Private Color History

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

The shimmer of surprise rippled instantly over both Dr. Veronia and Dr. Iestyn Nova's skin. What began as a curious flush of magenta and gold in Veronia deepened into brighter, staccato pulses, while Iestyn's normally earthen tones brightened with streaks of vivid orange and flickering teal in eager fascination, unmistakably so. For a moment, they simply stared, and then turned toward one another in an unspoken exchange.

Their colors shifted again, like two sets of aurorae in parallel, winding and weaving in a rhythm only they understood. No words passed between them, but the exchange was dense with meaning. Zaiya could feel it like the hum in the air before a storm: not tension, but electricity.

"You bonded?" Veronia echoed, finally looking back toward Zaiya and Aris. Her voice had lowered just slightly, reverent, maybe even worried. "That's... highly rare. Particularly across species. Iestyn?"

Her partner gave a slow nod, his voice thoughtful. "There are only scattered mentions of Lovalla bonds forming with non-Lovalla, and none confirmed in modern studies. We always assumed it required a shared neurological or even chromatic resonance, something our biology inherently generates."

Zaiya's skin flared briefly with a nervous ripple of pink along her cheeks, soft and subtle but impossible to hide. She folded her hands in her lap for a moment, then reached for Aris's again, needing the grounding. The moment their fingers touched, her hues settled into soft rose gold and amber, and a faint, flickering silver glow dusted along her temples, still nervous, but steadier now.

"...Like Aris said," she murmured, eyes flicking up to the scientists, "it started only when we touched. But lately... I've been able to feel him, even when he's not right next to me. Just faintly. Like a shadow at the edge of my mind."

Veronia leaned forward, her magenta coloring deepening to a richer, more saturated hue. "Fascinating. That suggests a persistent resonance field... one that's independent of physical contact. Do you experience pain or disorientation when you're apart for long periods?"

Zaiya hesitated. "No exactly. But sometimes I get... off-balance. Feel as if something is off, not because we are separated,I think, but if something is bothering him. I don't know if it has something to do with the bond or just the Force then."

Iestyn turned to Aris, "What about you. You said you didn't feel the Force, so what is your experience like?"

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris routinely glanced towards Zaiya as she spoke. Little glances, as he was mostly trying to watch the other two more than anything else. How they interacted. Spoke without speaking. He wanted to figure out how much of it was something he could replicate himself. Not much was what he figured. He let out a sigh, mostly at the puzzle.

And that Zaiya could feel him when he was discomforted. He never hid anything from her if he could help it, but he didn't like the idea he could make her feel off at a distance like that. It was dangerous, wasn't it?

"When we hold hands like this, I can feel.. Everything. It's distant, but if she focuses on something I can feel it like she does, I think. It's hard to describe, but it's nice. Comforting, even."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

​

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya listened with rapt attention to the Novas, her fingers loosely curled around the edge of the table, her bioluminescence a gentle, thoughtful amber. Her skin glowed faintly as her mind turned over everything they were saying, about resonance, bonding and unknowns that stretched wider than any star chart.

But Aris's quiet glances didn't go unnoticed. Not by Zaiya. Not ever.

Even if he said nothing, the faint tension that clung to him could be read by the Lovalla, and his soft sigh only confirmed it, a noticable shift of the hues over her rosy golden skin made it apparent with the ripple of bronze concern washing into gentle topaz-yellow. Then came his words, quiet and honest.

"When we hold hands like this, I can feel.. Everything. It's distant, but if she focuses on something I can feel it like she does, I think. It's hard to describe, but it's nice. Comforting, even."

A shimmer of pink warmed her cheeks, blending into soft blue, flustered affection. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes lingering on his.

Later, she promised silently. They'd talk about it. About that moment during the mission with Azzie. Whether it was the Force or the bond or both.

But not here. Not yet. That was something private for them to discuss.

By then, Zaiya returned her attention to Dr. Iestyn, who provided another slow, contemplative nod, "Then the bond may be active, but still stabilizing. We've theorized that a Lovalla's bioluminescent equilibrium could be affected by emotional dissonance in a bonded state."

The researchers quieted again, exchanging another glance, a slower one this time, shaded in a muted twilight swirl of violet and blue. Concern. A hint of caution.

Veronica tapped a finger lightly against the table. "There's no protocol for this, I'm afraid. No guidebook to say how to preserve such a bond, especially in the field, under Jedi discipline. But… there might be techniques you could develop. Meditation. Shared harmonics. Possibly even constructing a personalized crystal pairing."

Zaiya perked slightly. "Like a kyber resonance link?"

"Exactly," Iestyn confirmed. "It wouldn't replicate your natural connection, but it could help reinforce it. A supplemental bridge, especially when you're far apart. You'd both need to tune your crystals to one another, intentionally. And even then, we can't guarantee stability."

 

[Aris Noble]

Later.

It was odd, feeling it like this. Emotion was one thing to feel through their connection, but this was intent. Intent he understood. He flashed the kind of smile he knew Zaiya could at least catch. Later for sure they'd talk about what this all meant. When they had more information. It was why they were here after all. His gaze shifted to the pair, listening as the spoke.

And blinked.

A shared resonance, with something like Kyber? He couldn't really feel his lightsaber, but there was no denying he had a bond with the crystal within. Zaiya had shown him that. And the markings on his arm, the liquid metal that was able to shift under his influence. The bracer on the other wrist that had bonded to him.

"We could make a bridge for any distance, then. Something we can each carry so we always feel together? That would help a lot, I think."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya turned her full attention to Aris, her mottled spots flickering with a soft, hopeful gold at the thought. A bridge. Something they could share. The idea made her heart lift, and the glow along her skin grew a little brighter, a little steadier.

A shared resonance! Perhaps something like what she'd learned about on Ukatis during Knight Corazona Von Ascania's imbuement class? The memory sparked a ripple of soft pink and bright teal across her arms.

"Yeah! Maybe we can see what would work? Knight Von Ascania might know more!" she said quickly, her voice bubbling with quiet excitement.
Aris would catch her excitement, too; she could feel it, even before she caught his small, knowing smile.

Later, they'd figure it out properly. But for now, the thought of creating something together, something that would keep them connected no matter the distance, was an awesome and hopeful thought Zaiya clung to.

 

[Aris Noble]

She already had a plan in mind. Aris smiled warm at that, watching as her eyes seemed to light up with interest and planning. Corazona von Ascania would have to be their next stop, but at the same time, they were still here. Still with Lovalla that Zaiya hadn't had the chance to properly interact with. He nudged her, just a bit. Encouraging.

"There's more you want to know, isn't there?"

He looked to the pair, giving them a little bow of his head. "You're the first Lovalla since her parents. I'm sure there's a lot more to know for her, right?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya's skin shimmered softly, the golden glow of hope laced with threads of quiet vulnerability even as Aris gave her a gentle nudge of encouragement. She glanced between Aris then the Novas, musing a bit first before she gently let out a breath and looked up.

"Aris is right, could you tell me more about the Lovalla?" she asked, her voice low but steady. "What it means to be one?"

Her gaze dropped to her hands. Pale pink flickered across her cheeks and arms as she added, "I lost my parents when I was really young. I remember flashes, colors, and the connection, but not enough. And growing up at the University, I never really had anyone who could tell me where I come from. I still feel like there's so much I don't know."

There was a moment of silence, filled only by the distant hum of the station and the soft flicker of the Ossean nebula outside.

Then Veronica smiled. It was warm and luminous, and her bioluminescence glowed with a radiant bronze brushed magenta that pulsed gently with understanding.

"Of course, Zaiya," she said kindly. "I'd be happy to share anything we know. Especially for a young Lovalla who's growing into her own."

She reached across the table, her fingers brushing Zaiya's in a gesture that felt both maternal and encouraging.

"And this bond between you two, however it came to be, is rare. And precious. It deserves to be understood. If you'll let us, we'd be honored to study it further. Respectfully, of course."

Zaiya paused, considering, only to look over at Aris to see what he thought about it. She certainly didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris blinked at the question as it was directed to him to answer. Study them. Their bond. For a moment he wasn't sure what he felt, he just tightened his hold on Zaiya's hand. It was their bond, not something to study or explore for others. That was about how far his thinking went before the realization of what exactly he was thinking clicked in his head.

He wanted to keep it to themselves.

Possessive wasn't an emotion he was used to. Or one he even thought he would even feel to begin with. His smile returned as he inwardly chastised himself. It wasn't like when he woke up in the tube. They weren't looking to study something because it had to. They wanted to help. "If it can help her, help others, I'm more than fine with it. So long as it doesn't make Zaiya uncomfortable."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya felt the subtle squeeze of Aris's hand before he even spoke, and while his words were calm, reassuring even, Zaiya could tell there was something more there by the tiniest tells in his expression. Light amber bloomed across her forearms and collarbones in thoughtful swirls, threaded with the faintest edge of soft grey along her temples.

She turned toward the Novas, her rosy golden skin glowing just a shade brighter, though a soft pink crept over her cheeks in the telltale signs of quiet embarrassment.

"I think I'd rather think about it first -- that we think about it," Zaiya said, her voice gentle but firm.

She glanced sideways at Aris, and her spots rippled with pale amber again, this time deepening into bronze over her shoulders, compassion and empathy pulsing just beneath the surface.

"Talk it over more with Aris. It's our bond and well…"

The pink across her face deepened, a warm blush blooming beneath her cheeks, flickering with a light aqua glow at her jawline, passionate about the connection even if she wasn't ready to hand it over to someone else for study, even if the Novas didn't mean harm.

"I do want to know more," she added, her voice quieter now but steady. "And maybe we can give you updates if things change... but for now... "

She smiled softly, her eyes glinting with sincerity as her glow steadied to a warm gold. "Just give us a little time. We'll see."

The Lovallas smiled, and as one, their color hues shifted and melted together.

"That is perfectly fine, Zaiya." Veronica replied. "And not too far from what a typical Lovalla would consider their bond to be."

A pause then the older Lovalla mused then gave her husband a knowing look that brought another ebb and flow of color hues.

"However, I do caution you... our biology... is unique. So please reach out to me if anything starts feeling out of place. Or confusing." Veronica left it at that for now. "The tablet will have more information if you cannot get a hold of us as you grow into an adult."

"Oh of course we will!" Zaiya exclaimed, nodding in agreement.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris blinked. And blinked again. Surprise, really. What he thought was much to selfish of him, was it not? Was it alright to want to keep it for them to discover and learn, even though it would help others? As the Nova's said, it was an incredibly rare bond for Lovalla to make. Even then, having experienced eyes to help keep an eye on Zaiya and make sure she wasn't going to fade as the Lovalla did when separated, to make sure this bond wasn't going to hurt her, was a good thing, right?

That was the logical side. All he could feel though was appreciation that she voiced the very thing he wanted to. That she wanted the same.

"Thank you." Was he thanking Zaiya? The Novas? Hard to say, but he had a small smile on his face as he dipped his head in appreciation. "Is there anything you want to ask of us, maybe? I- Don't know what else to say at this point." There was a lot to still talk about, probably, but he wasn't sure what those topics were. And it felt weird to just fall silent and instead finish their drinks and leave. Even with that nebula vista date was still well established in his mind.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Veronia and Iestyn exchanged a look, the kind of look Zaiya couldn't quite read but felt in the subtle flicker of their synced bioluminescence. Then Veronia leaned forward slightly, her tone cautious but firm, like a scientist who knew she was treading into sensitive territory.

"There is one more thing," she said slowly, glancing between them. "And while you're both young, I do think it's important to put it on your radar."

Zaiya straightened a little, her rosy golden skin glowing soft and open, mottled spots calm in warm amber.

"Lovalla do mate for life," Veronia began, her words measured. "But that bond takes time. It's something that grows and strengthens gradually. And because of that, our biology changes with it."

Zaiya nodded gently. That part she already knew; she'd seen it with her parents, the way their patterns had synced so naturally, the way they'd moved together. There was beauty in that.

But then Veronia continued, her expression more serious.

"Because of our symbiotic instincts, Lovalla typically don't experience attraction to others, at least not in the way most species do, until that bond has begun to form."

And suddenly, everything clicked. Why she'd been so indifferent, even oblivious, in situations that would have made anyone else blush. Why certain moments with Aris had only started recently to feel... different. Especially when it came to watching him. Like when he smiled. Laughed. Or even sparred.... or even kissing.

Her cheeks erupted in a deep coral blush, glowing bright beneath her skin. Gold shimmered faintly around the edges, flickering in soft waves across her collarbones. She looked down, just for a second, trying to contain the ripple of flustered warmth that pulsed across her glowing patterns.

"Y-yeah... I mean, I know," Zaiya stammered, her voice a little higher than usual. "We figured that out. Um. Recently."

Veronia arched a brow but smiled gently, clearly trying to balance her scientist's curiosity with Lovalla sensitivity.

"Then just know this," she said carefully. "As your bond deepens, so will your feelings of attraction. It's part of our natural rhythm, our biology syncing to the connection."

Zaiya blinked, her breath catching a little as she processed that.

"It's how our bodies begin to recognize maturity. And from there... intimacy follows. Eventually."

The pointed look Veronia gave them said everything else she didn't.

Zaiya's coral flush deepened into a rich pink, golden light curling at her temples. She couldn't quite meet Aris's eyes, but she gave a quick, sheepish nod. What Master Iris said about being too young and not progressing things early came to mind and she couldn't help but flush even more.

"Right. Good to know," she murmured.

"As Lovalla, those reactions tend to overwhelm a young Lovalla..." Seeing her blush made Veronica stop there, "I'll send you more information so you can read up on it. It isn't something that you'll find in an archive or research library."

 

[Aris Noble]

Factually, Aris was listening. What was being said, it made it clear enough to him. There was no room for doubt, if they let this bond between them fully form. It was commitment of the truest sense. Something she wouldn't be able to turn from.

Whereas he still and always could. Zaiya was changing, for him, in a way he wouldn't change for her simply because of their species. He wasn't sure how right that was, but, it didn't dissuade him in the slightest. He'd mulled it over for years. He wasn't an adult, he wasn't sure if he could properly understand the commitment, but he knew he was determined to understand it with Zaiya.

It was something they'd talk about. Not just later, but for the rest of their lives- His logic short circuted there. He didn't want to think that far ahead yet. Right now was making sure they weren't going to hurt each other.

All thay logical thonking though was burried deep under his surprisingly reddened expression as Veronica continued on. Attraction? Intimacy? There was a wall to those thoughts Aris had long put up under the assumption that the biology was just too different. He didn't think about it, didn't care one way or another.

He was, however, still a teenage boy. And now hastily trying to patch the wall that had been cracked.

"I'll- let her be the only one to read on that." Aris muttered, desperately trying to control the blush on his face. That wasn't something he wanted to think about yet.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Veronia and Iestyn exchanged another soft glance, their colors shifting in calm harmony. Veronia gave a small smile, folding her hands on the table.

"It's okay," she said kindly. "No need for more questions tonight. How about we order some food and just relax? If anything else comes up, you're more than welcome to ask."

Zaiya let out a quiet breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her rosy golden skin pulsing with warm gold and a soft thread of turquoisen ripples along her arms in relief and comfort.

She glanced at Aris, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she bumped her knee lightly against his.

"I think that sounds perfect."

Her spots glimmered with a hint of bright orange in curiosity as she reached for the menu. "Besides… I've been eyeing those flatbreads since we got here."

And for the first time since the conversation began, she felt herself relax, letting the nebula's soft glow wash over them as the moment eased into something a little more ordinary, and somehow, that felt just right.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris was still incredibly flustered, or at least in the way Aris could display. The red of his ears. He was thankful that they were moving on from the subject, but he couldn't stop his mind completely. He glanced to Zaiya as she bumped his knee. For a moment, he still had the flustered expression that really showed his age.

Her smile brought back his own. Just a small one as he nodded his head. Relaxing here, with the Nebula, yeah. "I've been trying to ignore their scent for a while but- they smell really good. Like- really good." He reached out, taking one to finally take a bite that he'd been waiting for, in a hopes that food, the Nebula, would help clear his head.

It did. All he wanted was to spend time with Zaiya in places like this, to explore the galaxy. Find all the different burger meals they could. Right now, he was just happy to be here.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

The rest of the meal passed in a warm, gentle rhythm, easing from awkward flusters to quiet laughter, the kind that slipped in between bites of food and soft conversation. Zaiya's rosy golden skin gave a steady glow now, the shimmering pink fading to soft teal and gold in contentment. Aris had been adorably flustered, his ears burning red even as he tried to play it cool.

But slowly, between bites of flatbread and the low hum of the nebula beyond the viewport, he seemed to relax. She could feel it in the way he began to enjoy the flatbread and in anticipation for the burgers they were to eat.

By the time plates were empty, tummies full of a delicious burger, and the conversation had softened into the kind of comfortable silence that didn't need filling, Zaiya turned toward Veronia and Iestyn.

"Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice warm. Her markings flickered with empathetic bronze flecked with a thoughtful glimmer of amber, "For taking the time to talk with us. And for being... kind. It means more than I think I can say."

Veronica gave her a knowing smile, and Iestyn dipped his head with a quiet nod. No more questions, just understanding.

As they stood and said their farewells, Zaiya lingered for one last look out at the nebula's swirl of violet and gold. Then she turned back to Aris, a soft smile on her lips.

"Ready to go?" she asked, reaching for his hand. They had agreed to look around the station, and if she were being honest, both of them probably had a lot of things on their minds regarding the conversation earlier.

 

[Aris Noble]

Flatbread burgers. Aris was already calculating if it technically counted as a burger or not. If it did, didn't that mean there was far more to be added to their already ever growing list of burgers to try across the stars? .. That just meant more traveling. That alone made it well worth it to expand what he considered a burger. More time to explore and see things with Zaiya was more than enough of a reason.

He did blink though as the pair of older Lovalla left quietly. There was an overwhelming feeling of understanding, likely because of the colors they showed. Colors he mostly knew, but not all of them. Their colors were more than enough to communicate. It was fascinating. Something he really wanted to learn more of. Maybe he and Zaiya could eventually communicate like this.

Once they were gone he glanced to Zaiya, giving her a smile of his own. There were things to talk about now, sure, but he held out a hand for her as the smile widened into a grin. "Yeah. Think there's going to be a shower to watch? Might be nice to see."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya slipped her hand into Aris's without hesitation, giving it a gentle squeeze. She didn't shield her emotions the way she usually did, not this time. Instead, she let the bond hum lightly between them, subtle but unmistakable -- exactly as they'd described and chatted about with the Novas earlier. Within that grasp was a quiet current of fluttering excitement and contentment, and something curious and a little tangled beneath it all flowed from her to him.

"Yeah," she said, her voice a little breathy with anticipation. "Let's go find a place to watch the shower then!"

Her rosy golden skin shimmered with a soft teal glow at first, then pulsed lightly in a thoughtful amber, and the barest flicker of pale pink shimmered beneath the surface in a subtle pulse. A question unspoken but felt all the same.

As they began to walk, her fingers moving to interlock withi his, Zaiya glanced sideways at Aris, the nebula's glow brushing silver light over his silver hair and tanned features.

"So-o… what did you think about all that?" she asked quietly. "What they told us?"

Her tone was light and casual, but her stripes shifted slowly in curious ocher, and soft bronze ripples over her arms. She wasn't pushing, just opening the door. Because as much as she was still processing it herself… she wanted to know where his heart and mind stumbled about in the wake of it all.

 

[Aris Noble]

No barrier, no hesitating, nothing of the sorts. It brought quite the smile to Aris's face as he squeezed her hand in turn. He didn't have any barriers either now, sharing that delight whether it was a good idea or not to have such a feedback loop between them. There was a plan now. A goal in mind to make sure Zaiya wasn't going to end up hurt. A plan to let her colors shine their brightest, even with him.

His eyes drifted up to the Nebula, watching as the lights shimmered and danced. The shower was going to start soon, wasn't it? His head didn't keep up too long on the view though, as Zaiya spoke the question aloud that they both had been thinking of. "If they're right and we can work with something with the Force and imbuing things, all the better. It'll really help to have something you can hold or wear so we both can keep being Jedi." It was the first thought in his mind of course. Not just because it involved her safety, but because that door wasn't something he'd ever entertained.

Even now his ears were burning as heat rushed to them. Calm as his answer was, his heart certainly wasn't in the slightest.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

The Oseon system
The Centrality
Outer Rim Territories
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya's rosy golden skin rippled with a vibrant glow, her bioluminescent patterns flaring with bright amber and a flicker of warm gold at his words. The resonance between them hummed stronger now, unshielded and open, and she let herself lean into it, into him.

The idea sparked in her chest like a nova. Something imbued. Something she could feel even when he wasn't there. Not just through the Force, but something tangible. Real. A connection they could hold on to when duty pulled them in different directions.

"That would be... amazing," she breathed, her voice light with wonder and quiet hope, even a flash of aqua swept in an iridescent shimmer across her shoulders in a curious but excited glow. Yes, she even had a bounce in her step, her mind racing.

"If I can make something, if we build it together, then it won't just be the Force. It'll be ours."

She looked up at Aris, her fingers tightening in his. "That way, even if we're worlds apart, I'll still feel you with me."

Her cheeks flushed again, coral pink dancing beneath the surface, but she didn't look away.

She meant it.

"So... what sort of thing do you think you'd want to have with you then?" She followed right after a bit tentatively, curious how he'd respond.

 

[Aris Noble]

Ours.

That word seemed to settle further into Aris's mind as he listened to Zaiya. Watched her colors from the corner of his eye. The more she felt, the more he did. Then back and forth, a loop that neither of them were trying to halt this time. He squeezed her hand, letting his smile grow and grow before he looked back towards the stars before them. "A necklace."

The reason flashed in his mind, but he didn't voice it aloud. All at once his face was a deep red as he realized just how corny of a thought it was.

".. What about you?"

Zaiya Ceti