition in Ala's smile that made her feel seen and understood. Even in their brief exchanges since, the kindness had remained. Eve realised she hadn't spoken to her in some time. She hoped she was alright...

"I could send her a holomessage," she said at last, her smile returning as she tilted her head a little against Tigris' lap. "Check in… and see if she has any suggestions?"

The room seemed even quieter then, the hush of the moment folding into a peaceful cocoon around them. Eve traced idle patterns against Tigris' leg, her silver eye soft with contentment.

"She's going to want to meet you, you know," she added, her smile turning sly and fond all at once. "You'd better be ready. She's a character."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale

Tigris continued to lazily work her fingers gently through Eve's hair, her eyes drifting from the silver silken strands to Eve's lips, then back into the captivating well of Everest's gleaming eye.

Ah yes, Ala. Eve had talked about her, after her visit to Naboo. Who better to suggest honeymoon spots on the world than a resident? Tigris laughed softly. "That's a good idea. If I can tear you away from your work, we should make a short trip to visit. I would very much like to meet Ala. Is she as much of a character as your other friends?" She teased. Eve had many friends, and many were characters. Reina, Azzie, Kat... Tigris was beginning to feel she could call some of them friends too.

The real question Tigris wanted to get to was probably the biggest one that was still not nailed down firmly. "So..." The tattooed Atrisian continued, gently tracing the border of Eve's eyepatch, as affectionately as if it were a part of her body. "Where are we going to get married?"

Married. She loved just saying that. It sent a warm wave through her body. She had already looked at what she wanted to wear, dreaming about that day, but hadn't shared them with Eve yet.

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Nightie
Equipment: Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Tigris Aphra

A small grin broke across Eve's face.

"She's like if Vera and Azzie were mashed into one person," she said, the image amusing her enough to make her eye sparkle with it.

But the laughter softened, her expression turning more thoughtful as she rested her cheek more fully into Tigris' lap. Her fingers toyed absently with the edge of her nightie as she considered.

"The first places that come to mind are Atrisia or Eshan," she admitted. "Atrisia would be beautiful, and I know that would mean a lot to you. Or we could do it here on Eshan... I'm not sure how far Mama would want to travel, I'm not even sure if she's ever been off-world, so that might help." She paused for a moment. "Could even be Odessen. So many of our friends are there now..."

Her voice trailed off, the options hanging between them.

"I'm not sure yet," she said at last, quiet, but her smile lingered as she looked back up to Tigris. "It doesn't really matter as long as I get to be with you."

 

[Tigris Aphra]

Outfit

Tag: Everest Vale

Tigris continued to fix her gaze on Eve, lightly playing with the Echani's silvery hair. Eve spoke of Ala, who Tigris had yet to meet. Everest was such a sweet soul, she seemed to make friends everywhere she went. Tigris found it a bit more difficult, but she was getting better at it. She had become better acquainted with some of Eve's friends, enough to enjoy their company. She couldn't quite call Junko Ike a friend, it was hard to think of the Jedi Master and Princess on her level in any way, but she had certainly taken Tigris under her wing and had been very good to her. She did want to spend some time with Ahri Aphra as well, as her closest relative... of sorts.

She had Everest, and it was hard to think she needed anyone else. But some more friends would be nice.

Tigris nodded as Eve mused on a venue for their wedding. In the end, she was right. It didn't matter where. What mattered was that they would be together in a way they had not before. That was all Tigris wanted anyway.

"Yeah, you're right." she said with a soft smile. "We don't have to decide yet." A quiet moment lingered between them, before Tigris spoke again. "Kahlil has said some things, I think he feels I am ready." She shifted the subject, but her knighthood still had a part to play in their marriage plans, as Tigris wanted to gain the title before they wed. "It should be soon." Tigris said with some hesitancy, as if speaking about it might jinx her pending kighthood.