Wake Up

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael looked at Kira, she was sleeping, her chest softly rising and falling, her hair getting tangled beneath her nose and eventually ending in her mouth. He grinned at her. This was becoming her nature, every time after they finished she would fall into a deep consuming sleep. It was as if the life left her, and her entire body needed time to recharge and regain its energy.

His finger stroked her cheek.

What an odd little creature she was.

Then again could he claim he was normal? The centuries old Garhoon False God that ruled over a thousand worlds. No. He couldn't claim he was normal. They were both oddities, oddities that had found each other, somehow, someway in this galaxy. He smiled and gently stroked her cheek, plucking away from of the hairs that had found their way into her mouth which lay agape.

She snored.

Oddly enough he found that endearing.

Part of him wanted to wake her, wanted to stir her so that they could speak more and spend time together, the last time they would truly have together without anyone else around. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Instead he watched her sleep, mesmerized.

 

[Kira Talith]

It was true.

Soliael had a way of completely tuckering Kira out. More so after their last, for the experience of being privy to not only her own heighten awareness and emotions but that of Soliael's was enough to overwhelm her -- several times over to be exact, a fact that the False God would know with a touch of smug pride.

In her sleep, she would move to draw closer to the larger warm body next to her. The slide of his finger to sweep the length of hair from her face would not go unnoticed, stirring her slightly from her slumber. Her mouth would fall shut, the snores would wane to a deep inhale then a sigh of snuggly contentment.

Her arms would snake round to wrap round his torso, seeking his heat against her bare flesh. Ever so slowly, her cheek would start to rub against the fleece of dark hair against his right pectoral, nuzzling it so. She was as content as a kitten could be, although this one proved that despite the neatly trimmed short nails, Soliael's back and upper arms bore the evidence of her claws.

Surprising, for such a tiny thing. There was no shame in her now. No sense of embarrassment. The Lorrdian in her allowed her to mimic in turn, reading cues and clues, adjusting to gentle murmurs of encouragement. There was no denying she was still charting new territory, and it was Kira -- awkwardness would abound at times. But so would humor and her mischievous devilry, and above all the depth of her affection for the man that was seemingly getting under her skin and branding himself upon her in a manner that she absolutely loved.

The hum of the recycled air conditioner would be a welcomed bit of low white noise, barely audible but soothing none the less. After a few minutes, twin blue eyes would slowly open. A light sleepy kiss would press between Soliael's chest, right over his heart.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Soliael let his fingers slid through Kira's hair as she awoke.

He could count the hours they had left together now. Sixty three. He still hated sleep, it took up so much time, so much was lost while people slept, so many things could be done. Yet Kira made it okay, she made sleep seem worthwhile. Whether it was him, or she that was sleeping it seemed more worthwhile. The rest they got, the dreams that she may have had.

The False God smiled down at her, petting the Jedi's hair and letting his fingers run over her scalp. The scratch marks on him burned slightly, fresh and only a few hours old they tingled as his Garhoon cells began to quickly repair them. Shallow cuts always went quickly.

“How did you sleep?” He asked quietly, not wanting to startle her with loud words.

Sixty three hours.

That was all they had left.

 

[Kira Talith]

Kira would smile against his skin, "Mmm... good." she'd say, her voice husky from sleep. A deep content hum would come from her at the massaging pads of his fingers, lulling her into a deeper state of relaxation.

"Warm." she'd give a silly grin and her grip would tighten around him, giving him a light squeeze. "I've the best personal heater." she'd say in lighthearted humor. Indeed, he practically radiated heat constantly and was like a combo of the best blanket and pillow ever imagined. His scent would envelop her, and she would take a deep breath, enjoying it so.

The ring would impart to the Lorrdian a sensation of love, tranquility, but also edged with notes melancholy. It was a mirror of her own. Lids would open, and she would turn her head up to find his gaze.

A slight shift would bring her a bit closer, close enough to press her lips against his in a comforting kiss.

"Did a tiny monster hog the bed again?" she'd ask with a low murmur.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He shook his head.

She had tried of course.

In her unconscious mind she had tried to jump over him and take over the entirety of the bed, but luckily he was large enough that a sleeping Kira had not been quite enough to take over everything. Instead she had ended up draping her limbs all over him, sticking in place and absorbing the heat of his body.

Something he had not really minded truth be told.

“I managed to contain it this time.” He said it with a smile, though a part of him knew that it would be the last time in a while he would be able to say that. Oh sure they would sleep again before they got to Ossus, especially knowing Kira and knowing himself. Their desire for one another was strong, and unlike him, she actually enjoyed the rest she got.

But he could feel the fading of their time, something that harmed him greatly.

 

[Kira Talith]

“Sure it won’t escape and claim it all?” came her subsequent quip, rising up to one elbow so her cheek would rest upon her palm. Strands of wavy blond hair would fall over her neck, curling over her shoulders and down her decolletage.

Her free hand would pull from his torso, rising up to gently trace his face from eyebrow to lower jaw. Her nose would crinkle in mild amusement at the thicker growth over his face. Lightly scratching it, amidst the gentle massage of his own fingers on her scalp, she would add, “Or maybe you’re the tiny monster here.” impish devilry shone in her blue eyes at that.

Then came the rumble in her stomach. Yup, she was hungry again. Another sheepish grin. What could she say? She burned so much energy that she needed to refuel.

“Okay.. so what kind of food you got on this ship? IronChef protein bars?” she’d make a face, not the best tasting, but they would do when out in the Outer Rim.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

He had correctly predicted that the first of Kira's wants when she awoke would be food. That made him smile. One could argue that he knew her so well due to the meld that they had shared in the ice caverns below Exocron, one could also argue that it was because over the last week the two had learned more about each other than most siblings did in a life time.

Soliael preferred to think it was the second.

He grinned at her, then spoke. “I'm sure we have something more than that. Though I'm not sure we could manage steaks.”

Food was an odd thing aboard starcraft. Certain luxury liners would have all sorts of food. Bantha Steaks, Krayt Dragon eggs, likely anything you could imagine. Stander commercial ships would have nutrient pastes and protein slabs. This vessel was somewhere in between.

Soliael had never much cared about lavish food.

Oh he enjoyed a good tasting meal as much as anyone else, but to him, as long as he was properly fed he was happy. He supposed Kira was the same way, albeit when she got something good, she enjoyed it on a whole new level.

 

[Kira Talith]

A slight boop of a press of her finger pad would lay upon Soliael’s nose.

“That’s fine, I’ll eat anything honestly.” she wouldn’t be kidding either. The shift of a blanket would slide off her shoulder as she rose to a half sitting position, goosebumps rising in the slight chill of the room.

“You hungry?” she’d ask him, running her hands through her hair to push her bangs out of her face. They only fell back rebelliously to tickle the tips of her lashes again. Sigh, there was no helping it. She’ll either need to trim them or let them grow out.

The corner of her mouth perked up. “I figure the sixty-two mile club at least has a continental breakfast for two.”

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“I could bite.” Soliael said running fingers over her neck in a slightly teasing way. His tone would make it difficult to tell if he was being serious, but the amusement and mischief running through the false bond of the ring would tell Kira that he was in fact kidding.

“I'm almost positive that one of the people aboard this ship serves as a chef.” There were only ten of them, but he doubted that they each made their own meal, especially with how stormtroopers lives were regimented. He doubted that those regiments went away even after leaving the service. “Perhaps we should ask.”

Soliael should probably have known this, but no doubt Nien would be more than entertained by him forgetting.

He was supposed to be the God of Knowledge after all, and while he could remember the names of each and every single one of them men and women who followed him, their specific place and what they actually did sometimes escaped him.

Something that amused the old captain to no end.

 

[Kira Talith]

Kira would give a light rap at Soliael’s hand, well aware that he was kidding around.

“No biting! Or nibbling! I’m not your personal power-bar y’know.” she’d tease right back, laughing at him as she would start to roll out of the bed. Bare feet would land and nine toes would wiggle. A survey of the cabin would reveal their scattered clothing everywhere. His shirt here. Her pants there.

“That requires extra powdered puff balls as bribery,” she’d flash him a grin as she stood, reaching out for that scrap of fabric to slip on with a slight wiggle and a sway.

“Asking is good… plus,” there came that flash of impish delight, trying to be as cheerful as she could. They were on borrowed time. She knew this well and would make the best of it.

“Maybe I’ll get embarrassing stories of Sol out of the crew.” Highly unlikely, but that didn’t meant Kira wasn’t going to be her typical ice-breaking self.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Unlikely.” Soliael said flatly as he followed her path out of the bed. “There are no embarrassing stories about me.”

That was oddly true actually.

Oh sure when he was a child he had had his fair share of incidents, but it was important remember that Soliael was nearly two hundred and fifty years old. Embarrassment had long gone by the wayside for him, and in fact the last embarrassing thing to actually happen to him was being tackled to the ground of Metalorn by a tiny Jedi Master who barely reached his shoulders.

Something he had corrected by now falling in love with her.

Odd how that worked out.

“Though I thought you enjoyed the nibbling.” Soliael said quietly as he slipped on his own clothes. Getting dressed went reasonably quickly, though he didn't bother putting on any sort of socks or shoes. He liked going barefoot, always had. A trait that remained from his times in the jungles of Onderon and Dxun.

 

[Kira Talith]

If Soliael ever feared that Kira would ever stop blushing, this would prove that she wouldn’t. Twin spots of pink color would heat her face at the quiet reminder. Did she enjoy it? Flashes of memories and those goosebumps would pucker at just the thought.

Yeaahh...

“Minor technicality,” she’d say, wiggling into her pants and tugging her blouse on after. Her hair was a mess, but a quick finger comb did the trick. Well, as much as it could. There were still some rebellious soft waves that would dance in the current of the recycled air unit.

She’d walk round him in a half circle, grabbing his hand to lead them off, barefoot as he.

“Come on, yoohoo. I’ve a worm to feed in my belly!” she’d say with a half laugh, interlocking her fingers along his.

“So tell me more about the ship.”

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

They began to wander through the ship, quickly moving towards the aft section where Soliael knew the kitchens to be.

“It's a ship.” He said half jokingly to her.

Soliael could be said to be somewhat of an expert in starships, but only because of his affinity towards technology of all sorts. The vessel around them was a familiarity to him with simple steps, every wire, every bulkhead, every facet of it calling out to him as though it were alive. To him, it was like a familiar home.

“Perhaps, its a bit more special than a simple ship.” He said to her with a grin. “It was designed to be fast, It's hyperdrive and sensors being capable of burrowing through deep space. It's unique design makes it somewhat faster in the atmosphere as well.”

He went on like that for a while, describing the ships intent and what it was meant for. “Though, it has absolutely no weapons to speak of.”

Soliael Shrugged at that. Not everything needed to be armed.

 

[Kira Talith]

"So just a hightail and run then?" Kira would saying, walking along ever curious. They would pass more cabins, a small storage area, and finally come up to the lounge. Two new faces would reveal themselves. This time an othe male about the age Nein appeared, save he had a more surly expression and a high and tight ginger haircut. He was clean shaven, with half of his face tattooed in a thick dark brown design.

Needless to say Kira's eyes grew wide. Then again, she wasn't one to stop and ignore without saying hello. Besides, they had to find out who was the cook right?

The short Jedi Master would barely reach halfway between both males chests barefoot as she was, but that didnt put a damper on her greeting.

"Hello! "

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

The man was a Kiffar.

Soliael knew this because he had questioned the facial tattoo upon first meeting him, and he had learned that he had been a loyal Soldier of Moridins Empire because of his fathers species, Kiffar. The man was known as Brin, and simply Brin.

He had been expelled from his clan some dozen years ago and had only joined with the Sith Empire when Moridin fully took power, joining the Stormtrooper legions and fighting the Mandalorians after the wars began. He had been loyal, and when Soliael, Moridins son, had showed within the Empire Brin had decided that serving him was the next best thing.

Like most of Soliaels followers, he was a gruff man, but with a bit of kindness.

“Hello.”

He replied simply, no mention of name, rank, or what he did.

“Kira. This is Brin.” Soliael said, looking at the man with an odd expression, as if he was trying to remember something. “Brin, can you remind us how to get some food around here.”

Brin grunted and pointed to the other person within the room. This time it was a lady, the same ginger hair and the same facial tattoo on her face. She looked younger than Brin, but older than Kira. Soliael recognized her and instantly remembered. “Aella!”

He sounded well pleased by this development.

Aella was a great cook.

 

[Kira Talith]

It was interesting seeing Soliael interact with others beyond her. Such a stark contrast to Metalorn. Different in how he interacted with her -- in the beginning and in the now.

Discovering something new every day -- every hour even. Kira couldn’t help but smile.

A small wave of hello would be sent over at both Brin and Aella, the later giving her a rather pique look of interest. Whatever thoughts would lay behind the Kiffar, would not be relayed. There would be no measure of impropriety and certainly no lack of respect.

It would be obvious that the request for a meal would be more for the petite blonde female standing at the False God’s side rather than he. What with him having to ask who was the cook on ship.

“Is there anything in particular you be desiring?” Aella would ask, the vibroshiv she’d been twirling in her fingers abruptly and expertly sheathed at her hip.

“I’m easy.I’ll be okay with protein bars.” Kira would admit rather sheepishly, adding “But I can help with anything really, no trouble at all.”

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

Aella shook her head, glancing at Soliael and reading him, realizing that a simple protein bar likely would not be enough to satiate Kira's hunger. The Ship held far fancier foods of course, though most of them took time to prepare. Aella turned away from both Soliael and Kira and began to create a simple meal of bread and various meats as well as a few greener options.

She arranged them all neatly on a plate, then gave them to Kira, giving a smile over to Soliael.

This way Kira could customize her own meal, and there would be plenty of it. Soliael returned the smile to Aella, then thanked her.

Though the woman was not exactly a designated cook, it was very likely that she was the best cook that had been in the stormtrooper legion that chose to follow Soliael. She had been delegated to the task because she did it well. That was what happened in a Legion, things were based on merit. It also helped that she did not mind completing the task, and indeed took some joy in doing it.

Soliael remembered that from words they had shared once.

The False God thanked them, then pressed a hand into Kira's lower back, pushing her towards the nearby doorway that lead to an area looking very much like a cafeteria.

 

[Kira Talith]

With eyes larger than her stomach, Kira would be guided over to the galley area, in her hands the plate presented and nicely put together by Aella.

A very grateful Lorrdian would shine her smile in thanks, but her bare feet would soon take her elsewhere.

"So all of them have always worked together?" she would as curiously, looking up at Soliael for a moment before her attention would draw to a small corner booth. The galley was empty, likely due to the rest of the skeleton crew going about their own business and chores.

Kira would slide into her seat, legs starting to give a slow swaying kick as she settled in. Here was where the Jedi Master would take the time to slow down. She enjoyed food, and would savor it so. With gusto, Kira would start to select what to fill her sandwich with.

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

“Yes.” Soliael said.

As far as he knew the legion had been together for the passed five years, certainly since they had decided to follow him, probably longer. Stormtrooper legions weren't often split up, the brotherhood that the soldiers formed was a strong one, and one that counted for something in combat. Most commanders knew this, and thus kept soldiers together.

“They were together when they began to serve me.” He explained. “Most of them had been in the Empire since my father, and thats why the chose to come with me, they respected my father and they respected me.”

They were all good men.

Some of them had done terrible things to be sure, but then again so had he. None of them were sociopaths or outright killers, and those that had had long since been weeded out or simply left.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Even after everything?" her blue eyes would lock on his. It was clear she meant in regards to the Sith Empire, over Darth Moridin, and what events followed. Soliael had after all described exactly what sort of man his father was. So why would soldiers stay loyal to that?

It made no sense to her.

A few choice meats, a big pile of veggies, and a spread or two went into her sandwich. One would wonder if she would be able to get all of it with a first bite; it appeared thicker than her mouth could likely stretch.

Crunch!

. . . Well, as a rather full mouth soon gave evidence thereafter with a big chunk bitten off her sandwich, Kira was more than willing to give it the good ol try.