Safaeyet

Mai smiled.

Well it was more a curious question, than needing to know. Its about your armour, your... beskar'gam? She looked up, checking the word.

I know it was your fathers, but do all armour get passed down to their children? Or do you spend the time to build your own, like a Jedi builds their lightsabers?

Ander looked over to the lock box in which his armor was resting. He kissed Mai, then stood, walking over to the box and pulling it over to the couch. He sat back down next to Mai, then bent forward and unlocked the box, throwing the top open. He reached inside and pulled the beskar chest plate out and held it in front of them. Mai had curled up on the couch beside him, and he enjoyed how she seemed to fit right next to him.
"This plate was actually my grandfather's, from what my father told me." He pointed inside, at the back plate. "Same with that one."
Ander set the chest plate on the floor, then grabbed the shoulder and arm plates out. "These were my father's. He acquired them at some point in his life, and they or the events that led him to them were important enough for him to include them in his beskar'gam."
He set those down as well, then pulled the thigh and buttock pieces, still attached to their harness, from the lock box. "These were also part of my grandfather's, which my father inherited. But the right plate here," Ander pointed to the indicated thigh plate, "Was damaged at one point after my father acquired the armor. He replaced it with a plate forged on Mandalore."
Ander set the harness back in the box, leaning back and resting his arm around Mai's shoulders. "The armor is a work in progress. Sometimes its inherited by a child, a gift from a friend, or simply stumbled upon, like my shoulder and arm plates. Beskar is extremely hard to work, and harder to find. For a long time there were almost no one with the secrets to work it. Sometimes it's worth just finding a new plate, taken from a slain enemy or a fallen vod, friend, often even replaced with lesser materials, like plastoid plating."

Mai looked over the armour, her hands running over the metal plating, tracing over small dents and scratches in the metalwork. Each one was a part of the armour's history, a part of Ander's history, and his family's history. She picked up the arm plates, looking over the metal work.

The metal was extremely strong, and would withstand weapon attacks, including lightsabers.

Its so light...she remarked, feeling the weight in her hands. No wonder you can wear it for hours on end!

Ander smiled, nodding. "It's a great defense against any small arms fire. Even stops Verpine projectiles with little problem. This is how Mandalorians survived charging into battle for so many centuries. This metal, runs in veins like blood through the heart of Manda'yaim. This metal is our soul, our fighting heart and spirit." Ander rapped the chest plate with his knuckles, producing a solid, low, yet slightly hollow sounding ring.
"Nothing less than a turbolaser blast will stop a determined Mando'ad and his armor. And even then├óÔé¼┬ª" Ander trailed off, running his fingers over the red and black metal of the chest piece. He had yet to add to it a plate of his own, but decided he wouldn't until one was damaged beyond repair. It was his father's armor, and his grandfather's before them. Ander wanted to honor that as long as he could. Someday, it would belong to one of his children, or multiple, the pieces of the armor split and shared between them as they constructed their own sets of beskar'gam to protect them on their paths to becoming true Mando'ade. Children, Ander almost laughed to himself. That's a weird thought. And yet he couldn't help but wonder if it was. He was getting older. Not too old yet, but on his way. Mai was younger than he, by nearly twenty years, and she had a vibrant maturity that made him feel younger.
He worried, about being a good leader in his past, and a good father in his present. He wasn't sure he wanted to risk having children, after what he'd seen he was capable of.
And yet Mai couldn't live her entire life without feeling the joys of motherhood. As a healer and a physician, Ander was sure it was almost compulsory of her. She seemed to have that personality type.
He silenced his thoughts for the moment, focusing instead on Mai, how beautiful she was, and how content was spending his time with her.

Mai was listening to Ander whilst studying the armour plate. She sat it over her own shoulder, laughing at how the one part was far too large for her own shape, so placed it on Ander's shoulder instead, where it fitted perfectly.

Ander's chatter tailed off, and she thought he was just thinking of what to say next, instead he just simply watched her, a smile wavering on his lips. She looked up thoughtfully

Whats that mind of yours thinking? She asked him quietly, replacing the shoulder plate onto her shoulder, it sliding most of the way down her arm.

Ander shrugged. "Not much," he replied. Liar. He decided this was a good moment to practice opening up more. He took Mai's hand, strumming her palm gently. "Just thinking about where this might be going. Of all the terrible things in the galaxy to worry about, and the possible future conflict, I figured it'd be nice to focus on something more├óÔé¼┬ªpositive."

When Ander replied with "Not much", Mai reached down, picking up Ander's helmet and placing it over her head. The helmet sunk down right to her shoulders, falling awkwardly forward. She looked up, the helmet slipping back slightly. Shaking her head, the helmet wobbled loosly.

You have a big head... She muttered from inside the helmet. Mai pushed the helmet up, revealing her grin first.

Positive is good! Today has been a positive day too!

Mai seemed to dodge Ander's implication, or simply miss it completely. She could be a bit of an air head at times, he thought to himself, amused. She pulled his helmet over her head, commenting on its size, then tipping it up just far enough to show off her bright smile.
Caught up in a moment that he hadn't seen coming, Ander grabbed Mai's shoulders and held her arms at her sides as he went to kiss her, unable to see her eyes threw the one-way visor. His lips melted against hers, and he tasted the sweetness of her tongue that always enjoyed. He broke for a moment, looking down at her, the helmet still covering her eyes.
"M'ika├óÔé¼┬ª" Ander prodded, not noticing how still she had become. He assumed it was surprise at the move he'd made, though kissing her shouldn't be anything new...

Blinded by the helmet, she relied on other senses, but the kiss was still a suprise. Ander pressed into her, his kiss deep and passionate, sending tingles through Mai. When they broke apart, Mai pushed the helmet back, so it rested on the top of her head. She looked at him more focused, her eyes looking intently at him.

Her smile broadened, then she leant forward and kissed him back. Her hand rested on his neck, as she kissed him slowly yet lovingly.

Yes? She whispered once they broke apart, her head resting against his, the helmet slowly sliding off her head onto the couch behind Mai.

Ander gently cradled Mai's cheek with his hand, feeling how soft her skin was, and how small she really was in his grip. His thumb brushed against her cheekbone, ran around the "O" that was her lips, and traced down her chin and throat. Ander felt for her side with his other hand, leaning forward and catching Mai's lips against his own, feeling the warmth of her mouth and the taste of her tongue, every sense tingling pleasantly. He leaned forward more, until Mai was laying on her back on the couch, her hair arrayed around her like a fan. Ander heard Mai sigh as he kissed her, mentally cringing for the moment that such an opening of his heart to her would come to backfire on him. He expected it to, his irrational mind. His rational mind told him that she loved him, or was beginning to feel love for him. Ander continued kissing her, before pausing and looking down at her to answer her question. Her eyes were bright and wide, they were expecting something. She knew what he wanted to say, and she wanted to hear it, he could see it in her bright, shining eyes. He could smell it in the ever-sweet scent her neck gave off, and taste it in the warmth of her mouth. They had made love for the first time whilst still on Coruscant, but that had been a silent affair. Neither had talked, simply enjoyed the movement of one another's bodies as they learned each other's most vulnerable areas. For a moment, it struck Ander that their second time was also taking place on a couch.
Suddenly, his breath escaped him, "I'm starting to love you."

Every touch between them was electric, from their lips pressing together, to Ander's hand on her side, the touch of her hand on his back, to their bodies pushing close. Every sense in her was alive, the scent of his skin, the touch of their hands on each other, the sweetness from the taste of their lips, the sight of him leaning close to her, the sound of his voice in her ear.

The words he spoke in that moment sent her heart leaping from her chest. She had suspected it, even from herself, yet hearing the words were a stronger joy than the feeling itself. Mai was sure Ander could feel her tremble gently and feel her heart hammering from inside her. She kissed him in reply, letting herself become lost in Ander's gentle, yet passionate embrace.

Gently they broke apart, Mai moving her lips close to Ander's ear, her cheek against his yearning to keep his touch against her skin.

That's good... she murmured softly Because I think I love you too

Ander was lating over Mai now, their lips brushing just slightly together as they whispered to one another. Mai's eyes were closed as he spoke to her, opening only to return his admission in kind by whispering it in his ear. A great well of emotion ran through him, spurring his lips forward against Mai's as passion, love, lust and an eagerness to please her drove him. He kissed her neck and throat, holding her against him tightly.
He believed Mai hadn't tracked him down for the purpose of falling in love with him, the displacement they were both experiencing in their lives had made them good partners for one another. Their similar experiences and already supportive friendship had given way to much deeper running emotions. They had discovered a desire for one another, and then a need. Luke had warned him that his relationship with Mai would need a critical balance, and Ander began feeling as if they were each different enough to maintain that balance naturally.
Time would tell if that balance would survive, and their struggle would grow in the coming conflict, that they both knew, and felt. But they had the strength of their feelings for one another to bolster their resolve, and he began to believe that even at his lowest, Mai's compassion and her love for him might be enough to drag him from the very bottom of the darkest places of the world.
His hands continued to move over her body, feeling the naked skin of her stomach and chest, the hills and valleys of Mai's body hot to his touch. He kissed her deeply, lovingly, glad that he had been able to take another step away from his insecurities and share his revelation of love with her.

*The breeze carried his song through the branches of the willow tree like a haunting melody. Over and over again it sang of his name, of his glory and of his death. Their leaves caressed the ground where his body lay encased in earth and their petals tumbled to the grass like tears. Silently she stood by his side as she had always done, a white rose clasped between her fingers. She ignored the swell of rising tears, the pain of heartbreak and continued to watch the clouds drift aimlessly across the rose tinted sky. The birds, shrouded in sorrow added their chorus as finally Naenia├óÔé¼Ôäós tear stained eyes fell upon the spot where her former Master slept.

The sound of her gentle sigh was captured by the petals of the blossoming rose that stood guard over his eternal slumber. Early morning dew clung to the velvet of its leaves like diamonds that glistened in the light that filtered through the branches of the trees. Quietly, she bent to one knee and traced her fingers over the stone that bore his name ├óÔé¼ÔÇ£ ├óÔé¼┼ôRaijin Savitr├óÔé¼┬Ø. The stone, untouched by the elements felt smooth beneath her finger-tips. She smiled sadly as she recalled the warmth of his skin, the gentle yet worn hands of a Master that had seen the horrors of death and embraced the beauty of life.

Naenia placed the rose beneath the simple etching of his name and pressed her lips to the marble headstone. In that instant, the birds fell silent and the breeze became still. In the blissful silence she could almost hear his voice; his joy and his pain. A single tear trickled from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek. It fell from her skin and splashed against the purity of the simple flower, staining it forevermore. Shards of emerald grass bowed gently beneath the weight of her simple loyalty and the breeze once more sang of his name, of his glory and of his death.*

[quote="Ander Tagira":77a8ps90][color=#BF0000:77a8ps90]Ander was lating over Mai now, their lips brushing just slightly together as they whispered to one another. Mai's eyes were closed as he spoke to her, opening only to return his admission in kind by whispering it in his ear. A great well of emotion ran through him, spurring his lips forward against Mai's as passion, love, lust and an eagerness to please her drove him. He kissed her neck and throat, holding her against him tightly.
He believed Mai hadn't tracked him down for the purpose of falling in love with him, the displacement they were both experiencing in their lives had made them good partners for one another. Their similar experiences and already supportive friendship had given way to much deeper running emotions. They had discovered a desire for one another, and then a [i:77a8ps90]need[/i:77a8ps90]. Luke had warned him that his relationship with Mai would need a critical balance, and Ander began feeling as if they were each different enough to maintain that balance naturally.
Time would tell if that balance would survive, and their struggle would grow in the coming conflict, that they both knew, and felt. But they had the strength of their feelings for one another to bolster their resolve, and he began to believe that even at his lowest, Mai's compassion and her love for him might be enough to drag him from the very bottom of the darkest places of the world.
His hands continued to move over her body, feeling the naked skin of her stomach and chest, the hills and valleys of Mai's body hot to his touch. He kissed her deeply, lovingly, glad that he had been able to take another step away from his insecurities and share his revelation of love with her.[/color:77a8ps90][/quote:77a8ps90]

[i:77a8ps90][color=#BF00BF:77a8ps90]With every moment that passed, they both wanted each other more, their touches more urgent, the feelings more passionate. Every touch of his lips left tingles on Mai's skin. Her senses were in overload. She wouldn't have been able to tell what day it was, but she knew all she wanted was Ander.

Their relationship had taken a step forward, a small step to some, but for them it was a big one. So far, the journey had been full of highs and lows, and now it would only get harder. Desicions would be made based on the other, a second life had to be taken into account, but Mai was ready for that, and would relish watching this love grow between them. Already she could see the change in Ander, he was happier, more content and becoming more confident in taking decisions he would normally run from.

The night for them now held nothing but high emotions, joy and love, passion and happiness, and a chance to learn that little bit more from each other on a more intimate level.[/color:77a8ps90][/i:77a8ps90]

Ander woke with a start, lifting his head up and looking around the room. He wasn't sure what had woken him, but his senses were straining for sound, smell, touch and sight. The first thing he heard was Mai's gentle, soft breathing. The first thing he smelled was the sweetness of her bare skin. The first thing he felt was her naked form resting against him, her soft skin caressing his and the warmth of her most sensitive areas radiating against his skin. The first thing he saw was Mai's naked figure laying on his, her arms held to her chest, clutching his shoulders lightly, her legs intwined with his.
He looked down at her, realizing there was no threat, he simply├óÔé¼┬ªwoke up.
Sunlight crept over the hill of Mai's hip, crawling slowly down the valley of her bare side, the hill of her naked breast, the bend of her round shoulder. Ander traced the line of light along her body, remembering every kiss he'd planted on her the night before, every touch, the bite of her teeth on his lip, the pinch of her nails on his back.

Ander shook his head gently, clearing his mind and gently slipping himself out from under Mai's sleeping form. Their clothes lay in scattered piles on the floor, and they hadn't bothered to find a blanket. Ander took a cigara from his jacket pocket, walking unclothed to the room's small balcony and leaning against the rail outside. The balcony's wall was solid, so he was protected from sight, and the cool air felt good on his body, which was flushed from resting so long underneath Mai's heated body.
He lit the cigara and contemplated the night before as he smoked. Smoking gave him time to think, time to remember what they had confessed to one another the night before, and the memory made him smile. He was in love again. Just as real as it had been in the past, but protected by his renewed efforts to better himself, open himself to his partner. Mai was not his first love, but something in his heart told him she was intended to be his last.

Mai stirred gently as Ander moved, but didn't wake fully. She was having a great dream, one she didn't want to rouse from too easily. Shifting slightly she curled up, as though protecting the images in her mind.

Her dream felt so real as she slept, that she feared if she woke, it would all dissapear. If she woke, she would find herself back at Yavin, ready to get up for another day of tending patients. If she woke, she would lose the dream of being with Ander, having his love, his support, having him in her life.

Sleep was fading from her slowly, rousing her back to reality. A gentle breeze blew into the room, sending her skin into tiny prickles. Mai tried in vain to hold onto her dream, burying her face into the material of the pillow layed on the couch, groaning softly. Taking a deep breath, she realised sleep wasn't going to stay with her. Resigned, she sighed and rubbed her eyes.

Something stopped her.

That smell... She looked blearily at the pillow, that scent... Ander's scent... Mai leant up on her elbows, looking around. By the open window was Ander, smoking on his cigara, nothing covering him to the world except a wall. Mai closed her eyes tight, gently pinched herself, then prayed it wasn't her dream playing tricks on her. Opening her eyes, she grinned. He was still there. She rested her arms on the arm of the couch, layed her head on her arms, and simply watched him.

Ander breathed in the morning air deeply, filling his lungs with it before chasing it down with a drag from his cigara. He breathed the smoke out through his nose, watching the tendrils of grey mist curl around one another in the air as they faded into nonexistence. He turned around, leaning his back against the rail, and caught Mai's face looking over at him, her elbows resting casually on the arm of the couch.
He smiled at her, taking another drag from his cigara. "How'd you sleep, M'ika?"

Mai grinned.

Still think I'm dreaming... She murmered quietly. She rolled off the couch, grabbed Ander's shirt from the floor, and slipped it on. She didn't use it to cover herself, simply to stop the chill getting to her. The shirt remained undone, and hung down her body, the sleeves too long, the width too wide. Padding barefoot to the balcony, she slipped her arm around his body, looked up and gave him a kiss. She could taste the taste on his lips, but didn't mind. It was a part of him.

I slept fine, you?

Ander kissed Mai back, answering her question by slipping his free arm around her waist and squeezing her bottom suggestively. "How do you think I slept?" He asked rhetorically. "Pleasuring you turned out to be quite an exhausting venture."
He smiled, taking another drag of the cigara and gazing sideways out at the city around them. He enjoyed spending time in the city, any city, for there was always something new to discover, something he had never experienced before. Last night he had experienced something quite unlike anything he had every experienced, and Mai had proven quite the surprising bed mate.
He glanced back down at her bright eyes and the content look on her face. There was little Ander needed to do, he was still waiting on word from Hingang regarding any action to be taken against the Sith. He still needed to update Admiral Staton and the rest of the GALSAF command on his meeting with the man. He made a mental note to remind himself later to do so. But for the moment, his time belonged to Mai's, the women whom he had admitted to loving hours before.

Mai looked up at Ander Exhausting? She raised an eyebrow at him, before chuckling lightly. She felt Ander's hand press against her backside, pushing her into him. Her hand reached up his chest and curled around his neck, pulling his head down for a gentle kiss.

We can't have an exhausted Ander now can we? She giggled cheekily