Private Fast Track to Creds

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

An ache registered in his arms; he'd lost track of the clock entirely. Nothing more than a pilot’s instinct.. logging data. Devin didn’t mind though, having carved out their own little world here under the neon and haze.. just breath and the weight of Shania against him. Calm came into focus next. And the scent that lingered on him was indefinitely hers.

For one who basically lived on adrenaline at the redline, there was warmth in his chest, a means of being grounded, as though a hand was against the sternum. Oxytocin, maybe. Endorphins.. definitely. Chemistry doing what chemistry did best. Whatever cocktail his brain had decided to dump into his system.. it left him clear headed. There was no awkwardness or second guessing. Zero emotional static desperately searching for an exit strategy. A clear signal was always nice..

Carefully, Devin shifted his stance and began to lower the woman. Her nails sparked another bright sensation. His plans remained at the curve of Shania’s hips as words landed. Leaning in, his lips skimmed hers, so that reassurance could settle between them. A warm amber gaze searched hers, an effortless smile appearing.. one that didn’t need to prove anything. “We will, Red.” Another promise, offered like he hadn't already given several others tonight, an idea he knew would return sooner rather than later.

While turning away, his attention snagged on the small spill of credits. He crouched, gathering the bag and scooping up the strays. When he straightened, the bag rested at his side.. and that smile hadn’t gone anywhere.

“I wouldn’t mind that drink to go.” There was a playful note woven through the calm. "For both of us."

Weight shifted toward the mouth of the alley. There was plenty of lightness lingering on the tongue, though he found himself unsure whether to break the mood or not. That never happened.

“Feels like a good night to keep going. I’m ready whenever you are.”

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shanti's feet finally touch the ground again when Devin stopped monopolizing her all to himself. A soft purr preceded their lips brushing once more. Certainly didn't mind his mutual interest in a little more time together. Her hands pawed at his chest as her eyes tracked with his own in the moment they shared together.

When he turned away to collect the credits, Shani took the opportunity to tidy up. They might be two adrenaline crazed fools, but that was no excuse not to be presentable. If they were going to attract notice it'd be for something people would cheer for, not something they'd snicker about. Devin certainly had spirit, no doubt.

Her hands rose to check on her hair to make sure it wasn't a complete mess by the time Devin straightened up.

An arm threw itself around Devin's shoulders as he called for a drink on the go. Shani saddled up along side him with a smile. "Eager. I like it." Her russet eyes roamed down toward his chest as curious thoughts lazily wandered by. It'd be hard to top the excitement they'd just shared, but they could find other creative ways to express themselves somewhere more... comfortable.

"Oh, Devin," she reached around with her other hand to caress his cheek, "I'm always ready."

A light rock forward and allowing her weight to rock against the backs of his shoulders should help encourage forward momentum. "Let's find somewhere nice. Just the two of us, and discuss what the future holds for both of us." And Shani had just the place in mind. She'd already decided before their tryst. Nothing had changed for her just because they had a little time alone already. Nice to see he felt the same way, and wasn't trying to run away.

"So?" she prompted as walked. There was a pregnant pause that begged curiosity what question would follow. "What's your favorite drink?" Sometimes it did well not to lead with the obvious. And shouldn't he have something delicious in his hand while they contemplated the future together?

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Devin’s heart rate was slowing.. but it hadn’t dulled. No loss of altitude. That itch was there, ready for the next spike just so that he might feel normal again. Places like this had a way of encouraging it too. Still, the pilot’s breathing deepened.. fuller even. If not for the narrow alley washed in neon, that next surge would've been her, claimed again before any thought had a chance of catching up.

Her calm hit him a little harder than expected. Was that how she always landed after? There wasn’t much time to sit with the question before an arm located his shoulder; it dipped instinctively, accepting her presence. One hand found her side, resting there lightly. “Be careful. That’s how people always end up thinking I planned something.”

His jaw loosened and Devin found himself leaning into her palm, a faint smile settling while his gaze locked on hers. “Good. I’m quite terrible with half measures.”

Somehow, her words landed like a throttle did when easing forward, smooth and controlled. The term future was often registered as a trap, one that would’ve had him sprinting in the past. With her it came off as more of a direction.. something he'd never really known outside of the X-Wings cockpit. His fingers gave a little poke at her side in punctuation. "You’re dangerously reasonable. You do realize this is how more trouble starts, right?” A gentle tug closed the few inches of space between them, to remind her she was welcome there. “Good thing I’ve already decided I’m in.”

They moved together through Nar Shaddaa's grime.. filth pressed close on all sides. Another breath eased out of him. “Red, I’m about to give you the most predictable answer possible.”

First, a self aware glance sideways. “Corellian whisky.” The shrug that followed was unapologetic. “I know. Pilot cliche, right? But that has just always been familiar to me.”

His tone dropped a notch. “I’d like to think I’m not that complicated.”

There hadn’t been room in his life for alternatives. The bag of credits alone was proof of that.. more than he’d ever carried in one place, a fact his mind was currently turning over.

One corner of his mouth hitched upward. “Tell me what you drink so I don’t embarrass myself by guessing." Devin tipped his head toward her.. curiosity already steering. Brown eyes were bright with mischief. “So.. where are we wandering to now?" Left, right, or straight into trouble.. somehow it all felt the same with her.

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

"Of course. If I were crazy I wouldn't have had half the opportunities. Certainly wouldn't have met you," Shani replied to Devin's accusation of her being reasonable. Besides, if she were insane she wouldn't appreciate all the excitement. They'd just be colors and disassociated objects or thoughts. Strange, waking dreams. Shani didn't want to dream. "I want to live. And I want you to live too."

"Corellian whiskey." Nothing wrong with familiar. Sure, it wasn't full of anticipation and mystery, but not everything could be. Getting a suite, for example, wasn't that mysterious. Four walls, a ceiling, and a bed. They were practically all the same. "Things can be the same. It's what you do with them that matter."

Devin thought himself uncomplicated. Maybe. Maybe she wasn't either. Shani knew better, but why would she volunteer to talk about such things? That wasn't interesting. It was tedious. Long as they kept moving all of that wouldn't catch up with her and things would be fine.

"Me?" A laugh followed Devin asking for her own favorite. "Spaced Spicer. Deepest red you've ever seen with a bite going down. Some places find it hard to get hold of it; or their customers simply hate how punishing it is. Corellian Whiskey is good; long as it isn't watered down."

Shani pointed at a multi-level joint ahead buffeted on both sides by towering statues and a red carpet that lined its steps. "There. It's older, but hasn't forgotten its old charm. Rougher crowd, but moneyed. Good place to find a room and lay low for how ever long we need. I'll handle the negotiations. Second they see a new face they'll try to bump the prices." Another chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "Not that we'll be staying long."

"Once we get to my ship, we'll be free to go anywhere. Do anything. Like reclaiming lost property, or finding new property. I'm dying to see if you can handle a starfighter the way you handled me."

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Music from somewhere above bled down the street, mixed with speeders hissing past on repulsors. Somewhere nearby, laughter burst and died. Nar Shaddaa never really stopped reminding you that life was.. cheap?

The next breath was almost a laugh as his head tipped back just enough to take in the glow. Neon reflected off the curve of his cheekbone. “The cockpit’s the same every time. Same switches, same damn harness biting into my shoulders.. and the same stars on the other side if you ask me. I guess there’s something honest about that, with knowing exactly what it’s going to do. I need at least one thing in the room that won’t surprise me. Besides, that leaves more room for everything to, right?”

His brow lifted a tiny fraction at the name. Spaced Spicer? “Yeah, that tracks. I’m not surprised your favorite drink sounds like it comes with a warning label. Guess it's time to confess something that might ruin my reputation as a pilot.” Another teasing glance sideways. “I’ve never actually tried it. But it does sound like it'd have someone rethinking life choices."

Another pause, another little curious smile. The pilot’s voice lowered. “So, is that what you’re considering then? Watching a Corellian whiskey loyalist get humbled by something angry and red?” His head tipped, studying Shania. “Because if you are.. I’d rather not have my first time being with the waters down stuff either.”

Devin followed the line of her finger. Older joints always had character. They creaked a little and tested you if you didn’t respect him. That much he learned back on Coruscant. “I can work with that.” The idea of her handling the negotiations was most welcomed. His version always came with a throttle and terrible ideas. They probably should play it smart for just a moment. “I think you're right.. we won’t stay long. I get restless, Red.”

Then she said it. Something warm flickered behind chestnut eyes. “Oh, is that the metric now?”

A soft breath released through his nose. He couldn’t recall ever needing a flight manual. “I suppose I should warn you, I fly the same way I do with everything else. I like to listen first, see how she responds."

His thumb pressed once at her side. “If your starfighter talks back, then I’ll take that as encouragement. If she doesn’t.. well, I’m very good at finding the sweet spot.”

Handling implied control; that didn’t sound so bad. Shania was a problem, and to his.. mild concern, he was enjoying every second of trying to solve her. "The real question is whether my navigator is planning to just supervise, or if she’s going to distract the pilot mid flight.”

Drawing closer to the entrance, he slowed, holding out her bag that'd been riding easy at his side. "Hey, our winnings."

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shani smirked, but then rolled her shoulders as if to shrug. "It's a... regional cocktail." Storied history and all that. Most probably didn't even know it existed unless they'd stumbled over it by word of mouth or holo. His reputation was safe. She wouldn't say it aloud, but the insinuation was there. No need to baby him by reassuring him everything would be alright -- because it would be alright. Regarding rethinking life choices, she added, "It does clear the mind." It had a kick.

A throaty hum followed his accusative question. "The place we're going won't water it down." She reached up to caress the side of his face. "Trust me, Devin. I'll make certain of it." A beat. "When you're ready." There was no law in the galaxy that said he had to drink it that very day. Not that Shani would stop him if he chose to, of course.

"Ooh, that's why you need your own ship. So we can fly circles around one another and find out which of us is more reckless than the other." The blonde laughed merrily. "Though," she twisted to lean back in toward him, "if you want to share a ship, I'll make certain you'll always have something challenging to keep you from getting bored."

At the entrance to the building, they drew up and Devin held the bag of credits out. Shani paused for a second with her eyes on the bag before she reached out to take it. "We'll get this converted to something a little easier to haul around while we're here." Not all large denominations, but a fair few to lighten the load.

With a wave of her hand, she ascended the short steps to the double doors and pulled one open. She'd have done both in an overly bombastic manner, but with the bag in one hand she didn't want it making noise and ruining the moment. Through the parted portal was a short foyer followed by a sunken main floor. On the left side was luxurious furnishings inviting people to gather in groups; while on the right were tables better suited to exchanges in credits, especially when they involved cards or dice. At the far end of the room was a wide bar with no stools in front of it, and at least two people behind it at any given time. An expansive selection of liquors and substances were carefully arranged on shelving behind them. Meanwhile, the room was lit by crystal chandeliers whose light bathed decorative carvings along every wall.

Several patrons looked their way, but only for a short time. Shani strolled into the room and down the plush, red carpeting toward the bar at the far end of the room. The bag of credits sloshed down atop the counter at her arrival. "I'd like to exchange these for travel. And to book a room for the night. A large suite."

A black haired young man's brown eyes stared back at Shani. "Of course, Miss Ryder. Your usual accommodation?"

Her cheeks lifted with the smile that followed suit. "That'd be perfect."

"A discrete visit, Miss Ryder?"

Shani chuckled behind closed lips. No verbal response was necessary.

Soon a card was slid across the counter along with a smaller, more manageable bag of credits. "Should you wish to extend your stay or need room service, please let us know anytime."

A healthy tip was gently set down atop the counter and slid across toward the Receptionist and Bartender.

Russet eyes then slid over to look for Devin and see what he took away from everything, or if he had thoughts where they should go or do first now that he'd seen the joint.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Upon entering the establishment, Devin took it in the same way he did with a new cockpit back on Odessa. Not at all once. Well, never all at once. The room struck him as the type that didn’t tolerate any chaos unless it was paying rent; though, the same could be said for so many places on Nar Shaddaa.. The smell was different, certainly not unlike a ship that had been flown hard.

He stepped backward like it was a deck, waiting to see if that reality was lying to him or not. Strange it was even now to have handed off those credits so easily; he’d handed off larger risks for less reasons countless times.

He noted how Shani moved through the space like she already agreed to her own terms. Zero hesitation, no second guessing. A recurring theme tonight for sure. The woman didn’t scan the room the way he did.

The receptionist's eyes were clocked far before his brain would. Usual accommodation? Discrete visit. Right. That kind of place. Like it was her own hyperspace lane, a place where you forget how fast you were actually going later.

Not much different from Red Ronin, he moved on to catalog the exits. Pretty rooms burned the same as ugly ones. It almost reminded him of a ship that’d been rebuilt multiple times before getting everything right. Furthermore, there was enough liquor behind the bar to fund a small rebellion, like the Path, or a very ambitious midlife crisis. As he saw it, everyone was pretending they weren’t watching everyone else.

Eventually, when Shani looked back to him, Devin realized he’d gone quiet. Far longer than usual. The quip he’d normally throw never launched.. caught somewhere behind his teeth and everything else he was working through.

“Red.. I’m still waiting for the part where someone tells me this is some kind of simulation, or I really lost the last hand and none of this counts.”

Amber orbs shifted from the chandeliers to the red carpet.

“Well,” Devin threaded with that pilot’s lilt that never quite left. “I’ve slept in worse places with better stories, and better places with worse reasons. This one feels..” He tipped his head in consideration. “..honest? In.. its own very expensive way?”

Language clearly lagged behind his thought.

“I like that you already know how to fly it though.”

A step carried him closer. “Credits have always just been fuel to me.” His focused tracked the chandeliers once again, waiting for them to flicker out. “This feels like.. I don’t know. Like I'm going to wake up and owe someone an apology."

Despite the words, that reckless warmth that carried him everywhere crept back into his eyes. “So if I look like I’m staring, it’s not because I’m unimpressed. I'm just cruising at an altitude I've yet to learn and making sure this is real before I get attached to it.” A smile hit and bailed. “Or you.”

His expression was unapologetic. “I vote drinks before decisions. Gives the ‘verse some time to catch up and tell us if we’re about to make some grand mistake. Plus it gives time to let my brain catch up with my legs."

Arms crossed loosely, and weight shifted fully to one hip. “If it doesn’t, then I say we still lean into it and see how fast this night really wants to go. I’m just here to keep us airborne, Red.”

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shani smiled. She didn't look back at the Receptionist. Didn't need to. Better places? Subjective, fair. Better stories? Well, now that was doubtful. But one didn't just come out and spill all the tales that'd been bled into this fine, weathered establishment. It was clean. Modern in replacing what couldn't be neatly fixed. Perhaps 'quaint' in its decor belying something older, but then what in this old civilization didn't had that rustic charm? She enjoyed hearing his appraisal though. The first visit was always the most intriguing. As was the first taste.

A purr shook her body as Shani's hands knifed their way into the loose triangle of his armpits. Shani'd force her arms through his in order to shimmied up against him with a smile. "Long as you're with me, Devin, it's all real." Admittedly, she hadn't seen the man robbing the club earlier. It had precipitated a sudden need for somewhere safe. Much fun as it was to stay on the run, a step ahead of your pursuers, this was Nar Shaddaa. It wasn't large enough to even catch your breath before the chase resumed. But here? "Join me for a drink then. We have the night." They could afford that long. Hopefully.

Racing promotions were a dangerous thing. Her face plastered everywhere. A time and place boldly declared where she'd be and for how long. The publicity worked in her favor even so. Kept her just out of reach. But now? Devin had flipped the script. They really were living on the edge now.

"Corellian whiskey," Shani announced with a lazily turn of her head in the young man's direction. "And a Spaced Spider." The order warranted a practiced nod before he turned to move down the bar to collect the necessary bottles and glasses for them.

"As I said earlier, you won't find anything watered down here. It's a matter of pride." The blonde leaned forward to whisper hotly in his ear, "You can steal the soap in our room, but don't disturb the patrons." With a chuckle she drew her head back to gaze into his eyes; her own russet rings sparkled in the light of the chandeliers. This was not a venue for them to engage in robbery, larceny, or any other disruptive but festive activity.

"Let's get our drinks and find somewhere comfortable to sit. I could sit in your lap, if you like." The pad of her thumb slid down the center of his lips.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

Devin felt the warm line of her torso settling flush against his chest. And that purr that rolled was more than just a sound for his ears; it vibrated through his being, a challenge injected straight into his bloodstream. His breath caught, inhaling slow and deep, chest rising as the woman spoke. The part of him that lived at the redline didn’t flinch. That wouldn’t make sense, when there were clearly two engines willing to run hot.

With her pressed so close, he felt the side of his neck warmed from her breath. Another inhale, but this time it was drawn deep through the nose, becoming very personal. Devin already came to realize back in the alley he liked when her scent filled his lungs.

The absence of banter made the voice feel oddly.. foreign. Not that he was complaining. “You’re right. Dreams don’t do a damn thing for me either. I just needed something that pushes back.”

He let the moment show on his face. “And I’m not going to pretend that this isn’t exactly where I want to be right now.”

The bartender’s nod barely registered. A hand slid to her waist, thumb pressing at the ribs. “You could’ve told him to pour slowly. I don’t like watered down moments either.” A crooked smile tugged and one brow lifted just slightly. “For the record. I can behave. But only because I want to.. not because you asked.”

Soap, room, rules, all those words were secondary. Naturally, he’d become good at reading tables, at knowing when a hand was a bluff, when one was worth the risk. He was beginning to lean toward the latter.

"I've always been good at taking what fits in my pockets. I assure you, Red, I have public manners too.. doesn't mean I’ll stop thinking about what you're implying."

His lips parted under her thumb. He didn’t move away or chase it, just allowing it to press lightly at the center. Maybe it was to remind himself that he still knew how to choose what happened next. Devin’s other hand lifted, resting at her wrist. Sunlit eyes lowered, caught on the place she touched, then returned to holding her gaze. “I like that,” murmured close enough to feel. “Say it again when we’re sitting down.”

Movement was detected behind her, some presence without shape, and then the man spoke. Everything quickly snapped back into focus, like a hand touching the brakes. It required that reminder for the rest of the world to reassert itself.. drinks.. something resembling restraint of comfort was being discussed. Exhaling slowly, he recalibrated, becoming aware he needed the little interruption to remember he was still standing at the bar, and not somewhere more private.

Glasses were sat down with ease.. the amber of the Corellian whiskey, and Spaced Spider, dark and glossy beside it.

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

"Don't worry. They don't rush their customers here," Shani replied about Devin's concern he might water down the moment. A mischevious sparkle shone in her eyes for a second before she stretched up along his front. "And I know the owner." Her eyes narrowed even while she smiled. It was a little more complicated than it sounded, but how could she explain without ruining the moment? So she wouldn't. There'd just have to remain the expectation the man did know when it was necessary to control his urges. Sometimes it was the restraint that made the wild all the more satisfying later.

Laughter followed his declaration of being free to think what he will. "How else will you know what to do when the time comes?" It didn't hurt to imagine what he would do under the circumstances. To pine after what he didn't have. When the time came or the circumstances were made available he'd know precisely what to take without hesitation.

She stepped a bit to the side to help them turn on the spot to present their sides to the bar. With a smirk, Shani reached out with one hand to retrieve her drink; she watched to make sure Devin retrieved his own, or if he expected her to get his as well.

"Lounge," her head listed toward the center of the room,"or somewhere more private?" The drink in her hand didn't smell exceptionally spicy or full of spice. If anything the scent was surprisingly subdued. At just the right angle the light seemed to dance or draw out a few sparkles suspended in the dark liquor.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Closing that last bit of space between them was anything but casual. The invitation pressed further, daring Devin to misread, even as her body drew close enough that the rise and fall of his breathing nudged against her without apology. Close enough that the heat carried through fabric, settling low. Against his better judgement, he let the world narrow back into that sensation.. even if only for a few seconds.

Shani's words threaded through him almost lazily, brushing at the pilot's focus. He caught the meaning, or what he assumed it to be, and let it echo once or twice. Useful information, sure, but secondary all the same. She was his now, at least as far as the night seemed determined to carry them from that first look at the Red Ronin. He didn't need the affirmation of it. Besides, he trusted momentum more than promises, sensation more than assurances.

Playfulness crept into the tone as he shook his head, finding that being caught out in something amusing rather than dangerous wasn't such a bad thing. His gaze skimmed her face for half a second.. quick and curious. Maybe more.

“Almost sounds like dangerous territory. Almost like expectations.. deadlines.. like someone’s checking my work.””

Sometimes he enjoyed the exchange more than the answer. A little give and take. Or the mutual recognition that yes, we’re both in on this.

“I don’t spend much time sitting around wondering what I’d do in some hypothetical version of the night,” Devin went on. “That always feels like overthinking. Kinda defeats the point, no?”

Devin shifted with her, one hand already lifting toward the bar. He might’ve reached for her glass out of habit.. would have, really.. but she’d beaten him to it, so he simply claimed his own.

He tracked the line of her sight. "Lounge is fine. I like places where you can still see what's coming." It came pretty close to forgetting they'd robbed a club earlier. Somewhere between habit and instinct, a sip was taken from the glass. "Besides, I'm a little curious about that I know the owner theory."

Not really. More of a small test, if anything.

The curve of his lips might’ve suggested it to be teasing rather than something pointed. “Just professional habit,” continued, easy as breath. “Sabacc teaches you to read the table, not the promise. If it’s a bluff, I’ll know soon enough. And if it’s not..” His shoulders lifted in a careless shrug. “That actually.. doesn’t change much at all actually. I tend to play the same either way.”

Eyes met once more before he moved toward the lounge, choosing a spot tucked just far enough from the other couples.. a modest attempt to carve out a little space for them to share.

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shani smiled and gazed into Devin's eyes as he seemed to take the danger for amusement. Well, she wasn't going to spoil the moment reiterating and explaining. It wasn't a pressing issue and she'd just roll with how ever things played out. Why control the scene when you could bask in it? It and all the chaos that came with keeping your hand off the wheel and foot on the gas.

"It does," Shani agreed regarding the point as she fussed over his check needlessly. Little motions of her hand across his firm form.

A soft laugh followed his gentle, investigatory tone. "Theory. I like that, Devin." Softer chuckles trailed off. "Well, you ask any questions you want and I promise to make it as intriguing as possible." It was probably all a game to him, which suited her. Explaining it seriously would sap all the energy out of the moment. Besides, most people didn't really care, or regretted finding out the truth. Maybe if Devin really did stick around after the first night something might come of it.

With a pat on his shoulder, Shani started to turn away from the bar and move with Devin so they turned as a unit. "It changes a great deal, but only if we let it. Which we won't. We'll be gone by the morning, off to explore whatever temptations are out there." She brought her glass around for a toast as they walked, "To adventure."

She followed Devin's lead where he wanted to sit in the sunken lounge with its plush couches and chairs. A few pairs of eyes noted their arrival, but soon made an effort not to look at them any further. Shani, for her part, didn't bother returning the looks. In fact, the only thing she paid attention to was where Devin sat and to make sure there was a spot for her to get comfortable in it.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

Theory turned out to be a dangerous word. At least, it was for Devin. Invite questions, and a curious side of him would inevitably follow wherever they led. Whatever randomness he'd lingered on her with earlier, those half formed questions sparked and died somewhere between sips of his drink. Funny how curiosity could feel so sharp one moment, then dissolve the instant comfort crept in.

The pilot lifted his own glass just enough to meet hers, the clink soft, almost.. polite. Gone by morning, that was a familiar rhythm. Shani's words landed not much different than reading departure times off a board. Those never waited for anyone to feel ready; they just happened. Some people needed maps. Others trusted speed.

Between take off and landing, he trusted motion more than anything else, but few were actually awake when everything was happening though.

“To adventure,” he echoed, finally. “And not pretending we know what it turns into.”

Easing down into the couch, he shifted without thinking, an adjustment that left space beside him; it was the same as any other temporary place, killing time between departures. The glass balanced loosely in one hand, and a crooked smile surfaced as he glanced over to her. "I don't mind having good company, especially while we wait for the morning to show up and pretend it wasn't taking its time on purpose."

Another glance, sideways, paired with self awareness. “Part of me’s still looking for exits, Red. But, that’s not about leaving you. That’s just how I’m wired..”

After, Devin leaned back, fully present. It was nice to just let the moment breathe without pressing anything. “Morning’ll come when it comes. We can worry about that later.”

Shoulders drifted her way; not that Shani really needed another signal or reminder. "This is the part most people skip. Not the arrival or the goodbye. I've always liked the middle too.”

He shifted again, just to get comfortable. "So, what part do you usually skip?"

 

[Naniti]

.

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shani hummed before she settled in beside Devin. While he spoke, she lifted her red drink to her lips to sample the cornucopia of flavor within. Devin was surprisingly thoughtful for someone inclined to indulge in complete abandon and chaos. His reassurances were sweet, but so long as he wasn't some sort of secret operative for The Dominion Shani wasn't worried. She would, however, be disappointed if he fled having gotten a taste of the madness she had to offer.

As he got comfortable, his pale companion thought to do the same. A leg lifted until Shandi dropped herself into Devin's lap as she'd warned earlier. With the man straddled, her free hand reached out to slip behind his neck to play with his nape. "Getting to know someone before getting to know someone." Which shouldn't have been much of a surprise for Devin given what they'd shared earlier. "Most people can't handle what I'm offering. Some are satisfied with just a sample, unaware there's so much more out there." Her shoulders twisted as she leaned in a bit closer with a smile on her lips. "I won't stop you from leaving any time you want; if you stay it's because you chose to, and I'll show you more than you ever thought possible."

"How's your drink?" A complete non-sequitur from his playful companion.

"So, you fought against Imperials. Probably come across them at some point even if you're bored of them." The drink in her hand waved slightly to indicate the galactic field that was theirs to play in. "Anything you'd like to avoid? Things that are no longer interesting? I'd hate to talk up somewhere just to find out you'd been there, done that." Shani laughed.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

Devin took another sip from the glass, the amber burning on the way down, perhaps just a baseline while everything else shifted. He swallowed slowly, heat blooming in his chest. Murmurs carried through the lounge around them, voices and movement. Of course, he understood that well enough. Noise was for those who wanted to be seen. He had been guilty of it himself. But right now, the ship was on a more controlled descent so to speak, even if he was not ready to cut the engines outright.

When Shani moved next, one shoulder dipped to accommodate her as she settled. His knees splayed, creating an alcove for her, to ensure she sank comfortably. Surprisingly, Devin did not hurry to seize that tenderness, allowing his gaze to follow as words found their shape just before escaping her lips. That line was where truth tended to breath more freely, whether in words or raw emotion. There were undoubtedly other finer threads, but it was there he found himself captivated the longest.

His free hand settled at her side, behind the curve of her hip, a shape he had already mapped and now acknowledged. “Samples tell you whether something’s worth committing fuel to. I like knowing what I’m getting into before I push the throttle forward.”

A partial truth. He could easily admit that Shani intrigued him enough that they would have ended up here even without the detour.

Pressure from his palm tightened, a quiet signal that every inch pressed into him was felt.

He didn’t respond to everything, though.. not verbally. If she thought she would be raising the bar in some ways, she might find herself surprised. Devin knew the body’s anatomy rather well, understood its patterns and responses, and had an ever curious mind to match. He’d always been good at paying attention, long before the sabacc tables and what followed after.

Just on the verge of a smile, his mouth quivered, while fingers spun the glass around in a circle.

“Seems they didn’t dilute it.”

Tipping his head back against the couch, he looked up to the ceiling. “Imperials only really cover a small slice. They make a lot of noise about their reach, sure, but it’s still just a fraction of the galaxy. Easy to mistake for real influence." A pause. ”Most of my time’s been Odessa, Eshan, New Cov, Coruscant.. Ord Mantell once. Didn’t mind that one as much as people warned me I should.”

Turning his gaze toward her again, he smiled. "Imagine picking one spot, a place unknown to you.. where would it be?"

​

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

"Csilla. Hard place to find. Harder to reach. The Hegemony didn't like unwelcome visitors," Shani replied. She leaned into Devin with her lips coming along side an ear. "Why, you want to pick through the rubble?" A soft chuckle followed. "Or, perhaps, you'd like somewhere still within reach? Somewhere just as difficult -- perhaps more so -- just waiting to be explored. There are a few places out there like that still. Long forgotten. Full of ancient splendor. Would somewhere like that interest you?" Her fingers reached up to play with the lobe of his ear for a moment.

Shandi drew back to look into Devin's eyes again. Her smile slowly eclipsed by the rim of her glass.

"Of course, there are easier to replace places that might be just as enticing. Heavily fortified installations. Abandoned secret projects. You might be surprised what's lurking out there between the stars, Devin. Things people wouldn't believe. Things they're not ever allowed to know exist." Seeing as how there didn't seem to be a lot off the menu, she had to wonder what caught him drooling. Speed and instinct were good, but it didn't hurt to aim for something a little larger and enjoy all the sights along the way. If they never actually got there well that was fine too, but at least they wouldn't be caught in a loop.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Devin's head tilted slowly, inching closer to her mouth. Time lost its urgency. Csilla was a planet that rang distant in his mind, one he couldn't attach any memory or much knowledge to. And that was oddly.. comforting. A slow, darker smile curved his lips as the thought sank in, heat pooling beneath his skin.

The pilot's chestnut eyes were half-lidded. “If I wanted rubble,” whispered playfully, “I’d just revisit old mistakes. Hard to reach, though?” His focus flicked sideways to her. “That part gets my attention.”

It appeared there were endless options, each one promising a different adventure.. beneath the surface, making a choice wasn’t so simple after all. And at that moment, at the hinge between Shani’s hip and thigh, his index and middle fingers slid together, tracing the sleek curve of her outer thigh beneath the black fabric.

Memories from earlier resurfaced with the sabacc table, the cards, and all that followed at the Red Ronin. Flying was dangerous, but there was nothing illegal about running an X-Wing for the Path. Sure, there were consequences, plenty of them too. There, he knew exactly where he stood when strapped in. But the credits they’d taken, the way they took something with witnesses all around and walked away with it.. that was different.

If he had to guess, they’d go through those credits quicker than either was ready to admit.

His glass came up absentmindedly, and so he drank. Devin’s gaze traced the depths of her pupils. “Stealing the win? I like how that felt, Red. Flying doesn’t hit the same way. I kinda want more. Somewhere we can grab more credits.. and see if the feels just as good the second time.”

That familiar touch glided back up, settling somewhere softer. “I was thinking Canto Bight, to be specific,” murmured softly. “Those sloppy high rollers won’t notice what’s missing until it’s gone. And.. I like the idea of a private beaches instead of alleyways, where the only footprints are ours, and the waves can wash away our sins.”

Nothing, for a second. “After that, Zeltros. We lay low in plain sight and burn it all.”

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

It was nice to be admired. Shani smiled down at Devin as she settled in comfortably in his lap. His slow, explorative touch wasn't overlooked.

There seemed to be something percolating behind the man's eyes. She set her glass aside and started to rub her palms against the fronts and tops of his shoulders as she rocked gently to and fro. Probably ruminating on how on to get his next fix. What an insatiable specimen. Which was just fine by her; they had all the time in the galaxy to do whatever they wanted.

Apparently, Devin had acquired a taste for high-stakes high-reward robbery. Shani rolled her hips forward as she pushed her chest forward. "You are imaginative," she mused. "Canto Bight sounds delicious. But are you suggesting plucking the winnings from high rollers, or staging a heist? One does require more planning than the other." As ambitious and thrilling as the idea of a heist was, it might prove challenging to do it just the two of them. A place like that may or may not have the latest security, but they had ample of it.

"Zeltros," she purred, "I don't mind the sun, Devin, but I burn easily." With a chuckle she leaned down until their lips were scarcely parted. "Like rocket fuel." A little color to an otherwise serious request. If he wanted to work on his tan she could be there, but if he was going to be as reckless with the sun as he was with a blaster he'd find his partner conspicuously beneath a shaded palm tree waiting on him to see sense -- probably after he turned into a lobster.

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

“High rollers don’t advertise. They just stop pretending they’re here to have fun.” At least, it sounded easy.. engineering and a physical bypass.

Maybe he was imaginative, running the calculations in his mind with how the security layouts might be, blind spots in the surveillance of Canto Bight. That was, until another, more immediate tactical readout stole his focus.. the pressure of her thighs against his.

What a dangerous habit that was to encourage, in ways that made words feel optional. But he held the line, meeting that pressure while tracing a circle on the fabric of Shani’s pants, above the crease of her leg. It could've just been a pilot’s habit with reading feedback, wherever it may be, and choosing to keep contact.

“Mm,” came first, shifting beneath her, a consequence from the inevitable math of proximity. “If I land too fast, I miss half the experience. I think the Academy trained me better than that.”

Leaning forward closed the scant distance she left, but his lips didn’t crash into hers, nor was there the slightest whisper of contact. But.. Devin could still almost taste her drink.

"You’re so right about Zeltros,” he continued, picking up her thread. “The sun’s a problem. I keep thinking about a different heat that's active after dark. It's hard to chart a course when the present keeps pulling my focus."

There was a reason sunscreen was invented. Whole industries built around not learning that lesson the hard way.

One brow arched, amusement weaving through a more concentrated gaze. Slowly, his head tipped in understanding as the drink was set aside. “Every planet looks the same from hyperspace, Red. Just tell me which direction feels right.”

Behind the amber, something percolated anyway.

He imagined every planet had a little something to offer; just as everyone, eventually, had more credits to be taken.