Character
Alina settled into the seat he'd pulled out for her with quiet grace, smoothing the edge of her skirt as she did. The courtesy wasn't unnoticed it never was, with him. He had a way of folding respect into the smallest gestures, and tonight was no exception.
Her glass caught the soft ambient light as she lifted it, the scent of cherry and whiskey rising delicately to meet her. "Cherry is ambitious," she echoed with a faint smile, her eyes briefly catching his over the rim. "But I think I can risk ambition tonight."
The teasing glint returned just long enough for her to follow his glance and the unmistakable wink that came from across the room. She let out a small breath of laughter, not at him, but at the entire moment.
"Well. At least someone's rooting for you." she paused for a moment "Though he might want to be more subtle next time."
But there was no sting in her tone, only warmth. Amusement, even. When her gaze returned to him, it lingered, softening further as he asked about her time here.
"Naboo is…" she paused, searching for the right words, "...gentler than I expected. I don't mean quiet, the politics hum beneath everything but the people. The pace. It's like the whole world exhales between conflicts. There's something healing in that."
She glanced down at the glass for a moment, her fingers turning it slightly. "It's not the sort of place I ever imagined staying for long. But you were right it's not just beautiful. It's… welcoming. And the company helps."
Her smile was quieter now, sincere. "Naboo makes it easier. To stay. To breathe. To believe that maybe it's alright to stop running."
TAG:
Aiden Porte
