Ask [Raxus] Max-imal Training

[Celeste Stythani]

Raxus
1500 hours


Another day on Raxus, another training session. She had gotten used to the pain of the constantly sore muscles and the continous strain, but there was a satisfying pleasure in it, too. While turning to politics, she hadn't gotten as much exercise as she used to and she had also used her brain more than her body, but since she had gotten back to Raxus, a lot had changed.

While she had received extensive retraining with lightsabers and the Force on Ziost, she was focusing on the other combat skills here on Raxus again and today was a say specifically dedicated to wsaponless combat once again. She was registered for another session this afternoon and her partner was supposedly a Lieutenant named 'Dram' and since they hadn't crossed paths yet, she was curios to meet him.

She was clad in simple training clothes, a tight fitting black leggins, a dark top instead of an actual uniform, and her hair was up in a braided ponytail. She left her lightsaber in her quarters and brought nothing but some water to the designated room in which she excitedly waited for the soldier who was supposed to meet her here.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Max was a little pissed off. After planting the Imperial flag at the heart of Terminus, he'd long-hauled it right across the Rim to Raxus, for debriefing and refresher training. It had been a long journey, made worse by the poor company and a fault with the long-range comm for the last 72 hours. When he finally reached Raxus, to be told the Sector Army in the Core had been deployed to Corellia - without him - he did more than swear.

He ran the cold tap and splashed water across his face, staring at himself in the mirror. Who was he? He thought he was one of the Empire's chief lions, pride and purpose straining against his junior rank. He should be out there on Corellia, winning victories and stamping the Dram name on all of them. Not stuck half a galaxy away cooling his heels.

He wiped his face and headed out of his quarters for the training gym, dressed in a black tank top and matching close-fitting joggers. He'd booked a slot for pairs close combat training and quickly keyed his datapad to check out his sparring partner.

The image that flashed up actually made him stop, pausing in the hallway to take in the unexpected. A Sith. Celeste Stythani was her name - according to the pad - but it wasn't who she was but what she was that registered. Max served the Sith, everyone in the Empire did if they were honest, but in all his years he'd rarely worked closely with one. Few had. The Lieutenant had been waiting for the chance, coveting it even, to build a bridge with the true power in the Empire.

He strode into the training gym standing a little taller than before, hazel eyes fixed eagerly on the honey blond hair and intriguing smile awaiting him.

"My lady" he said, bowing his shoulders and meaning every word. "Lieutenant Maximus Dram. It's an honour to meet you, let alone train together".

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

She arrived a little early and so she knew she still had some time left. Out of slight boredom, she started pacing before she curiosly began examining the training items in the back - an assorted selection of weapons, other special equipment and all kinds of helpful tools and support for combat. She was weighting different weapons in her hand, studying the balance before she casually played around a little, trying to use the spare them efficiently. The droid sometimes spat out slightly sarcastic remarks that made her chuckle every now and then, but she didn't pay him much attention.

She was quite excited about a fully physical training session as this was a skill sometimes neglected. Even if she was gifted with the Force, it was better to be able to rely on her general fitness, strength and agility in a case of emergency, too. Her days here were usually quite full and even if the morning sessions left her a little exhausted, a quick break over the afternoon had helped her regain some strength.

Now that she was checking out the back of the private training room, she almost fully blocked out the security droid that was still accompanying her when she was wandering around on her own. She was actually a lioness, but still contained in a cage because she was basically still on probation, and even though she was constantly training and expanding her power, she was still being held back in some regards. Instead of winning over more worlds and stabilizing the existing ones, she always had to wait for another Sith chaperone if Vahl wasn't there with her, and even if she had gotten oddly used to the company, she couldn't wait for that time to be over as she would finally be able set the sails herself. Her ambitions were higher than ever and so she didn't mind the constant training as this was only helping her improve even further, and also, it was helpful to build some new connections.

As always, she had searched through some data bases, but obviously hadn't found much more than official information about Lieutenant Dram. He, too, seemed like an overachiever, both and ambitious and skilled and more capable than most, so her hopes were high. And then right after she had just thrown a little vibro knife into the direction of the practice target on the other side of the room, someone finally marched in, head held high, his walk confident and strong. However thanks to her special aptitude, it wasn't hard to peek behind that proud facade. There was conflict, and while she didn't know where his slight unrest or rather displeasure stemmed from, it did pique her curiosity immediately.

"Lieutenant Dram, it's a pleasure to meet you, too". She greeted him with a genuinely warm smile on her lips as she placed down the other knife and gracefully strode over to him. There was an undeniable hint of devotion in his demeanor, but Celeste was used to that behavior from soldiers. There were many Sith who didn't think highly of the soldiers, but Celeste had a different view on that and while he might not have been a Sith, he must have done much to climb the ranks as well and so the respect was actually mutual. "I'm actually looking forward to our session" she openly declared, extending a hand to shake his, before she added, "and feel free to call me Celeste. There's no need for unnecessary pleasantries". Her light blue eyes were locked with his hazel orbs, the smile on her lips slightly widening.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

It was only when she put the knife down that he realised she'd had one in her hand in the first place. Max chastised himself silently for not concentrating, knowing that could cost you in conversation just the same as in a fight.

She was a small thing, Celeste, probably a whole foot shorter than Max. It was hardly unusual - he was a big guy - and it suited her perfectly. There was also something about her easy manner that suggested depths beyond the physical.

"Me too" he said, shaking her outstretched hand. He was indeed looking forward to it and she sounded equally sincere, which was another surprise. Max was no fool; he knew most of the Sith had little time for the rank and file - he certainly wouldn't if he could do what they could do. But Celeste at least appeared different.

"If you insist, my lady" he said, unable to drop the reference in spite of trying "Celeste it is. Unless it's roll call day, they call me Max, but you must call me whatever you like" he smiled down at her. In her position, she could call him names all afternoon and he'd take it.

"Do you have other work out here in the Rim, away from Corellia?" he asked, starting to stretch in readiness. He always imagined the Sith just went where they pleased, so had to wonder what someone like Celeste was also doing a million miles from the front line.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

It seemed like his discomfort immediately started fading away and a similarly positive attitude soon radiated off him. She was tempted to dive right into his mind and figure out what had troubled him, but he seemed open just like her and he didn't give her a reason to be mistrusting, so she figured she could just enquire about that later.

As he dropped the formal way of adressing her once again, she slightly chuckled, not actually surprised by his reaction though. Especially at the academies, sticking to formal means of adressing the other one was a rather common practice, but Celeste had made the experience that especially lose, private sparring sessions were something more intimate anyway and there was no reason to create unnecessary distance. Sure, their positions were clear, but both of that knew all about that and if they'd find themselves of a battlefield together, the rules were also clear, but for now a more personal way of adressing each other fitted the atmosphere better.

"Max, alright" she repeated, however chuckling about his slightly ambiguous statement. With a slightly raised eyebrow, she replied: "Oh if that's so, noted", obviously knowing how he meant it, but this didn't keep her from playfully teasing him a little. Despite the little fun, she knew she was not here to play around, but to practice, but as he seemed chatty as well, she didn't mind the conversation beforehand at all. "Right now, between training sessions in different academies all around Imperial space, I'm working on Lantillies. Master Kahtal and I brought it under Imperial control and as an Envoy, I'm managing the Shipwright's Guild. I just came back from Centares...actually there's always work to do" she answered him, rolling her shoulders as she took a few steps to the left, positioning herself across from him. "Are you usually stationed here in Raxus?" she curiosly wanted to know, her gaze not leaving his yet.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Max was so often the flirt that he was rarely beaten to an innuendo. But Celeste had managed it already, playing with his suggestion she could call him anything. He could do little but smile, his tongue between his teeth. He hadn't meant it that way of course - wouldn't have dared to even joke that way this early - and yet he sensed she knew that all already. She was a live wire that was for sure.

But that was not all. Master Kahtal. Vahliri Kahtal. He had heard of her - a powerful Sith Master and one of the bigger names in their ranks. Celeste moved in important circles, but then that was no surprise at all.

"The Empire is lucky to have leaders like you" he said, cracking his fingers as he processed just how much one little woman was doing for the war effort. "Lantillies, Centares, managing the Shipwright's Guild - I take my hat off to you...Celeste". He didn't have a hat of course, his dress cap was in storage, waiting for those victory parades yet to come.

"I try to spend most of my time in the field" he replied "or at least that's been me so far. I just led on the capture of Terminus and we deploy to Ankus in three days. I figure if I can help chip away at the neutral systems, makes it easier for you and others to bring the ISC, the Republic and the blasted Jedi to heel...". He cracked that last knuckle particularly hard, a small burst of frustration at the number of enemies they faced and the small difference Max sometimes felt he was making.

"I hope you have good help?" he said, limbering up "you guys lead the only power in the galaxy worth being a part of. You deserve good, solid men and women at your side who get it".

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

What he was not realizing was that while they were having a friendly exchange, Celeste was actually studying him as well. She circled him slightly, but since she was walking slowly and rather relaxedly, for him this would all look peaceful. She softly chuckled at the words that followed, wondering whether despite his genuine tone he was not just trying to flatter her.

As loyal as he was, she believed him that he was actually praising her for her latest efforts. Her smile slightly widened, but she then waved his praise off. She felt like she could do much more and soon she would. There was a lot on her agenda and once she was allowed to fully be on her own again, she'd follow that all. Her eyes briefly flicked over the droid who was just sitting in a corner, obviously still observing, but he actually didn't have much to do most of the time.

She attentively listened to what he told her about himself, playfully tilting her head to the side as she had another question: "Oh, I see. So you're obviously one of the very active sort as well". They were apparently rather alike, and she appreciated his similarly high ambitions, "but it seems like you have lately done an impressive amount of work as well there. That's always good to hear". It was a genuine compliment as well and she was intrigued by what he said at the end because he was definitely implying something, wasn't he?

"Was that an offer, Lieutenant?" she directedly asked, however with a playful smirk and her head still cocked to the side. He had definitely posed that question of purpose, she was convinced that it had been a tactical choice. "In those latest mission I was alone with only one other Sith. I'm assuming I'll receive an own platoon again soon, so then I'm indeed hoping for loyal members. Loyalty is not even that easy to find and if you can fully trust and rely on your soldiers, the jobs obviously get much easier...". Back on Rattatak, she had had her platoons of fully loyal followers and soldiers and the cooperation had been great. She was obviously hoping the same would happen here, and perhaps, especially if he was offering, she might found herself on a new system with him. For now they were just getting to know each other anyway, but the sympathies seemed mutual, so who knew? Contacts were always precious.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Celeste seemed impressed with his activities, as Max was with hers. He didn't particularly regard serving on the front line as an option, more of a duty, but it seemed not every soldier she'd met was the same. If it was possible, his broad chest swelled with even more pride and satisfaction, almost straining the vest.

She didn't miss his meaning about help, though now he had to decide just how much he meant it. "If you'd like it to be" he replied, returning the playful smirk about his offer. "I'd certainly like the chance to work more closely with our Sith leaders - with you". He gave her an open expression, as if she were merely the most logical choice. In truth, she was the first Sith he'd met who'd returned his interest, and he had to do something to break the rut. Celeste offered a possible path.

"I have my own platoon too" he continued "good men, good soldiers all of them. But I hope to lead a whole regiment soon, a real force that should be out there, with you, at the forefront of the Imperial march". He planned to put in to the promotion board for Commander next month, all things being equal, and that one star on his collar typically meant command of two and half thousand men. He was not going to waste them.

"You do the men under you a great honour" he said, nodding in appreciation at her praise for loyal soldiers in general. Planting his feet solidly on the training mat, he drew level with Celeste and those gold-flecked eyes. "Is there a particular entry test to join them?"

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

While Max seemed slightly delighted by her open way of communicating, Celeste studied him carefully. She was quite competitive and ambitious, so even if they were getting along well and if this was about improvement of techniques and general training, she didn't plan on taking it slowly or make it easy for him.

Considering their different builds, it was rather obvious that as long as she wouldn't use the Force to fortify her strength, he'd have the upper hand. Yet, as tall and muscular as he was, she'd have an advantage when it came to movement speed and agility, she figured, and her force enhanced senses usually helped with great reflexes.

Also, she was clever and resourceful, so that even if weaponless hand to hand combat wasn't ber forte, she usually managed to come up with creative solutions in dangerous situations and so she felt absolute ready and eager to begin. Yet, their friendly dialogue hadn't ended and she didn't intend to change that right away. She stopped were she was, opposite him, body still relaxed but ready if necessary.

She considered his idea for a moment, until her lips curled into a smirk again. "Sounds tempting for both of us" she admitted, knowing how close and good contact to Imperials usually led to great results. She had seen it a couple of times and Altair was the perfect example for that as well. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you" she added in a genuinely friendly tone, meaning it just like that. It was good that he was loyal and even better that he was ambitious and she'd obviously get informed once his promotion would be granted. She was curios to see how this would all play out. "Entry test?" she then playfully repeated, her smirk widening. "I'd say: Convince me. And yes, that is an invitation. Feel free to attack and we'll see how this plays out" she replied, adding a rather cheeky wink. "I'll try my best not to cheat with the Force, but sometimes it's...a reflex". She now glared at him readily, poised to defend herself against his first attempts. She was asking him to begin because she was better in the role that was rather the defender than the aggressor.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

She wished him well with the promotion board and he inclined his head in thanks. He really hoped it happened and that she would know all about it. They normally dragged out some stuffy old general to pin the stars on new senior officers, but Max would much prefer to be decorated by Celeste or her like. Both because of their apparent affinity and her own ability. Oh yes, he knew what she was capable of.

He also hadn't missed what she was doing. While his body was stronger than it was fast, his mind had the agility of a battlefield commander. Even as they traded warm words, he still picked up the nuances and cues in her body language, his own hazel eyes tracking the way her blue ones assessed his strengths and weaknesses. This might be training, but she was gearing up to win.

"Attack?" he repeated, eyebrows raised as he continued the pretence a moment more "Well you know you don't have to give a soldier an order twice".

He raised his arms and feinted, as if going to hit her, but instead struck out with a long leg, keeping his kick low and aiming for her knee to knock her off balance. He didn't want to go too hard, but it was time to see what they taught at Sith school.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Despite their very friendly, lighthearted exchange and the realization that chemistry seemed right, she hadn't forgotten why she had scheduled this appointment and thus she had already gotten to assess her opponent carefully. This wasn't solely a game to her, but she had enjoyed sparring sessions that were always accompanied by a little fun and chatting the most.

With her position steady and her gaze still lingering on his, she was ready and awaited his first move. He seemed to ponder on her prompt for a moment and she wondered whether he wasn't sure if she was just toying with him, but no, she actually wasn't. She was actually wanted him to attack her and while many soldiers wouldn't dare such a thing, even if ask, confident as he was he obviously didn't hesitate. Also, he was obviously giving her another cheeky reply and she softly chuckled before she slightly narrowed her eyes, focusing on their beginning round.

Her lips turned into an even wider smirk before she inhaled, knowing damn well that the distance between them wasn't huge. He was in her guard already and literally had plenty of options and she was also convinced that he was well trained for such close melee ranged fights.

When he did raise his arms she already stepped back, not fully trusting his movement since he actually hadn't executed his blow and it immediately turned out to be the right call. With her quick step backwards his kick would probably miss her leg and instead trigger an imbalance in his stance since his movement hit air instead of an actual resistance and she immediately intended to use that against him.

With swift reflexes she lifted her own right leg and attempted to kick him right in his left side with her own knee, targeting the rib area and hoping that he'd still be too busy staggering forward to stop her leg mid-air. She was not fortifying her kick with the Force but there was quite some force behind it and would probably lead to a bruise if she hit.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Max wasn't disappointed. Celeste stepped back at the last movement, dodging out of his way and his kick hit only air.

He twisted, snorting with glee. The fight was on now and he loved it. Besides, he would have thought less of her if the kick had connected. It seemed they taught combat at Sith school after all.

Max pulled back, he'd not gone full power so was able to steady himself, but not before Celeste brought her own right leg sweeping up towards his side. He couldn't dodge, so turned into the attack and braced against it, her knee slamming into his chest but his own hands dispersing the impact. First blow to her, but it would take a lot more to bring down Maximus Escalion Dram.

"Ah ha" he chuckled, learning this small part of her style. He quickly reversed his hands and grabbed the ankle of her outstreched leg, pulling hard and aiming to topple her over.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

And so their dance began. As competitive and ambitious as Celeste was, she planned on giving her everything, and despite not necessarily having to win, a loss would probably still nag on her. To be fair, such combat wasn't her forte. Mind tricks and using the Force to aid her in fights in general was, but she was specifically here to train physicality and so she would keep it fair.

With fierce determination she kicked and apparently hit as well. Her knee met resistance, but instead of ramming it into his side, he took the blow with his muscular chest, so that the kick hurt her as well. "Don't hold back" she said to him, glaring at him almost dangerously as those golden flecks began to swirl, right before he reached out and gripped her ankle.

Touché. Unfortunately good for him. There was no way for her to pull out of his grab in time, and so the pull came, yanking her off the ground with sheer force of his own. As she had promised, she was not going to infere with the Force, and so she knew the fall would come with her toppling over within a second.

What she could still do, however, was preparing for the unwanted fall and preparing for a comeback of her own. Within a split second, she grabbed his arm with his right arm, using the grab to still stay in control of some balance while he forced her to bend backwards though.

With her left leg sliding over the ground, there wasn't much she could do, but she could use her free left hand to try grabbing him by the throat, using their close proximity for that purpose and squeeze - not in a way that the air flow would be fully obstructed, but in a still rather unpleasant way if he found no way to stop her before that. It was no actual Force choke, but she did subconsciously apply a hint of the Force before she even realized it herself.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

He seemed to have the upper hand, at least temporarily. For all her talents Celeste was unable to escape his grip, a flash of realisation on her pretty face.

But she merely adapted, in a way Max could never have anticipated. She let herself be pulled, but took the opportunity to plant her delicate hand on his throat, constraining his breathing. Celeste was actually choking him!

Max gritted his teeth, trying to pretend the small Sith has not got the jump on him. Letting go of her leg, he reached for her torso with both hands, pushing with all his strength to throw her aside and put some distance between them. Her grip seemed to have an unnatural force and he didn’t like it one bit.

“We’re into choking are we?” he breathed, fighting her hold.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Now that was where the actual fun began. Celeste brought the Imperial into a position where he would have to interrupt his own planned maneuver and focus getting rid of the hand that was clutching her throat. She could see his expressions change from slightly cocky and triumphant to obviously displeased.

While her expressions had been focused, they now changed to subtly amused, but the amusement didn't last long as he pushed her away. She let him, sliding away from him until he even attempted to throw her off and so now she did stagger, trying to save that lost balance with a roll though.

She landed back on her feet, dangerously glaring at him, but a playful grin immediately crossed her lips again. If he was being cheeky, so would she. "Oh you know...out of politeness I usually wait until I'm behind closed bedroom doors" she teased, getting into a readied stance again. She was tempted to reach out with the Force and coil those invisible tendrils around his neck again, but refrained from this kind of taunting.

Instead, she rolled her shoulders and stepped closer, almost whispering, "My turn" before she moved to attack him first now. Without hesitation, she charged and went for his a feinted high blow, instead of punching though, she dived and attempted to tackle him right by the legs, her shoulders ramming into his hip to push him over with full speed. Going for such an attack with her body weight compared to his wasn't the strategically best move, however she had the moment of surprise, she hoped.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

The force of his shove seemed to dislodge Celeste, sending her staggering away, but she recovered quickly, rolling to her feet. That playful grin was on her lips again, lips that spoke of the bedroom. He had opened the door with his comment, but a small part of him could scarcely believe he was flirting with a Sith and she was flirting back. The crisis of confidence was momentary though. He was no ordinary soldier and she no ordinary Sith. Nothing was impossible.

"My lady..." he said, feigning discomfort with a smirk "I'm just a simple soldier, you'll have me blushing". It was nonsense of course, Max's own appetites were anything but modest, but that was for him to know. and perhaps for her to find out. It was a very bold thought.

She charged at him next, bringing the fight to him as he had to her. She went high and Max raised his guard, but then her eyes flashed down and he knew she was about to pivot. Again, rather than dodge the impossible, he turned slightly and braced, stumbling backwards as she ploughed into hip but twisting and controlling the fall, using her momentum and pulling her around.

They went down onto the mat, but Max was on top, aiming to pin her wrists.

"You move fast Celeste" he panted, knowing that hip was going to bruise. "But I think gravity is with me".

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Obviously, making such a cheeky remark and continuing the playful flirting was a risky move as she could possibly also scare him off with it if he'd be afraid of this dangerous game to play with a Sith. He talked about blushing, but there was not a single hint of nervousity in his cheeks, neither did they actually turn red.

Instead, she perceived the nuances that were subtly hidden in his voice and she could obviously sense that she hadn't made him any uncomfortable. "Oh is that so?" she teasingly asked, knowing well that he knew she was capable of reading him like an open book. He enjoyed this, and so did she. She also enjoyed his boldness. It had been some time and since it actually felt great, why would she stop? Combining training with pleasure was what she seemingly needed right now and just a simple, quick fight wouldn't have satisfied her that much, hence she didn't consider stopping the teasing.

As she ran into him, attempting to tackle him right in the center of his balance, he did something she had not expected, even if that slowly began to feel like a pattern. He was no one to dodge and evade. He was someone who'd take the hit and use it for his own advantage and given his physique, it was a clever move.

She collided with the muscular soldier and felt her own upper body sent out a wave of pain, while Max didn't topple over, but rather led himself be pushed over backwards. That was when she knew what he intended to do next, but without the Force, she didn't have the strength to stop him and so duo turned just like the tides of their fight.

Celeste found herself on the ground, unfortunately under him and with Max already reaching for her wrists. However while he was focused on pinning her, she swiftly brought her knee up right inbetween his thighs, actually hoping he was wearing something underneath that would absorb the impact.

If he was affected enough though, she planned on using his brief shock and their sideways momentum to turn him over again, even if the chances were not in her favor as he was actually right about gravity. If he kept pinning her, she'd have to come up with something else while glaring up in those hazel eyes with a hint of frustration as he might have already gotten her in this round otherwise.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

He almost had her trapped in a position where she would have to concede, but he'd left himself open in a rather vital area.

She brought her knee up hard and pain blossomed in Max's groin. That visceral, white hot throb that only half the Human population could experience flared within him. He groaned inside and out, smile twisting into gritted teeth and pressed lips as he tried to appear unharmed, but his efforts were in vain.

Max tipped to the side in spite of himself, fighting the physical impulse to double over and protect himself. He closed his legs together, trying to pin Celeste's own down with his knees while guarding against a second such impact. It was the best hit she'd landed so far and he wasn't keen for a repeat.

It would be several seconds at least before the pain eased and in the meantime he let himself fall onto her, trying to hold her down more with his bodyweight than any conscious technique.

@LadyRen

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Ever since she had started her re-training, she had explored how easily you could use any openings when you were not trying to hold back like she might have done before. Her trick was a fairly common one, frequently and effectively used against men, but it was was obviously a mean one.

Were there would have been regrets earlier, there were none now. She had learnt how to draw from pain once again and so she couldn't shake this triumphant feeling that was triggered by his reaction. She had hit and while he may not have been fully incapacitated, she knew he was close.

He was not giving up though and she admired that intransigence. There was another opening when he was bust processing the pain, but the sole certainty of knowing that she could end this in her favor was enough for her and so she refrained from doing another follow-up for now.

"I could Force Push you away..." she said to him, her voice a soft whisper as their gazes was locked, bodies pressed to one another. "Or do you the favor of choking you again" her lips turned into a mischievous, yet flirtatious smile, "but i won't. You've done well. Once you got me on the ground, you won a normal fight, considering our different builds and your strength alone". She watched him twitch in agony, her chest actually compressed by his weight, so that talking wasn't even that easy. "I still feel like you've been holding back". She remarked, rather noting it than criticizing him. "I don't mind bruises. They're reminder of how we can improve in order to avoid them". It was not that she could simply draw from the pain, as it fed the darkness withing her, but she had made made the experience that those sessions that hurt the most, were usually the most effective ones.

@Alhon

 

[Max Dram]

Unexpectedly, Celeste didn't immediately try to get free, almost letting him lay there on her as he took precious moments to recover.

"You could..." Max answered, breathing heavily "but then you did say you wouldn't use the Force". He looked deep into those gold-flecked blue eyes "I reckon you are a woman of your word".

Again she showed great generosity, suggesting he'd won in conventional terms. "Maybe..." he conceded "but natural height and hitting the gym are one thing...I bet your party tricks would turn me inside out if you could use them".

He probably had held back a little, now she mentioned it, partly because he knew a Sith could hand his ass to him if she really wanted, but partly because he...liked this one. His hazel eyes scanned those lips curled in that flirtatious smile, the honey blonde hair and the way it fell around her face. She was quite something to be so close to.

"Forget bruises" he replied, still pressed close against her. He decided to push his luck to an insane level.

"What about dinner?"

@LadyRen