Ask In Softer Light

[Soleil Altan]

Academy life for Sol was a mixed bag of feelings and opinions. On the one hand, the silent acolyte devoured new knowledge like a man starved. On the other, the day by day into weeks could feel dully monotonous rather quickly. Particularly with his bookworm habits. Not that he was never seen outside. Rather, he kept to physical training or going out in the evening. When the air was cooler and raindrops fell in heavy sheets through the dimming light that filtered gray through the limitless stormclouds was when Sol kept most active. Unfortunately, not many others seemed to share this same preference.

Now was just such a time. A particularly thick tome and sketch pad were both cradled carefully in arms covered by the sleeves of an oversized hoodie. Fairly standard black jeans covered his legs, obviously well-worn, an old backpack hanging loosely from his shoulders In truth the only "nice" thing he wore was the Doc Marlins boots on his feet. Which made sense, since he'd stolen them at some point. They were very comfortable and he regretted nothing.

Having just left the dining hall, Sol was on his way to one of the covered outside near-dorm areas just like he usually did. He rounded a corner- and nearly ran directly into a slightly taller half-Sephi heading the opposite direction, brows rising in surprise as he was pulled free from idle thought. Sol backed up slightly to hopefully avoid an actual impact, offering a wave and an apologetic look.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

While many of her peers kept themselves shut in on days like this, Vahliri felt right at home amongst the rainy and gloomy climate. It was familiar to the tropical and damp climate she had grown accustomed to on Indupar, and she intended to get some of her evening studies done while enjoying it - leading her towards some of the covered seating areas just beyond the dining hall and Academy dormitories.

Dressed casually for the day-to-day activities, the half-Sephi was wore a pair of denim shorts and a greyish blouse that fell off one shoulder, whilst her wavey black hair was pulled back loosely into a long braid. She carried a satchel full of books on her hip. While her feet carried her down the long corridors of the academy, it was abundantly clear that the half-Sephi wasn’t paying much attention to her surroundings.

There were a pair of earbuds in Vahliri’s ears, and a popular Induparan song from a famous HoloMovie was blaring loudly. Rather than watching the path ahead, the half-Sephi was more concerned with bobbing her head to the rhythm, humming softly under her breath with eyes mostly closed.

As a result, the half-Sephi didn’t even see Sol as she rounded the corner - completely missing his step backwards and attempt to avoid impact. Oblivious, Vahliri walked right into the hoodie-wearing Acolyte - bumping into his chest and knocking the thick tomb and sketchbook out of his hands - alongside some of the books in her own satchel.

“Shit.” Vahliri cursed under her breath, honeyed eyes flicking up to Sol. “My bad..” She muttered, taking a moment to look at the dark-haired Acolyte. Recognition flashed in her eyes after a moment, remembering him from that party bus not long before. “Sorry Sol.”

With that, Vahliri crouched down, reaching out to start gathering up the fallen items. Her eyes flicked over to the thick tomb Sol had been cradling. “What’cha readin’?”

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Soleil Altan]

Sol's assorted geekery scattered to the ground along with some of the half-Sephi's stuff. He seemed most concerned for the particularly thick tome, which made a healthy thump sound upon hitting the ground. His hand waved in an attempt at breezy dismissal, although he was clearly bothered by the book falling, and he crouched down to gather things up at the same as Vahliri did.

She was definitely someone he recognized from that chaotic party, the one who'd moved his chair and stomped off. Oh, wait. Sol's eyes glanced toward the sketchbook, where he saw the corner of a sketched hallikset peeking out from behind another page. He grabbed the sketchpad and pulled it toward himself and slapped it atop the tome, which he also lifted up. He showed Vahliri the title- "Seven Paths of Power: Volume 2"- a philosophical text about different methods of using the Force through emotion. More of a compendium, really.

Sol unfortunately didn't have access to more modern texts yet, like copies of Palpatine's volumes, until he made book reports on other things first. He stood up after another moment and carefully brushed the book off. That librarian liked him 'cause he was quiet, but she'd still kill him if he brought back a damaged book. That lady was scary.

He pointed at Vahl, mimed walking with his fingers, and slowly signed a question mark in the hopes she'd get what he was asking.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri flashed Sol an apologetic smile as she crouched down, starting to gather up the papers and books that had fallen out of the fellow Acolyte’s back and her own.

Naturally, the half-Sephi snatched up some of her own fallen items first - stuffing the few comic books back into the pouch nestled amongst textbooks and old manuscripts - though probably not before Sol managed to get a glance at them.

Despite his quick reflexes, Vahliri’s attention was drawn towards the sketchbook that he scrambled for - just catching the edge of a drawn hallikset peaking over the pad. She paused for a moment, blinking a few time. The half-Sephi’s mind was immediately drawn back to that party, Altair’s music and the sight of Sol drawing in the corner.

Though it clearly caught her attention, Vahliri didn’t say anything about it - instead turning her honeyed eyes towards the thick book Sol was hauling. “Ah,” She said, “That one’s a real page turner,” The half-Sephi quipped, her tone clearly joking around.

The half-Sephi blinked a few times when Sol began to make hand gestures to mimick walking - a single dark brow arching ever-so-slightly and she observed him. It took her a few brief seconds to put two-and-two together and finally decipher his meaning.

“Sure. I could do with some fresh air and a walk,” Vahliri rose back to a stand, gathering the rest of her belongings before falling in line with Sol and whichever direction he opted to go. “Starving.. Wanna grab a bite to eat?”

@Mr. Teatime