Private Chance Meetings at Nar Shaadda

[Christine Dellard]

One of the many bars on Nar Shaddaa was crowded this beginning early night of the weekend. Aliens and humanoids enjoyed themselves, some more under the influence than others but as usual this was not something out of the ordinary when going out exploring the nightlife of Nar Shaddaa. The so caller smuggler's moon had some of the best in the sector, but it was not for rookies and the faint of heart. Things could get pretty rough rather quickly. While Coruscant had its organised security and police forces, Nar Shaddaa were mostly under the protection of crime lords and the like. Chris loved it, though. This was where she were born. Where she was raised and where she had her roots. This was home.

The bright stobes danced over the scene and hit her and the De'rifts, a band consisting of herself, a young nautolan and a kiffar woman. She wore black boots, black tights with leather and rivet portions going across the knee area, along with a black loose top with a big skull on it that changed colors in the light of the strobes. On top of that she wore a short black leather jacket with some rivets on it. They were just transitioning into the last part of the nights last performance in front of an ever so enthusiastic crowd. The kiffar on drums and Chris on electric guitar were voicing together while the nautolan kept the bass going and broke in and added a male voice in certain portions of the song.

With lithe, Chris fell to the knees as the last note were played from her black, shiny and v-shaped guitar. Tossing back her long blonde hair, she took in the crowds cheer and applause. A wide smile of exaltation and pure joy spread in her face as she looked out over the crowd, stood up and then gestured to her fellow band members. The crowds cheer intensified a second time, as the three musicians got together and held an arm on eachothers shoulders, taking the time to appreciate the crowds accolades.

A full night performance like this always called for a drink, so after they had gone backstage Chris left into the crowd and headed for the bar. Some of the patrons recognised her and tapped her shoulder when she cruised past them with ease in the small ocean of people present. The clubs internal speakers smoothly had took over where the band had left off and continued to keep the people in good mood by playing upbeat songs. Once arriving by the bar, one of the bartenders were quick to spot her and take her order.

''A beer, please! Something good! Whatever you got!'' she said, having to raising her voice just slightly over the music and the night time buzz of the patrons. The bartender nodded and in an instant brought her a brown colored glass bottle which he opened.

''First one's on the house, Chris! Good show!''

Chris gave him a bright smile before taking a healthy drink from the bottle.

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

The cantina boomed with music as the night progressed — drunken laughter, secretive meetings of low moral character took place, and deals were struck, for materials and people. In the streets just outside the cantina, Finn stood, watching, waiting, preying. Finn wasn’t what one could call... “bad to the core” per se, but Finn was definitely not one to be crossed. The cherry bud off his deathstick smoldered as he inhaled the smoke into his lungs and exhaled, and a small but satisfying shudder moved throughout his body. You see, Finn had been hired by someone to protect a certain cargo, which contained some very valuable objects and substances of the legal, and well, illegal variety. Finn, had done his part and came through as usual with flying colors, and now, his client refused to pay him — which was a cross Finn would not allow to happen.

He walked towards the bar, the chiming ring of the spurs on his boots filling the air with a hypnotic cadence. He walked in the bar, the noise drowning all out, and Finn now blending right in. He was now any apex predator among prey. He scanned the room as he took another long drag off of his stick and stopped dead in his tracks as he spotted his mark. Hiram, a wealthy and rather well to do man who resided in Nar Shadaa, was sitting in a corner booth, a woman in each side of him, and muscle standing on the corners of the table — stealth was always a good option, but Finn would make this a show of force, and with luck have minimal blood spilt... and fear, along with another great urban myth to spread in the ranks to gain him further prestige and status in the underworld. He blurred into the crowd. A disturbance in the force would be felt as the room, for as warm and as many bodies it held would almost feel chill as hairs around the room would begin to stand up on the backs of patrons necks.

“Sleep....”

One simple word muttered as the guards surrounding Hiram would fall limp, almost seeming to be dead, and the young ladies by him, there heads would drop straight onto the table. The hypnotic chiming would be heard again as now the white spiked devil crossed the room and took a seat right in front of Hiram. He flicked his death stick as he leaned back, Finn now speaking as Hiram sat pale, panicked and almost in a state of shock. “You know, here I am, finishing a job, and looking to get paid for my services... and how am I repaid?” The modified Colt Python unholstered as it floated into the air behind Finn, almost as if it had a mind of its own as Finns hand slammed the table, his voice now horse as he looked at him, his eyes like daggers and his voice clawing out from his mouth like venom. “I’ll tell you how Hiram, I get paid with a cross. Your boys are now floating in space, they tried to kill me, and even better, I find out from the wire, you didn’t send me the agreed upon amount. Now, you see — when I go into a mans house, I show that man respect — because you never know what he might be capable of.” Finn composed himself as he moved a few stray strands of hair out from his eyes and spoke softer. “You have one minute — “ he pulled a old chronometer out “ — one minute, until my Python, puts a new hole into your skull... “ The guns hammer primed on its own as Finn stared the man down, no emotion, no empathy shown as he waited.

Hiram was sobbing as he looked around him, the crowd now looking at the seen in the corner, as he began to plead with Finn. “Wait — PLEASE! I beg you —“ Finn tapped his wrist as he simply spoke a number. “Forty five seconds left, I wouldn’t be begging, I would be transferring... “ Finn chided outwardly towards the whimpering man — as Hiram kept at it until he eventually fumbled a device out and entered creditionals into it, and transferred a rather large sum to Finns phantom account. The man went to speak, but only gurgling would be heard as Finn sat, a slight grin on his face. “Remember me Hiram, remember this moment — and how I chose not to kill you. Cross me again, hell — if I EVER, see your waste of a carcass within 10 parsecs of me... I’ll kill you, and it won’t be fast. You’ll wish for a fast death, but it’ll never come.” With a flick of Finns hand, Hirams head jerked backwards with the strange force that seemed to choke him as well, and the man fell flat unconscious to the table. Finn got up, the gun floating to his hand as he holster it — the crowd already, whispering and murmuring with fear and awe of him, he simply smirked as he walked over to the bar and downed a shot as he sat down; nodding to the bar keeper, slidding a credit chit with a sum on it to him for his patience and cooperation... obviously this wasn’t the first time this type of disturbance had happened, or this type of deal.

 

[Christine Dellard]

Something stirred the early night atmosphere of the cantina. An unexpected disturbance from the light and cheery ambience from under their session on stage and thereafter. Across the room from the bar, Chris could hear the faint sound of someone shouting through the music that played. Curious, she stood up and nice and easy begun to make her way through the crowds. A serious look invaded her face and while feeling for Curtain' hidden inside her jacket, she took another sip of the beer then wiped her mouth once with the back of the hand. It would have been typical if she had to ditch her band buddies to step into her role as a Judge, and she didn't realy want that tonight. She prayed silently for it to be nothing but a temporary disturbance that would solve itself.

Peaking out through the crowd of guests that had gathered around one of the corner booths, she caught sight of a man crashing his head unconscious into the table. Another man sat opposite him, just holstering a blaster. No one looked lethally hurt, just knocked out by something. Chris took a step back to avoid detection, but kept her eyes on the figure that stood up and headed towards the bar, people in the crowd making way for him as he went. She followed on a safe distance.

While not minor, a disturbance such as the one she just witnessed never tended to make any long and lasting impressions at a place like this. People were back to attending their own business, a couple of bouncers just heading over to the booth to check on the knocked out people back there, maybe hiding them somewhere til they came to life. As she saw the man downing a shot, the glimpse of his face got her to freeze for a moment. It was... Damn her eyes if it wasn't him! Beach boy... Well, what were the chances?

She walked up a couple of steps behind him and casually placed the free hand on her hip. Looking him up and down, she took another sip of the beer before she spoke up, looking straight at his head so that he would meet her gaze if he turned around.

''So... You're the one knocking out my audience, huh?''

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard


The voice that rang out behind Finn was one that caused his heart to flutter slightly as a grin grew across his face — beach angel. He recalled a while back his time at the beach, before the series of unfortunate events unfolded and landed him alone. Was she here performing or... on official capacity? A small bead of sweat broke on his brow as he pulled a death stick out, lit it and took a long drag. “I would never forget that voice, or that day we first met, Christine.....“ he spoke, lingering on her name as it rolled off his tongue eloquently, taking another drag. He turned around, his fierce emerald eyes meeting her gaze as he once again, like at the beach, with little to no attempt at hiding it, gave a once over of Christine. Finn seemed slightly different however, more, well worn down, off slightly — almost as if he had somehow aged vastly in the time since the beach, or — life had given him a rather hard hand. “So... what brings you out to these neck of the woods? On official duty, or do you just like to crash bars — or do you have a wild side I don’t know about?” Finn said, chiding slightly as he pushed off the bar, adjusting his holster as he stood closer to her as he took the death stick from his lips, offering her a draw, if she wanted too. Finn was still surprised — how much time had passed since he had seen her?... it seemed like such a long time ago, and being honest with himself, he was for sure he’d never see her again. Was this a sign, some cosmic intervention for him to change and be with her — or near her, wait — he groaned inwardly as he focused on keeping his thoughts from colliding and forming a wreck. He wasn’t mad, he was happy — but inner turmoil began to move in again as he found himself not liking the man he was while he was present with her... not that it took a man to protect this one.

 

[Christine Dellard]

The accent in his voice and the face that met her once he turned around got Chris to peer in slight suspicion. Even though she recognised that bushy tuft of hair, the innocent and slightly insecure boy that she had met at that beach was well hidden inside of him. She would admit that it was a surprise to her, but next to nothing ever made her appalled in this galaxy any longer.

As beach boy asked what she did there, rose up from the barstool and approached her, she tilted her head to the side and stood firmly at the same spot. Chris didn't remember he was this tall, though. Her blue gaze went from the death stick in his mouth, to his emerald eyes, and then back to the death stick being offered to her. She shook her head in response to the offer.

''Those things will kill you, y'know...'' she said simply with a more serious face, taking another sip of the beer.

''Maybe... What if I have? Would that terrify the beach boy I met on Binaros?'' she said, not wavering her gaze on him the slightest bit.

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

// ''Those things will kill you, y'know...'' \\



Finn chuckled at the comment as it turned into a full blown laughter that seemed to emanate from the deepest parts of his belly as he composed himself — the joke, the irony behind it was simply Finn knew it could kill him, but with the past year he had seemed to endure, there were worst things that wanted him dead, situations he shouldn’t have lived through... but alas, he saw the serious look in her eyes, knowing the care behind it as he let out a sigh. “I give, you win.” Finn said as he shrugged his shoulders, grabbing the death stick and pinching the ember out between his fingers as he flicked the stub away.



With the smoke clearing from his nostrils Finn took in another scent as he stood in close proximity to Chris. The fragrance of her hair, of her clothing — sweet aromatic fragrance mixed with the light perspiration of her working hard in the crowded place to sing, his eyes never left hers. He was taken back as his eyes showed a little surprise in them as she made her retort regarding her wild side, her making the comment about him being the beach boy she’d met, a grin forming at the corners of his lips as he stared at her, countering with his own well timed remark. “I’m not sure the beach angel I met could terrify me, but it would be rather interesting to see a dark side to this angel.” His gaze while on her, seemed distant again. The night kept progressing, the music now beating rhythmically in the background on the dance floor , but as they spoke, a hollow out formed in Finns stomach, not one of fear, but one of anxiety, one of anticipation, one filled with contentment, and joy. This moment was fun, she seemed pure, he was happy — but loathing once again began to creep back in, not towards her or anyone, but at himself... the person he had become since they last saw each other, made him ashamed. She had told him back on the beach, she didn’t leave scars on good people, he saw in his shirt time with her that she was trustworthy, noble, honest, defiant, strong; that she protected, she defended — he felt something, something within he’d never felt before towards her; he would push negativity aside, be present in this moment — and enjoy the time the universe had given him to be by her once again.



Having been quiet for just a few moments now, Finn finally broke a slightly larger smirk as he mustered up a few seconds of courage, still looking dead at her and spoke. “I missed you Chris.” There it was, the door cracked open slightly and began to let her in again, but she was one of the few he’d allow to have a key to it.

 

[Christine Dellard]

She just looked at him when he broke out in a laugh in response to her mention about death sticks, eventually, would kill you if you over-used them. They were also highly addictive. That was not exactly what she expected from the bashful beach boy she once met. As his laugh faded out though, he seemed to get the picture and flicked it away in a careless manner. He had changed, or was it just a temporary state he was in? She could not put the finger on it, wether it frightened her or not.

Why did she care for this kiffar/echani she had met once before, in the first place? This space pirate... This tall, ivory haired, emerald eyed man that somehow and right now happened to be at one of her favourite bars on Nar Shaddaa... She didn't know, but she knew that she didn't like the look of him abusing himself by smoking death sticks.

''I would've made you run for cover on that beach, if I showed it to you back then...'' Chris said casually before taking another sip of the beer, defiantly holding onto his gaze. ''Not saying that I have one, but... You might create one if you keep smokin' that chit...''

Chris looked him up and down once, seemingly thinking of something before he said that he had missed her. What she saw now resembled more the beach boy from Binaros. Not a considerable change to his demeanor and expression, but that slightly larger smirk gave something off. She straightened herself up a little.

''Yeah? Why don't you tell me more over a beer, huh? C'mon!'' she said, walking past him and tugged once in his hand to pull him along. She took a seat at a less crowded spot at the bar, waiting and looking for him to take the seat beside her. She watched him silently for a moment.

''So, what's you poison?'' she said, eyeing the shelves of spirits before glancing at him again. Waiting for his drink to be served, she spoke up again ''You look... different, Finn? I mean, I can't remember you smoked a death stick on Binaros... What's the story of all that, realy?''

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

// “I would've made you run for cover on that beach, if I showed it to you back then...'' Chris said casually before taking another sip of the beer, defiantly holding onto his gaze. ''Not saying that I have one, but... You might create one if you keep smokin' that chit...” \\​

Finn raised a slight eyebrow as he defiantly met her gaze as well, but knowing and notating she did not like him smoking a known Illegal substance — he would try, for her not too. It seemed as good as any of a reason to try.

His heart skipped and almost near stopped as she did a 180 and slipped into her natural rhythm of being, her hand brushing his for a moment — causing it to feel like sheer fire heated his hand at the mere touch as he found himself immediately following after her, both of them, never seeming to break eye contact for very long. He noted the spot in which they sat, it was secluded, private and they would for the most part, be left alone... he knew what was next. Her curiosity with him and what she perceived as change would prompt questions... but he would give her an answer, possibly answers she didn’t want to know, but he promised her honesty. What was his poison? “You....” Finn said at a slight murmur as he recognized his slip and corrected immediately. “I’ll take a glass of whiskey...” His face had flushed for a moment due to his slip, but soon he recomposed himself. He removed his jacket, a black tank top underneath, his firm seen like at the beach, toned. His left arm, still covering up his slave ID barcode, which Chris had seen. On his back, however, just where his shoulders started to be hidden with material from the tank top, were fresh pink strips, skin made up of scar material. Finn took a sip of the drink that would have been poured by now and sat in silence as he pondered on were to begin, and with a slightly sigh he began to talk once again, his gaze now on the wall away from Chris, forcing himself to speak. “ I suppose, it all started on that mission.....”

Finn began to unfold the events that had take place after Binaros. He explained how business had picked up for Cei, they finished mission after mission, and things finally seemed to look up. Finn had just been appointed “right hand” for Cei. He told of a call days prior had been taken, a job with a high reward, one that came with an even bigger risk. They were sent to covertly retrieve information for an anonymous buyer; from the one and only Chiss Ascendancy. Finn explained it had been a set up... and the rules of the engagement were if captured, they were on their own. Finn had been caught and left in his own, but had truly hoped Cei would have come back, but never did... he told a Chris that was when something in him just felt like it broke. Finn told of the interrogatio, the brutal whippings, beatings and the drugs that he had been injected with for it. He spoke of the excruciating pain he felt, the emotions he felt that came with it, the rage, the betrayal, the hopelessness. He moved the story forward telling how they dumped him several weeks later, knowing he wasn’t some internal political issue, but that they had left him to die in the wilderness, knowing he wouldn’t have long — but they were mistaken. He spoke of an elder woman, one that found him and nursed him to health, a woman known by Fayore Tain, a “mutt” of Chiss society that had chosen seclusion from her own people. He owed her his life. It took several weeks for him to fully recover, as well as several healing sessions from Fayore. Finn then spoke with compassion about how he’d began to take care of her, fixing her house, any way he could find to support her — to simply show thanks, ways to make life easy — he spoke fondly of her, almost like a son would of a mother. He spoke of her surgical ability, speaking of his eye, his right eye, now cybernetic and how she managed all these things, never wanting anything in return... but in the end, as all good things that get handed to Finn, he spoke of her death. It was odd — Finn stated as he spoke of how she went, staring she’d gone peacefully, saying her purpose had been fulfilled, but not before teaching him things of what Finn referred too as magic — the Force, he sought legends, stories, people... and was still searching. Finn told about his last job, how it ended up begin another set up, but he was ready — he was stronger — he was the predator this time and explained that was the disturbance from earlier. ​

His glass hit the counter softly, now empty as he chuckled. “You want to know one thought that crossed my mind as they tortured me?” He felt the empty pit in his stomach form again as he pushed for the few seconds of courage. “That I would never see you again. Isn’t that silly? Why would I think that?” He asked her, his gaze on her as he spoke. “I thought I was going to die, alone... and that no one would miss me. I was going to die a nobody, just like they always said to me as a kid Chris.” Finn spoke In a bothered tone, a frustrated scoff coming out — the “they” referring to the slavers that traded him as a kid, but then he pushed to said what he wanted to say finally. “ I missed you because for some crazy reason, when I’m with you, I feel like someone. I’m not worthless, I’m valued and priceless — It makes me feel, like I- I need to do more, I can do more, I can be more, that I could be better Chris, you know... for, you.” Hell, if he was going to spill it all, he figured he was given a second chance, no hiding it anymore. Finn sat in what felt like an uncomfortable silence waiting for her to speak.

 

[Christine Dellard]

“You....”

Oh, by having her glance upon him as they sat down in a more quiet place of the bar, she saw his expression and heard him alright. Guys... Always underestimating women and their abilities. Not commenting it, just an inside smile to his cute statement, Chris hided it well though. She rested her elbows on the counter and looked at him with genuine interest to what he was about to tell her. With a sip of the whiskey served to him, he took a few seconds and Chris noticed that he realy concentrated himself, forcing himself to tell her. She noticed the scars which wasn't there on the beach on Binaros. A more serious face grew on her as he begun his story. She listened carefully, closing all the music and other disturbances from the club out...

She didn't know if he wanted others to feel bad for him or not, many guys didn't want that, so she tried to hide the sadness that was unavoidable for her to feel to her otherwise serious face.

''That was...'' she let go of a small, sad sigh and shaked her head gently. She didn't know what to say or how realy to react to the terrible occurences that seemed to have followed him since they first met. ''I'm sorry to hear that, Finn. I realy am, and I'm realy glad that you're alive.'' she continued and looked at him as he continued.

She noticed a glimpse of hope in his words. He talked about her now, and what she had meant to him during his ordeals. She could not avoid to feel flattered of his words, the sad ambience around them starting to lighting up ever so slightly. On Binaros, Finn wasn't the smoothest or most discreet guy she had met. Of course, she had noticed his longing glances, his nervousness around her, his failed or non-existent attempts to smooth talk her and now his hand acting rather odd when she had pulled him along to the bar. Finn was beating around the bush. She figured it was time to take the bull by its horns.

''That's... huh...'' she begun, and contemplatingly twisted the bottle of beer on its spot, side eyeing it. ''Are you...'' she continued and laid her glance upon Finn again. ''... hitting on me, Finn?''

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

// “That's... huh...'' she begun, and contemplatingly twisted the bottle of beer on its spot, side eyeing it. ''Are you...'' she continued and laid her glance upon Finn again. ''... hitting on me, Finn?'' \\​

She began to respond, Finn listening, his internal dialogue shouting at him as it came to an abrupt halt at her playful retort about him hitting on her — Holy, chit.... — his heart nearly stopped and dropped to the floor as his face flushed in unison. He felt her gaze upon her, as he let out a nervous chuckle that managed to escape his lips. He turned, squaring himself with Chris as his hand managed to smoothly begin to inch towards her hand, and he managed to scoot slightly closer towards her, without falling flat on his face. “Hitting on you?....” He said in counter to her remark. “Yes....” He responded once again, slower this time, dragging the word out as he proceeded into the next sentence. “I would also say, I may have failed slightly at doing so as well back on Binaros...” His eyes scanned her features as he spoke, admiring them — her tattoos, her fair skin, her lips. He smelt her scent even more now that he was in closer proximity to her as his emerald eyes met with hers. “ I would dare so much as venture to say, that I might be falling for you — and that I would be stupid not to take the chance I was given to say or do anything...” He paused as he took a breath. “....and that I would very much like to kiss you now — and not get my arm broken in the process.” Finn was no ‘hustler’ or ‘one night’ kind of guy — Feth, little to Christines knowledge he’d never even found a ‘love’ interest to this point in life, she was the very first. He saw women as they were, people, not objects, and the intricate web of a mystery and person that made Chris drew Finn into her web, he found something that resonated within his soul to the core and he seized the moment of courage as he leaned in slightly closer now, not going all the way, but still respecting her and giving her the opportunity to kiss him back, he wanted it mutual, not forced and not awkward... Feth, he thought, she could just shoot me down, and well — it is what it is.. but he hoped for the best.

 

[Christine Dellard]

She had right out asked him, and before asking the question, she had already guessed what the answer would be. She were no fool and Finn wasn't realy that smooth of a guy. With slight amuse to his innocent and surprised reaction, her blue eyes studied him fearlessly and listened to his poorly hidden declaration of love to her.

''Whoa! Slow down there, space lover boy! Before you fall off the chair and land flat on the floor with that cute face!'' she said with a chuckle, and prepared herself to catch him by laying her hands on his shoulders. Now considerably closer to the kiffar/echani man, she tried to see through that emerald gaze of his. What was going on under that ivory tuft of hair. What the words he used realy meant. Words that she seemingly had unearthed by asking him that undeniably clear question. She had made no more than being herself, and yet Finn was now falling for her. She could not avoid to be flattered by those words.

''Oh, don't worry... I'll make it quick.'' she said jokingly with a wide bright smile and prominent chuckle, as she showed the slugthrower tucked inside her jacket and leaned into the shoulder and chest of prince charming here. He had a pleasant scent to him, not that of a fancy expensive perfume from Naboo, but a natural male one that she instantly approved of. Liking it or not, it was a fact that they had only met twice and for real did not know that much of each other. From the two times they had met though, Chris wanted that to change, she would admit that. She have had ''one nighters'' before, as so many others in the business, but she could tell that Finn definately was not one of those and she did not want to break his heart by enticing him into false hopes. He intrigued her, though. He intrigued her quite a lot.

''Are you sure you know what you're talking about now, Finn...?'' she continued clearly flattered, placing a hand on one of his on his knee while realising that they were more or less cuddling by now, thanks to Finn's little invitation. ''I mean, this is the second time we meet? I could be a real schutta, for all you know...''

Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

Finn felt her weight rest against his own body now as his heart thudded heavily in his chest. This feeling, it was intoxicating being around her — it hooked him. He rested his head against hers slightly, catching yet another whiff of her hair, as he moved his arm around her, resting just on the other side of her back and the side of her stomach. He felt her hand move to his knee, which caused yet another skip within his heart. They were close, closer than he’d been in proximity with a female, or, at least one he had felt this way about.



// “Are you sure you know what you're talking about now, Finn...?'' she continued clearly flattered, placing a hand on one of his on his knee while realising that they were more or less cuddling by now, thanks to Finn's little invitation. ''I mean, this is the second time we meet? I could be a real schutta, for all you know...'' \\



Did he know what he was talking about when it came to a full and precise picture of all that was Christine? Feth no — and she hadn’t a full picture of him either; but, something deep within Finn stirred when he came around the woman, she was different, as if she were some puzzle piece that Finn had yet to obtain that would complete the picture. He let out a slight sigh, which sounded slightly uneven, Finns head buzzed slightly from the just high he was feeling from this night... but he focused and spoke a surprising answer. “Am i sure? Feth no — and the hell? A schutta?... never, how do you know I’m not scum? What’s stopping you from putting me away for life? I get it — I’ve still got a lot to learn about you.” He paused as he repositioned himself, his hand moving to her check as he tucked a bit hair behind her ear. “I want to know those things about you, your not just some conquest Chris, I wouldn’t do that.” He paused staring straight at her, re emphasizing the question at hand again. “Am i sure? — no, but I am about how I feel about you, and it won’t change. I almost died Chris, by all rights I should be. Something gave me another chance, someone did , and I somehow run into you here? Thats some big coincidence, and as if I’m going to let you go without a fight?... then i guess I will be walking out of here with a broken something.... but, I guess I’ll just take my chances.” He said as now, being hyped by this moment in time, and feeling the way he felt, and, whether it was sheer bravery at work in this moment, or — sheer unfiltered stupidity, Finn leaned in, and kissed Chris this time, seizing the moment.

 

[Christine Dellard]

Chris let herself be held in the kiffar/echanis's arms while he continued to explain his feelings, or at least tried to. She could not get it out of her mind how cute he had sounded all through their conversation, she would definately give him that. Meeting two or three times and then be cuddling like this was certainly unusual, but Finn had something very honest and faithful about him. He spoke freely about things that he would not be doing if he did not trust her fully.

She had felt his heart almost skipping a beat and at least pounding harder when she head leaned into him, making herself comfortable against his chest for a moment. She did not know exactly why she had done it, but it had just came to her. What is was deeped down was yet to be explored, and she wanted to do that.

''Well... I saw you deal with those people in the booth earlier... Now, I don't know anything about that but they might still be asleep, wouldn't they?''

She said it with a shrug and an attitude not realy expecting a fully explained answer if her was a scum or not. In truth, she had already made up her mind about that, and that was that he was not. Finn might have been thorn between something that he truly was not, but always seemed to end up like the open and kind of fragile boy that she had met on Binaros. Chris hoped that she had not been wrong about him, just as she was about to glance up at him and was met with a deep but nervous kiss that she met and answered whole heartedly with closed eyes.

''Wow... That was...'' she begun to whisper, side of the head leaned into his chest. ''... crazy, right? I mean, it felt good and all, but... Yeah... You say so good things to me, after just these two times we've met...'' she said, feeling safe and secure in his arms. ''I don't wanna rush things too fast, you know... But... I like you, Finn. You're a more good guy than you think, I can't see any scum under that tuft of hair...'' she cotinued in all honesty, while glancing up at his finely shaped face, meeting his gaze with hers after the kiss. She had kissed him because she wanted to. Much like him, she tried the waters and was not disappointed with what she had recieved. Whle being careful, everything felt genuine about the kiffar/echani mix. It was not like a kiss sealed everything about their future, but she certainly wanted to explore it more.
Finley

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

Before the kiss, she had asked him of the people in the booth. True — he had a small incident earlier, and she asked, he wouldn’t try to hide details. “I had an issue, of sorts. I was paid to secure a cargo for the man — and that man may or may not have refused to pay and tried to have me killed. I simply took the payment that was promised, plus some for cheating me.... He’ll be waking up soon, with a nasty headache.” He knew that wasn’t the best answer and sighed. “I needed the job Chris, but, I dunno, none of it ever feels like me, it’s just hard to find other work”

After their discussion — He remembered leaning in, praying and hoping she would return the kiss, and as he leaned in, it was as if time itself stopped and stood still just for them. He remembered their bodies pressing slightly against each other, hands searching and seeking as they wove within her golden locks.

Pure, unfiltered ecstasy would be fitting to describe the electrical sensation that happened while the two shared a mutual kiss. Innocent, pure and wholesome. It was everything and more for Finn. It was perfect. She began to talk; and much like Finn, she seemed flustered, for once... which caused him to smile just slightly. His face burned, the blood having rushed to his head and face causing flushed cheeks. He listened as she spoke... true, he spoke several nice things about her — but that was because he meant them. As he explained earlier, Finn wasn’t sure of a lot of things, but he believed something had been at work when he first met Chris. His hand caressed her cheek slightly as he managed to speak, utterly captivated by her now. “I don’t suppose you’d be in too much trouble with your band if I stole you away?....” She was, a priceless gem, one Finn knew others could try to covet and seek and possibly try to steal... but he couldn’t just lock this rarity away... no. She was a flower, a seed to a would be relationship, one in which, if he gave the right amount of space — watered it in the proper manner, it could prosper — but he also had the chance to smother her... smother this opportunity .... and then, it would never work; he had to be careful. But, he never wanted this moment to end, and he would trade anything to stay in this moment forever. “There’s a place, down in the lower city; it’s run by a elderly man — a local. It’s a nice little out of the way, hole in the wall type of restaurant. I make it a point to stop in when I’m this way and support him... if, your able to step away.” He never broke gaze with her. To any bystander, Chris and Finn now blended and melted within the background as two lovers engaged in a private conversation. He left the question to hang in the air, and left it up for her to decide.

 

[Christine Dellard]

Chris smiled shyly as Finn stroke her cheek with his gentle touch. His utter captivation by her got her to blush slightly, and lean down with an elbow to the counter and her chin resting in her hand as she glanced on him with a flickering gaze. How a sweet hearted man such as Finn could put down goons and thugs in the way he did, even if they were just knocked out, was beyond her.

''Oh, Yeah? First you kiss me and then you want to abduct me?'' she said raising an eyebrow, but with a wide smile following, telling that she was pulling his leg. Chris then finished what little was left o the beer and sat it down on the counter. She didn't wait for his answer, but just enjoyed a shared happy glance between them. ''I think I might have a window for that in my schedule, yeah...''

Chris stood up and adjusted her jacket some. ''I'm just gonna tell them that I'm leaving for a while... I'll meet you outside, okay?''

With that, she left for Zak and Glade to tell them where she was going, maybe not with who yet, but she was sure they would ask later. Fortunately enough, Finn had found her just when they were done for the night. She would then meet up with Finn just outside the establishments enterance.

Finley

 

[Finley]

Finn simply chuckled as Christine Dellard joked about him abducting her. Call it what you would, Finn wanted her alone and to himself, no distractions, he wanted the time on the beach here and now back once again. Finn watched as Chris downed the rest of her drink, and excused herself to tell her companions that she’d be departing for a while, Finn looked toward the bartender and let out a loud and high pitched whistle , putting down yet another credit chit to pay for the drinks. Standing up and making his way towards the entrance he saw her standing there now in the dim neon lighting of the establishment.

He couldn’t help but to admire her tall and slender figure. Her scent, still filing his nostrils flared up again as he approached her and he couldn’t help but to let out a slightly coy, and unfiltered smile of joy. “It would appear I now have you all to myself. The restaurant is this way…”

He turned slightly, his right hand held out as the left moved to his hair, moving it slightly out of the way. They would begin to walk at a very causal pace down block, making there way to the restaurant, but he wasn’t in a rush for the night to end. “So I’ll have to admit, tonight was unexpected, but good. So tell me, I know what you do, but tell me about you. What are your hopes? Your dreams, your desires?”

 

[Christine Dellard]

As attentive she were to details, Chris noticed the coy but kind of cute smile spreading on the mans lips and understood that her decision to follow him had made his night - if not that kiss had already did.

''Yeah! It was pretty unexpected, wasn't it?'' Chris agreed and looked straight at Finn, as they strolled down the sidewalk at a relaxing pace. ''Funny how our paths seem to cross eachother every now and then.'' she added looking forward again, purposely keeping from mentioning the very unexpected close encounter they had and probably the one specific thing that Finn had in mind when he called the night unexpected. Without looking at ''Mr. Charming'', a slightly teasing smile danced upon her lips.

''Wow... Have we reached the big ones now?'' she asked rhetorically, flashing a challenging smile at him, and started to think of how she would answer the tall and handsome kiffar-echani. Assertive as she was, Christine had a very clear image of her hopes, dreams and desires. ''Uhm... First of all, I hope to have as much fun as possible in my life... Continue to create music and give everything I've got to our fans... It's one of the most rewarding things there is.'' she explained, getting something dreamy in her eyes as she mentioned the music which took up a great deal of her time, and she loved every minute of it, the pinnacle of it all being on the stage. ''And while I got a moment over; fight for what's good in the galaxy, and do what I can to make the corners I travel through a better place...'' Chris added, coming to her next big pursuit in life.

''Without exaggerating - and I'm very grateful for it - you could say I'm living my dream right now. Sure... It would be nice having someone other than Pleck - my vupltex and loyal companion as well as advisor in the studio - to share it with, but I guess that'll come in time... How about you then, pirate?'' Chris ended, biting her lower lip some anxious to what his comment on it all would be.

Finley ​

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

Music was her life, music was life to her. To everything there was a purpose, and to everything it had its own rhythm and cadence to which it marched and flowed by. He saw the joy in which it brought her, as well as he had heard her in action and enjoyed it. She continued on to doing good, leaving anywhere she left better than when she had arrived... but to Quill, it was the light that was her life force that changed the places around her. Chris was, nothing like anyone he had ever encountered before. Her sheer will, her personality, her body, her voice... everything about her drew him in and captivated him; he knew it was for those reasons places were changed and better, because they had gotten to know her, gotten to see the goodness within her. His attention focused even more as she then described her solitary life, with Pleck, and how she wanted to share it with someone... holding her hand still his head tilted up towards the stars and the moon that resided in the planets sky, speaking softly. "Two hearts beating as one, cleaving and becoming one flesh....."

She turned the questions to him, and he couldn't help but to chuckle at her 'pirate' retort at the end, knowing she was playfully flirting with him. "Well, any pirate knows the value of priceless treasure..." Quill smirked as he once again locked gaze with Chris. He continued their walk in silence as they approached a more oriental, and small restaurant as Quill had described. Quill led Chris into the establishment, and they were greeted by a frail looking older gentleman that seemed tickled that Quill was paying him a visit, his thick accent coming forth as he greeted them.

"Oh! Quill-san! You bring a guest? You never bring a guest! He looked towards Chris, his eyes virtually closed by how big his smile was. "I tell Quill, I tell him, go- - Go! Find a pretty a girl and marry her, and bring her a'here.... I tell him I cook a big dinner for him, and --" At this point into the conversation, Quills demeanor once again had transformed back to that of sheer, utter and raw embarrassment as he cleared his throat, cheeks fully flushed and spoke."Chris, this is Mr. Getsuyan, he's known me for sometime.... and FREQUENTLY says TOO much old man...." The older man simply wove his hand as he would chuckle and wave Quill off, moving towards the back of the restaurant to prepare food, addressing Chris as he walked off, shuffling all the while. "You find a good one, a stupid one, but good. Keep him in line... I go make food. Sit! Sit! Stay!" Quill groaned as motioned towards a booth in the corner, allowing for solitary time, even though the restaurant was virtually empty.

He groaned and then smirked, rubbing the back of his hair as he looked at her. "When i was a boy, just on the run after escaping my enslavement, Mr. Gesuyan fed me, clothed me, and gave me a place to sleep in return for work. He essentially is the closest thing I would have to a parental figure. He's a local favorite, often running a front during day hours for anyone needing refuge. He's a good man. Now, back to our questions...." He paused as he gathered his thoughts. "I'll be honest with you, with all that has happened, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I've been thinking of becoming more of a lawman, verses a pirate, someone to help those that need help. There is too much corruption in the politics of today, the Jedi, Sith, they all have their own agenda... I just want to do good, and help those that truly need it. As far as my hope, and my desire..." Quill's hand moved down Chris's arm as he leaned in just slightly to take in her scent... now staring back into her eyes. "I think finding 'someone', and sharing a life with them, being with them, waking up next to them, maybe starting a family... maybe, would be the end goal. It just depends if that person... felt the same way."

 

[Christine Dellard]

''Oriental...'' Chris repeated in surprise the first word she thought about, when she saw what kind of restaurant her was taking her to. ''Not bad, Finn. Just what I like. Is it just a fluke, or how long have you stalked me to know I'm a... like, a real sucker for this kind of grub?'' she asked, adding a wink and a sweet bright smile to make sure he didn't take her fun and games too serious.

As they entered the from the outside unassuming hole in a wall-style establishment, scents of both familiar and unknown as well as interesting spices reached the blonde musicians nose and made her apetite shoot through the roof. The interior were well-worn but clean and inviting. Chris instantly loved it, and she were not exactly attempting to hide that fact. Instead, Finn would, with his careful attention to her, notice that bright white smile stay on her lips as she wordlessly gave her stone solid approval of where he had taken her. She kept that smile as the old man, seemingly the owner, approached and greeted them with open arms and a remarkable energy for a man his age. Chris was a bit taken aback by his words, but also felt that he only meant well by it. She took a deep breath and tried to endure the slightly awkward moment between her and Finn.

''It's a pleasure to meet you, mister Getsuyan!'' she said sincerely before the old man hurried off to the kitchen.

''A pirate turning lawman? That's not something you hear everyday...'' she noted, leaning on the table and rested her chin on her fist looking at Finn as he tried to answer those big questions he had introduced them to. ''A warden? Judge? I've got to admit, it's a pretty big leap from what I saw at the club... Let alone death sticks and law work would not be the best of pals... What would your employers have to say about it?'' she continued, genuinely interested and thankful that they could slip away for a moment on their own.

Chris calmly held her position and followed his gaze as Finn leaned in a bit, continuing onto his hopes and desires.

''Well, hope is the last thing that deserts you, they say...'' she remarked and offered him an ever so slight and soft smirk, before mister Getsuyan arrived with some starters.

Finley​

 

[Finley]

Christine Dellard

Finn couldn't help but to feel a sense of accomplishment, and sheer joy as he saw Chris with her reaction to the restaurant. Not many people got to see this side of Finn, let alone not many people were let in to his world… he didn't fear, he knew she was the one that would be worth it. He continued to listen intently to Chris as she brought up valid and well, needed push back on the matter. He noted that Mr. Getsuyan was coming to the table, bringing all matter of sides and main dishes, the old man still smiling as he simply put his hands on Finn and happily walked back to the main bar area where he worked. Finns eyes followed him, breaking eye contact from Chris shortly as she spoke on hope, and how it deserted you. His tone changed slightly. " Maybe your right, hope is a thing that deserts you… if you allow it." He paused as he continued staring off at the old man. "Hope is the substance of things not yet seen, but known. I know one day, I'll have to say goodbye to him, but I hope, I'll always have just one more day to be thankful for him." He looked back to Chris. "I hope, that one day, I'll get to wake up next to someone that I love and who loves me… and I'll defend, protect and care for that person with every fiber that is in my being… and eventually even have a family." His hands were folded together, just in front of his mouth, his hair slightly in the way of his eyes, but never once did his eye contact waver off of Chris as he spoke this.

"In regards to your other statements… You ever wonder what I do with the items I smuggle Chris? With the funds I collect? I fence them, and disperse the money to families in the lower portions that need it. I may be a pirate, but I like to think I'm a fairly honest one. As for disputes, I've tried to keep them civil, but when you deal with the undergrowth that is the people that tend to hire me, it's hard not to have an incident like that one every once in a while. I hope, with time… it'll change… I've changed. I try not to except jobs from people I know that do complete harm… but the lines can be so muddied at times, it's just hard." He paused as he leaned back, looking towards the ceiling. "As far as employers go, I've made enough of a rep in regards with my new found abilities that most won't cross me. I just, I don't know… this is not the life I had imagined for myself. But, I suppose not all things in it are bad…" He could help but to smirk on the last bit.