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

Zaiya blinked at him, the warmth of his words sending a shimmer racing across her skin before she even realized it.

Oh. OH!

Coral pink flushed her cheeks, and little bursts of gold and teal flickered along her stripes like sparks catching.

"You're not making me uncomfortable," she said softly, scooting a little closer so the glow of her skin mingled with the firelight. Her smile was small but sure.

"If anything, you make me… happy. Flustered, sure. But in the good way."

SHe gave a quiet laugh, rubbing her arm as if to try and tone down her glow. "I like you alot too, Aris. Being close like this feels… nice. New, yeah, but nice."

Her opal blue eyes found his, a bit shy but steady.

"So maybe… don't stay in your head so much. Just be here with me, okay? We can just figure things out together."

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris let out a breath. Relief, maybe. They'd had this conversation before, in a way. That neither of them could make the other uncomfortable. It wasn't that though, was it? "I'm always going to be here with you. I'm more worried I'll make myself uncomfortable, I think. There's a lot of thoughts and feelings that aren't- logical. Some are fun, but others are- What I'm trying to figure out."

There was a moment he just watched her eyes. Let all of her words fully sink into his mind. After a moment, he just smiled. He leaned over, idly bumping his forehead to hers as he let his eyes close. The warmth there, hers as he felt her forehead resting against his, was what he wanted to focus on and let his mind relax.

".. Do you want to cuddle? Is that- something we can do?"

 

[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

There was a lot going on in Aris's mind. Zaiya could tell that easily. He was typically not prone to showing so much emotion or expression, but throughout the years, he had been expressing himself more and more. Not to mention, there were nuances that the Lovalla Padawan had been able to glean just from spending so much time with him. Little tells. He was her best friend first and foremost before they decided to start dating, and they were both able to notice things about the other that didn't have to rely on the emotional resonance her touch provided.

Her head gave a slight cant to the side in thoughtful consideration, a soft pulse of contemplation darting over her rosy golden skin in an amber glow. The empathic resonance just from being around the lichen and flora around her seemed to also react to it, which was distracting as it was curious. However, Zaiya's focus was on Aris.

She had been in the middle of asking Aris a question when he'd tentatively asked if she'd like to cuddle. Which, of course, only brightened the vibrancy of her rosy golden skin, giving it an irridecent pearly shimmer that made her all the more ethereal in her biolumiencent display. She was very, very pretty then.

"Yeah. I'd really like to cuddle with you." She beamed, as she was already affectionate by nature and had a deep desire to connect through touch.

She walked over to sit down beside him as he stoked the fire, drawing her knees up to her chest as she wrapped her colorful arms around her legs. A bright shimmering cheek rested against the top of her knees, the Lovalla looking up at Aris as she gave a thoughtful hum.

"Okay, let's talk about it then. What are the thoughts you are having that are making you feel as if they are illogical?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"Talking about it makes it feel that much more illogical, if I'm being honest." Though, saying it aloud might help clear his mind regardless. He kept his eyes on the flame, idly leaning back on his hands. Relaxed, even if he didn't feel comfortable. Ah, no wait. The realization hit him as he ended up chuckling, a soft little one that turned a bit more into a joyful laugh.

There was a word for this.

"Butterflies. I'm flustered when I'm with you. My heart races. Even right now I want to pick you up and hold you in my lap but that feels much too forward. Epicanthix are much more reserved with physical affection, but when I'm with you I want to throw away all that politeness." He stayed leaned back. Kept his weight on his hands as he lounged, as if to keep them immobilized.

"I know how attracted I am to you, because it's you. Sometimes I find myself thinking about more of you. More than cuddling." The admission came with quite the new expression on Aris's face. The blush that had normally been on his ears was now burning his cheeks. Fluster, embarrassment, shyness. He knew without a doubt that Zaiya has always had only the purest intents with spending time with him, but he hadn't. Was it because of him being Epicanthix while she was Lovalla? Was this normal for both their species?

"I'm not sure what to do with this."

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 smile lingered even as her thoughts swirled, studying Aris with quiet warmth while he spoke. There was a weight to his words, a mix of nerves and honesty that made her chest ache in the gentlest way.

"Then… maybe we could just try," she said softly, her melodic voice carrying a note of thoughtfulness. "Little things that show physical affection. You know I like being close to you, and I don't mind starting slow. We can figure it out together."

Her cheeks warmed, coral blooming across her skin as golden pulses flickered faintly through her mottled spots.

"I got an idea, " She offered, as she lifted her head from where it had been resting against her knees, shifting closer until their shoulders and knees brushed together, blending the heat of their bodies in an electrifying giddy way that made Zaiya shine. Carefully, she turned her palm upward holding it out to him for his hand, her skin glowing with a soft, pearly shimmer of bioluminescence that danced across her hand like starlight.

"Start out with this," she continued, her eyes lifting to his with an affectionate smile.

"Then... maybe if you want… I can sit in front of you, and you can wrap your arms around me." She added, showing a willingness to let him decide while also building something steady and safe between them on their own terms.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris watched as Zaiya moved. Finally looked away from the flame to see her again. It only made his blush brighten, in truth. She was so calm, so collected. All where for once he wasn't. He didn't even resond at first, instead trying to focus on the warmth that spread through their connection again. It took a moment before he did reach his hand up to take hers as it was offered.

".. You're short enough that if we do that no one could see you." He smiled. A gentle tease, especially considering her declaration that she would be the taller of them when they were younger. He leaned down after, gently kissing the back of her hand as he brought it to his face.

"Let's stay like this, just for a little bit longer. I don't l- like the idea that I might not he able to control my intentions properly."

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

The moment their hands touched, Zaiya's glow brightened instinctively, her rosey golden asking having soft ripples of gold and pink dance over it. Without her usual mental walls, the resonance between them deepened, and she felt him, really felt him. The flustered heat in his chest, the quickened beat of his heart, the shift when he tried to steady himself by focusing on the simple warmth of her hand against his.

"Hey, I almost won there," she teased with a grin, her eyes sparkling. The words came easy, but then his lips brushed over the back of her hand, and a fuzzy, fluttery warmth spread through her so quickly she thought she might burst into starlight. It tickled, it tingled and it fed back to him.

"Okay… we can do that," she replied, voice soft but full of her smile. The feedback loop between them only made it stronger, emotions spinning like threads woven together. She couldn't help but laugh lightly, a little overwhelmed at how every flicker of his feelings came rushing back to her tenfold.

"Control your intentions properly?" she asked curiously, tilting her head.

"Like with cuddling?" Her golden glow pulsed as she waited, warmth and mischief both in her gaze.

"Or kissing." now she was teasing him. "What if I also want to do both with you, too, anyway?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"You didn't."

A statement of fact, and one that he let himself smirk over as he watched the colors rippling around her. The fluttery warmth she felt, it mirrored his own. With that at least, there was comfort. That silly, wonderful sense of butterflies wasn't limited to just one of their species. That was around where the similarities seemed to end, though.

He pouted a bit. His emotions were all over the place, clear as day on his normally stoic face.

".. I'd like that a lot. But- I don't fully- Understand it. The feeling of wanting that kind of physical interaction." All his life he'd never cared for physical affection. He wasn't adverse to it, but he never sought it out either. Now it was something on his mind, especially right now as he idly traced circles over Zaiya's palm with his thumb.

"So.. Clear limits. For both of us. As we learn them?"

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

The slow circle of Aris's thumb against her palm made Zaiya's whole arm buzz, little electric tingles racing up until they traced along the back of her neck. She gave a tiny laugh under her breath, unable to hide the way her colors responded as the bioluminescent glow rippled in warm golden tones, then melted into blue flickers of amusement, and finally teal in sparkling happiness. A soft ombre of crimson threaded through in affection, with just a hint of citrine at her curiosity for how it all felt.

It was nice. Strange and new, but nice… and ticklish.

"Clear limits," Zaiya echoed, nodding with a grin. Still, she couldn't resist. Her own thumb brushed across his in return, playful and gentle, sending the feeling right back into their loop. The heightened echo of sensation made her cheeks glow coral pink as she leaned a little closer.

"Okay then…" she tilted her head, opal eyes bright with both sincerity and mischief. "What are our limits?"

 

[Aris Noble]

".. You're not helping you know."

The tingling feelings, the rush in his mind. For as composed and relaxed as Aris normally was, the feedback loop was only feeding more and more into the wants in the back of his mind. His blush worsened for a moment as he watched just how beautiful her colors were shifting. It was mesmerizing. What were the limits? Did he really want there to be limits? A part of him said no from the parts he'd been pushing down, but as he watched the colors flickering around Zaiya a realization came with it.

They had so much trust in each other. He could never abuse that trust.

Red remained on his cheeks, but he shifted some before casually picking Zaiya up to settle on his lap. Wrapped his arms around her, rested his chin atop her head.

"I don't know mine, or yours. But I think there's a simple fix for that. The moment we do, we tell the other, no matter what we're doing. I trust you to tell me."

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

It was a giddy feeling. That rush of warmth, the little spike of excitement, and the fluster that Aris tried to keep steady. It all spilled through the loop into her, and back again to him, until it felt like they were caught in a rhythm only they could hear. Her rosy golden skin gave off an iridescent glow with coral and magenta ripples of color, shimmering as if his touch painted them into being.

And when Aris pulled her onto his lap, her breath hitched in surprise before the glow spread brighter across her skin in a medley of soft golds and teals that mixed in with the warmth already there. Snuggled close, she let herself melt into his embrace, arms folding gently over his where they held her.

"Yeah," she murmured, cheeks flushed but smiling wide, "just tell each other."

Ever so slowly, the Lovalla Padawan's fingers began to brush lightly along his forearm, tracing idle little circles. The twitch of his muscles under her touch fed right back to her in a tingle that made her giggle softly.

"It's neat," she admitted with a happy laugh. "How this feels. Like we're… I don't know...together."

Her eyes lifted to his, glowing soft in the cave's light. "But does it bother you? Feeling everything like this?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"If it was anyone else, I'd be incredibly bothered." His thoughts, his feelings, they weren't the type of thing he liked to share when he didn't understand them. Logic demanded he figure out the reasoning behind it all first, then be willing to talk. It was different here. He closed his eyes, much more focused on Zaiya's warmth as he hugged her. Got comfortable in front of the flame. They probably should eat, but now he was much too comfy to try and get anything cooking.

"With you, I just want to feel this more. As flustered and awkward as I feel with this all, I love it because it's you."

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

Hearing that made Zaiya feel all kinds of giddy, flustered, and happy all at once. It was as if fireworks had sparked within her chest, and the delighted tickles and tingles spread throughout her body. It made her snuggle closer to Aris, scrunching in close. She could feel the tickle of his breath near her ear, and that gave her another little shiver that made not only her nose but even her toes tingle too.

"Me too. I only want to feel like this with you," she admitted softly, before adding with a shy smile, "Well… I only feel this way with you."

Her fingers kept up their curious little trace along his forearm, following the slight twitch and flex of the muscles there until she found a particularly sensitive spot.

"Haha… it's weird," she laughed lightly. "How I can feel what you are feeling. But I like it."

She paused, her expression turning curious.

"Does that mean when I enjoy something… you enjoy it just as much?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"It's a very- intense feeling right now." He muttered a response, eyes closed now as he leaned over to sort of just nuzzle into her hair. It was a lot. A lot a lot. How he felt, how she felt in turn, the tingling feelings and warmth. ".. I am though. Sharing what we enjoy isn't what I expected to feel from a bond, but I don't think I'd want otherwise. It's endearing to feel just how much you like things."

There was a twitch on his arm, a flex of his fingers as he frowned. Not discomfort, but certainly not expected to twitch uncontrolled. "I just hope what I feel doesn't become what you feel. It'd feel like I'm manipulating you in that case. You were worried about that with me for a bit before, right? How'd you handle that?"

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

The soft brush of his nuzzle into her hair sent another shiver down her spine, one that tickled and warmed all at once. Zaiya couldn't help but giggle under her breath, though the sound faded as his words settled in.

The Lovalla's smile faltered then, prompting past anxiedties to bubble to the surface. She had worried about that before. Worried she might be swaying people without meaning to, just because she wanted them to care about her. What if that was happening now?

Glancing down, she gently reached for one of his hands where he held her. Slowly, she brought it up until their palms pressed together, warmth meeting warmth. She then shifted her fingers against his, intertwining them with care, like threading something delicate and special.

"I understand what you mean," she said softly, turning a bit in place to look over her shoulder at him. Those wide opal blue eyes were so close Aris would be able to see the pearl like iridescence that threaded her irises. She was close. Very close. The scent of hyacinth and wood smoke surrounding them.

"But Master Cora told me that kind of manipulation… it takes years of training, and you have to try to do it through the Force. So maybe... what we feel isn't like that, maybe it isn't swaying us at all. Not really."

The glow over her skin softened, and warm bioluminescence sprang over the edges of her mottled spots, coral flecked with gold and red, in affection as she squeezed his hand lightly.

"You told me you liked me, and that I was your best friend, before all this. That you care about me because it's you who chose to, not because of some trick. Doesn't that apply to everything else too?"

She let out a quiet breath, pressing her head briefly against his shoulder.

"It is… intense. But I think it's real."

 

[Aris Noble]

He paused. Blinked. Being aware of how she felt, on what he did, it clicked a part of his brain he wasn't fully able to understand. He stared into her eyes for as long as she spoke, letting her words weigh in his mind, letting them be what silenced those other whispers as his smile softened. Everything they felt was real.

That was never going to change.

"I don't think like really covers it anymore, you know."

Aris leaned down, gently and carefully kissing her forehead. There was no rush into anything, but he was certain enough to at least fulfil what he promised Thurion.

"I love you, Zaiya. I think I have since we were kids."

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

I love you.

Zaiya's breath caught, her heart giving the kind of skip that sent fireworks bursting through her chest. For a second she could only stare at him, wide eyed, as his words washed over her.

Her skin lit up instantly, a dazzling shimmer of golds and corals blooming over her rosy, golden complexion, rippling out into flecks of teal and magenta, and vibrant crimson tones, until it looked like starlight had spilled across her. Her whole body felt warm and alive, as if the bond itself was glowing brighter.

A giddy laugh bubbled out of her as she tilted her face up toward him, cheeks flushed pink.

"Aris…" she whispered, her opal blue eyes glimmering as tears pricked the corners. "You don't know how happy that makes me."

She turned in his arms to face him, bringing her hand up to let her palm against his cheek, thumb brushing along his skin as her smile grew.

"I love you too. You were my very first real friend. My best friend. Only now it's… more. So-o much more."

Unable to hold back, she leaned in and kissed him, soft and lingering, pouring all the joy and warmth and love glowing in her into that one simple touch.

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris leaned into her palm, letting his eyes close as he just listened to her. It filled his heart with so much warmth just to hear her say that she loved him in turn. The little fear that maybe she didn't, that maybe he was saying it much too soon. The relief and joy was clear as a shining sun with just how much he was smiling.

His eyes opened just as she leaned up, and his smile only grew. He held her cheek in turn, pulling her almost into the kiss she'd already decided to give. Joy, pure and simple. The tingle of joy spread right through their bond before his other hand joined the first, holding both her cheeks, holding her into the kiss. It wasn't just joy any more. A hint of passion that he'd been hesitating to show, to let himself feel. Hesitation that had melted away as he finally pulled back, as if to let them both breath.

Not that he had to really.

".. Thank you."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Aris Noble

Zaiya leaned into his hands, her skin glowing brighter than ever, ripples of gold and coral shimmering across her face like a sunrise come to life. The kiss left her breathless in the best way, a little giddy laugh slipping out as their bond hummed with joy so strong it felt like it wrapped them both in a blanket of warmth.

She pressed her forehead gently against his, letting herself savor the closeness, the quiet, the safety of just being here together.

"I don't think I've ever felt this happy before," she admitted with a bashful giggle. "And if this is what the bond is like… then I never want it to fade."

Her glow flickered playfully, little sparkles of teal and magenta weaving through the gold as she closed her eyes and nestled closer against him.

It felt nice to stay like this. Close. If anything, it made this night extra special.

And with the star's grace, it would be one of many, many more to come.