Dinner and a Show

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Show time.
After years of being a notorious criminal, Zandra wanted something else. Something fun, dangerous, and just a little bit naughty. So, of course that meant singing in shady bars.

Backstage, Zandra sat at a filthy mirror, gliding cheap red lipstick over her bottom lip. A smouldering cigarette, rested in the ashtray.

"Z, you're on in ten."

She looked up through thick, black false eyelashes. Smiled, fixing the strap of her tiny red dress.

"Got it. Hey- hows the crowd tonight?"

The young twilek male shrugged.
"A little crowded. Be careful up there. We've had to cut a few people off already. Expect a few idiots."

Great.
Zandra sighed, picked up her cigarette and took a long drag.

"Right, right. Well, I can handle it. Just make sure the guy at the piano remembers the music."

 

[Aedan Miles]

Aedan had been sitting in the bar for awhile doing various business transactions best left in such shady places.Luckily business was good tonight he had managed to get a few captains drunk enough that they had pretty much handed over their ships and cargo into his hand his crew already had the information and were going to deal with the first two without him. Shrugging he moved to a table with a single sitting at it already drunk. Reaching out Aedan grabbed his shoulder and gestured towards the door muttering one word. "Scram." The man turned went to say something before a bouncer came over and guided the man out taking the table Aedan ordered a meal.

Looking around he sighed and leaned back half closing his eyes as he waited. Apparently there was one more singer lined up who knows what that meant. Grinning Aedan decided that soon he would have to go look in on this pirate queen he had met.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Lights faded. the curtain opened.
Zandra walked out, bright red heels clacking on the hard, worn wood of the tiny stage. She walked up to the mic stand, smiling out at the darkness, trying not to squint in the spotlight.

"Good evening, Nameless! Are we having a great night?"

Cheers, but not as loud as she would have liked.

"Come on, people, I've had more fun than that in the last five minutes! Are you having a good night, or not?"

Louder this time. She grinned.

"Better. A'right. I guess I can give ya a song, right? You want that?"

More cheers. Her grin widened. She looked at the man at the piano, nodded. And a gentle tune filled the room.

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

Aedan leaned back as he saw her a grin crossing his lips as he took a drink from his cup of Correlian whiskey watching as she sang he listened. Turning to the side he gestured over one of the servers putting a cred chit on the tray he pointed. "Tell her Miles sends his regards and would like to request some of her time tonight." Waving him away absently Aedan closed his eyes and merely listened knowing the message would get to her when her act was done hopefully he wasn't easily forgotten.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEJW_j8bjmg

The song was one she'd sang before. A smooth, jazzy number. Perfect for the lazy atmosphere of this little cantina. A place familiar, beautiful. In many ways, this was her song. The song she'd heard the first time she'd convinced her late husband to dance with her. And now... all it was meant memories.

"My love for you,
burns deep inside of me,
So strong...

Embers of times we've had,
and now, here I stand,
lost in a memory,
I see your face, and smile...."

She looked out in the crowd during the piano solo, Her eyes were adjusting to the light. She could finally see people. But one in particular stood out. The one she'd been secretly calling her 'soul mate'. The one she'd felt that immediate, overpowering conection with. She smiled.

"Oh, how I love you so,
lost in those memories,
and now you've gone.....

I feel the pain.
Feel it like a fool...
Adieu....

My love, for you,
Burns deep inside me,
So strong...

Embers of times we've had,
And now, here I stand,
lost, in a memory.
I see your face...
And smile..."

The last chords of the tune ended, and Zandra glanced at that man one last time before taking a bow and leaving the stage. When she made it back to the dressing room, there was a message for her. She smiled. So. He did remember her after all.

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

After the song he stood and walked towards the back portion of the bar grabbing a man on the shoulder and using the force to manipulate his mind he asked a few questions before moving on. Finally he knocked on her dressing room door standing against the wall to the side waiting for her to either call or answer the door. In his hands rested a bouquet of flowers for her after all he had his moments of being a hopeless romantic.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra was humming to herself as she ran a brush through her messy white curls, took off her messy lipstick, pulled off the thick black false lashes and then lit up a cigarette. After this-

A knock came. She smiled. Something told her, this was exactly who she thought it was.

"Come in."

She set her lighter back down, smiling at the reflection of the door behind her.

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He opened the door walking in and over to her grinning at her in the mirror before he leans down placing the flowers in front of her and kissing her neck gently. Grinning he walked back to the door closing it and leaning against it looking at her in the mirror.

"So Zandy did you miss me?" He grinned at her teasingly his violet eyes flashing brightly as he runs a hand through his hair stretching.

His outfit was plan black a sleeveless top over pants that fit him just right not loose enough to get in the way but not tight enough to show anything off.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Mmm..."

She almost groaned when he kissed her neck. Alright, so it had been a while for her. Any real touch was enough to excite her.

"Missed you like air, Cyar'ika," she answered with a grin, "Flowers? Nobody ever brought me flowers before. Thanks."

She picked them up, sniffed them. Smiled, turned in her chair to look at him.

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He smiles and walks over leaning down to kiss her lips as she turned to face him one hand touching her cheek as his lips pressed against hers taking a step back he winked. "I will have to visit you more often than can't have you missing me to much can we." He walked to the couch in the dressing room taking a seat on it as he smiled. "You were wonderful tonight by the way."

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Another kiss. She felt so young for a moment. It almost made her feel... light. As if every awful thing that had happened in the last nine years was just a bad dream. She stood up, moving to sit next to him.

"You think so? I dunno. I was a little off on the third verse."

Not like she was a professional singer anyway. It was just a hobby. A way to make a few extra credits when she could book a performance.

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He grins and nods as he rests a hand on her leg leaning back on the couch as he gestures with his other hand. "Best one out there tonight I would know I got stuck here after finding work for my crew." He chuckles and offers her a gentle genuine smile as he rubs her leg gently his violet eyes brighter than usual.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

His hand on her leg. It made her blush a little. She grinned, trying to hide the red on her cheeks. He had something on his mind. She could tell.

"Hows the work been?" she asked, "Steal the hearts of other pirate Queens while you were at it?"

She was teasing, but a part of her was honestly curious. Did he have others?

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He laughs as he leans back shaking his head lightly. "Work has been slow lately not as many wars means less of my preferred take. And no no other pirate queens you are the only one." He smirks at her shooting a teasing wink at her as he rubs her leg gently before gesturing around.

"How goes work for you? Any new pirate lords following you about?" He looked over at her curiously raising an eyebrow as he waited for her response.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Works been slow for me too. No pirate Lords running after me either."

She grinned, leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"So... you came here to see me after all. Glad you did."

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He smiles at her his arm slipping around her waist as she leans against him rubbing her side gently. Finally he stood and held his hand out to her smiling. "Shall we go and get dinner? I don't know what plans you have now but any chance I can fit in."

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

She was too excited for this. It had been far too long. A date. A possible lover. Someone she might be able to count on. Love again. The very idea! But maybe...?

She took his hand, rising to her feet. The heels were killing her, but she really could not possibly care less. Not if it meant she could go out again and just live.

"I think I can fit you into my plans tonight."

[member="Aedan Miles"]

 

[Aedan Miles]

He smiles and offers her his arm a small grin crossing his lips revealing bright teeth as he fishes out his comlink placing a reservation at one of the fancier restaurants. Guiding her out of the building he smiles and talks with her gesturing around the area pointing out different things and making absent conversation with her.

[member="Zandra Tal'verda"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra laughed and talked with him as they walked. Was this what it was like to flirt? To have a... relationship like this? It had been so long, she'd just about forgotten how to date. They... were dating, right? Well, she supposed she could ask later. They'd only met twice, after all. It was a bit much. Zandra wasn't one to push things. If things happened, they happened. And if they didn't? Well, she could live with it too.

[member="Aedan Miles"]