Ask Wherever The Trail Leads

[Darth Tempest]

Almost to her own detriment, there were few times when Vahliri managed to stop talking for any extended period of time - and even fewer instances where the half-Annfyn was left completely speechless. But this? This was most certainly one of those times - the breath almost seeming to flee her lungs as her eyes drifted across the hidden caverns. It was beautiful in ways she couldn’t quite put into words and that trumped anything she’d seen elsewhere in the galaxy - alien and exotic and untouched by human hands since times primordial. No Cultists. No Sith. No Jedi.

Just.. Life, in its purest form. A place forever locked in time, where the Galaxy simply didn’t exist.

For just that moment, Vahliri was entirely unconcerned with their previous objective - losing all desire to rush away from the cavern or address the sleeping ray that blocked their path forward. She wanted to savor this - and the half-Annfyn only began to descend deeper down the steps when Altair extended a hand towards her - slender fingers curling around his own as she maneuvered down the smooth stones, each crack and crevice covered in gently shimmering lichens and moss. She watched as one of the Manta-ray pups clumsily drifted through the air - bobbing and floating after the larger form of its mother. “No one can discover this place..” She muttered quietly, glancing up to Altair when the Tiefling spoke.

It was stunning and breathtaking to behold, and Vahliri couldn’t help the way it all seemed to fade away when Altair turned to face her once again - those familiar, violet eyes dragging upwards to meet her own ambers. The natural color of the cavern only seemed to enhance the vividicy and allure there, one that she had come to adore since the very first time she had seen them on Indupar years ago. It was impossible to read the Tiefling’s face - impossible to know what was going through his mind.. And for the moment, Vahliri didn’t try to.

“Altair..” She muttered quietly, allowing her gaze to hang on the Tiefling even as he muttered those words. The half-Annfyn didn’t attempt to decipher or question what he meant by those words, and yet a part of her understood their meaning without ever trying. They were words that broke through any of the playful flirtatiousness or confidence that she projected - right down to that place where she was most vulnerable. It wasn’t the first time they had skirted here before - hovering at the edge of something deeper - and never taking that fateful step. It would’ve been a lie to say that it wasn’t something that tore at Vahliri each and every time - and yet it was something she could never bring herself to become jaded for. Not when she understood intimately the ways in which the Tiefling had been shattered and scorned with every vulnerability.

She didn’t move a muscle at first - watching as Altair stepped in to close the distance that lingered between them. She felt her heart begin to thunder against the confines of her chest - felt the heat begin to rise up to the surface of her skin, and she didn’t move. The half-Annfyn shrugged her shoulders the faintest bit when the Tiefling tugged at her robes - allowing the fabric to glide off of her skin like liquid until there was not a single layer left between them, her bronze skin glistening against the shimmering lights. And even as Altair did the same - her eyes never lowered. Never broke away. Never shifted from the single thing that occupied her thoughts and lingered at the forefront of her mind.
It didn’t matter what the rest of the Galaxy had in store for them. It didn’t matter what was bound to occur by the time they left that cave.. It was a moment and place locked forever in time, and with each fiber of her being Vahliri wished to savor and make it last as long as it could. And for all of the beauty that surrounded them, there was only one thing the half-Annfyn wished to gaze into - sinking deep until those pools of violet swallowed her.


A soft exhale rolled up her throat when Altair brushed her raven locks back - feeling the way that his fingers curls there and made the half-Annfyn melt into his grasp. Even with her sensitive hearing, his words were only a distant echo in her ears - barely audible or recognized as she tiled her head upwards to capture the Tiefling’s lips. To sink into that familiar warmth and the taste she had cherished countless times before. To let everything else melt away until they were the only two things left in the Galaxy. They had been here countless times in the past, and there was something deeper that overlapped any desire that burned beneath her skin - tender and affectionate in ways that cut the half-Annfyn down to her core. It was something deeper and more meaningful that swelled to the surface - and there was no small part of her that was terrified of it. Terrified by the ways that it threatened to drag her down and swallow her as easily as one of those Manta-ray’s might - and terrified by the ways that Vahliri seemed to wish for it to do so.

She felt the hand that glided across her waist, and the string of goosebumps that followed in the wake of the Tiefling’s touch. At once, Vahliri’s own hands rose up from her sides - looping around Altair’s shoulders in order to tug the man closer against her - her slender fingers curling around the nape of his neck and stretching into his dark hair. Moments passed, and the half-Annfyn made no attempt to break from that embrace - even as she began to step backwards and tug Altair along with her. Her path cut right through the shimmering waters all around them - walking along a shelf to where the water only barely rose above her knees, warm and smoothing in ways that was difficult to describe.

“No questions..” She finally muttered against his lips, coming to a stop only once her back pressed against a shelf of the cavern - just barely positioned above the water and with the rest of the breathtaking views stretching out around them. The half-Annfyn said nothing else - going right back to sinking into the Tiefling’s lips with that simple statement. Her hands slid across his charcoal skin, gliding down his back while her leg hooked around his own in order to pull his hips closer against her own, desperate to snuff out any sense of distance between them in that moment.

 

[Altair Din]

—​

He felt rested as if he slept for days. He only blinked awake because one of the mantas flew down low and the abrupt gust of air brushed against his bare skin. The action also sent brilliant spores into the air and he gazed up above them, remembering where they were. At some point, the two had found a little island amidst the lake. They were lying on a stunning flower bed filled with various bioluminescent plants and flowers. It was beautiful and comfortable all the same.

The tiefling was on his back, his arm wrapped around Vahliri’s smaller frame. She fit like a puzzle piece against his body. His vivid, purple eyes still reflected the odd lights all around. It gave them a brilliant shade where it looked as if the entire galaxy and supernovas danced in his eyes. He quietly watched the mantas lazily floating above them as they had for hours now. They were unconcerned about the Sith’s presence. By now even the massive manta ray blocking the exit had left the path. Still, Altair had no desire to move or budge.

His arm pulled Vahliri tighter to himself against his chest. He slowly tilted his head to gaze at her. This was one of those moments that always twisted at him, that always made him realize he was crossing lines he said he wouldn’t. This was a moment where he felt like her man, like someone that belonged to her and she was his in turn. Where it was everything he ran from for years now. It terrified him and he knew he would run from it again. But he didn’t want to just yet. For now, he wanted it to be that and get that brief taste of it as selfish as it was.

Altair leaned forward to gently kiss her forehead before he drew back, gazing into her eyes. He smiled at her, though he didn’t say a word. Though he had fallen asleep, he was still basking in the afterglow of the passions they shared. It was meticulous, slow and with every barrier down. It was a secret he wanted to keep here, and it was a door he would close the moment they left this place.

His tail lazily grazed up and down the side of her thigh as he stared at her, “Come with me to Bandomeer this summer,” Altair said quietly, “When all this is over.”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Beneath the bioluminescent lights and swarms of Manta-rays, countless hours could’ve come and went - and Vahliri was just as content to remain exactly where she was. Whatever still awaited them ahead, there wasn’t a single desire that drove the half-Annfyn to leave that cave yet - nor to break away from the warmth that came from being wrapped up in Altair’s arms - her small figure fitting against his perfectly. There was a sense of comfort there that was almost overwhelming, and it wasn’t long before Vahliri drifted off to sleep just as he did - exhaustion from the events prior and their lovemaking finally washing over her.

By the time that Altair woke up, the half-Annfyn was still sprawled out on top of him - her arms coiling around the Tielfing’s torso to tug him close, while her head gently rested and snuggled into the center of his chest. By this point, her dark hair fell wildly her bare back and spilled over the sides of her bronzed torso - having long-since lost any of the meticulous styling that the half-Annfyn had arrived on M’haeli with.

As she slept, Altair would be able to feel the way that her chest slowly rose and fell with each breath, subconsciously clinging to him as she slept. There was an exceptionally serene and peaceful look that tugged at her face - her fluted ears twitching and flicking just the faintest bit completely of their own accord.

It wasn’t until the Tiefling tugged her tighter against his chest that Vahliri finally began to rouse from her slumber - squeezing him ever-so-slightly as her eyes drifted open. Amber eyes sleepily drifted across the ring of bioluminescent flowers and shimmering waters beyond, watching as a pair of rays happily lounged, half-submerged in the water. Her attention finally pulled back to rest on Altair - meeting the Tiefling’s eyes that seemed more vibrant and alluring than ever. Almost at once, the Tiefling would be able to see the unspoken affection that danced within the half-Annfyn’s honeyed eyes - emotions glinting almost as vibrant as the multi-colored lights around them.

For just that moment, Vahliri merely smiled up at Altair without muttering a word - though truthfully she didn’t need to for Altair to know what was going through her head. The Galaxy was so very distant just then, and it felt as if they were the only two people left amongst the stars. Within the glittering confines of that cave, they belonged to nothing but each other, and it was in that state that Vahliri wished to linger for as long as she could. She wanted to savor it, basking in the sensation of belonging and meaning to someone else.

Even though Vahliri knew that it wouldn’t last. Even thought she knew Altair well enough by now to know that it couldn’t.

Vahliri couldn’t help the small little hum that rolled up her throat, the smile on her lips tugging a bit wider when Altair leaned in to kiss her forehead - returning the gesture by squeezing him just that bit tighter with her arms wrapped around his torso. It wasn’t until Altair spoke that Vahliri lifted her head up off his chest, the smile on her lips tugging just a bit wider as she stared back at him.

“I would love to, Altair..” She said quietly in response, her voice entirely genuine. It had been quite some time since she had visited Bandomeer last with the Tiefling, and the thought of getting to spend more time with him - without any Imperial duties or mission to underlie it all - was something that thrilled her in ways she couldn’t quite explain. “As long as I'm with you, I'm happy,” She muttered, leaning down to brush her lips against his chest. The half-Annfyn closed in on one of the bruises that marked the Tiefling’s torso, tenderly kissing against the injury that he had sustained.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

He was here, but his mind wandered into the depths of his memories and thoughts where he had run from all this before. His gaze focused back on the serene creatures floating above them. It was difficult to read his face, an almost melancholic sadness in his eyes. He thought of his life as a Sith and the wars he would be engaged in at all times. He thought of all the blood he would spill, all the lives he would take, all the Imperials that would look to him to lead.

As he glanced back down at Vahliri he thought of his quiet farm. He thought of how happy his Ma and Pa were in their humble lives away from the galaxy's problems. He thought of how they went to bed each night knowing they would wake up together the next morning. He thought of how they never had the other one going to war or risking never coming back. He thought about the children they had and the home they made and the luxury of growing old together. He thought of that front porch where Pa sat on a chair and swore he was just resting his eyes and not falling asleep.

And he thought of himself and all the times he had loved throughout the life he led. Each time it had been touched by war, injuries, moral questions and a constant dilemma over whether he was doing the right thing. It seemed so simple to be like this, to only enjoy the moment and know nothing else was expected of him. He wanted to simply hold Vahliri here and just wake up tomorrow and do the same thing all without ever carrying the expectations of the Sith Empire on his shoulders.

Altair didn’t even realize there was a fondness in his gaze as he looked at Vahliri as she kissed along his chest. Any subtle pain he felt from the bruises was easily eclipsed by the tender brush of her soft lips. His hand came up to lazily graze along her smooth back and shoulder, brushing aside strands of her hair.

“What else makes you happy, Vahl?” Altair asked after a moment. They had spent so much time together before and he had never asked her this before. Yet for some reason he wanted to know now more than anything - no matter how simple or complicated.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

For quite a while, Vahliri simply allowed her eyes to linger on Altair - the bioluminescent lights dancing brilliantly within those warm, honeyed pools. There was no mistaking the fondness behind her gaze - nor the way that she continued to hold the Tiefling close - as if nothing else mattered in the Galaxy for her. Because for that moment, it was true. She only wanted to hold him close, and didn’t delve too deeply into her own thoughts beyond that. The half-Annfyn didn’t want to think how this wouldn’t last, or where they would be when they stepped through the other side of that cave.

There was only the present. A moment and place, frozen in time - and one that belonged only to them.

Slow and tender, Vahliri planted soft kisses across the Tiefling’s chest - affectionate and gentle as she brushed over the small bruises that marked his charcoal skin. There was no words spoken and she didn’t put much thought into the gesture, acting merely on instinct in that moment. Her lips tugged upwards at she glanced up towards Altair, fluted ears swiveling and moving of their own accord as his clawed fingers grazed across her bare back. Even in that moment, the half-Annfyn could feel herself in freefall. Sinker deeper into the warmth of his embrace and that sense of belonging to swallow her.

Maybe it wouldn’t last. Maybe it would sting her in the end. But there was no room for logical thought or second guessing. There was only the desire to cherish something precious in ways that she couldn’t truly explain.

After a moment or two, Vahliri laid her head against Altair’s chest once more - listening to the gentle inhale and exhale of the Tiefling’s breath - allowing his question to linger in her mind. It was simple and profound at once, and it was something that the half-Annfyn had asked herself multiple times in the past. For just a moment, her mind drifted towards the Empire - and the direction that her path would almost inevitably lead. A champion with multiple victories under her belt, Vahliri knew that she could continue to advance through the ranks sooner or later - the Galaxy and path to expanding her own influence laid out at her feet. And even still, there was a small part of the half-Annfyn that wished to throw it all aside. To go back to being the girl that Altair had first met on Indupar - when things were so much simpler. When the answer to the Tiefling’s question was simpler.

It was a temptation that Vahliri knew she would never indulge, but it persisted nonetheless.

“The moments that I get to spend free,” She began quietly, her face still half buried against his chest. Her foot idly drug through the mineral-rich water beside them - warm to the touch as it bubbled up from deeper in the earth. “When it doesn’t seem to matter what we are doing, or where we are going in the end.” As she spoke, the half-Annfyn reaching up to draw her fingers across the Tiefling’s chest. Her hands traveled until they reached the Tiefling’s traps, lightly kneading her fingers to massage were she knew the muscles were undoubtedly tense. For the second time, it was a gesture she didn’t give much thought too - but one that she did without questioning all the same. “Whenever I am behind the controls of my ship, or whenever I’m dancing.. When everything else, the Empire, the war - the Galaxy all slips away, and I’m just.. There.”

She paused for just a moment, allowing her gaze to hang on the Tiefling. “The moments I get to spend with the people who matter to me above all else.. Without any duty or obligation. Those are the things that make me happy,” The half-Annfyn muttered, allowing her hand to shift from massaging the Tiefling’s shoulder to lightly cupping the side of his face - her thumb tenderly drawing across his cheek. “Moments like this, make me happy.”

"I want you to be happy, Altair.. And to know the things that make you happy," She muttered after a moment, still having no desire to move or budge from where she was. Even if she thought she knew the answer to that question, there was no small part of the half-Annfyn that wanted to hear it from him. And no small part of her wanted to do and be part of what made him happy.

 

[Altair Din]

Altair couldn’t help the soft, satisfied groan as she kneaded his tensed muscles. His eyes rolled back and closed for a moment as he savored that touch. She would feel tension almost everywhere in his body, every bit of sinewy muscle overworked and worn. Altair was quiet as he heard her speak, the sound of her gentle voice soothing against the ambiance and the gentle lapping of water in the distance. He couldn’t help but smile when she mentioned being behind the controls of her ship.

“When you ain’t crashin’,” He pointed out at once, opening his eyes again. Altair gazed at her as she cupped his cheek, the smile slowly fading a bit by the time she finished speaking. For a moment, he said nothing, his vibrant gaze meeting hers.

Without warning, he shifted around so he was above her, held up by his hand pressed against the flower bed. He stared down at her for a moment, watching the way her beautiful hair spilled out all around her head over the flowers. He looked down at her big, almond eyes with the vivid sepia that shined even more brilliantly with longing he could see plain as day. He could see everything said without words ever passing her lips.

It was Altair’s turn to bring up a hand to brush against the side of her face, his thumb very gently brushing near her lips, “Sometimes I’m too afraid to talk about what makes me happy,” He admitted quietly as he looked down at her, “Cuz it always gets taken away,” Altair leaned in to trace feather soft kisses along her jaw and up along an ear where he knew she was sensitive, “So I take whatever slivers I can get,” He whispered against her skin, “And take it and run away. Because if I stay too long I’ll have to witness losing it,” Altair drew back slightly and gazed into her eyes again.

“And I know I’m messed up for it, Vahl,” He said as he gently shifted above her so her legs were around him, “I know I keep fuckin’ it up,” Altair said as he felt that familiar rush again as he stared at her. There was desire and many other emotions clear in his eyes. After a moment, he nudged against her and exhaled a gentle, shuddered breath, “But I’d rather take a million cuts over and over again than see you walk away from me like every single other person has done,” His body fit against hers like a perfect puzzle, his breath coming in soft gasps in between his speech, “But tell me you want me to stop, Vahl. Tell me to stop. Tell me to quit and fuck off,” Altair never dropped his gaze from hers as he whispered, “Tell me.”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t help the way that her lips tugged upwards, that characteristic playfulness dancing behind her gaze when Altair mentioned her penchant for crashing. “Yes,” She muttered softly, applying a constant pressure with her thumbs and fingers to massage his tense shoulders. She could feel where the muscles were overworked and hardened to the touch, and the half-Annfyn made a point to knead her fingers where the soreness would’ve been most concentrated.

“Except for those exceedingly rare occasions.” She grinned through the words.

The half-Annfyn allowed her eyes to linger upon Altair unwaveringly - staring back into those endless, violet pools. Into the depths that shone like nebulas and a billion stars shining right back at her. And in that moment, the Tiefling would be able to see all of the longing and affection that glittered in the half-Annfyn’s eyes. Emotions that ran deeper than the confidence or fiery demeanor that she wielded. Emotions that were rooted deep into her core and for that moment, were on full display.

Before she could attempt to break that silence, Vahliri felt as Altair began to shift - abruptly flipping them over within that bed of flowers. Her hands instinctively rose to wrap around the Tiefling’s back and shoulders, holding him tenderly and without reservations in that moment. Her head tilted back into the bed of flora, and her eyes never broke from him - staring up at the way the bioluminescent lights seemed to silhouette his dark figure.

“Altair..” She muttered quietly, her face tilting ever-so-slightly to nuzzle into the hand that cupped her cheek. The half-Annfyn knew Altair better than few others in the Galaxy, and she of all people knew all the ways that the Tiefling had been hurt. Knew all the reasons that he was jaded as he was, and why what she cherished in that moment wouldn’t - couldn’t - last.

There was an involuntary movement of the half-Annfyn’s fluted ears when Altair leaned in close, and she couldn’t help the soft groan that rolled up her throat. It was a weakness that sent fire through her veins each time that Altair knew exactly what he was doing in that moment.

Without saying a word, Vahliri adjusted herself as Altair loomed above - her legs wrapping around the Tiefling’s hips to pull him close, her arms dragging across the muscles of his back and gripping him in a way that was almost possessive in its nature. Desire burned within her amber eyes, and amongst it was so, so much more. The half-Annfyn’s head tilted back ever-so-slightly into that bed of flowers, her breath fleeing her lungs in short, shallow gasps.

“Never,” She whispered in response, her voice manifesting between the soft gasps that rolled up her throat. Her gaze never broke away - never flinched or wavered or desired to be anywhere but upon him. “I’ll never walk away from you,” The half-Annfyn’s fingers rose up the Tiefling’s back - dragging across his charcoal skin until they came to rest on the back of his neck.

“Donstop..” She muttered, her voice nothing but a whisper against his skin. A whisper in which she meant every single word without a shadow of a doubt.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

It was just as magical as the first time and he was convinced this entire cave released extra endorphins somehow. Every touch was exhilarating and every gesture sent jolts through him and he couldn’t remember the last time he was so intoxicated by her. He savored each moment and took his time once more, and he knew he would never forget it. It took him forever to finally have the will to extract himself from her, reluctantly peeling himself away as he glanced over at the crystal clear pool of water.

“Come on,” He said quietly as he grasped her by the hand and led her towards it. As he expected, the water was cool, but he adjusted quickly enough, slipping in till he was waist deep. Unlike before, they could actually wash up this time. Altair glanced back at her and smiled before completely submerging himself in the water, glancing at the almost ethereal plants swaying languidly below. He came up after a while, his hair matted to his head as he washed up in the pool.

Without warning, his tail playfully jerked up to splash water over Vahliri, a cheesy grin spreading across his face. He didn’t stop there, pelting her with splashes of water before she could fully dip into the pool. Altair casually disappeared under the surface of the water before she could retaliate, swimming away only to resurface further away.

He came up smiling, but after a moment it faded a bit. Altair sighed to himself as he wiped his face off, “I s’ppose we should get back to finding a way off the planet..” He muttered, an almost dismayed tone in his voice.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

It didn’t seem to matter how much time passed, as the minutes bled together and became muddled in Vahliri’s mind. Every gesture and touch sent fire through her veins - every kiss was deathly in its own way. It was desire and affection with equal ferocity, plain as day through both of their actions. It was plain in ways she hasn’t experienced before with anyone, and it left her only longing by the end. Perhaps it was that cave after all, or perhaps she simply hadn’t been able to truly appreciate the man before her until that moment..

But there was no denying the hooks that slipped right to the half-Annfyn’s core, barbed and vicious in the way they gripped her - whether Altair knew what he was doing or not.

That familiar gaze of lethargy gripped Vahliri, and it wasn’t until Altair began to stir that she forced herself to move - slowly but surely rising back to her feet as the Tiefling moved towards the crystal pools. Her slender fingers wrapped around his own, gingerly stepping down the smooth stones a few paces behind to enter the water. Even cool as it was, Vahliri couldn’t help but marvel at how heavenly it felt against her warm skin.

She watched with a grin as Altair submerged himself, lingering on the edge for just a moment to watch him. Of course, this meant that the half-Annfyn was left as a sitting duck for the Tiefling to playfully pelt with water via his flicking tail. “ALTAIR!” She screeched, though the smile that tugged her lips cast away and illusions that the half-Annfyn was anything other than amused and playful in that moment. Vahliri quickly followed deeper into the water, swiping her hand across the surface in a vain attempt to retaliate against him.

“Totally not fair,” She remarked with a huff, grinning wide as the Tiefling resurfaced some distance away. She took a moment to clean herself off, dipping below the water and allowing the water to mat down her flowing dark hair.

The half-Annfyn didn’t miss the way that his smile faded a bit at the topic of leaving, and her own expression dimmed slightly. “I suppose we should, sooner or later,” She muttered, that same sense of melancholy dismay lacing her words. Vahliri knew it couldn’t last. Sooner or later, that moment in time would fade into the past - passing them by like fallen leaves on the wind. And yet she couldn’t deny that urge to stay there ‘till the rest of her days. To go to sleep in his arms, wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

In the end, Vahliri merely smiled back at him - reality setting in but not entirely blocking out the warmth and affection that had dominated her expression for some time now. “Then let’s make the most of the journey out,” She said at last. Even if the path took them forward, away from this place, Vahliri was willing to take her time and appreciate it all as it passed. Without a word, the half-Annfyn began to cross the distance towards Altair - coming to stand before the taller Tiefling with only a few inches distance.

“Come ‘ere,” She dipped her hands beneath the water before bringing them up to run through the Tiefling’s hair - meticulously fixing the locks he took such pride in back into place. She took her time before giving a small nod, at that point satisfied. It was a tender little gesture - and one that the half-Annfyn immediately followed up by playfully flicking a bit more water into his face without disturbing the top of his head.

With that, Vahliri finally drew back further - continuing to wash up while glancing around her. “Maybe we’ll even manage to find something edible on our way out and before we go back there,” She grinned back at him. “Not sure I trust glowing mushrooms and vines..”

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair laughed even more at Vahliri’s dramatic reaction to being splashed - it was exactly what he expected. He was about to follow up with more when she quietly closed the distance between them. To his surprise, she gently fixed up his hair and put it back into place. The gesture was surprisingly tender and affectionate and it immediately made his face grow hot. He couldn’t help the lopsided dorky grin that graced his face from the simple yet adorable gesture.

He stepped closer and snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Altair looked as if he had something to say, but instead he leaned in to kiss her again, pressing their lips together. He took his time, the kiss slow and passionate as he held her close. When he finally withdrew, his eyes betrayed affection, but he quickly moved on as he helped her out of the pool and eased out of the water.

“Don’t laugh, but I actually stole some seasonings and spices in my bag of goodies,” Altair said as he dried off and began to get dressed. To Vahliri, this wouldn’t be a too much of a surprise given his great passion for cooking. Even during a crisis, he managed to hastily grab some cooking enhancements while robbing the cultist leader blind, “Never know when I’ll get an opportunity to make some local dishes!”

Altair began to walk towards the path that the giant manta blocking earlier. The tunnel began to descend down and he knew that would ultimately lead them off the mountain. He looked around himself as he walked, “Sometimes these caves have root vegetables that can be eaten. With some water and inferno, I can probably whip something up if we find anything.”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

For quite a while, Vahliri allowed her gaze to linger on Altair, and she couldn’t quite help the smile that worked its way onto her lips - her natural dimples accentuated by the bright expression. There was no deeper thought that went into that simple gesture with the Tiefling’s hair, only that she knew she wanted to do it, and the dorky grin it elicited from Altair sent surges of warmth throughout her entire body.

Just as she was prepared to pull back, the half-Annfyn felt as the Tiefling hooked an arm around her waist - pulling her close and into that slow, passionate embrace. Her arms rose up from her sides, wrapping around the Tiefling’s shoulders and the neck of his neck - holding him close as she sank into that slow kiss. For all of her confidence and stubbornness, Vahliri could feel herself melt into the Tiefling’s arms - putty in his hands and she savored every second of it. Her amber eyes tilted up to meet Altair’s gaze once more as that kiss came to an end, clearly noting the affection that played in his eyes. There were a hundred unspoken words that swirled through her mind, but none of them found purchase past her lips. Instead, Vahliri merely brought a hand up to gently cup the Tiefling’s face - gently rubbing her thumb across his defined cheekbone.

Stepping out of the pools, Vahliri immediately began to dry herself off - scrunching the excess water from her dark hair before pulling everything back into a loose, messy braid as it dried naturally. A smile worked its way onto her lips when Altair spoke, merely casting the Tiefling a look as she pulled on her robes. “Why am I not at all surprised?” She nudged him playfully, “You won’t ever hear me complain if you’re cooking,” The half-Annfyn remarked, her voice entirely genuine. For all the years that she’d known Altair, she hadn’t tasted a single thing he made that wasn’t downright delicious - a fact even more appreciated given her own inability to do much more than microwave.

“Sounds great,” The half-Annfyn said, walking along the Tiefling as they carved deeper into the tunnel. Unlike the expansive chamber before, the tunnel previously blocked by the broodmother was a bit more narrow and resembled a standard cave - albeit dimly lit by some glowing mushrooms and multi-colored cave mosses. Curiously, the pair would quickly notice one of the Manta Ray pups that lazily floated around close behind them - curiously following the pair as they walked along.

“Well if you’re cooking, the least I can do is help you gather food.” With that, Vahliri broke off from standing right beside Altair - her gaze flicking over to looser soil where vegetation was growing along the side of the cavewall. After a few moments of inspecting and digging around, the half-Annfyn eagerly hoisted a rather large, oval-shaped mound covered in dirt. “Think I got some!” She said enthusiastically. She spent a few more moments gathering, only returning to Altair with a small handful.

Upon closer inspection, however, Altair would quickly surmise that Vahliri’s harvest wasn’t nearly as appetizing as it appeared. Over half of the things she brought back, in the end, turned out to be vaguely-potato shaped rocks, while the few organic tubers bore all the signs of being wildly toxic to consume. The largest, most promising specimen? Beneath Altair’s trained eye, would easily be distinguished as a rather large chunk of fossilized excrement - most likely from the Manta Rays who called the place home.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair looked over at Vahliri as she brought over the ‘ingredients’ she collected. The tiefling blinked a few times and could clearly see they were rocks. He was about to open his mouth and laugh while tearing her to shreds. He then glanced up at her and saw how giddy and proud she looked. The tiefling cleared his throat, “This is awesome!” He said cheerfully as he carefully sorted out the rocks and…what was clearly a giant fossilized turd. A few things she collected were actually edible and he took out an ornamental bowl and put the veggies in it along with sprinkling some seasoning. It didn’t take him long to procure the water from the lake below and he placed his hands against the bowl to heat it up just enough to make it palatable.

The tiefling watched the veggies cook for a moment before glancing up at her, “So…” He said after a while, “You ever gonna invite me to Indupar or you too ashamed to introduce your tiefling friend?” Altair’s brow rose as he looked at her. Even though they knew each other for a while and were close, he knew almost nothing about her family. In some ways it bothered him, but this was the first time he confronted it head on.

After the veggies softened up a bit, he reached a hand in and casually plucked one out. He nibbled on it for a moment before realizing that Vahliri couldn’t exactly reach into boiling water. He took out a piece for her and blew on it for a moment like his Ma used to do for his food before he handed it over, “It’s…okay,” He said with an apologetic grin, “Ain’t nothin’ like my herbed mushroom pate, but for a cave it’ll do,” Altair was likely the only person in the galaxy critiquing cooking at a time like this.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

As expected, Vahliri remained entirely oblivious to the true nature of her bountiful harvest. Her expression lit up brightly as Altair began adding some of the collected ingredients to the bowl - visible in the way she smiled and the pride that beamed across her expression. All joking aside, the half-Annfyn knew she was worthless when it came to the actual cooking part of the ordeal, and was exceptionally pleased being able to contribute in some small way - quite a bit more than she originally realized she would be.

Looming nearby, Vahliri eagerly picked up the fossilized turd and extended it to Altair, waiting for the Tiefling to add it to the pot before being gently talked down for one reason or another.

The half-Annfyn blinked a few times at Altair’s question, lifting her gaze from the veggies and back to the Tiefling. “Do you really think I could ever be?” She asked him curiously, that faintest smile still tugging at her lips. For all the years she had known him, that had never been the case - and it certainly wasn’t the case now. Vahliri shook her head a bit. “I am never ashamed of you.”

“I love my family.. But they’re complicated, sometimes. Joining the Sith Academy was the life that I chose for myself - but it wasn’t the one that my family would’ve liked. It certainly didn’t contribute or advance their position within the nobility,” Despite her luxurious and spoiled upbringing, it was no secret that Vahliri had rebelled against the almost predetermined direction of her life - as well as all the obligations and responsibilities that came with it. “Guess I don't go around often since it's always been a tense point,” Despite her headstrong and confident nature, it was one area of her life that Vahliri rarely talked about and allowed those doubts to linger in her mind.

She happily accepted one of the veggies that Altair plucked from the boiling water, testing the temperature with her lips taking a few nibbles. The expression on her face alone indicated that she thoroughly enjoyed the well-seasoned morsel, and she couldn’t help but arch a brow when Altair started to critique his own food. In the middle of a cave. In the middle of nowhere.

“I mean, when compared to your Samosas..” She muttered with a very serious expression - one that lasted for a solid five seconds before the half-Annfyn flashed Altair a puffy-cheeked grin. “It’s delicious,” She said confidently, reaching over to nudge the Tiefling in the arm. “Seriously. I’m pretty sure you could make anything taste good,” There was a good reason Vahliri kept all culinary matters to Altair and never attempted to take over.

After a few more moments of happily chewing, the half-Annfyn paused and looked back at Altair. “What about an Indupar trip this summer? Before or after we go to Bandomeer,” She leaned forward a bit, “I can introduce you to my family - my parents, my brothers and sisters and all the rest,” Her extended family easily stretched into the dozens, and get-togethers were frequent enough. The half-Annfyn hummed softly. “Could even get out of the city and towards the waterfalls, too. Couple places where spices are cultivated and grow wild we could find,” She said with a wide smile, knowing full-well the culinary-minded Tiefling would be more-than-interested in the prospect of top-tier ingredients to take home with him.

@Sreeya

 

[Altair Din]

Altair reached over and gently grasped her hand as she once again attempted to plop the ‘veggie’ into the pot, “Vahl,” He said with the calmest voice he could muster, “What you’re holding is a giant shit from one of those mantas,” He finally told her, managing a warm smile as he gently guided her hand down so she would finally drop the manta turd.

The tiefling quietly ate as she spoke, glancing up when she suggested visiting Indupar. He went there for festivals every now and then to perform. The annual curry festivals were especially wonderful for trying foods from all corners of the galaxy and the local treats. He went there to stock up on spices he wouldn’t get elsewhere.

Altair quirked a brow when she began to talk about waterfalls and sites away from the city, “Careful there, those sound like date spots,” He grinned at her playfully, but his gaze lingered a bit longer, “‘Specially cuz I know you don’t give a shit about spices,” He quickly looked down and took another piece of veggie out of the pot and nibbled on it thoughtfully.

It didn’t take long before they were done and Altair quickly cleaned up and packed the pot, dumping the excess water. Altair hoisted the bag over his shoulder and continued down the path, feeling energy return from the brief snack.

“I grabbed some of the cultist’s journals too,” He explained as he walked, “Formulas and details on how to make those things back at the tower,” Altair normally despised shady magic and alchemy, but even he found the beasts guarding the towers potentially useful as a weapon, “I think if we bring the materials to Tiamat, she can do something with it.”

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri blinked a few times, confusion flashing across the half-Annfyn’s features when Altair firmly stopped her from dropping the biggest ‘veggie’ of them all into the pot. In her mind, she had struck gold and couldn’t really understand why the Tiefling was stopping her. Maybe they all cooked at different times? That must’ve been it! Of course, the Tiefling didn’t leave Vahlir in mystery for long - her eyes widening slightly as he revealed that she was, in fact, toting around a giant Manta turd.

Slowly but surely, the bright smile on her lips began to fade, metamorphosing into a look of raw dread as she stared past the Tiefling. She allowed Altair to gently ease her hand down and promptly deposited said turd back onto the ground. The half-Annfyn proceeded to nudge it away further - deliberately using the back of her hand despite only moments ago wielding it happily.

With that, Vahliri went right back to happily eating the stewed veggies - softly humming between chews. As ridiculous as might’ve been to snag spices back at the Tower, the half-Annfyn couldn’t have been happier with the spicy, aromatic flavor they imparted on the otherwise rustic ingredients. She was never not impressed with the Tiefling’s culinary skills and the fact she was starving only made it all the better. The half-Annfyn glanced up when Altair made his quip, blinking a few times. The faintest flush of red spread across her cheeks when the Tiefling mentioned her choices sounding like ‘date spots’, and she couldn’t control the playful grin that flashed across her features when the Tiefling called her out on not caring for the spices. “Well that's not entirely true.. I give a shit if you get to make something with them,” Her gaze lingered a bit longer, something more warm and tender crossing her features just then.

“Besides.. Didn’t you hear me before? Long as you’re there..” She gave the smallest shrug. “We could be doing anything.” She quickly wolfed down the remainder of her food before rising back to her feet with Altair. The half-Annfyn tied her still-damp hair into a long braid and proceeded to walk right alongside him - refreshed as could be after their stay in the cave. "If we visit my family, maybe I'll even get to treat you to a homecooked meal that you didn't have to make," She grinned. She knew that the Tiefling was passionate about his cooking, and yet the thought of getting to treat and spoil him for once caused her to brighten just that bit.

The tunnel led progressively downward and through the mountain - the decline clearly indicating that they were heading towards the exit near its base. The entire pathway was lit by similarly-glowing flora, and the pair could cross through smaller chambers along the way - underground waterfalls and flowing streams that flooded deeper into the cave system running all around them.

“Really?” She couldn’t help the way that her brows perked up ever-so-slightly when Altair spoke up, mentioning that he had snagged some ritual materials and tomes. Despite her studious and academic habits, the half-Annfyn had deliberately strayed away from Alchemy and the darker aspects of Sorcery - none-to-eager to bear the toll that such power exacted. “From what I saw.. The ritual involves channeling the collective energies of many through the kyber crystals. Like using them as a sort of battery or focal point for the coven to channel their magick. Someone more powerful might be able to do it on their own,” It was only her hypothesis, but it was the most logical aspect of what she had seen. “And it would certainly explain why the group is so interested in the crystals.”

“The other half of it.. The mechanical part..” She shook her head. “Things went south before I saw any of it. But you’re right - if anyone can decipher it, Tiamat can.”

It didn’t take the part of them too much longer to reach the bottom of the cave system - natural light from the outside streaming in to pierce the bioluminescent glow. It was less of a cave mouth, and more of a half-overgrown crack within the cliff face - barely visible unless you were staring right at it. It was at that moment that Vahliri realized why such a place had remained given from the Cultists as long as it did.

“What about this place?” She asked after a long moment, her eyes drifting across the stunning landscape. “We will have to go back to the Tower if we want a way out of here.. But what then?” There was no question that the Empire would take an interest in such a place. Even without the cultist presence, a world completely removed from any star maps or sensors had its value. Even still.. There was a small part of Vahliri that wanted to keep the entire planet - and the cave that had found - hidden from prying eyes. Unspoiled and forgotten by the larger Galaxy.

 

[Altair Din]

“Homecooked Induparan food..” Altair’s eyes glazed over a bit as he imagined the possibilities. He had only had food from vendors or restaurants on the planet, “Yeah I’m definitely comin’ over,” He said as his mouth watered at the prospect of a delicious spread of local cuisine that was home cooked.

Once they were near the bottom, Altair grimaced at the thought of going back to the tower, “It’s just the two of us here on this planet, Vahl. We ain’t got a military force and we just barely escaped. I know me and Cairo did some stupid shit but this is too much even for me,” Altair looked at her firmly, “We need to lay low until they split up or scatter too much lookin’ for us and then try and hijack one of those cargo ships that brought the crystals over. They were parked away from the tower. We leave and come back with a military force.”

Despite their impressive resumes, two Champions were simply not enough to take on the entire group of cultists.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

At once, Vahliri couldn’t help the way that her expression brightened significantly - lips tugging up from that grin and into a wide, dimpled smile - when Altair beamed at the prospect of homecooked Induparan spread. It had been a while since she had visited home, and even the half-Annfyn had no control of the way her stomach grumbled - as if she hadn’t just eaten - at the thought. “Whenever you want,” She nudged him as they walked, entirely serious on the offer.

Vahliri glanced out the cave mouth as they reached the bottom, allowing her amber eyes to sweep the glittering fields. She exhaled through her nostrils when Altair spoke, listening for a long moment. There was no small part of the half-Annfyn that wanted to take the fight to the cultists inmediately. Even still, whatever plans or method of approach she attempted to piece together, the half-Annfyn knew that the Tiefling was right in the end. The cultists were Force Users and a strong enough force on their own - and that was before accounting for those abominations they forged. Far too much for even the two of them to handle on their own.

“Your right,” She finally admitted after a long moment, glancing over to Altair before giving him a nod. “We’ll return with a fleet behind us.” The half-Annfyn took one last glance at the cave entrance - one last look at the place only they knew and the secret it held - before focusing her attention back onto the present.

“We’ll stick to the grasslands for the next few hours and until they thin. Whatever cargo freighter we hijack.. It’ll have pre-set coordinates back here. We’ll be able to lead the rest using it,” The world had stayed hidden for so long due to lost coordinates, and that stolen freighter would be their ticket back with their invading force.

---​

It had been days since Altair and Vahliri had made their escape from the hidden planet - having managed to steal away on one of the dozens of ships docked outside the Temple Complex. In that short time, the pair had made preparations and were allowed some short respite before executing upon exactly what they had planned - bringing a full invasion force to seize control of the planet. As two Sith Champions - and both heavily decorated combat veterans at that - each of them had no issues with assembling a respectful number of vessels and troops for the expedition. With coordinates from the stolen freighter, the armada began the long journey through hyperspace and towards their target.

Those on the planet would have no warning as the invading Sith Force dropped out of Hyperspace - three Pugio-Class Frigates and all of their accompanying vessels suddenly appearing over the twilight, alien skies. Within mere moments, Cultists fighters took off from their bays within the Temple and surrounding complexes - rising above the atmosphere to begin exchanging fire with the Sith armada. While there were no capital ships to oppose them, the swarm of fighters moved far too swiftly to be struck by turbolaser fire - and instead were met by squadrons of TIE and Impetus-Class fighters.

With their fleet occupied, Imperial shuttles began to punch through the fire-fighting - diving through the atmosphere and towards the bioluminescent fields to make their landing. As they approached the ground, the pair of Sith and their attending troops would be able to see through the viewport as artillery fire rose up to meet their landing - striking one of the four shuttles and causing the entire vessel to erupt into flames. Generations of preparation and planning had culminated in this moments - years spent stockpiling on weapons and artillery and naval vessels, and it was clear that the Cultists would not go down without a bitter fight.

Within moments, the three remaining shuttles - those ferrying Vahliri and Altair in addition to multiple squadrons of Imperial Troopers - touch down several meters away from the temple complex. They weren’t the first to make groundfall, and two previous shuttles had already begun to establish a perimeter and landing zone for any vessels that managed to avoid artillery fire.

As the durasteel ramp extended to meet the ground and troopers marched forth, Vahliri began to march her way down to the familiar, bioluminescent field. Unlike their first visit, Vahliri wore all the trappings of a Sith Champion - adorned in her signature red-and-black robes, hood pulled lower over her forehead and the single braid of black hair that draped her shoulder. The curved hilt of her lightsaber hung at her waist - a weapon that the half-Annfyn had dedicated countless hours into practice. As the three squadrons of IDF Troopers marched out into formation to support them, Vahliri glanced over her shoulder - spotting Altair as the Tiefling made his way down the ramp and onto the field. She gave the Tiefling a firm nod, her lips tugging up ever-so-slightly as he drew close.

“Not the worst landing, historically speaking..” She muttered towards him.

@Sreeya