Private Papers Please || Luna

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

Another routine afternoon..

There was one combination that the Knight found absolutely abhorrent. The glaring heat of Ryloth's sun, combined with a starport's plethora of metal. No matter where Abel managed to situate himself, there was no shortage of heat being blasted upon his flesh. Such conditions worked to make the Obsidian warrior quite irritable, though he did his best to keep himself in check. Given the shortage of able bodies of late, the duties of the Knighthood were shared between an increasingly diminished pool. Therefore, Abel had to work longer hours, upon many more worlds. He did so without complaint, though he wouldn't say no to a week or two off in the near future.

Feth it, maybe three.

In the moment, his gaze was settled upon a datapad. Though spice was no longer illicit within the southern systems, thanks to some liberal legislation on the part of the Confederacy, it was highly regulated. Essentially, Ryloth and the remainder of the nation would get their cut from any bad habits - which meant it fell to the enforcers of law to ensure policy was adhered to. For a change, smugglers could actually come out in broad daylight, but their paperwork had to be in order. That in of itself was a nightmare, and one that had fallen to Abel to sort out.

Pausing to mob sweat from his brow, the Knight scoured the list of names upon the pad. Nothing out of the ordinary, until he came upon one in particular. He paused. Squinted. And chuckled aloud. "Well no chit." he breathed, shaking his head. It seemed a blast from the past had landed in his neck of the woods - which meant, he has the unalienable right to feth with his old "friend." If one could call her that. After all, did smugglers even have friends? Chit, back in the day, did Enforcers?

Close enough.

Abel strode confidently to the unremarkable rig. He assumed that it had been chosen as to not arouse suspicion wherever she landed. Not too rich. Not a rust bucket. Somewhere in the middle. At this point, the cargo bay was open, ramp extended. The Knight welcomed himself aboard and smirked.

"Hands where I can see 'em."​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

“Yeah, Happy. I heard you the first three frackin’ times.” Luna’s fingers gripped her ship’s steering yolk as she began the landing cycle in Ryloth’s spaceport. It was one of the few places that she didn’t mind visiting; the colorful skin and vibrant clothing of its inhabitants were always eye-catching and it wasn’t as slimy as many of the planets that the young Smuggler found herself frequenting. A series of grumpy droid beeps and whistles went off behind Luna as she began to switch off the ship's controls.

“Well fix it. That’s your job, remember? I don’t want to end up stranded here so figure out what’s going on with the power damper, alright?” As she shifted in her seat, Luna pulled out a small bottle that held a handful of small, white pills. Popping one in her mouth, she let it roll around as she finished powering down the ship. She had grown accustomed to their bitter taste and welcomed it. Soon, the frustrations she felt towards Happy would at least fade, for the time being as she began to sift through the cargo. As the silver and yellow astromech droid rolled away, it gave a loud and obnoxious noise. “Yeah, Yeah. I hate you too.”

Giving a deep sigh as Luna blew a strand of her white hair from her face, she let her emerald orbs scan the cockpit to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. Pocketing the small bottle, she made her way to the cargo bay where she hoped that everything down there had made it with little interruptions from space turbulence. Luna never asked what she was smuggling and she didn’t care. All she knew was it was credits and the less the items shifted the better considering she hardly ever knew what they contained. But it wasn’t long before Luna heard a voice behind her as she crouched down to inspect one of the many cargo containers. "Hands where I can see 'em."

The voice was all too familiar. Luna began to curse to herself as she slowly stood up to her full height. Raising her gloved hands a bit, she turned around to see the one being she had hoped she wouldn’t find on Ryloth. “Well frack me.” Her emerald eyes blazed at the figure in front of her; Abel Denko. The two of them were well acquainted in the fact that he had always seemed to be there when she wanted to be undetected. Abel wandered on the good side of the law. While she, on the other hand, almost always refused to. Luna didn’t know what he was a part of and she didn’t fully care. She only cared that it left him in her way while she was trying to do her job. “Well hey, Blondie. It’s been a while.”

Luna gave her best charming voice and a lopsided smile crested on her face as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. He was handsome in a heroic way and Luna was never afraid to flirt with anyone in any situation if it meant getting herself out of trouble. It was her nature and as a scoundrel, she prided herself on doing so and after many failed attempts at an actual relationship, she'd given up on any prospects in her future. “Tanning those muscles in this heat?” Leaning up against the largest cargo container behind her she kept her hands raised, but Abel didn't specify anything else and Luna wasn’t about ready to comply in full. “I’m pretty sure there are better vacationing spots. Try a beach or somewhere less dry.”

•••
SINGLE | 33 | HETEROSEXUAL | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | @tag​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

Well frack me.

Slowly, the chapter of the Knight's past turned around. Her gloved hands ascended and her form leaned against one of the many cargo containers. The fact that she didn't turn on her heel and fire a blaster bolt into his chest was a large improvement. If memory served, their first meeting was far less benign as the day's. In fact, it left Abel's brand new cuirass with an unfixable hole. Today, at the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about getting a new piece of equipment. But, he wouldn't push any buttons.

At her first words, the hold came alive with his chuckle. He offered a genuine smile and took a step forward. Datapad bouncing upon his hand, as if he was contemplating what to do with the smuggler. "I'm on the clock, but if you're offering - how can I resist?" He strode forward, brimming with that same confidence she'd recall from months past. His azure gaze would settle upon her own, before giving her a once over. Respectfully of course.

The datapad raised and gingerly tapped the top of her hair.

"I'd say it's been too long." he began. "Haven't seen you in, what, half a year? More?"

The remark regarding tanning his muscles illicited another chuckle. "I'd love nothing more than to be at the beach, feet kicked up. But somebody - three guesses who - can't seem to get their paperwork right." To this end, he offered the woman the datapad. There were declarations missing, a big red flag in today's Galaxy. She didn't know what was in the cargo, and didn't put even a vague description. That was enough to warrant rifling through her employer's goods at most. At least? A small fine for not having one's ducks in a row.

"Now, I can be a good cop and write a ticket. Or, a bad cop and take a bribe." He stepped back, settling his posterior upon one of the smaller crates. His face said he was clearly amused at the situation.

"What'll it be?"​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

Abel was a lot more forward than Luna remembered her endless flirting hadn’t really been returned; at least as she remembered. Luna had felt like his job came before anything else. It had been a while since they’d seen each other but last time hadn’t gone the way he might have hoped it would; she had pulled some of her shenanigans leaving them to get into a shootout and her slipping away, like usual. But it was how it was meant to go. The good guy chasing the less good guy in an endless loop until one or both got tired. She suspected, at least on this very day that Abel was tired. Or else, she would have been cuffed already. But it didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to take advantage of the situation.

Her emerald eyes locked on the man as he closed in on her. "I'm on the clock, but if you're offering - how can I resist?" Her flirting clearly hadn’t gone unreturned this time and it only made the Smuggler’s grin grow even more as she fired back. “Bedroom is in the back. I got time.” The two of them weren’t far off in height as Luna was tall for a female which left her being able to look directly into his eyes without having to look up far if any and as she did, she swung her hand backward, her thumb leading to the direction from the cargo bay into the heart of the ship. "I'd say it's been too long. Haven't seen you in, what, half a year? More?”

Feeling the tapping sensation on her head, Luna let her hands fall to her side at this point, as it was clear she didn’t have a weapon on hand and for the moment, she had no plans on shooting him. At least, yet. “Something like that, I’m surprised you can’t remember as you seemingly do everything else, Abel. I’d like to think of myself as...unforgettable."

Luna paused for a moment, pretending to think as her pointer finger tapped her chin momentarily. "But if I recall, as well, you shot off some obscene sediment as I ran off and slipped off the planetside.” The man then went on blaming her for the lack of vacation which caused her face to twist into another grin as she watched him sit on one of the many crates in the cargo bay. Happy rolled in giving a series of beeps and whistles before his sensors made contact with Abel and the droid quickly left as if he was the one in trouble for all of this. Raising an eyebrow, she pretended to give a little offended pout as she placed her hands on her hips. “It wouldn’t be little ol’ me. I would never want to cause your handsome face any issues. Just a humble smuggler making her way through the Galaxy.”

The heat had begun to radiate into the cargo bay causing Luna to peel off her gloves and cast them aside on the crate she had been leaning on. She had forgotten how warm this planet could get. "Now, I can be a good cop and write a ticket. Or, a bad cop and take a bribe."

“Maybe I like a bad cop.” She gave a bit of a laugh as she extended her hands above her head for dramatic effects as if her hands were being cuffed above her messy white hair. “Handcuff me officer and take me away, please.” Luna’s endless flirting just followed the conversation as it went as she made her way over to him and crossed her arms as she looked him over; her emerald orbs didn’t shy away from his overall figure. He was well built and attractive and she wasn’t afraid to appreciate that in the slightest. “It all depends on what you want for a bribe.” The young smuggler’s expression was now mischievous as she leaned in slightly, trying to negotiate with him.
“I’m sure we could come to an... agreement. I’d really hate to have to shoot at you again.” She paused, giving a playful wink.​

•••
SINGLE | 33 | HETEROSEXUAL | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | @tag​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

Bedroom is in the back. I got time.

For as much as things changed, on the part of the Knight, some things remained the same. Luna, for as much as Abel recalled, was still a relentless flirt. When the job wasn't involved? She was some of the best company a guy could ask for. Easily could keep up with running through a bottle of anything. For as seldom as they saw one another, Abel regarded the smuggler as a reflection of home. Not of Naboo and its gilded halls that he now returned to - but of Nar Shaddaa where he was born. Of those mean streets where one lived or died by their wits and grit.

As she motioned, thumb towards the heart of the vessel, Abel's lips curved into a grin. Tempting. Yet, outside of the obvious breaching of his job description, there was something sobering in the moment. For as subtle of a movement that was, it was enough to joustle the contents of her pocket. The pills rattled, lightly muffled by the fabrics. But just enough that Abel heard them. His expression remained the same - amused, appreciative of the view.

But for now, the game would remain just that - a game. His previous once over had told him a little bit, the sound a little bit more. She was a reflection of Home alright - its blessings and its curses. "Tempting. Tempting." he remarked, tapping his chin, before inquiring about how long it had been. Then, he tapped the datapad upon her head - and he chuckled at her response. "You're right about that, you are unforgettable. But, lately, days are blurring together. Months of doing the same chit really gets to you after awhile."

By now, his head turned at the noise made by the astromech. His mention of her paperwork causing issues caused one heck of a response. A pout. Hands on hips. Abel shook his head, amused all the more. "Humble, sure, but your 'i's' aren't dotted and your 't's' aren't crossed. Which means handsome faces like mine have to be in your biz."

Once settled upon the crate, the good cop/bad cop offer hung in the air. And Luna seemed more than happy to be cuffed and "taken." But, she was amicable to a deal, in her own unique...excessively pretty way. The Knight's lips resumed their smirk. His gaze locked upon hers for but a moment, and his tone was simple - yet serious.

"I'll make this headache vanish for one thing - Stay." he began. His dominant hand then motioned around them. "Plenty of work in the southern systems. And with the right paperwork, you'll be sitting pretty 'round these parts." Wink.

Why this, and not a romp in the captain's quarters? The rattle in her pocket said all he needed to hear. Her face and form, compared to last time, spoke volumes. The changes were subtle, but enough that Abel could recognize the guillotine looming over her head. She lived a free life, sure. But it'd be a brief one. And when last he tried to talk some sense? Well, that cuirass still had a hole in it.

"What do you say? We got a deal?"​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

"Tempting. Tempting." You're right about that, you are unforgettable. But, lately, days are blurring together. Months of doing the same chit really get to you after a while."

Luna simply nodded, agreeing with him on that. Some days it felt like she was on autopilot; the days all seemingly one large one that never seemed to end. The daze of pills and booze more than likely didn’t help with that. But it kept the nightmares and haunting memories away of what she’d experienced. Happy was the only one that kept her in check and while she hated the little poodoo, she was thankful she had someone to argue with on a daily.

"Humble, sure, but your 'i's' aren't dotted and your 't's' aren't crossed. Which means handsome faces like mine have to be in your biz." Abel’s words brought her back for a moment, causing her smirk to return. Despite everything, she could rely on him for a good laugh or a smile. And despite most of the time, it being all business, he would have been one of the few that she actually did trust in the Galaxy. Even if she didn’t tell him that. “Yeah, well, you see… You make it sound like a bad thing. I think you don’t realize that’s what I want.” The two of them seemingly were lost in their own thoughts again; he seemed to be contemplating something and she, well… she was trying not to contemplate at all.

"I'll make this headache vanish for one thing - Stay. Plenty of work in the southern systems. And with the right paperwork, you'll be sitting pretty 'round these parts."

Luna’s smile turned into a genuine one as she looked down. There was weight behind Abel’s words, this time. No jokes, minimal flirting. But would he ask her to stay if he knew what she really was? What she had on her back? Giving a bit of a weary sigh, her usually confident and flirtatious persona slipping without realization she sat on the edge of the crate that his backside occupied. Luna leaned into his shoulder some, her back against him as she looked at the wall in front of her. “I...Can’t.” She let her words hang in the air before speaking again; her tone much different than usual. Quiet. Soft. “I’ve got some real heavy stuff on my back. If I stop, it’ll all catch up and in the end, I won’t be the only one to suffer for it.”

Rast Evanstance was the ugliest being that Luna ever knew. He was cruel and cold and calculating; destroying anything in his path to get what he wanted. He abused Luna in more ways than she could ever say, making her an addict, maiming her, and ruining any chance of her living what would consider a normal life. She would never be able to have a family. That had been taken from her as well and no being was stupid enough to listen and want to be near her once they saw the black marks she had on her. She was tired. She wouldn't admit it to anyone. Her whole body somehow kept going when it felt like her whole being had completely suspended itself in time. “And then a few pieces of fracked up papers will be the least of my worries." She paused for a moment. "Besides, if I stuck around, you'd get tired of my backside real quick."​

•••
SINGLE | 33 | HETEROSEXUAL | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | @tag​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

I think you don't realize that's what I want.

The pieces were slowly beginning to come together. Though she uttered this thought with the same flirtatious tone, there was something laced between the lines. Or, at least Abel was hoping he was reading the room correctly. Nonetheless, her words were met with the same smirk. That is, until the Knight posed the criteria for handling her little paperwork issue. Unlike before, his tone was the furthest thing from flirtatious. He was genuine. Serious, but not in a threatening way. The effect was...as if a hammer had been thrown through a wall of glass.

The persona of flirtation faltered before Abel's eyes. She looked down, though a smile yet lingered upon her lips. The distance between them was breached in but a few steps, and she settled down beside him on the crate. Her shoulder against his. Her back upon his form. When last they were this close, a bottle laid empty on the floor. The conversations were vast that night. The closeness? Welcomed. Today was no different. Abel would simply lean into her form, letting her know he was perfectly fine with her doing so.

I...Can't.

Can't? The answer made the man's eyebrow raise ever so slightly. At first he though, maybe it was something related to her smuggling role. But he dismissed the thought. Better to not presume. Better to listen fully. There was a brief silence...and then her tone shifted. She was still indeed Luna...but her tone was soft. Quiet. Never before had he heard her speak this way. I've got some real heavy stuff on my back... came her explanation. Abel needed not to assume, as Luna had all but spelled it out for him. She was running. From something. Someone.

And whomever or whatever it was? It was enough that death by a thousand cuts was a better outcome. Pills. Drink. Orbiting the gutters of the Galaxy were better than facing whatever storm had her name on it. For several moments, the Knight was quiet. Contemplating. At one point, a sigh fell from his lips. In time, his dominant hand reached out and he turned, placing his grasp upon her leg.

"My job isn't just to hassle you about paperwork." he began. "I'm an Obsidian Knight. My whole bread and butter is dealing with heavy stuff." In tandem with his words, he offered a confident smile.

"Whatever it is that's after you? It can't harm a hair on your head. Not while you're with me." This he spoke with a genuine conviction. He was no God of the Force. Not a legendary Sith Emperor. Hell, he wasn't even a telekinetic whiz like his elder sibling. But he was damn good at his job. And for Luna? For...a friend? Chit, he'd be even better. His hand gave her leg a light squeeze.

"So how's about this instead. Fall off the grid, crash at my place. Plenty of room. So much room, in fact, it'll be impossible to get sick of you."

So much room that maybe she could truly rest, even a little.​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

She had no idea how he managed to do it. Luna had been in plenty of firefights. She’d used anything she had on her to take down a threat. Nothing ever broke through the walls both physically and mentally; they were tough as durasteel and she had years of practice. And yet, here she was wondering how it was possible. The young Smuggler could feel Abel lean into her and she was content to stay there for as long as she could. They’d be here before but the walls for her had still been up. She knew how to respond with that comfort. She knew how to behave. But like this? She didn’t know.

It seemed like time was lost until Luna felt his strong hand on her leg. She didn’t make eye contact just yet; she wasn’t sure she could, afraid her emerald orbs would give away how she felt. My job isn't just to hassle you about paperwork. I'm an Obsidian Knight. My whole bread and butter is dealing with heavy stuff."

She knew he was trying to relieve her of any stress she was feeling about the situation. But it was something she wasn’t sure would ever go away, at least as long as Rast was alive and breathing. He was supposed to be dead. But she had been too weak to make sure she had killed him the first time. That had been a mistake she regretted ever since she found out he was still breathing and hunting her. "Whatever it is that's after you? It can't harm a hair on your head. Not while you're with me."

Luna finally looked up at him, her eyes locked onto his as if nothing else was around them. Abel didn’t know how deep this all went and where it came from. And while she knew he was strong, Rast was just as strong, if not stronger. He wasn’t just a singular person but a pack of mercenaries that were just as bloodthirsty as he. She tried to keep her eyes from giving anything away, but she could almost feel the flicker of sadness and fear in them as she tried to find her voice. “You can’t save me from this. No one can.” The words were heavier than she anticipated and Luna found her hand reaching for his instinctively giving it a small squeeze.

"So how's about this instead. Fall off the grid, crash at my place. Plenty of room. So much room, in fact, it'll be impossible to get sick of you." The woman tried her best to pull herself back together and she used this as a bouncing point to do so. She wasn’t back to what she was at the start of the conversation but her voice was a bit less heavy and the notes in her words working their way back to what they were before.“You’d be surprised.” She paused, clearing her throat as Happy rolled back in seemingly annoyed that she hadn’t moved from the cargo bay in some time. He gave a couple of blurbs as he came up to them, leaving Luna to give Abel’s hand one last squeeze before standing. “No, Happy. You’ll have to help me take care of the cargo when they arrive later. I-” Happy protested even more before Luna cut him off as he had so rudely to her. “No, don’t give me pooodo. He’s not going anywhere and you need to go finish doing a maintenance check on the ship. We are going to be here for an extended time and I want to make sure she’s ready to go when I am.”

She glanced over at Abel hoping he realized that she had decided to stay, at least for a short while. As Happy wandered off disgusted in his own droid way Luna rubbed her temple. “He’s like a child, I swear.” Looking back up, she ran the same hand that had been on her temple through her messy white hair. “I can’t promise I can stay very long. But I’ll do my best.”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

The air felt heavy.

Of all the things in the Galaxy, the Force was among the most fickle. It could create life. It could empower mere mortals until they were godlike. But seldom could one ascertain its motives. Even now, it silently worked to peel back some of the mystery surrounding the ashen-haired woman. After Abel settled his hand upon her leg, her emerald gaze found his own. And though her expression did not betray any of the burden resting upon her shoulders, the air around them felt...different. It was as if a weight had been added to every breath taken. Abel could feel the myriad of emotions flowing just beneath the surface.

Pain. Sadness. Fear. To add credence to this fact, her words were just as somber. You can't save me from this. No one can. In short order, the Knight found that his hand was no longer alone. She reached out and took it, giving it a gentle squeeze. His fingers, instinctively, curled around her own. "Whatever is after you...wants you to believe that there is no Hope." His hand now gave hers a light squeeze, and the Knight radiated with that same confidence she'd come to know.

"But there is always Hope."

He was starting to sound like a true Jedi, and not the gutter-filth-turned-noble that he thought he was. Nonetheless, the tone soon shifted. The offer hung in the air, and she did not give an immediate response. Rather, she said you'd be surprised in regards to it being impossible to get sick of her. He smiled - and then the astromech droid came zooming back into the cargo hold. It was ironic that Abel did not understand a single beep or buzz that it uttered. Ironic because he was employed by the droid capital of the Galaxy. Nonetheless, his hand came to rest upon his hip as Luna rose.

It was Luna's own words that were the dead giveaway. We are going to be here for an extended time... was the key clue. She then glanced over to him, remarking about how the astromech droid was akin to a child. "He's good company." came the Knight's observation, before returning to the larger development. She couldn't promise that she could stay very long, but staying at all was one hell of a development. The Knight rose, fingers returning to the datapad momentarily. He tapped and scrolled, using his "might" to remedy all the problem areas. Once finished, he offered the pad to her, motioning for her to 'sign on the dotted line' that everything was correct.

"Your best is more than enough." he replied, grinning. "And, you'll be pleased to know, where I live isn't this lovely world of heat. I reside on Naboo. Lake Country. I even have a view now."

He then motioned towards the cargo around them. "I can lend a hand in getting this sorted, and then, before we head off, you're getting something to eat. My treat."

Unlike with the "bribe", his tone said one thing in particular - he wasn't really asking.​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

Abel’s words lingered in her mind about hope. Luna knew that the man wasn’t wrong but the darkness that had followed her around her whole life like a curse just wasn’t giving her a chance to believe that. It was easier to believe that the entire person’s will was enough to get by but now, Luna began to wonder if she was wrong about that. "He's good company."

Luna gave a small smirk at the thought of Happy actually being good company. In a way, he was right. But in others, well, the droid sometimes caused more issues than not. “He is until he threatens to kill you in your sleep.” She was half-joking and half-serious with that sediment as she turned to the datapad that was being offered to her. Able made good on his end of the “bribe” allowing Luna to sign off to make things look much more..official.

"Your best is more than enough." His boyish smile was always welcomed and Luna knew she could look at it all day if he’d let her. "And, you'll be pleased to know, where I live isn't this lovely world of heat. I reside on Naboo. Lake Country. I even have a view now."

From the sound of it, Abel had made his way up in the Galaxy. Naboo, from what Luna remembered was nothing but lush greenery and cool winds with vast lakes. As a scoundrel, it wasn’t a place she had frequented but she had been there once a long time ago. “Oh?” Luna began moving some of the crates to the edge of the Cargo Bay ramp with a repulsor lift she had handy. Enough time had passed that the clients picking up the cargo were due to arrive soon. “Somehow, I can imagine you there. Naboo suits that handsome face of yours.” Luna’s voice still hinted oh so slightly at her vulnerable state but had begun to reclaim itself, allowing her words be more...Luna.

"I can lend a hand in getting this sorted, and then, before we head off, you're getting something to eat. My treat." Eating was something Luna forgot to do most of the time. She was always focused on her work and more than half the time she was piss drunk passed out if she wasn’t doing her job. She knew that it wasn't an offer and Abel was telling her, this time. “I appreciate it.” She paused for a moment, giving the man a long look. “I mean it.”

Happy came back momentarily to pass off a crate key for one of the many pieces that were sitting there. Whatever was in these, must have been important. As Happy left for the last time, he let out one more series of whistles and beeps. “I’m NOT a picky eater. And how would you know, huh? You’re a droid.” Giving a deep sigh she let the repulsor lift do most of the heavy lifting. “As long as it’s not icefish. The last time I had that, I didn’t walk straight for a week.”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

He is until he threatens to kill you in your sleep.

Though the air was yet heavy, things were beginning to brighten. Her tone began to have that snary edge that defined her. Abel chuckled at the joke regarding the astromech and awaited the returning of the datapad. She was prompt in making things "legal" inside the cargo hold. And sure enough, that would make things a lot easier flying around the southern systems. The Knight had been certain to throw in some extra clearances, just for her own peace of mind. When it was all said and done, Abel send the forms off with a single tap and the rest was history.

They moved onto the subject of lodgings, and Luna was quick to compliment him. The flirting had returned, and all seemed to be just as they had left them a moment prior. Luna began attending to the crates, moving them onto a repulsorlift nearby. Naboo suits that handsome face of yours. "It'll suit that pretty mug of yours just fine too." came his reply. Complete with that boyish grin she enjoyed so much.

Upon his insistance to insist - and more importantly feed her - Abel was met with zero resistance. She thanked him, pausing in her efforts to give him a long look. He could see just how genuine she was in her expression, leading the Knight to sweep his offhand through his hair nonchalantly. "It's what friends are for. Don't mention it." His words were uttered, earnestly. And he offered that coy wink. That, admittedly, was the first time he had ever put a word to whatever it was they had going on between them. The blaster bolts firing, the infrequency of visits - but laughs when they happened...friends. Yeah. That made sense. It was a label that fit for the time being.

Well, until Luna decided to cash in benefits. The beeping of the astromech droid pulled Abel's head out of the gutter. Apparently, it was accusing her of being a picky eater. Abel laughed aloud. Going so long without food really eliminated preferences when it came to grub. He knew this all too well. In his current status, he had the luxury of being choosy with meals. But growing up? He ate what he could get his hands on. He figured the Smuggler knew this, and lived this, all too well. As long as it's not icefish... She said, to which Abel shook his head.

While Luna relied on the repulsorlift, Abel relied upon his "talents." A mere whim saw the Force respond - and one after another, crates began to move. He settled them at the direction of the astromech zipping in a circle at the end of the ramp. "I can guarantee, what I have in mind isn't icefish. You'll like it though, promise." By their efforts combined, it didn't take long to see to the cargo bay. And in short order, Abel was escorting his "friend" through the streets of the starport. Due to the hour, the hustle and bustle had died down ever so slightly. Which was good, it meant his favorite stall wouldn't be too busy.

The smell of Atrisian spices would greet them as they approached. It was a modest booth, set just outside a used parts shop. There were a handful of stools, Atrisian script on the banners, and an aging man at the center of it all. "Nagi! What's on the menu today?" Abel said, before motioning for Luna to sit beside him upon one of the stools. "Got some fresh stuff in today, you're in luck. Actual beef and pork - but it'll cost you." Abel grinned and slapped a pile of credits on the countertop.

"Two bowls. Fully loaded." he ordered, before motioning towards Luna. "It's her first time, so make it extra special." The man called Nagi laughed and got to work. And in no time flat, were two bowls of piping hot ramen set before them. Soft-boiled egg. Seaweed strips. Pork. Beef. Noodles. All swimming in a golden broth that made even Abel ravenous. He leaned over and nudged Luna's arm, beaming.

"There's more where that came from." He said. But his meaning? You don't need to worry. Not right now.​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

"It'll suit that pretty mug of yours just fine too." Another one of Abel’s signature grins. Luna didn’t say anything other than reflect his smile back at him with one of her own. She hardly thought of herself as attractive. Her body was littered with scars and there had been one on her face as well. No strings attached one-night stands didn’t require good looks, only good experiences and she had been fine with that. Those walls wouldn't a lot for anything else.

Luna had no idea where all of this was headed but what she did know, if she were to stick around even for the shortest of times, it’d be with him. Their relationship was a mix of friendship and flirting and this suited Luna just fine. Or did it? He was the most stable person that had been in and out of her life up to this point and despite all of the flirting and trouble she gave him, she wasn’t sure why she felt a spark of conflict rising within her.

"It's what friends are for. Don't mention it." She was at least glad the two of them agreed on something. The spark was still there, but instead of letting herself acknowledge it, she kept herself busy, watching him use his invisible abilities to move the cargo around. It reminded her of when her father would come around; he had been a Jedi and Luna always found it fascinating when he would move things without touching them. She made a mental note to ask Abel about such a skill later; she could never figure out how it was done.

After a promise of no icefish, a job well done, Luna found herself keeping strides with the man; her eyes and senses taking everything in around them as they went. It was a comfortable silence and it left Luna lost in thought about how the day's events had taken a full turn around. She had figured by now, she’d be out cold; drunk, and high without another thought about the day.

But instead, she was here sitting down, a bowl of delicious-smelling soup, enjoying seeing Abel in a more relaxed and casual state as well as being a great companion by her side. Trying it, she found it delicious and much better than whatever leftover food she pulled out of her conservator. Finishing her few bites she finally spoke up, nodding in improvement. “This reminds me of a soup similar to what I used to make. Though this is way better.” Luna, despite all her flaws, was considered an excellent cook. The young Smuggler had used that to cope growing up and could turn anything into a gourmet meal. Being washed up as she was most of the time, anymore, she hardly cooked and instead relied on stuff that was easily thrown together from a box or can.

Luna continued to eat, letting a comfortable silence fall between them. But she didn’t let it distract her; always check around and behind her for anything that she deemed suspicious. She did this everywhere she went, always watching. After a little time, bowl almost empty and stomach almost full, she gently nudged Able with her shoulder. “So what have you been up to other than playing good cop bad cop?” She gave him a playful grin as she looked over at him. Luna wanted to know how Abel was doing, with interest. “It sounds like you’ve really moved up in the Galaxy.”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

It had been far too long.

The Knight paused for just a few moments, to ensure that the soup was to the liking of his friend. He watched, trademark smirk and all, as she sampled the golden broth. What he received was a significant nod of improvement. She said that the soup ios similar to one she used to make, though it was much better than her recipe. Abel lofted a brow at the news - it seemed as though he was learning bits and pieces about her with each passing moment. First, there was the dark cloud which had brought them together. Now? She had some culinary talents hidden up those sleeves.

"Didn't know you were a chef!" he remarked, before unwrapping his packet of chopsticks. His train of thought paused momentarily, just long enough for him to snap the sticks apart and to stir his meal. "I'm not the best cook, so takeout is usually my go-to." The admission was leaving out some minor details that would be revealed upon heading back to Skywind Estate. Prior to becoming the leader of his extended family, this saying was the simple truth. Either it was grilled cheese or takeout. But, with his newfound status, there were cooks and attendants in abundance.

Abel could easily have the assets of home whip him up meals at any time. But he much preferred the life he was accustomed to. A seedy corner with a questionable stall - finding out the hidden gems in the muck. Just like home. He may have been nobility now, but he was the same Abel Denko that hailed from the dirty streets.

For a few moments, a silence fell between them. It wasn't awkward, but rather, it was the definition of content. The sole noises between them were the scraping of utensil upon porcelain, or the gentle slurp of broth. That's when you know a meal was delicious - when each person had zero room for conversation. Luna was the first to break the silence. She reached out and nudged his shoulder, a move that saw him momentarily lower his chopsticks. Her question? Essentially, what had he been up to. He finished chewing his current bite and set the chopsticks down entirely. "Well," he began, "that's a long story."

He reached for the napkin settled on his lap, using the wiping of his chin as time to mull over how to abridge the tale. Once satisfied, he continued. "Found out that my grandfather is some big timer on Naboo, and that the extended fam are swimming with cash. But, because of money, they just wanted him dead so they could take it all. He wasn't about that. When we first met, he pissed them all off by naming me next in line." Abel shook his head - even now, he could hardly believe that he was actually the leader of his family. Sometimes, he fully expected to wake up in a ditch somewhere, realizing that it was all a dream. But for now, the dream continued.

"While all that got squared away, all Hell broke loose around these parts. And I mean that literally, all kinds of chit started breaking out from the Netherworld. Daemons. Monsters. They turned half the order into beasts, damn near killed the other half. I was lucky enough to be away from the madness when it went down. Now I'm just helping pick up the pieces..." He trailed off. There was an edge to his voice. Guilt. Sadness. He wished that he could have been there. Maybe if he had, some of his fellows might still be alive. Maybe his own brother wouldn't be damn near crippled. Instead he was fething off with nobles.

He waved his hand to dismiss the thought. "Anyway, that's about it. Now it's just work and deal with family chit." He then quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of my band of Force wizards, didn't you mention something about having Jedi in the family somewhere? How'd you end up Smuggling?"

Ball was back in her court, and far away from his survivor's guilt.​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

“Ah well… I guess you learn something new every day.” Luna scratched the back of her neck, not even realizing how she had let another thing about her slip out. It wasn’t as if it was a fact that she was hiding, it was just something, like everything else, that she kept to herself. “I grew up cooking; one of the few things that kept me sane. I must have made a dozen pies and perfected bantha steak and eggs by the time I was twelve.” She grinned, before finishing what was last in her bowl before leaning back again, content.

"I'm not the best cook, so takeout is usually my go-to." Luna nodded, understanding that completely. With the lack of cooking in the past year, she related to that on a different level. “It’s been a while, cooking. I’ll have to make you something that doesn’t come out of a container or a paper box. Maybe I'll teach you a trick or two.” She paused before giving him a rather devilish look before finishing. “I promise, I won’t poison it.”

Luna sat back and listened to Abel as their conversation shifted to her question. She was surprised to hear that he came from a family of Nobility. She figured he had gotten a high-paying job or was a part of something that made him comfortable. She nodded at times, her emerald eyes locked on his figure as he finished telling his tale. If anyone knew about family drama it was the young Smuggler. While the two of them were vastly different, it seemed that in some ways they were but the same. She pondered as she looked away for a moment. “In one way, you at least found family. And on the other hand…That’s a lot. Families are a fickle thing. But I have no doubt you're doing your best.” Pausing once again Luna wasn’t sure how to empathize without giving away all of her baggage.

Stretching some in her seat, she could almost sense the weight of his words as he had spoken. It was something he had been clearly dealing with and Luna knew that no matter what, even if she didn’t speak the words, she knew he’d pick up all the pieces and put them back together. He was good at that, she was slowly finding out. But it seemed that Abel was shifting the conversation back on her. Part of it was something she wanted to ask and part of it she wasn’t sure if she was ready to talk about. "Speaking of my band of Force wizards, didn't you mention something about having Jedi in the family somewhere? How'd you end up Smuggling?"

There it was; the conversation that she thought she’d never really had with anyone. But here she was, with Abel. The knot in her stomach grew as she looked down at her bowl and let her fingers run along the bowl’s rim in a circular motion. It was something she did when she was contemplating or nervous. Or both. “My father was a Jedi.” She paused, remembering all the times she was happy when he was around. Her voice had trailed off without her realizing with a tiny smile at the few fond memories she had. “I used to love it as a little girl when he’d make things magically float around the room. He was my hero.” Looking up at Abel for a moment, she finished.

In reality, now that she was older, Luna knew that the man more than likely had died in some way or another. But it didn’t excuse that he had left her with Rast, after pleading and telling him what his brother had been doing to her. She didn’t want to give Abel the details. She didn’t want to speak the words; it was as if they would take her pain and bring it back to reality. The pills and booze would have all been for nothing. Giving a deep sigh, she let her finger gently run the bowl again as she answered his second question. “Smuggling was the only thing I could think to do, to keep myself going. I didn’t do it for the occupation but rather the anonymity it gave me.” Luna paused, remembering how she had left Corellia and never came back. The pit in her stomach grew as she tried to speak again but nothing came out. “I-Uh…Yeah, that’s about it.” Her finger finally stopped rimming the bowl as the young Smuggler cleared her throat she tried to shift some in her seat.

“You working with those crates today reminded me of him.”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

Though light, the moment carried weight.

The Knight's surprise regarding Luna's ability to throw down in the kitchen caused yet another page to be revealed. It was not a monumental revelation, but the story was beginning to take shape all the more. Whatever Hell was on her tail had been there for quite some time. Long enough for her to cope via culinary mastery. In fact, by the time she was twelve, she had mastered all sorts of dishes. Abel didn't comment on the dark history, but rather beamed as she sat back. Her bowl had been completely drained, meaning that ol'Nagi did one heck of a job. "Room for dessert?" he asked, before providing a decent sized tip for the Atrisian gentlemen.

Meanwhile, Luna continued. She offered to cook him something, despite how long it had been since she had put together a meal. In fact, she'd even possible show him a trick or two in the kitchen. Anything that would improve his menu was welcomed. Grilled cheeses would only get a man so far in life after all. The Knight was about to express her gratitude when Luna gave him a rather devilish grin. I promise, I won't poison it. Abel rolled his eyes, playfully of course. "While I'll happily eat anything you make, and take any tips you have to offer, I will point out...love potions are poison." He coupled this with reached out, gingerly poking her forehead with his index finger.
"Don't get any ideas missey."

He then recounted what he had been up to all this time, and Luna nodded along all the way. Her eyes, those stunning emerald pools, never left his own while he talked. Abel...liked that oddly enough. It was rare that he received such undivided attention. In fact, he only received such when he was on the job, giving ultimatums to crooks. When he had finished, Luna looked away, voicing her thoughts. And she was right, finding a family was indeed a blessing. But it was not without its challenges. "It's great knowing that I have people to count on, despite the migraines." He gingerly tapped her shoulder with the back of his hand. "I'm sure you relate, since I'm all wrapped around your finger and all." His tone was just as mirthful as usual, but there was some truth to that.

She could count on him. That's for sure.

As the conversation changed gears, shifting from the calamity that Abel had to deal with to her own history, the Knight noted the change in her demeaner. Her tone, once more, resembled that moment aboard her cargo vessel. And she thumbed the rim of her bowl almost...nervously. Thus, Abel clung to every word and listened without interruption. At first, she spoke fondly of her father. He was a Jedi. He was her Hero. But then, a sigh. A pause. A relinquishing of the bowl. There was a gap there - somewhere between a Jedi father and taking up smuggling as an occupation. It gave her anonymity - it allowed her to run. And then, she cleared her throat, concluding with a cherry on top. He had reminded her of her father, the Hero. In response, his hand settled upon her leg once again. The gesture was kind, simple, and as genuine as before.

"Mine too." he began. "My father was a Jedi. Came to Nar Shaddaa after flubbing things up in the Order." he shook his head ever so slightly. Radia Denko was many things to Abel, but Hero was not among them. "He...bit off more than he could chew one day. Pissed off the wrong gang at the wrong time. They left him in an alley." He sighed, not...really knowing why he was peeling back the layers of his own scars like this. She didn't ask. And he wasn't trying to convince her to share her own story by way of sharing his own. There was just something about her that...made him want to tell it all. To talk about those things he kept buried under the rug. He felt like she'd understand - like she'd look him in the eye and actually give a damn.

"For a long time, I was an Enforcer for the Black Sun. Same kind of reason you became a Smuggler. Kept me safe from the ones responsible. Kept me and the sisters fed, while Josiah fethed off to play Jedi." he huffed. The split was years ago with his brother, and though they had reconciled, it was a sore spot. "Finally got out of the biz when he came back home. Dear old big brother. Pulled me out of the muck and pointed me Here." He motioned around them with his offhand. "Wasn't always a good cop, y'know." All the rambling aside, his meaning was starting to become clearer. He understood her. They both led lives of pain. Of living in the muck. They weren't so different - he just got a lucky foothold.

Now he'd help pull her up.

With a sigh of his own, he gave her thigh a comforting squeeze. The topic changed gears ever so slightly. "Since your old man was a Jedi, you can make things magically float too. Anyone ever show you how?"​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

"Room for dessert?" Luna gave a small but genuine laugh at the thought of him baking. But it wasn’t a bad image, just something that had amused her. “I got you covered. The best Corellian Ryshcate you may ever have.” Luna wasn’t as good of a baker as she was a cook but she had a handle on both. "While I'll happily eat anything you make, and take any tips you have to offer, I will point out...love potions are poison. Don’t get any ideas missey.” Luna could feel the sensation of Abel’s finger against her forehead after he had removed it. “Oh, you don’t know half of it. But I won’t need any love potion, trust me.” She gave a flirtatious wink in his direction.

"It's great knowing that I have people to count on, despite the migraines." She gave him a bit of a playful but offended look as he spoke. “Oh I would know all about that, actually. Considering he’s sitting right next to me.” Luna didn’t even think about what she had just said. It had slipped, naturally and there hadn’t even been a second though. "I'm sure you relate, since I'm all wrapped around your finger and all."

“I didn’t know I did…” She leaned in a tiny bit and her expression was pure deviance yet playfulness. Her voice was a low whisper and her nose scrunched up some “Good.to.know.” Her eyes were locked on Abel’s for a moment before resuming her spot in her seat.



"Mine too." It was as if Abel could read what she wasn’t putting down. He opened up to Luna more, giving her move intently listen to; her fingers had grown icy from the stress she had felt inwardly. His hand had found its way to her leg once more and her fingers rested in yet another squeeze to his. Why couldn’t she just tell him? Why couldn’t she just tell the one person she trusted that she had been abused beyond belief and that person wanted her head on a vibro sword? Luna didn’t care if Abel hadn’t always been good. "Wasn't always a good cop, y'know." He had changed his life for the better which was more than what she had been able to do. “But you’re one now, and that’s what matters. And none of that makes me think any less of you.” She paused, trying to ease her tension some. “Even if being a good cop has been a pain in my backside in the past.”

Luna wanted to be free of it all. She hated the night terrors she had. She hated that the booze and the pills had since lost their potency. The one night stands only made her want more in life and each and everything she did to fill the void in her heart and soul only seemed to make it grow. For a few moments, Luna didn’t say anything. She almost spoke up but was thankful when the shift of the subject finally came. "Since your old man was a Jedi, you can make things magically float too. Anyone ever show you how?"

Despite the conflicts she was feeling for the second time today, Luna gave a bit of a snort. “Me? No, never have been able to. There was only one person in my life other than my father and he hates Jedi.” Luna swung her foot some at the contemplation of being able to move things like both Abel and her father. “Do I… Have that same power?”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

I got you covered.

If nothing else, the young woman was versatile. She knew her way around a kitchen. Could whip up a feast - plus dessert? Suffice it to say, Abel was impressed - as evidenced by the growing grin on his face. "I'm going to hold you to it." he remarked. Soon, he tapped her head, advising that love potions were indeed a form of poison. To which the Knight received a wink in return. But I won't need any love potion, trust me. Abel said nothing to this, but shook his head in response. The playful energy was kept alive with each passing moment.

Hell, she even called him her migraine. But in doing so also revealed that he was someone she could count on. He didn't shine a light on that, but rather spoke truthfully about how she had him wrapped about her finger. And boy did she put this knowledge to good use. She leaned in quite a bit. Her tone was just above a whisper. And with an adorably squnched up face, she said Good.to.know. "Don't you start writing checks you can't cash, little lady." he said, suddenly unable to keep himself from laughing aloud.

He settled. And then the pages of history began to turn. Abel revealed that their stories were similar. That both their fathers had been Jedi. That life hadn't been easy for either of them. As he spoke, he found her hand upon his own. That gentle squeeze was comforting beyond words. When he had said his piece, he ended advising that he hadn't always been a good cop. But you're one now... she said. And just like that, despite the somber tone the conversation had taken, Abel had found that boyish smirk again. "If memory serves, you enjoy pain on your backside." Now it was his turn to lean over, nose scrunched - but he added in a bit of tongue being stuck out.

Upon righting himself in the chair, he asked a question of her talents. The answer was given with a snort. No one had ever attempted to show her how. But given her lineage, there was a high possibility that she could do the very same that Abel could. Do I...Have the same power? she asked. Abel nodded enthusiastically. "There's a high possibility. And only one way to find out." He then reached for one of the chopsticks that had been deposited inside her bowl. Setting it flat upon the countertop, he then gave her hand a squeeze. "I want you to close your eyes. Block out all the noise. And focus on one thing. Move the chopstick. That's it."

Younglings, of course, had the benefit of being trained to meditate from a young age. Even Sith Acolytes had such knowledge beaten into them from near infancy. Luna, coming in cold turkey, would need some help. And Abel would be just that. Though he didn't say as much, his presence draped over her - like a balnket in the Force. He'd help shut out those sounds. The foot traffic and voices behind them would lull to a quiet. The bubbling broth only a mere foot away would silence. Even the gentle breaths which escaped him would evade her ears. In but a few moment's time, Luna would have the means to truly listen to that which was everywhere. The Force was ready and willing - all she needed to do was reach.​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

"If memory serves, you enjoy pain on your backside.” Abel knew her well. And it was evident he didn’t forget, either. Grinning, her emerald eyes locked on his, she let them draw her in for a moment before the man settled back into his seat. “Well, I can’t deny that. I love a good time.” Luna gave a playful shrug as she watched him get settled back into his seat. But it was then, Abel asked her to do something. She listened as he explained the odds of her possibly being able to move things with her mind. The young Smuggler wondered why she hadn't thought about it before, but here she was.

"I want you to close your eyes. Block out all the noise. And focus on one thing. Move the chopstick. That's it." Luna gave a deep breath as she let her eyes close slowly. Things around her seemed to have shifted; they were quiet now; the sounds around them had diminished and she had to stop herself from opening her eyes to ask how it had happened. But she knew. Abel had done this. Her memory fixated on the chopstick that she had only momentarily seen him adjust in front of her moments before; but as she tried to focus, the voices and the sounds that she had so forcibly tried hard to forget about started to seep in. Where were the booze and the pills when she needed them?

“...Luna…” There was an echo in her mind as her nose scrunched up as she tried to focus. Move the chopstick. She wanted it. She wanted to feel it move. “...Come here, Luna…” Her eyes still closed as did her best to focus, she couldn't feel her head give a tiny shake as to tell her memories no; her eyebrows furrowed with the movement. Just move the chopstick. Move it now. “LUNA!” The voice echoed loud in her mind, the gruff, angry voice screamed at her in her head causing her to jump and her eyes to shoot open. She couldn’t do it. Not with the voices filtering in and out as she tried.

“I..I CAN’T Abel. I tried!” She wanted mad at him; the frustration at the fact of a simple task wasn’t something she was able to do. Her face reflected this as she angrily glared at the chopstick as if it was the problem. “I Can’t..” her voice dropped from the angered tone she had held prior.

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | @Tag ​

 

[Abel Denko]

RYLOTH

Well, I can't deny that... Her reply came with an amused shrug as he settled back into his seat. For those brief moments, everything were as they should be. Light. Fun. This was the norm that Abel and Luna both had come to expect from the other. Yet, the question was posed. Did the young Smuggler possess the same power as her Father? As the Knight? And Abel did his best to find the answer. He instructed her to close her eyes. To block out any and all distractions in the moment. And, due to her inexperience, he assisted her in this task. Wordlessly, he expanded his presence around her. And one by one, the distractions melted away.

Seemingly, there was nothing that stood between Luna and her goal. The Force was ready and willing to accept her. All she had to do was reach out. Abel heard the deep sigh. Watched as she lulled her eyes to a close. And seemingly, she was ready to take the first steps. But that...that was when he heard them. A baritone voice that had no business being in this place. A projection. A horror which resided in the rear of her mind. It bid her to come closer. It caused cracks to form in the focus that she had mustered. And as the evil bellowed, the young woman jumped.

The chopstick hadn't moved - but quite a bit around them had.

Luna hadn't realized, but the broth only a few feet away from them began to boil over. Nagi had quickly turned off the power to his stove in response, and yet the temperature continued to rise. The fluid bubbled and babbled furiously, threatening to spill over - until the woman relented. I CANT. There was so much frustration in her tone. Anger that she couldn't accomplish the task. But the Knight knew there was more to it than that. She was angry because those scars yet lingered. That those voices were in her head, buried so deep. Now Abel understood why the pills were in her pocket. All of it - the smuggling, the cooking, the drugs...it was to cope with the nightmare.

Her voice dropped.

He stood up. Arms ensnaring her form. He didn't ask - and for a second he fully expected to be shoved right off. The embrace was there. As were his words. "It's okay." he said. His tone was gentle. Genuine. Kind. And he meant every syllable. Finally, after a few moments, he added:

"The question was, do you have your Father's power. The answer? Hell yes." He settled his gaze upon her, offering the same, confident smile. "You have a lot on your shoulders...but I can show you. Show you how to use your power. To control it - along with everything else going on upstairs. Will you let me?"​

Luna Evanstance

 

[Luna Evanstance]

Luna could feel all the pressure starting to build. This couldn’t happen, she couldn’t feel these things she didn’t want to. It hurt. The physical, mental, and emotional torment for almost ten years of her life had been enough to make her want to never turn back. But the announcement of Rast’s full bill of health, being here, with Abel? It was making her feel. And Luna wasn’t sure if she wanted to. She wanted to feel numb because anything else outside of that would cause her to break. And she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. But sitting here, at the moment; her whole body deceiving the persona she wished to give off, she knew it was happening slowly whether she wanted it to or not.

Hearing the mercenary's voice in her head was enough to shake the woman to the core. She hadn’t heard it ever since she turned her back on her home planet and ran. Had the Force did that? Or did it have to do with her focusing on something that caused her to lose focus on her own thoughts? She was confused, to say the least. As Abel stood, Luna went to do the same when she was pulled into a hug. "It's okay."

It was far from that, to her. Luna wanted to be angry at him for a moment and wanted to push the man away; for making her feel for making her want to stay and face all of this. Abel didn’t know it, but he had opened up a pit to where it was endless of pain and sadness and loneliness. It was a pit that she had buried and now, it was being unearthed. But she couldn’t be mad at him. She couldn’t push him away. Abel’s strong arms around her only made her cling to him and hide her face. When was the last time she had experienced a genuine hug? She couldn’t remember. But it made her feel safe, even if it was for the moment. The young Smuggler didn’t trust herself to speak for a moment but when she did it was quiet. “It’s NOT okay… None of what’s in my head is okay. I’m fracked up, Abel.”

"The question was, do you have your Father's power. The answer? Hell yes." Luna’s eyes met his; his confident smile didn’t radiate any confidence back into her. The pit in her stomach only grew at the thought of her lineage being passed down to her. She could only return a tired expression, wishing she could just snap herself back to her usual persona. "You have a lot on your shoulders...but I can show you. Show you how to use your power. To control it - along with everything else going on upstairs. Will you let me?"

He was offering to teach her how to use the power. Would it do her any good? How would it help her memories and her fears? She didn’t know what she wanted. She knew she wanted a pill but reaching for one, at this very moment wouldn’t have been wise, even though her body and mind screamed for them. “I...I don’t know.” It was all her lips could utter in the moment. “What if I’m unteachable? I can’t be fixed.”

APPLICATION | SINGLE | HETEROSEXUAL | 33 | BLASTER PISTOL • VIBROBLADE | Abel Denko ​