Caesura

[Tamara Wren]

As far as Tam was concerned, dead meant no longer a threat. Anything less was asking for problems down the line. Though, she considered thoughtfully, it hadn't worked in her case, now had it?

But not everyone had the benefit of a connection to a Sith Lord.

"Still nice," she echoed, a small smile coming over her face. The compliment pleased her, and she felt her cheeks flushing slightly.

A slight wince as he flushed the wound. Tam wasn't immune to pain, not even close. She could shuck it aside in a moment of need, but it was always there, waiting once she was done doing whatever needed doing.

"He's been gone a long time, hasn't he," she said quietly.

She hadn't brought up before how long it was taking. Partly because she was patient and he'd said it might take a long time. Partly because she was nervous about what would happen when he came back and they would fix all of this. Partly? Because the time she had with Julian had become incredibly precious to her. What if, once Shadowman was back, he didn't want to see her anymore?

They occupied this middle space between moments. Between breaths. Here, now, they had this, and it mattered to Tamara. Once the next breath was drawn..... would it look the same?

She didn't know.

"Are.... you worried?"

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Tamara Wren"]

"Truth spoken."

His head inclined at that, while he worked on her knee.

Julian had known from the start that it would take time. Potentially a long time. Traversing the space of the Netherworld was not easy. Not simple. There were complications aplenty. But more importantly... time simply moved differently there. As did space. A continent could disappear with the snap of two fingers, three more could reappear with a blink. A distance that had taken a heartbeat? Could suddenly take a lifetime. There was barely any stability there.

Only the stability you yourself enforced on it.

Very complicated.

"Neh. No worries. Shadowman be hunter there. He knocks, he dun get knocked, yah? But-" A shrug followed soon after. "I miss. Yuh. His voice kept me company many years, mhm."

A bandage was applied and then Julian leaned in, kissing it softly, before looking up with a wink. "Good a new, yah?" Pulling her in for a soft kiss before flopping next to her. "So. I didn't know Tam was fierce warrior. Am impressed, ya know?"

 

[Tamara Wren]

Tam knew she was responsible for that loneliness. Oh it wasn't her fault. They had entered into the bargain willingly and of their own accord. There was no guilt in the young woman. That said, she was sorry. She knew that he enjoyed her company, he'd told her as much. But it wasn't the same. People didn't take the place of others, just softened the edges a bit.

She looked down, studying the binding critically.

"Neater hand than mine," she said, a ghost of a smile flickering over her face. A joke? Maybe.

"Oh," she blinked when he called her that. "It's.... hrm how to put it. It's just how we are, how I was raised." She shrugged, not really sure what else to say. He wasn't wrong but she also wasn't noteworthy.

"Everyone learns how to fight. Not everyone takes to it the same. We have farmers, healers, blacksmiths, engineers..... artists." The last a little quieter. "But everyone learns. I learned to respect the edge of a blade around the same time I learned to walk. It just.... is."

Another shrug, frowning slightly as she glanced at him.

"Glad I came by today," she said, corner of her mouth quirking up. "But then you wouldn't have been distracted if I hadn't."

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Tamara Wren"]

"Eh, got da experience, do it plenty an' ya can have a hand like dis too."

If there was one thing in the Netherworld you accumulated it were scars and wounds. No way around it. The trick was making sure you patched yourself up okay. And that the wounds weren't critical. But to spend more than a decade there without a scratch? Not possible. Definitely not. He leaned back against the couch, arm resting easy on the back before closing his eyes and humming softly. Listening to her words tho. It sorta made sense what she was saying.

Honestly.

He should have realized she was this.

Mandalorian, no? Daughter of Ronan, no? The fact that he hadn't seen it.... was just naivety on his part.

"Is or not is, I like dis part of ya, Tam, fierce an' strong. Is good look on ya." A nod, eyes still closed, but a hand tugged at her to lean against him. "Ahhh. Mebbe. Mebbe not. I like ya presence. Dun' be staying away on mah account."

Eye opened, mischievous look there as he smirked.

"Def not on mah account."

 

[Tamara Wren]

Tam blinked, then slowly raised her right hand slightly. Wrapped up but clear.

"Somehow I doubt any amount of 'experience' will have a serious effect, Jul," she said with a chuckle.

Oh she wasn't offended. Honestly she was mostly amused. And the look on his face, the dawning realization of what she'd meant, well, that was also funny.

She leaned in then, suddenly laughing. That an uncommon enough thing, but it bubbled up and she closed her eyes and let it wash over her. It was warm and familiar, and something missed these months. Without thinking about it too much, without all of the hesitation he'd come to know her for when it came to that sort of thing, she kissed him firmly on the mouth. Not long or deep, just intent and with purpose before pulling back slightly.

"Don't feel bad," she said quietly. "I like that you forget about it. It's okay that you do. Mostly people either ignore it or can't help but look. This is better, okay?"

[member="Julian Imani"]

 

[Hira Mitsae]

[member="Tamara Wren"]

That face he made.

BLINK BLINK.

"Oh." Small oh, but before he could get into it she kissed him firmly and hard. In those moments Julian wasn't known for holding back. Instead, he let it behind him, kissing her back just as hard. Even keeping her there for a moment or two more, before letting her go again. Nuzzling her softly and then returning to that more relaxed posture. She said it was okay and then it was okay. That was Julian's logic. He wasn't the one to worry too long about this or that.

Just didn't really make sense to him.

"Aye, cyattie, I feel ya."

His hand took hers, holding it softly. "I meant what I said all dem moons ago, yeah? Mark of da spirit. 'Tis beauty in its own way." He had shown her his toes already. Maybe the hand was a blowback from the spiritual intervention done by Kaine.

Maybe it had nothing to do with it.

Either way? Was interesting and pretty.

"Wan sit 'ere for a bit and then go back to our date?" Smirk there.

 

[Tamara Wren]

A small smile.

"I believe you."

She did too. She had then, but it hadn't been the same. Still, it sent a warm thrill through her core.

This, she thought to herself. If everything were like this, I don't think I'd even need the shard back. I could live in moments like this if they weren't just that. Just moments. Snippets stolen. The edges of her smile faded ever so slightly. But she couldn't and she knew it. She knew that she couldn't do it with only these, a day stolen in weeks of numbness. And that it wasn't fair to Julian either.

She wanted to feel like this again all the time.

Tam grimaced slightly, but not from that.

"I'd like to change," she admitted. It wasn't that she was particularly fussed by the blood. Just that it got cold and sticky and uncomfortable.

She squeezed his hand, pushing up off of the couch. "I'll be back in a little bit, then....." a pause, self conscious. "Then I'd like to finish our date, yeah."

She liked the way that sounded.

[member="Julian Imani"]