Bes'laar Be Ca (D11, EN)

[Raven Cadera]

It was good to be back at the Enclave, even if she had not looked forward to speaking with Mand'alor about what had happened. But, she had stood her ground, vouching for the honor of the man who could've killed her with ease when she had been at his mercy. That had been a strange sensation, but in the end... she was at peace with it. Her family had been defended, no one had been lost, and the hatchet had been buried - there would be no more threats from Carid. She was certain of it, having looked into his eyes.

And she was at peace with this. And at peace with being back home. Maybe she had matured a little bit more over the past days than she cared to admit to others... or just found her path again? It would still take her a little bit more time to completely figure it out herself, but she kind of knew she would. She had her family, but most important of all, her partner.

The Enclave was never truly ever at rest. Always there were people awake, alert and on guard. Even out here where they were pretty safe, someone was always on guard or on patrol. Passing by those who was currently on duty, she gave them a wave. Being too injured to be useful as a defender, she was relieved of such duties for now, but Raven had absolutely no plans of spending that time in the medbay. Besides, she was pretty sure Praxton would join her during her walk, as he was rather fond of taking these patrols himself even if he wasn't technically on watch-duty.

Instead, she stepped outdoors for a breath of fresh air, the night-breeze picking up her raven-black locks of hair as she stood without her helmet on for a long time to just let the scents of the area sink in. Then, at a steady pace she began to move. There was a part of the Enclave's outdoors that she felt closer to than the rest... apart from the space she shared with Praxton... the place where she had her own self-designated responsibility for looking after the wild-vegetables that she had found when first arriving to this place. Most of her brothers and sisters didn't have backgrounds growing up on a farming world, but Raven at least saw the perks in having more self-sufficiency out here in this remote location.

From what she could see, crops were coming along nicely. She'd probably take some time to remove the weeds, but that would be another day. For the moment, she just felt strangely at peace just being allowed to observe something growing... even without input from a farmer or gardener. Before it had often brought back bittersweet memories of old but now she felt lighter, as if she was finally learning to let go of the heavy burdens of the past. Never forgotten, but no longer a burden upon her heart and soul.

Opening the pouch on her belt to pull out her harmonica Raven was befuddled for a moment. It felt like... books? And books it was indeed, as she pulled them out with a brief look of confusion, until it suddenly hit her; she had bought these for Praxton and she had just kept them stuffed into this pouch all this time. The intention had been to give it to him after she returned from the confrontation with Carid, but then she had been too injuried to remember, and then too confused to remember, and overwhelmed with everything else going on. "Well aren't I the idiot," she chuckled, shaking her head before tucking some of her hair behind her ears.

I'm alive. And I have something to live for, she thought as she rested the two books against her chin, smiling to herself. It's no longer about just living for revenge. It's more now. Mother, father, Robin... thank you, for being my strength this far. But I promise you now, I will fully start to live my life as of today, as you would have wanted me to do.

Well, there would be no time like the present when Praxton would show up for their little moonlight walk to give him his presents. He had more than earned those for his efforts yesterday.

[Meiyokashi]

Praxton wasn't far away, in fact- giving a glance around she'd be able to check a spot of his where a chair was setup outside on a dirt hill. One that sat just some forty feet from a path that lead toward the Enclave but most importantly was perched at a spot that could look over both the surrounding forest and Raven's garden. In the dim light of a burning torch set up beside himself Praxton had his helmet wresting by his foot, his other leg crossed over so that his ankle wrests on his knee. This cross creates a decent platform for him to sit with the book on a surface to read.

It was a slightly awkward position to get into with the beskar on, but- given time he managed it well enough. Plates he wore weren't extremely heavy and had a degree of mobility to them.

[Raven Cadera]

"Not surprised to see you here," she spoke loud enough for him to hear as she approached with warmth in her voice, tucking her hand behind the back to hide what she was carrying. A pretty obvious gesture all things considered as it wasn't exactly a good place to hold an arm while walking.

"It's pretty nice night we have now... quiet, clear sky." It was much nicer here than on Bellionas. Not so rainy, nor tall buildings and city with light pollution to block out the night sky.

Coming to stop in front of him, she leaned over slightly to catch a look at what he was reading, both hands behind her back now.

[Praxton]

Praxton watches her suspiciously as she approaches but not so much that he'd get called out on it, and then be forced to call her out on it. "You either," he says, smiling he starts to close the book in his hand but as she comes around the side he holds it open a moment. This planet was alike a paradise compared to Bellionas. A purple forest teeming with life that was inviting, calm breezes often cooling down the mornings and afternoons with a pleasant touch that invigorated amid efforts.

Even at night it was peaceful, with bugs that flew around in the night with a blue bioluminescence to them as they drifted underneath and between the trees. While they were scattered and rare most places it was possible to find some central locations of them, places they were attracted to, that were truly beautiful.

"Still glad to have you back, riduur," he says with his brief smile. Looking up to her as she looked down to his book. From what brief read she could get it was the autobiography of some educated man with thoughts to share and adventures to speak on and reference.

[Raven Cadera]

"And I'm glad to be back, riduur. And hearing that from you... it always gives me a feeling of happiness, when you call me that." In more ways than one she was back, as she felt she was more... herself, again. Leaning down she placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you again, for yesterday. The food, and... bearing with all these people that stumble into my life," Raven chuckled softly, and shook her head with some amusement. They were good people at least, that she had become friends with. "I got you something, kind of like... hmmm... a little something, to let you know how much I appriciated it."

Well, she kept saying she appriciated it, but Raven did like to get to do these small things in return. And of course she was curious to see what his reaction would be to this, compared to giving him a knife - an emotionally important knife, but still a weapon. Which was kind of a predictable gift between Mandalorians.

With an excited smile, her hands moved into view, holding the two books. With their very scholarly title on the front that didn't make sense to her. Had she attended the academy of Keldabe on Mandalore, she might've known about the two works in question that these books were referring to. The Divided People detailing the accounts of the Crusader's Schism from thousands of years ago, and Homeland which was more about the ancient origins of the Mandalorians leading back to Coruscant. Xeno-archaolegy wasn't a topic studied on the run, or by a child on Concord Dawn.

"Believe it or not, there was a bookstore on Bellionas. Not a... fancy one, more like someone collecting anything printed they could come across, but, saw these and thought it might be something of interest to you?"

[Praxton]

Shifting in his seat a little he closes the book with one hand to turn a bit more toward her. A subtle warmth to his smile, but it is one present, "Thank you," he says, the voice is as strong and defined as it ever was as he regards her for a moment. Looking then to the books, leaning in a little to get an idea of them in the semi-dim light.

"Not many bookstores around the galaxy.. let alone books," she smiles, same subtle smile as he places a hand on one of the books and gives the cover a feel. Pulling it into the light he palms over it a little before looking back to Raven. That subtle smile on his expression as he regards her for maybe ten seconds. With a nod away he directs her to come closer before leaning down and lifting his helmet. Claiming something underneath into his hands. Covering it with them to conceal the object until it was time.

Shifting over into the light, directing Raven with him, he would look to her, "And.. I am glad this time I am not empty handed," he smiles. Opening up his hands and revealing a small wooden statue carved from the same wood that surrounds them now.

[Raven Cadera]

Even with the silence between them, there was warmth and affection exchanged with their smiles and looks. And Raven watched him with a calm but no less happy gaze as he turned the books in his hand. "I just like spoiling you a little when I get the chance," she teased, moving to his side as he beckoned her closer.

As she couldn't sit in the chair with him, she hunched down on her knees beside him, one hand coming to rest on his arm. That he had been hiding something was a surprise, but him concealing the object in his hands made her eyebrows rise with amusement.

Her head tilted slightly to the side for a better look in the light, and he got a good look at the genuine surprise on her face as she pieced the clues together. "... Did you make this?" Raven asked and moved her hand to touch his, and the carving.

[Praxton]

"I did," he says, giving her a nod. Moving it into one hand he takes hers and then moves the small carving into her own so she can see it better. From what she can tell it's one of the avian species here on the planet with wings in a resting position and standing tall, proud. "I'm not so great I can do it without reference but.. I sat here a while, for a while... watching these birds and thought of you often," he reaches down to his side and pulls the knife she gave him out.

"I was very careful with it- but I made that using this. I felt it would.. impart something more to the blade. Creation.." he furrows his brow, not certain if his point came across well, or if his words were merely failing to encompass all he meant them to.

[Raven Cadera]

With great care she took the carved bird into her hand for a closer look, amazed at how well made it was... but more touched by the gesture that he had spent so much time on it, to make it for her.

Using the knife she had given him. Her father's hunting knife. To her, it was as if Praxton had joined her past together with their future, his hand guided with her father's. Joined together, as all Mandalorians were in life and death.

"I'm... speechless, Praxton..." her free hand came up to her mouth, as if she could maybe find the words then that she wanted to say. A silent nod was given as she looked to him, her blue eyes a little glassy from being overcome with emotion. "... I understand." She didn't quite know how to put it into words either, but she understood what he was trying to say.

Shifting her position, she could move her hand away from herself and up to his shoulder. "I... it's the most precious thing anyone has ever given me before, and it is more than just a thing. It's... yeah," she chuckled, failing at explaining it herself. "Thank you. I will cherish it always."

[Praxton]

"As I will cherish the thought behind these," he says, a pat upon one of the books as to reference the, A smile, warm as his were typically in her presence. With a breath he looks around a long moment, and then rises. Stretching a bit, ensuring the books were tending to carefully.

"Shall we walk a while?" he says, giving a glance toward the open forest, the venturing bugs. "Just to enjoy the night air and company?"

[Raven Cadera]

Rising along with him, Raven took a moment to carefully put the figurine away in the secure pouch on her belt, after giving it a closer look of course, wrapping it with a piece of cloth first she retrieved from the same pouch to make sure it would be quite safe in there.

With her hands free, one of them brushed through her black hair before tucking the locks behind her ears. "Yeah... I'd like that." Just them, the forest, the glowbugs, it made her think back to... her smile grew a bit wider, thinking of that precious memory. Reaching out for his hand, she'd hold it as they made their way of the forested path.

"... I had thought to ask about the future, now that this is behind us," Carid - the whole hunt there, "for the Enclave, that is. What's next and such, but... I don't mind letting that wait until tomorrow, if you prefer to think about other things tonight instead." There might've been something more to her smile just then at that.

She breathed a warm chuckle, tilting her head back to look up at the night-cast canopy above them and the occassional lights of the bugs that tried to compete with the stars that could be seen beyond.

[Praxton]

"There.. is much to consider about the future. My brother, the others in the Enclave, there has been a bit of tension lately and I am not certain it was Carid alone," he admits, looking to Raven and taking into step beside her. A brief smile, "But- yes, let's wait for tomorrow for these concerns. They can wait till the morning at least and then together we can conquer them, hmm?" he says, a solid smile.

Taking her hand, his grip strong and firm in her own and rough from the many years spent fighting across the galaxy. "Tonight.. we enjoy the forest, nature, and one another's company. That sounds like more than enough to accomplish for the last stretch of our day," he says with that little tease to his confidence, the way he declares it so easily.

[Raven Cadera]

His words are met with silence at first, and her grip around his hand tightens wordlessly as they walk, keeping an even stride even if they had no specific destination to reach. Similarly to his, her own hand had a strength to its hold, and was calloused from years of surviving on her own. "Carid did say something about that..." she murmured, looking away as it was clear that it was something she hadn't believed at first, but if Praxton said it she had to reevalueate those words in a new light now. He knew the Enclave better than she did, at least in that capacity. She saw the individual people, but she didn't see the larger picture like he did - how they all connected together.

For a brief moment, Raven felt concern. For her friends, for her family... for him. Maybe if she wasn't away from the Enclave so much, she'd known, or could've done something... it wasn't her fault, right?

Her hold on his hand shifted slightly, bringing her a step closer to him. This concern, it wasn't something she could fix now in this moment, and for now she put the thought to rest, focusing on his smile instead. "Tomorrow, yes," Raven spoke after a while. They could talk about it then. And... once she had finally completed her task, of finding that cache of beskar, then she could finally, finally, dedicate herself to this. Help their family, together.

The tone in his voice didn't go unnoticed. "If only we could spend every night like this here," she spoke with a warm tone that in turn was teasing him as she continued; "Just imagine how many quiet and sheltered little places we could find then. Or hunting grounds."

[Praxton]

Praxton is likewise quiet when she speaks, but he normally is. Always attentive to the words of a conversation partner, sure, but Raven's words above all others and there was rarely a worry he wasn't listening. "Carid..." he breaks the thought, placing it back to give it time to grow. A reassuring squeeze made it's way into their hand-hold, sensing that concern however brief. "Maybe one day when everything has settled we can find a planet like it," he smiles briefly, looking around to make sure he knew where they were first.

Looking to her with a slight raise to his brow, "Speaking of hunting grounds... there is one nearby. These glowbugs flock to a strange rock there and it's," he doesn't have the word for it, but there's that look on his face. This place he spoke of was beautiful, that much she could be certain of.

[Raven Cadera]

The matter of Carid and their concerns put to rest for now, and forgotten for the moment, she looked at him with her head slightly tilted to the side. That raise of his eyebrow, the look on his face. She was past the point of being easily embarrassed with him like she used to be, but still she could feel a touch of heat to her face as her thoughts did get carried away for a little bit... because they would be a bit away from the enclave then.

"Lead the way, riduur," Raven's smile quirked in that way it only did for him, certain that the place he had found had to be... special.

[Meiyokashi]

Leading the way forward Praxton would bring them about five, maybe ten minutes into the forest. Given the night and situation it was a little uncertain which end of that scale they were closest to but it didn't matter. Halfway through their walk the glowbugs in the surrounding area became more and more intense. Drifting just past them, around them, occasionally one would land on a pauldron. Pressing on through, a casual pace as the forest grew thicker and more beautiful, they push into a small space. At the center of this break within the tree's there's a naturally formed pond that is vaguely circular. At it's center a porous rock with small pockets along the outer layer all throughout with some larger 'bubbles' allowing them to see through the center of the rock to the other side. A few of these opening curve through the rock a little.

There was likely something to this rock, perhaps a sediment the creatures enjoyed or a place to rest as the glowbugs were covering the thing. Small swarms of them drifted around over the water in an apparent dance that reflected off the surface. Nearby was a log one could sit on, toppled over through the death of the tree at some point, but most of the space here was simply clearing. Purple grass, that was just black in color given the darkness of the night, leading up to this pond before the ground dips down into the water.

[Raven Cadera]

The journey was a pleasant one, as they both felt at ease in nature and with eachother's company, occassionally speaking softly between them but most of the time they were silent, listening to the night-sounds of the forest. Somewhere some insects were buzzing their own mating call in chirping sounds, and the more nocturnal birds were singing to eachother.

She hadn't been quite prepared for the sigh he led her too, and for a moment she was awestruck by how... beautiful it was. Now she could see why Praxton hadn't quite found the word for it either. One stray glowbug had decided to settle on his hair, and with a chuckle she gently scooped it away from him with her finger, letting it fly off.

"... This place is amazing," she smiled and looked around them again. "I can see now why you suggested coming here. It's..." stepping closer to him, one arm moved around his waist to pull herself close to him, her blue eyes looking at his face before meeting his gaze, "beautiful."

"And how long have you been keeping it a secret, for just the right time for us both?"

[Praxton]

Looking to her he smiles, a brief glance with only the eyes around as if he was searching for the answer in the glow-bugs. "Depends on how you look at it," he says, looking to her, "but I walked her once and found it in the day. Passing by later I saw the bugs heading toward it," he explains as he using the time to bring his hand up and slowly cup her cheek in the more intimate moment. A gentle rise and fall of his shoulders with a pleasant sigh.

"I knew I wished to show this to you when things were calm," he says, a brief smile.

[Raven Cadera]

Damn I love this man, she thought with a fair amount of bliss occupying her thoughts. Previously she had mistakenly thought she wanted the day of their wedding to last forever, but this... no this was the night that she wanted to last forever. Just the two of them, peace and quiet, surrounded by the beauty of nature...

As his hand cupped her cheek, so did hers lie over his, the other hand coming to rest on his shoulder as they stood for a moment, lost in eachother's presence and eyes. It was only natural as they pulled eachother close, lips finding eachother in a long, intimate kiss that slowly built its warmth and intensity.

Breaking a part for breath, her thick black lashes veiled her eyes for a moment as her gaze was lowered to his lips and neck, then looking up to meet his gaze.

"Then... let's stay a while, yes?" she asks, lips quirking in a smile for him.

[Praxton]

Praxton wasn't the most skilled of kissers, but he had his moments, his devotion to it. There was a comfort in his approach to it, a stability. Perhaps not as evocative as others might be but there was a warmth in the intimacy of the moment shared between them with that kiss. One that couldn't be denied. As she settles back he nods, "Yes, let's," he says, his gaze never quite leaving hers in the moment despite the beautiful view all around. How the glowbugs lit up their faces, their expressions, with a soft blue light that grew no brighter than a dim torch at any moment.

Here, in this part of the forest, one could almost forget the rest of the galaxy existed for as long as they stayed.