Private Through Fire

[Aiden Porte]

"It's good to see someone so sure of where they belong. There's strength in that… even if it comes with a little too much enthusiasm."

He knew her words were real and true. And perhaps Aiden did lay it on a little too much. But how else could he explain it? He didn't want to sell it to short, because such a place deserved so much more.

"I'll take friendly people and decent food over fine dining any day. Especially if the meal doesn't try to escape halfway through.

"Same here, and don't worry the food that is cooked here is thoroughly cooked. They also have this item called a pancake, it has a good glaze of a Jogan fruit that is lightly spread over it. I have to say its one of my favorites. The actual name of the establishment I wouldn't worry to much about it."

They had arrived at said location, looking up to the sign which was lit up bright lighting. 'The Sad Senator'

Aiden chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "I was confused and surprised when I saw it. I think it was more to get inquisitive minds through the door and before you knew it. The Sad Senator was a favorite on the block in terms of food and pleasant company. "

"And you're not a stranger anymore."

"Thank you Alina, you are definitely no stranger to me either. It seems like I have known you for a long time already." Aiden smiled as he held the door open for her. "Shall we?"

Alina Grayson

 

[Alina Grayson]

Alina hesitated just a moment at the threshold, her gaze drifting up to the glowing sign above the door with a faint, skeptical arch of one brow.

The Sad Senator.

She turned back to Aiden, her expression carefully composed only the subtle twitch at the corner of her mouth betrayed the flicker of amusement she felt. "If the name is meant to lower expectations, it's doing a fantastic job."

But there was warmth behind the dry remark, and when he opened the door for her, she stepped inside with a graceful nod. "Thank you," she said, her voice quieter now. "For the invitation… and the enthusiasm."

Her steps were light as they entered, but her eyes took in everything the worn floors, the lively hum of conversation, the comforting aroma of grilled spices and something sweet in the air. It was modest, yes. But it had heart. The kind of place where people meant things.

She glanced at him again, her expression softening.

"You know… you have a way of making the unfamiliar feel less foreign," she admitted, her tone laced with something quieter.

Then, just as the hostess waved them toward a booth, she added with a playful lift of her brow, "Though I reserve judgment until I've seen these so-called pancakes for myself. If I find fruit running for the door, I will hold you personally responsible."

TAG: Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"If the name is meant to lower expectations, it's doing a fantastic job."

"That is exactly what I though?!" Aiden spoke with a soft voice and a chuckle as they walked in. "They are either having a really bad day when they opened or they think Senators are really sad." But the atmosphere of the place hit him like it did the first time he walked inside. It wasn't anything like he had expected, it was so.....familiar.

Like he had been here before many times over, if that's what it was like the first time for him. The Jedi could only imagine what it would be like for Alina, as he looked over to her with a smile.

"You know… you have a way of making the unfamiliar feel less foreign,"

"Though I reserve judgment until I've seen these so-called pancakes for myself. If I find fruit running for the door, I will hold you personally responsible."

"I try my best, this is home." The Jedi Padawan smiled and winked at her, there was much to Naboo that was still needed to be introduced to her. And if he could he would show her, but there were some places that she would have to seek out for herself. He felt she would find them eventually and well, she might be truly amazed at what was there.

They were taken to their booth as he sat down. "Don't worry, the only thing that will be running is us, when we dine and dash." Aiden looked at the menu, choosing not to look her way for a moment, at the reaction to his comment. And finally he looked at her and laughed. "I'm totally kidding, I wouldn't do that." Aiden laughed again as he glanced over the menu.

Strawberry, Cherry, Peach.......

"They seem to have added flavors since my last time here. It doesn't surprise me, the Jogan fruits grow in abundance. What do you think, Alina?"

Alina Grayson

 

[Alina Grayson]

Alina settled into the booth with effortless composure, smoothing the edge of her sleeve as she took in the menu and her surroundings. The name might have warned her off, but the interior warm lighting, scuffed but polished tables, a low hum of easy conversation had a lived-in charm she hadn’t expected.

At Aiden’s joke, she didn’t look up right away. Instead, she let the silence stretch just long enough to be noticed before finally lifting her gaze, cool blue eyes fixed on him with a quiet gravity that quickly gave way to a subtle smirk.

“Dining and dashing, is it?” she murmured. “Invited out, lured in with talk of exotic fruit, only to be left with the bill. For shame Aiden” she replied with a wry smile at him.

She let the tease linger for a moment, then tilted her head slightly, feigning consideration. “I suppose I’ll risk it.”

Her eyes flicked back to the menu. “Cherry seems ambitious. Strawberry’s predictable. Peach is safe but I didn’t come all this way to play it safe.”

She looked up again, the glimmer in her gaze not quite a challenge. “You said the Jogan fruit is local? I'll try that..”

TAG: Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

“Invited out, lured in with talk of exotic fruit, only to be left with the bill. For shame Aiden”

“I suppose I’ll risk it.”

"Yes, perhaps my politeness was just a cover to lower your defenses." The Jedi chuckled and teased rather bravely as he opted to just receive a glass of water and whatever Alina would want to drink. "I promise you won't be disappointed, but if you are. I suppose you can toss me in the lake."

“Cherry seems ambitious. Strawberry’s predictable. Peach is safe but I didn’t come all this way to play it safe.”

“You said the Jogan fruit is local? I'll try that..”

"Pancakes with a slight cherry drizzle and topping. We don't want to go fully ambitious do we?" Aiden laughed and then took a drink of his water. "The fruit became popular a few months ago. Almost a year ago I went with an old friend to obtain some lightsaber crystals and we stumbled upon the Jogan fruits, there is a local botanist here who is open to new challenges and I happened to obtain a few and he did something spectacular with them. Through trial and error of course."

Aiden let out a small sigh, yet it was a happy one. "It's nice that more good things come here, it enhances Naboo. Not that she needs it, she's already beautiful enough as it is."

Alina Grayson

 

[Alina Grayson]

Alina tilted her head slightly, the soft play of light catching in her hair as her gaze lingered on him with amused precision. "Cherry drizzle?" she repeated, voice feather-light, warm with interest but sharpened just enough to keep him on his toes. "So not fully ambitious just brave adjacent."

She let the tease settle as the drinks arrived, fingers brushing the cool glass of her water. The way she regarded it, one might think it were a wine tasting rather than a breakfast drink.

"I didn't take you for a culinary tour guide," she said, the dry humor still intact, but softened now by something gentler. "Though I suppose it's only fitting. You did promise I wouldn't be disappointed." Her smile deepened, restrained but genuine, and she finally brought the glass to her lips for a sip.

At the mention of the Jogan fruit and the lightsaber crystals, her brow rose again not skeptical this time, but curious. "Crystals and fruit…" she echoed, her tone shifting just slightly. "That sounds more like the start of an old Jedi proverb than a breakfast story. But I suppose all good things require a little wandering to find."

"Well," she murmured, setting the glass down with a soft clink. "I'll admit it… You made a strong case for Naboo from the outset. That's part of the reason I'm still here, but you are definitely selling it now." Then, her smile turned sly. "But if those pancakes come out underwhelming, I am reserving the right to push you in the lake. Politely, of course."

TAG: Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"So not fully ambitious just brave adjacent."

"Well, its a fine line." Aiden smirked and gave the smallest shrug of his shoulders. He smile at her disposition, it was good to be like this. To have some good conversation and open honest talk.

"I didn't take you for a culinary tour guide,"

"Though I suppose it's only fitting. You did promise I wouldn't be disappointed."

"I'm trying my best, I definitely am not a culinary guide. I just know some good places." He chuckled lightly, with a teasing smile as he reached for his glass and took a small drink.

"I'll admit it… You made a strong case for Naboo from the outset. That's part of the reason I'm still here, but you are definitely selling it now."

"But if those pancakes come out underwhelming, I am reserving the right to push you in the lake. Politely, of course."

"I'd risk it all for Naboo." The Jedi spoke plainly, showing this was just more than home for him. He would do anything to protect Naboo's beauty, and wisdom.

"I assure you these pancakes will be the best thing you've ever had. And well if something should go sideways, you'd have to catch me first before you can push me in the lake. And if you do catch me, your coming in with me." He spoke in a soft and teasing manner.

Aiden laughed as he placed his hands together, it wouldn't be long before their food arrive.

"Do you have any questions for me, by chance?" He inquired, keeping this as open as possible.

Alina Grayson