Private Of Yearning Hearts

[Torva Vikar]

Mandalore

After what felt like far too long, Torva finally had a chance to do something she’d been longing to do since that fateful night some weeks back: message Jaren and see if he was available for a get-together, especially now that she had some free time on her hands.

It would be the first time they had seen each other face to face since the Zinder event, and so she hoped and prayed that he would have some free time available as well. She had yet to cook him a steak, or bake him any of her goodies. She wanted the chance to do so, to prove to him the claims she had made in the light of the bonfire - and so much more. She had wanted to learn more about him, his likes and dislikes. She wanted to have the chance to see his smithing work in person, and to finally give him the small gift she’d been working on in their absence, when time had allowed for it.

But as she sat down and opened up the datapad and pulled up Jaren’s contact information, Torva hesitated. She chewed her bottom lip as a sudden jitter of nerves came over her.

What if he had lost interest? What if he had moved on? She half expected it to have happened; she wasn’t naive enough to think that what had started to blossom between them was what others might call “love” - but there certainly was a strong attraction there.

They had kissed. Perhaps foolishly, recklessly, in hindsight. They had only just met, afterall.

But Torva had heard stories of others finding their partners and doing the same - knowing in their heart that the other person was someone special, someone to pursue and not let go. She had felt that way with him…did he feel the same about her?

There was only one way to know for certain - and so she pulled her courage together and sent him the message:

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Hey Jaren! I hope you are well. I finally have some free time on my hands, I thought maybe we could actually meet up and spend some time together in person, if you are available? I still owe you a steak and some cookies you know. Talk to ya soon! -Torva​

The red head’s thumb hovered over the ‘Send’ button for a heartbeat or two, before she pressed it and exhaled a breath she had been holding. She sat back on the couch, and stared at the screen for a moment longer. Now, all she could do was wait and see if he would respond. He was a busy man, sometimes he would go days between responses. She told herself that she understood why, but there was still that voice in the back of her mind that made her uncertain. ​

Jaren Kast ​

 

[Jaren Kast]

Wearing:
Lightsabre​

HUTT SPACE

The din of blaster fire roared overhead.

Situations like this were becoming far too familiar for the young Mandalorian. In-between the many battles and conquests of his homeland, Jaren had jumped on a rather lucrative opportunity. On paper, the mission seemed pretty straightforward: waltz into a cantina and put a bolt between the eyes of an unlucky Hutt. However, he should have known that nothing in Hutt Space ever went down simply.

When Jaren arrived, he didn't find a lively cantina. He found a bonafide spice operation - and they were not thrilled to have an unannounced guest. As one could imagine, there was no "I made a wrong turn" that would get him out of this. So, sparks began to fly. It was while Jaren was ducked behind a few cargo crates, reloading his blaster pistol when the message popped up.

Torva? Torva!

The Mandalorian's heart soared in his chest, so much so that he was nearly smacked by a bolt whizzing over his head. It struck the wall before him, causing sparks which shook him out of his stupor. It had been ages since he had seen the young woman. So long that he thought maybe she had forgotten about him. But this just proved that her words were indeed true: things just got busy and they'd figure it out, together.

He smiled beneath his helm and dove from behind the crate, letting his blaster sing.​

When it was all said and done, Jaren had a few new scorch marks on his beskar'gam to polish out...and a lovely stack of credits to cash in. Perhaps he'd use them to take Torva somewhere fancy? Would that be too for-oh crap! He had to say something! Quickly he began to word a reply via his helm:

All is well. Seeing you would be nice. Heading back to Mandalore now. Sundari? Talk soon.
- JK​

The Mandalorian, satisfied, nodded and immediately headed to his ship. If there were speed limits in space, he would have been breaking them from the second liftoff occurred.

Torva Vikar

 

[Torva Vikar]

Sundari, Mandalore

An alert on her datapad alerted Torva that she had received a message, and she snapped out of her daydreaming in an instant to see who or what it was. To her utter delight, it was from Jaren. She read the message once, then twice, a smile blooming across her freckled face. He was well, and he wanted to see her again!

And! He was on his way to Mandalore!

Adrenaline, excitement, flooded through Torva’s veins. She had no idea where Jaren was coming from, but she didn’t want to keep him waiting longer than what might be necessary should he reach Sundari before she did.

Her fingers trembled slightly from her elevated excitement as she put together a response for him:

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Sundari it is! Not too far from the star port is a little hole in the wall cafe we could meet at, if you’d like? I’ll be sitting outside - you won’t miss me. See you soon! ​

Torva hit send before thinking too much further on it, and quickly rose to her feet and, after spending some time fussing over her appearance and making sure she at least looked somewhat presentable in her beskar’gam, Torva made her way out and towards the domed capital of Mandalore.

Once within Sundari proper, Torva made her way towards the little cafe she had mentioned to Jaren and found seating outside (though under an awning for shade). There, she waited patiently, either playing with the frizzled ends of her coppery red hair that flamed red in the sun, or skimming through her datapad to pass the time and somewhat distract her wandering mind. With each moment that ticked by, she could feel the rise of her anticipation and with it, her pulse. She caught herself looking up and through the streets towards the star port more and more, blue eyes eager to catch a glimpse of a familiar face, the familiar red band in the shock of black hair.

When she didn’t see anyone she recognized, she returned her attention back to the pad in front of her, and absentmindedly continued to play with her hair or chew on her lip. Anytime now… she told herself. The anxious butterflies were growing in her belly, making her antsy. Soon her foot was tapping on the ground beneath her, and she was searching the street more and more.

Then she tried not to look so desperate, silently chiding herself for it. She was a Mandalorian, she needed to stay composed and alert, but not fired up. So she tried her breathing exercises while she waited, practicing finding her center, as she had been taught.

Might as well make use of the time while I wait…

But in truth - it was simply just another means of distraction for Torva. Anything to keep her excitement under control.​

Jaren Kast ​

 

[Jaren Kast]

Wearing:
Lightsabre​

SUNDARI, MANDALORE

The protocols took forever.

Nine times out of ten, one could land in Sundari's Starport without issue. It was simply a matter of calling in your vessel's identification and being pointed to an appropriate landing pad. But today? The one time where Jaren had somewhere he wanted to be? That was the day that some yahoo decided to clog up the process.

When Jaren's starship lurched out of hyperspace, he did the usual. He called in his ship and expected a prompt answer from the controller. He did, eventually, get a response...but it was word that a freighter had horrendously malfunctioned on takeoff and was now gobbling up multiple pads due to hazardous materials. The Mandalorian groaned into his flight stick at the news.

The issue was cleared in a matter of time and Jaren was permitted to land, eventually. And as soon as his ship settled down, the Mandalorian practically broke out in a sprint. He pulled up the message from Torva and eyed the cafe she had spoke of. It wasn't hard to miss. But what stood out even more was the fiery hair waiting for him out front.

Jaren slowed to a jog upon nearing the cafe and caught his breath behind his helm. And...it was then that he realized he didn't actually freshen up between the job and the trip over. He half wondered if he smelled like blaster fire mixed with metal; but there wasn't any time to do anything about it now. All he could do was pry off his helmet, mop off any sweat on his brow, and do his best to make his hair look presentable.

All of which he did so before striding up to Torva's table. He greeted her with a genuine smile and pointed to the seat in front of her.

"Pardon me miss, is this seat taken?"

Torva Vikar

 

[Torva Vikar]

Sundari, Mandalore

Torva shifted in her seat and crossed one leg over the other, lounging a bit in the chair at the small table outside the cafe. Periodically, she would glance up from her datapad to study her surroundings, eye the people coming and going around her, looking towards the starport more than she really wanted to admit she was. All to try and catch sight of Jaren when he arrived.

Enough time passed for her jittery and excited nerves to settle a bit; she was tempted to message him again, but she refrained. She was not going to come across as needy or desperate, no matter how excited she was to see him again. She waited patiently, and - eventually - her patience was rewarded.

An approaching figure, and a deep male voice, reached her ears and Torva looked up to see him, black hair somewhat disheveled (though he certainly had attempted to make it presentable), his armor scuffed and bearing the signs of wear and tear. His smile was genuine and she almost shrieked in joy at seeing him again, finally.

She kept herself contained, barely. She was rather proud of that.

“Not at all, the seat's all yours.” Torva replied, her smile spreading across her face as a touch of pink colored her freckles cheeks. Her azure eyes were a-gleam with excitement and something else that couldn’t quite be named. Seeing him in the light of Mandalore’s sun revealed just how rugged and handsome he was. She felt her pulse skip a beat in her chest, and more pink rose its way to the surface of her skin.

“I am glad you could make it out here, Jaren. It is good to see you again.” Torva said, watching him take the seat just opposite from her at the little table. She let her gaze drift over him, taking him in, remembering the night at the Zinder fire. That memory made her smile brighten even further.

He was real, not a figment of her imagination, not a dream she had made up. He was flesh and blood and he was here, at her table.

“Oh! Would you like something to drink? I can go in and order us something if you'd like?” the red head asked, gesturing towards the inner parts of the cafe just behind them. ​

Jaren Kast ​