Ambition + Romance = ?

[Emma Lou]

Esc'assi'elia had not been set up on many dates in her thirty years of living because people believed she was too uptight to find a man that would put up with her. No one had ever told her this to her face but she had heard the whispers about why she was still single when so many of her friends had gotten married. She really had no desire to settle down but her sweet cousin and dear friend, Heliel, had set up this date with a young man and she could not say no to the woman who was her superior. Cassie wouldn't say she was excited about this date but she was never one to turn down a free meal and a couple drinks.

The reservations were at an upscale restaurant in Csaplar that Cassie had been to a few times in the past. She knew the dress code was on the dressy side so she wore a long blue dress that flared a little at the waist and grazed the floor as she walked. Her long black hair fell down her back in big loose curls and her red eyes scanned the dining room. She had no idea who she was meeting because Heliel was a pain like that. She had been quite giddy about this date like she had been waiting for the perfect man to show up for Cassie.

"I believe the reservations are under Arch'elie'lia"

 

[Nephill Kilner]

Andra'rkel'nuruodo had arrived five minutes before the time Cassie had given him, and had spent the time gazing at the upscale restaurant's window at the vibrant scenery around it in Csaplar. It reminded him what his life of service really meant.

He was dressed in a custom tailored suit, with his Blue Heart pinned to the lapel. The suit was standard black and of the latest fashion, and distinctly masculine. His considerably powerful body filled the suit easily, and one could easily determine he was not a man in his element wearing such expensive finery. A watch worth a fortune, a family heirloom, was clasped onto his wrist. A Krayt dragon pearl ring on his right hand, with his family name inscribed into it. His best cologne, a musky but subtle scent that did not overwhelm the senses. His hair was combed back and gelled in a handsome style, one that required a practiced hand and was harder to achieve then it looked. He had ordered wine already. Sullust '785 - aged over two hundred years and quite expensive. But he had to spend his newfound fortune somehow, and might as well make this date the best it could be.

Although he did come from a wealthy family, he was raised by the military - with nothing but the necessities. He wasn't necessarily going through lengths and bounds with this date because he loved wealth and possessions, he could do right fine with fatigues and rations, and had for most of his career - but he was the type of man to impress, especially on dates. And now that he had the money to back it up, why not? Especially since she seemed to prefer it, according to her profile...

He was here purely at the behest of Heliel. Work was overwhelming: there was so much administrative work and settling in to be had for the new Tactical Commander. It was a political position as well, and Arkel had been introduced to the wonders of public relations - mainly countless parties with the aristocrats and a few speeches and lectures at the military academy. Not to mention looking over CEDF plans and contingencies, reorganizing the CEDF structure, and personal training for his personal commands.

But if Heliel asked him to go on a date with her cousin, he went on a date with her cousin. No arguments. Arkel had been looking forward to it; she was an attractive woman, and a hard catch. Arkel loved a challenge. However, her personality was hardly desirable, and Arkel kept his expectations low despite his natural hopes. He would not walk away disappointed tonight. He came well-rested with his best wit and his mind on guard. He would not mess up with this date.

Arkel was a bit out of his element, he had to admit. He spent too much time in the military and hadn't been on a date since the academy. He was a little...rusty.

Arkel was also thankful she wasn't a military type who would spot the four security agents spread throughout the room within a reasonable proximity to him, or the hold-out pistol concealed in his suit's jacket. He hardly desired to have such security measures: but he was a target. And not even so much from Cassie, but from the various patrons eating around him. Any one of them might have a grudge against the current administration, or the government in general, and the Grand Imperator's right hand man and most powerful military officer in the Ascendancy made a juicy target.

His napkin was already folded perfectly on his lap, and he noted the regal looking woman who walked in. It was her. Arkel admired her long curls - very attractive. And that dress was gorgeous, perfectly augmenting the woman who wore it. Arkel could definitely see a second date. He faced her and gave a slight smile, indicating who he was before the maitre de had to direct her.

 

[Emma Lou]

The maitre de was about to take her to her table when she saw a handsome man smile at her. Either this was her date or this was her new date. He was good looking in his expensive suit. She was attracted to him on first sight and was thankful to Heliel for her good choice of men. She knew very little about Arkel besides the fact that he was a high up. She had been traveling so much as of late and she had not had time to catch up with the who's who of Chiss politics. She figured that she should probably get on that but it would have to wait till tomorrow. For now she was going to enjoy the night and her first date with this handsome man. She walked towards the table and smiled as she approached.

"You must be Arkel. I am Cassie"

She didn't drop her diplomatic smile as she waited for his reply.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

He maintained eye contact with this lovely lady the entire time she approached, and a few steps away he stood up and pulled out her chair for her. He then moved to take her hand, and if she allowed, gently and with practiced movements bent slightly, and kissed it regally.

"You look lovely, Lady Cassie. I'm Arkel. Please, take a seat," he said, his smile growing as he returned to the back of her chair, scooting it back in once she has sat down, taking the maitre de's job much to the poor Chiss's chagrin.

Once Arkel had returned to his seat, the waiter took Cassie's drink order before performing a smart about-face, leaving the two alone.

 

[Emma Lou]

Cassie's first impression of the young man was a good one. He had been raised with manners that had mostly been forgotten.

"Thank you"

After the waiter left she smiled at Arkel again.

"So, Heliel talked you into taking out her spinster cousin?"

Cassie was sarcastic and after she said it she immediately regretted it. Sarcasm was probably the worst way to start a first date.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

In short, Arkel was rather taken aback by her simple acknowledgment of his efforts. He had thought her of a more well mannered background. However, his expression did not show it, merely freezing awkwardly for a few moments, barely noticeable. But it passed quickly. But he liked her self-deprecating comment. He interpreted it as evidence that she was not caught up in herself, and was not egotistical.

"I would hardly call you a spinster, my Lady. If anything, I'm the lonely bachelor," he said easily, slowly swirling his wine glass perfectly. "Though I must admit, I do not understand how you have managed to remain single all these years. I am sure you had no shortage of suitors more worthy than myself?" he asked. Despite his power, Arkel did have an inferiority complex when it came to social situations. In battle, he was the opposite - assertive and confident. But this was not his element, and he admitted that to himself.

But he was getting better, he thought.

 

[Emma Lou]

Cassie let out a small laugh. She hardly had time for suitors. Between CAIN business and the Immortal Order she barely had time to sleep. She may have envied her cousin but she certainly did not envy the extra work she had with the powerful position.

"Work has kept me busy and I believe that many men cannot handle my personality"

It was more than a belief. She knew it to be true. She had never been on a second date because she showed her true self and they never liked that. This boy (he was five years younger than her) seemed nice and knowledgeable but she was sure this would only be a free dinner and then she would be off to a new planet.

"So what do you do Arkel? Heliel did not tell me very much about you"

The waiter brought her wine and she took a sip and then set down her glass. She looked at him and ordered her food. It was rude to keep a waiter waiting.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

He liked her laugh. It was soft, very feminine. Hopefully she was the type to use it often - he was around uptight people most of the time, he would enjoy the company of a lighter woman.

"I can understand where you're coming from completely. The work part," he said with a wry smile.

"I'm Tactical Commander of the Ascendancy, my Lady. I oversee all of our military forces. I work closely with the Grand Imperator himself, and have a seat on the Council of Eminence," he said, very surprised she didn't know who he was. He was under the impression the news had spread the information to every corner of Chiss Space.

He then ordered a steak with a salad before turning back to Cassie.

"What do you do?" he asked simply, his voice and face losing a bit of its warmth.

 

[Emma Lou]

Cassie listened to him and nodded as he spoke of his job. He was very high up. Much higher than Heliel had let on. That bitch, Cassie thought. She was ambitious and she loved power and now she was sitting across from one of the most powerful Chiss and Cassie had already pulled out the sarcasm. If she would have known who he was she would have been on her best behavior and probably worn some more expensive jewelry. He asked what she did and she had to bite back her original reply of 'I lie way too much to get my way'. Instead she went with the better choice.

"I'm a diplomat and an Immortal Knight"

The last part was not secret but it usually was not something she shared either. She thought it took away from her professional demeanor when people found out she could kill them quickly and quietly. She smiled sweetly and innocent.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

A Force sensitive. That was interesting, and changed the game a bit. Arkel felt exposed suddenly, knowing she could sense his emotions and maybe even pick up on his thoughts, if she was that powerful.

"A Knight! I must confess I have never met any members of your order before besides casual introductions," he said, drinking in her sweet smile. He did like her lips...

"And a diplomat. So, you know how to talk people into doing what you desire for a living," he said with a playful smile. "Perhaps one day we can see if I'll be able to resist."

 

[Emma Lou]

She had picked up her glass and was halfway into a sip when he mentioned getting what she wanted. She snorted and coughed as the wine went down the wrong pipe then her smile turned sly.

"It is usually the diplomats saving the your ass"

Secretly, she would like it very much if they had a chance to test his ability to say no. He was pretty handsome and she could see a future even it was just in the bedroom.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

Arkel allowed himself a chuckle. "I assure you, Esc'alli'elia, that I have never found myself in a situation in which a diplomat has had to 'save my ass.' I'm quite capable of doing that myself," he said with a rueful grin, being careful to regulate his thoughts and emotions now that he was aware she was a Force user. He didn't know a whole lot about their abilities, but he knew that only the more powerful ones could really get in your head. Hopefully she could only feel vague emotional imprints.

Too bad it didn't swing both ways. That would be interesting. He wondered how a couple made up of two Force users managed to ever function together.

He stayed silent after that, letting her push the conversation in whatever direction she desired. It would show him more of her intentions and what she was like if he let her talk.

 

[Emma Lou]

Cassie smiled and then the table went silent. It was an awkward silence that Cassie wasn't quite sure how to fill. She could tell that he had mixed emotions about her being a force user but that was it. She was pretty good at ignoring other peoples feelings unless she felt like prying in which didn't usually happen. She usually didn't care what other people were feeling unless it was imperative to her mission or her life.

"So......"

She took another sip of her wine and stared back up at him.

"Do you like leading the military? That is a lot of responsibility."

 

[Nephill Kilner]

He let the silence go on even as he itched to fill. He was rewarded several moments later with her question.

"Well, I enjoy it. I was sort of groomed since I was a child to be a military officer. My family has a military tradition. It's interesting work, always something new. Never boring or repititious, that's for sure," he said. "But it can get lonely sometimes. Although there are plenty of female Chiss serving in the armed forces, I tend to avoid them partly out of avoiding a controversial relationship and mostly because the females near my rank are old and unattractive," Arkel said, the statement mock-serious but clearly meant to be a joke, and he gave her a slight wink as he leaned back in his seat to sip at his wine again. He was watching her face carefully, his face containing the slightest of grins as his eyes very seriously drank in and evaluated her facial expressions.

 

[Emma Lou]

He was sure making her smile a lot. That was pretty unusual but he was doing a good job. He was a born and raised military man, that made sense. He had the manners and the demeanor that were clearly taught to him from young age.

"Well I am old but I like to think of myself as attractive"

She returned his wink with a wide smile and took another sip of her one. The waiter brought their meals then and she nibbled on her salad that she had ordered along side her rare steak.

 

[Nephill Kilner]

Nephill let out a small chuckle at that. "At some times, although rarely, I think myself as youthful enough and maybe a tad handsome. But believe me when I say this, you are quite gorgeous," he said, letting the word drop naturally. A second later, he regrets using such a heavy word. But in truth, there is no other way to describe her. He would follow his heart on this one and put himself out there. He really hadn't gotten over how attractive she was ever since she had walked in.

As the food arrived, he began comfortably cutting his steak into small strips and chewed thoughtfully, admiring the skill of the chefs. He held his utensils perfectly, with his napkin spread out on his lap in a careful square. "Quite good. How is your dinner?" he asked, dabbing at his mouth at a few spots of juice that had found a way to escape his mouth somehow.