Ask History Lesson

[Roland Rook]

Roland could see Indyana was in her element. The ease at which she moved and comfort in the water made the man happy to have brought her that. When she took his hand he would nod and make their way over. Roland was glad for the suggestion and then regretting not having a camera as they looked over the reef.

His eyes kept a check on the oxygen levels but Roland wanted to make the most of it. Eventually he would get the Jedi's attention. His mouth wasn't full of rebreather at the moment but the sound still didn't carry very well underwater to anyone that didn't also have on a helmet like his. "I'm heading up" Roland pointed to the surface above and before swimming back to the top.

Breaching the water, the Mandalorian continued to tread for a moment and wait for Indyana to join him. They had ventured from the bongo style sub. His visor turned to check on the position of the sun and the time quickly and tried to subtly start treading water in the direction of the rental. There was still some distance to travel before they got the island he had in mind.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

The break was short, but needed, it felt like. She was grateful he came along, even more so they came here to Corsin. It had been so long since she had simply been able to relax and enjoy without thinking about the past that she lost track of time. But when Roland's voice filtered through the water, she glanced over and nodded, waiting to watch him swim up for a few moments.

She smiled slightly to herself as she kicked up smoothly, breaching the water with a grin and pulling the rebreather from her mouth. Water slicked back her hair from her face, and her lips were pulled into a full smile, beginning to make her way back to the rental sub. She saw him glancing up at the sky every now and then; was he looking for something.

Treading water with him, it wasn't long before they reached the sub and she pulled herself up and out, balancing on one of the side wings to stretch with a grin. "So what's next?" She turned back to him, bending down to grab a towel and rub off as much saltwater as she could before settling in again and then draping it over her shoulders. No point in dripping all over the rental if there was any way to help it, and if they were heading to any of the islands, it would be better to not do it soaking wet. Besides, judging by how he kept glancing over, he seemed to have something in mind.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Grabbing a towel, Roland dried himself off enough so he wasn't dripping at least. There was some refills for his helmet's rebreather along with some of the other items inside the rental but he would replace them later. "Well I figure I'd bring us to a little island I have picked out. There's a beach if that's your thing." Roland smiled knowing that a tropical beach was most people's idea of good vacation.

Taking the sub along the surface this time, the vessel glided across the water towards the location he had in mind. "You're not a vegetarian right?" He asked and picked a music station to listen to. His finger gently began to tap on the controls of the sub but it didn't need much guidance from him. There was some food packed, and possible fishing they could try their hand at. Roland intended to make an attempt at cooking for someone other than himself.

The island would come into view at some point and the Mandalorian brought in a wide circle. A school of fish hopped out of the water and dove to keep up with the vehicle earning a chuckle. The animals broke off and disappeared beneath the waaves again as they got closer to the land. Slowing down, the sound of the waves lapping against the sun.


"Well...beach relaxation...or rock climbing?" He said and pointed to the large cliff side that went up a several stories. Either would be a great place to watch the sun set that was coming but Roland didn't mind so long as they enjoyed themselves.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

She relaxed into the seat, feeling the warmth of the sun, the scent of the ocean, the roar of the waves and the rocking of the sub a powerful combination. She could feel her shoulders relax into the seat as they continued to coast through the water. Glancing over, her lips quirked into a smile, eyes half-closed. "I wouldn't ever say no to being on the beach," she replied, then shook her head at the question of being a vegetarian.

"Nope. I enjoy meat as much as the next person; admittedly I've had a few Bantha steaks in my day," she replied, chuckling. The music was a nice backdrop, and as they kept cruising she found herself glancing back over at him again, feeling her chest warm slightly.

He still hadn't put his armor back on.

But also, hearing his chuckle made her glance at him again, golden eyes softening. It was only when she heard him ask a question that she visibly straightened, breath huffing past her lips in thought.

"If it's any difference, I've been doing enough climbing lately; beach is my vote." She smiled warmly over at him, and though she wanted to touch him somehow, she refrained, instead rising when they got close enough to the beach and helping him secure the sub so it wouldn't drift away at the next high tide. But glancing at the oceanside, she noted the sun was starting to get closer to the horizon. A hand shielded over her eyes to get a better look, and she had to smile ever so slightly. He was being so sweet, she wanted to ask what he had in mind but knew the patience would pay off eventually.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"How about gihaal?" Roland had food planned that he could make on the beach. Plus, if that fell through, there was always some extra brand name snacks the Mandalorian had stashed underneath some of the equipment.

"Beach it is." Roland was mostly dry by the time the bongo came into the shallow inlet of the island. The vessel's settings would allow it to anchor in place without them having to monitor it. Picking up one of the coolers, he would bring it onto the beach and set it down before making sure everything else was unloaded that needed to be.

Standing up, taking a breath and looking at what he had at his disposal the man went to work. "I think there's some speakers around if you want to play some music." Before long there was a well made fire on he beach. Next there was store bought fish and food which he would put it in a modest pot set on a flattened rock next to the fire where it could begin to cook. "On a scale of one to ten how hungry are you?"

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

She made sure to help out where he needed help, or however she even could help. At the mention of speakers, she nodded, and plugged in some music that she felt could possibly work, at least a local station. Watching the waves crashing in, the town masked from view by the rocky elevations and jungle on the narrow strip of island. It was all so... peaceful. Even here, she could feel the Force, the gentle ebb and flow of Light grounding her in the moment. The smile dropped from her lips as she

It was almost easy to assume it was merely the two of them in the middle of nowhere, and that was honestly not a bad feeling at all. He was already with a fire going, and seemed to be... cooking? The grin returned, and she paced over, contemplating the pot before glancing back at him with a glimmer in her eyes.

"One to ten? Hmm... perhaps a six? Seven-ish?" Truth be told, she couldn't remember the last time she made anything beyond field rations, and even then those felt like an age ago. "Can I help in any way?" she continued, hands propped on her lips and head cocked slightly. She was mostly dry by now, hair beginning to wave. The ponytail had been pulled out from the swimming earlier, she noticed to her chagrin. She was used to having it back and braided but... too late now.

Eyeing the setup, she hummed, and a teasing grin touched her lips. "Looking at all this, I could almost swear you had this planned for a little while," she teased, but she couldn't deny that there was a bit of excitement and anticipation in her chest just thinking about that.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Occasionally Roland would look up from his preparations, seeing a distant boat traveling out at sea. Some calls from the local birds made him give one of them at least a lingering look. But he doubted they would try to nab any of their food as long as either of them stayed nearby and with the music playing. His body language would move slightly with the first track, approving of the woman's choice silently.

"Well, the stew is cooking and it might take an hour or so..." By then the sun would probably be down he realized. The man fished out two cups and set them next to the cutting board, choosing to omit the fact that it wasn't a normal recipe for the stew considering it was more of a coastal adaptation. "I think if you want to help yourself to one of the ales in the cooler you're welcome to...unless you know how to make a Concord Sunrise without any fruit." He proceeded to make sure some of the vegetables were on the side for Indyana to munch on at least. Given that she knew a thing or two about Mandalorian culture he wouldn't put it past her. If things were bad then whatever Roland grabbed from the convenience store could always be dug into. This was definitely the first time the Captain had cooked on a beach before so if things went bad, well Roland wouldn't mind and he had a feeling Indy wouldn't either.

Roland chuckled at hearing Indyana's teasing accusation while he riffled through one of the bags and pulled out a container of brightly colored straws that had tiny umbrellas around them. "I'll take that as a compliment. No drinking directly out of tropical fruits I'm afraid. But the beer is cold and the view it amazing." Looking at the woman and the sun getting close to the horizon, arguably the most beautiful sight he had ever laid eyes on. "Not to mention the company pretty good." The man smiled with his own cheekiness hinted in his voice. But his tone turned to a more sincere one and nodded with his head towards the dry sand beside the fire. "Do you want to sit?"

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

At his comment, she flushed, but chuckled, not hiding at all the warmth in golden eyes and relaxed posture. Running a hand through her hair, she paced back to where he was, opening the cooler to snag a bottled ale, grateful for the cool drink. Even though it was getting closer to sunset, it was still really warm between the sand and the fire, at least that's what she was telling herself.

She stretched out on the sand beside him, popping the drink open to prop up with one arm, then taking a brief swig and swallowing. "Yeah... gotta say the view is pretty incredible," she answered, but golden eyes were taking him in instead, lips still quirked in a grin as she crossed her ankles.

He had a nice voice, too, and without the cape and armor he seemed more at ease somehow. But then she realized something. They were going to eat together. She knew some Mandalorians drank through straws, but food was a different matter. She wasn't sure how he was going to manage without removing his helmet, but she wasn't going to say anything right that second, merely watch him thoughtfully, a soft smile still on her lips.

Wordlessly, she handed him his own drink, an amused huff slipping past her lips. "No Concord Sunrise, I'm afraid, but I'm great at opening bottles. Does that count?" she joked back, giving a wink.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland didn't grab a drink yet. Instead he sat down with his feet out ahead of him. Since he had taken the flippers off earlier he was still barefoot. His heals dug into the softer sand towards the water. The blue legs that stretched out beside him drew his attention. Roland lingered on the ink that she had around her ankles before finding his way to her eyes looking back at him. "You're going to miss the sunset." He warned with a softer than normal. if she could see his eyes look at her lips for a moment and then back again.

"Thanks." He said as he took the bottle and put a colorful umbrella in it. "To taking time off." The drink was held out a little bit for her to toast back.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

Even though she couldn't really see through the visor at all, the angle of his head spoke about where his gaze seemed to be, but his words made her pause, nibbling on her bottom lip slightly before giving a slight smile. "You might too," she replied quietly, the voice soft against the roar of the surf.

At his toast, she held out her own bottle, chuckling. "To time well spent," before clinking her bottle with his and taking another swig, sighing. Even with not knowing his face... it didn't matter as much. You could be attracted to someone, have feelings even, without knowing everything about them. This brief interlude together was special in so many ways, but it almost felt like a line was crossed; once passing it, there was no return.

Yet she looked forward to continuing to cross that boundary with him, no matter where it took her. It was just them, just for tonight. And for now.. that was enough. Still, he seemed to have something on his mind, so she turned back to watch the sunset, still smiling warmly.

She would give him time to work up to whatever he had in mind or in store.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland gave a little smile and an murmur of agreement before taking a drink. The goofiness was well earned and he felt his ears get hot for a moment. The man's eyes found their way back to the sunset. Setting the beer in the sand for a moment, Roland would adjust his position a little so that Indyana and his shoulders were touching. If she wanted to lean on him then he was there.

Roland wouldn't say anything more until after the sun set. The orange circle disappeared over the horizon before bathing the sky in vibrant fiery colors. All the while, the rising and falling waves reflected the spectrum of colors abound. Behind the beach, the tropical treeline rustled with an evening wind.

The Mandalorian looked towards the fire which was getting low but sparks continued to fly. But that just signaled to him how far along things were getting with the food. "I feel like I should warn you. The stew I'm making is a bit on the spicy side." He had tried to adjust it in case the jedi was not the type to eat spicy foods. Roland would be lying if he said he wasn't hungry.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

She didn't normally lean on someone. But with him there... she shifted a bit closer, head resting on his shoulder. She could appreciate beauty for what it was. The sunset, music, the company and the smells of what he had cooking was a memory she was sure not to forget anytime soon. Slowly, vibrant reds, golds and oranges faded to dusky violet, then to the deep blue of night.

At hearing about the food, she glanced up, giving a hum of appreciation. "It's good it is; rations aren't exactly on the flavorful side," she replied, but gave him a smile. "You're a man full of surprises." She tilted her head back to glance at his helm again, then grinned, settling back.

Then again, she never tried his cooking. It was likely going to be a surprise either way. But it definitely smelled good.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

THEME​

Indyana would feel him lean slightly into her a little as well. Forgetting about his drink, Roland's free hand reached up, feeling the seal where his helmet and body glove met. Placing his fingers with practiced ease, the subtle movements caused a quiet hiss to leave when the seal was broken. Beside them, fire heating the food had burned to nothing but embers. The sky was quickly fading to darkness to reveal only a few bright lights overhead from distant planetary bodies.

When she looked at him, Roland could barely see her in return. Her eyes alone shown a faint light from his own helm giving minor glints of the beach fire's remaining embers. "Indyana..." He unexpectedly swallowed swiftly after whispering her name. But he kept his cool despite his rapidly beating heart. "I'd...like to, kiss you..." His ears grew hot for a moment. "...if I have your permission.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

She hadn't expected to hear the faint hiss of the helmet seal, so she glanced up suddenly, feeling her heart in her throat. She didn't say anything at first, too stunned to even begin, golden eyes automatically tracing what they could in such little light to the profile of the man that sat next to her, her own drink slipping from her fingers into the sand next to her.

Hearing him whisper her name was a sudden shock, and she found her lips parting, inhaling shallowly. And then his next words settled over her mind... and she could feel her pulse thundering in her chest, in her ears and throat.

There was only a beat of silence... and then she turned back to him. Slowly, hesitantly, she turned her head up to face him and gave a warm, tender smile and then paused, as though to consider her next words. Slowly, quietly, her own murmur broke the stillness of the silence.

"Yes. I thought you'd never ask, Roland."

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Without turning away, the gloved hands of the Mandalorian came up to grip the edge of his helmet. The well polished plate normally reflected light well, but on the Corsin night there was little to show with each passing moment. It was completely black for Roland as he had momentary blindness until he was looking at Indyana without a visor between him and her. The helm found its way to the side of the Captain, sitting neatly in the sand facing the ocean.

Leaning in he would meet her lips with his own. She would feel the slight scratch of mustache and beard if she wasn't looking by starlight. Roland brought an arm around Indy her to hold the other side of her waist and bring her into a partial embrace against him. The man's mind was racing and his heart was thundering in his ears but he was still overjoyed to be in the moment with her.

"I'd like to do that some more." He breathed. His words were heavier than he realized. His body turned more towards the swimsuit clad woman. Roland's other hand felt for her leg softly, both because he was using the sense of touch to go off of half of the time now and second because this felt like a situation that this was evolving beyond words quickly.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

A soft exhale parted from her lips as he removed his helm. In the darkness, it was hard to see; something she would be fine with. But the moment the helmet was set on the sand, she held her breath in anticipation, lips parted. As he leaned in she would meet halfway, pressing into him as his arm wrapped around her waist. He was warm, the slight scratch of beard against one cheek as one arm braced herself in the sand between them, the other resting on his chest, fingers curling slightly against the bodysuit.

The rest of the galaxy faded out from her mind. There was just him, every sense wired to any sound, every smell and touch sharply etched into her memories.

Hearing his words, a throaty chuckle bubbled out from her, and her hand skimmed up against his throat, then his jaw, the lightest featherlight brush. She could barely see, but there were hints of his real face with the low light of the embers; the curve of jawline, nose, the glint of eyes.

At the brush of his hand over her leg, she moved slowly, deliberately. She would get up, sliding over his lap and folding her legs to either side of his own waist. Unseen, a smile touched her lips. She was nervous, but excited, every sense vibrant as she leaned in until there was scant any space between them, her voice a whisper.

"Then let's do it again," she replied, then pressed her lips to his again, the hand moving to have her arm wrap around his shoulders, bringing him closer to her. Now that the distance had been crossed, she didn't want there to be any space between them. Dinner had been totally forgotten.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

The Jedi's hand wasn't perfectly soft like one might imagine considering how beautiful Indy's face was. Maybe it was because it was dark but there was a roughness there. She had mentioned climbing, and he knew training tended to build callouses. But when Indyana's fingers caressed his face he couldn't help but close his eyes completely. Every contact with her tingled. If only it could stay that way.

Roland would give into the kissing without any further thought. After a moment, his hands would only leave Indyana to pull the gauntlets and gloves fully off. They dropped into the sand one after another. When the arms of the Mandalorian came back they would give Indy their full attention.

The darkness of night would continue. The two of them carried on, isolated from the galaxy for at least this night. The tides brought peaceful waves that lapped at the shore of the island.

---​

There would eventually be the light of sun rising over the other side of the planet. Roland would be awake before then. The pot of stew still hadn't been moved and the fire was all but cold. The Mandalorian was wearing his bodyglove again as well as his helmet. Everything else however, still had yet to be re-donned. At some point the man had grabbed two separate beach towels. One he had placed on the beach and the other he would place over Indyana if she seemed cold.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

Time blurred, and even then, all she was aware of was his voice, the warmth of the man around her and the crashing of the waves. When she normally slept, it was often plagued by nightmares and darkness. For the first time since before the advent of the Arcanist, the Jedi slept deeply and fully.

It was only with the lightest brush of the beach towel over her that she snapped to wakefulness, golden eyes blinking up at the visor once more. Tingles brushed a phantom memory over her lips and neck, and without any real thought a smile touched over her lips.

"Good morning," she managed up sleepily, wincing as she began to shift upright. One arm felt asleep, pins and needles that burned as she stretched. She could feel some of the sand clinging to her shoulders and a cheek; she swiped it off as best she could, but eyes drank him in. She could still remember hearing his voice without the helmet between them, the angles and planes of his features. It was hard to picture without a visual reference... but not everything was completely hidden.

When she stood fully, she began to stretch, sighing happily at how she felt... well rested. For the first time in a long time, actually. Blinking up at him, she opened her mouth as though to say something---

And then her stomach growled loudly, and she chuckled sheepishly, one hand propped on her hip and the other absently trying to swipe her hair from her face.

"Sleep alright?"

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

"It is with you around." He smiled with his reply. Hearing Indyana wake up made him shift some of the left over items close to the camp fire. There wasn't any breakfast food really much to Roland's dismay. He would have liked to serve her breakfast in bed. But seeing as how things went the night before, he wasn't about to complain.

"Slept better than I have in a long time." He chuckled a little at partially hearing and seeing the stiffness the Jedi shared from resting on the beach. An actual bed was still probably better for a proper night of rest but roughing it was not such a strange thing for the Captain.

"I didn't bring any cafe..." Referencing her jest earlier about his preparedness. "...and I don't think there's room service willing to deliver." His bare feet padded back over to the woman, leaving imprints in the sand, before dropping down onto the blanket and reclining next to her on the blanket. "We could head back to the city and get some breakfast if you're hungry. Or maybe " Neither of them had anything to eat last night. Roland's own stomach growled a little. Whatever the case, there was still plenty to do on Corsin and their time off.

@Killa Ree

 

[Indy Sati]

She could hear it last night, every now and then, when he smiled while talking, and now in the light of day, she could almost see it; a flash of a white smile in the darkness, a quiet voice. She huffed a soft laugh, dropping back down next to him and stretching out with a sigh.

At the comment of not preparing ahead for caf, her lips quirked in a hint of a smirk, lightly leaning her shoulder against his. "No caf? Tsk, what kind of date are you?" she chuckled, but then the smile faded, as she stared off at the brightening horizon. In many ways, she was reluctant to leave just yet; it felt like if they did, the reality of the galaxy would come rushing back, and she wasn't ready yet.

But there was something else. Something she had struggled hard to figure out. She nibbled down on her bottom lip uncertainly... and when she spoke up again, her voice came out haltingly, in a very Basic accent, but unmistakable in language nonetheless.

"Ni... at emuurir...um... otlkava ca'nara... ti gar," she managed out, exhaling in a rush. "If that doesn't seem odd... but maybe we should eat. Caf's important too," she murmured, then gave him a wry smile, cheeks still flushed violet from her earlier butchery of Mando'a. Truth be told, she wasn't even certain she said some of the words correctly.

@Darasuum