Private High Society

[Tavian Djo]

“That might have been nice. I didn’t think about it, I guess. I didn’t want to piss off your father,” Tavian let a wan smile crook his features beneath the mask. “I did suggest a resort. That seemed,” he swallowed, “to imply that I was a type of person that I am not.”

Tavian did not want to let her go as they stood on this fallen pillar, overlooking the rush of the water below with the rest of the superstructure towering over head. It was an awe inspiring sight and for a moment he just took it in, unable to believe that he was really standing here amid a ruin millennia old.

“Perhaps, before I return, I can see you again? Somewhere with the rush of air. And a lake or an ocean. Or do you still presume me a silver spooned dilettante looking for a fling.”

He might be silver spooned. And he might be a dilettante. But she should have known by now that he was not the sort who cavorted around the galaxy just looking for a one night affair.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"No this is nice too. I wish we could explore under different circumstances."

Persephone was itching to poke around and enjoy the sights. However, given the Hapan cluster was under attack, it seemed inappropriate. The ancient mystery was not going anywhere. They would be able to return when Tavian Djo wasn't worried about his homeland. Maybe she would do a little research beforehand next time.

At the mention of lake or ocean she frowned. It wasn't her cup of tea but she could watch Tavian from the beach. Maybe if she felt brave enough dip her toes in the water and walk along the edge. Tavian seemed very fixated on the water element. Perhaps it was a hobby of his.

"I....do not trust you completely, no." A little harsh to deliver when he was worried about war breaking out at home. "I cannot go from zero to sixty in two visits. I am glad you had the kind of upbringing and experiences to allow you to do so."

A little tug on his arm.

"We can meet again before you leave. Somewhere with no rebreathing masks."

 

[Tavian Djo]

Zero to sixty.

Tavian just nodded. He supposed that was how he tended to live. Whatever he enjoyed he just seized on, accelerating without care for what happened. Reckless.

He should not be so reckless with her. He could do better. He must do better.

"I'd like that. I know I've told you that I enjoy your company. I don't know that I've told you why."

Drawing out both their hands so that he was holding each of hers he looked into her eyes. All a bit silly in breath masks, but he needed the humor and needed it said. Maybe a mandalorian would kill him tomorrow and he'd never get the chance.

"You are clever. Not just clever. Brilliant. Smarter than anyone else I know. And your wit is just as sharp. I should know from how often I'm on the receiving end," he smiled, "And you're brave. And you're pragmatic. And you're... you're beautiful, Persephone. The most beautiful girl I've seen. There. I've said it. You can call me dramatic and moving too fast and shove me off the pylon now."

Tavian smiled, knowing she would not. Push him off the pylon. Call him dramatic, yes.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"You're very dramatic and I think you're moving far too fast." Persephone paused, faced flushed from what he had just told her. No one had ever said anything remotely like that about her. She wasn't sure how to feel. "I won't shove you off this pylon because with my luck you will take me down with you. Not something I wish to risk."

Lips thinned, a shake of her head.

"I'm flattered, truly...how do I know you're not telling me this because death is now very real for you? Stress has a way of making people reckless. I'm sure you feel some of those things but maybe just amplified now? Just, uh, just don't say anything you're going to regret in a couple months time, okay?"

She wanted to be anywhere but on the pylon. Knowing how Tavian Djo felt was just awkward, there was a wish he would have kept it to himself.

"Come on, let's get off the pylon and keep moving."

 

[Tavian Djo]

The boy swallowed a nervous laugh and just shook his head. "I don't think you think that. Not really."

Their footsteps carried them further into the ruins.

"And I won't regret it. Not now. Not in three months. Not ever. The only thing I would have regretted would be not telling you. But I won't try to push you anywhere you don't want to go. I just needed to say how I felt in case... in case something happened to me. So you would know that I wasn't just some silverspooned floozie from Hapes."

Then, grabbing hold of her hand, he walked with her deeper into the Gree structure and turned the conversation toward the who, what, when, how, why, and where of archaeology.

A week later saw a very different scene.

The moon of Dorumaa was once frozen and inhospitable, but long ago it had been terraformed into a resort world filled with tropical islands. Tavian stood on the artificial beach, toes in the artificial sand, staring up at the artificial buildings of "Tropix" island, and felt a malaise that he did not fully understand. The... lack of authenticity bothered him. He was not sure why. But then he closed his eyes and smelled the ocean breeze and the heady scent of the lulari trees and the sound of their leaves shaking, like wind chimes, and his concerns drifted away.

"Persie?"

Where had she gone...

He held two drinks in his hands. One was a simple no nonsense whiskey on the rocks. The other was a floral, rum concoction with an umbrella. The umbrella drink was for him.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Tucked away from the crowds, Persephone was reading her book, one she had gone great lengths to conceal. The cover was covered in black electrical tape, shielding the title and any identifying information one could scour and be used against her. Last time she tried reading on the beach a jerk had completely ruined the the plot for her. Those more experienced than her said he was flirting. A strategy one might want to rethink.

Stretched out on the lounger in her simple black bikini, page was flipped, world was tuned out. For a long moment she had forgotten she was here with anyone until her name was called.

"Persie?"

Oh, right.

"Over here." The heiress called with the same bored air a mother hiding from her children could muster. She wasn't avoiding Tavian, but what he had told her a week prior was still a little unsettling. Persie found herself analyzing every single thing. A habit. She didn't fully trust him. Even letting Tavian run off and grab drinks was an exercise in trust.

Growth, she decided, wasn't for the weak.

 

[Tavian Djo]

"Oh, how is the book?"

He walked over to her, treading through the sand, and stooped to offer her the drink before settling into the lounger beside her. The Hapan wore a pair of white trunks with golden strips down the sides. The color contrasted sharply with the golden, sun and star touched tone of his skin.

Tavian took a sip of his drink and then grounded it in the sand, twisting so it stayed put.

"You think I would like it?"

Here in the midst of nature, even if artificial, he seemed far more relaxed than wearing a breath mask and hyperventilating in the midst of the Gree ruins.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Thanks"

Accepting the drink with one hand, the other placed her book down on the lounger.he hadn't asked why she had taped up bits of the cover and she found that impressive. The Tavian Djo a few short weeks ago would have certainly embarrassed himself.

"I'm not sure. It's a mindless romance novel. Given you seem to be the most impractical between the two of us, it may be up your alley."

A small pause as she took a sip.

"I'll give it to you once I'm finished. Should be before we go our separate ways."

Back settled into the lounger once again. Tavian hadn't moved. He was still next to her with his little umbrella drink.

"Not heading out to swim? I figured you would be out there with the mutant turtles."

 

[Tavian Djo]

"They are peaceful creatures," Tavian replied, frowning as he looked over and finally saw when she put the book down that it was taped up. "Um."

Nevermind.

"Actually, we should go for a swim now that you mentioned it. We can even ride the turtles. I know you can't swim but..." eyes the color of seafoam regarded her hopefully, eyebrows raised, "Maybe I could show you. Not to swim, that may take longer. But to just lay back in the water. I think you would enjoy it. It's relaxing."

Tavian watched her reaction, now that he had her full attention. It was both a wonderful and somewhat frightening thing. And it made him smile.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Face went ghost white as she looked out at the body of water, vast and shimmering as far as the eye could see. Beautiful - from the beach. The idea of getting into a vast body of water that contained animals large enough to ride didn't appeal to her. Able to swim or not.

"No...no that's okay. I don't get in any body of water bigger than a jacuzzi. I can.."

Persephone racked her mind for a solution.

"I'll uh, walk along the beach and encourage you not to drown on my watch. Seems like a good compromise. You get to swim and I can stretch the legs."

Today was certainly was not the day to be learning how to swim. Or even entertaining the idea of this 'floating' thing. Sounded like she would drift away.

 

[Tavian Djo]

He frowned, "...are you afraid of the ocean?"

How strange, since her eyes resembled them in miniature to Tavian.

"I promise it's not as bad as it sounds. I would be there whole time," his brows then rose and a bare, golden skinned shoulder rose and fell, "then again that would be requiring you to take me at my word."

His eyes sparked as he recalled.

"Thalassophobia, that's the word. Is that what you have?"

A pause as he grabbed his lounger and drug it around so it was at a right angle to her and he sat at her feet.

"If I swam by myself you might have to do a lot of walking," Tavian joked but he used to swim every morning on Hapes in the lake, all the way across then back, "Are you..." he began, reaching out his hands forward and closing them around one of her feet. He pressed his thumbs into the sole of her foot, massaging, "up for that?"

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"I'm not fond of pools either."

At least those she could sit on the side and put her legs in. Pools one could see across and typically see the bottom of. Still wasn't something she made a habit of.

"Yeah, I walk all the time."

Hand encircled her foot and she raised an eyebrow. Tavian Djo could not be serious right now.

"Do you have a foot fetish or something?" Pink nail polish adorned toes wiggled. "These are not free. Lots of weirdos like yourself would pay good money for this opportunity."

Teasing tone picked up at the last line, witty but without a barb.

"Is this standard treatment for all the girls you try to win over?"

 

[Tavian Djo]

“Only if that girl is you. I’m willing to put in the work,” Tavian laughed, eyeing the wiggling pink toes as he continued to massage her sole, starting at the heel and then working all the way up in methodical motions.

“As for fetishes, uh,” his eyes met hers and didn’t look away, “that depends on if you’d enjoy it if I did.”

A smile split his face, showing perfectly white teeth and he pushed his thumbs in, digging deep into the soft, tender instep.

More questions about her fear of water could wait. As could all his anxiety over Hapes. He didn’t want to think about that right now.

“So… what happens in your book? Spoil it for me.”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Put in the work huh."

Warning glare was sent his way when he eyed her toes a little too long. Tavian Djo was pushing his luck, bordering on the line of being cheeky and annoying. Laying it on a little thick after she said water was off the table for her, although Persephone thought her compromise was sensible. Drink was picked back up and she took a sip, wondering if she could get used to this type of treatment.

Eyes drifted to her thoroughly taped up book. A little over halfway done and if Tavian didn't take up too much of her time she could easily finish and be done.

"I'm not spoiling it for you since I know what that's like."

Carefully she removed her foot from his hand and swung her legs over the lounger. Standing. she offered her hand towards Tavian.

"Escort me on a walk? At least if my toes are sandy it might keep your mind off them. Plus I want to see what is going on. Stretch the legs."

 

[Tavian Djo]

Tavian rolled his eyes and shook his head. She'd become very fixated on a simple foot massage, which probably meant no one had ever done that for her. Persie seemed to be that way. The more he pulled, especially in new directions, the more she pushed.

"Of course," he replied, taking her hand.

Together, they walked along the beach. Tavian did not say anything at first, enjoying the smell of the ocean and the feel of the sand beneath his toes. And the way her hand felt in his.

He tried to keep his mind away from other thoughts of what might be happening in Hapes. More crucifixions or mass murders by mandalorians? Such thoughts were incongruent with the present setting. A different life entirely. As though two separate realities. And one he supposed he might be experiencing sooner rather than later. His mother still planned on sending him for training, but this was far more pressing now. There was a need not for the status of an officer in the family, but for another body on the lines.

How strange, he'd never thought of himself like that. Never imagined being involved in a war.

It all seemed so... horribly violent.

In the distance, Tavian caught sight of a sea turtle breeching the surface of the ocean and smiled, trying to enjoy the beautiful things in life while he still had them.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

While Tavian Djo thought of Hapes and the upcoming storm, Persephone had an entirely different agenda. This was technically date two, squint hard enough and it could be number three. She wasn't the type to rush in and stick labels on things quickly. However, given her schedule and Tavian's issues back at home, having a rough idea would be beneficial for all involved.

"Considering you were out here all in my toes...I would say this date, or uh, our time together is going well. Correct me if I'm wrong." A small pause as she bent down to grab a shell on their walk, twirling it in her free hand. "I'll have to get back to Kalinda soon for classes. I'm sure you have things to do at some point in time."

A heavy implication that they were, literally and figuratively, worlds apart.

"Would you like to continue or just chalk this up to a fun time? If we do continue, are we free to date other people or are we pursuing something with more exclusivity?"

She had no other suitors at the moment but opportunities arose often. Mainly from her parents out on business trips or when she attended galas and parties. It wasn't the most ideal thing in the world, but it had kept her options open and kept her in contact with a circle of society that would be expected to court her.

 

[Tavian Djo]

A twinge of alarm in Tavian’s chest struck at the mention of other suitors. He did not like the sound of that at all. Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he thought for a second so that he did not come across as too eager.

The way she posed the question was so clinical. So pragmatic. Not at all how he processed information

“I think the thought of you seeing someone else,” he slowed to a stop in the sand and turned so that he could face her and look at her, briefly glancing at the seashell in her hand, “would eat me alive. Persephone…”

His other hand slipped around her waist and pulled her to him as they stood there on the beach, toes in the warm sand, sea breeze stirring their hair and cooling their skin. He stooped closer, breath uneven, drawn into those oceanic pools.

Then he kissed her.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

He kissed her. Boldly too.

A moment's hesitation before she eventually moved to kiss him back. Hand went to grab his shirt only to realize he wasn't wearing one, an encounter of smooth skin instead. Right, they were on a beach.

Embarrassed, she broke away from Tavian Djo , face flushed red. At least she could blame the blushing on the temperature.

"That wasn't the answer to my question." Persephone felt she had a good point. "That was a kiss, not duracrete solution."

Was she the only practical one? Persie didn't mind the distance, that was to be expected of two people of their age and position. Yet such a thing only worked on answers, not hopes and dreams.

 

[Tavian Djo]

Tavian leaned forward as she broke away, then rocked back onto his heels, smiling and eyes dancing.

Here, in the brightness of the beach, he had no need for his glasses and could see her unaided. The way her skin flushed and her expression looked confused.

Confused, but not displeased.

Tavian let his hand linger on the small of her back, fingers in the divot of her spine. He licked his lips, the taste of her still on them.

"I am a dreaming pal'da, not a duracrete pourer," Tavian said, his smile unwavering, "But that was my answer. I want us to be an exclusive courtship. Is that what you want?"

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Tavian Djo looked quite pleased with himself. As if he had everything figured out. When actually it seemed he had nothing figured out beyond kissing her.

Dreaming Pal'da was a very accurate description.

"Exclusive courtship sounds serious."

Persephone didn't know any of the cultural nuances of Hapan relationships. In some cultures it was common to meet a few times before entering a courtship - a courtship that implied getting to one another for marriage. Other times it was just a fancy word for dating. Given Tavian was part of the royal house, she could see the implication of his words going either way.

"What does an exclusive courtship entail?"