Cheeseburger in Paradise

[Kana Truden]

The food arrived bringing the smell of a rare-cooked steak would slowly but steadily spread around the room. At least, that’s what it felt like, hunger kicked in as the boy began shuffling things around in order to set up something to eat on and her head arched back in surprise as the boy accidentally insulted her name. It was quite clearly a slip up and she felt comfortable letting a small chuckle.

“Well, what kind of name is Chuck Finley?” She retaliated. “I’m from Alderaan, technically Coruscant but that’s hardly worth mentioning anymore.”

The fork and knife gently pierced and cut their way through the meat. There was a slight saltiness to the taste as the semi-raw meat made contact with her tongue. The soft center of the cooked meat would grind and tear as bite for bite her taste buds exploded with joy. As much as the temple was great it still lacked good food, fun food. A meal such as this was a very rare occurrence.

“When we met I didn’t dislike you.” She smiled and turned to look at [member="Damian Starchaser"]. “You spilled my drink, a harmless mistake. I just really needed to vent out somehow, I’m sorry. You seem like a good kid, very touchy and starey but other than that I can't really say. ”

Not that Jedi was the kind to actually vent as much as bottle up and let it linger, but hey, had she really proven herself to be the most traditional Jedi around at this point?

“So what about it, Mr. Stares-a-lot? Why was it that you couldn’t stop staring at me? Do I remind you of someone?”

 

[Damian Starchaser]

What kind of name was Chuck Finley? “I’m not really sure where my names from,” he said truthfully. “But I’m from Corellia.” Always hide a lie inside of a truth. It makes it easier to swallow. Bad medicine. “Mostly though I grew up in space. My grandfather had a shipping business,” or smuggling business, whatever. “and he used to take me a lot.” Damian looked down at the meal and inched a little closer to Kana so that they were sitting next to one another. “He raised me mostly, I never really knew my parents…”

He bit into a piece of mynock meat and scooped up some noodles and sauce. This wasn’t a topic he really wanted to discuss and was elated to hear what Kana thought of him. “You really didn’t just… hate me at first? or think of me as a dweeby little kid.” And then she asked why he stared at her. Damn, did she really not know.

“I…” his face grew a little more red if that was possible. He took a quick drink and looked away. One deep breath later he turned back to the woman, a smile formed over his face. “I just like to stare at pretty things is all. It’s only natural isn’t it? A young man looked at a beautiful woman, and [member="Kana Truden"] you are beautiful..."

 

[Kana Truden]

She frowned ever so slightly. The disaster on Corellia had affected many and yet every time she heard of someone who had been affected she couldn’t help herself. There were many refugees that had spread around the galaxy, most of them to One Sith worlds, but there were others who had found a way out of their red mist of influence.

The story of his parents hit home. Not quite, but almost. Kana actually knew her parents but wished she hadn't, funny how things work sometimes. Her smile quieted down for a bit before quickly shining up again as the question once more was if Kana hated him at first. Her head shook once more in reassurance, mouth opened to speak but before she could say anything the topic was changed again.

Again the guy blushed. The feeling of surprise radiated all over Kana as the boy told her she was beautiful. She had not expected that at all, at the very best it had been people in her surroundings who had gotten such attention, but not her.

“Thank you.” Kana blinked. “I-...”

She needed to find the words, anything to make the shocked stare she gave the kid a break.

“You’re not gonna ask me to marry you next, right?” She snickered. “No, I am honored, Chuck, you look pretty okay too. Certainly more in touch with style than most padawans around the Jedi temples. That I have seen.” A rather obvious fact, but it was the best she could come up with. “Oh, oh, oh, that mindtrick you were trying to do? Have you been around other Jedi before? Where did you learn that?”

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

And then she was embracing him at the mention of Corellia. Despite how cool Damian liked to play things he was not at all prepared for this. Still something about it felt good. Damian actually laughed, “You say that…” he started off, “but the truth is if I asked you to marry me right now and was sincere you’d probably accept the proposal.” And don’t think I haven’t thought about it…. “But I wouldn’t want to.. you know.. in your state.”

Damian embraced the moment and slid into the women's side with blushing red cheeks at the mention of looking ‘pretty okay’. His side pressed against [member="Kana Truden"]'s and his arm wrapped around her shoulders holding her tight. At the least he knew she thought he had a good sense of fashion. “Yeah,” he said wrangling the tie free of his shirt with his free hand. “I like to wear nice things,” he shrugged. “Sometimes you have to.”

He looked down at his hand. “I’ve never really been around Jedi. You’re the first.” Each of his digits flexed before he waved his hand in the air doing the mind trick. “I just sort of knew how to do this, but its only worked once. When I was fleeing Corellia…” he didn’t want to talk about it. “Are all Jedi like you? I don’t think I’d mind being a Jedi if they were all like you. You’re,” he paused trying to find the words, “easy to talk to. It just feels natural.” Of course that may be because she was drugged into liking him.

 

[Kana Truden]

Her state? Was Kana in some kind of state? In the end the it all slipped as Mister Finley embraced her. Just like she had so many times already she slowly nodded at the comment about having to wear nice things. Her current outfit was very much proof of that. Actually, the whole ship was probably proof of that.

“We’re all different kinds of people around the temples. Some might prefer to be a bit more solitary, others may be a bit too talkative for their own good, but in the end they’d all welcome you for who you are.” Because the code forbids them from not doing so, but that part was easy to ‘forget’ about. “It’s funny, in a sense the Jedi found me much like I found you. I wasn’t really born into it, people usually are but there is also lot of us who weren’t.”

Though it was a bit of an oddity. “You’re a good kid too, Chuck. Jedi or no.”

“Though if you don’t mind me asking, what was it that made you go on this trip?” She let go of the embrace. “It seems to be an awfully boring trip for a lone kid, don’t you think?”

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

“Born into it huh?” Damian smirked a little. “Well I can understand that I suppose.” He was clone, and clones generally had purpose. Even if that purpose was slightly insane he was still born into it. “A place where everyone accepts you. I’d never known it. I lived a… an isolated existence.” Lonely. For him there was no school. It would have given rise to too many questions about his strange growth pattern. That meant no friends, at least none his own age. He hated kids his own age, they were still… juvenile. Kids his equivalent age, well they were a little better. Still teenagers were too ruled by hormones to….

Damian felt Kana’s hand fall to rest just next to his leg. Her fingers fluttered grazing his leg… “I was hoping to find my dad here…” he said honestly, “But he didn’t come. I didn’t think he would.” Why did he tell the truth? He should have lied. “I don’t think it’s too boring though. I mean I met you didn’t I?”

He squeezed on his arms and pulled her closer to him. Their bodies meshed together and Damian let out a sigh. “You are by far the most intriguing person I’ve met in a long time. It may sound odd… but I feel.” He couldn’t say it. In addition to being utterly unbelievable it was tacky. But it was the truth. “I felt drawn to you. It was a little, strange.”

[member="Kana Truden"]

 

[Kana Truden]

“Yes you did.” Kana nodded as the boy went on. “You feel what?”

Then the description of something Kana had taken for granted was brought up. Force bonds. It was weird that she hadn’t sensed it before, maybe she had but even then only barely. Or was that also something she told herself? The notion certainly came to her once the mention of being ‘drawn to her’ was brought up.

“That sounds like a…” It sounded so stupid. “It could be a force bond.”

Kana scatched the back of her head. “It’s hard to explain, but it would seem.” No, it sounded so silly. “You are tied to me. Somehow, your life has been.” Tied to Kana? That sounds weird. “Look, the force works in mysterious ways and somehow your path has been woven together with mine.”

“Some usually take this opportunity to recruit new members into the Order. I mean, I should, but.” Her head tilted from side to side. “I can’t force you into it.”

“I am not saying it has to be immediately, but down the line, if you want, I’ll be.” Recruiting felt odd, there was no sales pitch that felt just right. ‘Hey, come fight evil at the risk of becoming it yourself.’ Didn’t feel like a good sales pitch at all.

“I’ll be here, if you ever want to consider it. All I ask is that you think on it.”

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Force bond? That was a… intriguing thought? That was one word for it. The truth was in a single moment [member="Kana Truden"] had made Damian rethink much of his life and actions. “Are you,” A bond between them? Did that mean… Clearly Damian wasn’t thinking straight. There was something here clearly. A bond she called it. Yet...

Damian leaned in toward Kana looking her in the eyes and maintaining contact. Closer and closer until soon. No. He stopped all motion. It was just drugs talking. And even if it wasn’t, even if she meant what she said it was innocent enough. He laughed it off, “Now who is proposing marriage?” he said in a joking manner.. taking a little sigh and leaning back against the bulkhead, keeping Kana nestled in his arms. That was stupid. Really stupid.

She let out a yawn, tired. Drugs probably.“I tell you what. If you feel the same way in the morning, ask me again. If you even remember this conversation.” Reluctantly he let her go and stood up moving the table with the discarded food tray back to its corner. “But until then, go to sleep alright?” He fluffed up a pillow and gently guided Kana down to the bed. Kana was lying there, looking up at him. And Damian couldn’t help himself he leaned over and got into her face, hey it was only fair. He was good. He really was. “Goodnight,” he said giving her a gentle peck on the forehead.

He stood up and slid his tie off throwing it over the chair in the corner. Next came his jacket which he likewise deposited over the chair. He rummaged through the pockets and took out the code cylinder and opened up his drawer finding the slick he’d created and placing the little device there. For safe keeping. Sitting on the bed he pulled at the sheets and draped them over both the woman and himself. He was at the foot just beyond her feet. The room may be small but the bed was large enough and he could sleep with his back to the wall. He spared one final glance over at Kana who was already sleep. A final glance and a smile. He had a lot to think about, and sleep came hard, but after rolling the idea of being a Jedi around in his mind he finally went back to sleep. Kana probably wouldn’t remember any of this in the morning anyways….

#

Damians eyes opened slowly, the light from outside shining in. They had arrived on the waterworld of Dac. The morning after. He yawned and noticed his back hurt. He moved a little to sit up… wait sit up? Wasn’t he sleeping sitting up? He looked around quickly and noticed himself lying in bed next to [member="Kana Truden"]’s legs. Face red he quickly sat up. His button down shirt was loose and unbuttoned with the sheets draped around his leg. As he sat up he felt as if he would fall and his hand shot down to steady himself. Right onto Kana’s leg. He gulped hard stopping himself from outright smacking the woman.

And then his expression changed to something more curious. His hand started to rub gently against Kana’s tan form fitting, or skin tight, pants. His fingers roamed up and down the lower part of her leg until hitting the knee. He stopped for a moment at the joint and then continued up trying to confirm his suspicions. Up to the thigh where...

Kana started to wake up. “Hey…” Damian said still groggy his hand remaining firmly planted. “I had a lot of fun last night. It was my first time…” Cherry apple red. If his face was a car paint that would be the most apt description. “With a woman I mean…” That was the [member="Marek Starchaser"] charm…. “dining.” And first time kissing a woman. But that wasn't important.

 

[Kana Truden]

Her yawn turned into a steady descent into the embrace of the mattress. A weary laughter parted her lips as the evening slowly faded from memory. Her eyes shut and the dreams of home on Ruusan came to mind. Images of dust and the Valley, students on the doctor’s table waiting to have their minor injuries all patched up by the junior healer around the temple grounds.

Sweet dreams indeed.

# # # # #​

However, eventually her mind was drawn out of hibernation as the bed seemed to shuffle around. An itching sensation at the lower half of her leg had her hand reaching to scratch it. Eyelids barely co-operated as her vision blurred up when the lights of the room proved overwhelming. Her grogginess became a harsh reality as the voices of [member="Damian Starchaser"] turned into muffled noises.

“-my first time.” The voice cleared up. “With a woman I mean... Dining.”

Kana’s eyes raced around to check her body for anything weird, but all that seemed weird in this once-familiar wake up situation was the fact that she was dressed. Panic still kicked in and the race to get out of bed was on. The insides of her coat felt light, empty, her saber was gone and her hand reached up to cover her forehead before tucking back the worst of what remained from her ungraceful bed-hair.

Wait, was that the kid from the bar?

“Oh no. No. Nonono.” Kana slumped down into a chair. “We didn’t… Right?”

Because there was a distinct blind spot in the back of her mind here.

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian started to button up his shirt a wave of embarrassment overtaking him. Then when the woman spoke Damian quirked a brow and looked straight into her eyes. Would it really have been that bad? He hoped she wasn’t a telepath the thought was so damned strong. Ego deflation in progress. “Well…” he started. Teach her to insult him…. he paused. C’mon Damian you’ve been good so far, just stay the course. “The man at the end of the bar, and the bartender, spiked your drink. Some sort of cocktail, Elixir of Infatuation and probably something else to make you sleepy.” Damian shook his head and looked away from her. “I tried to stop it, but you wouldn’t go out to the pool with me.” He let his hand run down her leg. “I didn’t know.” His hand rubbed at the cloth over the prosthetics. “I’m sorry.”

“I was going to leave you,” Couldn’t sound too noble, “But then I just… sort of came back. Jumped in front of you so the drug would imprint you on me and then brought you back here where absolutely nothing inappropriate happened.”

Damian pointed over to two plates, “We are dinner, talked a little bit, and then went to sleep.” Another thought went through his mind. “Do you remember anything at all?” A concerned look overtook his face. Did he want to be a Jedi that badly? He’d never thought about it before, but then again it seemed to him he’d never been offered. It broke his heart to know the offer was probably now rescinded. It broke his heart to know that this woman probably now hated him….

 

[Kana Truden]

Her face sought refuge in the palms of her head. Elixir of infatuation, sleep powder and still she woke up in bed with a semi-stranger. Elbows digging neatly into her knees she took a moment to recollect herself. Fingers curled to let her set eyes on [member="Damian Starchaser"] again. The fact that she was indeed seemingly untouched, except for her missing lightsaber, was reassuring enough.

Her eyes closed. She had to find her center again and stay calm. The small haze at the back of her mind was still there like a cloud of uncertainty but there were ways to get through that. Probably. Without the force it involved breakfast, but considering the circumstances she wasn’t truly in the mood for that. The only way forward was to bruteforce it, drain the remaining toxins out of her.

The blurred images of last night resurfaced as they slowly created a still very uncertain picture of what had happened. The drink as it hit the floor, being led down a hallway, a steak, bonds and then sleep.

Her eyes slowly opened. “Finley.” She looked at Damian. “I’m. I’m sorry, Chuck. I think I owe you a.”

“I’m sorry, I thought you had, uh, well. I was drugged and then things happened, force bonds.”

“Force bonds!” She woke up. “We said something about them last night. I think.”

“What exactly did we talk about last night?”

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian frowned a little and looked away from Kana. She remembered, at least kind of. “We talked about the force a little. Apparently there is a bond between us. I wasn’t sure if that was you or the drugs talking though.” He didn’t mention the invitation to the Jedi. He was pretty sure that was the drugs given her natural reaction just now. “I talked a little bit about my family, or lack there of. You comeserated. We ate, and then I kissed you goodnight.” Okay maybe he shouldn’t have mention the kiss. He looked down his feet. “It’s been awhile since someone cared…. I just thought.” that he shouldn’t lie anymore. That he could be an honest person. A good person. The kind of person that Kana would…. ”It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry.”

And then he took a deep breath. Should he? He wasn’t exactly sure. Everything felt right, and there was a nagging pressure in the back of his head. Was it this connection Kana had talked about last night? Guilt? Or just a bad nights sleep? His neck hurt from the last regardless of anything else.

“My name isn’t Chuck,” he said finally. “It’s Damian. And I suppose my last name is Starchaser.” A weight lifted off his chest. Against all instinct he felt the need to unburden himself, to tell the truth. At least part of the truth. “My I don’t know… father, he owns this ship. I thought by sneaking here maybe I could…” he shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I’m sorry about so much, the deception, the kiss, the drugs…” the plan to rob a casino? No he wasn’t sorry about that. Marek had to pay. “I don't want to lie to you.”

 

[Kana Truden]

She couldn’t just let the kid sulk like that. For all her memories were worth she still had the hint of a good feeling about him, and if they did indeed share a force bond there was no harm in them. There was a small hint of guilt at her reaction. Getting up from the chair she hugged the kid again.

“Don’t worry about it, [member="Damian Starchaser"].” It was a feeble attempt at reassurance. Like a friend to another. “If my memories are to be trusted, you saved me from something even more horrible.”

“I could have been in another bed for all we know, or worse. So what is a few lies, a kiss and a night I probably won’t remember in the long run? You did good, so don’t beat yourself up about it, okay?”

She let go of the kid. “So are you certain I didn’t say anything else? I can’t believe an offer to join the Order wasn’t extended.” Her eyebrow rose to question her own actions last night. “We usually offer those to people we meet, and I don’t see why I wouldn’t offer you the chance.”

“I don’t suppose you’d take it? The galaxy could use more down-to-earth type of jedi to balance out all the traditionalists in our midst.” She smiled, she was by far no traditionalist.

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Something about this entire situation felt… right. And when [member="Kana Truden"] wrapped her arms around him in embrace… Forty five seconds of ecstasy.

Would he take the offer? Would he join the Jedi? The truth was that he wasn’t sure. Last night it seemed the most brilliant idea he’d ever heard. Part of that may have been the pouty lips and…. He shoot his head. “You offered,” he stated plainly. “I thought it was the drugs talking. I didn’t think you’d really want me….” in any way, not just as a recruit. “I’d like the trip to think about it. If you don’t mind.” Why did he say that? Stupid. Should have just said yes.

“But hey…” he was suddenly a little embarrassed. “I was thinking… with your leg this trip must be a drag. I mean….” stupid stupid stupid. “It being a water fun trip and you not wanting to enjoy the pool.” Damian frowned. Real smooth Damian, real smooth. Like glass really. “You said last night you don’t have a lot of fun as a Jedi, and I just thought well… I have a few vouchers for Wave Skimmer rental. When the water picks up you really need to wear some protection on your legs, a wetsuit thing.” He looked over at Kana and smiled, “I thought maybe we could just have some fun? Go for a ride?”

 

[Kana Truden]

She nodded in understanding, Kana wasn’t sure why she was picked when she was picked either, it felt like a familiar reaction. The question of ‘why’ at the back of your mind while at the same time accepting the position without a single thought put into it. In her case it was a gut feeling that told her to go for it. A few weeks later the Invasion of Alderaan happened. That had been particularly devastating.

Then he began a ramble. About her leg. A self-conscious look searched for her right shin, the bane of her self-esteem. It was her time to blush, it was still embarrassing to admit she wasn’t a hundred percent original limbs but she had managed to live with it, it would be hard not to after so many years.

“Yeah, my leg.” A hand reached up behind her neck for a scratch. “It’s a bit sensitive, but uh…”

She took a deep breath. “I am not sure I’d be much fun on a jetski-thing, but okay, anything to get away from Fatty Roundballman is good.”

“Just, make sure to give me a few minutes beforehand to ready myself, okay?”

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Damian suddenly perked up. He stood up and started to pull his shirt off working his way over to the closet. “If you give me a second,” he said as the swoosh door slid open., “I’ll get changed and then walk you to your room.” This was exciting. She said yes! That meant something right?

In order to retain a sense of decorum he stepped a little into the closet. “You’ll have fun,” he said calling out from the closet. He pulled down his suit trousers and replaced them with a long legged bathing suit suitable for diving. Shirtless he walked out of the closet and walked over to the console. He started pressing buttons using his voucher to reserve two wave skimmers and ordering a suit from the local shop delivered to Kana’s room. It was easy enough to find.

Considering the choices Damian gave the catalog a look over. She really only needed her legs covered right? Everyone on the wave skimmer had to have legs covered for safety reasons. He pondered for a moment trying to decide what she’s like best. Finally he decided on a suit with legs, a must have, form fitting with an exposed midriff, sleeveless. [member="Kana Truden"] would like it. He nodded approving of his choice. “There,” he said turning back to look at her. “Everything has been arranged. Want me to escort you to your room? Make sure nothing untoward happens?”

 

[Kana Truden]

“Uh, no, but you could always meet me outside in a few minutes.” She nodded as the boy most likely said goodbye for now.

She eventually reached her room. Great skepticism was to be found as she slipped into the wetsuit that her newfound friend had arrange for her to wear. Her finger carefully dragging along the lines of the borders of the suit where her midriff was, indeed, exposed. The mixture of emotion as the white synthetic materials hugged her body was uncomfortable on both a mental and physical state. She may not have been a traditionalist but all this recent influx of skintight clothing was really starting to get to her. If ever there was a moment for her to miss the jumpsuits she usally sported, this was it.

Still, she had to mask it underneath a facade of calm, she had perfected that art long ago.

“Here I am, Damian.” She greeted the kid as she stepped out of her room. “You’re sure there weren’t anything more… Else, in the catalogue, right?”

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

And then the staring happened again. [member="Kana Truden"] walked out wearing the suit he picked, and Damian was suddenly satisfied with his choice. Long slender frame, thin athletic legs… Jedi were fit, extremely fit. It had to be the training and the….“I mean…” he thought about her question for a brief moment. He’d picked a relatively conservative suit all things considered. He watched her abdomen closely as she moved. Muscles tensed and flexed.

Damian snapped himself out of it shaking his head, “I mean,” he started up again, “if you wanted to fit in this is as good as it gets.” Shrugging he gulped hard. “Are all Jedi so prudish?” he shook his head. “Compression fit clothing help to regulate blood flow increasing recovery time. Studies also show that people wearing compression gear can run 4% longer, and has a 1.5 to 2.2 percent increase in pace.” He crossed his arms, “That’s the difference between first and fourth in a competitive race.”

Then his face contorted into a look of indignation. “Besides,” he said doing a little spin. “Look what I’m wearing? Less than you.” Simple compression shorts and… well nothing else. Damian flexed out his arms and abs in a joking manner before realizing what he was doing and turning a slight shade of red… “So it really isn’t that bad is it?”

 

[Kana Truden]

“Well, it’s four percent that I could substitute in other ways, but sure whatever, okay.” She waved her hands in front of her. “We’re supposed to make time pass, not argue over what to wear.”

She passed the kid with a grin on her lips. “Come on, Mister Muscle. I thought we were supposed to ride some sort of jet ski. Not discuss whether my prude nature is something all jedi have in common.”

The walk along the corridors felt weird. The suit felt weird but the kid seemed to insist it was a necessity. She still wanted her jumpsuits, the appeal of saving a few percentages when out and about felt kind of minimal compared to the comfort of semi-slacking jumpsuits. Still, these skintight suit-things was still not on the same level of discomfort as robes. All that weight, and all that wiggle-waggle-excess-materials.

“So, ever handled one of them waterskis or do we share a first time?”

[member="Damian Starchaser"]

 

[Damian Starchaser]

Mr. Muscles. Damians face stayed red. That was stupid. Why was he stupid? He didn’t have long to dwell on it before Kana changed the subject. Thank goodness for small miracles. Damian did not want to make a fool of himself in front of [member="Kana Truden"] for… reasons. Okay, okay he wanted to impress her. Maybe showing off his muscles worked? Either way it was embarrassing.

He let out a sigh as his face formed what could have been described as a strange hybrid of smile and smirk. He shrugged, “I like things that go fast,” he said looking over to Kana as they walked. Yup. Good choice of suit he thought. As they walked he “So I might have some minor experience.” The truth was he loved to run on speeders, and race them on various planets. Speeders went fast, going fast was fun, and Damian liked to have fun.

“We can race if you want?” he said, “Although I’m not sure if you’d be able to keep up. Special Jedi magic or not I’m not so sure a woman who is who prudish can keep up.” He edged closer to Kana as they walked reaching out with a hand and cupping her hand in his. “Or I could teach you if you’d like?”