Private Of Midnights & Follies

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Reina Daival //:
//: Eshan //:
//: Attire //:

A rare moment for the Princess to return home. It was fortunate that her sister had been kind in the past, granting her a form of diplomatic immunity from the usual exile. Quinn was often able to enjoy the comforts of home without anyone attempting to harass her or send her offworld.

Today she had decided to meet someone in the capital. Not having deleted that pesky little app, Quinn let herself indulge in a bit of conversation with someone who seemed interesting enough. The anonymity was helpful; she didn't have to reveal that she was a Sith Princess, the assumed next in line to rule the Eleventh Empire, or anything of the sort. It was nice to simply be Quinn.

As she sent the most recent message to her mystery companion, she paused. It almost made her laugh. She had met Serina Calis this way. One eyebrow raised as she recalled that turbulent relationship and its ending. Still, she hoped Serina was finding her footing outside the forsaken Blackwall. The last she heard, the woman was finally making the moves she had always wanted to make.

But Quinn did not dwell. Her thoughts lingered instead on the stranger who had agreed to meet her at a restaurant in the capital. As much as she wanted to keep her identity quiet, being on Eshan would inevitably betray it.

The Princess dressed simple, but her usual elegance accented the outfit. Her white slacks, hung neatly from her hips, a fitted black top showing just enough midsection to distract, the gold choker completing the look.

It didn't take her long to arrive. The restaurant was one of the capital's most exclusive — carved ivory panels lined the walls, tall crystalline vases overflowed with pale Echani orchids, and soft lantern-light reflected against the polished marble floors. Graceful musicians played gently in the corner, their strings weaving background ambiance.

The staff was prepared. Knowing who Quinn was, they led her to an elegant table draped in silver-threaded cloth, positioned apart from the bustle for privacy.

When her guest arrived, she would be escorted to one of the back rooms — discreet and intimate, with a single candle and rose waiting beside a porcelain tea service.

Quietly waiting, Quinn sat with her tablet open, nose buried in a recently purchased novel.

Even if her date failed to show, the evening was still perfect.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Quinn Varanin
Location: Eshan
Objective: Don't Make A Fool Of yourself

What had Aiden Porte gotten her into this time? Another surprise. All she really knew was that she was going to see someone, but Reina had managed to put two and two together. The fact that she had been told to dress nicely and the fact she was going to a restaurant that she'd never have been able to go to in her wildest dreams, this was some form of date. In the past she'd have been opposed to the idea. Meeting a random stranger in a restaurant for a date. There was also the slight awkwardness of this being her first date whatsoever...but she decided to take it at her own pace. "Researching" how to date felt like it would just come off as weird.

The redhead had at least tried to go all out on the idea of dressing up nice. Brushing down the white fabric of her dress, she had thought that it would go in well with the idea of being on Eshan. Of course it was somewhat a simple dress, not with a huge amount of details but it felt nice to be in. This was one thing Reina still struggled with at the end of the day, fashion had never been something she truly enjoyed but she was slowly starting to understand it.

In her hand, the redhead also clutched a small bouquet of flowers, Candlewick flowers to be precise. First impressions were important, and people liked flowers. At least most people did. Reina wasn't one of them so if whoever this mysterious stranger was had been anything like Reina...This might not be a great idea.

That didn't matter however as Reina arrived at the restaurant and was brought through towards the backroom, taking in all the different aromas of food she could, before being guided into the backroom where Reina froze. Her eyes settled on the only person sat down, blinking to herself for a moment. The cogs in Reina's brain slowly turning as a gentle blush crept into her cheeks.

"O-Oh. Hey. Long time...no see."

Reina remembered seeing Quinn at what felt like a lifetime ago. They hadn't had much time to actually talk to each other, but Quinn's face wasn't one Reina could find herself forgetting anytime soon. Of course, Reina had changed somewhat herself however. The last time they had seen each other Reina had still be a human. Now? Even if she was able to keep her more fish-like nature hidden, there were still at least some noticeable differences. Reina's voice had more of a musical note to it, almost like it was carried by the wind. Whilst her eyes also glowed slightly with an irisdescent look to them, Reina's golden glow clearly focused on Quinn...Though her eyes did dip towards Quinn's outfit before looking back up.

"I grabbed these. I thought you'd like them."

The Ersansyr held out the bouquet of Candlewick flowers, doing her best attempt at a smile. Oh by the Spirit. Why did it have to be Quinn? Why did it have to be someone Reina knew?

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Reina Daival //:

Reina's arrival was quiet, for the most part. It seemed the guards wanted to allow the Princess's date to announce herself. As Reina began to speak, Quinn looked over the edge of her datapad, and her bright hazel green eyes watched as the Jedi initially stumbled over her words in surprise. Behind the cover of the datapad, Quinn grinned. It was cute how this revelation baffled the redhead.

Putting the tablet down, Quinn rose to accept the flowers. She smiled, knowing already what they were. "They bloom at night, don't they?" Her question was gentle, as she wanted to hear Reina speak again. The melody in her voice was pleasant, different than before, but was beautiful. Quinn smiled at the flowers and reached for the red rose.

"I'm fond of roses, so I brought one from my garden for you." The rose looked normal, like any other, but there was a hint of the Force lingering on its essence. Quinn smiled.

"It's enhanced by the Force — it won't wilt or lose its vibrancy. Until the end of time remains unchanged." It didn't have any lingering effect of the dark side or the light side. It was only a matter of time, and it moved almost naturally through the Force.

Quinn once more gave the flowers in her hands attention; she let her palm hover over them, giving them life through the Force. Unlike other Sith, Quinn remained muted in the Force when around people. She drew her essence inward till she was nearly silent to other Force users. Her presence was pleasant, unlike the sickening darkness that lingered on others.

The Force moved, shaping the flowers as they blossomed. A smile crossed her face as she inhaled their fragrance. "Beautiful," She mused and set them onto the table.

"I'm quite happy it's you, far better than meeting a stranger," Quinn offered Reina a seat as the first set of food was set in front of them. On the platter was toasted bread topped with a mixture of tomatoes and basil, accompanied by a sweet balsamic drizzle.

"This is one of my favorite places, I hope you like it," she said, sitting down after Reina did and carefully plating one of the appetizers for Reina and then for herself. She knew her manners and wanted to make sure that the Jedi had a good time — just a moment for them to forget the millennia-long battle between light and dark.

"You seem different," Quinn tilted her head, her eyes carefully taking in the sight of the red-headed Jedi.

"I like it, you seem more confident than when I last saw you — it suits you, beautifully."

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Quinn Varanin
Location: Eshan
Objective: Don't Make A Fool Of yourself

There was something about Quinn that seemed more familiar to Reina than just the night from the club. She could have sworn she had saw Quinn's image in something she had read...but Reina never had the greatest memory when it came to reading. None of that mattered for this moment however as she handed over the bouquet, giving a short nod to Quinn's question.

"Yes. I've always had more of an affinity for the night than anything else. The moon can be beautiful. Like you."

Her voice was slowly starting to gain a small tint of confidence back into it. The overall shock of seeing that it was Quinn was starting to wear off, and most of the nerves remaining was simply that of being on a date with an attractive person. It was natural and normal. Her hand reached out to take the rose carefully, giving it a small appraisal as she couldn't help but break out into a smile.

"...You've made me realise I should have done something like this on the candlewick flowers. Plants have never been my forte however."

Sure, she had done a few lessons in plant surge, but Reina never had a connection to the earth in the same way that she felt attune with the wind and waves.

"I'm...surprised it's you, but don't get me wrong. I'm happy. Maybe finally I can get your name. I left things pretty...abruptly last time we met. I'm sorry for that."

Reina took her seat carefully, brushing down her dress before turning her attention over towards the appetisers. It looked delicious as she carefully ate. Of course, any specific rules about cutlery was lost on the redhead though she did her best to be as formal as she could with the way she ate, her gaze glancing over towards Quinn every so often.

"It's a nice place. I'm not used to the finery. Being raised on a fishing boat will do that to a girl. Have you ever been fishing? It can be relaxing. Out on the waves with your thoughts to keep you company."

Small talk was good, right? That was Reina's thought process at least as she ate. Though Quinn's next statement caused the Ersansyr to freeze for a moment. A small moment of panic flickering through her eyes, before the comment about it suiting Reina beautifully caused another flush to come to her cheeks.

"I've been through a lot since we last saw each other...but thank you. I can tell you about it...but some of it might not be appropriate to talk over food."

One way to lose an appetite was to talk about being kidnapped. And Reina didn't want to ruin this moment. It was enjoyable for a surprise. She was enjoying herself on this date. It helped that Quinn reminded Reina of a Princess in a way...Wait...A Princess.

That's where Reina knew Quinn from. It was all slowly coming to Reina as her eyes fell upon Quinn once more. Her blind date...was a Sith Princess. There was a large part of her that immediately thought of how much this was a bad idea. That something could go wrong. But...Quinn seemed welcoming enough. Friendly enough. Of course, Reina had met other Sith that seemed friendly but there was something different about Quinn.

And so Reina was willing to give Quinn a chance. In this moment, Reina was not the Jedi Padawan that fought against the darkness. She was Reina Daival, the woman enjoying her meal with her date.

"I apologise if I leave most of the direction of this to you. It's my first date at the end of the day."

That was the way Reina approached her sudden realisation. Not to even mention it. It wasn't important. It was also in this moment that Reina had decided the best place to store the rose Quinn had given her was atop Reina's ear, gently trying to slide it into her hair to keep it in place.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

: Means written/typed communication : < Means Sign Language communication >