Private Of Rapture & Respite

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:
//: x //:

On the private shuttle headed to the resort world Alakatha, Quinn had sent a small message to Mauve.

<: Hey Mauve, I hope you're doing well… It was great seeing you at Kwenn Station, you looked well. :> ​

She paused, wondering if she should invite the woman. Quinn remembered Weilu and the Kwenn station. Musing, Quinn figured the Zeltron could have used a vacation away from the wars and the underworld. Her eyes lulled as she sighed, wondering if this was a good idea or not, but Quinn did miss the Zeltron's company.

<: I'm taking a small vacation on Alakatha. I feel like, after everything, you need a vacation as well. My treat. I'll forward you a pass through the wall. Hope to see you soon ~Quinn :>
​

---

//: Alakatha: Jungle Resort //:
//: Secluded Sanctuary VIP //:
​

After a few days…

The resort had been recently renovated, and Quinn had fallen in love with the seclusion of the sanctuaries. She could understand why Corisanti nobles frequented the planet before the time of the Blackwall.

Leaning against the ivory coloured balcony, Quinn tried to remember a time before the Blackwall. It was unfortunate how the worlds of the Empire were closed off. A time before, she would defend the concept of the Blackwall, but now… after seeing the other worlds and how they flourished. She didn't know anymore.

It was another reason she reached out to find a friendship with Black Sun.

Her mind drifted back to Kwenn Station, and her chest tightened. Everything weighed on her; she hated it. Hearing about the fallout of Weilu and the planet's decision to stay within the Republic was frustrating. Quinn blamed herself.

Enough.

Shaking her head, as a hand threaded through her silver hair. Tightening her fist with her bangs, she refocused herself. She had come here for a respite. Quinn quickly grabbed a towel from her resort room and headed down to the private beach.

The beach was warm, the sand white against, even more than her porcelain skin. Everything felt right in the galaxy, even from behind the Blackwall. Quinn could pretend the wars outside of the Empire didn't exist. Even the war with the Imperials was worlds away.

Finding the long beach chair, she unraveled her towel onto the chair and sat down. Slowly, she massaged in the sunscreen. Thankfully, she had been able to avoid any sunburns on her fair skin, and maybe this time around, she would tan.

Gently, she lay back and sighed. She tried not to think or wonder if her invitation would even be taken; either way, she was going to enjoy herself.

 

[Mauve du Vain]

Bare feet whispered through the sand as Mauve made her way down the shoreline, her sarong blowing about her legs in the slight breeze. A reprieve from the heat of the sun. A cold drink already in hand from one of the resort staff, Mauve tried to spy where the Sith princess had sprawled herself out.

It didn't take much convincing to get Mauve out here. Anything with the words "all inclusive" and "resort" were basically a guaranteed yes. Especially given everything that had happened over the last few weeks. She didn't want to think about Wielu. Quinn Varanin might bring the subject up, given she had almost died, but Mauve figured she could let that one pass. Hopefully that subject would wait until after Mauve had started on her third drink.

Thankfully, behind the black wall and under the Princess' protection, Mauve did not have to worry about bounty hunters - for once. Too difficult for them to pass through the black wall and, what's more, the Sith who were bounty hunters would likely rather cut out their own entrails than incur the wroth of the Empress' adopted daughter. So, Mauve had taken some precautions, but did not feel overly anxious about wandering through the sandy beaches of Alakatha, mostly unarmed, to meet the woman.

The water was so blue. She wanted to swim out into one of the lagoons. Maybe later.

Violet eyes roaming the shoreline, she spied a gleam of white and smirked, finding her way down to where the Echani lay stretched out in a beach chair.

"Excuse me, do you know where I can find a sultry princess to sweep me off my feet?"

Mauve smirked and plopped down in chair beside Quinn, toes digging in and out of the warm sand.

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:
//: x //:

The familiar voice broke the ambiance of the beach. Quinn had been close to falling asleep. Something that she wouldn't have done if they were outside of the Blackwall. Perhaps the gaudy isolationist strategy had its benefits.

But wasn't that the point? To protect the citizens of the Empire. Another conflict.

"Depends on who's asking."

A soft, genuine smile spread across the Echani's face as she let herself feel happy to hear the Zeltron. Slowly, Quinn sat up, a hand running through the underside of her ashen hair.

In the light of the sun, she looked more blonde than anything. Only lending to the notion that she was Spencer's splitting image. Something she hoped no one would point out.

Quinn was already a twin; the last thing she needed was to look like another Echani.

Her hand fell from her hair as she leaned back on the chair. She faced Mauve. Tilting her head, she let herself, for one brief moment of indulgence, admire her friend.

"You settled in quite easily, I'm glad." She didn't want to bring to light everything that she had been thinking of. This was a vacation, a moment to just forget how shitty the rest of the Galaxy was.

Quinn nodded towards the drink in Mauve's hand, "Alakatha is known for its hospitality, and this part of the continent is more secluded. If you go further south, you'll have more resort areas -- shopping and such."

Her eyes looked towards the water. While she preferred to stay away from the crowds, she didn't want to hinder Mauve from experiencing the entirety of the planet. Access to worlds like this was something that the woman would gain with the agreements.

Better to try to sell what was behind the wall.

"We can plan to go either tomorrow or later if you want to do a more public dining. We can do whatever you want, you're my guest." She let her words as she remembered her wording on the ship the last time they were alone.

She felt like a salesperson trying to sell a timeshare to the Zeltron. A small laugh as she grabbed the sunscreen and offered it to Mauve.

"If you need it," she paused and let her gaze meet the other woman's.

"I'm happy you came. It feels like I haven't heard from you in a bit." She stopped herself.

"What have you been up to?"

 

[Mauve du Vain]

The Zeltron didn't answer at first, closing her eyes as the sunlight beat down on her and just enjoying the moment. She adjusted her chair so that she could sit up enough and took a small sip from her cocktail. Refreshingly cold, sugary, sweet, just a hint of sour. Mauve licked the salt rim and took another sip.

Quinn's nervousness bled out around her, a halo of anxieties around what looked like a golden hue of happiness at being around Mauve. Hm. After their last few meetings, Mauve hadn't been so sure the woman would be so... welcoming. They'd had a hard conversation, bumped into each other on Kwenn under... awkward circumstances Mauve supposed, then the next time they spoke they'd been brokering a deal between two of the galaxy's most powerful entities. There just hadn't been time. And she basically ran away from Mauve on Kwenn Station.

Well. Excusable, perhaps, given the circumstances. Mauve thought she understood, had a working theory. Quinn had someone else, but could not deny a want, and told Mauve as much. Watching Mauve and Mercy and Anathemous all together, knowing she wanted to join in but trying to resist? Probably too much for the poor girl.

No reason to try to dive into the deep end. After everything with the Underlord, Mauve preferred to bask in the shallows as long as possible.

"Oh, you know, the usual: meeting with staggeringly beautiful Hapan Duchas, fixing Razmir's mistakes, and so on. Opened a new casino on New Vertica, you should come some time. When you're not spoiling me with a beach resort." She shaded her violet eyes from the sun for a moment with a hand to look over at Quinn, "What about you, poked anyone with your new saberfish nose yet?"

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

Quinn listened, taking in every word while also partially listening to them. She had a terrible habit of trying to read people's faces, understand them without a touch. While in most cases she was able to do so, something about Mauve didn't allow it.

She couldn't pin down what it was, but she wondered if distraction was one of the reasons. As Mauve spoke, the Princess had to force her eyes away, focus on the crystal blue waves that crashed in the ambiance around them. Her mind was jealous of a cocktail cup.

When the woman finished, Quinn looked back and smiled. "No, not yet, though I've given it a few swings. Expert craftsmanship -- could rival some swordmakers I know on Eshan."

As she sat trying to think of something else to say, Quinn felt that wretched need to feel something to help anchor her and the swirling emotions of her mind.

"I'll have to see this new casino of yours, I'm sure its opulence is something words cannot do justice for." She paused, and when she couldn't fight it anymore, she stood and sat herself next to the woman's legs on the chair. She had sat up enough, which gave the small Echani a space to tuck herself in.

"I'm glad you like the resort." Quinn started, still not looking at Mauve.

"I promised you planets and armies -- would this world suffice for the promise?" She looked to the woman now, doing her best to let the anxiety she had felt previously begin to wash away.

There was honest fear that Mauve wouldn't have shown up.. Quinn didn't have the best track record with her. Why would she show up?

Still, the Princess was happy that she did.

Yet there was just one more thing that Mauve had forgotten back on the ship at their last meeting. Something that Quinn had kept and regretted. She was reminded of it, seeing what happened at Kwenn station.

Exhaling, she brushed back her hair, tucking it behind her ear.

"I'm sorry about leaving like I did at Kwenn. I had been happy to see you, but I was worried I had upset you after what had happened the last time we had been alone." She shifted, sliding off the chair and stepping closer.

Quinn leaned and hovered slightly over the Zeltron. Her voice was soft, letting the waves be the only thing louder than her on this secluded beach.

"You forgot something back on my ship. My apologies for letting you leave without it." The Princess leaned in, and their lips were close enough to touch, mirroring the meeting on the ship. A smile crossed her face as she enjoyed the closeness, the gentleness of jasmine, and the beach dancing across her senses.

"I will understand if you slap me after this, but I don't like leaving things owed." A single finger would gently caress the curve of Mauve's chin, hopefully guiding her into a gentle kiss.

It didn't linger long, and as quickly as it would happen, Quinn would begin to pull away.

 

[Mauve du Vain]

Forgotten? What did she forget?

Soft lips pressed against hers, muffling a surprised, very small, "oh."

Mauve melted into the kiss for a moment, the finger under her chin pulling her in just enough so she could taste everything she craved. For a moment, the space of a heartbeat, Mauve softened, drinking in the scent of her. Honey and roses. Quinn started to pull away. Mauve's unoccupied hand found the back of the woman's head, fingers threading through her hair, and pulled her closer in the moment, feeding the hunger until Mauve dragged away, teeth tugging at Quinn's lip, and caught her breath.

Confusion and desire blurred together in a whirlwind.

"What," she said, half-dazed, thoughts and emotions coalescing together.

So much for the shallows. Shoved right into the deep end of this emotional puddle. A spark of anger flared in her and she held up a finger in front of Quinn's face to stall any answer. Mauve tilted back the cocktail and drained the entirety of it, then pointed the glass at the woman.

"First you tell me there's someone else, then you can't even look me in the eyes on Kwenn, now you're throwing yourself at me?" Mauve scoffed in disbelief.

The more Mauve thought about it, the more they fed those sparks of anger, fanning to flames. Oh, she wanted the princess, to run her hands and her lips across every inch of that ivory skin. But the kiss felt like... like what? Mauve swallowed. Like a taste of a drug that she desperately needed. All so sudden.

"Why."

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

The Princess was caught off guard. She hadn't expected the hand through her hair — or for Mauve to hold her there until she was done. The finger lifted in front of her face as the Zeltron finished her drink was a first.

No one silenced Quinn Varanin. She was royalty, heir to the Sith throne. And yet, she stayed still, letting that finger stop her long enough for Mauve to speak and ask her questions.

Had she misread things? Did she miss her chance? Nothing had changed, but Quinn in this matter.

Slowly, she sat back down on her own chair, a hand covering her face as she let the questions sink in. Quinn did her best to ignore the flare of anger bleeding off the other woman. If the Echani had been in her shoes right now, she'd feel the same.

"Well," she began, lowering her hand, hoping the flush on her cheeks passed for sunburn. "I don't have a good answer for you, my Veluthiel. I am a Princess, and — " She cut herself off. It was a weak excuse, one that might only make things worse.

"I wasn't lying." She finally looked at the woman, doing her best to remain focused on her face.

"I'm complicated and I'm not simple. I wanted to kiss you back on my ship — but I couldn't just give in, I'm stupid."

Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose. She probably shouldn't have done this right away. It had been gnawing at her since the ship meeting, and Kwenn had only made it more apparent.

"On Kwenn, I wanted to, but you didn't even bother looking at me either, I thought after everything you were just done with me."

Quinn hated this — hated saying any of it. With others, she could bury her feelings deep enough to forget them. But Mauve had carved her mark, dragging those desires into the open where they couldn't hide.

"I won't do it again, if that's what you want. I'm often scolded for waiting and not acting on what I want. So, I was done pretending."

 

[Mauve du Vain]

After Kwenn? Mauve's lips curved, slow and knowing. Oh. That. After the Underlord's threats, Mauve wanted drown them out with drinking and something simple. Something simple apparently turned out to be two Sith lords. But Quinn had been there. Looking back now, Mauve vaguely remembered the princess leaving at about the same time the group's activities in that booth became... extracurricular.

The anger ebbed away, quick as it came, replaced by a feline triumph, smug and languid.

"Hmm," Mauve murmured, sliding to the edge of her chair and burrowing her toes deep into the warm sand. She pouted. "Here I was planning to spend this whole vacation making you and your complications," she stretched, back arching, "miserable."

Violet eyes half-hooded by lashes of deepest purple flicked toward Quinn.

"But if you're done pretending..."

Mauve held up the cocktail glass and ran her tongue around the rim, licking up the last of the salt.

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

A smile twitched at the corner of her lips as Mauve expressed her intentions for the vacation. The woman was going to make this difficult no matter the conditions.

Despite this, Quinn wouldn't want it any other way.

Mauve knew what she was doing, and Quinn gave in to it. She allowed her gaze to wander, taking in every slight movement.

"I am," she reiterated as she let her arms hang slightly off her lap. There was no sense in trying to guard herself. Quinn had learned quickly that the woman could read her better than anyone.

A frightening thought, but one that also made the Echani feel relaxed.

No reason to hide behind a facade of perfection and control. The mask faded, and Quinn smiled. She let her hand reach and caress the tender skin of the other woman's leg. The Princess's touch was gentle and rhythmic; there was a sense of control as she fought the urge to press further.

"And how did you plan on making me miserable?" Quinn paused, letting the question linger as she chuckled softly.

"And who's to say I didn't plan on making everything up to you on this vacation?"

As she spoke, she leaned closer, letting her legs intertwine with Mauve's as her fingers teased their delicate movement higher.

"You already know some of my ideas."

 

[Mauve du Vain]

"I do?" Mauve feigned ignorance, eyes wide.

A tingling ran through her at the other woman's questing fingers on her leg and the feel of those legs tangling with her own in the sand beneath their chairs. She wanted more, daydreams flitting through her mind's eye of where else those drifting hands might go, of another taste of honey and rose petal. Fingernails raking across flesh. Tongues against teeth. Intertwining. Tasting. Devouring.

Mauve's breath quickened. The sunlight suddenly felt very hot on her skin.

She thought back to their prior conversations. Quinn had made promises in her messages, but in person she seemed to hover on the knife's edge - as if merely saying the words, saying what she wanted, what she needed would destroy her. Mauve could feel that hunger writhing in Quinn, a voluminous well of carmine that stretched all about her.

Mauve's throat bobbed.

"Maybe I want to be reminded."

Maybe I need to hear you say it to know it's real.

"Are you sure you really want me to list all the ways I planned to torture you? It might drive you insane. Maybe just the broad strokes..."

Mauve held out a hand, stroking Quinn's cheek.

"Some gentler ones."

Her fingers trailed down the woman's jawline until they curled around that ivory throat.

"Some firmer."

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

Quinn felt her smile widen as she watched the smallest flickers from the woman across from her. Her eyebrow rose as she caught the quiet shift in the Zelton's breathing. The Princess figured they were on the same line of thought, which only emboldened her as she listened, letting every word she heard hang between them.

"You already drive me insane," Quinn softly chuckled. It was the truth.

She felt her eyes soften as she let herself melt against the gentleness of the touch. As much as Quinn hated the insatiable need to just be felt, she couldn't deny it. Before Mauve moved her hand, the Echani nuzzled gently into her palm.

The moment the grip was firm around her throat, her heart raced, her flush deepened, and she sighed through the lump in her throat.

"You have my attention," Quinn leaned into the grip, her own hand reaching once more, caressing the delicate curve of Mauve's jaw, til her thumb pulled gently at her chin, enough to part the Zeltron's beautifully plum-painted lips.

"But first," She felt her breath hitch, "I'd like to kiss you, like I should have," Quinn smirked as she leaned in, pausing for a breath, and then leaned in.

Their lips crashed together as every ounce of need bled from the Echani. She kissed her and pulled the woman in, without any intention of running away this time.

 

[Mauve du Vain]

Time lost all meaning. It could have been five seconds. It could have been forever. Need bled into need. All she could taste were the princess' lips against hers. All she could smell was that hint of roses. The glass in Mauve's hand fell forgotten into the sand. She ran her fingers through Quinn's blonde hair and across that toned, pale skin, pulling the two of them closer, as if they could fall apart and collapse into each other. She found herself on Quinn's chair, the two of them tangled atop it.

Suddenly, the chair's legs wobbled and collapsed, spilling them both out into the sand.

Mauve rolled over onto her back, shielding the sun from her eyes and laughing breathlessly.

"Too much for the chair to handle."

The Zeltron's chest rose and fell, her heartbeat out of control at the taste of bliss. Oh, she wanted more, despite the chair incident. But could the princess keep up?

"I don't know about you, but I could use another drink."

Standing up, she offered her hand to pull Quinn to her feet, which seemed such an odd thing in that moment. Quinn was so powerful she could destroy Mauve in an instant with her abilities in the Force. Mauve had seen them first hand. They should frighten her. They did. But they also made her pulse race faster with a thrill.

"Something tells me I might need it to keep up with the rest of your... ideas."

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

So much for danger sense.

For Quinn, nothing else mattered except the intoxicating bouquet of jasmine filling her sense. Their back-and-forth, with its constant build-up, had made this moment close to perfection.

Until the chair gave way. Quinn tried to shift, doing what she could to soften Mauve's fall, taking the brunt of it herself. Healing wasn't an issue for her — she could manage that. But Mauve was different. Worry pulled at her chest until the sound of laughter broke through. Only then did Quinn let herself breathe, laughing along with her.

Sitting up, Quinn nodded, agreeing with the woman's comment on the failure of the furniture.

"Remind me to get something sturdier — for next time." She laughed again, fingers combing through her hair, dusting sand free.

Taking Mauve's hand, Quinn stood and tugged her up with her, brushing lingering sand from the Zeltron's side as well.

"I could use a drink. Did you end up settling into the villa? There are two stories — you're welcome to use the other room if you want, though the upstairs suite is pretty spacious."

She didn't let go of Mauve's hand as she guided her toward the common areas of the resort. The beaches were beautiful sanctuaries, each had small patches of shared space with food and drink.

Stopping mid-step, Quinn glanced back with a mischievous smirk.

"Pace yourself, Mauve. You've got a long night ahead of you."

She didn't elaborate, instead continuing toward the private entrance of the bar. This section of the resort was far more secluded — VIP and protected. Quinn had arranged it that way, knowing Mauve deserved a sense of safety, especially with the bounties on her head. Here, she could disappear into luxury far from the galaxy.

Their fingers stayed loosely entwined as they passed through the small themed lobbies, each decorated with holoimages of hidden coves, sunlit beaches, and dense jungle.

The bar stood at the edge of the entryway, carved as though from a single immense tree. The man behind the counter greeted them both with a nod.

"Could I have a glass of Daruvvian champagne?" Quinn smiled before glancing at Mauve. "Or shall we get a bottle — and take it back to the villa?"

 

[Mauve du Vain]

The Echani drug her along through the villa and Mauve followed, a smile on her face that left her feeling stupid. This all felt like a dream. Not just being with Quinn, but the whole of it. A girl from the streets of Nar Shaddaa on vacation, on a Sith world, with the princess of an Empire? Almost too absurd to be true.

Then there had been the whole business with the bounties on Mauve's head. Having to look over her shoulder every two minutes, expecting a giant Whiphid in a trenchcoat. Except here, she didn't need to be on alert, or at least, she should not given the location in Sith space. But Mauve still felt a prickling along her spine as they came closer to people around the VIP area of the resort.

Quinn's fingers intertwined with her own felt reassuring. Normally, Mauve would chalk the woman's need for constant physical contact to desire, but she could see the emotions swirling around Quinn in a halo of colors and it seemed to be more than just sating a desire.

Still, Mauve had not been kidding when she mentioned the drinks. She desperately needed a distraction after being hunted like an animal and threatened by the underlord. Mauved ran a hand through her purple hair, spilling out more sand. She glanced at Quinn, a mischievous grin prowling on to her face.

"Better make it two bottles then."

As the man got the bottles, Mauve's eyes trailed up and up the tree. The sight reminded her of simpler times, staring up at skyscrapers reaching far above her. Funny how now she was so used to looking down on their points from New Vertica's floating surface.

Her thoughts went from New Vertica, her gallery, the first time they'd met, to thoughts of a spacious room and a long night and the taste of honeycomb.

"Actually. Three. Just to be safe."

They probably had room service, but Quinn probably did not realize that Mauve could down two of those bottles and barely feel the effects. A gift in most circumstances, except when she really did want to feel them...

Like now.

Violet orbs wandered to Quinn. "Have you come here often?"

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

Quinn idly watched as Mauve admired the area. It was one of her prouder projects, something she had been quietly working on. Seeing the woman take it in made her feel lighter about the choices she'd made. The Villa was designed to make its guests forget about wars, tyranny, and the horrors of the galaxy — if only for a moment.

A reprieve. A memory worth keeping.

She didn't mind the three bottles. In truth, Quinn figured Mauve was simply being prepared. There was room service, but sometimes it was better not to be interrupted. Smiling at the man behind the counter, she slid him her card.

"Leave it open. I'm sure we'll have reason to order more." She waved a hand as he tucked her card behind the register.

Her gaze drifted back to Mauve as the woman asked about her previous stays. The Princess mused, remembering small vacations as a child, though nothing extravagant.

Unlike other royals, privilege hadn't always been her constant companion. Her family had been well off, and her time on Bastion with her godmother had been pleasant enough — but the Empire was constantly at war.

"A few times," Quinn admitted, smiling as she gathered the bottles and nodded for Mauve to follow. "It's not far."

The times she had come here as a child were more about hiding than relaxing, though it had taken growing up to realize that.

"It was mostly when I was younger, so I didn't get to fully experience either resort," she added as they walked down the long hallway toward the lift.

"Coming here was one of my favorite memories with my godmother." Her voice was warm, covering the faint sadness underneath. No matter how much she had loved her life growing up, there had always been something missing.

The lift arrived, and Quinn nodded toward the nearby door.

"This is the secondary entrance to the lower half of the Villa, if you decide to stay here." Another nod toward the scattered individuals. "Security, if you need anything."

The guards made it clear — this Villa was fully enclosed and protected. Their sanctuary.

The lift climbed, revealing the resort's lower floor: plush couches, a dining space, and all the luxuries expected. An open master bedroom with beach access, a hallway leading to the bar, and VIP lounge. Comfort was the focus.

At the top floor, the doors slid open, letting the freshness of the ocean breeze wash over them. Here, the level was more serene, the white walls trimmed in subtle gold. The detailing formed a delicate line art of the beach outside, and the sandalwood and vanilla aroma filled the air with calm.

Quinn set the bottles on the kitchen island, then turned abruptly, grabbing Mauve's hand.

"Oh! I did have a surprise for you." She tried to hide her excitement, but her grin betrayed her.

Quinn tugged Mauve into the next room where the surprise was hidden.

Inside the next room, the foyer opened up to a wall-sized window with a full view of the beach at sunset. And, in the corner, an easel waited, surrounded by blank canvases, paints, brushes, and palettes.

"I figured you don't often get the chance to paint," Quinn said, releasing her hand but lingered close, watching for the Zeltron's reaction. "So I gathered what I could think of. While you're here, you can indulge in whatever your heart desires."

Her smile softened, her voice dropping just slightly.

"I wanted you to have something here that was only yours."

 

[Mauve du Vain]

Godmother? Oh. Recognition sparked in Mauve's mind. She meant the empress. Another reminder of the wildly different lives they had led. Mauve took in the luxury of the villa. She was going to enjoy this...

Then Quinn led her by the hand to an easel with a view of the sunset. Mauve immediately drifted over to the easel, hand stroking the canvas. She picked up one of the palettes. Her violet eyes shimmered as a deluge of emotions crashed down on her. It was true. She hadn't had much time to paint at all. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had taken time to herself to simply paint. There hadn't been time, or she'd come up with a dozen of other excuses or preoccupations.

"Mine?" she whispered.

And now here was the princess, offering her an island of respite, offering her security, offering her a place to paint, and offering her... Mauve couldn't turn to look at her for a moment. She swallowed, throat suddenly constricted. This was all so much. Maybe not the nicest thing anyone had ever done with her, but Mauve would have difficulty naming a contender. And they'd only known each other a few months. It was too much. A princess of the Sith, giving her everything she ever wanted... and more? There had to be a catch.

Mauve laughed acridly. She traced a nail across the canvas.

"And what does your lover think of all this?"

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

Quinn let her gaze wander, admiring the grace with which the Zeltron moved naturally. A rare skill, but one that the Princess figured was unique to Mauve herself.

There was something in the way that she touched each piece of the gift.

Taking it in, Quinn wondered if she had misunderstood something with the supplies. The Princess was a musician, and even when she tried, she couldn't paint anything coherent.

The whisper was gentle, but the room was quiet enough for her to pick up on the gentle vibration of words. She didn't respond, allowing her companion to let the gift settle and consider what was being offered.

She stepped closer, but paused as the woman's laugh was not what she expected. Following the laugh was the question that she had expected. Even with the expectation, Quinn was still caught off guard.

It hung in the air, like it had been since Mauve had arrived. Quinn had prepared for this over the few days leading up to it, but nothing ever sounded right. She exhaled and did her best not to reach out to the woman. Despite wanting the insight, she folded her hands behind her back and nodded.

"She and I are in agreement." She started, her voice soft. "We're not exclusive, but I'm not someone who takes this situation lightly."

There was a fear that lingered beneath her calm. Quinn knew she should have been more direct about the situation, but her feelings scared her. Mauve was someone Quinn felt drawn to; it was something special, and she didn't want to free-fall into it.

The Princess stepped closer, the back of her fingers gently caressing Mauve's arm. Searching for some inclination that she didn't ruin everything with her caution. Quinn let the answer hang, allowing Mauve to either accept or reject it, or maybe something else. But, she hoped.

"All of it, everything here is yours, if you want it." Quinn smiled as her eyes searched Mauve's face, hoping for some sign of how her words were received.

 

[Mauve du Vain]

She could feel the facade of calm, visible to her the way an artist's attempt to paint over a perceived flaw in their work was visible - a patch job over a spattering of fear across the canvas. Fear of what? Of her? No... fear of where this path led, of being burned. Consumed. Left in ashes. Quinn's deeper emotions rolled over Mauve like waves beating on the shoreline. And then there was the princess' hand on her arm again.

"Thank you," Mauve rasped at last.

Mauve turned into her, heart shuddering in her chest. She'd expected Quinn to be lying to her, or to her lover, or to herself. Instead, these were just the emotions of someone being vulnerable, afraid to be hurt. Here the princess was, offering her everything again, baring her soul and handing Mauve a loaded gun aimed straight at her heart. So why did Mauve want to pull the trigger so much?

Agreement. Permission. Mauve's lips twitched. She didn't want to be a name on a permission slip. She wanted to be forbidden, to be wanted so badly that Quinn couldn't help but break every rule for her, to stretch every limit of this agreement until it pulled taut under pressure. A rope begging to snap.

"So when you say..." The Zeltron poked Quinn in the chest, but didn't pull back, her nail skating across that ivory skin the way it had skated across the canvas, pausing when it reached a scrap of fabric. "...everything."

She pulled her hand away with a flick.

"I think it's time for that champagne."

Without waiting for permission, the Zeltron sauntered back the way they'd come, bare feet padding against the floor. She snatched up the champagne and busied herself opening it. "What should we celebrate? Art? Surviving? Oh. I know."

The champagne cork exploded off the bottle with a pop. She held up the bottle.

"Fuck princes."

Then she drank straight from the bottle before handing it to Quinn, probably coming across as some backworld savage. You could take the girl off Nar Shaddaa, but you couldn't take Nar Shaddaa from the girl.

Quinn Varanin

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Mauve du Vain //:

Finally, Mauve turned to face her, and Quinn couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Hearing the woman's thanks, seeing her face, and reaction to everything. Before she could say something more, the warmth of Mauve's finger pressed against her exposed skin. Her heart fluttered in her chest as Quinn felt her breath catch in the back of her throat. It almost scared her how much she wanted this small, but intimate touch.

The drag of the Zeltron's finger emphasising her words, Quinn wanted to grab her hand before it pulled away. She wanted to pull her again into another kiss like on the beach. Still, the moment passed, and Quinn was left watching as Mauve sauntered, asking what they were celebrating.

Fortunately, Mauve didn't seem to expect an answer. Quinn let her hand rest on the canvas instead, trying to steady herself, to find the composed self she'd worked so hard to master.

How and why could Mauve break through her mask so surgically?

As much as Quinn questioned it, she found herself enamoured by it. There was no need to have the facade, to fight for it to be flawless and perfect.

Was this why she chased?

She heard the champagne open in the other room, and Quinn followed, laughing at the declaration and the woman indulging herself with the expensive wine.

"Fuck Princes!" Quinn echoed as she laughed. Taking the bottle, she took a sip, trying to keep up. It was most likely a foolish endeavor, but it was worth a try.

"And fuck Kings," she went to hand the bottle back, but as she did, the moment Mauve would reach for it, she'd pull the woman's hand to place it where her finger had been just moments prior.

"And yes," Quinn murmured, letting Mauve's hand rest there for just a beat. "Everything." She kissed her fingers gently before finally passing the bottle over.

Quinn stepped back and headed towards the entertainment center, located in the center of the living space, and began to fiddle with the music.

"If we're going to have a proper party, we need something to listen to." She cycled through stations, "Any preferences?" She didn't look back at Mauve, out of nerves, not knowing what the woman's reaction to what she had just done would be.

 

[Mauve du Vain]

Violet eyes widened as Quinn guided her hand, then Mauve's lips curved up into a wide smile. Hmm, yes, she should just forget about all this business of owning and permitting and just enjoy the moment. Isn't that precisely what she wanted on Kwenn Station? Mauve ran a tongue against the back of her teeth. As Quinn turned away, Mauve's eyes trailed down... She drank heavily from the champagne bottle.

"No Jatz," she said, distracted by the view.

The bottle clinked as she set it down and with whispering footsteps came up behind Quinn. Her heart beat so quickly she thought it would rip out of her chest. She wrapped her arms around the woman's waist and placed her lips against an ivory shoulder, "Hmm," she muttered into the soft warmth of her skin, "Something," another kiss in between words, just beside Quinn's spine, "slow and sultry."

Those fingers around Quinn's waist quested over bare skin, exploring the curves and lean muscles of a battle-hardened Sith.

"Something that takes its time."

Quinn Varanin