Chapter Summary: Lana and Vestra spend some time together on Asylum.
[Direct continuation of last chapter. Three years into five-year timeskip.]
The voyage to Asylum took two days; during which a cord of tension between Darth Avriss and the Zakuulan crew grew taut, ameliorated by Ashara and Talos' efforts to make them comfortable, sharing food and conversation to bridge the gap of cultures. Nonetheless, palpable restlessness brewed among their passengers. When the Fury finally docked at the spaceport, the Zakuulans hurried down the boarding ramp for a huge, grateful gasp of fresh air.
Koth and his crew parted ways with Lana then – the latter declining an invitation to their hideout, simply gesturing at the Fury for an explanation. Koth shrugged, exchanged casual salutes with fellow pilot Andronikos, and marched off with his crew, a loaded supply bag slung over his shoulders.
With their guests gone, Vestra's crew gathered around the holoterminal to examine the map Lana provided, and plan their exploratory foray into this shadowport. But the day was nearly done, and Vestra tasked the crew to set up security around the Fury first. They were docked in an unfamiliar sector of space, and there was no telling what covetous eyes their foreign ship had drawn.
Secure the ship, rest for the night, then explore the next day; orders the crew accepted without protest, then dispersed to carry out.
Vestra lingered on the bridge, ensuring their black market navigational scrambler was still falsifying their true coordinates, until Lana appeared with a pack slung over her shoulders. The sight sent a pang through her chest, and she escorted Lana down the Fury despite deep reluctance, following her partner's lead into the street cutting through a cluster of dreary slate-grey buildings. She took care to avoid stepping on trash littering the path, turned away suspicious glances with a menacing glare of her own, and focused on Lana's hand clasped at her elbow to distract herself from their dirty, depressing surroundings.
Twenty minutes later, they'd broken free of the grey cluster and turned onto a quieter street, where Lana brought her into the empty lobby of an apartment building. A turbolift took them up to the ninth floor, where Vestra followed Lana to the end of a gloomy corridor, and was invited into an apartment that made her lips curl in dismay.
The main door opened into a sparsely-furnished living room, which shared the space with a modest kitchen. While Lana dropped her pack by the couch, Vestra wandered off to poke her head through the only two other doors in this apartment, finding a small bedroom with an attached refresher, and a cramped laundry room doubling as a storage closet. The entire place was neat, spartan, and so painfully Lana. Her love naturally gravitated towards an austere lifestyle that embraced practicality, and she had little possessions that were unnecessary; even the belongings she'd left on Vestra's ship were just necessities for nights over, and some sentimental trinkets.
It drove Vestra crazy, at times. She, who started with nothing, had accumulated every luxury she'd ever wanted. And Lana, who was born with everything, wanted nothing for herself that she could not use. The galaxy truly loved to write its own jokes.
"I know it's small," Lana said when Vestra walked towards the single couch in the living room. At least there was an old armchair squeezed into a corner beside it, to provide some character.
"It's a shoebox, Lana." Vestra's declaration was met with a knowing roll of the eyes. Obviously her reaction had been expected. "Give me a few hours, and I can get you some place better than this."
"No, this is fine. Besides, I travel most of the time. I barely stay here."
"Is that supposed to comfort me?"
"No." Lana dragged out the single word, tinged with exasperation, as she opened the chiller by the kitchen counters and peered in. "It's to stop you from running out and buying the most expensive house on this port."
"This is a horrible place to live."
"You only hate it because it's practical." Lana turned around with a slight smile on her lips, and two bottles of clear liquid in her hands. She tossed one to Vestra as she strolled over.
Vestra twisted off the cap and took a swig. "It's water."
"An astute observation, Dark Lord." Lana sat on the couch, and broke into a smile when Vestra shot her a dour glare. "I keep only the finest port for my guests. Such as they are."
She patted the seat next to her, and Vestra fell into the cushions heavily, relieved to find them soft to the touch.
The couch was pushed up against the wall, just beneath the window, and faced a compact holoprojector set on the small coffee table before them. Everything in this apartment was so small, she felt an irrational need to tuck her legs in. She wanted to rest her legs on the coffee table, if only for a stretch, but Lana would have some words to say about that.
They sat in comfortable silence, downing sips of water, when Lana let out a sigh and set her bottle aside, head drooping onto Vestra's shoulder. Her hand slid over, and Vestra grasped it immediately, thumb stroking the thin red line on her skin with featherlight touch. She hadn't been able to leave it alone throughout their voyage; always cradling it in her hand when they were alone, worrying at the scar etched permanently in flesh and the Force, as if she could somehow divine a way to better mend the flesh.
Lana knew where her mind would go, and always reminded her to stop before her thoughts wandered too far. Now, however, in their first moment of true solitude since the rescue, Lana let Vestra hold her in silence.
"It feels like eternity since I've last seen you," Lana murmured quietly.
"That's because it is," Vestra replied. "Just over six months now." She tilted the bottle in her hand, catching light from the setting sun in its transparent glass. "Better than an entire year, I guess."
Lana said nothing. Vestra had taken another swig of water – wishing for the bitter tang of alcohol, or even the sticky sweetness of soda – when Lana lifted her head. Realising her partner hadn't spoken for a while, Vestra glanced at her, meeting golden eyes that searched her own.
She tilted her head, curious, and Lana said, "You…have no issues with that?"
Vestra shrugged. "There's a galaxy at stake, Lana. I have my work cut out for me. So do you."
"Yes."
But Lana's gaze did not move from her. Vestra prompted, "But…?"
Her lips thinned, brows drawing closer together in a frown. "But…we are still mortal."
Lana, being vague? Now Vestra knew there was something Lana hadn't quite the heart to address directly. Something that unsettled her. "Your point is?"
"Do you truly have nothing to say about the distance between us?"
I hate it. If I could keep you with me every day after, I would. But that was not what Lana needed to hear; she already knew Vestra's feelings, deep down, circling around it with evasive words that would lessen the sting. No, what she needed to hear…
"It is necessary."
But it only seemed to intensify the conflict evident on her face, and she blurted, "What I'm trying to say is – yes, we are working to save the galaxy. But…we are only mortal. We have our own needs. And I don't want to overlook you in the course of doing so."
Vestra stared deep into her eyes, but could not discern the source of her troubles. Even through the bond, Lana was emitting enough nervous white noise that Vestra didn't bother to probe through the Force. Instead, she pressed ahead, nudging Lana into speaking the truth – by setting her bottle aside, and leaning forward into Lana.
She let her lips curve into a crooked smirk. "If you want intimacy, sweetheart, you only have to ask."
Lana raised her eyes to the ceiling at that teasing purr, and wrapped her arms around Vestra's neck when Vestra leaned closer, forcing her centre of gravity slightly off-kilter. She opened her mouth, seemingly on the verge of a retort, but settled for a sigh instead. "I do miss you, Ves. I do, every day."
"So do I," Vestra said softly.
"But–" Their bond shivered, and the truth spilled out. "I chose to keep us apart. And I'm afraid that one day, I'll look back and realise that I've left you so far behind, that I cannot reach you anymore. That you would've turned away from me, after waiting so long–"
"That won't happen," Vestra cut in, gentle yet firm. "You know I would never do that to you. Nor you to me."
At least, on purpose.
Lana stared back at her, every bit of doubt swirling beneath the dimmed, golden sheen of her eyes. "I know," she whispered, hushed, cracking at the edges. Pieces of Vestra's heart flaked off with it.
"What do you need, love?" Vestra asked softly.
"You. Just…you. For a while."
"Then you'll have me." She smiled, when Lana's eyes searched her. "I've missed waking up with you."
Lana's lips mirrored the curve on her own, in shared amusement. Against their habit, Lana had chosen to take the last bunk in the crew's quarters on their flight to Asylum, knowing Vestra wouldn't like to reveal the true nature of their relationship to strangers. It had earned Vestra discreet, teasing glances from her crew after that first night, and it'd taken every effort to refrain from picking Lana up and dumping her in the captain's quarters in response.
Dipping in, Vestra kissed the smile on Lana's lips, heart flipping when they pressed back to her own.
Lana's smile was lighter when they parted, and she breathed out some tension from her shoulders with the next sigh, pressing their foreheads together. "I'm sorry. I… It has been…difficult. I keep finding my thoughts tangled together."
"I know. It might help to distance yourself from the search for a bit."
Lana nodded against her. "Perhaps a break might clear my mind. Will you stay?"
"However long you need," Vestra whispered, knowing it will not be long enough.
It was late morning, Vestra's waking mind told her. But she was loath to rise, even if the light in her face was slowly boiling her blood.
Damned sun.
It was surely pouring in through the bedroom's half-closed blinds, if the glare through her eyelids was any indication. When the sun did not let up, or implode at her mental command, Vestra forsook the futile battle and rolled over in bed, letting the sun shine on her back instead.
She threw an arm around Lana, pressing up against her lover's back, and moulded herself into every curve of Lana's solid, muscled frame. The satisfaction lasted for a handful of seconds, before she decided the last sliver of space between their bodies was unacceptable. Thus began an attempt to meld herself into the very muscles of Lana's back, which began to rumble with a sleepy chuckle. Feet shifted beneath the covers to cross with hers, while Lana twined their fingers together, bringing their hands to rest on Lana's chest. Closing the last bit of space between them, Vestra pressed her face into ruffled blond locks. She took a deep breath, exhaling warm air that sent a tingle across Lana's scalp, and a delicious echo through their unguarded bond.
They lay tightly entwined for a few peaceful moments, before Lana murmured, husky with sleep, "Almost forgot how…affectionate you can get."
Vestra grunted groggily, and hugged Lana even tighter. She waited another minute, then asked, "Been awake long?"
She was unsurprised when Lana hummed in the affirmative – her love was an early-riser by habit. In fact, Vestra was more surprised that she had turned around and found her other half still in bed. It proved that Lana had found a reason to stay, and she allowed herself a smug little smile for being that reason.
In the snug cocoon of Vestra's arms, Lana turned over so they lay nose-to-nose, and draped an arm over her in return. Vestra tried to doze, content with the closeness of her partner, but an insistent niggling at the back of her mind refused to let her drift off. She opened her eyes to find Lana watching her, faint creases at the corners of golden eyes when Lana smiled at her.
"S'not creepy at all," Vestra uttered.
Lana chuckled, tapping her on the back in mock reproach. "It's not creepy if you like it."
"Debatable." But she smiled regardless, knowing Lana had felt her heart soften when their eyes met.
"Fancy some breakfast?"
A growled grumble escaped Vestra's throat, her eyes falling shut in protest at the notion of getting up.
"There's a decent sandwich vendor downstairs. I'll head down to grab something for us."
When Lana tried to rise, a loud whine broke free from Vestra, and she hugged Lana close to herself again. For extra measure, she rolled them over to pin Lana beneath her body, nestling her head under Lana's chin, gently shaken by the soft laughter bubbling up in her love's chest.
"Later, then?"
Another whine, assuaged when Lana lifted Vestra's hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles. Lana relaxed under Vestra's weight, having accepted her predicament, and Vestra allowed the few threads of wakefulness to fall away from her mind. Callused fingers stroked her hair gently, with a slow rhythm that lulled Vestra back into a dreamless, peaceful slumber.
Somehow, Lana had managed to slip away while Vestra was asleep, and she woke to the aroma of toasted bread, roasted meats, and freshly-brewed caf. The scent hooked her by the nose, and dragged her out of bed. She slipped into the sonic shower before joining Lana on the couch, where she shoved a sandwich into her mouth after a cursory visual inspection.
Like Lana said, it was decent. Not impressive by any means, but…decent; warm bread, crisp greens, and peppery namba patty. She washed it down with bittersweet caf, waited for Lana to finish her own meal, then jumped to her feet and followed Lana out the door.
Vestra's expectations for this new locale were low, and they were ratified as Lana led her down grey streets with tarnished metallic pavements, which weren't so distinguishable from the roads they'd taken the night before.
According to sparse details of its origin, Asylum used to be an industrial island complex, abandoned by its former masters and stolen away by opportunistic 'entrepreneurs', now hidden in the shadow of a gas giant. Since then, it had nurtured a community of scoundrels and ne'er-do-wells in Wild Space, around which a larger society grew, built by drifters and refugees looking to make a home away from the watchful eyes of Zakuul. It was a place of shady dealings and last resorts, and the environs reflected it. Old infrastructure stood tall, grandeur worn off by time's passing, their sturdy walls now used as shelter for locals.
Dull, dull, dull. Even small old Port Nowhere looked livelier than this. To Vestra's eyes, Asylum bore more similarity to the industrial planet of Corellia, with tightly-packed buildings and maze-like streets that wound between structures, the blood vessels of a beating heart. But Corellia, at least, had a lively entertainment sector that buzzed with activity at all hours, filled by workers of all shifts looking for a rousing good time. Compared to that, Asylum looked like a hum-drum, dead-end pit. Only certain streets in busier zones were lit aglow by neon signs, while most parts went unloved by its businessmen and residents – a large portion of whom were desperate and had no love left to give.
As they strolled through the shadowport, Lana pointing out different zones and their occupants, Vestra regretted not heading back to the Fury for a change of clothes. Two human women with striking yellow eyes, walking through Asylum with easy confidence, garbed in clean, outlandish robes – they were a curiosity at best, and a beacon for trouble at worst. Lana had reached over to clasp her hand while they walked, averting some eyes with intimacy alone, but they still attracted the stray glance now and then.
Most were merely curious or wary, taking stock of the odd couple before going about their own business. Those who were suspicious and openly-unnerved – Vestra reached out through the Force, and nudged their minds into forgetting what they had seen. Just a precaution, despite Lana's assurance that Asylum remained out of the Sith Empire's awareness – for now. A Dark Lord could never be too careful, when walking hand-in-hand with a denounced traitor. Even if they'd have to cut off her hand to make her let go.
They spent the day on their feet, briskly cutting through guarded gang territories, and slowing down in trade districts to allow Vestra a gander at their market. They stopped at random food stalls for short breaks, taking the chance to stand closer to each other as they shared bites of street snacks, before moving on. None of what Vestra tasted could come close to rivalling the street markets of Nar Shaddaa or Coruscant, or even the seedy underbelly of Dromund Kaas, where questionable ingredients are used with reckless abandon.
The soul of a people could be found in their food, Vestra liked to believe, and Asylum was a disappointment. She announced her verdict, and Lana smiled wryly, knocking their shoulders together. It was something they often did on dates, when time permitted – wandering the streets of random planets for a taste of their streetside food, noting down favourites for revisits in future.
Despite her dislike of Asylum, Vestra found herself enjoying this time with Lana, if nothing else. Reliving a slice of days less troubled, when they could sneak time together, and worry only about being exposed for lovers, not traitors.
Vestra heaved a sigh before she could stop it, attracting a glance from Lana, and she quelled her partner's curiosity with a peck on the lips. Lana raised a brow, and Vestra tilted her head, wearing a mysterious smile. She had leaned in again, eager to offer another distraction, when the chirp of a holocom broke their connection.
Lana plucked the device from her belt, which displayed HK-55's frequency code on its tiny read-out. They exchanged glances, and Lana nodded her head, indicating for Vestra to follow. She led them away from the marketplace they'd been approaching, dim street lamps lighting their way to the edge of the platform, under the darkening evening sky.
Flicking a button on the holocom, Lana patched HK-55 through. "HK. Were you successful?"
"Report: the Imperial agents have been terminated, Master. They fell for your decoy, as planned." The glee in his voice made Vestra's mouth curve in amusement.
"Good. Any complications?"
"Assurance: No, Master. All targets were eliminated on-site, and their bodies disposed per your instructions."
"Thank you, HK. Make your way back to Asylum. I'll meet you at the apartment."
"Acknowledgement: As you wish, Master."
As Lana nodded, deactivating the holocom, Vestra leaned on the thick railing that lined the platform's edge – a travesty of safety regulations, overlooking a dead drop into the nothingness of space. From her vantage point, she could spy the thick ropes of a net tied between support pylons for protection; the absolute minimum of any effort taken to prevent fatal falls beyond railings. Vestra had half a mind to vault over the barrier and bounce on the net, just for the hell of it, but did not. Out of good sense, and the knowledge that Lana would revive her dead body just to bite her head off.
"They aren't too much trouble for you, I hope."
"Not at all," Lana replied. She stood close to Vestra, but chose to leave the railing alone. Crossing her arms, she leaned her weight back on one foot. "I do wish they weren't so persistent, though."
"So do I. But I do also love watching Xarion report his agents' failures at every Council meeting." Vestra matched Lana's wry smile. "You make me so proud."
"All in your service, Dark Lord." Lana bowed at the waist, and Vestra found that she'd missed the prim little gesture. "And, since we are on this topic…"
"Oh no." Vestra scraped the groan against her throat, accentuating her reluctance, which did not deter Lana in the slightest.
"How are things in the Empire?"
"Don't you have agents to tell you?"
"I do. But hearing a perspective from the Dark Council will prove enlightening."
"Not the Dark Council. Mine," Vestra corrected.
"Of course."
Vestra sighed, allowing them to fall into a lull, as she stared out into the endless void. "We continue to hold strong, despite all odds. But it is obvious that we are being slowly drained and starved. Resources are scarce, we have to make do with less. Our people are strung out, just holding on. Morale is low, desertions are on the rise, but – those who remain have banded together well."
She cast her eyes down to the net, which shivered from currents of exhaust expelled from the port's filtration system. "Despite everything, we have rebuilt our fleets and military. Anything we produce beyond the arms limitation statute is hidden well. Acina is assembling a new fleet as we speak – at an undisclosed location only she knows. What target she intends it for, I have no idea." Knuckles rapped idly on the railing. "We are making progress. But it is so miniscule, we might as well be stagnant."
Lana nodded, and offered nothing to break the silence that fell over them. What could she say? What did a lone, wandering traitor have that could break the chokehold suffocating the galaxy itself?
Vestra turned the Sith Empire over in her head, with all its myriad pieces, moving them into shapes that could form a weapon, a fighting chance. An idle exercise – and a futile one. Every shape she could imagine had been shattered during Zakuul's invasion. Their precious pieces weren't enough to stand against the infinite. They needed something more.
"Have you decided?" Vestra broke their combined pall, earning a glance. "What you will do after you have found your Jedi?"
Lana snorted quietly, lowering her head. "No. Like you said, she is just one. How do I use one Jedi to bring down the Eternal Empire?"
"Don't be shy," she said, a lilt in her voice to coax the truth out. "I know you have thought of it. It would be unlike you otherwise."
Lana shifted on her feet, discomfort palpable. A frown creased her forehead as she collected her thoughts. "One is not enough. We need numbers."
"And how will we get the numbers?"
"Rebellion."
Her voice was steady, anchored with grim resolution. So she had thought of it, well enough to build some conviction behind the concept.
"You speak of treachery, Beniko."
"I am not unfamiliar with the term," Lana replied drily. "And you are no stranger to the idea."
Vestra had to press her lips together to keep from smiling. Though Darth Avriss had chosen to bow and accept Acina's rule, she continued to clash with the Empress in private, threatening to take her fleets and leave during her worst outbursts. Each time, the same old arguments were made. And each time, Avriss was talked down by Acina and her vows of action against Zakuul.
Three years of arguments, and the Empire still wore Zakuul's shackles, only daring to make the most subtle of maneuvers. Vestra wondered who was the bigger fool – Acina, or herself.
"Would you have me orchestrate rebellion?"
"Do you think it is feasible?"
"Within the Empire, yes." Vestra set both hands on the railing and pushed herself up, mind sharp as she ran the scenario in her head. "I have spoken to many, and know of more who are dissatisfied with Acina's…patience. They crave action against Zakuul, not the Republic. I will get their support when I demand it – but it is not enough. Even the Sith Empire, in its entirety, cannot stand against Zakuul's military prowess. Much less an offshoot of angry rebels."
Lana nodded again, averting her eyes in thought. Her head dipped down, and Vestra could feel the weight settling over her partner's heart. She regretted the bluntness of her words, even though it was exactly what Lana wanted. So Vestra sought to alleviate her burden.
"I have been thinking. About Darth Marr," she ventured slowly.
Lana looked at her curiously, and Vestra stared back, second-guessing herself the moment the words let her mouth.
It was no lie – Marr had been on her mind of late, after she'd realised the futility of turning the Empire on Zakuul. She had read and re-read the intelligence reports he'd sent to Avriss years ago, about his collaborations with the Republic. He'd sent them for a reason, but never revealed why, before leaving on his doomed expedition. Had he known the Empire might one day be forced to its knees, one prediction among others for his strategies? Was this his solution to save the Empire before it choked on its own pride, willing to brave death than plead weakness? Did he share it with Avriss, knowing his end had been near, and that the solution lay not in his own hands?
Questions, spinning into more questions, with no answers to unravel them. But Marr was dead, and Avriss was not. His answers did not matter anymore – hers did.
"Marr…and his expedition," Vestra finished.
Lana stared at her. Then a sliver of understanding dawned in her eyes, which seemed to flare brighter in the dim light; a dying sun coming back to life. "His joint expedition with the Republic?"
Vestra nodded.
"Are you thinking of drawing on Republic support?"
She stared out into space again, as if she could discern an answer within its unending fathoms. "Merely a thought. But the fact remains – we are few, and I doubt we can expect an overwhelming Republic response. Even with combined rebel forces from both sides, it is still not enough to stand against Zakuul. However…"
She drew the word out on her tongue, as a thought struck her mind, kindling a sudden spark. "If we cannot be the blade that cleaves Zakuul apart, then we shall be the scalpel that carves out its heart."
"We topple its throne," Lana whispered, hushed. In her stare, Vestra could see thoughts flying at speeds faster than light. "That…may work. The Battlemaster is greatly respected in the Republic–"
"If you find merit in this line of thinking," Vestra interjected, placing emphasis on 'if'. "Do not wait for the retrieval of your Jedi. It is not guaranteed, and much lesser dreams have collapsed on false hope. We need to know if there are people in the Republic willing to act – for their own freedom, against all odds."
"Of course. I…will reach out to my contacts. I'll let you know once I have news."
Ves hummed, pushing herself off the railing as Lana fell into contemplative silence. Feeling a growl in the pit of her stomach, she turned back to the marketplace in the distance. Multi-coloured lights strung up around the stalls had come alive in the sun's absence, proclaiming merrily the location of their owners' businesses, luring customers in.
She had turned around to declare her intention to be lured, when she realised Lana stood unmoving, eyes fixed on her. Resisting the urge to check her hair, Vestra cocked a brow, and received a sigh in return. Lana's intense expression softened as she moved forward, locking both arms around Vestra's waist, lowering her head to rest on Vestra's shoulder.
Vestra wound her own arms around Lana instinctively, bewildered and worried, stroking her back with one gentle hand. She found a quaint serenity as they stood in place, feeling Lana's warm breath on the skin of her neck, and a familiar weight on her shoulder. Then Lana's chest pushed against hers, as her love took a breath to speak.
"Sometimes," Lana murmured, low and raspy. "I think I would've lost my mind, if I did not have you."
"Don't go pinning your sanity on me, Lana," Vestra deadpanned. "It's like flying a kite in a storm."
Lana laughed softly, lifting her head to meet Vestra's eyes. "But I already have. And if I had to go insane, I would do it with none other than you."
Vestra stared hard at her, squinting to exaggerate her incredulity. "That is very…romantic?"
"Isn't it?" Lana pecked her on the lips, and Vestra was ready to slide down the descent into madness with her. "I think I like it."
"Oh no. No, no, no. Lana, listen to me." Vestra fought hard to keep her face straight under Lana's playful, knowing gaze. "You are the rock in our relationship, alright? You can't just–, throw your hands up–, and–"
"Can't I?" Lana had started to kiss her while she spoke, breaking Vestra's words and thoughts into fragments, and cast them into the proverbial wind.
When Vestra had run out of words and thoughts – save for one – she tugged at Lana to close the space between their bodies, offering her surrender in a deep kiss. Lana hummed quietly into her lips, fingertips reaching up to thread through black tresses, sending delightful tingles down Vestra's spine. Though Vestra was loath to part, willing to die with Lana's lips on hers, her love pulled back to catch her breath – so she did too.
She couldn't remember the last time her cheeks were tinged with the warmth of love, instead of rage.
Lana smiled up at her, though the blissful expression faltered when golden eyes glimpsed something over Vestra's shoulder. The smile fell away completely when she took a second look.
Without letting go, Vestra turned around, and her eyes narrowed at the sight of Koth – who stood at a distance from them, with disposable food boxes stacked in one hand. He looked extremely uncomfortable standing there, shifting from foot to foot, visibly torn between looking at them or looking away. Eventually, he settled for an awkward smile, and waved them over.
Vestra growled deep in her throat, and Lana set a hand on her chest in warning, stepping away from her. Swallowing her indignation, she followed at Lana's heels, not bothering to wipe the scowl from her face. As they neared Koth, the emotions radiating off him were inescapable; Vestra discerned the sharp, residual waves of surprise, anchored by a weighty undertone of disappointment.
Interesting.
When Lana slowed to a stop before Koth, Vestra situated herself behind Lana's right shoulder, pressing up against her partner, and wrapped an arm protectively around Lana's waist. Brown eyes darted down to the movement, before looking up at Lana, carefully avoiding the challenge in Vestra's eyes.
"Hey, Lana. Avriss." Koth restored the smile that had faded for a brief second. "Thought I saw you in the distance. Glad to see I'm right."
He jabbed a thumb back at the marketplace – specifically its centre, where portable tables and seats had been set up for diners. "My crew's here to grab a bite. Your people are with us, Avriss. Wanna join in? I thought it'd be good for us to sit down, get to know one another better. We didn't exactly…hit it off, the first time around."
Vestra did not care to 'hit it off'. She only tightened her hold on Lana, sending a short eddy through their bond – your choice.
"Why not?" Lana sounded measured, calm. Her rock, indeed. "Lead the way, Koth."
Koth broke into a larger, sincere smile, even daring to glance at 'Avriss' as he beckoned them forward, then turned around to lead the way as instructed.
The moment he had turned his back, Lana looked at Vestra, and elbowed her gently in the stomach.
"Behave, Avriss."
Vestra raised one imperious brow, and Lana let an amused smile slip through her mask of faux reproach. They followed after Koth, at a languid pace that allowed them to walk comfortably side-by-side, because Vestra had decided not to let go.
For once, she did not have to let go.
A/N: Wanted to write Lana being vulnerable for a bit. Five years chasing after one missing person can't be easy.
Finally sitting myself down to build up to the Alliance - the birth of the idea, and how it'd taken effort to build support. It'll be brief, just this chapter and the next. Both will be as laidback as this one, treat them like...beach episodes :))
