Too Late to Apologize

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid didn't have time to respond to...any of the statements that Athena made. However, he didn't actually have any desire to exchange words with the woman in the present moment. The moment their lips rejoined, Caid pressed her body tighter against his own. His tongue slipped gently between his barely parted lips until it was invited into its final destination.

Though Athena didn't exactly have the strength to force his body in any particular direction, he was happy to allow her clear intent to drive his actions as he stepped backward into the dark alcove behind them. With steadily increasing anticipation, Caid removed his hands from around Athena's body, moving to help shrug off the extra layers he was wearing.

It wasn't long before the respective Sith had been reduced in clothing by just enough to fully complete their re-acquaintance. Muffled sounds of pleasure and exertion were seemingly swallowed by the space they occupied and the acoustics of the library in general. In less than an hour, the chaotic disturbance of the Force would give way to only the residual smell of passion.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Tousled dark, feathered hair was pushed away from her face. Long-blue legs sat sprawled across his lap. A little maintenance cleaning droid whizzed by a nearly empty library. Wings brushed against Caid's chest as she stood, fingers coming to tug her dress back down in its proper position.

Color remained on her cheeks from the earlier activity.

"Well that was certainly a new way to use a library," pink lips smirked. "Are you sure you don't want to show me around your home planet now?"

It was hard to tell if the half-omwatti was joking. Scooping up his shirt and jacket strewn haphazardly around the shelves, she tossed it to her fellow Sith. "I need to get back to my ship before the blizzard they're predicting." There was a window across the way and she could tell winds were already howling outside.

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid smirked slightly from his spot on the floor. This was what they'd always had. Fleeting moments of passion articulated by a very great need to be elsewhere almost immediately thereafter.

"Well here's to pushing the boundaries of our sexual trysts." The dark-skinned Sith didn't respond to Athena's comment about Endelaan beyond a casual roll of his eyes. Once she'd tossed him his clothing, Caid put them aside as he came to his feet. Reaching out for Athena's narrow waist, he pulled her body firmly back against his own. "Or. Tell them to leave the surface until the blizzard passes." Caid placed his lips just against the side of Athena's face as he whispered into her ear.

"There are better ways to weather the storm."

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"Oh?" Tongue-clucked against her mouth as she pressed against his rather nude form, keenly aware of the thin fabric of her dress. "Better ways, hm?"

Fingers trailed along the back of his neck.

"Perhaps if you're able to find a more comfortable setting for a longer haul? You know, for the sake of weathering the storm?" Pink lips nibbled lightly on the man's ear.

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

A mischievous smirk danced over Caid's features as his eyelids closed briefly and involuntarily at Athena's touch. "Yes..." Caid's voice trailed off as his mind briefly wandered to a place that was less than productive in the precise moment.

However, the Sith was able to find the rational part of his brain as he softly kissed Athena on the forehead before stepping back to collect his belongings and get dressed. "Meet me in the atrium in twenty minutes." Once Caid had finished pulling his clothes back on, he settled the black helm back over his head, drawing the hood of his cloak over the top.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"I suppose I can manage that," she smirked, enjoying the view the entire time Caid dressed. Winged-back leaned lazily against the scroll shelves. After he left, she finally stopped staring like a drunken hussy, pushing off the shelves. Gathering her small bag from the study table long abandoned, she found her communicator, bringing it to her pink lips.

"Go ahead and take off. Yes, I'll be fine. No need to send anyone. I'll comm when I'm ready after the storm."

Her handmaidens were a bit suspicious and worried for their mistress.

"I can assure you I am quite safe."

Maybe safe wasn't the exact right word but close enough. Strap of her bag went over her powdered-blue shoulder. Feathered-wings stretched behind her, a feather or two falling off and lazily gliding down to the floor. She hoped Caid wasn't turning into those pesky knights of Ben. Or Ren. Whatever they were. She knew Caid was being discreet because of Cameron. But still.

Gazing out the snowy window, keen-eyes saw the burst of light from her ship as took off into the upper atmosphere. A part of the avian wished to be in the air as well. If the weather had been better.

Taking her time, long, slender blue legs finally took her toward the meeting spot, wondering what Caid would come up with. She just hoped food would be involved.

 

[Caid Centurion]

The Citadel had accommodations, but it was a matter of convincing whomever passed for the overseer to grant said accommodations for those that didn't have a stated...continuous presence. Fortunately for Caid, the Citadel itself did not seem to be terribly busy. The overseer attempted to make it into more than it needed to be, but he eventually relented. It really wasn't Caid's fault that the man had been relegated to a step above babysitting duty. It was a job that tended to fall to those that could not prove themselves useful to the Empire in other areas. No doubt the man thought he would one day be the Governor for all of Ziost.

He can keep this ice shelf.

Caid returned to the atrium just before Athena did, helmet gone from his head. Inclining his head, Caid indicated for Athena to follow. "First things first... I'm starving." As Caid remembered, Athena shared his fondness for sustenance.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Dark-orbs lit up. "Good because I'm famished." A wicked-grin crossed her pink lips as she caught up with the younger Centurion. Fingers slid down his arm, stopping to clasp around his hand lightly as she joined her fellow sith.

"I assume you got a room as well? Was it by threatening the Overseer's family or his own life?" She smirked, the tall, regal woman mildly joking. Opposite hand absently flipped the dark-feathered strands of her long hair away from her blue, sharp-angled face. With a start, she realized she'd never eaten at the Citadel and wondered if she'd sent her ship away too soon. Hopefully they had decent chefs.

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid smirked slightly. If nothing else, they would forever be bound by their shared love of food. The Sith's thoughts were paused momentarily by the sensation of Athena's hand running down his arm, coming to rest lightly in his own. It wasn't Athena's touch that gave him pause more...the gesture of holding another individual's hand. Where having a woman lightly grasp his arm as he escorted her to a destination could have been utilized in any sort of relationship, Caid felt that literal hand-holding was a bit more intimate.

It didn't make any sense, of course. Just a perception he had absorbed from popular culture like the rest of the galaxy, no doubt.

Athena's melodic voice drew him from his thoughts as it always did. For a moment, Caid winced. "Yeah about that... I don't really like conflict. I figure there are plenty of dark corners in this Citadel, however." The smirk that returned to Caid's lips clearly indicated otherwise. "The Overseer is an ambitious man. He just needed to have his ego stroked by a Sith seemingly impressed with the man's reputation and ability." After all, people were easiest to manipulate when they thought they had you firmly underneath their thumb.

Turning down an adjacent corridor, Caid continued to drift towards the smell of food. With the typical weather settling upon the area, there was a marked increase in activity within the walls of the Citadel. The edifice itself was massive, even containing a few critical functions of the Empire in other, more secured areas. As it stood, Athena and Caid traversed the halls of the public section. Caid mostly ignored those they passed. A great many of the structure's current inhabitants were not even Sith.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Elbow nudged him sharply in the ribs on his comment about dark citadel corners but there was a wicked grin on her face. She felt the gaze of some of the men on her figure as they passed. More than a few checked Caid out as well.

She ignored them, too focused on the smell of baked nuna, nerf steaks, ny'orks and honey wafting in the air as they drew closer to the dining hall. "I'm glad you're good at stroking egos, though you might be with the wrong girl if you have such a distaste for conflict. It's followed me since I was a little girl."

As they rounded the corner, they'd be treated to a large, cavernous chamber with floor to ceiling windows, ornately wooden tables lit by thousands of lights that almost looked like floating candles. In one corner there were different food stations and chefs with trays and plates.

A very elaborate cafeteria.

As they drew nearer, she released Caid's hand in favor of a slightly damp tray. With all the technology, could they still not figure it how to dry plastic? Hungry gaze swept around to take in all the food options.

"If I knew dinner would be like this, I might've visited more often," she mused softly, enjoying the smells and food options. On her ship, things got bland rather quickly. Here, they spared no expense....even if it was a more casual setting.

"Now I might never leave."

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Athena Heron"]

Caid chuckled lightly at Athena's nudge. For the most part, his silver-green eyes only swept the expansive cafeteria as a matter of familiarity. If he'd noticed any lingering gazes, he did not react. Athena's comment about conflict drew a casual eye roll and a subtle smirk from Caid. "Oh is that so? Well I'm sure you can handle your own problems." The statement was true, but it would be lie to say that Caid would not intervene if it became a necessity. He'd displayed that much on Dromund Kaas, and she hadn't even necessarily required his assistance.

Once his hand had been released, he casually followed Athena, grabbing his own tray. The Sith registered that the Omwati hybrid was speaking, but his attention was more focused on the selection. "It certainly outranks the options of most places." Caid probably shouldn't have been surprised. Ziost was the government capital of the Empire.

Within a matter of minutes, Caid had selected a variety of lean meats and an abundance of vegetables. Allowing Athena time to make her own selection, he went to retrieve a large glass of water before taking a seat. Once he had, he could hear a number of soldiers nearby having what they thought was a quiet conversation about Athena. The comments merely made Caid laugh casually to himself. There was little reason to display a negative reaction. The Sith rather doubted any of those granted permission to dine in the Citadel would be so foolish as to act on their childish whims where a Sith was concerned.

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Her tray consisted of a lot of vegetables, like Caid, but also a lot of fruits. Meats as well. Mostly fish and other various sea-fare. Dark-gaze flitted up as she caught wind of the rather close conversation. These soldiers weren't typically exposed to a lot of women, especially blue-women with wings and smokin' hot.

It would be all too easy for her to dip into their little minds and well, embarrass them. For now though, in honor of food and perhaps company, she ignored them. Eyes did, however, fleck yellow as she stared one of them down. His face reddened and he went back to his food, quickly changing the topic of conversation away from the blue-skinned and slender woman.

"And of course I can handle my own problems. Like that little jedi from Kaas," as if she were reading Caid's thoughts a moment ago. "That was rather fun." She ate fast, taking small, quick bites of food.

"Mmm," she couldn't help the sigh of pleasure escape from her pink lips. There was a beep on her hip. Frowning, she took out her comm.

"Speaking of my own problems....it seems as if one of my handmaidens was left behind and is lost outside in this storm." Dark-orbs flitted to the howling winds and snow in the nearest window. "Looks like I'll have to go and fetch her." If she didn't, the woman would most likely die in the next hour. However, Athena knew the danger would extend to herself, as well.

"I hope you have a long hold on that room of yours," she grinned but there was irritation behind it.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's mouth was already full of food when Athena arrived, but he managed a partial smile at her words. Around the time Athena had finished eating, Caid had finished as well. He was almost done with his glass of water when Athena's communicator beeped, and she reported that she had to go out into the blizzard on some random rescue mission. Funny. If that had been one of his men, he would force the man to figure it out for himself. It would either make him stronger or kill him...which equated to weakness.

Arching a curious brow, Caid glanced briefly out the window. "What? You're going to go rescue her? How did she even get left behind?" The Sith managed to stop himself, the warrior part of him not even remotely understanding how a vessel could depart under non-combat conditions without fully accounting for those on the manifest.

"I have it all night." He didn't volunteer his assistance mostly because...this wasn't some ancient, parochial relationship. If Athena needed his help, she could ask.

The last time he volunteered it of his own accord...it had mostly been unnecessary.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"I don't know," blue-fingers drummed lightly on the tabletop's surface. She'd gotten a warm glass of spiced wine. Perhaps a bad decision right before trekking into a whiteout. "But it's something I will find out when my crew comes back planetside."

Eyes flashed with gold-flecks as anger bubbled within her system.

She downed the wine. "She could very well be dead now. Foolish girl. She," pink-lips sealed closed. And for the first time, she wondered if it was betrayal. But no, she trusted them. Not naively so, she'd looked into their minds and seen that she could. Each one was absolutely loyal.

Unless she'd wandered off on a lead. They had been searching for an artifact here. The silly girl probably thought if she'd stayed out a bit longer and found that certain amulet, her mistress would've been pleased beyond belief. She stood, pushing her empty tray and glass back. "I will not ask you to suffer out in the cold if you do not wish to do so." Golden-dark orbs settled on ones of intense green.

"But if you care for some exercise and a little jaunt in the snow, I will also not say no."

She was sure there was another form of exercise Caid would much rather be doing right about now.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid watched Athena as she explained a potential scenario that resulted in her handmaiden being left outside. It was a plausible reality certainly. When Athena pushed her tray away from her and came to her feet, Caid remained seated, silver-green eyes tearing away from her golden orbs to take in the completeness of her lithe figure.

"But if you care for some exercise and a little jaunt in the snow, I will also not say no."

Bright gaze eventually settled back on Athena's dark gaze as he smirked slightly. Was she actually asking him or testing him? Caid didn't really play those games, so he made the decision that spoke more to his interests. Right now, his interests involved merely being with Athena.

Coming to his own feet, Caid motioned towards the exit. "Let's go for a walk then."

Besides. She would undoubtedly be very adamant about warming up once they had finished.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Her cold and calculating heart might've melted just a little as Caid agreed to join in through a freezing search. Good, cause she'd need all the warmth she could get. "Try not to die because then I'd have to go through all the trouble of finding someone else to warm me up when we get back."

She smirked and lead the way back through the winding corridors to one of many supply rooms, filled with jackets and other cold-weather gear. Finding a nice, thick black coat and more suitable snow pants, she began slipping them on around her current clothes. She added a few more thermals, scarf, gloves, winter hat and goggles.

Black wings remained tucked beneath the winter coat, with only the bottom tips exposed.

Finding a pack, she shrugged it on. It had a portable heater with a battery life that probably wouldn't last long int his weather, first aid stuff, and some other tools. There should be a grappling hook somewhere in there. Maybe even a thermal blanket.

Finally, she turned to Caid. Hate to cover that physique of his up more. "You good to go?"

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid smirked slightly at Athena's comment. "It's funny how you do that." He paused only long enough to glance sideways at her. "Pretend like it would really take you effort to find another bed partner."

When Athena diverted towards a supply room, Caid followed. He was still wearing most of the clothing he had arrived in, but that hadn't been designed for extended exposure. There were methods to control body temperature of course, but over time that would prove to be an exhausting feat at Caid's present level of familiarity.

After simply selecting an extra heavy coat to go over his cloak, Caid gazed at Athena, no doubt sharing a similar thought. "Let's do it."

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"You're right," she grinned wickedly. "It would be all too easy." Scarf wrapped around her face, hate went on and so did her goggles. Nodding silently to Caid, the half omwati stole herself a moment as the large, ornately carved-doors slowly swung inward to give them passage out.

They definitely caught a few funny looks from the guards.

Even with all the layers on, that first blast of air felt like icy-daggers. Head ducked against the wind, muffled voice projecting itself to Caid's ear. "The caves are a short walk away. Well, in normal conditions. To the Northeast. If we don't find my wayward handmaiden there, then she's as good as dead already."

Light footsteps moved quickly in the snow. She barely made a print and seemed to float just on the top layer. Arm went out to wrap instinctively around Caid's arm, taking advantage of his bulk against the wind.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's smile was obscured by the fabric of his heavy coat's hood, but she didn't really need to see it. There was no pang of jealousy or irritation in the Sith from his alluring partner's words. If nothing else, Caid had learned to take things as they came to him. Tomorrow...Athena could be with someone entirely different. In the pit of soul perhaps the spark of jealousy would ignite, but he would extinguish it just as quickly. There would be no delay, no deterrence on the path to taking that which was his.

Nodding to the blue-skinned woman's comment about the likely location of their...target, Caid stepped out into the elements. The harshness of the wind stung his cheeks, but he mostly ignored it, thankful for the beard that covered a fair portion of his face. After a few moments, he chanced a glance in Athena's direction. She was fairing pretty well given how light she always was on her feet. The clinging sensation of her hand against his arm was noticeable.

Probably a good idea. With her wings restrained, her light frame very well could have been blown away by the strength of the storm. Rather than elevate his voice, he spoke directly into her mind as a smirk settled over his lips. You can cling to my back if you need to.

He was only half serious. She could walk. It built character.

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Athena Heron]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

I'll save that for later.

Voice cooed back into his mind in response. Her own smirk would be lost behind her scarf. Her grip remained tight around his arm, though, the side of her body pressing tightly into his as they continued to be battered by those winds of snow and ice. Gloved hand came up and pushed against her goggles.

There, just ahead, was a glimpse of the cave opening.

Anger bubbled inside her at the weather conditions. Dark-eyes flecked with golden hues as the darkside built around her fingertips. Free hand thrust forward and a temporary protective barrier stretched around them - holding against the storm and shifting as they walked. The roaring winds and snowy ice were immediately cut away as they edged the mouth of the caves, the way now mostly cleared.