Private "Dad I swear it was just a friendly drinks"

[Yael Kandar]

OUTFIT: x
TAG: Gailen Keldau
GEARS: -

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE
It's 20:53 and the table is still empty. I've been here, in the bar, for 10 minutes, dumb decision if I think about it, since we're not set to meet until 21:00.

I haven't visited Midtown in a while and I guess I was just making sure that I'll be here on time. Not that I was nervous or anything, it's just a friendly drink and me showing my gratitude to Gailen after I put him in a precarious situation and he saved me from the fight. Well, the second part was quite annoying, I could've beaten the weird guy I was fighting given time, but it wasn't really necessary nor worth the risk, considering that we've almost won the skirmish at that point.

Anyway, yes, back to the bar, still waiting. It's quite busy at this hour, so it was also good that I grabbed a seat for us before it was full. Dozens of other Mandalorians can be seen hanging out here, mostly in their Beskar'gam. I wasn't, tonight. I left it in my transport, just in case. It's been a while since I went out outside of it, people probably won't recognize me from how I look tonight. It feels strange, a bit vulnerable, but honestly, it's also nice, dressing up and pampering myself.

Besides, I'm hoping to have a great time tonight. From little that I know of Gailen, he seems like a nice company, if not a bit annoying and crass. I guess I was also dressing up in hope that he puts the same effort as I did. Wouldn't it be nice?

The clock is ticking and I can't help but rocking my finger on the table. Just passing time, definitely not nervous, and this is definitely not a date.

​

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

Rishi had been chaos.

Gailen was just glad that they had all gotten out of there alive, albeit barely in Yael's case. Of course, explanations had to be given why she was patched up on the ship back to Kestri, and Gail didn't exactly give any of the ladies a chance to account for their sins. He had a feeling he got off lighter than they would have.

What had surprised the young Alor'ad was Yael's invitation for a drink.

Not that he complained. But after the glower that he had received the first time he had offered her a drink after he was flung across the bar, it did come as a surprise, albeit a pleasant one.

So the old faithful leathers were taken out of the cupboard.

Luckily he wasn't hyper attached to his beskar'gam. When a lady wanted to spend time with you, better look better than a walking tank. Thank goodness for good hair.

Strolling down the mainstreet, a skip to his gait due to the beat of the song in his head, Gailen made his way to the agreed upon tavern. He was still in time as the doors sighed open, which was slightly out of character for him. Not that there was reason to. Right?

As his dark eyes behind his bangs found her and her auburn hair sitting at the table, fingers drumming the table, he realised he wasn't even fooling himself, nevermind anyone else. Flipping his hair out of his face, he sauntered his way over to her, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"You gonna drum a hole through that table. You been waiting long?"

 

[Yael Kandar]

OUTFIT: x
TAG: Gailen Keldau
GEARS: -

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE
I can feel my breath hitch a bit as my starry blue eyes captured Gailen's solemn dark browns. He looks different, good. As he approached the table, complete with a hair-flip straight out of a late 90s flick, I gave him a soft smile. The guy might look breathtaking, but I shan't show too much eagerness.

Flipping his hair out of his face, he sauntered his way over to her, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"You gonna drum a hole through that table. You been waiting long?"

"Huh… no, just arrived two or three minutes ago."​

I can't help but roll my eyes at him, perhaps a small smirk forming on the corner of my lips. Of course a guy like that comes with the mandatory brazen edge. Not that I'm complaining, at least not yet. Standing up from my seat, I offer Gailen a hug. Partly just a courtesy, partly showing off the new warm and sweet fragrance I just got. I've never been on a proper date before, but I'm pretty sure you hug your date when you first meet them. I do when I meet my friends, so I don't know why this should be different. Not that this is necessarily a date. Just a friendly drink, I suppose, exactly what I told Dad when he asked me where I was going.

"What you wanna drink? Tihaar?"​

Drink first, on me, that's what we're here for it the first place afterall. Then we can talk about what happened in Rishi. And perhaps more.

​

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

Was that a smile?

He got a smile! Gailen beamed. Last time, she was yelling at him to put her down, so this was definitely an improvement. He didn't even know that was possible. His chances considerably improved.

"Huh… no, just arrived two or three minutes ago."

Gail sighed in relief, still grinning at her.
"Had me worried there that I was late." he chuckled.

Then the completely unexpected happened.

There weren't many things that could surprise the Si'kahya - he was pretty smooth with a flirt as well as a blaster. But he did not see the hug coming. Not from the woman who had glared him to death the first time they had met.

But here she was, pulling him into a greeting hug.

And she smelled amazing.

Focus Gail.

"What you wanna drink? Tihaar?"

He blinked a few times as if waking from an hypnotic haze as the strength of her perfume dissipated slightly as she pulled away.
"Uh...yeah, that'd be nice." he said brilliantly. Well done, idiot. He did flash a grin though.

The hell was going on? He was never this inarticulate. Not with the ladies. Jeez. He had to pull it together. This wasn't his A-game. He slid into a chair and flagged down a server.

"What are you having?" he asked Yael, thinking slightly more clearly.

Only slightly.

Mouse was going to have a field day with this.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

Gailen smelled nice… also felt nice as he wrapped his arms around my body. Concentrate, don't be an idiot. I chuckled at his remarks a few seconds too late. Dumb. He wasn't really late, no. I just arrived way too early. Or perhaps he's the type who usually comes late to an appointment? And just decided not to today? Who knows.

"What are you having?" he asked Yael, thinking slightly more clearly.

Is that… nervousness in Gailen's voice? From the way he looks, and the few circulating rumors, he strikes me as a confident guy, perhaps a little bit too much. I would've never guessed him to be the jittery type, but that's kinda cute. Or I just overthinked small moves and pitches he might have or have not made. Perhaps he's just catching his breath trying to make it here on time. But I digress. "Same, tihaar for me too. Watch the seat for me will ya?" Strolling to the bar, it didn't take long for the bartender to serve us our order, and for me to make my way back to the table. Handing Gailen his glass, I took my seat and decided to do the thing that brings us here tonight.

"So… I just want to apologize for getting you in trouble the other day." What I did was reckless, I have to admit. It's not something I regret, obviously, my heart was in the right place, and it did bear a positive result. However, I could use more planning, more allies, and I could try to avoid the collateral. Gailen and the others didn't have to come and carry the same responsibility, or at least I could've given them the heads-up, or even involved them in the planning. "Well, I'm not sorry for my action, but you shouldn't bear the consequences of what happened."

I sincerely meant what I just said, although I couldn't help but deliver it in a blunt tone. Stupid. All the time in the world and I couldn't even talk to others like a normal, social being. I took a larger sip of drink, anxiously waiting for Gailen's reaction. Hopefully, he didn't notice, or just not overthink the accidental tone shift.

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

He was grinning like a fool.

It was only when she took off toward the bar that he realised it.
"Pull it together, Gail." he whispered to himself. He was never this stupid, but for some reason, she brought out the goof in him. He didn't even know he was one, despite Mouse disagreeing. He blamed the damn guy who threw him across the bar that night when he first met her. Yeah, that was it.

Yael came back with their drinks just as he got his groove back....sort of.
"Thanks." he said as she handed him his.

"So… I just want to apologize for getting you in trouble the other day. Well, I'm not sorry for my action, but you shouldn't bear the consequences of what happened."

Huh.

She was full of unexpected things tonight. He wanted to tell her it was no big deal, despite her blunt delivery. Even opened his mouth to do it. But instead of saying that...
"What the hell were you girls thinking?" It was out before he could stop himself or make it sound differently. It had been something that had plagued him the entire time. How badly it could have ended. And all of it was unplanned. Well, it wasn't planned by him at least. Technically Yael wasn't under his command, but Zoraya definitely was. It didn't sit right with him that they didn't trust him enough to actually trot it past him. He wasn't Kranak, at least. He could have backed them better than he did if he had known.

He just wanted to know why.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

The question and the tone Gailen muttered doesn't really surprise me to the slightest. Sure, he has been sheepish the past few minutes, but that was probably just him being a guy. When it comes to conviction and integrity, all Mandalorians are the same. We stand up for what we believe in and we set everything straight. I'm glad that he, as a quite high-ranking member of the Enclave, doesn't give me leeway just for being mildly attractive.

"Have you ever stopped to think about the discrepancy between the Enclave in the bedtime stories our parents told us, and the one we actually grew up in?"

At the risk of a huge disagreement in our general outlook, I tried to explain my point of view to him. It's something that I've told many people, how I feel about the state of the Enclave, and it has been received with mixed reactions. It is surprising how some of the otherwise still militaristic secular section of the Enclave's population disagree with the idea of a grand reclamation of our old territories, and how we should strike first at any small potential threat.

"The Enclave of my Dad's prime age would intimidate the Rishian council into accepting the deal, not just begging them too. That's exactly what we did, and we weren't wrong in our assessment." This is a topic that I am passionate about, which Gailen could probably figure out by the rising tone of my voice. I took another sip of my tihaar, calming myself down, while studying his face to see his reaction. That stupid, beautiful face. He's probably just very worried about what happened back in Rishi, which totally wasn't his fault.

"I should've told you beforehand, I know. But I didn't know you like that back then. I couldn't risk it going sideways before it even started. That's the truth." I told him in a softer voice and sympathetic glance, trying somehow to communicate to him that it wouldn't happen again, that he has gained my trust with how he handled the incident and what came afterwards.

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

He watched the thoughts play on her lovely face.

How she started could have been worse. It was actually reasonable. The question made him pause and think about it. Something he had thought about a couple of times as well. But he was also privy to information that many of the others didn't know. He rested his chin between two fingers as he listened to her. Saw the passion written on her face along with her tone, but remained silent.

Just sometimes, he was actually a good and reasonable mando.

To Mouse's surprise.

"I should've told you beforehand, I know. But I didn't know you like that back then. I couldn't risk it going sideways before it even started. That's the truth."

Sighing, he lifted his head from his hand and leaned back, chewing the inside of his cheek.
"Look, I agree with you. The vets seem loathe to move aggressively. But one thing they had that we didn't have - the Quartermaster. I wasn't old enough to know her, but the stories are enough. One thing I do know about her - she wasn't rash. And she united clans under a new banner. I think the old dudes still stick to that time of thinking." he started finally, pulling his fingers through his hair before leaning forward again. "I agree that times have changed. I don't like to go against the orders of Kranak or the rest of the Triumvirate, but I agree with you. Pulling shit like you did, however, is the quickest way to burn down the machine before it even started. If you can't trust your Vode, who can you trust? You only launched a suicide mission. You're just lucky that some of us were around that put loyalty to the Vode before orders." His dark eyes were straight and stern as he looked into hers. "Don't do shit like that again without securing backup beforehand. If not me, then someone at least." he told her, the last bit biting into his heart, but his conviction remained strong.

But eventually it crumbled slightly.

His face softened.
"I hate burying friends. It would particularly suck if you were one of them."

As raw and close to the truth as passible.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

I took a deep breath as I listened to Gailen's retort. I could feel annoyance, frustration, genuine care, and melancholy in his words and the way his body moves throughout the time. He didn't even disagree with me in the slightest, only resentment towards my reckless act and how it puts everyone in danger. Every sentence he spewed felt like a gut punch, even more so approaching the end.

"Don't do shit like that again without securing backup beforehand. If not me, then someone at least." he told her, the last bit biting into his heart, but his conviction remained strong.

But eventually it crumbled slightly.

His face softened.
"I hate burying friends. It would particularly suck if you were one of them."

I've never known that he has this attentive-side in him, it makes me feel even worse. "Hey, I'm still here now." I reached Gailen's knuckle, stroking it slowly, trying to assure him that I'm fine, that we're fine. We as in the Enclave, the youth, the squad, or just me and him, I don't know, whichever fits the boat. "Sorry for not trusting you earlier." I keep my eyes on him, the vast brown pupils that I can get lost in anytime of the day, the trimmed beard, those lips. Everything feels much longer at the moment, it feels like forever, all the time in the world to do what I want to.

Instead, I pulled my hand back to my cup of tihaar, face veiled under the shadow of my bangs, finishing the last drop of the spirits. Stupid. It did feel right, but maybe it was too much, or too fast, or both.

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

"Hey, I'm still here now. Sorry for not trusting you earlier."

Her hand was suddenly on his. His eyes found hers and it was as if time froze. In that time, he both wanted everything and was simultaneously scared of where his feelings were going and at what pace.

It was if they both reached that conclusion at the same time as they both pulled back and he took a large swig of his tihaar. He was stalwart on a battlefield, but when it came to matters of the heart, he would rather scope it out from all sides first instead of charging in - when he was invested, that is. And he was definitely invested in this. Which was out of the ordinary.

But when he looked at her again, something clicked.

"Hey." he said softly, reaching over to tuck some of her hair behind an ear and then softly lifting her chin. "Mouse has been nagging me since Rishi to bring you around again. Want to go for a ride while you're actually in good health this time?" he asked, giving her a much more genuine smile than his stupid grin. He wasn't exactly lying about Mouse, but it wasn't fully true either. The basilisk was just a nice enough excuse.

He just hoped she bought it.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

As I was worried sick of making things awkward by putting my hand over him, or by pulling it suddenly, Gailen found a way to pull me away from all the overthinking, fixing my hair that's been hiding my face and welcoming me with yet another direct eye-contact. Damn that charming smile. For a split-second I must've looked so stupid, face reddening and a slight gasp, subconsciously leaning my head on his hand, trying to get him to cup my cheeks. What he said, on the other hand, I found quite amusing, enough to make me smile and chuckle under my breath.

"Hey." he said softly, reaching over to tuck some of her hair behind an ear and then softly lifting her chin. "Mouse has been nagging me since Rishi to bring you around again. Want to go for a ride while you're actually in good health this time?"

"Hmmm. Mouse.. has been nagging you?" Sure, it's totally Mouse's idea to ask me on a night ride. I'll have to ask him about this later. "I'd love to go on a night ride, Mouse." I said playfully to Gailen while fighting the tingling butterfly down in my stomach. I really do hope that this is going to be nice, whatever that's going to happen and whatever it is going between us. I never really feel anything this intense, this fast.

I took a short breather from the intimate stare, checking my comms-pad for time and any text. I told Dad that I'm just going out for a drink, and he has a habit of checking up on his children once or twice a night. Always has his kids on his mind. On the flipside, that means that I'll have to be home around midnight. I could text him that there's a change of plan, obviously, but I don't want to deal with the relentless teasing and questions afterwards. He's aware that I've never really dated before, after all. "You'll have to drop me back here though, I left my airspeeder at the parking spot." I could just ask Gailen to drop me at home, but that's giving my dad extra ammunition to tease me. Besides, I'd rather take things a bit slow.

I was the first to stand up from the table. It flew across my mind that it would make me look a bit too eager for this, but I couldn't really care. Not when we only have around two hours left to fly around. "Better get going then, Captain. I gotta be back home by midnight." I gave him a teasing smile while tapping on my other wrist, gesturing that the clock is ticking, before turning away from the table, giving him a little sight. They said men love seeing us walking away, time to test that theory.

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

She didn't shrink away from him, which was a plus.

On the contrary, her cheek rested perfectly into his hand. Everything about it felt right, which was almost scaring him. He was getting in too deep here. But turning back felt equally wrong.

But then...

"I'd love to go on a night ride, Mouse."

A smirk spread on his face before a chuckle escaped his lips, breaking the intimate moment slightly. Of course she would read between the lines.
"You'll love it." he said.
But there was a catch - he had to have her back at midnight.
"This sounds like one of our fairytales. All right, c'mon." he grinned, getting to his feet as well. He did, however, wait a second to appreciate the view before taking three strides with his long legs to get to the door just before her and open it for her, steeling himself for a comment on it.

Outside, Mouse lifted his head as Gailen and Yael approached.
://: Took you long enough ://: he said before looking at Yael. ://: It's nice to see your pretty face for a change again. His gets tired. ://:
"Shut up and help her up, would you. We're on a timer." Gail said, frowning up at the droid through his hair.
If Mouse could glare, he would have, but he bent down, the cockpit sliding open as he did so.
://: Hop aboard, my lady ://: he said, causing Gailen to fight against himself to not pull a face. Instead, the Mando'ad held out his hand to give her a boost up. It wasn't like they were in armour to make it easier to get into a basilisk.

He then scrambled up as well to hop into the pilot seat.
"You ever been to the Da'lepar Valley yet?" he asked her as Mouse got to his feet.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

MIDTOWN, TOR VALUM, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

As expected, Gailen took the time to enjoy the view as I was walking away from him. I chuckled at his antics as he strides forward to catch-up on my walking pace and opens the door for me. "Oh my, a gentleman. I love it." While I said it to Gailen in a playful tone, deep down I did really appreciate the kind, chivalrous gesture. It shows that despite Gailen's reputation as a player, he also has a pleasant manner to go with it. A good character, at the very least.

Following Gailen outside of the bar, it didn't take long until we reached our transport for the night, Gailen's Basilisk Droid, Mouse. This isn't my first time riding Mouse, we were also on board when I got shot in Rishi. From the way they interact, the two seem to be really good friends, and Mouse's personality really complements Gailen's. Teasing Gailen for asking me out using Mouse's name earlier, I playfully flirted with Mouse. "Evening Mouse, you look great today! Gailen said that you're very excited for our date." I patted Mouse twice right behind the cockpit door as Gailenis gave me a boost to reach it. "Thanks, my lord." I quipped at Mouse's remark, flashing a taunting smirk at Gailen.

While Gailen hopped into his pilot seat and configured the navigation and settings for tonight's trip, I can't help but stare at him dumbfounded. He just looks super attractive in his element, especially knowing that he's doing all this just for me. At this moment, I can't even think of how he's probably been doing this to countless women throughout his life. I just feel special tonight, going out on a special date with Gailen. When he asked about a spot to visit, I can't even remember the name of the place he mentioned after a second, heat creeping up my cheeks. "Nope, never been." I answered nonchalantly, trying my hardest to keep my composure. Damn, I'm really out on an actual date, the first in a while, with a handsome gentleman that saved my life, on top of that.

​

 

[Gailen Keldau]

ACKLAY
MIDTOWN TOR VALUM | KESTRI
TAG: Yael Kandar
GEAR: In bio

LOLA MONTEZ​

"Nope, never been."

Gail glanced at her, seeing the slight blush run into her collar. He looked at the controls again, though a smile graced his lips.
"Good. It's really something this time of year." he said as he keyed in coordinates for Mouse to take over.

The cockpit slid closed before the droid launched into the air, snow springing up around around them as he went. Gliding low over the snow-white landscape, he flew them toward the valley. Moon- and starlight glistened magically on the snow, lending a different kind of beauty to an otherwise harsh landscape. Gailen had always been enthralled by it, falling completely silent as he took it in during the short flight to the valley

Before long, they, reached the mouth of the valley. Gail took over control from Mouse, navigating them through some trees before setting down in a slight clearing. Mouse laid down again to bring the ground closer for them.
"C'mon, I want to show you something." he told her excitedly before he hopped out to hold out a hand to help her down.

Down on the ground, he led her through a small patch of trees before reaching the bank of a part of the river that had widened into a type of pool before continuing on its course again further on.

A beautiful silver light hung on the water and hundreds of small lights flitted around in that argent haze. On the water itself lay liquid silver. Gailen pulled her closer so she could stand in front of him.
"Moon-mirror River." he said. "You can see the moon drifting in the water there. And the little Lightrunners there." He motioned over her shoulder first at the reflection of the moon on the water, then at the little lights that turned out to be a type of insect flying around in the silver light reflected off the water. "They feed on the light coming from the water, making them light up like that." he added.

He was silent for a moment, looking at the natural masterpiece in front of him.

"This is also what I fight for - the privilege of experiencing this. And to be able to enjoy it with someone that appreciates it too."

He looked down at her to get an idea of her thoughts.

 

[Yael Kandar]

FRIENDLY RENDEZVOUS
~First night-out in a while...~

OUTFIT: x
DATE: Gailen Keldau

​

DA’LEPAR VALLEY, KESTRI, WILD SPACE

Arriving at the mouth of the riverbank, I was caught mesmerized by the beauty of the scenery in front of me. The silver light on the river surface illuminates the otherwise dark landscape, a reflection of the moonlight, which is ironically also reflecting the light from the star. It reminds me of a section of a prayer Dad taught; I will be the Moon that reflects Your light over the Tribe of Mandalore.

"It's beautiful, Gailen." I whispered to him. By now, he had pulled me close, holding me close as we both relished in the sight of the Moon-mirror River. We are both very close to each other, my back pressed on his chest, breaths intertwining, yet there is no longer nervousness in me, just serenity. There was a moment of silence between us, yet it wasn't awkward, just calm and peaceful. Gailen continues to talk about the reason he is fighting, and I could really relate to what he was saying.

Feeling Gailen's eyes fixated on me, trying to capture the most of Yael Kandar in his vision, I lifted my head, leaning a bit to the right, to capture his eyes with mine. "Isn't that what all we want? In the end we all fight for our loved ones, to give our future a chance of a better life." I chimed in, one of my hands reaching his, caressing it softly with my thumb.

It's a bit ironic, the fact that we are fighting a violent war for a better future, but that's just the reality of being a Mandalorian. No one else, especially the Jedi and the Sith, would ever understand how it feels to live with a threat of destruction looming on their head. It is a necessary fight, a war to ensure the survival of our kind. Yet in this time of war, we need something, someone, that could cleanse your mind and soul, so that once we are back home in glory, we are still able to feel love and compassion for our people. I sure hope that Gailen is that person.

I would love to keep this introspective conversation going, it's not something that I often have the chance to talk about, but I remember that we don't have too much time, not on this date anyway, and I would rather end our first date on a cheerful note. Turning my body to fully face Gailen, I draped my arm around his shoulder and back of his neck, a smirk rising on my face.

"I wish I had brought my swimsuit." I chuckled softly. I do love swimming, and the true Mandalorian in me needs some sort of physical activity, even, no, especially on a date. "This is too good of an occasion to be wasted." I added, partly referring to the once in a blue moon natural phenomenon, but also partly to our date that has gone really well so far.

​