Private Sharing Sanctuary

[Alicio Organa]

SANCTUARY CITY, ALDERAAN
MID-MORNING
​

Alicio was becoming a pro at collecting people from the spaceport. First Valery and Iris, then Inanna, now Amani... If a worker had seen him all three times he was here, they may have thought their Count picking up so many women for a day on the town to be highly suspect.

Alicio Organa, closeted casanova.

The tabloids would go wild.

Despite the hot goss he'd entirely imagined, Alicio was excited for the day. It wasn't often he clicked with someone immediately after meeting them. Alicio was a private individual, with a strong sense of responsibility towards helping those across the galaxy that needed it. He didn't gel well with many, especially the well-meaning but stuffy nobility of Alderaan. But when he met Amani, a private individual with a strong sense of responsibility towards helping those across the galaxy that needed it, Alicio had found someone he could finally relate to.

She wanted to see Sanctuary City. Of course, he'd show it to her.

Alicio waited at the main gates, wearing a black coat, cane leaning against the wall as he tapped away at his datapad. Even though the nobleman had officially taken the day off, he couldn't go the whole time without making at least a little progress on his projects.

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani had spent the last bit of her trip to Alderaan making a concerted effort to look a little more presentable. Not that she was normally ever slobbish or unkempt, but for a day that was technically nothing more than just "two people hanging out", she was putting in an atypical amount of concern.

The Mirialan huffed at her appearance, sparing one final look in the refresher mirror before the ship touched down.

As soon as the exit ramp hit the ground, Amani was hurrying out and through the spaceport, already paranoid that she had lost track of her timing. Not really the kind of standard she wanted to set. She weaved through crowds until she emerged at the main gate at last, catching sight of Alicio almost immediately.

"...Hey," She gave him a dumb, open-mouthed smile, before anxiously tidying up her dress; A dark blue sundress, modest in both senses of the term. Nothing fancy. Also the only dress she actually owned. Nice clothes were rarely necessary or practical to her line of work, and pretty much at no stage of her life was a need for them ever established. "...You look nice."

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"...Hey."

Alicio quickly put down his datapad, looking up to say hello. He cast his eyes over her, and his casual greeting got caught in his throat, remembering suddenly how she had said goodbye. The music in the air.

Uh oh.

"Hello," Alicio finally said, smiling a bit shyly at the compliment. "Thank you. You look wonderful, as well." He subconsciously stood just a bit taller, collecting his cane and resting a palm atop it.

The sounds of a prosperous city leaked in from outside. Alicio looked back towards the doors to Sanctuary, then peeking at Amani, his excitement at sharing something he loved palpable in the air. There was a moment of hesitation, before he offered his arm for her to take.

"Are you ready?"

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani laughed awkwardly, then composed herself, “Thanks.” The Count offered his arm, and she blinked before taking it, “...Very.” Excitement was already mounting, creating a feedback loop with his own, although for her it was about more than just the tour.

She swallowed those lingering reveries for now, “How much of the city is still left to finish?” Idle chit-chat, it was. A spare glance in Alicio’s direction, before her eyes became glued to the approaching entrance, in anticipation of what lay beyond.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Arm in arm, Alicio escorted Amani to the doors, walking slowly, cane tapping on the floor beneath for dramatic effect.

Her follow-up question was met with the barest hint of a frown. "It's almost done. All that's left is to add housing to the outskirts. The most difficult part was infrastructure; Hospitals, community spaces, sewage systems... Once those were complete, the rest fell into place." They had already talked about why it was a sore subject for the Count. But he'd done a lot of thinking since Tython.

“Don’t think of it as letting go. It won’t be the last time they need you.”

"I'm almost ready to... move on," he said, recovering his smile. Emphasis on the almost.

They were at the door. Alicio grinned mischievously, hand hovering over the console. "Sorry if it's loud."

Alicio opened the door, and the pair were blasted by a thousand noises. The usually tranquil tall white buildings and sections of green wooded parks were crowded with colors and scents and sounds of joy. Carts and stands had been dragged out into the streets, selling food, offering carnival-style games, and playing music from speakers. People of all species, wearing vestments from the galaxy over, crowded the city's walkways. A parade of small ships meandered above it all, waving the flags of local businesses and throwing down treats to the children.

Nearby, a young boy with a crystal on a chain around his neck pulled his mother along, shouting excitedly and pointing at the sky.

"The city council voted to welcome the Tythonians with a festival," Alicio said, soaking it all in with a blissful expression. "I figured you would want to be here, too."

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani listened, and smiled back at him reassuringly. She’d hoped he might at least be able to find some closure in the city’s completion, and all the same still believed adamantly in the affirmations she had offered that night.

Her smile turned bemused, though, as his last comment finally registered, “Loud?” She laughed incredulously. It was a city. Obviously there’d be at least a bit of noise to it.

As the doors opened however, she had absolutely no anticipation of the spectacle that now shone before her. A city full of life and color and joy. People of all backgrounds shedding the tragedy that brought them together, in favor of a second chance. A utopian delusion of her own imagination. Except it wasn’t delusion, or imagination. Sanctuary City stood strong and tall before her very eyes.

Her pupils dilated, her arm tightened around his, and her knowledge of how to speak seemed to escape her breath on the wind. It wasn’t just the festival, or the pristine skyline. Even without it, the city represented more than just its physical qualities. For Amani, Sanctuary City was a tangible payoff of everything she had ever fought for. It was the justification of a lifetime’s passion, effort, and conviction. No single place could so aptly encapsulate that better.

And they had only just arrived.

She seemed frozen in the moment, afraid of breaking the illusion, until only Alicio’s voice pulled her back into reality. And still the ‘illusion’ remained. “I-” The power of language returned to her a word at a time, her voice warbling with an overflow of emotion, “Y-yes! Yes.” Amani finally confirmed. It was now her that was pulling him along, eager to see everything the city had to offer.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Well then, let's- woah!"

Alicio found his footing again once they exited the spaceport, taking a few long strides to match Amani's pace. His enthusiasm was a bit more contained, tempered by the fact that he didn't particularly like big crowds. But for a Sanctuary City festival, exceptions can be made. And having Amani there, fueling his excitement with her own, he was downright giddy.

In short order, they were within the festival, dodging families and games and live performers. There was far too much to see, far too much to do. To their right, a woman sold all manner of fried treats from a stand, and a Chiss man pounded down on a lever with a hammer, dinging a bell on a pole. To their left, two teens threw rings at bottles, and a man missing an arm slammed someone else's hand down at an arm-wrestling station. Directly ahead, a Weequay plunked away on a stringed instrument, bathing the area in music.

And this was only one block of a party that encompassed the entire city.

"You're the guest," Alicio said, raising his voice a bit to be heard over the crowd and the noise. "What do you want to do?"

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Having reached the center of the crowd they came to a stop. All around them, Amani was encompassed by a sensory overload that in any other circumstance might have been a bit much for her. But here, nothing felt wrong. She let the energy of the occasion wash over her, relishing in its purity.

"All of it." Amani said with a loud, bubbly laugh, and turned to face the Count with the biggest, stupidest grin. 'All of it' was not exactly a realistic answer given the size of the city, but nobody in the galaxy could stop her from trying now.

"Hope you've warmed up those muscles today, Alicio," She teasingly squeezed his arm and pulled him over to the high striker game. "C'mon, don't wanna keep people waiting," Amani pushed him ahead of her, and just like that the pressure was on. She awaited his results with a vulpine smile plastered across her cheeks.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Well, we can try our hardest." The Count chuckled as he looked around at the splendor, wondering the odds of them conquering every event of the festival would be. Pretty slim.

"Hope you've warmed up those muscles today, Alicio."

"I haven't," Alicio said, walking up to the station just as the Chiss was leaving. "Which is what I will blame when I do poorly."

Alicio lifted the hammer, frowning a bit at the weight. He wasn't particularly strong, but he had been training constantly with a lightsaber in the past weeks. Maybe it would pay off?

The nobleman brought the hammer down, and a puck shot up onto the pole. It got a little less than half-way before Alderaan's gravity claimed it again. So much for his lightsaber training.

"Oh, fiddlesticks," Alicio said, with a sly smile of his own. "If only I'd stretched. I would've hit the top for sure."

He passed the hammer to Amani. "Alright, Jedi training. Let's see what you can do."

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani giggled until she snorted, "'Fiddlesticks'? Okay grandpa, let me show you how the kids do it."

She grasped the hammer and flexed. Despite her perpetual status as 'the mild-mannered healer', Amani was relatively toned; Like the body of a gymnast or a professional dancer (even if she was actually a terrible dancer). Then again, if anyone were to know how to keep the physical form running smoothly, it was probably her. Not that it was necessarily going to get her to the top.

What definitely would, however, was the Force. With it, one could enhance their own physicality: move faster, jump higher, hit harder. So she heaved the hammer overhead, then smacked it down with that very energy behind her. Up the puck when, striking the top with a resounding ding.

There was an argument to be made about whether or not it was technically cheating, even if they were innate gifts she possessed. Frankly, Amani was more on that side of the argument, but at this point she was just having fun and showing off for the Count.

She turned back to him, brushed her shoulder, and curtsied with faux-smugness, "Respectfully, your highness, eat your heart out."

The carny walked over and presented her with a large stuffed nerf, which Amani then paid forward to a young girl who had been watching the display excitedly, "And you eat your vegetables." That made her feel at least a little better about how she won the prize. The girl giddily ran off to her mother, and Amani returned to Alicio, "Where next? I'll let you pick since you ah… lost." That smug curl of her lip only grew in size. All in good fun, of course.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Too young, too old... Make up your mind." Alicio stepped back, fully expecting to get his ego checked by the short healer.

Perhaps he wasn't expecting just how checked his ego would be.

Alicio was an Alderaanian noble, trained from the day he was born to be perfectly poised and royally calm. That being said, Alicio's jaw dropped when Amani slammed the puck all the way into the bell, and a clear ding was heard. When she turned around, strutting as if she had won a prize match, the Count shook his head, defeated, but smiling. "Alright, alright..."

He watched with interest as the Mirialan gave the prize away to a watching child, and felt that fuzzy feeling in his chest. He clasped his hands behind his back, staring at Amani with a challenge in his eye, putting on the mask of a incorrigible nobleman. "It's technically 'Your Excellency'. Like how I'm going to excellently beat you at the ring toss."

He'd been eyeing the arm-wrestling table before, but given the show of force, he thought throwing was a safer bet. As they walked up, Alicio picked up the set of five rings, and held them out for the healer.

"Don't choke," he said, hoping that perhaps she would, and he might be able to actually win one of these.

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani scoffed at his challenge, whipping her hair back in defiance, "Respectfully, Your Excellency, your puns need some serious work," She laughed anyway. Somehow cheesy humor often got her better than any other kind.

"Alright, alright," She took the rings, then concentrated. This time, she made no effort to try and influence her attempts with the Force, preferring to keep the playing field as level as possible. The fun in winning came from overcoming an actual challenge.

That said, the first ring clipped the top of a bottle, but missed. The second, missed. The third whiffed entirely.

The fourth missed.

The fifth missed.

She choked.

"...Shit." Amani mumbled. She then turned to Alicio and tugged his coat, "No faiiiirrrr, this game's rigged." The mirialan laughed at herself, then posted up just behind him, "Beat it. You just gotta get one of 'em." She watched anxiously, now fully invested in his attempt.

For a moment, she feared that he might feel her heart thumping against his back.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"It's a good thing we're not competing in puns, then." He stepped to the side, watching intently.

Miss. Miss. Miss. Miss. Miss.

So there was a chance.

Alicio grinned victoriously, as if he had already won. "Hmm... I see where you went wrong," he said, taking his own rings, twirling the first one around a finger. "Now, the trick to these is to not miss." He threw a quick one, hoping the bottles were too surprised by his sneak attack to dodge. Indeed they didn't, as his ring dinged the side of one, and fell to the floor.

It was his fourth throw that scored the lucky hit, whirling around a bottle's neck to rest comfortably around it. Alicio, who was not known for his gloating, performed a quick fist-pump. "Yes!" He threw the last one, in the hopes of widening his lead, but missing by far.

Of course, prizes started at two rings, but he'd gotten all he needed from the game regardless.

"Well, you tried," He began, looking away in mock modesty. "It really could have gone either way. Don't feel too bad about your crushing defeat."

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

"Yeah, yeah, just shaddup and throw the rings already, hotshot," The mirialan mockingly rolled her eyes at his premature boasting. But once he got started, all was silent as she began vicariously rooting for his victory.

Amani watched each throw with bated breath. Any time one got close, she tensed up, until finally the fourth one secured his 'win'. Even if he didn't get anything out of it other than bragging rights.

Her immediate reaction was to jump up in excitement, "Yes!" She shouted in tandem. All semblance of camaraderie was gone, however, as Alicio expectedly broke into the same smug routine she had given him just a little earlier. "Crushing?" The stock record scratch could almost be heard in her reaction. Amani tilted her head and scoffed, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Organa. You got one ring. And this competition's only just started."

---

LATER

"...I don't think we're gonna get to everything." Amani finally admitted. The pair had been at it for some time now. Enough time, in fact, that the blue sky had begun to blend with other colors as the Sun continued its descent toward the horizon.

"Seriously though, I'm telling you that Whack-A-Womp game was broken or something." She laughed, still trying to make a case for the few points she was certain were missing from her final score. Whether they really were or not, she didn't actually care. But as Amani began doing a bit of math in her head regarding the day's events, she suddenly did have a reason to care. "...We're tied."

As if on cue, another booth caught her eye. A sleepy-looking man watched over an array of balloons against a wall. On the counter, a line of darts. And off to the side, a grand prize that beckoned her: A giant, stuffed nerf. Not unlike the one she had given away earlier. Except this one was purple.

"This is it. This is the one." Amani looked back at Alicio, determination building upon her brow.

The tiebreaker was nigh.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

LATER
​

Alicio strolled alongside Amani, enjoying the cooling of the day, and the waning of the crowds. "Not for a lack of trying," the Count offered, trying to stem whatever disappointment had befallen his companion.

The city had grown quieter as the sky began to mix with purples and oranges on opposite horizons, and the raucous partiers gave way to quiet forms and huddled families. Many of the stalls and booths had packed up, loading their goods on hovercarts and cargo ships. The music, which had been blaring all day, had quieted and slowed, signaling the end to festivities soon.

"You can't call it broken just because you missed the womp rats," he returned, smiling easily. To be fair, he wasn't sure if the game was broken either. He had used a different machine than her to win, after all.

"Tied?" The realization sharpened Alicio's focus. He had lost track somewhere after they had to make up rules for how to win at bumper cars. "Well, that won't do."

Amani quickly found a dart booth that was still open, and Alicio looked it up and down. One try was technically six darts. Alicio had an idea. "Okay. We alternate, three throws each. Winner take all."

Alicio stepped up to the counter, taking a dart, and frowning in concentration as he tried to imagine the aerodynamics. He tossed it with a quick flick of his wrist.

Pop!

"Your go," he said, gesturing grandly at the balloon wall.

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani shot him a final, vengeful look for the womp rat travesty, which only furthered her desire to win. “Deal.” She snatched up a dart, and stared daggers into the Count as she awaited the slightest hint of weakness.

But the first balloon popped, and Alicio had secured his lead. The Mirialan raised a brow higher than she thought possible, ”Hmph. Stand aside,” She took point, looking like a snobby princess with her nose upturned.

The showmanship then quickly turned into careful, analytical study. Amani observed the wall from different angles, exercised her throwing strategy, all the while biting her lip in intense concentration. Any longer, and she might’ve pulled out a measuring tool to confirm the angle and distance.

“Erm… Are you gonna-?” The game attendant finally made an effort to speak up.

“Don’t-” She whispered gently, “Don’t ruin it.”

After a deep breath, the dart was released with a subtle, deliberate flick.

Pop!

“Ha!” Amani suddenly blurted out, much louder than the tone she had just previously taken. The outburst was immediately followed up with the heat of blush across her cheeks, and a subdued laugh from behind her hand. Mildly embarrassing, in her eyes. “Sorry,” She stepped aside to give Alicio space, “Ahem. Two in a row, now?” The challenge was issued between more stifled snickers, and with a giddy, poorly-contained grin.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio watched with an earnest smile as Amani planned her avenue of attack, leaning against the counter, hands planted behind him, cane propped at his side. She was taking the challenge seriously, with a look of intense concentration on her face.

It was decidedly adorable.

As was the outburst after she succeeded her first throw. Alicio looked away to hide his amusement, unable to mask a peal of laughter. The Count turned back to Amani with a devilish smile, pushing off the counter, and taking a dart in each hand. "Alright."

Moment of truth.

The first one struck true, deflating a blue balloon. Alicio felt the anticipation in the air. He refused to miss the last balloon, opening himself up to the taste of the Force around him. Letting it guide his hand.

He looked out of the corner of his eye at the Mirialan, checking for her reaction, before releasing his final dart.

Pop!

Alicio shrugged coyly at Amani, trying to get a rise from her. "Time to pack it up, Serys. You had a good run."

There was no way she'd hit both of hers, too.

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

The first dart was beginner’s luck. The second dart got her nervous. The third had her on the verge of breaking into a sweat.

Alicio had a clean sweep.

She stared silently at him as he flaunted his success, and her brow twitched. But she was having an awfully hard time not smiling, the frown she tried to force not quite managing to overpower her enjoyment.

“This isn’t over yet.” Amani took her place, fiddling with the darts in her hand as she centered herself. The display this time was less exaggerated, and more contemplative. The mirialan remained stiff for a few long moments, before releasing her second dart.

The balloon popped. And she released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Only five hits were needed to win the purple nerf. But this was about more than just the stuffed animal. At this point, her only chance was to tie Alicio. Or choke, and admit defeat.

Even the carny seemed invested now. Whatever music or ambience continued in the background had completely faded from her attention now. Even Organa was just a minor blip on her radar; She couldn’t risk his stupid, annoying, cute face distracting her at the summit of success.

The final dart was thrown. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as it sailed through the air and toward the wall. She saw the trajectory. This was it. Her sweep was inevitable.

The dart struck the knot of the balloon, technically hitting it, but not popping it.

Amani’s jaw dropped, and her legs gave out as she literally dropped to her knees in anguish. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as the carny passed the fuzzy purple nerf to its new owner: Alicio Organa.

Salt in the wound.

Alicio Organa​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio found himself quickly rooting for Amani, standing beside her as she lined up her shot. The first balloon ruptured in short order, and the Count quietly cheered for the healer. Everything was down to this final throw; either glorious victory awaited him, or they had to figure out how to break another tie.

Everything faded into the background, as the world became nothing more than Amani, and a board of balloons.

The dart flew through the air.

Thunk.

No pop.

Alicio accepted his trophy with grace, cradling the purple nerf as if it were a prized possession as it was handed to him. "Thank you very much." He then turned to where Amani was in mourning, and smothered the witty comment he'd been preparing, his face softening with sympathy.

"Alright, Drama Queen," He said. Apparently, not too much sympathy.

The nobleman put the plush under his arm and offered a gloved hand to the Mirialan. "Let's get out of here. There's something else I wanted to show you today."

With Amani in tow, Alicio began to stroll the streets of Sanctuary City, as carts were taken down, and families shuffled back to their homes, having to drag their children behind them. The music had finally stopped, replaced by the subtle murmurs of far-off crowds, and the sounds of tear-down.

Alicio was happy to revel in the silence, taking in the ambience of a tired, accomplished Sanctuary.

- Amani Serys -

 

[Amani Serys]

As bitter as the taste of defeat had been, it was washed away as quickly as it came when the Count offered his hand. Snarky comments aside, "You win this time."

Whatever other plans they had completely passed her by over the course of the day's festivities. "Something else?" Her enjoyment had yet to reach its end, it seemed.

With his help, she stood up. But even once she had, Amani didn't let go; Instead her fingers interlocked with his, and when they began walking she leaned her head against his arm.

She didn't even realize she was doing it, at first.

The passing quiet was fine with her. Oftentimes the silence said as much as any words. Watching the passersby reminded her once again of Sanctuary City's true beauty. And from her periphery, the man behind it all was afforded several lingering glances before she spoke back up.

"…Today was perfect." Amani murmured fondly, her cheek pressing a little closer into his shoulder.

Such opportunities were practically unheard of. No outside worries. No looming wars. Just life. Pure and radiant.

Alicio Organa​