Private Sketches in the Starlight

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

"Of course we can handle it," Zaiya beamed, tossing him a quick wink. It was silly and light, the kind that maybe could've been flirty… but also maybe not. Whatever flirty meant for them now, anyway.

"I'm with you, and you're with me," she added with a grin. "Can't have His Highness getting hurt on my watch."

But when Aris started explaining how piloting overloaded his senses with the constant calculations and how it would overwhelm him, Zaiya's smile softened. She didn't tease or brush it off. She listened.

The Lovalla Padawan's skin shifted gently, sending soft amber hues pulsing through her mnottled stripes as she considered, slipping out of her chair to stand.

"Hmm… maybe there's something we can do," she murmured, her mind already going to places that perhaps might be able to work. Sure, he could learn the basics, but perhaps she could also help out with tech. "I could try running an upgrade on your helm. Maybe offload some of the data work so it doesn't feel like your brain's getting overloaded with calculations -- but that would work better on a ship or shuttle that could be customized or tailored for you."

She stood, slinging her pack over one shoulder and holding out her hand to Aris. Domxite chirped and scrambled up onto her shoulder, glowing faintly as they headed for the shuttle doors.

"C'mon. Adventure first, tech tweaks after."

 

[Aris Noble]

Listening, and a good solution. Aris's expression softened greatly as he listened to Zaiya. It wasn't something he liked to admit, not being able to handle it all when he could do so much. Was he really that prideful? It was a thought that had crossed his mind, but having Zaiya's unwavering support made him rather.. Calm now.

He took her offered hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as he smiled bright as ever and nodded. "Adventure first. I expect my Knight to be at her finest to protect me, so stay close, mm?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Aris Noble
​

"Adventure it is," Zaiya beamed, fingers laced with Aris's. A little feedback loop of joy sparked between them, humming gently through her skin in golden flecks that shimmered brighter with every step. Mayyy-be holding hands wasn't the most practical way to explore a new planet, but she didn't care. It made her feel closer to him, connected. As if tethering herself to him more and more, to which, she was, with each touch, caress, and time spent with him, so did the weaving threads of her bond to him grow.

And oh, did she shine ever so much brightly and vividly because of it.

A flash of mischievousness bloomed over her face and Zaiya gave Aris's shoulder a little bump; okay, more like his bicep as he was still taller than her.

"Close, huh? How close?" she teased, mischief flickering in her opal blue eyes.

But the second the shuttle ramp lowered, her breath caught.

The jungle stretched out before them in a rush of color and sound with towering trees with thick, curling roots, leaves that glowed softly in the shifting light, and vines that drifted lazily through the air like they were alive. Warm sun filtered through layers of bioluminescent canopy, and the whole world seemed to breathe. And while Aris would not be able to sense it like she could, perhaps he could use his superior sense to notice the amount of life that stirred around him.

With eyes full of wonder, Zaiya turned her colorful head to look at Aris, beaming with a wide, wonderous smile.

"Okay," she whispered, voice hushed with awe, "This is super cool."

 

[Aris Noble]

Crap.

Aris knew he was staring again. He didn't even bother trying to hide it as he squeezed her hand gently, letting a smile actually form on his face. Seeing her glow- it's what he wanted to see. Even if she wasn't as bright as the others, he was still helping her to live as a Lovalla, right? That line of thought didn't matter much though, as she questioned on just how close she should be to him.

The feedback loop didn't help in the slightest this time. The only saving grace from his spiraling embarrassment as he scrambled to not answer such a question was that when the ramp lowered, him looking away had something for him to actually look at. Marvel at, even. He blinked in surprise as he joined Zaiya in watching.

He couldn't see it in the Force like she could, but for his eyes which could see even the most minute thing, it was a spectacle akin to quiet fireworks.

".. Yeah. It is cool."

He paused for a moment as they walked down the ramp, letting out a frosty cloud of breath into the air before a hint of a grin formed. Yeah, he got his puns from his father without a doubt.

"Shall we get lost for a bit? See what we can find?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Was the warmth blooming across her cheeks from the thrill of stepping into a new world with Aris… or from the fluttery, skip-a-beat feeling she always got when he looked at her like that?

Honestly? Zaiya wasn't sure.

But she loved it either way.

Whether it was their little feedback loop buzzing between them, or the way he made her heart skip when she caught him staring, or that giddy thrill every time she managed to sneak a kiss, the Lovalla soaked it all in like a flower to Aris's sunlight.

Turning to Domxite, who hovered from their perch on Zaiya's shoulder with a trill, Zaiya tilted her head and gave them a sweet smile.

"Hey, Domxite, do you mind holding down the fort with the shuttle?" she asked. "That way if anything happens, you can zip over or call for backup."

The paint splattered droid gave a chirp of protest, spinning their emitter.

"I know, I know. But it's smart to have redundancies. And you can sense me, right?" she added, tapping her temple gently.

"If anything's wrong, you'll feel it. You've got my back, always."

That earned her a slightly grumbly beep, but they didn't argue again, hopping off her shoulder back up to the ramp.

"We have our comms and we can check in every hour or so!" Zaiya promised.

And this was totally not because she wanted to be able to have some time alone with Aris while adventuring too....

 

[Aris Noble]

He could practically feel Domxite glaring at him.

Or well, his guilt for his earlier thoughts translating into such a feeling. He couldn't even look at Domxite as the droid trilled in protest, but he did take a breath. He shouldn't let that sort of thing actually take over his mind, right? Instead he glanced to Domxite, where the droid was on the ramp. Gave a single understanding nod.

It's not like he expected anything like that anyway. They weren't even the same species.

"Every hour, on the dot."

He nodded his head once, to affirm it before looking out towards the faintly glowing landscape before them. He was excited for this. The kind of excitement that showed in the faint smile on his face.

"So, where do you want to go first? Is there a place that calls to you or the like?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

​

Zaiya squinted at Aris and Domxite, her lips twisting in a pursed half amused smile as the droid gave one last chirp and waddled back toward the shuttle.

There was definitely something going on.

However, she would hold that question for now. Up ahead, the jungle ahead was thick and green, sunlight pouring down for now, but it wouldn't be long before it would fade into scattered beams beneath the towering trees.

Zaiya paused, took a deep breath, and then closed her eyes.

The air smelled like damp earth, fresh water, and something sweet... orchids maybe? Her skin shifted with the breeze, golden patterns glowing soft and curious as she let herself listen.

Something tugged at her in the Force gently, but clear.

Her eyes snapped open, and she grinned.

"I think I've got an idea," she said, bouncing on her toes, giving Aris's hand a tug. "Come on!"

As she led him away from the shuttle, the Lovalla Padawan glanced back at her boyfriend -- teehee, boyfriend! -- and shot him a curious, probing, if slightly teasing question.

"What was that all about, hmm?" she asked, amusement flickering in her iridescent blue eyes. Teasing him, of course.

 

[Aris Noble]

She had an idea, and that was enough for him. Aris was quick to follow her, still smiling his brighter smile. Wherever they went, he was just excited to see it with her. See her world side by side, hand in hand. He'd have to take her to Niv Hani again soon, this time to just explore like they were here. Maybe go camping, sleep out under the stars.

Grant it, those thoughts faded at her probing question. A blush crept over his ears again as he glanced off.

"Nothing I think I'm ready to worry about, if I'm being honest." Aris reached up with his free hand to scratch at his cheek. "The professors brought it up a bit, so now it's kind of on my mind more than I thought it'd be."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya's fingers curled a little tighter around his. She could feel within the resonance as if her heart felt light and fizzy, like something warm had just sparked inside her. Her rosy golden skin flushed a soft coral pink, tiny flecks of golden ripples along the edges of her markings glowing gently along her stripes where their hands touched.

She looked up at Aris with avid curiosity, a soft smile on her lips as her head canted to the side, sweaping her multicolored hair along her shoulders as she studied him. Around them, there were the sounds of birds flying, the wind shifting within the trees, and an avid sense of peace and community.

"You mean like… growing feelings, right?" she asked curiously. At least, she thought that's what he meant.

But then she caught herself staring at his silver hair, the way his jawline looked in the light even as he scratched it, how tall he seemed now compared to before.

Her blush deepened.

"Ah, haha… well, that's normal, right?" she said, laughing nervously. "Feelings grow when the bond does."

It made sense. She always felt more aware now around him. Happier. Giddy. All excited, flustered, happy-go-lucky with an instinctive desire to get closer. To linger.

They came to a few big tree trunks, twisted and tangled. She could feel the sense that they would be required to climb over and find a path deeper into the jungle. Reluctantly, she let go of his hand to make her way to climb over, fingers lingering for just a second before she pulled away.

She didn't say more, but her smile said enough.

 

[Aris Noble]

"Growing feelings? I'm not sure that's what this is. Not that mine aren't. Just- other feelings alongside it I'm trying to sort out." Or, was it just him? The rush of emotion from her to get closer, to linger, it seemed to match up with his own. Which only made his own heart race that much more before he pushed those thoughts away again. Or tried. The constant beat of his heart in his ears was very difficult to ignore.

There was a reprieve as she seemed to notice something else that needed their attention. The trees, the need to climb. He was none the less just as reluctant to let go of her hand, but maybe it'd help to stop his racing mind. He idly closed his hand, flexing his fingers as her warmth seemed to linger against his skin.

"You think there's a secret hidden in these woods to find, perhaps? Something hiding in the winding woods?" He followed after her, already starting to climb with a faint smile on his face. Adventure, that he could focus on.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya started to climb up the thick ropy trunk of a tree, only to realize that it was actually a huge vine instead!

Well, that was what Zaiya was in the middle of realizing until Aris clarified it was other feelings alongside it that he'd been trying to sort out.

Oh.

Zaiya could be innocent and naive, but even she knew that the closer she was in proximity to Aris, the more she found herself thinking about him in ways that were not just appreciating his strength and how pretty his hair was. No, when she was by herself, or even when she wasn't around Aris, a drifting thought on how it would be nice to cuddle with him or kiss him would pop up in her mind in silly little daydreams.

"Oh, well.. I mean," She gave a little grunt as she pulled on the Force a bit to help with the strength she needed to push herself up and over. They had about five or so meters to climb up.

"If you mean you've been thinking about kissing me more, I've been doing the same as well!" She blushed, but she relayed that honestly. Not like there was any hiding of those feelings when they held hands or hugged.

"Don't tell Domxite that though!" She quipped back, climbing a bit further until she could see there was a ledge nearby. The sound of rushing water could be heard as they continued up and the air was more brisk. The scent of orchids grew stronger too, and as they continued to climb, Zaiya saw very pretty blooming orchids growing along the massive vine as they continued to climb. The curious thing was that as she moved past them, the orchids would seemingly react, their petals twisting slowly as if following her. There was no ill intent that she could feel, but it was rather cool!

 

[Aris Noble]

Oops.

Aris had been startled enough by the statement from Zaiya that he'd near ripped the vine apart in his grasp mid climb. He gave a quiet apology to it as he lessened his grip and continued to follow up after her. Hearing that she had similar thoughts was- Not what he expected, nor was it something he expected to have his mind suddenly racing all over again.

It was an awkward nervousness he just couldn't seem to properly escape. Were emotions always this difficult to control? Or was it just because of how new it was?

Or was it because it was Zaiya, and she always had a way to help show his emotions the most?

He turned his gaze to the orchids as they passed by. None seemed to react to him as they were with Zaiya, so perhaps it was the shimmer of her colors that affected them? Color attracted? "It's difficult to put into words without feeling like it's too much to say aloud for me, I suppose. I'm much more content just holding your hand and smiling with you, but occasionally different thoughts drift through. Does that make me.. I don't know the word for it."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with:

Zaiya finally pulled herself up over the ledge with a little huff, brushing her hands off on her thighs as she stood then instantly forgot how tired she was.

The view was breathtaking.

A narrow stretch of vine bridge led to a small island below, surrounded by waterfalls and cradled by a river that flowed around it. It was darker here because of the thicker overhead canopy, so one was able to tell a bit of the biolumejence the flora had around them. Beyond it, the jungle rose like a living wall, and tucked at the base of a jagged mountain was a massive cave, its mouth yawning wide like it had been waiting for someone to find it.

Zaiya turned to Aris, face already glowing but not just from the work out to climb up.

She gave him a wide beaming grin, reaching over to extend her hand to help him up to her.

"Wel-ll," she said, a little breathless, "I like that too. I mean… I'm really happy with what we're doing now."

And as their hand would clasp, Aris woudl see and feel the way her rosy golden skin began to flush once gainn into that bright coral pink as tiny flickers of magenta and gold danced at the edges of her spots.

"And no, I don't think that makes you weird or anything. I mean… would I be weird if I like kissing you? Or… holding you close? Or… um, watching you when you fight…?"

She paused, then gave a sheepish laugh, eyes flicking away for a second.

"O-or how you look in those Epicanthix robes whenever you wear them.…"

Okay, Zaiya, reel it in.

She ran a hand through her long bangs, pushing them back from her face, revealing more of how her intricate markings gave a pulsing glimmer.

"But I think we can figure all that out as we go..." she said hopefully in an encouraging voice. Well until the odd little thoughts came back and she flushed.

"Ju-ust… let me know if anything you feel from me is ever too much. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable."

Her eyes met his again, her irridecent opal blue eyes latching into his oh so pretty green ones then.

 

[Aris Noble]

That was right. Zaiya was just as uncertain and new to this as Aris was. They were still tiptoeing, trying not to overwhelm the other with the feelings they were still trying to figure out for themselves. As ever, it only brought a smile to his face to think about it. The kind that shimmered through their connection with contentment. They didn't have to hurry to figure it all out right now or even here. Even as she glanced away, he laughed slightly.

"I suppose I do look good, huh."

It was a light tease, but a tease none the less as he looked out to the bioluminescent surroundings. Watching how the colors traveled, as if trying to code them so he could understand how they worked. A puzzle, that he as ever enjoyed trying to solve. "You'd never make me uncomfortable." He smiled softly, looking back towards her.

"So you're welcome to do what you feel you want to."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

"Well... yeah." Zaya's blush grew brighter, confirming that yes, Aris did look good. Handsome even. Okay, mind wandering again.

"Very Princely. And handsome," She teased, deciding that humor would be best suited for the moment. One that turned into the Lovalla, softening her expression as her colors shifted into an empathic bronze and happy pale blue, hearing that she would never make him uncomfortable.

It reminded her of what he had told her back on Corsucant: that it didn't matter what others thought; she was welcome to hug him and hold his hand as often as she wanted, without fear of making him uncomfortable.

"Okay. Deal. " Zaiya agreed, only to flash out at him, "Feel free to do the same, too," in regards to him doing what he wanted without fear of it bothering her. If it did, she'd just mention it to him then. Or more aptly, he sensed it first.

"Come on, I feel something this way," ZAiya told him, leading him to walk over the braided vine bridge over towards the island.

 

[Aris Noble]

"That's something we can talk about some other time." They would. It was a more constant thing for him than he'd expected, being able to just talk to Zaiya about everything. Or- almost everything. That reality was a little more sobering, especially through the feedback loop. There were a lot of things he hadn't told Zaiya yet. Was it even alright for him to?

He looked towards where she was leading him, stepping carefully on the vine-like bridge so he wouldn't accidentally snap anything. He needed to tell her, right? "I've been pretending to be a Sith. Carnifex- I've been in contact with him trying to figure out the Forge, but also because I want to reclaim some of the things he's stolen from our people. Vera- died, when we last went to find something for the Forge. Her heartbeat stopped. I didn't want anyone else to get hurt so I've just been doing this all by myself now."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya had been halfway between a half smile and a little bounce still in her step from the view when Aris dropped a proverbial bomb.

And just like that, the glow over the Lovalla's skin dimmed. The vibrant gold and coral faded into muted rose and soft grey, like someone had pulled a curtain over her light, and her eyes widened in alarm.

"I… wait -- wait, what?" she stammered, her voice catching as she turned to him fully.

"Wait... Vera? Is she okay?"

She crossed the distance in a heartbeat, reaching out and grabbing both of his hands in hers to hold them tight. Her heart was pounding, not from adventure now, but from fear and the sudden rush of too much.

She searched his face, processing it all in. Vera. The Forge. Carnifex. Pretending to be Sith. Doing this alone.

And underneath all of that… something quiet and sharp bloomed in her chest.

Why didn't he tell me before?

She didn't ask it aloud; she was more focused on hearing from him about the important things. Like if Vera was okay.

 

[Aris Noble]

It was a lot to drop all at once. Aris knew that before he said anything, but seeing how Zaiya's colors shifted and flickered, dimmed, brought his own expression down some. What was nervous turned near disheartened, or at least what could be seen by Zaiya and the other's who knew him. Positive emotions were one thing he'd learned to express more, negative were still met with the near blank and emotionless state.

He let his eyes fall to their hands as she squeezed his. An excuse not to meet her gaze in truth. He didn't want to see the disappointment, or worse, the hurt. Yet, he had to. He looked up towards Zaiya, meeting her gaze as he gently squeezed her hands.

"Aadihr saved her, Vera's alright. But when it happened I-" Ripped apart the cyborg responsible part by part until she finally stopped moving. "I don't like what that did to me. Aadihr got badly hurt too. It's been- so much more dangerous, but I haven't been hurt at all. I know it's selfish to do this, I just- Don't know what I would do if you got hurt."

It wouldn't be good, he knew that much. Of all his emotions, his attachments and the desire to protect them was so easily twisted. His strength couldn't heal, and if it failed to protect, all he had left was to destroy. His grip tightened on Zaiya's hands. Not enough to hurt, but determination had filled his gaze now. His talk with Grandpa Thurion Heavenshield still rang true in his mind.

"But that's not what I want to do. I want you to stand with me, by my side and steer me right when I do something wrong. What good is a prince without their pr-knight." Knight, not that other word yet. "Grandpa, not Carnifex but my actual grandpa, told me I should talk to you about everything, and trust you to make the choice that's right for you. I should've from the get go. I don't know if I can make you glow like how we saw the doctors before. I want you to glow, brighter than them even. I want to make this bond real, safe for both of us, but real in every way. And that I trust you to be okay. That you don't need my protecting, even if you might need my help now and then, like for reaching the top shelf."

There was a little bit of a smile, mostly because he felt like he was rambling, saying too much too quickly. He usually thought everything through, but yet gain when it came to Zaiya he couldn't help but talk.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya listened quietly, her fingers still wrapped around Aris's, letting every word settle in her chest like soft rainfall.

It was so much. All the things he had been carrying alone. The danger, the secrets, the fear of losing someone, losing me. No wonder he'd held it all so close.

For a moment, Zaiya didn't say anything. And while her skin had dimmed before, the glow flickering in uncertainly… but as she looked at Aris, really looked at him, her colors slowly began to shine and brightened again. Soft coral spread across her cheeks, and the edges of her spots pulsed gently with golden light.

Then she smiled, raised one hand, and gently bopped his forehead with a finger, the same way he had whenever she had babbled on into overthinking before.

And then she hugged him, wrapped her arms tightly around him like she wanted to wrap herself around him and hold all the broken, scared, and stubborn parts together. Her arms curled around his shoulders, and she pressed her cheek against him.

"I'm glad you told me," she murmured. "Thank you."

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her hands resting lightly on his arms, giving them little rubs up and down their firm muscle.

"And yes. I do want to stand with you. Be with you. Protect you. Tell you when you are being silly or too logical... like when you go off and try to do everything by yourself and forget you don't have to anymore."

Her grin returned, brighter now. "And I definitely want to help build something real with you. Something strong and safe. A bond that we both can shape together."

She hesitated, then added with a laugh, "Also… yeah, even to help me reach thetop shelf. I've accepted that fate that I'm not growing any taller now...."

Zaiya's smile lingered, the glow flickering brighter again over her rosy golden skin in a playful but thougthful flutter.

"You don't have to protect me from everything, Aris. Just don't shut me out, okay? Even if I can't fix it, I can be here. Always."

 

[Aris Noble]

There was a visible relief in how Aris stood before Zaiya. The little bit of apprehension and worry of rejection, especially with everything he'd just told her, was hiding there as a whisper. Seeing her smile again, seeing her colors brighten up, he couldn't help but smile in turn. He hugged her just as tightly, perhaps even more so. As she pulled back, he did the same, his green eyes alight with that joy.

The boop on his forehead though, that had him pause. Without thinking more on it he just lifted her up in his arms, just so she could be eye level with him again, like they almost were when they were younger.

"I'm going to hold you to that. There's no one else I want by my side to help me, for me to help." He flashed a grin, now looking up at her as he lifted her higher. His expression softened after a moment though, his green eyes searching hers for a moment longer.

"For now, though, we're here to focus on you, and what we're here to make. To learn more about you, your people. I want to know everything I can about you."

Zaiya Ceti