Private Of Distance & Gravity

[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:
//: Eshan //:
//: Attire //:

Eshan. Kito frowned at the location; she had never been there but knew people from there. She looked at the map, saw the world's location, and groaned. It was easier to get to Jutrand, even with the Blackwall in the way. The territories were mostly closed, but this was through Republic space, through the former Black Sun territories, into Mandalorian worlds.

Why would she be so far from the Sith Empire? Kito squinted again as the shuttle bumped its way through the checkpoint station. She always hated these public shuttles, but it was the easiest way to transport herself, until she saved up enough to get a ship of her own.

Too bad she enjoyed modifying her speeder bike so much.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, and Kito had hoped to surprise Valaine. It had been some time since they had met up. The Jedi constantly threw her into conflicts; she was tired and frustrated with everything. Kito felt as if she hadn't had a time to breath, living on and off ships or camps. She longed for the quietness of the forest.. she longed just a moment to...

Looking down at her leg, she frowned, knowing that the Mandalorian's claws were going to leave a faint scar, and the wound on her face was healing, but slower than she wanted to. Her brow furrowed at the thought of Reina being the one to have given it to her.

She should have stayed the little stray she was and always had been.

Night had fallen over the city. Kito agreed with the sayings about how beautiful Eshan was. Suddenly, she didn't mind coming all this way; it reminded her of some of the forests she had camped out in.

It didn't take her long to feel her way through the Force and find the small cottage in the distance. From the clearing, she could see the large chateau, which her Master had mentioned here, and where the Queen would obviously live. Kito didn't question the cottage or why it was so close; her mind was focused on the end of her journey.

Pacing around the building, she quickly found a window that was cracked open… mostly because she was able to blow a breeze hard enough to lift it with the Force. She reached up and lifted, pulling herself into the home.

It was dark in the room she had crawled into, but her eyes quickly adjusted. Slowly, she walked, her footsteps light as she searched and sensed the Sangnir in the home.

"Valaine…?" Kito whispered as she crossed the dark room, doing her best to steady the excitement in her chest, knowing that it would give her away far too easily to the Sangnir.

Though she did just call out for her. Kito stopped and listened, trying to hear Valaine's footsteps.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Laying in bed and staring up at the ceiling while gentle moonlight shone down upon her was Valaine, garbed in a modest nightgown as she pondered upon another sleepless night. She could already feel a presence, once distant but now drawing nearer as she smirked softly. Their bond would always betray when one had intent to visit the other and so she sat herself up from her bed with a gentle sigh. She glanced around the dark gloom of her room before she pushed herself up and off the bed.

It felt like the Shaper was already pretty close and so the Sangnir at first anticipated moving towards the door to answer it, and there she waited for a moment. But nobody knocked at that door, nobody seemed to approach it at all, yet Kito's presence was keenly felt now as she glanced around curiously. Her heightened hearing then heard a window opening and she couldn't help but roll her eyes in response.

She moved amidst the shadows of her home and waited in a particularly dark corner for the Shaper to walk on by. Then, silently, she crept forward right behind her and placed a hand upon her shoulder as her lips were brought to her ear, "I'd say only a fool would try to break into this house considering what lives here..." she smirked gently before giving a soft squeeze of her hand against Kito's shoulder.

Her voice lifted to a more casual tone as she reached a hand to flick on the lights of the cottage, "You can just knock, you know?" she spoke as she looked upon Kito's face. She smiled at first, but then frowned softly as she noted the marks. She raised a hand to gently trace her fingers along it, "And you come here all beat up too... Who did this? Are they still alive?" she asked in a lightly more pressing tone, one that betrayed an intent to right wrongs if a particular answer was given.

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

As much as Kito tried to surprise the woman, she failed, as usual. It didn't matter, though. Valaine did humor her in these moments. Her whisper against her ear made the small hairs on her neck stand — her heart continued to race, only calming at the squeeze on her shoulder.

Kito stood with her shoulders rolling back as the lights flickered on. Valaine wasn't wrong; to sneak into this home would be foolish and suicidal. Though knowing Valaine, she'd end up with a new friend. She was charming in that way, Kito having been affected by it in the past. The memory always made the ends of the Shaper's lips curl into the crooked little grin reserved only for Valaine.

"Doors would have slowed me down, and they don't let me try and surprise you." The smile only widened.

But it faded as Valaine's did. Her touch reached for the wounds on her face; despite the pain, it was welcomed. It eased something in her, Kito unable to avoid leaning slightly into it. She had missed just being in her presence. The soft, roasted scent of the coffee perfume she often wore drew the Shaper closer. No matter how hard she tried, Kito could never mimic this feeling when she was away.

An ache always lingered the farther she felt from her paramour.

The question remained unanswered for a few moments, Kito trying to relish in the touch while weighing how she would reveal her attacker. There wasn't a good way to put it: Reina was their friend, more so with Valaine. But still…

"She's still alive." Kito started, her voice quiet as her hand covered Valaine's on her face.

"It was Reina." She winced slightly, remembering the pain and the way the fight had gone. It was apparent neither wanted to fight, but it was an inevitable meeting. Reina had turned away from the Jedi, but the words she spoke were what weighed on Kito's mind.

"She's sided with the Sith as far as I could tell. The Republic, we raided a Sith Covenant space station. She was there —" Her brow furrowed, trying to piece together everything, it happened so quickly.

"She kept saying people abandoned her, that she loved someone, and that she didn't matter to a Queen, her master, or her friends."

Kito pulled Valaine's hand from her face and kissed her knuckles softly.

"Something happened, I don't know what… but I couldn't kill her — though I think after this fight she wouldn't hesitate to do so to me."

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

She felt Kito lean into the touch of her hand as she left it there for the sense of comfort it could provide. Her stormy gaze studied the Shaper quietly until she finally spoke in answer of the question given. At first Valaine's expression was one of confusion as she brushed a thumb against Kito's soft skin. "Reina huh? Wouldn't make you the first of us to have fought her for one reason or another..." she hummed gently before lowering her hand, fingers tracing down along the other woman's jaw in a tender thoughtful touch.

It was however the mention of a change in allegiance for Reina that had the Sangnir give a look of disbelief. "Sith huh...? Color me surprised. I knew she was distancing herself from the Jedi, becoming something more of an independent, but to fully make the switch?" she sighed in thought. "Couldn't tell you what she was thinking doing that. Honestly my own allegiance to the Sith is sorta because I was pushed into it anyways, so I make the best of it. To willingly join it would mean you agree with them, right?" she asked in return as she pondered the reasons.

The mention of a Queen was noted by the Sangnir, but surely the galaxy had hundreds of those, right...?

As the Shaper took Valaine's hand and planted a gentle kiss against it she smirked softly back towards the other woman. "Do you hold it against her?" she asked simply before she moved to place a hand upon Kito's shoulder, leading her through the home and towards a comfortable sofa that she promptly took a seat on, guiding the other to do the same.

"She won our fight, mostly because she did something pretty silly, but I don't hold it against her in the same way I won't hold our fights against you. People are just on opposing sides sometimes, and I find that if you get along with that person anyway then what's the point trying to be enemies? There's enough of those around, no need to make more." she spoke as she leaned back against the sofa.

She paused to glance around the room, it was a place with a pretty warm vibe to it, not overly spacious but pleasantly snug. There'd be a fireplace if Valaine wasn't so scared of flame. "You got anything going on in the meantime? You could stay for a few days if you want." she offered as she glanced back towards Kito with a smirk.

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

The moment Valaine revealed that Kito wasn't the first to fight Reina out of the two of them, her jaw tightened. Her posture stiffened as a silent anger burned in her chest. She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. Her physical response was enough to hint at the unfortunate feelings she had towards the situation. It was good for Reina that Valaine hadn't shared this information before their fight.

If she had, the guilt that Kito had weighing in her gut wouldn't have existed. Kito wouldn't have missed her strikes.

As quickly as the spike in her emotions occurred, the trail of the Sangnir's touch relaxed the Shaper's jaw. She settled, easing her protective nature, and she listened. It seemed Valaine saw the fight very differently from how Kito had; there was no black-and-white when it came to these things.

Though despite the fight happening, something else caught Kito's attention. Alligenes and where they fell into on the board, it seemed Valaine's wasn't her choice — a brief reminder of their first encounter.

Since then, Kito had never categorized Valaine as a Sith — she was different. Because of circumstances, Kito wondered about her allegiances to the Jedi; she was far happier doing her own thing… not being thrown into constant battles like she had been.

Valaine's question came, and Kito thought quietly. After thinking about it, their fight —

"No," the Shaper murmured as she shook her head while letting herself be led towards the couch. "At first she didn't seem to want to fight me," Kito recalled as she found a place on the couch as well. A hand moved, placing itself on Valaine's knee as she did, the need to just be close overwhelmingly obvious.

Kito didn't continue, but let Valaine finish. To think of someone not as your enemy when that person was actively trying to kill you. It was a strange topic. Leaning back into the couch, she looked up at the ceiling and wondered if Valaine would feel the same way if Reina had succeeded.

Terrible thoughts, but she was glad it was something the Sangnir would have to worry about.

Looking now at the woman beside her, she huffed. "Our fights were far different than the ones with Reina. I wasn't trying to hurt you and vice versa." In reality, Kito would search for Valaine, only to make sure no one else could hurt her. It seemed like one event; she couldn't do that. Her chest was still tight with frustration as she looked away from Valaine.

"I don't know if she and I can get along, after she revealed more of her feelings for this person she loved. Her attacks became hardened, as if she wanted to kill me." Kito frowned. Maybe she was thinking too much about this.

"Either way, I don't believe she has fully settled into the Sith…" Again, Kito shook her head and shifted where she sat, leaning forward toward Valaine as she asked what Kito's plans were.

That crooked little grin spread across the Shaper's face as she leaned closer, moving till she could caress the tip of Valaine's nose with her own.

"Mm, just a few days?" Kito continued to smirk, "I've missed you." She kissed just at Valaine's temple before she began to pull away. Her mind buzzed with other thoughts, but she had her curiosities.

"What have you been up to… and how did you end up in a fight with Reina? ... Did she hurt you?"

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Valaine smirked softly as Kito leaned towards her and in response the Sangnir lifted an arm to rest around the other woman's shoulders in both a comforting and rather lazy manner; as was her way. She breathed a soft sigh, "That girl always seems like she's got a lot on her mind when it comes to sides and friends. Even when I first met her she was like that. Personally I think she just needs to take a moment to stop worrying so much about others. People come and go, friends, lovers, allegiances, everyone." she spoke, and perhaps she said that out of experience. "Some are constants," she continued as she nodded towards Kito with a smile, "But not being able to let people go is a dangerous trait. Sooner she learns that, the sooner she can start living for herself instead of others." she finished before that arm lightly tugged Kito closer, to bring their forms together for the comfort of warmth and touch.

Her finger lightly traced circles against the Shaper's arm as she tilted her head back to stare at the ceiling in thought. "It does sound like things got pretty heated though. I'm sure it was just the rush of the moment and emotion that was talking, not much else." she answered before her stormy eyes shifted back towards Kito from their corner. "But, our fight...? Honestly I can't remember a lot of it, I was defending some spire and she was attacking. She tried to bite me, or did bite me, as you can imagine that went a lot worse for her than it did for me." she smirked gently at the memory. "But... Something happened after that, and I can't really recall it. Somehow she knocked me out I think, or someone else might've. But I woke up unharmed, if a little dizzy." she replied, and then she offered a light chuckle.

"A few days not enough? Maybe a few weeks then?" she suggested as Kito kissed her temple. In return the Sangnir leaned in to gently nip at the Shaper's neck with her teeth, a teasing and fleeting gesture before she planted a kiss just beneath her jaw, "I've missed you too." she confessed. She pulled back just slightly but kept her face close to Kito's as ash and ember eyes locked together once again. "As for me... Well, I've a new Master, a much kinder one, a better one." she nodded gently. "Though ah... If I'm correct I think pretty much the whole Galaxy knows about her?" she continued before glancing towards the window. "She's the Queen here. She's nice though, treats me well. Have this whole place to myself."

Stormy grey eyes dipped briefly towards Kito's lips before they raised again to meet her gaze, a hand gently reaching to caress against the Shaper's face once more as a thumb brushed across skin. "Sure am glad you're here, though."

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Kito listened and tried to remain focused on the story of the fight with Reina. It was fortunate for her that Reina hadn't resorted to biting. She wondered how she would have handled it. Beyond the thought of Reina, Valaine's description of where the fight had taken place was familiar. She carefully remembered the area, remembering that it was where she had fought the woman from the cell.

The memory weighed on her. Valaine had been close; if she had chosen to linger for a few minutes longer, maybe she could have defended Valaine. As the weight of guilt squeezed at her chest, she was reminded that everything was okay. The gentle caress of the Sangnir settled the burning inferno that was the Shaper. She had to remember at times that Valaine was fully capable of protecting herself, and even if she wanted to be — Kito couldn't always be there.

This was the affection that Kito longed for, to feel the gentleness that Valaine offered. Too much war and fighting had filled the girl's time. Her body ached, her skin burned, but all of it washed away just being here.

"A few weeks aren't enough either," Kito nuzzled against the side of Valaine's neck as she stayed close. There wasn't a set amount of time that could ever be enough. But that was their situation. Their worlds were very different, and Kito wondered if there was ever going to be a time when they would collide in a way that benefited them both.

She leaned up slightly and tilted her head, "Oh, a new master?" Kito remembered the last and was surprised there was someone in the Sith who could be considered good. The thought settled oddly in her mind. First meeting with Valaine and now hearing about this new master, put everything she knew into question.

Kito's nose wrinkled at the thought.

"I'm happy that she's better for you." Kito leaned forward, brushing her lips gently against Valaine's as she quietly let her thoughts silence themselves. Thinking about Reina, her ideas on the Sith, everything — all of it didn't matter here and now.

This was their sanctuary.

"I'm glad I'm here, too. Your master sounds a lot better than the other one… has she taught you anything interesting?" Kito leaned back again and tilted her head.

"I have a new master too, she's nice… but she asks a lot of questions and has some odd opinions..." Kito continued thinking, then frowned.

"She called me lanky…" Her eyes looked to Valaine, wondering if the Sangnir thought the same. There was a playfulness, though, in her tone.

"Do you think... I'm too lanky and need more muscle?"

Her eyebrows raised as she waited for the answer.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Valaine offered a soft hum of amusement in response to Kito's insistence that even a few weeks wasn't enough for the two to spend in isolation together. She smirked softly as their lips brushed, a familiar sensation that she had grown accustomed to. "Few months...?" she asked instead before she steadily lay herself down upon the couch, a finger and thumb tugging at the collar of the Shaper to urge her down atop her so that they could embrace and share in their warmth.

The Sangnir's voice softened with the closer proximity between them, her lips gently brushing against Kito's cheek as she let out a quiet and content sigh. "Hm... Anything interesting...?" she pondered at the question of what her new Master had taught her. "Probably nothing too exciting compared to whatever it is you've been learning lately..." she answered as she gave a light kiss against the Shaper's cheek, her arms wrapping around her more snugly as she found comfort in the extra heat that Kito's body held. "She... Mentioned some kind of draining technique...? But that it probably wasn't a good idea for me to learn it..." she commented.

As they lay together her thoughts drifted back towards the woman atop her and she smiled. "I think you're just perfect, Kito. Wouldn't be so enamored with you otherwise, right?" she chuckled lightly. "It can't be too easy though, huh...? I kinda know what the Jedi are like... What their opinions of people like me are... My Master would probably just praise me for my relationship with you, but yours...? I'm sure they'd try to tell you I'm a terrible influence..." she spoke, losing herself in such thoughts as she sighed once more. "Maybe they're right... I'm sure me being what I am has messed with your like... Perspectives or something..." she asked as stormy greys locked onto embers once more.

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

Months. While this sounded like the best choice, it still wasn't enough. Nothing ever felt long enough, still if months was something she could manage — she would. But knowing her Master, the woman would come searching for her. At least if she were found on Eshan, it would be less of an issue. Though the Blackwall around the Sith Empire would provide the best deterrent for the Jedi Master.

There was a part of her that felt guilty, but she was still learning to trust Lily. They weren't there yet, but maybe one day. Kito's own past issues lingered and worked tragically against the well-meaning Echani.

Kito quietly listened to Valaine speak of her Master. The woman did sound better, and it seemed she was learning something. It was a thought that eased the Shaper. Too often, she found herself worrying about the Sangnir, especially since she couldn't always be around. More so now that she knew that there had been a conflict with someone they both knew. The urge to find the redhead burned in the Shaper's chest, but she would try not to indulge it.

At least, the moment Valaine settled in, snuggling closer drew Kito's full attention from her thoughts.

"Draining technique…? I think I've read about that… don't think I've seen it…" Kito spoke quietly as she continued to drown the woman in affection. Her lips brushed gently against the curve of Valaine's jaw to her ear.

Maybe Valaine could tell where the Padawan's mind was drifting to. Still, as hands began to roam, fingers tightening against the soft fabric of her nightgown, she said something that made Kito pause.

Slightly leaning up, a hand gripping at the Sangnir's hip, Kito tilted her head. She didn't understand the train of thought. It reminded her of what she had said after Kito had woken up after being rescued.

"Don't say that…" Kito whispered between them. Her hand moved, cupping gently the face she had come to love so much. There was concern, perhaps doubt churning in the storm of her mind.

Shaking her head, Kito smiled. "I don't care what the Jedi or my Master would say about you. It wouldn't change how I feel…" Her thumb caressed Valaine's porcelain cheek softly; she was precious and someone who grounded the Shaper's inferno.

"My perspective has changed, but only because of you. I don't find myself as reckless or ready to accept death as easily." She shifted, trying to pull herself closer if possible. Kito just wanted to feel Valaine, to find that comfort she often sought.

"You gave me something more to live for, showed me there's more to my life than just revenge. So don't worry about the Jedi… they're my concern. I will always choose you, Valaine."

Leaning up slightly, Kito smiled, "I love you more than anything." Her hand slipped gently back, gently running through Valaine's dark hair. She kissed her softly and kept her close.

"Do you think about this often…?"

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Kito

Valaine hummed gently in thought as Kito spoke of her lack of knowledge on the draining technique. "Oh... Yeah I guess they wouldn't teach Jedi something like that right?" she asked. She'd never really thought about the differences between Sith and Jedi in such a fashion, between Light and Dark or where she fell between them. It gave her some pause for a moment, "... Would you think poorly of me if I ever learnt stuff like that? I've never really thought about it... And you know, the whole... lightning stuff maybe." she replied as the Shaper's lips brushed against her own. A light smirk was offered in return to the touch as her own lips placed a gentle and brief peck upon Kito's.

As the Shaper spoke of picking the Sangnir over her own masters Valaine couldn't help but smile softly. "Ah, sorry, didn't mean to make the conversation heavy or anything... Just idle thoughts, you know? I don't plan on putting any hard choices on you if I can help it..." she answered as a hand gently stroked along the length of Kito's back, a tender and comforting gesture as she sighed softly. "But sure... Guess it'd be the same for me too. There's not really anyone who means more to me than you, not anymore. Not that it's a very big pool of people anyways..." she huffed in light amusement at her own words.

She took in the sight of the Shaper staring back down at her for a moment in silence, embracing the comfort and warmth she saw in those eyes, someone she could truly be herself around. The Sangnir had lost much already and she had no intention of losing more, especially not Kito. Never Kito. Another kiss offered as she brought her lips to hers once more before she spoke further. "So mushy tonight..." she chuckled gently. "Guess it's my fault~" she responded to the Shaper's heartfelt words. Stormy grey eyes glanced aside with a light blush upon her pale features, "Funny how things like this turn out... Not that I'm complaining though. I'm thankful everyday for it..." she admitted before turning her focus back to Kito.

Her hands started to roam more freely, caressing and stroking the form of the other as she let out a lightly shaken sigh of hot breath. "You ah... Busy right now...?" she asked, already knowing the answer as she gazed longingly into Kito's ochre eyes. "Got some time to mess around...?"

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[Kito]

//: Valaine Valentine //:

While Kito didn't have the deep thoughts Valaine did, when they came up, she thought quietly about them. She never had to think about these kinds of choices before. Even when she was alone, her mind was set on only a couple of things. Her mission, finding food, and finding a place to sleep. Life was fairly simple, and while she missed it sometimes, her life had become so much more worth living.

She didn't fully understand the Sangnir's thoughts, but Kito wanted to make sure to reassure the woman as much as she could. In any way she could. They were navigating this chaos together, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

As Valaine continued, Kito grinned. They were being mushy, but it was par for the course, especially since they hadn't seen each other in some time.

Her question made the Shaper blush slightly, despite everything — she still was embarrassed by some of the simplest things. To hide her face, she leaned down again, her lips pressing against her paramour's neck, kissing its length as she shook her head. Kito had made sure she wasn't going to be busy, nor missed.

Nothing held her to Naboo.

The Jedi could wait.

She shifted, feeling the roaming hands of the Sangnir. They both knew where this was heading; it was only a matter of time. But Kito enjoyed it; she could understand Valaine on this level. They didn't need to worry about anything when they were together. Nothing mattered but each other.

No one to ruin what they shared.

"I'm not busy," Kito whispered against skin as she pressed her weight into Valaine; the couch shifted, giving into them.

Her kisses continued as hands pulled at the nightgown she wore, lips following as the fabric exposed more of the woman's collar and shoulder.

Kito never looked away, the best she could, from Valaine's stormy gaze. "I've got all the time to mess around… I'm here as long as you want me."

A hand reached, catching both of the sangnir's wrists, holding them in place as Kito began to show the woman how much she had missed her.