Ask Can You Feel The Love Tonight

[Ezra Thorne]

---​

It was some time later, and he could still hear the waves and the faint sounds of seagulls. He was exhausted and completely spent, briefly staring up at the ceiling as his chest rose and fell. He was still processing everything - Ezra had been taken to new heights, and he felt pleasures beyond what he thought possible, and he was taken on a whole new journey by Dash. He had only wondered at it before, but the actual experience was far beyond anything he could have imagined. Ezra had never felt so vulnerable, yet exhilarated at once before. Dash wove in love and tenderness into every action and Ezra felt entirely at ease, even through the initial trepidation and discomfort.

Sweat lined both their bodies and Ezra basked in the aftermath of their lovemaking. He felt closer to Dash in many ways, mainly because he had never been with another man like this before. He had been curious, but never had such a strong desire to try it with anyone. Then again, he never felt about another person like he did Dash.

Ezra rolled over to wrap an arm around his boyfriend, wincing a bit at an unfamiliar new soreness. He was almost a little embarrassed at how vocal he had been during their time together, historically not that way by nature. He softly kissed along the side of Dash’s jaw, “I hope you know I still plan on throwing you around and taking you however I want,” Ezra said teasingly as he rolled over entirely to straddle Dash, pinning his hands down along the sides of his head. He smiled down at his boyfriend, his eyes betraying tenderness in spite of his bold gesture. Ezra looked as if he had a million sappy and lovey things to say as he stared at Dash, but of course none of them managed to pass his lips.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash had half worried he would let Ez down. It had been a while since he had taken the lead like that, longer than he realised, and part of him had been anxious about going slow while still keeping his momentum.

But worrying had been stupid. It turned out going slow was the easiest thing in the world when you were in love. Dash had watched for every cue from his boyfriend, reading those beautiful silver eyes and barely creased features to sense Ezra's every thought. They had moved in unison and in truth Dash had wanted nothing more than to explore his boyfriend slowly, sensually, discovering new pleasure for himself and delivering the same to Ez.

It was also impossible to lose momentum when they were connected, their bodies joined, the heat and passion fuelling them both. Time almost seemed to slow when they were that close to each other. Dash had felt he could have gone forever at times. But eventually it had been too much, for both of them.

Dash nuzzled against Ezra, pale chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. He smiled to himself, half in contentment and half at the memory of his boyfriend's peculiar new noises. Ez had been surprisingly vocal; for all their differences, it seemed they both struggled to stay quiet in certain positions.

Ezra's lips on his jaw were a sudden surprise. "I wouldn't have it any other way" he breathed, meeting those two silver pools. Ez was on top of him in no time and Dash looked up at him, then down at himself "I guess its just me that leaves handprints" he chuckled, remembering the nasty frost burns he had left on Ez their first time. "I must have gone too gentle though, you would usually be in one of your comas by now".

His boyfriend normally had a habit of falling into an unshakeable sleep after their antics, but this time he looked eager for round two. Dash reckoned he could manage that. It might kill him, but screw it.

His hands were pinned down and his legs were little use. Instead, he looked up and blew his perfect boyfriend a kiss. "Come take it baby".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“You were perfect. I’m just not done yet,” Ezra responded with a grin. Part of it was that he was still a bit sore from the experience, but he had way too much pride to complain. The other part was seeing Dash under him with that flushed look on his face and slick with sweat was enough to get his engines going yet again.

He would happily oblige his boyfriend’s request, looking over to spot one of their ties. Ezra floated it over, tying Dash’s wrists above his head to keep them there. He leaned in to kiss along his neck and down his chest, teasing and nibbling along the way. His hands traveled across his boyfriend’s body, practiced fingers always knowing how to please and where to go after all their shared moments together. It wasn’t long before the flexible Knights legs were tossed up as if he weighed nothing, their bodies coming together in yet another dance of passion, one which they were both more familiar with.

–​

This time Ezra definitely was out cold, his usual post love session snores resounding with an arm draped across his boyfriend. It was afternoon and the sounds of people playing on the beach or swimming drifted in through the balcony. Soft, white curtains were fluttering against the warm breeze coming in along with the sounds of distant waves.

He never slept as well as he did with Dash, his daily stress always eating away at the back of his mind. With his boyfriend, he was truly content and at ease, and he could sleep for a whole day. After a moment, a droid slowly zoomed into the room with a tray of food and drinks, mentioning vocalizing concern because neither teens had eaten in a while.

Ezra yawned and finally woke up, sitting up in bed as he rubbed his eyes. His hair was messy and he had his standard grumpy just-woke-up look, suspiciously eyeing the cup of caf that was brought over. Was it even the particular roasts he preferred? Furthermore, his head throbbed painfully and he groaned, “I hate drinking…” He muttered, his Sephi origins ensured drinking always hit him harder than the average person.

“What do you want to do today, baby?” Ezra asked as he glanced over at his boyfriend, “We have one more day before you have to head back, right?” His gaze lingered briefly on Dash's wrists where he sported red marks. Maybe he bound his hands a bit too tight..

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

When Ez went for the tie and started binding his hands, Dash bit his lip in excitement. How did Ez know he liked being tied up? He could not remember mentioning it, but then he did tend to have a few more drinks than his boyfriend. Maybe he had. Either that, or Ezra really could read his mind.

As his boyfriend's hands and mouth worked their way down Dash's body, he knew it was definitely the latter. Ezra was in his head.

–​

Dash awoke to the mechanised voice of the service droid, squinting at the brightly coloured food and drink being pressed in his face. He slowly got up, an unexpected ache in his arms and legs. He guessed that was what you got for straining against the might and muscle of Ezra Thorne; a small price to pay for a wild night that would take a few more sleeps to recover from.

He sipped some orange juice and looked across at Ez. His boyfriend looked like a hibernating animal that had been roused from its slumber months too early. The bedhead and vacant look only made him more adorable.

"You don't hate it baby" Dash said, giving Ez a morning peck on the cheek. "It's just one of the very few things you're not awesome at". He crooked his neck, bracing against a headache of his own. "If it's any consolation, I must feel much worse than you". Champagne, wine and cocktails were really not meant to be mixed.

He looked out at the rising sun, working the options through in his head. They did indeed have the whole day before Dash had to head back tonight. It would be hard to top the opera house, private dinner and beach club, but what they did was less important than spending the time together. It was so precious with assignments often keeping them apart.

"Squid Lake was my thing" he replied after a moment's thought "and it was amazing. Let's do something you're into today. I saw a load of yachts down on the front last night and they must have plenty of watersports?". Dash began picking at a bunch of grapes on the breakfast tray, snaffling a few and leaning across to offer to feed one to Ezra. He could quite easily lapse into getting frisky again if they did not get out of the suite soon.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra’s head gave a nasty throb and he almost debated with Dash on his hatred for drinking, but he was appeased by the affectionate peck. He moodily took a sip from the caf, deciding that it was at least acceptable. Ezra was surprised when Dash fed him a grape, and he momentarily felt like one of those kings or emperors from Holomovies, “Are you going to fan me next?” He asked with a smirk.

The thought of a yacht made him light up, and he quickly wolfed down some food and hopped out of bed. He got refreshed and ready in no time, practically giddy at the thought of being out on the water. The part Sephi was dressed in a simple button down and swimming shorts.

Once they were back out on the beach, Ezra walked through the sand while grasping Dash’s hand. His designer shades hid his silver eyes, but he gazed at the rows of boats on the water. He spent time pointing out each one and explaining the type and what they were used for, “I like the catamarans,” He said, as he pointed to one near the end of the path.

The boat was a small hobiecat, but it was his favorite method of sailing. Ezra extended a hand to help Dash on, “Hold on tight. If you don’t, you’ll fall off,” He said with a grin, leaning in to steal a kiss.

He stood up and put the sail up, the small boat swaying back and forth in the water. Ezra finished with the sail and tilted his head to look at his boyfriend, “Hey..I love you,” He called out suddenly, affection in his tone. He wanted to tell him all about this experience, the new ways they explored one another and all the ways he felt closer to Dash. But Ezra was never good with words. His boyfriend would know all of those sentiments were jam packed into those three words.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash would have fanned him, if only for fun, if there had been anything handy to do it with. But there was not, so Emperor Ezra would have to be pampered another day.

The Rhinnalian had seemingly struck home with the mention of sailing. Ezra was game and Dash could tell he was actually excited, an unusual giddy energy bleeding through into Ezra's movements. They washed and dressed quick and Dash headed down in a clean cut vest and shorts, hand in hand with his excitable man.

Dash just let himself be pulled along, happy to go with flow with the catamaran and even slightly taken aback when Ez welcomed him onboard with a kiss. His boyfriend did not always fancy public displays of affection and it made Dash feel pretty special, just like when Ezra had taken him sailing on Thyferra.

He had a go busying himself with the wheel and checking the steering while Ez busied himself with the sail, trying to use the little he had learned on that first date. Some of it had actually stuck.

When Ezra called out 'I love you' across the deck, he could have knocked Dash down with a feather. The words meant a lot and there was a lot of warmth in them; the Rhinnalian could pick up such subtleties with Ez now. But it still caught him by surprise.

"I love you too baby" he called back, a little more shyly than normal. "Now you better get over here or I'll end up steering up into the dock".

Dash reached down and pulled beer from a cool box by the control station. He should really have given his hangover time to settle, but something about having a drink on a moving boat made him feel a million credits.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra grinned at his boyfriend, “What, do you need me to hug you from behind and show you how to steer the boat?” He called out teasingly. He vividly recalled that moment on Thyferra and how he pretended that Dash sitting behind him didn’t make him feel some type of way. He almost grimaced at the sight of Dash already cracking open a beer when his head still throbbed painfully. After the sails were up, the boat began to move.

“No wheel needed,” He called out to Dash, gesturing for his boyfriend to come towards him, “Let the sail do the work and I’ll steer with the rudder,” He preferred things the old fashioned way. It was the best kind of sailing. Ezra motioned for Dash to sit next to him, taking the boat out into open water. The breeze felt fantastic and his mood was already great.

He grasped Dash’s hand and guided it to the rudder, showing him how to navigate the boat. After a few moments, he sat back and relaxed, “May as well have you take me sailing while we’re switching things up,” He gave Dash a playful wink.

This was how he always wanted things - just the two of them, no responsibilities, and just living life. He forgot what it was like sometimes, though even now his every move was tracked. Ezra looked back at Dash, seeing his outline against the picturesque backdrop behind him.

“Where…would you want to get a place?” He asked almost too quietly to hear. He couldn’t keep quiet anymore because the thought had been on his mind.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

"I wouldn't say no" Dash replied, reluctantly letting go of the wheel and walking slowly across towards Ezra. It seemed counterintuitive not to be steering, but his boyfriend was undoubtedly the expert. He sat down next to Ez, losing his drink and letting his hand be guided onto the tiller. The other teen's touch was still as electric as the first time on the waves and the hairs on Dash's neck stood on end.

The Rhinnalian found himself concentrating hard, feeling the way the boat banked left and then right at his touch. The gentle sway and bob of the waves was calming, almost hypnotic and he relaxed so much that he barely noticed Ezra's hand had gone until he said.

"I don't mind steering now and then" Dash smiled, shrugging his shoulders like it was child's play "keep you on your toes". As long as I still get to be the disobedient cabin boy now and then he thought, returning the wink.

Ezra surprised him a little by bringing up moving in together. The logistics were harder than Dash had first thought, to say nothing of his boyfriend's exacting standards. "Well...somewhere we can both agree on" he offered "it would be our place after all".

He thought about it seriously, glancing at the Mon Calan scenery sailing by. "I'm good with warm and we're both used to high-spec country living, so nothing inner city. Would help with the security point too. We could build a place in the middle of nowhere - with enough room for all your stuff - maybe on an island so we can come do this, but I can also sail away when you start chattering about Limmie".

Dash steered the ship to the left a bit, angling away from a buoy in their path. He was still stuck on where exactly, Ez was much more well-travelled than him. "Wherever we pick" he said, looking across at those silver eyes "do you think we could get away with telling absolutely no one? I mean, have you ever had an actual secret Ez?".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was quietly listening to Dash describe their ideal world together. It all sounded like a dream until he got to Limmie. The quarter Sephi’s face scrunched up, “You’d like it if you came to at least one Limmie game with me,” He said grumpily. How could Dash have a brother and a boyfriend that were obsessed about the sport and not even want to watch a single game?!

He thought about the idea of getting away without telling anyone. It sounded near impossible. His fathers were paranoid people, and he always had a security detail on him. Becoming a Jedi was the most freedom he had in his life. Dash’s follow up question, however, made him shift uncomfortably.

“Being a Force sensitive was a secret..” He said as he looked away, “My Pops is the ISC President. His entire platform and the entire ISC is based around looking down on Force users. I lived my whole life having to hide what I was.”

Since they were on the topic of secrets, Ezra was suddenly curious. He looked back at Dash, “Have you..loved another guy before?” It felt stupid to ask, and he knew he wouldn’t like the answer, but his teen mind was extremely nosy.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash knew he would have to go to a Limmie game eventually, it was pretty much inevitable. But he planned to put it off just a little while longer; Ezra and Ty both turned into completely different people when they watched.

The realisation that Ezra had spent years keeping the Force secret made Dash sit up. With Ez joining the Order not long after they met, he had never really thought about his boyfriend's life before. He had just assumed Ezra was a late developer. While he had hoped Ez might have been permitted to keep something private in his life, the Force was not the kind of secret anyone should have to bear. Dash knew more about that than most.

The question about past love would have been totally normal from anyone else, but it was really out of the left field for Ezra. Dash knew his answer immediately. "No" he said earnestly "There were guys, yeah, but i've never been in love before baby". He squeezed Ez's leg affectionately "you made me realise that". What they had was next level, dwarfing any teenage infatuations Dash might have had for Lance Zirfan or otherwise.

"You ever head over heels for any girls?" he asked, deciding to prod Ez in return. The Rhinnalian was pretty sure he was his boyfriend's first flush when it came to guys, but thousands of girls must have fancied him for years. One of them might have made that hidden Thorne heart flutter before, even if Ezra had not told a soul.

A seagull's cry drew Dash's eye and he thought he saw a cave among the cliffs off to the right. Mon Cala certainly did not lack for sights.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“Really?” Ezra blurted out before he could stop himself. The surprise was real on his face, and his ears twitched a bit when Dash squeezed his leg. He wasn’t even sure why he asked such a silly question - it was sappy and lame. But he couldn’t deny he was pleased with the response. Ezra looked over at Dash curiously when he turned the question on him, but made it about girls. There was a slight flush to his face as he thought about how obvious it must have been that Dash was Ezra’s first for a lot of things.

“Not really,” He shrugged vaguely, glancing off for a moment. There was a name that came to mind, but it had been fleeting. He wondered how she was faring these days, “Didn’t think it’d ever be anything real. Most people just want my Pops and think I’m a consolation prize,” Ezra admitted bitterly.

He followed Dash’s gaze towards a cave. For a moment, he did nothing. However, he caught Dash looking at it again, “Damn it, babe,” He grumbled, turning the boat around. They had yet to go exploring something that didn’t end up endangering their lives somehow, “If this goes poorly, I’m turning you into my manservant for a week.”

The boat began to move towards the cave, drawing near shallower water. The water was turquoise and stunning. It was clear they would have to jump in and wade towards the cliffs, the water far too shallow for the boat.

Ezra kept his gaze ahead as they arrived closer, “What’s your deepest, darkest secret?”

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra seemed genuinely surprised Dash had not been lovebirds with half the sector in the past. The Rhinnalian supposed it was a compliment in its own way, but it did not matter. He was too busy watching those little ears and flushed cheeks again. His boyfriend's body often told him so much more than his tongue.

Dash took Ez's proclaimed lack of experience at face value, knowing it would not have been easy for the Thorne to get close to anyone. The moan about Emryc brought a pained look to his face though. "You're not a consolation prize baby. Your Pops is great but...no. It's like he was only interested in learning a quarter of the dictionary. You can actually have a conversation with people". The Rhinnalian leaned over with a cheeky smile "and I have actually known you to tell a joke now and then".

The cave came further into view and Ezra made a show of being unconvinced about going in. Dash gave him a long look. "Don't give me that, I bet you love caving. Besides, I'll agree to that - I'm practically already your manservant - but if it goes well then you have to be mine!".

Dash leaned over the edge, watching the shallows as they drifted in and trying to plan the best route to wade into the cave mouth. He was totally unprepared for the hard-hitting question that followed.

"Wow Ez, deepest darkest?" Was his boyfriend thinking of something in particular? "I guess once it was guys, then it was the Force. These days it's the fact I have a witch in a box". Ez knew about Jadis, but he was the only other person that did, and he had not told him everything. On top of that, he had kept the Casket secret from everyone else in the Order.

"But I guess the worst is what I did, back on Rhinnal, before I joined the Jedi". He took a breath, looking back out to sea. He had wanted to tell Ezra for a while, but it was still hard to say. "I lost it Ez, lost control of the Force. I nearly froze a man's arm off in the hospital. It's what made me run to the Jedi..."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra scoffed at Dash saying he was practically his manservant, “Please, you don’t do a single thing I ask,” He grumbled as he took the boat in as far as it would go. Thankfully he was prepared to hop in the water if needed, but he didn’t want to ruin his shirt. He took it off, leaving him shirtless with swimming shorts. Ezra looked over at Dash as he spoke about his secrets.

“You had to hide liking guys?” He asked with distaste. The privileged way Ezra grew up, that concept sounded like a far away, old fashioned worry. His fathers apparently struggled with it when they were young, but he never experienced it and couldn’t imagine.

He bristled a bit at the mention of Jadis. It was clear Ezra despised that Dash was still dabbling in it, and he was obviously running off to spend time with that toxic holocron, “I wish you’d stop fiddling with that thing..” He muttered quietly. There was no fighting Dash on things when the Rhinnalian was stubborn. He had known his boyfriend to be more stubborn than a bantha since the day they met on Kashyyyk.

Ezra noticed the way Dash looked away when he mentioned the hospital. He chewed his lip for a moment, “What…what did he do?” He asked softly. Dash was prone to little outbursts, but something sounded very off with this.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash actually looked a little wounded at Ezra's groan, though it did make him look at himself. He didn't do a single thing Ezra asked? That was not true, was it?

He did not get much time to think about it, as Ez steered the boat into the cave and suddenly took off his shirt. There had been plenty of time to catch their breath since the night before, and Dash still marvelled at his boyfriend's physique. There was something in the carefree way he just pulled it off too. They had come a long way.

"Some of the Clans are quite traditional" Dash explained, regarding guys "plenty of people just assume stuff and I was worried about upsetting the apple cart". He had always known it would be alright in the end, but he had spoiled more than one arranged marriage plan when he had come clean about what he and Lance Zirfan were really up to on Friday nights.

He nearly bit back about the Casket and Jadis, but it was too complicated for right now. How could he stop messing with a holocron that seemed to hold so many answers about his own powers? He knew Ezra was not a fan of the Casket - for understandable reasons - but maybe he had made a mistake leaving him out of the other stuff it had revealed. Perhaps if he had not, his boyfriend might have understood.

But the topic of his hospital outburst was hard enough to handle. "He...he didn't really do anything" Dash began, finding himself almost whispering as the cave mouth began to cast a shadow over the boat. "I used to help in the hospital - I was good at monitoring patients' temperature by touch - I found I could warm up those with hypothermia and bring down the fevers of those who were burning up". It seemed a long time ago now, but Dash could still remember the joy he'd initially felt at being able to use his strange talents to help.

"One day, there was nothing we could do for one particular woman. She was fading from an illness and nothing any of us tried could turn it around. Her husband was really upset, angry even. He grabbed me, begging me to do something but when I tried to explain I couldn't he would not let go. He kept pulling me, shouting at me..."

The Rhinnalian flexed his fingers, looking at the palm responsible for what came next. "I was afraid of him, I panicked and the Force surged up in me. I'd only ever cooled a fever before, but that time it burst out in the frost, travelled right along his arm before I could stop it. I can still hear how he screamed even now..."

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra heard the story quietly, but in the end he shrugged vaguely, “Sounds like deserved it,” He said flatly. If someone grabbed his arm abruptly, he would probably knock them out. Then again, he didn’t fit the profile of a traditional do-gooder Jedi.

He jumped into the water and extended a hand for Dash if he wanted it. He wasn’t sure if wandering into this cave shirtless was a great idea, but it was too nice to wear clothes. Ezra climbed up easily enough, though with Dash’s height he would have to hop and hoist himself up. He stepped into the mouth of the cave, hearing the rustling wind through the natural tunnel created. He could’ve sworn he heard someone whispering amidst all that. He quickly glanced over at Dash to see if said anything.

After a bit of walking, they came across a wide body of water. He could see the cave continuing on the other side. Ezra looked over at Dash and grinned, “Think you’re good enough to freeze the surface so we can walk across?” It would be a challenge and a test of his abilities.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash was not sure Ezra got it. The Rhinnalian was more hot-headed than his boyfriend and even he did not think the man deserved it. He had been angry and upset. Looking back, Dash knew he should have had more control. No one deserved to lose their arm for getting emotional.

Ez did not seem to think it was a big thing though and he was off into the water. Whatever Dash thought, he could not resist another adventure when it was right in front of them. He pulled off his vest and took Ezra's hand to climb down into the shallows. It was refreshingly cool after the midday sun, but far from freezing. He waded through after his boyfriend, jumping and pulling himself up onto the rock ledge beyond.

The cave led on ahead and Dash almost thought he heard words on the wind. Ezra looked at him like he might have heard the same, but if they were there they were gone just as quickly.

When they came to the wide underground pool, Dash gave his boyfriend a sideways look at his challenge. "Have a little faith" he said cockily. He walked to the edge and bent down, surveying the pool. They could have swam across - Ezra seem to love swimming - but it would take it out of them. Besides, Ez had thrown down the gauntlet.

Dash reached down and touched the edge of the pool, closing his eyes. He was much better at consciously marshalling his powers these days and the calm, still cavern aided his concentration. The Force rolled out from his fingers, spreading through the pool and freezing the water on contact. The Rhinnalian opened his eyes, watching the creeping front of ice sweep across the pool. It occurred to him Ezra's last look at what he could do had been on Ithor. He had definitely grown a lot since then.

The pool froze all the way across, gentle cracks and hisses interrupting the silence as the ice formed. Some of the rockface either side cracked, with small chunks falling off and ruining Dash's perfect work, but a wide solid walkway held in the centre.

The Rhinnalian rose up, flexing his bare shoulders and feeling a bit disturbed at how little the effort seemed to have taken out of him. He turned to Ezra, gesturing at the crossing he asked for. "Like I said, manservant".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

The truth was that Ezra loved seeing this ability from Dash. He himself could perform it to a rudimentary degree, but when his boyfriend did it, it became an art form. It was an extension of himself, as if he was one of those superhero from Holomovies born for this power. He watched the icy surface effortlessly extend out over the water, the crisp noise of water freezing over resounding. Within moments, the entire surface was frozen, a chill setting into the cavern. He felt goosebumps lining his skin, suddenly regretting the challenge.

“You’ve been practicing,” Ezra noted, though there was a faint bit of skepticism in his tone. Was it practice or was it Jadis? He started to walk across the ice, and began to slip. He held his arms out to balance himself, realizing quickly that he didn’t exactly think this through. The footwear he had on provided absolutely no grip. He may have known how to snowboard, but he was a disaster on ice.

After a few steps, he outright slipped and landed with a thud right on his ass. Ezra glared at no one in particular, scrambling to get to his feet to try and cross the water. After several more embarrassing incidents, he finally made it over, hoisting himself up to the other side.

The cave continued on, a dim glow in the distance. Ezra exhaled, still shivering from the ice and his body lined with goosebumps, “What are the chances something’s waiting to beat us senseless?”

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra was quietly impressed, Dash was sure, even if he sounded a little sceptical about the Rhinnalian's methods. "Yeah" he acknowledged "but regularly getting thrown into danger does the trick too".

They made their way out across the ice. It did not go well for Ezra; he slipped, steadied himself, slipped again and went down with a crack. Dash let him work it out, barely stifling a laugh that would not stop. He took a little more care himself though, careful to learn from Ez's mistakes and daintily made it across and back up onto the rock.

There was a glow up ahead, emanating somewhere out of sight. For the first time, Dash felt uneasy. He had thought they were just having a little explore together and that was all they were prepared for. Two shirtless boys with nothing but their wits did not need to be running into any trouble.

"We can't be that unlucky" Dash replied, brushing off Ez's suggestion of a predator, but nonetheless slipping into a whisper.

He began creeping down the passage ahead, motioning for Ezra to follow. Peering around the corner, Dash saw that the cave opened up again into another chamber, with what looked like a deep pool in the centre. Light emanated from the watery well, flickering and casting the glow on the walls.

Dash stepped out gingerly, reassured that there seemed to be no one else in sight. Stepping towards the pool, he saw that dozens, no maybe hundreds, of little creatures swam in its depths. They looked like jellyfish, though not like any the Rhinnalian had ever seen. The pool had to connect to the ocean outside and he beckoned to Ezra to come and take a look.

As if aware of their presence, the jellyfish suddenly stirred, changing direction and coalescing together. Dash did not like the look of it and scampered backwards, pushing Ezra behind him on instrinct.

There was a bubbling of water as the creatures broke the surface. Dozens of the things leapt into the air, knitting their tentacles together and forming the rough shape of a man. In the absence of anything else, Dash reached for the Force, but then the thing spoke to them, its telepathic voice intoning melodically in their minds.

"You are not Ferren Barr. Why do you come?"

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was already unsure about all this when he saw the jellyfish things. And then it just plain got worse. His boyfriend shoved him behind himself and there was a sting to his ego. However, he didn’t get a chance to react as the jellyfish began to take on a humanoid form. Ezra stepped back, grasping Dash by the wrist.

And then the thing spoke.

Having anything in his mind unwanted always made him uneasy. This was no different. He immediately attempted to expel the voice from his head, tugging at Dash’s hand, “There’s no Ferrin here- we were just leaving!” He called out to the jellies before trying to turn around and leave. That was a whole lot of nope.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra grabbed his wrist and pulled him back towards the way out. Dash was half inclined to run himself and found himself stumbling back.

The voice rang after them. "Wait, Jedi".

Dash paused, yanking Ezra to a halt. "Yes, we're Jedi" he said nervously, throwing Ez a pleading look. It had to have sensed their nature from connecting with them.

"You are friends of Ferren Barr? We have waited so long".

"We don't know any Ferren" Dash said, a little less anxious. Few things that wanted to eat you had a conversation first. "Who is he?"

"Ferren Barr made a home in this place" the glowing figure answered "much we learned from each other. Come Jedi, we will show you". Several tentacles unfurled from the main mass, writhing in the air like fingers awaiting a handshake.

Dash tried to take it all in. There was certainly no one else this far in the cave, and no signs of life or habitation. He guessed this Ferren guy had left a very long time ago.

The Rhinnalian glanced awkwardly at Ezra. "What do you reckon baby?"

@Sreeya