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City Governor’s Residence – Masquerade Ball Lianna, Lianna System
Flash of mauve . . . Splash of puce . . . Fool and king . . . Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . . Queen and priest . . . Trace of rouge . . . Face of beast . . .
Take your turn, take a ride, on the merry-go-round in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . . Thigh of blue . . . True is false . . . Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . . Swirl of gown . . . Ace of hearts . . . Face of clown . . .
Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light, in the sound . . .
But who can name the face . . .?
The Silver Jedi had managed to complete their duty, finally, with their allies and citizens of Lianna to secure a sliver of hope for all. Now, it was time to be the guests of honour at the Governor’s residence within the walled grounds in Lianna City for the Masquerade Ball.
Connor, as usual, only had a black and gold mask to cover his face while his black and silver armour glinted in the warm lights leading to the residence itself. Coming straight from duty, he failed to have anything formal to wear, but as a representative of the Silver Jedi Order and with a few simple accessories and the removal of one lightsaber, he carried himself with an air of dignified grace and stature with the others joining him.
While the ball had started already, music playing from seemingly all corners of the establishment and many faces hidden behind masks of elegance, beauty and mystery, the Silver Jedi already had Padawans and Knights amongst the guests to build bridges and forge alliances. One such Padawan was Chastity Lunelle, and she was the target tonight for Connor.
The target, per say, was to find her first before she found him amidst the many bodies across the two floors of the ball. An innocent wager between Master and Apprentice but one he was determined not to lose. He had no idea what she would be wearing, what she was doing and where she would be, or who she would be with.
The atmosphere was electric and alive. Mask in place, Connor conversed with a fellow Silver before entering, making sure to stay away from that particular entrance and the guards so he could start to blend in with the crowd, and the Force auras around him.
Already a few hours into the Governor’s Masquerade Ball on Liana, Chastity Lunelle, Silver Jedi Padawan, was having the time of her life, and it wasn’t just from the bubbly. The Silver Jedi were the guests of honor at the Governor’s Estate, and the attention she was receiving from being their representative was overwhelming. Fascinating conversations with Liana dignitaries, clad in filigree and feather, the swirling music, and the dizzying influence of the champagne, all of it made the Padawan feel as if she were walking on a silver cloud.
Nerves overridden by the three large flutes of champagne, Chastity had finally allowed Tu’eb, a Twi’lek flight instructor Melford Star Academy, to talk her into dancing with him. If you could call it dancing. With her sprained ankle, Chastity wasn’t going to be doing any fancy footwork, but wrapped up in the Twi’lek pilot's arms, it didn’t really matter. Although she was enjoying the attention from a handsome male, the night still seemed to be missing something.
“Your Master still hasn’t arrived, has he?” Tu’eb asked hopefully. He lowered her to the floor in a playful dip.
At her dance partner's mention of her Master, Chastity felt a little spark in her heart.
“Not that I’ve seen yet,” she admitted, a tinge of disappointment in her silver eyes.
“He’s either extremely well-disguised, or he got waylaid during one of today’s missions.”
”Keep eyes on all entrances and keep guard up outside. You never know who’s cage we rattled today. I don’t want any trouble here, for our sake and yours.”
”Leave it with me, Master Harrison. Please enjoy your evening.”
Connor nodded and gently patted the Rodian guard on the arm, stood together by the entrance he came in, and moved away, turning to see the ball in full swing. Coci and Maya were already together making the most of their time, and he smiled, it was nice seeing them off duty, so to speak. Something the Silvers never seemed to do together – share off-duty time. Protect planets and repel pirates, fighting Sith? Check. Having a social life? Not really. This was valuable time to them all.
In the wing they were in, the ball spread over two floors – dancing what not on the ground floor where they were now and dining and discussion upstairs, but both easily transitioned between the two. Food and drink in-between dancing, and dancing and laughing in between discussions and dining on the lavish buffet. Champagne, fruit juices, cocktails, water and other drinks were available.
Warm reds, oranges and golds illuminated the figures who danced and walked around the lights reflecting from mirrors and decorative ornaments around the room. It was a very grand and visually stunning layout, and with nearly all Silver Jedi and Liannan figures in dresses, suits and masks, it was exotic and exciting, and a little out of Connor’s expertise. Socialising wasn’t easy for someone who continuously isolated themselves, but he would certainly try.
The ivory and black marble floor sparkled gently with the stones embedded in the material, and Connor walked gently around, nodding to those making eye contact, passing a welcome to those he knew far better than what a mask could ever hide, and looking for his Padawan. He stood by a group and his eyes scanned the room under his mask, and he reached out with the Force.
Chastity was in this wing, and on this floor. But where. Time to see if she reacted and gave herself away.
Chastity Lunelle. What are you doing?
Figures danced, talked, ate and laughed. One was Chastity. But which?
“You seem to be eager to find him,” noticed Tu’eb. He teased her with a carefree smile.
“I’ve noticed that you can’t take your eyes off the entranceway.”
Chastity turned to look at her dance partner and blinked. Was it that obvious? What are you doing Chast? There’s a beautiful man dancing with you, and you can’t take your mind off the one who is obviously not interested in you. Or is, but doesn’t want to be. The Twi’lek’s red-skinned hand felt warm on the small of his back, but for some reason, she felt like enjoying it was a betrayal.
“Well,” she admitted with a pleased grin. “We have a little wager going on. The first one to unmask the other gets to tell the other one what to do for a week.”
Chastity Lunelle. What are you doing?
She let out a gasp at the disembodied baritone that moved through her mind. Her reaction was not lost on her dance partner.
“Everything ok, Chastity?”
Biting her lip, the Padawan attempted to surreptitiously peek around the ballroom looking for the dark waves of his black hair. Scrunching up her nose, she craned her neck, looking over her shoulder through the thick sea of people. She branched out with the Force and tried to send him a return whisper. She didn’t know if it would reach him or not. Of course, if he wanted to, he could find her using his aura, but they had both agreed that would be cheating.
Hiding from you, of course. I have a bet to win after all.
Connor stayed where he was, mingling and looking around the room and letting the music evoke a good deal of emotion inside him. The faint calling of his Padawan came through to him, and he turned around slowy like a Nexu hunting through a forest of bodies for the one target.
If you want a head-start, why don't you come up and find me?
He pursed his lips and watched the dancing crowds. Flagging down a Twi'lek waiter, Connor took a flute of fizz to sip gently. It was fruity and refreshing, but this was the first drink he'd had in years - and it would last a long time whilst he kept his mind clear. It would be so easy to find her right this second, but that would be too easy.
Would she take the bait or not? Watching the curved stairwell leading up over the dancers to the 1st floor, the blue eyes bore from the black and gold mask and watched.
Connor’s second mental taunt slipped into her mind, and it made her smile. She met Tu’eb’s gaze, her expression apologetic.
“I should probably rest my ankle,” she told him. “Thank you for the dance.”
“My pleasure.” The Twi’lek gave her a gentlemanly bow, and went to fetch them both another flute of champagne.
Chastity crossed to a more private corner of the room where she could let her blue-grey eyes scan the crowd without tripping over her own feet. Connor said “why don’t you come up…” which meant he was on the first floor. Unless? He was bluffing, he had to be. Two could play at that game.
How do you know I’m not up here already?
Suddenly, Chastity saw a man about Connor’s height and build with the same dark curls. His back was turned to her, but she could see that he wore a red and black mask. That had to be him. She hurried over and tapped him on the shoulder, but when he turned to face her quizzically, it was obviously...not Connor Harrison at all.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said sheepishly, and then covered her mouth to stifled a girlish giggle. “I thought you were someone else.”
Maintaining an obvious presence was the first rule in not being seen in a crowd. Blend in by being confident, in the middle of things and not shying away. Connor had walked past Chastity and her fancy-man twice as they danced, or tried to, and both times she was too busy reaching for figures who weren't closer; weren't looking and being deceptive.
She looked stunning. She didn't look like a Padawan, but a woman who knew what she was doing, and doing it well. Her dress looked liked it had been made just for her, the gold flower snaking up her body in a decorative shoulder piece complimenting her studded mask; deep eyes flicking from under. He was in way over his head, but for once he was only thinking about himself.
With eyes on her, Connor watched her date leave for drinks, and then the eager Padawan move to make her wrong guess at a total stranger. He couldn't help smirk, and he walked across the dance floor softly, towards her, never taking his eyes from her back. Granted, she was playing games as well, and thinking as clearly as the bubbles in her glass would let her. He leaned in closely, amused his strong Force aura was being over-looked.
"Because I'm standing right behind you," came his whisper.
The predator had caught his prey. And, how he had missed her since being apart from Voss the day before.
The embarrassed Padawan was just about to slink off into a corner somewhere, when she suddenly felt a familiar spark of the Force. It was a potent charge that she could feel all the way down to her toes. In fact, it felt just like the feeling she got when she was around...she felt his hot breath on her ear, and then came a deep whisper. Chastity whirled around and there he was. She couldn’t hide how happy she was to see him. Not to mention that he looked so handsome in his black and gold mask that she could barely catch her breath. Her chest rose and fell in double time, a rosy blush darkening her cheeks. Was it the alcohol or something else? Oh blast, could he tell that she was a bit tipsy?
The Padawan put her hands up in a surrendering gesture and let out a long, throaty laugh.
“Well, Master Harrison, looks like you got me.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tu’eb turning away with a frown, only to present the glass of champagne to a new potential conquest. Not as much of a gentleman as he seemed to be was he? She peeled her gaze away, turning towards her Master and gave him an uninhibited wink.
“Well, since you already tell me what to do all day, I’ll be interested to see how you make good on your winnings.”
Noticing that his hands were empty, she cocked her head curiously.
Connor felt safe behind the mask – like he wasn’t the Connor who always seemed to put a foot wrong when he tried to act to save the feelings of others. Here, amongst the other players in this masquerade game, he was just another face in the crowd; no repercussions. He took a step back and looked Chastity up and down, nodding in approval.
"You look amazing – you made a good choice, and I dare look at how much it cost. Not that it matters."
He sighed, glancing to the side for a second to see the Twi’lek who was already turning his attention to another masked queen for him to woo.
"Oh I’ve had a glass already. That’s enough for me. I can maybe do one more, but I don’t really do social events, this is new to me. Last event I was at like this was the wedding of the Grandmaster and Coci, and even then I was on the fruit juice."
Suddenly, he was out of his depth – at a social event with others, where people had to dance, or talk, or eat, or drink, or share stories – he was stood before Chastity, his Padawan, not know what to do. A little lick of the lips, and an audible noise to signal he was thinking to himself as time seemed to drag for a few seconds. He was fine training, teaching Force skills and passing on his knowledge as a Silver Jedi, but this? This was alien.
"So," he said, conscious they weren’t doing what they should be on the dance floor, "have you met any interesting Liannans or fellow Jedi whilst you’ve been flirting with Twi’leks and drinking?"
That came out harsher than he thought – what was he doing? Noticing how obvious they were just stood there, Connor took her hand and held it up in his, and placed his other hand on her waist and moved her gently to the side, starting to dance as the slow but upbeat music continued to play.
Chastity blushed even further at his compliment and then returned it with a soft smile.
“You look devilishly handsome, Connor Harrison.” she told him. In a quieter voice she added, “Like always.”
When he accused her of flirting with the flight instructor, she gave him a playful slap on the arm.
“Flirting?” she challenged with a brazen laugh. “Was I flirting with a Twi’lek?”
The Padawan gave him an innocent smile. Too innocent. Wickedly innocent. Then Chastity stood up on tiptoes. She titled her head in and let her lips gently graze his ear as she whispered.
“You didn’t see me drop my towel for him did you?”
One hand hooked around her waist, and the other threaded through her fingers as Connor lead her a bit further onto the dance floor. That spark of the Force surged between them, making her feel delirious, much like the zing of the champagne. She pressed her body closely against his, the hard exterior of the cortosis chest plates bumping up against her rib cage. As she draped her hands around his shoulders, she brushed the soft skin of his neck. It was an interesting juxtaposition and not an unpleasant one. She briefly flashed a glance at Tu’eb who was watching them intently from the sidelines. Eat your heart out, playboy.
Ridding images in his head that shouldn’t be there, Connor swayed and stepped gently in time to the music; a fluid movement following others that was very safe and simply a fancy social exercise to talk and mingle with others. No real skill was required for this basic dance, thankfully. He noted the Twi’lek still watching now and then – he didn’t recognise the masked face or the skin markings.
"I think your Twi’lek wants his dance."
He was no Silver that was for sure. Either way, he wasn’t up for being stared at much longer. Speak up, or get lost. The silver orb above the dance floor reflected the warm light in all directions as the music continued, a familiar piece Connor had heard before. Holding Chastity comfortable close, he continued to survey his surroundings, with glances down to her eyes hiding behind the golden mask she wore so well.
"Tell me, what’s your experience been like so far with my Order? I mean so far you’ve danced, you’ve trained, sulked and injured yourself and nearly gotten yourself killed."
He circled, manipulating her body into a gentle spin.
Chastity glanced over at the red-skinned Twi’lek looking on with not so subtle annoyance.
“My Twi’lek?” she countered playfully. “He’s a flight instructor at Melford. I was merely making important connections for our Padawans, in case any of them want to learn how to fly.”
The Padawan met his piercing gaze behind his mask, studying his eyes. Tiny flecks of green swam beautifully in a sea of clear blue. She felt her heart beating faster, almost in time to the lively music.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous, Master Harrison.”
There, she said the J-word. What he would do with it was up to him.
Connor then asked her about her experience with the Silver Jedi.
“My time with the Silver Jedi has been nothing short of amazing,” she admitted with a grin. “It definitely beats chasing a bunch of crazy Nuna around a coop for sure.”
She gave him a mock-outraged face when he mentioned her sulking. “And did I sulk? Well, I suppose I did, but I seem to remember someone giving me a very good reason.”
As the champagne had whittled away many of her inhibitions she reached a hand up to let her fingers play lightly on the nape of his neck.
Everything seemed to fall away as her fingers danced across the skin between his hairline and armour on his neck. His flesh crawled with a tingling electricity at being touched in a way he knew very well – it was a toying, playful and intimate touch. His eyes closed for a fraction of a second too long, before opening, and moving his hand across her back, the smooth texture of her dress gentle to the touch.
He was listening to her but working out why his jealously was so apparent – and why it was there at all? She was his Padawan – his student – and he was her Master; the one she would learn from over months and possibly years. He was the one to show her rights and wrongs…no, not true…he was only a teacher of the Force and the Jedi way, not in life and the rights and wrongs one made socially and personally.
"I…no, not jealous. Just want you to be ok."
The sentence didn’t even make sense. Of course she was ok. She was alive, and it was such an attractive thing to see. There were no thoughts of others in his mind, for the first time in months; he was forgetting everything outside of the Governor’s residence. Surrounded by his allies and dignitaries the Jedi had worked hard to secure relations, now it was time to forget after the hard work.
"Good idea though, for the others to learn from. Learning is important."
Well, he could forget everything except the one thing dancing with him; Chastity. Ever so slightly, his eyes dropped to her lips and anyone would be hard to see his head move forward. It was proving more difficult – and thankfully, others had broken away as the song came to an end. Was he relieved, or disappointed? He smiled and let go of her hand, providing the applause for the bands delightful number and he turned to his Padawan.
"Care for a bite to eat before the next dance? I rather enjoyed that."
Connor’s hand trailed gently along the small of her back, and his touch seemed to make the entire room fade away. The glittering silver lights, the music, the well-heeled Lianna party-goers, all seemed to haze into background noise, as if the two of them were the only people in the room. On Lianna, even.
Connor’s eyes lingered over her full lips, and he tilted his head in very slowly and… stopped. Blast it! Why did he keep doing that? It was the most maddening thing ever. There was a small rut in her brow, but luckily it was well-hidden behind her filigree mask. Chastity’s pout was showing as clear as day though. Duh, Chast. You’re his Padawan. He’s only trying to be a good Master. She reluctantly swallowed her pride and shook it off.
Connor suddenly seemed a bit distracted. Evasive even? Chastity couldn’t quite tell. She worried that her comments about his jealousy had been too teasing, perhaps even managing to erode his patience. Karking everything up again, aren't you Chast? You’re getting awfully good at that.
“I could go for something to eat.” she said in a quieter voice, a tight-lipped smile plainly on her face. A bar droid rolled by and despite her better judgement, Chastity took another glass, determined to stave off the bratty mood that threatened to burst her ebullient bubble.
Watched the droid roll by, Connor had to double take as Chastity took another glass of the Governor’s champagne. Good job it was all paid for – or was it? Would Connor be hit with another bill for her wild ways? At least she was happy. Taking her by the – arm – coward! – he walked through the bodies and under the spiral staircase to the other side of the large room where the food was. One of the many rooms with food, anyway.
A host of various pastries, meats, fruits, fish, bread and savoury bites lined the golden cloth along numerous tables around the room. Guests mingled in the middle, eating and chatting, whilst others decided what treat to go for first as protocol droids stood to interpret any questions or requests the Silver Jedi and Liannan officials has.
Connor’s eyes gleamed over the food and leaned in to his – Padawan – admit it! – and pointed out various items.
"I have no idea what this stuff is but it looks good. You need something to soak up those bubbles."
He leaned over the edge of the table and plucked two grapes from a bunch in a bowl. He turned and held it up, moving it to her and popping it between her lips.
"This is what wine tastes like without the fizz," he smiled.
Connor looked back to the dance floor – nothing yet. Background music was playing but no songs. He went back to the food and walked the edge perusing the choice and helped himself to some of the drier foods – bread, fresh potato and meat – onto his small plate.
"I’m going to get you sorted to go out with Syala soon also like I said. Get you experiencing things out away from Voss more."
Chastity slowly sipped from her flute, enjoying the fruity taste of the champagne now that she was accustomed to it. How did she never drink this stuff before? It just made everything seem super...fun. Oops, was that a little stumble? Hoping he didn’t notice her clumsy misstep, the Padawan accompanied Connor to a room hidden underneath the spiral staircase. It had tables of food that seemed to spread for lightyears. The treats were all so gorgeously displayed, that Chastity felt bad for even digging into them, but soon she had a plate and was savoring some of the delicacies of Lianna. I could get used to being treated like this.
“This is so good,” she gushed with a wide eyes, and a mouthful of what tasted a bit like sweet Shurra fruit. Never before had she tasted something so exotic and delicious.
Chastity raised her eyebrow when Connor mentioned sending her off world and away from the safety of Voss. The idea of travelling away from Silver Jedi space filled her with a mixture of excitement and dread. Oh what are you worried about? You’ll be perfectly safe with Knight Daivik. She narrowed her eyes and teased her Master with a playful grin.
“Trying to get rid of me already, Master Harrison?”
Nearly chocking on...whatever this was he was eating...it was sweet and chewy....Connor held up a hand to bat away her teasing.
"Oh no of course not, this is may way - god what is this I'm eating," he winced," - this is just me giving you the confidence to get out there and see what lies beyond Voss."
He took the glass from her hand a sipped the champagne, pretty much finishing it, swilling it around his mouth and swallowing both drink and food. Connor leant over to a table of drink and took another for his Padawan, looking like she'd had one too many. But, something about seeing that little glint in her eye and enjoying her time was worth it. It was one night in many where the Silvers could let their hair down - god knows when the next threat would present itself.
"Do you....fancy another dance, Miss Lunelle?"
Connor pinched an orange fruit from his Padawan's plate and popped it in his mouth, noticing a few more familiar faces milling between the food and the dancing. Cheers and laughter came from up above on the stairwell. The band were starting to warm up and inviting others back for more dancing. Were people going to talk, or judge for a Master dancing so much with his Padawan? Was The Grandmaster going to be told about Connor showing too much attention to Chastiti? This wasn't Jedi business now though - this was business of the heart and head.
Connor was feeling the walls slowly closing in, and he had to do something about it before it killed him.
Chastity couldn't ignore it: Connor was acting weird. It wasn't just a little bit weird. It was a gigantic, planet-sized amount of weird. The kind of weird that made her wonder, was it something she did? Something she said? Did his behavior have something to do with his "walking his path alone?"
Connor took her glass of champagne and drank from it, and it drew a quizzical look from her. If he thought she was drinking too much he should have just told her! Chastity was driving herself crazy trying to interpret his erratic behavior. Chill, Chast. He's your Master. Your teacher. He's supposed to be your friend, confidant, and trainer, not your date.
Behind his mask, Connor's blue eyes darted around the room as if he was watching for someone. He must have a mystery lady around here somewhere. That had to be it. Her Master was probably dancing with her some sense of obligation to his poor Padawan who didn't know anyone else in the Silver Jedi yet. That was so very...Connor of him. If he asked her to dance again, she would let him off the hook, and simply say, no thank you. I don't want to take up all of your time here at the party.
When he asked her for another dance, she lost her breath for a moment.
A slow, dreamy song started to play, one that made Connor’s head turn and wince inwards.
Not one like this, please!
The impeccably dressed Bith band played perfectly and the Gran on lead vocals had a voice like silk as a romantic ballad played out, causing the masked dancers to get a little closer, a little more comfortable and a little more relaxed. Friends danced with friends and laughed, lovers danced with lovers and romanticised and emotionally confused Masters walked the floor with wide-eyed Padawans.
Finishing his glass, he placed it on a passing R2 unit and started for the floor, eyes rolling at the lyrics as they echoed around the ground level.
Connor nodded to a few acquaintances across the room as he led Chastity to the outskirts of the dance floor back under the stairs as the song commenced. He sighed, but smiled, and took her hand in his again, other hand on the waist, and gently began the dance many around him did. Watching for tips on where to go with the music, it was simply a song that required little effort in movement but full cooperation from both parties to get wrapped up in the words and music.
Looking at Chastity, Connor found she was looking around the room at others. He lifted his head as the dutiful Master and continued to sway gently. Was this now just another stupid display of unknown emotion in his head that was forcing him to look at her like she was interested in him? She was looking out for him, he knew it. She was making him feel like he had someone to stand by. Not just Syala, but another to have pride in, to have faith in and to have a connection with. The bond between Sy and himself was totally different. It was like big brother and little sister.
With Chastity, it felt like…
”I wonder what lies ahead for the Silver Jedi next. I can tell you we are in talks with the Levantine Sanctum for the idea of a possible merger – I’m doubtful it will come of anything, but if it does it will strengthen our muscle and allies."
Her reaction said it all – what a boring thing to say.
”Oh, and after you’ve done with Syala I think we should go off-world also, put your training a little more to the test. I don’t think you can ever understand the teaching and the power of your ability unless you really get to put it to use."
Connor smiled a little to her, unsure if she was listening.
”But there’s plenty of time for that later, you keep doing what you’re doing and if you can pass on anything you know to new faces out there, please do. It’s all experience for you."
What a waste of time. He was getting frustrated with himself now, and losing patience in his own emotions. From the early days of twisting Nima Tann around his little finger and then recently having her pay him back painfully, to falling for Corvus Raaf fighting by her side to then forcing himself to try and let her go with the appearance of Darth Arcanix – Taeli – who reciprocated his feelings for the wrong woman, and Serena Bouie paying him so much attention it was greatly welcomed…to this, dancing with Chastity Lunelle whom he had known for weeks now, but spent nearly every day with her and couldn’t get out of his head.
He was attracted to her, and more importantly she was outside of everything else working in his head. She wasn’t connected to the history of the Taung and the rollercoaster of the Silver Jedi view on Connor and his dark methods of fighting for the Light. Importantly, she wasn’t linked to Corvus in anyway – something which made it harder to open up to Taeli. Chastity was just Chastity, and she made him feel special, and if he denied the pleasure of doing what he wanted and was struck down dead tomorrow, his life would be unfulfilled.
Coci had taught him to follow his heart, and Nima had told him to find happiness anyway he could. The two people he trusted most would probably, hopefully, be willing him to find some light to burn away the darkness festering in his soul. To give him something to live for again.
Moving with the music, Connor focused his attention on not his Padawan, but Chastity.
”Thank you for being here with me tonight. And thank you for having faith in me. It means a great deal to me."
His heart began to thump inside a chest that felt hollow, and he knew his hands would be starting to get warmer with nerves. Always thinking of others, and never himself, it was time to cut away the rest of the galaxy for one moment and be selfish. Now, she seemed to be listening.
”I’m not one for coincidence, but someone once told me to trust the Force. And I think the Force has brought us together for a reason."
”Earth angel; earth angel. Please be mine.
Connor moved his hand from her waist, swallowing hard, and brought it up, sweeping his fingers down gently over one side of her face and resting it on her shoulder.
My darling dear, love you for all time.
He looked into her eyes, and leaned into her slowly –
I’m just a fool…
He stopped, - don’t think –
…a fool in love, with you."
Connor’s lips met hers, and he kissed her without a care in the world – and it was a kiss he truly meant.
Connor lead his Padawan back out to the dance floor with a nod to some of his friends, presumably Silver Jedi. Chastity could only assume they were from the Order. Having spent much of her first week resting her sprained ankle in bed, she had missed out on some of the meet-and-greets with other Masters, Knights, and Padawans. She still had not even met Syala, Connor’s former student, and wondered if she were around here somewhere.
The silver lights dappled the face of her Master as she stole a glance at it. Surprisingly, he was studying her, almost as if she were some strange alien specimen under glass. Then, the look passed and Connor launched into full-on Master mode. He spoke of another group of Jedi, the Levantine Sanctum, joining their order, and going off-world with Syala. All of the news was exciting. It only made her more resolved to be Connor’s dutiful apprentice and not kark things up as she was wont to do. Suddenly, he stopped, and for a few moments, all she could hear was the sweet and romantic song coming from the Bith band.
His blue eyes locked on to hers. All of a sudden everything about him was different, his tone, his words. Connor spoke of the Force bringing them together, and Chastity felt that she was no longer being held in the arms of a fastidious Master, but a man pouring out his feelings to a woman. His fingers brushed her face, his hand warm on her skin. Her breaths quickened as he came in for a long, passionate kiss. His lips felt amazingly soft on hers, and tilting her head, Chastity returned his kiss with the same abandon as he. Connor was a very good kisser and when their lips parted, she was eager for more. She was vaguely aware that they were on both display in the middle of the floor, but armed with the recklessness of youth, Chastity couldn’t be bothered to care. Let them stare! She stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear.
“About damn time, Connor Harrison.”
Then, she leaned in and pulled his head in for another long kiss.
