(D8, EE, The Cave) The Show Must Go On (open)

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Dhel pauses before bumping her shoulder against his...bicep perhaps, given their respective heights--acknowledging defeat in the compliment deflection game before scooping at her own soup. "Is the stuff that followed any easier to handle out here away from the Core? Or are you stuck just moving until you lose it or them or...whatever?"

"What would you do here, if you stayed then?" Which was a bit less prying than asking what he did before having to run away.

[Deonis Harik]

He smiled down at her with the should bump but said nothing "No. Not really. It's the Empire so they are kind of everywhere."

He took another bite of soupe before addressing her other question "Don't know what I would do if I stayed. All I know how to do is fight. Wont be much use for me when the fighting done." He said matter of factly, there was a somber resignation about it not sadness or frustration, something he had come to terms with.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

"With them being everywhere, not sure how soon you need to worry about the fighting being done. Plenty still to do here, yeah?" She claps politely as the comic leaves the stage, then watches a moment with some readiness to pop up if... But two lanky Twi'lek stroll onto the stage with stands and equipment in hand, beginning to set up, and Dhel settles back to her soup.

"Is there anything you'd rather know how to do?" She asks, turning a bit to look at him.

[Deonis Harik]

"Warriors fight to one day know peace." He said with a small smile "something a new friend told me. Opposite of what I was taught. But I think I see the merit in it now." He chuckled lightly "We should all hope there is no need for people like me. One day."

At her question he raised an eyebrow "not sure really. Maybe construction. Use all this muscle to build things instead of destroy." He said raising a thick armored arm.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

"Construction makes sense, they're mostly large and sturdy beings that I see working on repairs and such." She smiles up at him. "That sounds like a worthwhile kind of peace to fight for. But what were you taught then? That you fight to...hmm, I guess keep making more fighting? That'd be some job security."

[Deonis Harik]

Deonis shrugged a little "originally taught peace was bad. Stagnates. We grow and become stronger through conflict. In peace we become weak." He thought for a moment.

"Merit to this as well. Complacency can be bad. Should always look to be better and prepared. Find peace but always be ready for fighting. Maybe. Still working it out."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Continuing to work on her soup, Dhel considers that. "I don't know. I'm no warrior. I'll bite if pushed, but it's not much threat to anyone who knows what they're doing. but definitely nothing feels stagnant. Petra," she pauses a moment, setting her spoon down. "She'd disagree. She was so, so tired of nothing happening. And now...well I hope I get to tell her that she's gotta be more careful what she wishes for."

She reaches up, rubbing her temples with one hand. "Sorry...I had a point in there a minute ago. It's...hmm...I think I've grown, yeah. Still can't fight worth a damn."

"I'll grant you this hasn't really been peaceful though."

[Deonis Harik]

Seeing the temple rubbing Deonis gives her a pat on the shoulder "you'll get the chance." He said reassuringly.

"You're right. It hasn't been peaceful. Galaxy was at war for years. Now we are pushing back again. You haven't been training or fighting to get better at fighting. I'm sure you could if you wanted to. You ever want self defense tips let me know. Could show you a thing or two."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

"Yeah? Might take you up on that. My current skill is mostly in the realm of surprise them with the very tiny vibroknife and run, bite them and run...mostly running is the strategy." She chuckles. "It's obviously at least kept me in one piece so far."

Though that leads to another thought, "How'd you get into fighting as the thing you were going to do? Just...you're a big, strong kid, so it's kind of obvious? Or like Raven's people where everyone has to learn..it seems like?"

[Deonis Harik]

"Surprise can be a powerful tool. And no shame in running from a superior foe." He nods a bit "still might not hurt to have a few tricks up your sleeve."

He shrugged to her question "I was raised for it. It's a long tale. I could tell you one day if you want. But rather keep the mood light for now." He says with a small smile "what about yourself? Always want to be a singer?"

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Her own smile is thoughtful. "Yeah, I'd like to hear that someday. Let me know when you're up for heavier topics then. I wanted to be a doctor, actually. At least when I was very young. But that requires all kinds of training. I was good at singing, though. It's a little less physically demanding than serving," she nods toward one of the waitstaff. "But I've done that too, often enough. Reasonable bit of trading on sex as well, which is pretty common here."

With an amused huff she adds, "tonight's flirting is entirely off the clock though, so to speak. I'm finding myself in a spot where that's... well I might not turn down a transaction, but I can stick to the recreational side of that skill for now."

"I guess it's good to have some extra tricks for more things than fighting."

[Deonis Harik]

Deonis' eyebrow ridge rose a bit and he gave Dhel another once over his eyes more intent. He was a little taken aback by the casual nature of all she just said. "I.....do not believe that is something I would do. as a transaction at least." He said slowly, could crimson skin blush? With sharp eyes she might notice it indeed could if just barely.

"if you had the chance would you still want to be a doctor?"

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

She shakes her head, "no, I think that, as a kid, it was one of the few professions that I could really see, you know? Now? I kind of think about how often that would mean getting blood out of my fur."

Head tilting as she watches the subtle shift of color, a sly grin exposing sharp canines. "Oh...it's a bit like watching Zeltron pick up a sunburn. Is that an admission that you're interested in something that doesn't come with a transaction?" She's been a bit too brazen for a bit too long to blush at this, and fur really hides that well, in any case.

[Deonis Harik]

He nodded along "would be inconvenient." He said.

At her next question he seemed to clam up a little. By the force he could expell an ancient Sith from his soul, run headlong into a repeating blaster without batting an eye, kriff once he fought a wookie bare handed but somehow pretty girls made his heart pound more than any of that. A boyish awkwardness took over the hulking man making him look closer to his actual age. He clearly was not used to things like this and was certainly never so brazen.

After a moment he cleared his throat and steadied his nerves Confidence. You can do this. "No, no I can't say I would be opposed to something like that." He said and stopped himself from explaining further. Or blabbing on unnecessarily. Someone had told him once he talked too much when he was nervous.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Turning in her seat, smile warming, she reaches to brush first against an armored forearm, then shoulder with am amused twist of her lips before bringing the back of her hand up against his cheek. "Ordinarily, I'd ask for a dance. See if the physical chemistry is anything like as good as amber eyes and a blush that shows through all that red, but I suspect you want more privacy than this to peel out of all this metal."

Dhel stands, and takes a step closer, hands shifting to his shoulders. Standing, she's only slightly taller than he is seated. "You ok with public kissing? Or should we wander off and try that someplace else?" She pauses a moment, calculating before adding with a smile, "I'm expected elsewhere a bit later tonight, so no worries about having to shoo me out of your room..I'm self-shooing tonight."

[Deonis Harik]

The blush on his cheeks remained but there was more heat to it than awkwardness, maybe his species just did that when they got excited? In answer to her question he stretched just a little upward to cover the distance between their lips hisnthick arms wrapping around her and drawing her in between his seated legs. It was forceful but also gentle not sudden or hard but inevitable in a way. He was not experienced kissing Bothans but he was a quick study adjusting to any differences to avoid awkward teeth collision or the like.

After the kiss he would pull back "I would like to be somewhere more secure before taking this all off." He had gotten practiced with removing and putting on the armor but it was still a bit of a process "Yours is probably closer than mine." He said referring to dwellings. His voice having dropped half an octave and had a little more rumble to its smoothness.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

There is a slight inhalation of pleased surprise, Dhel's own hands shifting to the sides of his face, fingers lacing through his hair as she yields to that gentle pull. Small experimental kisses find the ways to match physiologies that were never intended to match up, leading to something longer and all the more heated for the exploration.

Pulling back, her hands slip down to interlace at his nape, as she sighs happily. "Oh yes, that's something to build on with a lot less hardware in the way. But, my place is a ship at the spaceport these days...still closer?"

[Deonis Harik]

He removed a heavy gauntlet and set it on the bar a crimson hand with black pointed claws came up a finger stroking the soft fur on her face. His yellow eyes tinged with red and burned brightly gaining a little luminescence. "Yes." He answered with a voice full of heat and passion. deep and smooth with a richness that filled her ears.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Leaning into that touch, her eyes close with a shiver as his voice rolls through. He own hand comes up to cup his cheek, the soft pad of her thumb brushing across his lips. With a voice gone husky with desire, she says, "I really need to hear you sing." She steps back, leaving just enough room for him to stand, as if reluctant to allow any more physical distance than required. "Though if you're shy about the shipmates hearing...maybe a short tune on the way?"

[Deonis Harik]

He stood and retrieved the gauntlet from the bar replacing it over his hand he laid a cred stick on the bar to cover the meals and a nice tip besides.

A throaty laugh came from his lips "I wouldn't even know what to sing." He said with a mixture of mirth and a wanting Dhel was likely well acquainted "but if it will make you happy I can try." He said smiling. He motioned forward "lead the way Ms.Dotaivi." his smile grew a touch mischievous as he did so.