Homecoming

[Darlyn Excron]

"You get used to it." He sipped his own as he listened, taking note of anyone of importance to the story. Which really only amounted to one, but hey at least he was paying attention instead of sleeping. Granted the alcohol helped but, well it wasn't unheard of for drunks to pass out was it? He took particular interest in the idea that this priesthood would plan to use Auburn as some sort of chess piece, imagining the person so delighted to nearly die flying through the forest with a total stranger being a pawn was certainly amusing.

"Could try reaching out to the Mandalorian Clans, they're rather close to this part of space. If you want to keep them from having control taking action and putting their own presence on stage for others to watch would help. A watch pot never boils after all, but men behave when they know they're being watched."

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn had, admittedly, spaced out a bit as she told [member="Darlyn Excron"] the short version of the Anam's history. When he mentioned "Mandalorian Clans" her eyes came back into focus, and she looked at him curiously. "Are these the same people who make that 'Mando'ade Tihaar' you spoke of?" Really, Auburn could tell she butchered the words. "Who exactly are they, before I invite them to my planet?"

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Depends who you ask. Warriors at the least, for lack of a better way to put it. Families bonded by choice more than blood. Not everyone has a good opinion of them but, they're not some savage cult. They're good at fighting and unashamed of it, they're fiercely protective of family and hardly forget. People, I guess is the best way to put it. People who happen to be really good at blowing bad guys up." Admittedly she did better than he did with pronouncing the words his first time. Almost made him upset, he'd struggled to grasp even the basics of pronouncing Mando'a. He sat back a bit and sipped his spiked tea, letting the words sink into Auburn as the wind seemed to pick up.

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn hummed in thought as Darlyn finished explaining these Mandalorians. They were close, yes, and seemed to have similar ideals to the Anam as far as families were concerned. The only thing that worried her was their apparent affinity for violence. The Anam were a peaceful people, their military mostly for show. A frown spread across Auburn's face. "If they have a leader, I would need to speak to them first, before deciding anything. My people are peaceful, and though we know how to fight, we are not warriors save for a few within the upper ranks of our military. How do I know I can trust them to help me?"

Auburn looked up at Darlyn seriously, even as the wind began blowing small strands of hair in her face.

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Well fortunate for you, I'm a bit of a direct line to their top wolf. Though I wouldn't be too worried about them being backstabbers or war obsessed as a whole. Code of honor and all that. Besides the point, you can trust a Mandalorian to keep their word, at the least you can trust Mand'alor the leader to keep it. Even when it's unpleasant for them." The wind was making his hat tilt funny, so he took ti off and set it on the chair's back so as to keep it out of his face. His hair was far more behaved in that manner. "It's hard to explain, you kind of have to meet them to really get what I'm talking about, ya know?"

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn nodded in understanding. Some things were best considered in person, face to face. "I understand what you're saying. The Na hEalaíona Samhraidh Festival is in two weeks... I believe that would be an ideal time to meet with this Mand'alor of yours. It's a festival of the arts, with dance, drink, and artisans showing off their crafts, among other things." Auburn set her cup down on the table, just as a particularly strong gust of wind blew by, causing a small flurry of flower petals to fall from their branches.

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Darlyn chuckled to himself under his breath. "Yeah I'm not even gonna try to pronounce that" He laughed a little louder though after he confessed his lack of confidence in his speaking ability. Being president was easier than speaking a new language, especially one with a heck of a spelling if he were to guess. When the petals fell down around them, a number landed on Auburn's shoulder. Setting his own tea cup down, Darlyn leaned over the small table to reach over and dust the petals off of her. Don't really know why, impulsive behavior being impulsive.

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn laughed along with Darlyn. "My mother tongue is not an easy language for off-worlders to learn. Lots of silent letters, and sounds that don't look like they should sound like they do." Auburn smiled happily, before watching Darlyn lean in, confused. She felt him brush the petals off her shoulder, and looked him in the eyes, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks. He was mere inches from her, and if anyone asked, she'd blame her next action on the whiskey-tea.

Slowly, Auburn leaned forward, and kissed the side of his mouth lightly, and leaned back just a bit, nervous of his reaction.

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Why did stuff like this always happen to him when he wasn't trying? Granted he never tried in the first place but, Darlyn and accidents like this were becoming a running theme to his life it felt. Somehow either the queen was a lightweight when it came to her alcohol or seriously misunderstood what he was doing, though he'd probably realize he had himself to blame. He'd leaned in quite a bit closer than he ought to have, distracted on thinking about politics (or alcohol more likely). So when he felt the soft little kiss at the corner of his lips, he took a moment to react.

He shook his head slightly, a small smile on his face. "Someone never learned how to kiss." He teased her, before moving so he could actually get up to her, and kiss her properly. Once he'd made contact, he just slightly pulled back as well, letting her react to that as well.

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn pouted at the teasing, and blushed brighter. From the alcohol, if anyone asked. "I never had time to learn." As Darlyn kissed her, Auburn hummed and leaned slightly towards him. His lips were soft, and strands of his hair had tickled her face just slightly. It was softer than his lips. She smiled playfully at him, clearly enjoying herself. "Though, I suppose I never had a teacher, either."

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

He smiled against her and gently wrapped an arm around her waist. "Well, we certainly can fix that can't we?" He chuckled lightly, before kissing her again, this time holding it longer. In fact he didn't quite stop it, as he slowly guided her up out of her seat and onto the grass nearby. It was far more comfortable here than it was with her seated, and him standing after all. He helped her lay down with him under the sun, and enjoying the moment...

[member="Auburn Sioda"]

 

[Auburn Sioda]

Auburn relaxed with Darlyn's touch, and hummed happily into the second kiss. "Indeed we can, just be sure I don't fall asleep in the middle of class~!" Auburn mimicked Darlyn's teasing from earlier as she followed his lead. She laid down with him, hands next her head, messy hair spread across the grass. The sun cast a warm, cozy glow upon the pair, as Auburn admired Darlyn. She smiled happily, and played with some of his curls with her fingers. He had such a pretty shade of red hair.

[member="Darlyn Excron"]

 

[Darlyn Excron]

He smiled, shook his head at her comment, and laughed gently at her. "Oh Kark you." He kissed her again, using his other hand to wipe the hair outta her face. She was rather fine, as he joked way earlier. Certainly looked the part, looked it so well he didn't mind at all that she was playing with his hair curls. He just continued to enjoy what was probably one of the few peaceful moments he'd had lately that wasn't undercut by something, somewhere, going wrong. Just a warm sun and soft grass... soft lips too.

[member="Auburn Sioda"]