A/N: We all know the story of how Kozmotis Pitchiner lost his family, and eventually became Pitch Black, the Nightmare King. I wanted to do something a little different, and show how he met my version of Lady Pitchiner.
Chapter 1: Meeting
The first time they meet is a coincidence.
Kozmotis Pitchiner is but a young soldier, passing the time while visiting the market. He isn't even on a specific errand, just passing time after having been on a three-month long patrol with the Sunstrider, whose crew he is currently a part of. Despite a run-in with a small band of Dream Pirates near the rings of the planet Boradio, it had been a relatively quiet patrol, something that most soldiers Kozmotis' age finds rather tedious. The run-in hadn't even been that overly exciting. The Dream pirates looked like they had been in a scuffle with someone before the Sunstrider came across them (possibly rival pirates or a very vicious Star pilot), and were therefore easy to capture.
"Darling, there you are!"
Her voice, bright and clear like a bell, startles Kozmotis out of his thoughts and he turns before he can stop to think. A young woman, hardly a few years his junior (and a couple of inches shorter than him) rushes towards him, and he finds himself worrying she is going to run headfirst into him... right up until she jumps up and sets off from a box, right into his waiting arms (he had reacted by pure instinct at that, he realizes, as though expecting this action.)
And before he knows it, she is kissing him. He stands frozen, mind blank in shock and surprise even as she pulls away, smiling as she does so before hugging close to him.
"Apologies, but I am in a bit of a pinch!" She whispers hurriedly to him. Kozmotis only blinks a moment, before catching sight of a rather ruffled and slightly familiar gentleman, who looks stunned at first, and then frowns darkly when Kozmotis easily sets the lady down, though keeping her close in a hopefully familiar-looking embrace.
"My lady..." Kozmotis finally replies smoothly, "I wasn't even expecting to see you here today! I'm so glad I was wrong." The young woman smiles more earnestly in relief, hugging close to him as she keeps up their little charade.
"I wanted to see you. Father told me I shouldn't, but you know how old fashioned he is."
Kozmotis responds by offering his arm and leading the lady off, vaguely agreeing on her statement. Behind them, the suitor watches them for a moment before turning away and stalking off in a huff. They keep up their charade for a few more minutes however, just to be on the safe side, before the young woman sighs in relief at last and pulls away, giving a slightly embarassed curtsey.
"My apologies again, good sir." She says. "And thank you for playing along. I promise, I do not make it a habit to randomly jump on strangers."
Kozmotis merely smiles and shrugs slightly.
"There is no need for an apology, my dear lady." He tells her earnestly, "I am only glad that I could help you with your predicament."
"You are too kind." She replies with a smile, before she blinks in realization and grimaces. "...Even as I continue to be brutish with my own manners, and not even introduce myself!" She gave a light curtsey at that.
"My name is Carolina Rosalinda Ebony Centaurii. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
He returns her smile and gives a bow from the waist himself.
"Lieutenant Kozmotis Pitchiner, of the Tsar's Golden Army, currently serving on the Sunstrider. The pleasure is all mine."