Moons over Soceras.... (Mystique)

[Ryn'Dhal]

Ryn had acquired a little bit of free time, and managed to wrangle some as well for his favorite scarlet-haired friend. He'd asked her to join him for a quiet day. No stress. No expectations. Just a nice day, with a nice friend. Had he known anything about courtship practices, he'd known that he'd just asked and invited a beautiful woman out on a date. But, our plucky hero, is as dense as [member=James Justice] is flirtatious. Which is to say, extensively so.

So, our accidental suitor, having convinced himself of the woman's need for a day of respite, without drunken leches fawning over her, without judgmental stares, and without all the chaos, had managed to convince, without really needing to do so, his dear friend to come join him. As such, the two landed on Dalliah, the habitable moon over Soceras. He'd had secured a open-top speeder to head out into the countryside, to enjoy some scenery, and maybe even the picnic he'd packed.

Ryn'Dhal had descended the loading ramp, for once without mask or cloak on. His twin saber-hilts were, as always, resting idly on each hip, and he wore his typical color. Black. Tunic, trousers, and boots. As his feet hit the deck at the end of the ramp, his head whipped about, looking in multiple directions, as ears pivoted independently, his nose moving rapidly taking in as much information as possible, before turning about to face up the ramp towards the fire-haired angel at the top. That feline grin was impossible to miss.

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

The moon of Dalliah was almost perfect. Almost. The fact that the kind man had taken her here to help was a sweet gesture. She just wished her kind Scarlet could have come instead of having to work. It would have done her some good too. It would have made things absolutely heavenly.

She could see the feline at the base of the ramp. Yes she could see him. Smiling. She knew that smile, she had seen it many times. It was the smile of those in love. She smiled back fraily. He was very sweet if not just the kindest man she knew.

Her loose fitting peach shimmersilk top caught in the breeze with her crimson locks as she descended the ramp. The lavender skirt around her waist moved with wind, swishing around her lithe legs. The only makeup she wore was her customary crimson lipstick. She felt naked without it. Her sweet scarlet had gotten this outfit for her during a shopping trip recently. She was so sweet to her.

The dancer placed her hand on Ryn's shoulder for steadying her step as her feet, not her heels but her bare feet touched the grassy moons surface.

She smiled to the feline friend. Yes. He was kind to her. There were so many kind people to her, more than she dreamed were possible. "Thank you."

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Ryn smiled even more, as he helped the woman off the platform to let the grass and earth just be beneath her feet. While she enjoyed the euphoria of enjoying the bliss of nature all around her, Ryn would retrieve a basket loaded with food and goodies for their day. Depositing the load into the speeder, Ryn would return his gaze to the woman. His scarlet haired friend, the dear girl out of her element, but enjoying every minute of it.

"Are you read, Myst?" He'd say, an ear flicking slightly, as his tail swished eagerly behind his back. He was eager. The sights. The sounds. The smells. All of the adventure ahead of them, Ryn was eagerly looking forward to. The joys of youthful innocence and naivety. Gesturing to the speeder, ready to get the door for her when she was ready to get in, those golden eyes shimmered, catching the light in such a way to make those pools seem almost molten. "There are many sights to behold, and I'm certain we're in for a fun day!"


[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

The crimson haired dancer watched him quietly, amused. He was very innocent. It was hard for her to believe he was--an adult? Most who had secluded her had anything but good things on their mind. But he was good. It was clear, he meant no harm. In fact she sometimes wondered if he knew what she was or what it was that she did for a living.

Her lips curled in a smile as he finished loading the speeder. Her lips parted, revealing her pearly white teeth. They were genetically perfect. The pristine perfections of a smile. It was just her genetics, the way she was engineered when they created her. Her head nodded, "Yes, I think I am," she closed her eyes once more and savored the feeling of the blue sun.

The blue star that lit the atmopshere was a pulsing, almost cold entity. It dazzled the moon with plenty of light, and fortunately for the inhabitants none of its radiation. A brilliant magenta arc across the sky was the illuminated radioactive ring surrounding the world of Soceras. The cold light of the star gave the moon's air a crisp, almost healing to Mystique's skin feeling.

Yes, she thought as they climbed in. This would be perfect. Soon the idyllic countryside was flurrying past them in a blur. She stuck her hand out the window and let the wind caress it and caress her hair. Yes, it was wonderful, everything was wonderful. Her other hand absentmindly rested on Ryn. She was in ecstasy so far, and had a feeling it would only get better.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Traveling through the countryside, Ryn couldn't help by continue grinning while the breeze playing through his hair. It'd been quite a while since he was last trimmed, back on Nar Shaddaa, so the breeze playing through his hair causing the growth to dance slightly, as it's not grown quite so extensively yet. Ears on the other-hand, were folded back, mostly for defensive purposes, to keep the wind from whipping into their funnel like design and causing potentially serious damage.

Ryn would periodically glance over, to make sure his passenger, his co-pilot for this adventure, was having as pleasant for a time as he was. Judging by the smile she wore, and the way she softly closed her eyes as the wind played through her fingers and her hair, seemed to be a positive indication. Pulling off the dirt route they were traveling, Ryn proceeded down an obviously less-frequented trial, which for all appearances seemed to head towards a lake in the distance.

After a few more minutes of winding through switch-backs, taking corners at playfully controlled elevated speeds, the padawan finally parked the speeder and shut her down. Leaping over the side, out of the open-topped speeder, Ryn quickly scampered around the vehicle to fetch the door for Mystique. After offering her a hand to help her out of the vehicle, he'd grab the basket of food stuffs, and a towel to lay out, and proceeded to head towards the lake, seeking to find a nice place to sit and enjoy a pleasant day in nature with his dear friend. "This way!" He'd call, the grin ever present, though ears were constantly on the move, as was normal for the padawan. But, his attention was definitely on her, as at almost any given moment, at least one ear was trained on her, especially if he happened to be actively looking away.

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

Mystique smiled sweetly. He was so kind, opening the door for her and offering his hand. She accept it gracefully and stepped out, taking a moment to wiggle her toes on the grass and giggled in delight. It tickled.

"Such a gentleman," she said softly, and meaning every word.

She looked across where the plain they were crossing and took in the delights. It was a farmland, a perfect farmland. Rustic wooden fences lined the dirt road, fields of grains lined around them, a few fruit trees spotted along the landscape, furnishing the sweet cool air with delightful scents. None of it was lost on her. When one has been in the pits of hell, the simple splendors are often the ones that you take the least for granted.

At last they came to stop by a quiet brook on the road. Its sweet lullaby was a the most beautiful song Mystique had ever heard in her life. She laced her fingers along Ryn's warmly.

"Its beautiful," she murmured.

After a few moments of relishing it, the dancer pilfered the blanket from Ryn's hands and spread it out on the grass. Her lithe form bent over, her curls cascade around her face as she smoothed it out. At last she sat with an oof and tucked her skirt around her knees, every bit the lady.

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Ryn couldn't help but stand there soaking in the warmth from the sun, smelling the scents carried on the breeze, and just enjoying the sensation of freedom that being there gave. But then, a particular aroma his his nose. The woman, that sweet redheaded angel, would likely get a giggle at him sniffing the air, turning to face the breeze, and start to tread lightly into the breeze. Eyes keenly searching, scanning, before glancing back to Mystique with a grin. "One moment, I think I may have found your first surprise for today!" The playful wink, accompanied by a flick of an ear, was all she'd get before he began running at a brisk pace away from her and the blanket, sniffing the air and tracking the beautiful scent to it's source.

Growing among the relatively tall grass nearby, was a beautiful flower. It was light in color, though due to the color of the light from this systems star, it wasn't easy to tell if the flower was actually white, or a pale blue. Either way, it's beauty was eclipsed by its aroma. Smiling he'd nod, before scampering back to the blanket, and his friend. "I found it! The source of the smell! Come, come! Let me show you!" He'd say eagerly, cheerfully. He'd guide Mystique to the spot, to the flower, pointing proudly to it. "I felt you would enjoy seeing it, and smelling it. But, I didn't wish to kill it by picking it. Leaving it here will give someone else a chance to enjoy it as well later on." Ryn would say, a gentle smile still upon his face. He was so energetic, so charged. The open air, the sights, sounds, and smells. The ability to be open, without his mask and cloak. The freedom, was so refreshing, so crisp, and for once in his relatively short life, felt natural. With the crimson haired angel, everything just.... kinda felt.... right. For once.

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

She stood up and followed Ryn, she could feel his infectious youthfulness starting to affect her too. She smiled broadly and came close to the flower and got lost in its wonder.

Yes, of course her first surprise would be a flower. In her short time in freedom she had somehow built a very strong affinity to them. They were a joy to her. She made sure to keep them around the house always, she wouldn't let Scarlet have it any other way. This one was exceptionally beautiful too. So wild, so sweet, so vibrant, so alive. Part of her wanted to pick it and take it with her, but yes, it would surely brighten someone else's day too if they left it there.

She gave Ryn a playful look before bending low over it. Her hair closed in around it like a crimson curtain as she gave it a delicate kiss. Many beings would have killed to be given such a delicate grace from her lips, but she bestowed it on this lovely thing. It was more than earned, for brightening her and Ryn's day.

"Live," she whispered, "Grow, and brighten someone else's day, pretty thing."

She sat up and brushed most of her curls back. A strand fell back across her face. The dancer looked at the obstinate hairs with a frown. She tried to blow it away, but it only fell back across her left eye.

"Grrrrr," she muttered.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

He couldn't help it. He just couldn't. She was just so... cute! Reaching out one furred hand, he'd delicately take the offending strands, and gently tucked them behind her ear. He chuckled warmly while doing so, before taking a step back. Momentary realization of what exactly he'd done washed over him, as he swiftly sought humor to diffuse the situation before awkwardness could invade the poor boy. "You seemed like you could use a hand." Well, an 'A' for effort, 'F' for execution, as he kind of shifted his weight from one foot to the other awkwardly. Good job dunce. Invasive much? He thought bitterly to himself. He knows what she went through, he endured it himself. He also know how long it took him to not flinch from every single little approach, and how long it took for him to recognize a simple kind gesture as just that, and not a precursor for greater expectation of reciprocation.

Had he been of a far less furred sort, his blush would be readily evident. But, his ears folding back at odd angles kind of clued into his embarrassment. Glancing back towards their picnic blanket and basket, he'd gesture awkwardly. "So.... how about lunch?" Yes! Subject change! That'll work! He hoped.


[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

Had the dancer not been in the tanquil and good mood, where she could speak clearly, she would have gone to nerves when he touched her. But it felt good, gentle, kind. And--

he was good. He was a good man and it felt so comforting. Perhaps it was the fur, or the gentleness behind it, but she enjoyed it. And wanted to feel it again. It was so calm, like it should feel when you get touched.

His neverousness made her giggle, it was adorable how easily he blushed. She had never seen anything like it before. This time she initiated the physical touch, her fingers laced between his in a warm hold that was almost as warm as he smile and her dazzling cyan eyes, "Lunch would be lovely," she said in a dreamy voice.

She walked with him to the blanket, savoring the warmth of his touch it was almost like comfort was a palpitate part of who he was, it was so intense. Perhaps it was the youthfulness that was in him, or the innocence. She didn't know. But what she did know was she didn't want it to end. Ever.

At last at the blanket she sat beside him, careful to tuck her skirt around her knees, lady like, her legs folded gracefully, back strait, hands folded in her lap, just like she had been taught. Her eyelashes bat before she spoke again.

"What do we have to eat?" she asked sweetly.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

A nervous chuckle escapes the feline humanoids lips, as the delicate woman took his hand in hers, fingers laced like teeth on a zipper. Guided back to the blanket, they'd sit, side-by-side, and before answering about what was prepared for their picnic, he'd clear his throat, to clear his nerves. "So, I made some calls, and got some fruits imported in. Nothing really fancy..." He'd say, shrugging awkwardly. Opening the basket, there were the essentials for a clean, pleasant meal. Napkins, forks and little plates if desired. The foods were finger-friendly, even some breads to make a sandwich with sliced meats if that was what the palate called for. Bottles of purified water, still quite cool. A simple, but pleasant, bounty.

Smiling sheepishly, the furred padawan would gesture, having used a finger and a thumb to secure a rolled up slice of a ham-like meat. "I hope it is satisfactory." He didn't expect the meal itself to be the memorable part of this day. The outing, the time spent without any expectations or demands of the woman, and just a long, deep, breath of freedom. That was what was supposed to bring about a strong memory for the future for her. And he strongly desired to be a catalyst for that memory.

A breeze played across the field, causing the long grass to give a soft, gentle dance, as the hair atop Ryn's head mirrored the motion in a smaller scale. Ears flicking this way and that, always alert, always aware of his surroundings, the felines eyes closed slightly, half lidded, as a sigh of contentment escaped his lips. A quiet day.... Why couldn't there be more of these?

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

To Mystique, it was a feast. For someone who was used to eating bare minimums to maintain her weight and figure, most which was bland, or disgusting nutrient foods, this was more than life itself. It was a delight, honestly, and it showed. Her cyan eyes were locked on all the fruits, the meats, the sweet delicacies, and such sweet things. She had watched guards, strong men, and free people gobble these things down and only could imagine how wonderful it must taste by their delight.

It was nothing that she would ever take for granted. Ever.

When she was convinced this was real and not some hallucination, she leaned in to Ryn and planted a soft kiss on his nose, "Its wonderful."

She grabbed some red sort of thing that she didn't recognize. It was some sort of berry. She gave it a sniff, it smelt delightful, purely delightful. Then her white teeth sank into it, the juices exploded into her pallet and onto her lips. Her eyes grew even wider and she almost gasped. It was--so good!

She let out a squeal of delight as she bit the rest off, more juices spilling down her lips and chin, the second bite was even as good as the first. It was like a rapturous roar of delight in her mouth.

"Oh my goodness," she explained with her mouth full of fruit.

Her delight overcame her desire and training to be a perfect woman. Curiosity had gripped her, she had to try all of it, darn it. It was so good. She grabbed something yellow and bit into it too. The texture was so different and the flavor was tangy as well as sweet but it was delightful, contagiously delicious. "Oh my goodness!"

Before she swallowed she grabbed at something blue, tossing it in her mouth. Another new experience, another joy. She could hardly believe it. It was like nothing she ever had before. How could she have even lived before all of these delightful tastes. It was almost like a whole new world had been opened to her, and it was amazing. Even if she was spilling fruit juices down her lips and chin, it was a pure delight. It was ecstasy.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Musical laughter, that would be the sound accompanying the woman's discovery of a new culinary world. Ryn was used to eating high energy, high calorie foods. But, his daily output exceeded his intake rate, which explained why he could eat literally anything he wanted and still retain such a trim figure. Lean muscles, and very limited stores of fat. His eyes danced, enjoying her enjoyment.

Another round of laughter, as he grabbed a cloth napkin, reaching out to gingerly dab her mouth and chin, before allowing himself to be the bold one for once, gently placing a kiss upon her forehead. "You, my dear friend, are adorable. Thank you. For coming with me, and allowing me to enjoy your company." His melodic voice flitted forth, carrying a soft purr under it's tones. A warm smile was firmly planted upon his face, as he continued to watch the scarlet haired woman.

The sugars from the fruit he'd eaten, along with the general energy of the food consumed, revitalized the felinoid. A sudden burst of energy had a broad grin abruptly split his warm smile wide open. A swift motion had him rolling backwards away from Mystique, his spine making full contact with the grass, the weight transferring onto his neck and shoulders, and then eventually into an impromptu one-handed hand-stand. Craning his neck, he'd look at Mystique, his back towards her, as his tail flicked playfully above his head. "Heh... hehee!!" He'd chortle, unable to restrain the sudden impish burst of energy.

Rolling now towards her, onto his shoulders, his contact with the ground transferring towards his posterior, before feet tucking under his body to springing into the air, easily sailing clear over Mystique's head. He'd come down a solid two meters beyond the woman, hands first, proceeding into a rapid tumbling sequence, feet on ground, then hands, then feet, again and again a half dozen times, his velocity increasing exponentially in such a short period of time, before suddenly launching into a tight flip, going feet-over-head at least three times, before landing silently on his feet, facing Mystique. Where he fit the twist to reorient towards her, the woman would not have been able to notice in the flurry of activity.

Grinning sheepishly, he slowly put his arms down, before scratching the back of his head awkwardly as his ears drooped slightly in an almost apologetic manner. "S-sorry. I... am not entirely certain what all that was about...."

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

His touch had been soft, gentle, unlike the many who had before touched her with anger, rage and such roughness. It was almost enough to make her melt. She had wanted it again, and again she had been granted it. Then he kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes, taking a soft inhale, and enjoying the moment. He didn't have to see the gentle look of contentment on her face. He was kind. He was a good man.

Then, out of the blue he seemed to be overcome with a boyish sense of playful energy. She wrinkled her nose as her lips spread in a beaming smile, giggles flowing from her person. She was thoroughly amused, it almost tickled her to her core, helping ignight the long-lost girlish nature that had for so long been suppressed down inside her person. Then he sat back down beside her and appologized.

She shook her head softly, her hair catching the soft breeze passing by. He didn't know what that was about, poor fellow. But she did. She had been around many men. Many many men of many different species. It had become a small thing for her to tell what they thought about her, and she knew what he was thinking in his innocent mind.

"I know what it was about," she said sweetly as her hand gently grabbed his shoulder and guiding him in close.

She kissed him again, this time on the lips in a delicate, gentle thing. Her vulmptous lips met his with tenderness, not sensuality, minding the frailty of his emotions and frames. It felt sweet, loving, and kind. Like his touch, only so much stronger. She released herself into it, like a wave rolling over her body in warmth and tingling feelings down her spine. Small tingles grasped at her hands, fingers, and toes, making her fingers wrap around his tunic and her toes curl.

At last, after what felt like an eternity of bliss, but was most likely a matter of seconds, she pulled back and let him breath. Her twinkling cyan eyes met his golden ones as she smiled, "That is what that was about."

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

She was rewarded with a unique sight after she kissed the felinoid. Ears cocked at odd angles, no rhyme or reason behind their positioning. Eyes, out of focus, each at a slightly different level of pupil dilation, struggling to equalize. And tail, elevated, fur all standing on end, and just the last two to three inches of it flicking about erratically. "Uh... Huh.... Uh... Wuh...?" He'd utter inarticulately. He remained in this state for several moments, not even her inevitable fit of giggles breaking the trance.

Finally... "...... wooooaaaahhhh....." The vocalization seemed to almost ooze out of his mouth, which didn't quite close properly afterwards. Suddenly, a vigorous shake of his head, his ears folding back, perking forwards, then back again, before returning to their natural pivots, scanning the area as normal, his eyes also sharpening back into focus. "Woah! That... Um... Wow... That... Yeah... What???" He again, displayed his sudden ineptitude with simple Galactic Basic.

As her eyes would likely still glance occasionally at his only remaining visible sign of being flustered, he'd follow her glance to the horror that was his tail. "OH!!!" He'd cry, frantically trying to smooth his fur out, before grinning sheepishly at Mystique. "I... Uh... That was... um.... Different... New... To... uh... Me......." Oh the poor, poor karker....

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

Mystique watched his reaction and she swallowed, her eyes wide. All her bravery, her progress, her comfort, and her hope had suddenly come crashing around her. Doubt flooded her and the fearful, lost dancer was back to replace the sweet young soul.

Was I wrong? Should I have waited? Did he want more than a kiss? Should I have kissed longer? Shorter? More intense? Should I have held him close? Was it too soon? Too late? Her head was spinning out of control, doubt plagued her every move. She had made a mistake, she was wrong, and she knew what was coming next; punishment.

She bowed her head in a combination of shame and submission. Mystique braced herself for what was coming next; blows, kicks, insults, spitting, violation once more. In her mind she went to her safe place, a habit she had learned so long ago to cope with the sometimes daily abuse and many perils she had come across. This isn't real, she told herself, it will be over a second, your just watching a holovid. The pain isn't real. The hurt isn't real. Its your imagination. It will be over in a little time, just wait. And don't show fear. Submit. Be quiet, make no noise. Don't let them see how bad it hurts, just let it flutter away.

The girl had vanished in a moment, and the slave had returned. Once a slave, always a slave.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

He watched, his sheepish grin faltering, and then falling away entirely, as she literally broke right in front of him. No, no nonononono!!!! He'd scream mentally, his ears falling back flush against his scalp. His first instinct was to hug, to touch her comfortingly, but he could tell by the look in her eyes, as she folded in on herself, that it would do more harm than good at the moment, the physical contact.

So, instead, he'd roll his legs beneath him, going from a seated position to a kneeling position, his hands flat, palms towards the blanket, as he placed his face nearly flush to the ground between them. "I'm sorry! I don't know what I did to upset, or scare you.... But I am sorry. It was not my intent!"

He'd remain facing the blanket, his face screwed up in pain over the emotions and thoughts that seemed to almost literally be rolling off of the young woman. When she'd finally look to him, when he'd hear the sounds of her opening her eyes to look to him, his face would slowly lift to meet her gaze, the fur below and near the corners of his eyes visibly dampened, as he'd speak almost in a hushed whisper, just to her. "I'd never hurt you.... never...." He'd say, his voice cracking, as he almost pleaded for her to understand.

It was beyond distressing, that this day, which had been going so perfectly, so beautifully, could change so drastically so fast. To have seen her look at him with that fear in her eyes, he'd rather face the pain the slavers inflicted upon him daily than witness her look at him that way ever again.

[member=Mystique]

 

[Dancer]

She looked up from behind her curtain of hair. She blinked, waiting for the punishment, that never came. She finally looked up. He was sweet, gentle and kind. She had no idea why he was asking her to forgive him. She had been the one who was wrong. She had hurt him, why was he apologizing?

Her hand reached out tentatively and stopped. Did she dare touch him again? Would it be right? Would she make him angry again? She was so afraid of hurting him, or getting hurt too. Pain had become a constant for so long in her life, not an if but a promise if when. It was expected now, in every scenario. She had always been the low one on the totem pole, on the bottom rung, and the one who was the beating pole for all their aggression.

She managed a weak smile, but her cyan eyes said differently. They were still hallow and afraid in so many ways. Her fingers caressed his hair, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes sweetly. He was a good man, a kind man. She wished that he would have been around when she was a slave. Her life had convinced her that there were so many bad people it was almost impossible to find a good one. Almost, but not entirely.

Her hand began to stroke his head consolingly, he didn't need to cry. He needed to know everything was ok. Her hands guided his head to lay in her lap, she soothingly let her fingers run through his fur, consoling and warm, "Its ok," she let out a soft breath and blinked.

"Its ok," she repeated, this time more to herself.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

She pulled his head into her lap, and he trembled slightly. "I.... I never intended to scare you. To make you fear me. You did nothing wrong... I... I just want to make you happy...." He'd whisper, curled up there. "You are my friend.... I just want.... You deserve.... More." Those golden eyes stared into cyan. His mind swam, emotions clouding thoughts.

Soft furred palms would reach up to frame her face, slowly guiding her closer to his own, as he'd lift his head to lightly press his nose to hers for a moment, before lowering his head back down. "Don't... please, don't.... ever think I would hurt you.... I would never...." He'd plea with her, to convince her. "I.... I would sooner fall on my own blade, than harm you...." He stared, blinking slowly. "You are too important to me.... You are too precious.... You deserve so much more than the fear you've held for so long...."

He, genuinely didn't know what else to say, as he stared up at that innocent face. His ears cocked at odd angles because of his position in her lap, his tail idly snaking in the grass as he lay there, marveling at this vision as a gentle breeze danced through her hair. "You deserve more...." He'd whisper, barely breathing the words.


[member=Mystique]