Smoke lazily wafted from the cigga held between Luka’s fingertips as they observed the cantina around them. They sat in a corner, though not one tucked away in shadow. They preferred to find a spot close to the bar, neon glow of purple and blue accenting their features just nicely.
Typically they would wait for some stranger to pluck up the nerve to come to them, but tonight they declined such offers. They were waiting for someone special.
They dressed for the occasion. A sleek black tunic with golden belt and embellishments that reflected the dim light of the cantina. Their hair was coiffed just so, a cascade of curls begging to be brushed away from those dark eyes.
They spotted their interest at the entrance and gave a little wave as they approached. “Well hello, handsome stranger. Welcome to my corner of the world.”
A pearly smile flashed across his dark skin, pulling the linear green tattoo on his right cheek with its underlying hooked triangle and dot. The man chuffed with amusement and slid into the free seat across from Luka. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail of thick braids save for two long strands left dangling with metal bands. He brushed one back as he adjusted the thin circular brass glasses he wore today.
“Quite literal in a sense,” Yeoni mused, a hand adjusting the Estle City architect patterned jacket overlaying his dark grey turtleneck. His brown gaze passed over the cantina, taking note before returning to the lovely person who’d invited him out tonight. His voice was velvety, deep and smooth,“It is good to see you again. I must say I like the atmosphere for the place.”
Luka took an inhale from their cigga as they were enveloped by the rich timbre of that voice. It gave them shivers. How difficult it had been to have a pure conversation in the middle of that cafe. It was what drew them in. Even small talk felt warm and inviting. It had been a long while since Luka had enjoyed just… talking.
“It’s usually quieter than the others. My place to hide away.” Their words trailed with smoke – directed away from their guest. They were no animal. They put out their cigga after, grinding it into a tray that held the remains of a few others.
“And don’t worry, you look great.” Spoken softly with a smile.
“Why thank you. Apparently Estle City had capture some designer’s eye here,” The Kiffar thumbed the design lightly before glancing back up at the human, sharing a pearly smile.
Yeo watched the tendril of smoke curl lazily up into the neon lit air from a moment before meeting his date’s gaze again. His smile flashed again and held up a couple fingers, “Two questions. How are you? And, what is your ideal drink order?”
Nervous. Though the cantina was certainly their sort of environment, they felt like a fish out of water. A stop for caf and ciggas turned into an offer for a date, and they had gone on that date with no concern over whether or not they would stay the night. A simple date for drinks without anything more on the table. They could hardly recognize themselves.
“Quite excellent. And my ideal drink? Usually something fruity with a ridiculous name. Or whichever is my date’s drink of choice. Gives me a taste of them.” They gave a cheeky wink.
Yeoni chuckled, “Mixologists do seem to have a love for naming fruity cocktails as such.”
“Mm, and I suppose you are curious of what my tastes are, yes? A recommendation?” he asked with a deep hum, that pleasant mirth still lingering in his smile. “I enjoy a nice cider, mulled usually, but if I had to pick one drink, hmm…”
The Kiffar tapped the table lightly as he considered for a moment, “Moogan Tea. It’s not fruity but an interesting blend of sweet and spicy.” His gaze paused on the human’s brown eyes briefly, before glancing away at a passing patron, scootching his chair in a bit to make room. When done, he smiled lightly and crossed an arm in front of him on the table, relaxed. “Of course, whether or not its concentrated is another thing. A bit hard to find the real stuff unfortunately.”
“Mmm, that sounds delightful,” Luka replied, brow raised at the description. “Let’s see if we’re lucky.” Their excitement was palpable as they leaned forward, chin in their hands.
“Two Moogan Teas coming up then,” Yeoni chuffed lightly before beckoning over a server. After he had ordered and the woman left, he returned his attention back to Luka.
“So…I already mentioned that I’m a transplant to this lovely planet. Has Selen been your home or did it pull you in as well?”
Luka chuckled. “Came in with the salvage, so to speak. Can’t quite drift away again, so it’s home as any, now. Born somewhere on Tatooine. I don’t think I asked where you were from. Sorry if I’m forgetting.” They raised a brow as they thought back to their conversation at the corner shop. Typically they would stuff such details into the back of their mind, not considering them important for a second thought. This they wanted to be different.
There was a softening of Yeoni’s brow and a slight tug of his lips at the mention of Tatooine. It was short live as his small smile returned and he nodded to Luka’s inquiry.
“No, don’t think you did. I only alluded to it when I joined you here,” his voice reverberated, “Coruscant. Not having the only scenery be a sea of great building and subterranean levels has been a welcoming change.”
The Kiffar paused and regarded the human for a momen, “If you mind me asking, what keeps you here? And not spending your time among the stars?”
Luka’s brow raised at the mention of Coruscant, and they leaned forward with interest. They seemed more hesitant in their expression when the focus was shifted to their own self. ‘What keeps you here?’ As if they had not asked themselves the same question many times before. Had they not been thinking so wistfully of elsewhere at the mere mention?
“It’s home. Always find my way drawn back.” They wished they had something to do with their hands. Instead they interlocked their fingers and leaned back in their seat. “Selen is beautiful… Everyone I know is here… Just makes sense. And my ship is… not the best at drifting.”
They realized they had yet to mention the large Nexu that shared that space with them. Typically their partners never met her or worked alongside her to begin with. Their lips drew into a line as they wondered how the two might mix. How could they bring it up naturally? The question of ‘Do you like pets?’ seemed an understatement.
Later, maybe.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Coruscant, though. Stories always made it seem so grand, though I know city life is never quite that. Blame it on the womp rat in me.”
If the Kiffar had noticed any hesitation from Luka, he must have given them some grace for he didn’t comment on it. The dark-skinned man offered up a warm smile at what Luka had to say about Selen. At the redirection back to Coruscant, Yeo shifted and leaned back against his chair, one arm resting on the back.
“From above maybe, the top layer. If you ever wish to visit, find a rich friend and stick to the surface. I recommend mid-summer when the sun lines between buildings for that perfect holo-pic. Unfortunately, the deeper you get, the rougher. Trickle down economics–”
Yeoni paused, catching himself what might have delve into a mini little spiel. He rubbed the back of his neck and gave Luka a sheepish smile, brown eyes peering over the rim of his glasses. “Sorry, my father was into law enforcement, one of the more, hmm, aware ones.”
Luka could tell that talk about Yeoni’s birthplace made him uncomfortable, and did not want to press further. It was a bucket list item, nothing more. With the Kiffar’s description and Vreva’s hand-wave of its importance, it was pushed further down on the list.
But what next to talk about? Parents… not a good topic. They doubted further talk about Yeoni’s father would be a happy time, and they had little to contribute to the topic. Curse small talk. Though their work required it and they were somewhat proficient at navigating conversations when the job demanded, they found themselves floundering when trying to do so honestly. Luka’s gaze shifted momentarily to the bar, willing their drinks made faster. Talk was always easier with a drink in them.
“Definitely shifts the perspective. An influence on your own work?” With the Estle City logo on his chest, Luka’s guess likely would not be far from the mark.
Another glance to the bar. The server was on their way over with drinks in hand. Luka hid their excitement as they focused instead on their date.
“Why yes, he did. Ever since I was a kid, I was wearing his helmet and making my own badges,” Yeoni chuffed with a bit of nostalgia. He paused, perhaps reminiscing a bit, and took a breath before continuing. “I think he’d rather I’d joined the active force but this science-wankery proved useful cases.”
The Kiffar looked like he was about to ask the human something in return when the server excused themselves, setting two glasses down. The light bown liquid was topped with a foamy liquid sprinkled with crystals of sugar.
“Thank you,” Yeo nodded to the server with a small smile. He turned his attention back to Luka. Picking up the cup, he raised it in a tiny mock toast of a gesture. “So, any bets? Authentic Moogan Tea or Concentrated?”
The thought of a tiny Yeoni wearing his father’s helmet made Luka’s heart melt. Family. Something Luka never had for long nor had quite found again. Diy and Zuji were close, but…
They were trying.
The drinks distracted them from their sorrowful thoughts. “If anywhere were to have it around here, this would be the place. I’ll put it on my tab, of course.” Luka gave a flash of a smile and held up their drink in mirror before taking a sip.
The drink was certainly good. Not too sweet. An almost earthy taste, with notes of spice that warmed the belly without overpowering the drink. No doubt it would be very comforting on a cool night. Wrapped together… tasting the sweetness on each other’s lips…
Focus.
“I think this might be a new favorite. Is it authentic? Or do I have a trip to make?” They chuckled and settled in their seat with their drink in hand.
A light hum rolled off Yeoni’s lips at the offer and smile, a simple ‘hmm’. He raised his glass halfway before pausing, “In that case, allow me to purchase the next round. Or…well that’s a bit bold, but to cover the next outing, if there is one.”
He waved off that last comment, too forward and quick, and turned his attention immediately to sampling the beverage with a light clearing of his throat. A second sip, slower this time that he savored the taste on the back of his tongue.
“Mm, they certainly have mastered the recipe well and I thiiink, yes. Well, no.” The Kiffar halted his tongue gymnastics. Despite his velvety notes and toned shoulders, his ability to get lost in thoughts faster than his mouth can share was showing and on par to be expected of the quietly nerdy types. He chuffed and set the glass down. “I might have to take you to the Black Spire Outpost. They,” he gestured loosely to the surrounding establishment, “have skillfully altered the spices or added something to cover that slight frigid taste, the type you get from defrosted frozen syrups, yes? Probably the best I’ve tasted using the concentrated.”
The man smiled and took another drink before continuing. “So, Oga’s Cantina on the outpost. A few years ago, chef Strono Tuggs published a book with recipes from the Outpost. I am not much of a cook but it is a good collection. Not that his works brought me out that way.”
“It might be a couple dates before I let you take me to the edge of Wild Space,” Luka said with a chuckle as they stirred their drink. “I’m returning to the dating scene, not brand-new. Not that it’s too forward-forward, I… well…”
They gave pause. How much should they tell about themselves? Perhaps it was better to keep the focus on their date.
“What did bring you out that way? Long way to travel for a drink.”
“Yes, of course,” the Kiffar chuckled, “no intergalactic trips anytime soon.”
He sipped his drink and crossed an arm in front of him, leaning against the table relaxed. “Research. An archaeologist friend invited me to come assist on a dig in the Surabet River Valley. The site believed to be an old Fae war site, Fae being an ancient race native to Batuu that wiped themselves out – Ah, but let me stop there before I ramble on science too long.”
Yeoni rubbed at his neck and gave a small awkward, self-conscious smile. He lowered his hand and cupped his drink. “Hmm, you mentioned traveling yourself. Was there any interesting place? And Selen does not count,” he chuckled.
Luka seemed disappointed that the Kiffar didn’t go further into the topic of ancient races and archeology. They had leaned forward in their seat, curious to learn more. But such a tantalizing subject was switched back to themselves.
What had they done in the past few years? Battle and avoiding it, for the most part. A lot of it was confidential, but most of it was long nights avoiding responsibility. Nights in their ship drifting in the emptiness of space. Nights with Doon and forgetting his responsibilities as well. Nights with some stranger to forget everything at all.
Not the best answer for a first date.
“My last visit to Nar Shadaa was certainly an interesting one. But I was never there.” They gave a coy wink and a chuckle. “Friend had run into a tough crowd. Didn’t get much of a chance to enjoy their hospitality since it was a quick drive and grab. But the city is quite impressive to see.”
Luka shook their head. “You act like archeology is a boring subject, but… well, buildings. I find architecture fascinating.”
Though Luka had tried to have their drink last, they were soon on the dregs of it. The sweet tea went to their head with little in their stomach. Thankfully a cup of almonds were brought to their booth before Luka could request them. A second drink as well. The barkeep gave a knowing lift of their head as they cleaned the mostly empty bar.
“Someone must have made a shirt that says ‘what happens in Nar Shadaa, stays in Nar Shadaa.’ Sounds like you had a interesting adventure there regardless. Loyal of you to ditch your friend out like that.” Yeoni chuffed and finished the last of his drink, setting the glass at the edge of the table. “I cannot say I’ve had the pleasure but those I’ve heard who’ve gone there, seemed to have a colorful experience to talk about.”
The Kiffar leaned back in his chair as Luka proposed their astute observation and another round of drinks was brought over with snacks as well. Yeo gave the Barkeep a short nod of thanks before turning back to his date.
“I’m glad you think so. I suppose…” he scratched at his beard lightly, sheepishly, “I’ve found many people tend not to be like minded, less interested in history or medical sciences. I maaay tend to downplay or avoid talking at length upon such subjects in favor of more mutual interests. Don’t get me wrong. I’m passionate about my profession and studies, but there’s more to me than work.”
The stool creaked as he leaned forward again, folding his arms before him, “Which I wouldn’t mind sharing more with you, anthropology, archeology or myself. It has been enjoyable talking with you tonight, Luka.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt there is far more to you than your work. I… would like to know more. You are delightful.” Luka gave a sweet smile, cheek pressed against their hand as they lounged on the table. This close to him, they felt… warm. Odd. A fluttering in their chest they had not felt in a while.
It made them hesitate. They had wanted to brush against that arm, tease him with lascivious words, perform their usual play, but instead they withdrew. They placed their hands around their drink and took a sip to buy them time to think.
A question lingered in Luka’s mind. How would they end the night? Yeoni was not Luka’s typical date. This date was not their typical date. Luka almost felt lost without the certainty that they would be in someone else’s bed that night. To return to their own after two drinks was… strange.
Their smile faltered. A chip in their mask. They righted it at once. “Care to walk me home after this? My apartment isn’t far.” Luka’s gaze lingered on Yeo’s features, searching for their answers there.
A soft pause answered him, replaced by an easy smile and a light hum. Yeoni nodded with steady eyes, his voice low and velvety, “I would love to.”
The pair finished their evening some time later, conversing more on local sights and recent holovid releases. The second Moogan teas had rested empty next to an almost likewise bowl of almonds, a few cred chips left neatly stacked between them as a tip for the bar staff. The pair walked shoulder to shoulder, strolling along the quieted streets of Estle City, meandering through the residential blocks. The cooler ocean breeze blankets the night air, a welcome relief to the heat of the earlier day. Yet, it was enough to cause one to adjust their collar. Luka’s tan, slender hands had tugging such a way on black cloth went not unnoticed as Yeoni shrugged off his jacket and offered it to the human. The act earned a smile and small uttering of thanks, hands brushing lightly as the articale was exchanged.
It wasn’t long until the buildings gave way to white stone houses with blue trim and shudders. Many of the residencies sported lush plants and small gardens before their doors and in window boxes. Duracrete like half walls lined the streets like fences and were painted just as white as the buildings. And the low moon washed it all in its light, sparkling on the water of the sea visible on the horizon.
Yeoni’s gaze seemed to hover on the sights, casually appreciating perhaps the architecture or flora about. As their pace started to slow, he gave Luka a couple small glances before fixing a small smile across his lips.
“It’s a beautiful neighborhood.”
Luka didn’t want the night to end. They took the longer route back to the apartment. The one Diy liked best because of the gardens. They had walked this path together, but it seemed so new with this new company. Yeoni chose to linger, which suited Luka just fine. They were warm, bundled in Yeoni’s jacket, delightfully dozy from Moogan Tea, and delighting in that man’s sweet smile.
What did he say?
“Y-yes, it is,” they replied, recovering quickly after a brief pause. “You’re… welcome to-to come visit sometime?” There was a bit of a strain to the question.
Yeoni smiled again, mouth parting with a small chuff as he looked down at his shoe crunching on the cobbled road. A couple seconds of thinking. Those brown eyes glanced at the sea before looking back to Luka, his dark grey turtleneck rustling lightly.
“I wouldn’t say no to an invitation. I would like that.”
“Excellent!” Luka could feel heat at the tips of their ears despite the cold, and their heart beat rapidly in their chest. Another date planned. Yes. Now to say goodnight.
They pulled the jacket tighter around themself before they remembered it wasn’t theirs. “Right! Don’t want you heading home cold. Here.” Luka handed it off to Yeoni, and felt goosebumps almost immediately. They wrapped their arms around themself. “Thank you for letting me borrow it. Such the gentleman.”
They lingered closer, uncertain how to say their goodbye for now. A hug? A kiss? Was that it? “I enjoyed tonight.” Luka reached out to let their fingers trail down his arm, then leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
Yeoni paused as Luka pulled back, the brush of lips on his cheeks unexpected. His dark brown eyes met their lighter gaze and, after a few heartbeats of thought, he rose his own hand to cup their cheek. The warmth of his jacket draped across his arm pressed back into Luka as the Kiffar stepped closer. A silent question.
May I kiss you?
The subtle lift of an olive chin, a parting of painted lips, lidded eyes. A granted invitation. Yeoni lingered not a second more, pressing a gentle kiss upon their lips and pulling back slowly a moment later. A pleasant sigh and a smile.
“No, please, thank you. I enjoyed your company,” he paused once more, seemingly reliving the brief moment between them before clearing his throat and gesturing to the building behind the human. “Sorry, let me not keep you out in the cold. Hopefully we can see each other again. Goodnight, Luka.”
And with a final passing look and a nod, the Kiffar shrugged his coat back on and turned to head back to his own abode.