Private Something Beautiful Blooms

[Everest Vale]

Location: Room of a Thousand Fountains, Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Outfit: Spring Tunic
Equipment: Small backpack

The Room of a Thousand Foundations was a magnificent place to behold. Seven floors of greenhouses that featured an endless array of rare and flora from about the galaxy, surrounded by row after row of beautifully built water features and shallow waterfalls, the place was as hypnotising as it was relaxing. Everest loved coming here. It was a place that, to her, gave her some of the most intense level of peace and power that she had found since first coming to Coruscant, and helped to soothe the aching wounds that had scarred across her heart from her experiences on Jedha. Here, she found a much needed solace.

It was in this place where she had decided — mustering all the confidence she could manage — to invite a certain Recopian to meet her. Since their first meeting in the gardens, Eve's heart would race every time she thought about her fellow Padawan Tigris. That was some weeks ago now, and so much had happened since that sweet and innocent day. Eve's first mission had affected her deeply and she had changed irreversibly for it. But her new Master Valery Noble had been nothing but kind to her, and allowed her to begin to breathe once more. Slowly, the scar tissue was being replaced with the newfound strength of a passionate young woman. Slowly, Everest was healing, and today, she was... happy.

It was a simple enough exchange of messages via datapad. Eve was proud of herself for finally reaching out to Tigris, and the second a reply pinged back from her, it was all she was able to think about. Suddenly, the troubles that had plagued her of late melted into the background, replaced with youthful anticipation and nervousness.

~ Meet you at the entrance ~​

She dwelled a little on her last message. The Room had more than once entrance, would she know to go to the main one? Was the smiley face too goofy? Why did she say this place of all places? Should she have asked her if she wanted to go elsewhere? She shook her head a little and breathed before the jitters took hold of her.

Enough, Eve. It'll be okay. Trust yourself.

She adjusted her tunic needlessly, and run her open palm over her hair a few times, in case the gentle humidity had started to interfere.

It's not a date. It's just two gals hanging out. Right?

Maybe. A gentle blush came to her cheeks.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

​

Tigris was pleased when Eve contacted her. Though there was a bit of trepidation as well. Eve was the first of her peers to even attempt to get to know the tattooed padawan more than as the briefest acquaintance. Tigris understood, her social skills were lacking, her demeanor was a bit off putting, as she tended to lurk more than jump into the mix. Old habits were hard to break. Even though she had turned with full conviction from that past life as a darksider and an assassin, ridding herself of its effects would take some time.

But her uncertainty was not only because someone had been friendly. It was the fact that Eve and she had an almost immediate...thing. They were clearly opposite in lots of ways. But an attraction bloomed between them the first time the met in a class. Tigris had mulled over that unexpected attraction since their first meeting. She had little experience with true romance, it was just not a part of the life she had come from. But the image of the beauiful Echani's face and the soft, feminine sound of her voice manifested often in Tigris' thoughts.

So, when Everest asked to meet up, Tigris had a moment of decision. Politely refuse and play it safe, or accept and explore something totally new? She had stared at the message on the datapad for some time before finally typing in her response.

And, there Tigris was, approaching the main entrance to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Even before getting there, the fresh scent of flora and the sound of water could be heard. She had worn a simple dark garment, typical for her level of comfort, but nice enough to meet her friend. It was a sleeveless, loose tunic that hung to her knees, slit up the sides. It bared her slender, muscular, tattooed legs and arms. Tigris felt uncomfortable in anything that didn't give her full freedom of movement. A simple sash was wrapped around her slender waist. Low, soft boots covered her feet and her long, midnight black hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

Nearing the entrance, she saw Everest. With porcelain skin, silvery eyes and hair, the girl looked like she glowed. Tigris cleared her throat, musted her courage, and walked up to Eve with a small smile.

"Hi Eve, its good to see you again." She started, making no further move, unsure of how to greet the girl she found so attractive.

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

The moment she saw her coming, Eve could feel the heat rush to her cheeks almost instantly as a tiny gasp escaped her. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably the moment their eyes locked from afar, as the memories of their first meeting — and all the innocent feelings it had enflamed within her — came flooding back in an instant. Her hands held themselves awkwardly, fingers twiddling along the opposite hand's knuckles out of the sudden onset of nervousness. But she persisted, and she breathed.

Tigris' smile pulled her directly into the moment, and as the gap between them closed and Tigris greeted her, Eve took a moment to catch her breath before finally being able to say something back, a soft, shy smile lighting up her face.
"H-hi," she said simply, her mind suddenly flustered. After an awkward moment or two, she finally managed a breathy "You too," as an innocent giggle escaped her involuntarily. Why was she always so flustered around Tigris?

She turned her attention to the magnificent place about them, looking for a way to move the moment forward, before remembering the idea she had when she first invited Tigris. She pointed to a sign to their right that read 'Botanics of the Deep Core'.
"I thought maybe we could try this exhibition out, i-if you'd like to that is. But we can do anything." Another smile came to her, this time with a newfound sudden surge of confidence that made her eyes sparkle like stars.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

​

The two women were clearly a bit uncomfortable, but in a good way. Eve was giddy, giggling, stumbling over words. Tigris was equally nervous, though it manifested more quietly, small smiles, slight shrugs, not knowing exactly how to behave in the situation. She had never pursued an attraction, or even felt the sort of things she felt for the docile Echani. She felt off-balance, and it disquieted the former assassin.

Get a hold. A voice sounded in her head, it was almost like the sound of Chag'ta, her Seyugi trainer from so long ago. The one that taught her control of her emotions. As if in response, Tigris cleared her throat again, straightened her spine and fixed her eyes upon Everest. She was older, after all, she should act like it.

"The exhibit would be great." Tigris responded with the confidence that typically defined her. She would help Eve get more comfortable, even if it meant making her a bit more uncomfortable at first. The fact was, Tigris liked her, and had decided she wanted to get closer. Moving beside the girl, Tigris snaked her tattooed arm around Eve's and gave a slight tug, smiling at the bright, beautiful girl.

"Come on, lead the way." Tigris encouraged, her eyes fixed again on those enchanting silver orbs, indulging in the visceral excitement she felt being so close to the Echani girl.

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

The sudden confident movement from Tigris made Eve blush in an instant as their arms locked comfortably. Eve was only a dash shorter than Tigris, and it wasn't a strain on her at all, but it still sent a shock through her that she was suddenly so close to her. She looked away for a moment, swallowed, steeled herself, and pulled her along to the exhibition entrance.

The exhibition itself boasted all manner of amazing floral specimens. It made Eve giddy just thinking of them. It opened with a wide selection of plants found on Tython, the Jedi holy world that the Order held so dear.
"Did you know," Eve started excitedly. "When the Jedi first formed on Tython, plants were an intrinsic part of their practice? It was a sort of medicine. Everything on Tython is so sensitive in the Force. It sounds wonderful, I hope I can go sometime..." Her thoughts drifted as they moved on to the next set of displays.

"Oooh~" The next display showed an assortment of strange-looking plants from the Sha Qarot system. A plague read 'Little has been explored of this mysterious system, but agricultural technicians in the Order have managed to gather these few specimens found on a variety of its planets. It has been discovered that some of these are Force sensitive.' The variety of plants themselves were certainly unusual; red and purple vines, flowers shaped in ways entirely unique and resembling the most obscure shapes, small saplings that seemed to bear something resembling razor blades for leaves. Eve looked at them with intense curiosity through the cases that held them, a fascinated sigh escaping her that left a small smudge of condensation along the glass.

But when they reached the next set of displays, an undeniable gasp came from her.
"Wwwoowww~" It was stored differently to the rest, encased in a much darker glass dome with soil filled to the top, cross-cut across the glass for people to see inside. Strange roots glowed and and twisted about of their own accord, seeming like fluorescent serpents. Below, the sign said: 'From the Wellspring of Life. These roots were taken from below the planet's surface and must be kept in a specialised condition at all times in order to survive. It is highly Force sensitive but has been encased in Force-nullification glass. However, please be careful of mechanical and electronic objects near to it.'
"I would have never expected this to be here." Eve was flustered. "Th-this is so special." She looked to Tigris, suddenly embarrassed how obsessed she had been behaving over the whole thing, and she blushed a little. "Sorry, I... I just really like plants, I guess."

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

Tigris found it easier than expected to leave behind her typical sober demeanor with Everest on her arm. They entered the exhibit, an aesthetically pleasing display of flora, presented in a manner much more accessible and arranged than they would have appeared in nature. Tigris could almost feel Eve brighten even more as the path led them into the thick variety of foliage.

The pretty Echani began to narrate what they saw, affirming what Tigris already knew. Everest loved plant-life, and now her knowledge was proving it. Dark eyes glided over each plant, taking Eve's enthusiasm and letting herself appreciate each form. She had never really stopped to look at plants. She had never really stopped to appreciate anything as beautiful, until she met Everest.

Of course, she found an affinity the mysterious plants of the Sha Qarot system. They reminded Tigris of herself and how she felt in her 'new' galaxy. Strange, oddly shaped, even dangerous. But those plants were also beautiful. She never though of herself as such, though Everest's silvery eyes always seemed to say so when they peered at the tattooed padawan.

The next display elicited a gasp from Eve, and Tigris shot a glance at her, instinctively pulling her closer, protectively. Then Tigris saw where the Echani's gaze had fallen. The display was a remarkable thing. The awe in Everest's face made her seem even more endearing to the harder hearted Tigris. Then she too studied the Wellspring of Life roots. It truly was fascinating. Tigris had no idea a plant could possess such a connection to the Force. Everest's awestruck tone shifted to one almost apologetic as she made a rather understated comment.

"That is not hard to see, Eve." Tigris teased her, sparing a playful grin for the girl. Still arm in arm, Tigris felt a powerful urge to do something. It was both small, and to her very big. Her hand slid down Eve's slender, pale arm, until the palm of her hand pressed to the Echani's and she entwined her fingers with Everest's.

"Thanks for bringing me here, its... beautiful." Tigris realized she had probably never said that out loud about anything. Her dark gaze turned to Eve, her eyes saying more than her words had. How had this teen, timid and shy, so efficiently penetrate the hide that had been made so hard by Tigris' life?

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

Tigris' hand found hers, and heat rushed to her cheeks again. She could feel her warmth in her own hand, but nerves had taken her and she didn't move. A little embarrassed, she rubbed the back and side of her neck awkwardly, as she glanced back at her date. Those dark eyes ever captivated her, telling of so much of a life she had no concept of, yet held their own unique warmth that Eve felt was only for her and nobody else. It made her lip quiver, before he bit it lightly.

"I'm glad you like it," she said quietly, silver eyes sparkling against the light that shone through the greenhouse glass. "I always come here to think, e-especially lately." She found her thoughts again turn to Jedha, as her eyes seemed to look beyond the moment, lost temporarily in the memory, and she found herself opening up without necessarily planning to so soon.

"I— I didn't have a good time on Jedha. Th-this place, it gives me peace..." Her voice was suddenly sullen and dark. Memories of the days that followed came to her, those days where she was so lost, trapped in her own mind, and had locked herself away. Doubts had plagued her if she was really cut out to be a Jedi. But something had stirred in her to keep going, and it was her Master Valery Noble who had helped to pull her from the brink of abject despair.

"Master Noble... She's helped me a lot. I can't express how much I owe her." It was true. What her Master had given her was unlike anything else, and it paved a clear way for her to grow. She had been a mother to her, at a time she needed it the most in her life. Eve looked shyly to Tigris, her bright eyes wide and childlike, as if she was on the brink of crying. "I nearly left the Order, but... I'm glad she convinced me otherwise... because if I did... I wouldn't have ever been able to see you again." She was doing her utmost not to cry at the thought, and yet a single tear escaped her.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

It was a serene and beautiful place. Tigris took in the colorful environment, the air rich with the scent of a myriad of fragrant plants. Of course, that serenity came with an undercurrent of excitement generated by Eve's presence. The two of them walked unhurried along the pathway. Tigris could see Everest was still nervous. The girl was so timid, unless she was talking about something she loved, like plants. It was clear Eve drew confidence from her knowledge and love for them.

But Tigris caught something pass over those twinkling silver eyes. Something not so unfamiliar. Everest's words and tone reflected that morose sobriety revealed in her eyes. Tigris didn't speak, letting Eve find her words.

Jedha.

Tigris had heard of the incident on The frozen planet. Not specifically what Everest experienced, only that the Jedi had faced a horrid enemy there. But it was clear in the darkness that seemed to shadow Eve's soul that some trauma had befallen her there.

The older padawan saw tears welling in glistening silver eyes. The tanned hand squeezed the lighter one lightly. "I'm glad Master Noble was able to convince to stay as well." Tigris offered in a softer lilt. She knew of haunting memories. Many of her nights were still filled with night terrors, terrifying dreams of the victims of her past coming from the grave to exact vengeance upon her. They had seemed systems away when she was with Everest, but the Echani's raw emotions reminded her that they were more than two flirting women. They were souls who experienced not only the joy of new friendship, but the pain of life's most brutal realities.

Tigris's hold on Eve's hand remained gently firm, tugging the silver-haired girl closer, until their arms touched. There was a curious sentiment Eve's vulnerability exposed within Tigris. It was something she hadn't really felt before. The former assassin felt in her core a desire to 'make it alright' for Everest. It was protective, and almost nurturing. The emotions were all new. Normally, Tigris would be uneasy about such feelings. But now, she only pondered them.

"Why don't we get a caf or some tea." She spoke softly, looking over at Everest.


Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

Tigris was warm. Their arms suddenly being against each other gave Eve a sense of ease she didn't ever expect, and it flustered her a little. But the way those dark, almond eyes looked at her, she knew there was nothing to worry about, as long as they were together. She knew that as long as Tigris was by her side, and she by hers, she would be okay. She sheepishly leaned a little against her, lost briefly in that moment.

"Why don't we get a caf or some tea."

Eve nodded promptly, grateful for the chance to move the moment on from her own anxiousness, and the two made their way down to the café that nestled itself on the second floor of the immense greenhouse complex. Settling in a corner table, they brought along a pot of deychin tea, Eve also opting for a small slice of her favourite cake – lemon drizzle.

Now that they were seated opposite one another, Eve could take in Tigris' full features. She was so remarkable. Her eyes spoke of a life she couldn't understand, compelling and dark and unknowable. It both scared and enticed her, and yet Eve knew easily how whatever her past, Tigris had embraced a new life amongst Jedi, and that gave Eve a gentle, warming peace.

She looked to the tattoos that adorned all over her skin, Eve's illuminated eyes trailing along her taut arms. She looked so strong, and the strange tattoos spoke of mystery, darkness, something otherworldly. She was so eager to learn about them, but was too shy to ask. Her eyes hung on her arms a while, and the thought of being held in them flashed in her mind. She blushed again.

"H-hey, I have a gift for you," she said suddenly, distracting her thoughts. She reached into her backpack beside her and pulled out a glass domed case that held a flower, the petals of which were a deep blood-red, with leaves that were soot-black. It was ornately kept, and a small bed of soil held it's young roots. Eve slid it across the table to Tigris.

"It's from Recopia, it can only grow when the planet magma hardens and cools on its surface. The head gardener here helped me get one, she told me it's really rare..." A silence hung between them for a moment as she let the impact of the gift settle. She hoped she'd like it. "Y-you told me Recopia wasn't beautiful when we first met. I– I wanted to see if I could change your mind."

She smiled timidly, hoping she wasn't overstepping. She knew nothing about Recopia apart from what she'd read about its harsh terrain. She has no idea if Tigris had bad memories of her home, or if she missed it, but Eve recognised the tone of her voice when she spoke of her homeworld, and she at least wanted to help her reconnect to a part of herself.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

The change of venue also changed the dynamic between them. Walking the Room of a Thousand Fountains, their attention was split between the splendid scenery and each other. But in the cafe, at the setting of a small table, face to face, the encounter became more intimate. Tigris would have agreed with Eve, she liked the change. Just as the Echani's eyes studied the tattooed Recopian, Tigris indulged in studying Eve close at hand. Everest seemed to represent the opposite of everything bad in the world. Youthful, ivory complexion, brilliant silver eyes, a smile that could melt an iceberg, all framed in silken silver locks. Innocence, hope, compassion... within the Echani beauty was everything that was foreign to the former assassin. And she found Everest unexplainably endearing for it all.

But there was more. Everest produced a gift. Tigris wasn't used to gifts. The Echo Stone she received at the Jakku Enclave could be considered such, but all students there received one. Never had she'd been given one, just for her. The small glass domed case was set on the table before her. Even as she listened to Eve explain, Tigris recognized the black leaves and sanquine red petals. She leaned forward slightly, staring at the flower. She knew it. Rare, even on her homeworld, but uniquely Recopian. Everest was right, it was beautiful. In that moment, Everest had unmistakable captured Tigris' heart.

Tigris looked up slowly, again meeting those illuminated eyes. There was a look of soft surprise and a true lack of words. "Eve..." she spoke softly. "... I..." It was more than gratitude she felt, and the words to define it were not coming. "Thank you." A bronzed hand reached to close over a pale one. "It's beautiful." She added, looking again down at the flower. Something in her wanted to sweep the girl up her her arms and hold her close. The sudden desire almost scared Tigris, and she refrained. But her hand remained on Eve's until the server brought the tea and Eve's cake.

The arrival of someone else seemed to snap Tigris out of her befuddlement. She poured both of them a cup. "That is something I admire in you, Eve, the ability to see beauty where others can't." She confessed, eyes still drinking in the remarkable young woman.


Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve could see the change in her. The way Tigris' normally stoic face had shifted into a gentle sense of surprise, it took a moment for Eve to realise that it was a good thing. After but the briefest panic flashed in her eyes, she let a soft, timid smile come to her, happy with her success at making Tigris seemingly happy. The way her features softened further, revealing something else — something deeper and more sensitive — behind those dark, stoic eyes, made Eve's heart flutter.

Her hand found hers and heat rushed to Eve's face. With her other arm, she whimsically rested her chin on the back of her folded wrist, and looked bashfully at her. As she got lost in the intimate stare between them both, a heavenly sigh escaped her before she had any chance to realise what she was doing. The realisation made her shy, but as if fate had conspired to save her from her embarrassment, the waiter arrived with their order.

As Tigris poured, her words felt like honey to her.

"That is something I admire in you, Eve, the ability to see beauty where others can't."

She found herself incapable of saying anything in response to it, being so flustered from the whole moment, but her bright red face showed nothing but affection. There were so many things she could have said. 'You're the most beautiful' was at the top of the list. But being so abashed, she could barely formulate a thought let alone a word.

She turned her attention to the tea, trying to pull her senses back again.

"This tea—" She picked up the round cup with both hands and relished its floral scent. "It's my favourite." She shot a shy grin at Tigris before taking a small sip. The wave of refreshment washed over her and she let out a gentle sigh. She then took a small slither of lemon drizzle cake and allowed it to melt on her tongue. The contrast of the sweet, citrus cake against the floral, natural bitterness of the tea made her senses pop. It was her favourite way to enjoy an afternoon. The smile on her face was impossible to miss.

"I used to have this all the time with my Mama. I'm so grateful you can get deychin tea here too, and their lemon cake is so nice."

She took another slither of cake.

"The two, they complement one another, even though they're both so different. The experience of them together is amazing. It's like they work off each other, complete one another, to make one delicious experience."

This time, instead of taking the slither of cake for herself, she timidly raised her fork in Tigris' direction in offering.

Am I being too much?

She did her utmost to suppress the apprehension.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

The moment hung between them, quiet, both awkward and telling, a cord strung taut between them. The awareness of a mutual affection between them, silently acknowledged, was denied by neither.

Tigris found her feelings about the moment manifold. She liked it, very much so, the butterfly-in-the-stomach excitement. The tattooed woman was also apprehensive, as what seemed to be unfolding was new ground for her. Everest offered them both relief by changing the subject.

Tea, right.

Tigris took her cup as well, lifting it and inhaling the aroma. It was pleasant, a variety she had not tried, though she was a fan of tea in general. She sipped at the hot beverage, not disappointed at the pleasant taste. "Mmm." Tigris affirmed adding a slight head nod. Tigris watched as Eve followed up her sip of tea with a bite of cake, before explaining why she liked the combination.

To her surprise, the next morsel placed on the fork was offered to Tigris. Dark eyes darted from Eve's inviting silver gaze to the cake on the fork. Tigris leaned in, parted her lips and gently took the bite off of the fork. There seemed to be an intimacy between them as Tigris' lips closed around the fork and slid back, removing all evidence of the cake. She didn't expect taking a bite of cake would be so... sensual. With the flavor of the tea still on her tongue, the sweet and sour of the cake was added. Tigris' head nodded more emphatically, "Mmhmm!" She sounded with wide eyes and the hint of a smile. Once she finished savoring the combination, Tigris sat back.

"That is amazing." She agreed, licking her lips. She thought again about how Eve described the seemingly disparate flavors. ...they complement one another, even though they're both so different. Tigris looked at the charming, beautiful Echani. She and Tigris could not be more different. The older padawan wondered if they could compliment each other as well as the tea and cake did.

Though she had nothing to compare it to, Tigris thought their first 'date' was going wonderfully.


Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

There was a profound moment of intimate silence between them as Tigris took the slither of cake from Eve's fork. Their eyes locked for the briefest of moments, and the connection caused Eve's heartbeat to raise, her lips parting delicately to release a silent gasp. The moment was over as soon as it had begun, and the heat that built within her dissipated in mere seconds as Tigris exclaimed enthusiastically, pulling her back to her senses.

She watched Tigris with blissful eyes, a small, soft smile permanently etched on her face. Something about her compelled Eve so profoundly. She wanted to know everything about her. Those mysterious tattoos. Those dark eyes. The way she spoke with such forethought and intention. For a moment, she was lost in her again.

"S-so, Tigris..." she started, pulling herself away from distraction again. "What did you do before you joined the Order? I-If you don't mind me asking."

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

A barrier seemed to lower, at least a bit, after Eve fed Tigris a bite of her cake, and their gazes held one another for a long moment. They tried to carry on, but Tigris felt the subtle difference. It was like thry had moved from a larger room to a smaller one, one that was more intimate, and invited them to become closer.

That notion seemed to be proven out in Everest's next question. Asking about someone's past was asking to step into more personal things. How personal, of course, was up to the one answering. The usually well-grounded Tigris felt her belly tighten when Eve asked what she used to do. How could she explain to the sweet Echani that she used to murder people for a living? In fact, it had been almost religious, or at least cutlish. Even after she had been freed from the carbonite after so long, Tigris had resorted to all that she knew. In the future, it seemed people still wanted to steal from others, and to eliminate rivals. On top of that, how did you tell someone you were over 900 years old? But Tigris wouldn't lie to Eve either.

Tigris sighed, no longer able to meet Eve's gaze. Her delicate fingers toyed with her tea cup. Finally, she looked up to meet Everest's heart-melting eyes. "Everest..." The tattooed girl began.. "I was not a ... good person." For the first time, Eve would see Tigris actually acting nervous. "I... was born in the year 48 BBY." She said, her voice lowered. "As a child, I showed promise in the Force. But it wasn't the Jedi who found me and took me in. It was the Seyugi. They were a Force-sensitive assassin cult on Recopia." Tigris paused, letting her words sink in.

"I became one of them. The Jedi hunted us down almost to the last. The survivors froze ourselves in carbonite in our fortress. Fate would have it that I was stolen and sold to a Hutt. Three years ago, I was thawed and escaped. I went back to that...work. Until a Jedi Knight confronted me. He bested me, and showed me the truth of the Light."

There, she had laid it all out to Everest. If the girl freaked out, or simply couldn't deal with Tigris' bizarre story, she would understand. It was a lot to take in.

Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

The words that came from Tigris were the last thing she was expecting, and it hit her like a tonne of bricks. Silently, she took it all in, as an uncontrollable shiver grew at the bottom of her stomach that she couldn't quite shake, but she nevertheless tried to breathe back down.

Those dark, brooding and watchful eyes. Those strange, esoteric tattoos. The mystery of them suddenly lifted slightly; a peek behind the veil of her enigma. For a moment, she didn't look at her, her silver eyes hanging on nothing in particular as the weight of Tigris' words pressed against her, stunning words from her mind.

Eve always treasured life in all of its expression. It was simply something she did without question or judgement. She wasn't naive enough to not realise there were people out there who expressed the complete opposite view, but she was completely incapable of understanding it. Now she was faced with someone — the beautiful, mysterious Recopian she was quickly falling for — who not only abided by such a polar opposite view, but apparently embodied it.

Once.

But not anymore.

The fact of it all was, Tigris was here now, on Coruscant, as a Jedi. Eve still struggled with comprehending the dichotomy between Light and Dark, yet whatever happened to cause Tigris to come to the Light, to come to Coruscant, to come to her, it didn't matter. The very fact she was here to begin with was enough.

"Th-thank you for telling me," she said finally, thoughtfully. Her words hung between them for a spell longer as she thought on how she should voice her feelings for her.

Then a small smile came to her, gentle and warm.

"I can't understand everything you've been through... Can't... put words to it..."

Suddenly needing to lean into her Echani language of contact for once, Eve's hands crept bashfully along the table and found her own, delicately resting against them. Eve never felt like a 'good Echani', never so instinctively used the physical language of her people so vital for them to connect with others. But in that moment, she had never been so overwhelmingly compelled to connect with anyone in such a way as she did with Tigris. The Recopian's hands were warm under hers.

She looked up at Tigris, her silver eyes locking with hers. She could now gaze into those strange, dark eyes with a greater clarity, seeing within them an array of feelings she didn't have the words for herself, but now had an awareness of. With newfound revelation stirring in her tender heart, she could see suddenly how much was weighing on Tigris, and a new sense of need arose within her. Whatever pains were tugging at Tigris, Eve needed to make it all okay for her.

"But despite all of that... despite everything you've been through... I'm just glad you're here now..." Her smile timidly deepened before adding, "...with... me..."

She said nothing else, but her own hands squeezed hers, as her eyes welled from the weight of all the emotions that fluttered between them.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

The silence between them hung with tension. Tigris knew it was a risk telling Eve the whole truth. She knew there would be a chance that her past would be too much for the seemingly delicate Echani, that Everest would withdraw. Tigris wouldn't blame her. But it was her truth, and she sought friends who could accept what she was then, and believe in who she was now.

The former Seyugi could see how hard she had struck Eve with her words. The girl didn't speak, but her face remained flat, her silvery eyes glazing over as she lost focus on what was in front of her, and saw within her head images she didn't expect or want to see. Tigris gave Eve the time to process what she had heard. She waited for Eve to politely excuse herself, and sweet time they shared, the blossoming friendship, the feelings of affection, would all fall to the floor.

Finally, Eve spoke.

It was clear the truth had been disturbing to Everest, but the ever-bright girl managed a small smile. That little curve of sweet plush lips cast beams of hope into Tigris' troubled soul. Perhaps what they had was not lost. Eve confessed her struggle to comprehend what it all meant, that she was at a loss of words, but she was not at a loss of how to communicate what she felt to Tigris.

Dark eyes watched as small, pale hands reached to cover the darker ones. The simple gesture struck Tigris so hard she almost recoiled. She was not used to signs of affection, in any capacity. Eve had begun to open her up to them in their admittedly unskilled flirting. But the gesture Eve had shown carried so much more than a display of attraction. Tigris felt a flutter in her core, and her teeth clenched to stop her from tumbling into emotions she was not ready to handle.

Eve's selfless show of support, even in her own confusion, moved Tigris in a way that was almost frightening to her. Their eyes fixed, and in those Echani eyes Tigris nearly fell. She felt it in her chest, in her belly, in the tightness of her throat. What was this girl doing to her! Even spoke again, squeezed her hands. And Tigris strove to keep whatever was about to break her her together.

A tear welled in her almond-shaped eyes. They lingered but didn't fall.

"Thank you." Tigris spoke in an almost whisper. "I..." She cleared her throat. "I am glad I'm here...with you." She added. Tigris gave Eve's hands a return squeeze, then slid them free to wipe away the threat of tears. But it was done. Everest had broken something in Tigris, and it was terrifying for the Recopian,. At the same time, Everest had endeared herself to Tigris more powerfully than anyone in her entire life. Her desire for Everest blossomed to something Tigris could not and would not deny.

"Thank you Eve."



Everest Vale

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve didn't say anything for a while, and she waited for Tigris to brush away the tears that threatened the edges of her lids. When she was comfortably finished, Eve took her warm, bronzed hands back again and simply let them rest with her own. Something had awoken in her; a need to connect in the Echani way. Being such a loner for so long, she had never really comprehended how essential it was for her until now, and she suddenly understood with clearest clarity that Tigris was someone she needed to understand as much as she was capable of, using the language of her people.

Silence hung between them, and she simply sat there, lost in the Tigris' dark and brooding eyes again, letting the silence build like the beautiful thing that was blooming between them on this day. Her thumbs glided along Tigris' knuckles, her fingers exploring the tiny details of her hands in an almost childlike way. But to her, it was like developing a greater sense of the Recopian, and deepening a bond that was already becoming quickly established. She bit her lip as the tension hung, suddenly bashful at her own confidence and the results it had brought. She nevertheless persisted, and pushed herself.

"I... want to spend more time with you..." she said sheepishly under her breath. She could have said more, wanted to say more, but her mind was awash with all manner of thoughts, until finally something surfaced.

Releasing Tigris' hands again, she reached into her backpack and produced her small datapad. Swiping away for a few moments, she placed it on the table and moved it across for Tigris to see. On the datapad was a poster depicting a woman magnificently gowned and held romantically by her lover. The two were engaged in a passionate dance beneath chandeliers within a beautiful manor. Above the top, the poster said:

"ZINDER AND LADY VELVET PRESENTS: MUTUALLY ASSURED DEVOTION"​

Suddenly, nerves struck her unlike anything else.

"Th-there's a ball... on Naboo. I, um, I don't know much about it, I dunno what Lady Velvet books are about... but the ball looks looks pretty, and I thought... maybe..."

She had stopped looking at her, her silver eyes now shying away out of embarrassment that she even brought it all up in the first place, suddenly visibly very worried it was a stupid idea. But she couldn't backtrack, she'd already said it now. She shrunk a little, as if trying to spare herself from the inevitable rejection.

Tigris​

 

[Tigris]

Tigris had let Eve in. For a moment, but in where few if any had been before. To allow the girl to see tears well up in her eyes was extraordinary. They were wisked away, gone as quickly as they came. The Echani was discerning enough not to speak, but to let what had transpired to have its silent work between them. Instead, Eve spoke with her gentle touch. Warm, they brought pleasure with them. The idle brush of her thumb, so tender but intentional, seeming to speak things the timid Eve could not.


"I... want to spend more time with you..." The shy girl spoke.

Tigris nodded slightly, eyes showing a smile that only hinted on her lips. "I want that too." she said, softer than she would have liked.

It seemed Everest had something in mind, and she presented a datapad with advertisement for...a ball.

Tigris looked at it for a minute, taken off guard. The shy Eve had made an unexpected bold move. Tigris admired it. But a ball...

Her dark eyes lived to Eve's suddenly worried silver gaze. Tigris studied that face, seeming to teeter on whether she should have asked the question at all. How could she say no.

Tigris' gaze lowered again to the couple in the ball poster. It was not her thing, and who was Lady Velvet? But it didn't matter. What mattered was that she could go with Eve. Something had happened between them, unspoken, but binding. Attraction and affection. Tigris was not experienced in romance, but she new it when she felt it. For no one else would she even consider. But for Everest, there was no question.

She looked up at Eve, smiling, her hand now laying on the girl's ivory one.

"Let's go."

END​

Everest Vale