Private Secret Tunnel!

[Klar]

The invitation was surprising, but entirely welcome. Klar had insisted on cleaning up dinner, as Xuko had done almost all of the cooking. And then she'd put off doing so because of how much fun she'd been having talking about her top twentyish favorite films. And then she'd had to explain WHY they were important. It was a whole thing.

The Codru-Ji joined Xuko readily, setting her own blanket off to the side. She didn't really need it if they were sharing one. Cool wind blowing off the lake aside, it was still summer. As blanket and arm closed around her, Klar settled comfortably in. She had a good rapport with Xuko and a maybe-sortof romantic-adjacent thing going on with him, but they hadn't really cuddled before for an extended period. And cuddling had a chemistry all its own to puzzle out, unique to the people participating.

In Klar's case, she sat slightly crooked with her back to Xuko's chest, her legs folded beneath herself. Maximum warmth leeching, nearly a lounge. Plenty of room to relax. She set her nearly-empty thermos within reach, stifling a yawn.

"Have you ever considered," Klar mused thoughtfully. "That this lake was likely formed by a meteor strike? If one were to hit right now, we wouldn't even know about it. Just a flash, and lights out forever." She explained quietly. "I think that's beautiful, sort of. Lakes and meteors, that is not..." She laughed nervously. "Not dying to meteor strike. But that all that rock and fire and violence can create a beautiful lake, teeming with life. A place where people come to appreciate nature."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

As grateful as Xuko was that Klar had accepted his offer to share the blanket, he was doubly so that she didn't completely invade his space to do so. Even so, his two hearts tap-tap'd a slightly faster rhythm with proximity to the Codru-Ji. Xuko wasn't sure if it was from appreciation, surprise, or nervousness.

Probably some combination of all three.

There was much that he had to learn about whatever this was, he recognized, that went beyond just asking Klar questions. Xuko had already identified that she would most likely enjoy moments of physical connection with him, which was part of why he had invited her under his blanket. Additionally, the life of a Jedi was a dangerous one, and their careers could take them to very different corners of the galaxy at the drop of a hat. Throw in both of their questioning, and their future together was even more unpredictable. But, to borrow Klar's metaphor, the 'meteor strike' of their failed spelunking expedition had paved the way for something new.

Whatever he and Klar had might not be a lake teeming with life just yet, but it was a start.

"I understand" Xuko replied, jolting his thoughts back to the present. "Although there are worse ways to die than by a sudden meteor strike."

That probably wasn't the most romantic conversation to have, Xuko belatedly realized- at least outside of Iridonia. Hurriedly, he changed the subject.

"Thank you for doing the dishes."

Internally, Xuko facepalmed.

Klar

 

[Klar]

"It's only fair. You cooked. Thank you for cooking!" Klar replied comfortably, nursing her tea as she looked up at the stars. "I can't cook at all. I'm absolutely aces at cleaning things, though. You have no idea how many times I got put on dishwashing duty." The blonde snickered, leaning her head back against Xuko's shoulder. After all, she'd spent the years between coming out of her cocoon and joining the NJO in domestic servitude to a hutt. And for once, that'd meant being a maid - not a bedwarmer or dancer. Thankfully.

Whatever came to develop between her and Xuko, Klar liked being close to the people she cared about. Emotionally, socially, physically. She knew he wasn't as comfortable with casual physical affection as she was, so even just sitting like this felt a little like she was imposing on him. He seemed largely alright with it, but with how laconic Xuko tended to be? She could never be sure. She was attentive for small changes, shifts in his tone or demeanor that suggested he might want some space but not want to bother her by asserting it. A little like he'd done in the cave - hiding his crisis.

"We should probably get cracking on that project outline when we get back." Klar mused quietly. "Just thinking out loud. I'm not trying to pull us out of the now. I love the now. THis moment is wonderful. You're wonderful. Just speaking the thought as it comes into my mind." She explained idly. "I wonder if that counts as living in the moment because I release the thought, unconcerned, into the world? Or if I'm not living in the moment because I'm thinking about what we need to do when we get home. Maybe it breaks even?"

Klar rubbed her chin theatrically, then chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry. Rambling." She murmured. "...I appreciate how you let me talk, Xuko. Even if it rarely goes anywhere meaningful."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

Xuko gave Klar's shoulder a gentle squeeze, which translated to something approaching a side hug. "I enjoy your company and the sound of your voice" he replied, sincerely, figuring that was better than asking Klar if she could both wash and dry dishes at the same time because of her four hands. "Regardless of if we are talking about now or some time in the future." She was correct about their outline, he realized, even as the project- and the temple- felt very far away in the moment. Life at the temple would resume soon enough, he realized; he and Klar would be back to their routines of classes, meditation, coursework, and training. By this time tomorrow they would most likely both be back in their dorms.

"This will not be the only time you and I do something like this, right?" he asked; like Klar, he was enjoying this wonderful moment, and he suddenly found himself unsure about what dating looked like in the year 902 ABY.

Klar

 

[Klar]

"Do you mean discussing the project or...?" Klar gestured vaguely to the lakeside around them with one hand and the stars above with the other. Two hands gave the motion a grand sort of air, but it was about as casual as could be. "I suppose clarifying doesn't matter TOO terribly much. Yes to both, if I get my say." She promised. With her head on his shoulder, Klar glanced up enough to make eye contact and smiled warmly. She'd have grinned, but it was a little late and a little sedate to bring that kind of thunder. "This is wonderful. Let's make it a regular thing."

From the side, Klar was able to wrap two of her arms around Xuko in turn and bask in the moment. He was warm, he smelled like good sweat and suntan lotion, she could faintly hear the staccato beat of his hearts. It was a nice, comfortable moment. The sort of thing you thought back to when times were hard.

"People will talk, though." Klar teased gently, prodding his abdomen. "Brace yourself for that. It's gonna break a few hearts when I start stealing you away for weekend camping trips on the regular. I'll have made myself some enemies."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

"I was hoping that you would say that" Xuko said, enjoying the sensation of Klar's head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around him. All of this was new, strange, exciting, challenging, and moving somewhat faster than he imagined that he'd be comfortable with, but Xuko decided that being pushed outside of his comfort zone was worth it.

Xuko was surprised at Klar's next statement, however. He hadn't considered, nor did he care much, about the gossip that their pairing would undoubtedly spawn; especially as he was usually far removed from such social circles. But the potential for jealousy directed towards Klar fed a surge of protectiveness inside of him... as well as mild concern as he had no concept as to how serious that sort of problem might be.

As a result, Xuko was suddenly all business. "I do not wish for you to be endangered on my behalf. What can I do to help you against your enemies?"


Klar

 

[Klar]

Really, she could have phrased that one a little better. Klar burst out laughing and waved a hand in a placating gesture - attempting to soothe Xuko's sudden tone shift. "No, no - I don't have any actual enemies." She promised quickly. "No danger. Not that I know of." Klar added for good measure through stifled snickering.

She sat forward a bit to look more clearly towards him. "I was referencing that there are liable to be some folk who are jealous when they think I've got exclusive dating rights on 'Iridonia's Ass', when we start disappearing on camping trips every other week or whatever." Klar explained cheerfully. "Even if I don't. Because we're not dating. But even if we were, you'd be free to see and love whoever you like - as discussed earlier. That's-" She stopped, shook her head, and laid it back on Xuko's shoulder. "Rambling. Ineffective rambling, which is even worse." The blonde laughed. "But. No. No enemies. Jealousy. You're wonderful, Xuko, but I can't imagine anyone would want to harm me to get me out of the way in pursuit of you."

Still snickering quietly, Klar returned her arms and head to where they'd been earlier - getting comfy again. "It's nice to know you've got my back, though." She promised. "I didn't doubt it, but I don't hate that side of you."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

"Oh. Good." Xuko said, relaxing again as Klar explained that there was no danger. Then he blushed a little as she brought up a particular term he'd been foolish enough to supply her with. Xuko could already guess that Klar would not let him hear the end of that one.

Xuko did appreciate that Klar understood that his offer of assistance was one of support and not his attempt to fix the problem for her. Klar wouldn't be the type to create a problem and then send him in to fix it, and as a result he could trust her both to fight her own battles and hopefully, ask for his support when she needed it. "Anytime" he promised.

Then another thought occurred to him, spurred by part of her explanation. "How will we determine if we are dating, if that is something that we decide to do?" he asked, his tone one of curiosity. "Would that be defined by a more physical connection?" He couldn't imagine that Klar would restrict a relationship behind physical intimacy, especially if theirs was more open than some relationships, but it felt like a helpful clarification question to ask Klar. Everyone approached these kinds of things differently.

Klar

 

[Klar]

Klar blinked, thought about it for a moment. Then a moment more.

She sighed a little and shrugged. "I think it's something that only we could really decide?" She suggested. "The label only matters to us. I don't think either of us ascribe to any traditional, like... courtship rituals, and we're both adults." Klar explained pointedly, lacing the fingers together on the hands that weren't holding onto Xuko. "If we decide we're dating, we are. I don't think anyone would really care to police our label. What we do or don't do physically is between us anyway."

Klar flushed, shifting her legs - betraying a slight discomfort. "I imagine it's like - if I wanted to refer to myself as your girlfriend or your boyfriend or neither, that's something that we figure out together. What anyone else feels or thinks about it? Irrelevant."

The blonde Codru-Ji lay her head back down on his shoulder. She reached out, making a grabby motion until Xuko got the message and took her hand. "...but we aught to consider a second or third date before we worry about labels, I think." Klar murmured. "I don't want to rush into anything. We're both kind of... nonstandard? So we should take our time. Plan each step." Which wasn't a surprising position for Klar - who would look up the cultural relevance of a cookie before eating it - to take. She liked to be prepared, she liked to do her research first. If there wasn't a body of research, she wanted to establish it.

Klar let the silence linger for a moment, making space for Xuko to speak his thoughts.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

There it was, again; Klar was unafraid to speak her mind, but she also allowed room for Xuko to do the same. As Xuko had noted before, it was a rare trait in a yapper. Sensing Klar's discomfort, Xuko briefly laid his head upon hers, before realizing what the grabby motion meant and interlocking his fingers between hers.

"That makes sense" Xuko nodded, content. It was very Iridonian; the two of them would have a conversation, determine what their boundaries and preferences were, and go from there. There was certainly positive momentum in that direction, as today's events had revealed, but knowing that Klar was every bit as intentional about this as he was took a lot of the guesswork out of things. It also meant that neither of them had to feel rushed or pressured to define their relationship until they were ready to. "Then I shall look forward to a second date so that we can learn more about ourselves and each other."

A random thought occurred to him, spurred by the fact that he was holding her hand. "I do not wish to change the subject if there is more you want to speak about on this, but... do you have a dominant hand? Or hands?"

Klar

 

[Klar]

Klar nodded and closed her eyes, soaking in the moment. It was late, it was quiet, and a peaceful security had settled over the conversation. She normally felt like she could talk to Xuko about anything most of the time - but that midnight atmosphere really sold it. "Dominant hands? No. Not really." Klar chuckled quietly. "I'm always a bit confused by the idea, actually. I know it's a thing. A core tactic in several exercises is trying to maneuver your opponent into a position where they cannot use their dominant hand, and Jar'kai places a lot of emphasis on training to compensate for it." She explained. "But I do everything about as well with all of my hands as I do any other. My lower arms are a little weaker than the uppers, but that's just because it's easier to lift things and junk with 'em."

The Codru-Ji waggled her fingers cheerfully in their embrace, giving Xuko's hand a squeeze. "I can't write with more than one at once, though." She added. "Or type two different things with each pair. I'm not THAT coordinated."

Klar unfolded her legs slowly, letting them lay alongside the Zabrak's. He was much taller, so her blue-painted toes came up well short. "What was it like? Being able to talk from such a young age, I mean." She asked curiously. "I bet it must've been a gas. Also? Absolutely impossible to master language as a little one. Incredible."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

It made sense when Klar explained it, especially given how she seamlessly handled up to four lightsabers at a time, but nonetheless Xuko was pleased. Not having a dominant hand meant that, as Klar explained, she was equally prepared for an attack from any angle; and could be quick to take advantage of an imbalanced opponent. "I have been working hard to remove that weakness" he admitted. Xuko was right-handed, but he spent much of his lightsaber classes practicing with the saber in his left; with mixed results.

The Zabrak then thought back to his early years on Iridonia. His brows knitted together at the memories. "Somehow I suspect that I did not take advantage of being able to talk very much." He had always been reserved, even moreso while amongst his family; so it was that he was experiencing a bit of a late blossoming in that area since joining the Order. Because of that, Xuko felt like he was still learning the finer points of conversation, like when to stop talking, or keep his thoughts to himself.

"I am more impressed that you managed to learn multiple languages after your transformation" he replied. She'd even learned some of the phrases he used most often. "Apparently there is a language that many droids speak called 'binary'. Have you heard of it?"

Klar

 

[Klar]

"Do you think of it as a weakness?" Klar asked curiously. "I think that's a little strange way to see the world. You're not the first person I've met who phrased it that way." She explained. "It's like saying you have a weakness because you can't perceive heat signatures or smell blood from kilometers away or visualize the Force like a Miraluka." The Codru-Ji argued gently. "Being what you are with the totality if yourself doesn't make things outside of that 'self' a weakness."

She chuckled sheepishly. "I... I realize that this is a strange tact for me of all people to take." Klar added quietly. "On account of the - you know. Being me. And I'm not about to argue that everyone's strengths even out to the same level of, like, biological equity when taken in aggregate." The blonde gestured to herself. "But I never thought of myself as having a weakness for being lighter and having generally less arm strength than if I'd been born a man. To me, it's like considering it a weakness that I wasn't born as... as a Wookie."


"I HAVE heard of Binary, yes - and I do wish I could learn it." Klar confessed. "But between you and me, listening to droids makes my ears ache. Even the ones speaking Basic. I know it isn't their fault or anything." She murmured. "Did you know that Twi'Lek, Nautolans, and some other species have a language they use that involves twitches and squirms from their head-tails? It's called Ryl. A couple of the younglings use it to chat in class, they think we don't know about it." The blonde giggled.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

"I had not considered it that way." Xuko could understand Klar's argument. There was no use in chasing after unreachable ideals, after all- especially when that could distract from things that he could focus on. He would never be as tall or as strong as a Wookiee, nor would he ever have four arms like Klar. "Although I do think that this is something I will be able to improve at", his tone indicating that he was confident in his ability to do so yet still had some thinking to do. He was playing catch-up as it was, having joined the Order much later than some of his peers. While his natural athletic gifts had helped close some of that gap- if only in the area of the physical exercises and lightsaber training- further diversifying his attention at this stage could be detrimental.

As their conversation shifted to language, Xuko added another entry to the ever-growing list of things he had never heard of; Ryl. Fascinating, how even the seemingly-useless lekku could serve as a vehicle for subtle communication. "Fascinating" he replied, genuinely interested. A related thought occurred to him. "Are there any nuances that I should know about Codru-Ji? You are the only one I have ever met."

Klar

 

[Klar]

Klar considered him for a moment, raising her eyebrows. "I'm honestly not sure?" She admit readily. "I've only ever met my parents, and I've never been to Monto Codru."

"It's hard for me to divide things that are 'me' because I'm me, or are 'me' because I'm what I am. Nature and Nurture and so on." The blonde murmured. "Am I a hugger because I like to hug, or do I like to hug because I wasn't able to verbally communicate trough my childhood? Do I like crunchy foods because it's just a notion, or is it a throwback to my ancestors raiding the nests of cliff-dwelling birds?" She asked, a twist of the wrist presenting each option. "Do you love spicy food because it is delicious, or do you love spicy foods because Zabrak who loved spicy foods were better able to use spice to make potentially-spoiling meat last longer and smell nicer, and had a better chance of survival as a result? I don't have the answers to these."

"What I DO have the answer to is the question of whether I want to run my fingers through your hair and touch your horns and that answer is yes." Klar added with an air of authority, folding her arms. "But I'm not sure if it would feel nice for you, or if you want that kind of contact so this is my oblique way of asking."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

Oh. Understanding clicked into place for Xuko as to at least one reason why Klar was more tactile in her communication style than many humanoids he had encountered. Lacking the ability to verbally communicate during her formative years would've forced her to communicate through touch, and these instincts had clearly extended past gaining the ability to speak. It was sort of like how Xuko had maintained his intense desire for self-improvement despite being removed from the harsh climate on Iridonia.

Or, to put it differently; you could take the Zabrak out of Iridonia, but you couldn't take the Iridonia out of the Zabrak.

Or the desire for touch out of Klar, apparently.

As with many things during this excursion, Xuko appreciated Klar's approach. Straight forward. Uncomplicated. Oblique, to put it in her words. Xuko thought back to Iridonia, and how Zabrak babies who were too young to itch their horns needed help to do so. It had felt nice then and it would feel nice now.

"It is an..." -intimate was the wrong word- "a personal type of touch" he explained. "Not restricted to partners, but not something I would recommend trying with any Zabrak." Their horns were for more than show, of course. Serious brown eyes flicked over to hers as he briefly debated shattering the air of mystery she must feel for all Zabraks. "It does feel good and yes, you may do so."

Klar

 

[Klar]

If she could have read his mind, Klar would have asserted that she didn't want to touch the horns of all Zabrak, or even most Zabrak. Master Varek's horns held no meaningful appeal to her, for example. Xuko alone was the forbidden fruit, and then it was because they were attached to him and not the other way around. Instead, Klar shifted herself to sit slightly more upright, the upper arm she'd wrappeda round Zuko falling across his shoulder in such a way that she could run her fingers carefully through his hair, her nails gnelty across his scalp, and circle his horns with great care - having no idea how sensitive they might be.

She had to adjust the way they were sitting a little to make this more comfortable on her wrist, but Klar didn't exactly mind that. She was a fidgeter, she fidget.

For once, the blonde was content to sit quietly and enjoy the moment. The late hour, the quiet comfort, the casual affection and the embers of a close friend and maybe-partner. If Xuko wanted to fill the silence with more conversation, she'd happily welcome it. For now, though, she ran her fingers though his hair and let herself wind down.

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

Xuko's breath came even and slow as he settled into the comfort of the moment with Klar. The Zabrak closed his eyes, doing his best not to drift off, knowing he would remember this gentle connection long after they went to their respective tents tonight. He decided that either Klar was really good at making things up on the fly, or that she'd had practice running her hands through someone's head of hair before. He didn't care either way; it was simply nice to be in this moment with her.

A quiet moment, he realized, as their conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence.

A silence that Xuko, of all people, was the first to break.

One brown eye opened and looked up at Klar with a question. "Is there an equivalent to this? Something that I can do which would feel good for you?"

Klar

 

[Klar]

"Oh, I don't think we're ready for that yet." Klar snickered, clearly kidding. "Joking aside..."

She smiled and got up for a moment, positioning herself behind Xuko. Draping the towel over him, she leaned him back against her body so she could drape her lower arms over his shoulders and chest and affectionately scratch his scalp with her uppers. It wasn't as traditional as sitting under his arm, but she figured he might not mind her holding him - and she liked holding him. "This is nice, I think." Klar explained quietly. "You're big and warm. I like holding you. Your weight is comforting. So that's what you're doing for me." She explained softly.

As a matter of fact, it wasn't her first time playing with the sacred stuff that was boyhair. Klar continiued scritching his scalp and horns, staring up at the night sky. "I really like speeder bikes, I think." She murmured idly, stifling a yawn. "I think I might have to save up for one for myself. If I do - do you want to learn how to pilot?" Klar offered quietly. "I'm still learning, but I can teach the basics if you'd like. It might be a fun thing to do together." The Codru-Ji explained. "Couple activities, perhaps."

 

[Xuko Pagoi]

Xuko trusted the Klar to advocate for herself; so if she said that all she wanted him to do was sit there and be a comforting weight while she held him and played with his hair? If Klar liked this revised setup, then Xuko wasn't about to complain. "This feels good" he sighed; not surprised that he enjoyed it, but somewhat surprised that he felt very secure. The Zabrak crossed his arms atop her lower ones, sometimes resting his hands on her wrists, and sometimes lightly tracing small patterns across her skin with his fingers. He wasn't exactly sure why he felt the need to do this, but as long as Klar didn't object it gave him something to do with his hands that felt at least somewhat in line with the gentle way she played with his hair and horns.

"I would like to learn how to pilot" he said, conscious of his horns as he craned his head back to look up at Klar. She was a better pilot than she gave herself credit for, in his opinion. "How did you learn to pilot? That does not seem like a skill you would have been able to practice before joining the Order."

Klar