Private Of Rest & Reconcile

[Quinn Varanin]

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

The hum of the palace started to quiet. Business was winding down, and the meetings Quinn had been dragged to were finally ending. Everything, even with the Mandalorian oversight, was all so much. A part of her wondered if this was why Noelle didn't push, didn't fight for the throne.

Was she just tired of it all? Between them, people often mistook Quinn for the weaker sibling. She was quiet and often forgotten. If people weren't reminded that their Queen Noelle was a twin, Quinn would have been written out of history.

It was a thought that often haunted the new Queen. She often could see the looks on the advisers' faces; they respected her because she was wanted, but only in name. Though thankfully, as time went on, they realized her ambition was for Eshan, not as a Sith, but as their Queen in her birthright.

She was escorted to the palace's private quarters. Here, no one was allowed unless Quinn deemed them to be. She could relax, be herself, and function as just Quinn — without anyone demanding anything of her. She entered her large room with a desk in the foyer. Its pristine woodwork reflected the craftsmanship of its maker, and upon it rested a lightsaber. One that had been sworn to her, not only by blade, but by life as well.

Quinn walked by the desk, her fingertips carefully caressing the hilt of the blade. Her memories were fond of the woman who had given it to her, though after seeing the fight in that pit, Quinn wished Reina still held the blade close. Either way, she knew her paramour would be fine without.

She had seen her fight and could still feel her breath in the Force. A small comfort for long days like this. Though Quinn felt the Ronin close. A small smile curled on her lips. Tonight, she might have a visitor, and the long day would not be so bad.

"I'll be fine." She called out to the palace guards, and they knew when to leave their young Queen alone. Everyone left, and Quinn waited for the woman to arrive. Quinn watched the stars above Eshan, wondering which one Reina was coming from.

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Quinn Varanin
Outfit


The Galaxy was a vast open space of stress. Pressure. All of it weighing down on Reina. Bearing down on her to the point that it was getting close to her breaking point. There was only so much she could carry, as much as she tried to push herself to her breaking point. What was she going through all of it for? The pain. The frustration. The scars. It was simply really. Because of Her. The one Reina was flying off to see, having left all of her jobs behind for now. She was no mercenary tonight, no Sith, nor Mandalorian. Reina was just herself. A woman who needed her lover. Needed a shoulder to cry into. Someone that Reina trusted.

She was battered and bruised, spiritually and physically. Even as she brought her shuttle down into the hanger and met with some of the guards of the Palace, raising her hand lazily in greeting. She recognised a few of them from when she had worked security. Much simpler times.

"Hey. I believe the Queen is expecting me."

A forced smile flicked on her face, unable to quite meet her eyes. Reina could feel Quinn, rather faintly through the Force. Too faint for Reina's liking, but she knew how the Queen preferred to keep her presence small in the Force. As much as she wanted to be embraced in the sensation, it was never something she'd push onto her.

And so she was lead through the Palace, her thoughts swirling in her mind. There was a lot she needed to let off her chest. Much she wanted to talk about. But she didn't want to drop it all in Quinn's lap. The life of a Queen was surely stressful itself. She'd need to see how Quinn was doing first before she worried about her own issues.

She was left alone to head into the private quarters, stepping through the corridor, as she adjusted one of her bandages. They were becoming far more common for her in recent days. Even when she was in her more self-destructive phase, Reina hadn't been as hurt as she had been recently. Yet as soon as she came across Quinn, all of that pain was somewhat lifted. Replaced by a warmth as Reina's steps increased in speed, in intent as she strode over towards the Echani, holding her arms out to wrap them around her in a tight embrace.

"I've missed you."

Even if they had seen each other recently, even if they might have talked recently, every moment they were apart, Reina missed Quinn deeply. Every time she went out to do some kind of task, or learn something, it felt as if she was leaving a part of herself behind, and every time they reunited, it was like she was whole once again.

​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Reina Daival //:

The embrace was expected. She had learned that Reina showed her affections as well as an Echani. Touch was the easiest form of communication for her; she could feel the warmth, the care — all of it. As easily as Reina drew the Echani in, Quinn leaned into the embrace. She was unaware how much she had needed it, just to feel like a person again.

Her arms wrapped carefully around Reina, her hands resting on the back of the woman's neck, fingers threading through the fine hairs at her nape. Quinn pulled away slightly, her smile lingering, "I've missed you too." She paused, seeing the bandages, the cuts, and the bruises. For a former Jedi, the woman didn't heal as well as she should.

"You've been busy," Her voice was quiet as she drew herself in closer, hands sliding to the front of the Ronin's tunic. "You've been away from me too long — you've forgotten your manners," Quinn smirked as she looked up, for once not matching close to Reina's height as she usually did in her heels.

"Saying you miss me, embracing me, yet not greeting me with a kiss?"

Quinn teased as she tutted her tongue against the roof of her mouth playfully. Not letting Reina 'fix' the transgression, she pulled the woman closer, pressing their lips together. It lingered, gentle at first, but slowly deeper as Quinn held fast the wayward Ronin against her. When she had her fill of Reina, she softened her grip and let her step back.

"You often come back in such terrible shape," Quinn frowned as her fingers lightly touched the wounds she could see. Whatever Reina had gotten into, things weren't looking good.

"I remember the um…" she took a minute to remember, "the Verd'gotn, you fought well… but did you not let yourself rest? Recover?"

Warmth would bleed from her hand as she ran her thumb gently to heal the superficial wounds on the woman's face.

"What trouble have you gotten yourself into?"

 

[Reina Daival]

Tag: Quinn Varanin
Outfit


Reina nestled her head against Quinn's shoulder, enjoying the warmth as much as she could. Once again making sure to take as much as she could in to memory, as if it would be her last moment. It was like Kito had told Reina. You never know when your last moment would be, and so Reina was treasuring every last second she spent with Quinn. A slight smile flicked upon her lips as Quinn said she had missed the Siren as well. She had chosen to believe it. If she could believe anyone in this Galaxy, she chose to believe in what Quinn told her.

"I've been working hard to prove myself. To be recognised."

It was one of the things she desired the most. To be respected. Recognised. Loved. And there was a faint part of her that believed that if people wouldn't love her, Fear would be more than enough. But that thought was wiped from her mind as Quinn kissed her. Reina leaning into the kiss as much as Quinn did, holding tightly onto the Echani's shoulders as she closed her eyes for a moment. Letting herself drift off into the kiss, the pain, the weight all floating away into nothing...until it came drifting back as Quinn pulled away. As the Echani touched at the wounds, Reina's gaze drifted away, wincing ever so slightly when Quinn's fingers would trail across the Siren's shoulder. The wound had started to heal there, but it still burnt as if it was brand new...

"I'm...a fighter. I take hits and I get back up. It's what I do best...I thought I was a defender...A protector...but I'm far from that."

She leaned into the touch of Quinn's thumb, the warmth of the healing as the various cuts and marks healed on her face. Biting her lip in contemplation as dozens of thoughts spiralled through her mind.

"...I am resting. Here, with you. Now. It's just...when we're apart...I feel like I'm not good enough. I need to work harder. Push harder. You deserve the best me that I can be."

The Ersansyr placed her forehead against Quinn's for a moment, raising her hand to hold the back of Quinn's, before closing her eyes as she wished she could just show the Echani what was going through her mind. Reina didn't want to use her words. Her voice, whilst still beautiful, was hoarse. It was sore for her to speak. And then Quinn asked it. What trouble Reina had gotten herself into, and her mind instantly went back to a short time ago...The image of Kito's face flashing in the Siren's mind.

"I...I...Had...to...fight a friend. A Jedi...I was doing a job for the Covenant...when their station came under attack...I...scratched her. Across the face...I'm not sure if I've scarred her..."

Tears slowly began to stream down her face. No. No. This wasn't what she wanted. Reina wanted to see how Quinn was doing first. But she couldn't hold back the flood gate once it began.

"I'm an awful friend."​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Reina Daival //:

Quinn's face softened. She listened to Reina and became the one person she needed right now. The problems Quinn faced felt small compared to the woman in front of her. Even if they were personal, they meant the world to both of them. Quinn softly hushed the woman's tears, wanting her to not strain herself. In her eyes, Reina was all the things she wanted, but seemingly couldn't see them herself.

"You know you don't have to do that," Quinn spoke softly as she watched each unspoken word and action play out in front of her.

She had hoped that this homecoming wouldn't be as deeply emotional as this — especially with how much Reina wanted to appear strong. Another gentle brush of the Queen's fingertips against the copper hair that clung so tightly to the girl's forehead. She wanted to see her face, despite the Siren's desire to hide it.

"Reina, you've done a lot to be recognized, and you're strong. You're a fighter and a defender. You change, pivot when you need to." Quinn kissed the woman's forehead gently.

"Not many can do that."

Quinn let her hands fall, caressing the Ronin's arms as she continued to listen. To fight a friend, a friend that was on the side you once were on… it was a situation that Quinn had no experience in. She had always been where she was; friends never stayed long enough to betray her. She was at a complete loss on how to comfort Reina in this matter.

Still, she listened and guided the woman towards the chaise near the windows. Sitting, she pulled Reina to her and let the woman find comfort in her touch.

"Scratched her?" It took Quinn a moment to recall Reina's unique abilities. Scarring the face of someone that you were supposed to be friends with felt intimate. It means the fight was close. Quinn looked over Reina as she continued to speak and noticed the wound in her shoulder. Frowning, Quinn reached forward and began to let the warmth of the Force begin to etch skin.

She wasn't like a Jedi; it wasn't a pleasant feeling, but she could ease the pain another way. As the healing took place, Quinn would soften the pain through the Force, pulling it towards her. Her jaw would tighten as she endured.

She left Reina in a better state than before, but this was as much as the Echani could handle right now. The same hand cupped Reina's face as she forced the woman to look up.

"You're not an awful friend." Quinn shook her head, "Sometimes the Force brings people into our lives to teach us something. Maybe this friend was meant to test you — to see how much resolve you've managed…" She leaned in and brushed her lips against the Siren's gently. Her lips moved, trailing along Reina's chin and jaw till she breathed softly against the shell of the woman's ear.

"You are good enough," she whispered, her face nuzzling gently against the Siren.

"You kept your promise, and you continue to keep your promise. You always return to me, you're neither early nor late… just right on time when I need you."

Quinn smiled softly as she forced her way into the Ronin's arms; she wanted to feel Reina, almost to make sure she had completely made it back. More kisses peppered the woman's face as she held her.

"Why are you concerned about this friend? If she was important… if she valued you — she wouldn't have fought you?"