A Language Older Than Words (Private)

[Poludnica]

She couldn't really decide if he said 'I think' or 'I drink' so just opened the bottle and poured a generous amount to two tall glasses. Not the classiest way to serve wine but Golda never claimed to be a classy lady. The red liquid swirled in the glass, it reminded her of blood which immediately reminded her about Darek. Hopefully the sleazy rat was dead but something was telling her it was just a silly wish. With a heavy sigh, the woman walked over the couch and handed Zel his glass. Hopefully he wouldn't mind human wine though he generally looked like an easy going guy. The smuggler placed herself comfortably on the other side of the seat and curled up her legs as if she tried to protect herself from something. It was almost natural position for her, not even conscious anymore. Just comfortable and safe. Aside from that Golda was relaxed, even smiling a bit, with interest listening to the stories the mercenary had.

Her eyes stopped on the realistic tattoo of one the first Twi'lek girl. Golda was by no means a specialist of alien standards of beauty but it was obvious this one would be considered attractive even among humans. She wondered what it meant 'gone'. Was she dead? A tragic love story? The other girl had apparently left. The woman wasn't ugly at all though the first one seemed more graceful or the artist couldn't really convey the true beauty in it, enclosed in a mischievous smile. It also made her wonder if it was just Zel's habit to put pictures of women he had been with onto his skin, though the way the Twi'lek mercenary spoke of them sound serious. Maybe these were just exceptionally beautiful...Golda couldn't tell for sure, she even was unable to properly assess her own looks. Always, her entire life everything was wrong with it. Her mother was a tall, dark hair beauty with tan skin and chocolate eyes. In comparison to such vision Golda was average, pale ugly duckling. Too fair skin, too pale eyes, too curvy and not that lean though fast like a dervish. Effeminate beauty was unachievable for her which in Golda's dichotomic view of the world placed her forever in always unattractive land. And oddly enough she really didn't care that much anymore...

Golda just nodded, not knowing what to say. Two relationships was still two more than she had had in her entire life. These couple of men in her life were either selfish, abusive pricks or a fling which price she was paying to this day. What place it gave her to judge someone's else personal life? Thankfully the topic turned to something happier as apparently Zel had really big family. Her gaze moved over the photo, all of the members happy, cheerful. Happy families are all alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Golda's one had been very dysfunctional in nearly every aspect which made the picture something surreal.

”You're sister is very beautiful. You are very similar.” The human woman smiled though there was more sadness in it than anything else. It was truth of course as the blue female was exceptional beauty, even Golda could see it. There were not many things she could tell to reciprocate Zel's story. Her own mother was a disturbed narcissist, aunt was now taking care of Eli and father was never in the picture. There were memories locked in simple images but they were never true nor adequate.

After a moment of consideration Golda stood up and walked over the small cupboard from which she took out couple of pictures. Something she wanted to burn in the oven but there was never a right moment. Maybe today? There was a woman in the picture, human with a storm of dark locks and professional make up. Next to her stood smaller, studier female. Between the two a small, golden haired girl stood, looking oddly awkward next to the swan her mother was. ”This is my mother and my aunt. For a time, my mother was a model. Had few good contracts with some companies. Then I was born and she lost them all. I guess she has never forgiven me for it. It was Eliana who raised me.” Golda explained briefly , seating herself down again. After a drink in the bar the wine was starting to make her a bit tipsy but she was still far from being drunk. It was strangely easy to open up to Zel. He was a stranger with minimum knowledge of basic language but he listened, maybe just because couldn't really say much. Still, the point was there. It had been weeks since Golda had really someone to talk to aside from business.

”Why have become a mercenary? Was it because of Gida?” She asked further, not really tired enough to sleep neither in a mood to think about tomorrow. A chit chat was a nice pastime, especially since Zel was rather open fellow himself. Laid back, more like some kind of an artist rather than a hired gun.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada nodded periodically as the woman told her own story with photos, a tight expression on his face. Her mother blamed her for that? Now that just wasn't right. It wasn't as if the girl had ill intentions, and the only one responsible for this decision was the mother. Blaming the child was grossly unfair, and the mark of a small person in his estimation.

Of course he was totally unsure of how to say any of that in Basic. There were some major disadvantages to not being fluent. So instead he tried to let his body language do the talking.

And then came the million dollar question, about Gida. Not what happened to her surprisingly, but whether or not she was the reason he became a mercenary, which wasn't exactly true per se. He'd become a merc because it was what he'd known, what he'd been trained as. Now how to express that in his mangled Basic?

He cleared his throat and closed his eyes to gather his thoughts before beginning to speak the words that came hesitantly to his lips.

"I'ze a merc becauz' it wut I know. Usedta work forda Hutts, dats were I met Gida. She a dancer-slave, I'ze a- a- a guard? I carry da blaster an' protect da Hutt on Sleheyron, wen' 'e die, I becoma merc, takin' all da jobs I can roun da' 'ole galaxy."

That was probably the best he could tell his story. It would have been easier by far in Huttese. But wishes were wishes, and they weren't concrete. Instead he reached for the glass before him and took a sip of the wine.

It was decent. Not the best he'd ever had, but not bad either. On the whole, good enough. So he took a second sip promptly as he chewed over what to say next. To be fully honest, he was expecting another question about Gida, namely "what happened?" And he decided it was better to beat her to it with an answer.

"Gida, she got sold off Sleheyron to 'nother Hutt. Nevah saw 'er 'gain. Miss her."

Zel sighed and looked at his wine glass again. How may years had it been? A decade? He still missed her though, his first true love. His first lost love. There'd really only ever been the two, and he was skeptical there'd ever be a third one. And if there was, what were the odds she'd stay in his life?

He took another sip of the wine and lapsed into silence, staring ahead at the wall rather than talking.

[Poludnica]

The man's physique changed when she was talking about her own life. He looked at the photo with strange tension and expression constricted in what seemed like anger to Golda. She scooped away the pictures, without additional word. It was just past, everyone had one. So easy to hide too as in no time the images were back in the drawer and Golda returned to the couch, curled up as before.

The question she asked had moved a string to the point the woman began to doubt it was her place to ask, but Zel told her either way. From his broken basic Golda got the gist of it. The Twi'lek worked for Hutts which was not surprising in the slightest. She was tempted to ask If he had killed the slimy worm himself which wouldn't be unlikely...Personally Golda harbored great dislike toward Hutts especially after few visits on Nar Shaada. They were vile creatures which slobbered disgustingly at the sight of various humanoid females. No wonder one might decide to quit, in less or more violent manner as Hutts rarely took rejection well.

She looked into her glass, still half filled and rested her head wondering what then happened to Gida but Zel gave her an answer before Golda managed to ask. There was pain in those words. Pain of an old wound. So his love was taken away forcefully. Made you wonder if it was better not to love than to love and suffer. The woman couldn't even tell if she had ability to fall in love with a man. Sure, there were flings and hopes for a fairy take prince but life had quickly verified those pipe dreams.

Those feelings Zel had woken up in her by just saying he had missed his first love. It was unnatural for her to show feelings. When she was sad, there was always a pillow to cry in. Alone of course. Every emotion, every affection had always been punished in some way. It will teach you restrain... Her mother would say, after every slap for inappropriate behavior. And here a stranger would show his grief so openly. It was alien but not unwelcome, though a feeling of uneasiness crept up her spine. Golda knew this sensation well as it appeared periodically for the past few years. She was attracted to this man which immediately made her tense if not to say scared.

Chastising herself for being foolish, Golda took few sips of wine and asked another question, breaking thick silence. ”Have you looked for her?” It was an interesting story and kept her mind off many things, like growing fond of a man who would be gone from her life by the end of the night.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Did he look for her? If only it were that easy, looking and finding. Must have seemed criminally easy to some people, reaching out into a sea of countless trillions of people and somehow finding the single one you were looking for after a decade. For all he knew she was dead now, killed by a Hutt's displeasure or fallen victim to any one of a dozen things. Or maybe she was lost, vanished away somewhere. One thing was for certain. She was lost to him.

He paused before answering her, trying to express his thoughts in a way that showed he hadn't, but didn't make him seem uncaring. It was a narrow line, a narrow line indeed.

Zelada opened his mouth and started to answer.

"Iz no use. She ha' no clan name, 'an they neva' tol' me wher' she wen. Issa big galxy, an' she coul' be anywer. Joo no ow' many Gidas dere are in da verse? Iz no use."

The blue Twi'lek downed the remainder of his wine and looked at Golda. Somehow his instinct said she knew what it was like to be lonely. A part of him even wanted to hold her and stroke her hair, but for a mercenary he was surprisingly a gentleman, and he wasn't much of a charmer without the ability to engage in a conversation. As curious as he was about her, he had the sneaking suspicion they were just too different for anything to work out.

He had to admit though, he could use the companionship. And you'd never know if you didn't try...

"Joo- Joo min' if I 'old joo?"

[Poludnica]

He was right of course, there was no way to find one Twi'lek slave although it didn't seem Zel had entirely accepted that fact as pain in his voice was more than visible. Is this even possible to come to terms with such loss. When Golda thought of it, there was nothing in her she could compare to this story. Her mother was still alive even if they didn't talk...Eli was often sick but never deathly ill and his father...He was never in her life as their brief encounter had lasted no more than few hours the woman barely could recall. No, such wounds were alien to her though there were plenty of others. Rejection, abuse both emotional and physical had left their scars in the young woman’s psyche. ” I hope...you will her someday.” Golda said, looking into her glass of wine. She was not the right person when it came to comforting as generally emotions were something hard to handle.

She was about to get them a filler when Zel asked if she could hold her...Golda froze and looked at the man wide eyed. That was...unexpected to say the least and normal reaction for her was to slap but then again he didn't grope her, offered anything more nor was too drunk to stand up as if often happened with men who tried to woo her. Zel was different...He was kind, polite and attractive, even for a human like her. His features were symmetrical and skin color enchanting; his frame was tall and well shaped. Golda's mind screamed warning, that it was reckless as last time. The same mistake all over again. But her body longed for touch and closeness the woman hadn't had in years.

With a blush, creeping on her pale cheeks she finally nodded and moved a bit closer, telling herself in may end on just a hug. Golda decided that there was something in life in her. There were low chances something as before would happen after all. Last time she scored one in a million chance, you can't have misfortune through your entire life... ”I don't mind...” The human responded with a shy smile.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

As soon as he was granted permission, Zelada gingerly slid over to Golda, as if she was fragile, and took her into his arms. He wrapped one around her waist and pulled her up to his side, resting the hand on her opposite side. He leaned over her and rested his head on hers. With his free hand, he stroked her golden hair gingerly, as if the silky locks were a rich and priceless material.

And then he simply thought of all the directions this could take. A man. A woman. Together, both lonely in their way. He had to ask himself the question though. Did he want this?

Yes. And no. He wanted the companionship, but what of the precedent? He wasn't looking for a relationship, not now, and even if he had, what would his family say? Cotan was a dedicated Twi'lek, and so were his mother and his brother. His sister was far more flexible, life had made her so. It wasn't as if they were racists per se, they just tended to be an insular community on Chandrila, a small minority that shared common traditions and customs. Humans weren't a part of that community.

It wasn't as if he could have taken Koyi back to mother and father anyway, a spice-smuggling blaster-running all around rogue. But even then there was a commonality.

Golda was alien. But strangely familiar at the same time, and he had to admit from the warmth of her at his side and the feeling of her hair between his fingers... Yes, he did want her.

But she had to want him too.

Zelada'ven was a gentleman, and a chivalrous type. Rescuing the damsel in distress was just a part of who he was, and he knew it didn't entitle him to her. Only consent could do that, a mutual desire. If she wanted him to, then it would happen. Not an instant before then. And if it didn't happen?

Then he'd be content to simply hold a beautiful woman for a while.

[Poludnica]

He moved closer and for a moment it took her breath away from both fear and longing. First time in so long she had been so close to a man. Zel wrapped her arms around her as if she was a porcelain doll ready to break. It was so gentle touch and caring, Golda couldn't even remember if anyone had embraced her like that. The woman sighed, finally relaxing in the man's warm arms. The direction which to take seemed obvious and she couldn't deny to want this. More than anything else right now. But what later? She had a son, son who needed a lot of attention and care. Maybe Zel didn't even want to stick around and if he did....There was a illusory comfort in being alone but there was always pain that was slowly becoming unbearable. At worst, it would only be a moment of pleasure, she deserved that.

As Zel began to stroke her hair gently, Golda couldn't help but shiver slightly but not from fear this time. If there was prize for rotten judgment, she had already won that. What worse could happen? Probably plenty but Golda had never been one for over thinking. She liked Zel's looks, even how he smelled, like some exotic spices.

Her heart pounded hectically like a rabbit trying to get from its cage when Golda's finger began to slowly trailed the man's tentacle. It was lekku...she remembered suddenly. They called it that, at least those few Twi'leks the smuggler had met. It was strange but not appalling, something so very alien for human aesthetics though not ruining overall good impression. Golda could only guess what purpose it served. ”I am...it has been a while...” She muttered, a bit embarrassed. Eliana would constantly tell her to try find a stable relationship by which the elder woman meant a human who would be a good role model for Eli. A Twi'lek mercenary who barely spoke basic didn't fit into that category...Golda didn't even dare to dream he would stay, every time it was a man who would leave her but all of them were cold, abusing bastards who always made her think she had deserved such treatment somehow. Good men, honest men never wanted to have much in common with a single mother whose work was on a verge of law. Which begged the question why would someone like Zel stay? Golda shrugged the doubts off and made the decision it was worth it even if lasted for only few hours.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada's eyes widened slightly as she touched his lekku, his head tails. She might not have known, but they were touch-sensitive, and a gentle touch there could be in turns soothing and stimulating. Right now it was the latter, and a smile came to his face as his breath came at a faster pace. This was reciprocation, and that meant he could move along, he could advance one step closer to intimacy.

It was what he wanted. And increasingly what he believed she wanted too.

He leaned down and pressed his blue lips to Golda's fair skin, gingerly kissing her neck as his hands rubbed her stomach soothingly, gently caressing her slender form. There was time for her to back out now if she pleased, to protest and ask him to stop.

But he could read her, from the look of her to the feel of her in his arms, and he knew there wouldn't be a request to stop. His kisses would spread from her neck to her lips, and his hands would stray from her stomach up to her breasts. They would shed their clothing, and the two would become one. He'd be gentle the whole way of course, in his special manner. He'd treat her like a lady, show her respect.

That was what made Zelada'ven who he was. His kindness. His gentleness. They counterbalanced his physical strength, making him a rare combination. A teddy bear, a gentle giant. Of course he wasn't an angel. His past was checkered, and his profession was generally less than ethical. But it didn't lessen him as a person, as a lover.

Slowly he moved his kisses up her neck, and he broke away for a brief second. His hazel eyes stared directly into her light grey ones, looking for the answer in them, looking to in them what was in his own. And then he pressed his lips to hers, one hand coming up to cradle her pale face.

Nothing mattered. Not his family. Not his job. Not where he would stay tomorrow or what he would eat. All that mattered for him now was those eyes, those lips, and that lithe form. Golda was the known universe, and he was an explorer.

[Poludnica]

The response was clear and pleasant. She could feel his warm breath whisking her neck and cheeks, eliciting shivers of pleasures which increased once the man became bold enough to pepper her skin with delicate kisses. Golda submitted herself to Zel's gentle touch and hands roaming her body. It was nearly palpable how lonely she had been, how hungrily she craved for Zel's caresses. The whole universe seized to exist for these few moments of pure bliss. After a moment the woman gathered enough courage to reciprocate and let her own palms to trail Zel's body, then going back to his head tails. Golda had little knowledge of Twi'lek ways or physiology, she used his responses as cues and it seemed touching the lekku was somehow arousing.

A sigh of disappointment escaped her lips when Zel moved away his lips. Her eyes opened to meet the Twi'lek's hazel gaze. It was warm, full of emotions Golda had never experienced from a man. It was this affection that made his alien body or culture not to matter. For someone so strong he was surprisingly gentle, it made her to feel safe like never before.

He leaned to kiss her and Golda didn't wait, longingly pressing her own pink flesh to his blue. Strange contrast but she didn't care. There were enough similarities to make it work, not the first time a human and a Twi'lek joined. It couldn't be so unnatural as many humans claimed, not when it felt so good.

The kiss lasted for long as Golda's previous shyness and reluctance were all by gone now. She felt rush of heat surging through her body as her breathing increased pacing. Finally the human broke the kiss, letting exotic, alien taste linger on her lips a bit longer.

Golda smiled, this time mischievously and freed herself from Zel's embrace. Her icy blue eyes still fixed on the man as she began to walk toward the bed, step by step loosing a piece of her clothing. Jacket....then pants...white t-shirt. Before Golda reached the bed she was only in her underwear. ”I am waiting...” She whispered coquettishly. Zel made her forget about scars, mental or physical. In Golda's eyes, her body was far from perfect but adoration in Zel's hazel gaze and not animalistic hunger made all the barriers to break.

(( Go ahead and make a time skip to keep it by the rules =3 teehee))

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zelada moaned audibly as Golda rubbed his head tails in all the right ways, or did what passed for a moan as he busy burying himself in her ruby lips. Finally she broke free, and for a split second he wondered if this was no, if this was her breaking free to end it. A decision he'd respect, even if it wasn't the one he wanted.

But no, the mischievous look on her fair face told him everything he needed to know. They were moving to the next level together, and she was ready. Ready for intimacy, ready for this. And he was ready too. As she started peeling off clothing on the way to the bed, he started to undo his combat boots, then work on his pants, then his shirt.

By the time he rejoined her in the bedroom, he was wearing nothing at all, and his powerfully muscled form positively dwarfed her, like a massive blue mountain compared to her. A mountain that began to shower her body with kisses even as he started to undo her underwear and press himself against her...

Later

The Rutian Twi'lek mercenary held his lover's head up against his chest, her long golden hair spilling out over his firm body like liquid silk that had spilled out over him, and he whispered soft words in his native language to her. Words of love and adoration that she couldn't understand, but a tone that she could.

Golda was the best thing to happen to him since Koyi. With her shyness and her sadness cast aside, she was a beautiful and vivacious woman. She had a passionate side that had only needed the right conditions to emerge, and when it had she'd been amazing. Fantastic even.

It wasn't a forgone conclusion that sex would provide an emotional attachment to a woman. But for Zelada, there was a certain something more between them. A natural chemistry despite the language barrier. He liked her, he genuinely did. And what she'd given him was special, a trust. What had lasted one night could easily last more.

If she wanted.

Zelada stilled his speech in Twi'leki, and he switched into his same mangled Basic.

"Golda," He started softly, "I'd like to see joo 'gain some'time. If joo'd like it."

[Poludnica]

He was a quite sight. Golda had no idea a Twi'lek could have such physique. Years of training or, honing combat skills were visible in every curve of the muscle. He was tall for his kind, towering over majority of humans. The robust musculature made him a dangerous opponent but to Golda he showed nothing but kindness and gentle nature of a cuddly teddy bear. A blue teddy bear with head tails but that didn't really matter. He was one of these rare men who could make a woman feel safe.

She let him to do everything and tried to reciprocate as best as could. It had been a long, her movements were awkward and cautious but Zel's patience awoke something that had been asleep for years. Something Golda denied herself. The time stopped for a moment as if the whole universe stalled its movement. She couldn't tell if it was a minute or an hour, until early ray of sunrise fell on her frame, resting on the blue body of her Twi'lek lover. Her eyes fluttered open. It was Zel's voice that brought her from the land of dreams. Soft words murmured in the language she would never know but the tone was universal, something that their species shared. Golda shivered it might have been but a dream she would wake up soon to cold, lone reality.

But no...It didn't vanish like a vision born from the restless night. Zel was still embracing her. She was afraid to move, fearing he might disappear like a golden carriage turned back into a pumpkin. The girl wanted to tell him how amazing it was, how different than what she was used to but instead chose to pretend to sleep. It was Zel who broke the silence. The golden haired woman looked up, her eyes trailing to the arm hazel gaze. In the daylight his features were even more handsome and exotic than before. Golda didn't regret it, not even for a moment, unlike couple of years ago. One might said her last fling ended tragically but that long time ago. Maybe she didn't learn from her mistakes but even if the scenario was to repeated itself, right now, the girl just didn't care.

”I...I would like that...” Golda responded slowly, playing with the tip of his lekku, gently circling it with her finger. Her gaze swept across the room, passing Eli's picture. Sudden doubts began to cloud in her mind, swirling. ”But...you know I have a son. His father left a long time ago. I don't want to burden you.” She lowered her gaze, not really know what to add. Golda wanted to be with him, but did she really deserve him. He was a mercenary, free spirit who roamed the Galaxy. She had to stay here, for Eli. How many men would decide to get themselves involved with a single mother whose child was not even of a normal species? ”Are you sure, you want this?” The human curled on her Twi'lek lover, wanting to keep as much warmth as possible, radiating from his blue skin.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

There were so many things Zel wanted to say to Golda as he played with her hair and she with his lekku, but he was hampered by not speaking much Basic.

This was all moving so fast, and so thoroughly. He hadn't felt this way about any woman since Koyi. First there'd been Gida, fiery and passionate, then Koyi, brash and confident. Golda was totally unlike either, with a sad shyness that went straight to his heart, but a quiet strength under it all, and a deep burning passion under that rather cold and distant visage. If he'd worked his way into her heart, she'd done the same to him.

He wanted to tell her that their differences only made them stronger, that he didn't mind she had a son. His previous loves had been a smuggler neck-deep in illegal activities and a slave, if that hadn't been complicated baggage, what was? So what if she had a child, it didn't mean she was any less valuable. If she wanted him and he wanted her, it would happen. They'd build a relationship. Yes, he wasn't exactly stable, but he could do his best. He could help this lonely woman, and she could help him too.

But he was hampered by communications difficulties. His lekku twitched slightly at that minor annoyance, and he sighed before doing his best.

He began by kissing those luscious lips again, long and passionately before pulling away and starting to speak.

"I don' min' Golda. I wan' joo, joo wan' me. We mak' it work. I migh' no be 'round much, but I tink joo are da wom'n I needz."

[Poludnica]

Language would be their problem. That's for sure, but there is nothing prevented them from learning. Zel's head-tail twitched under her touch and she moved away her hand, fearing something hurt him. Instead her hand rested on the man's broad chest, her eyes still looking into two hazel orbs. In this light they looked like pools of liquid gold. Golda felt confused a bit in a midst of emotions she didn't dare to show. He cared enough to at least not to walk away like so many others. It gave her hope but that hope was scary. It was easier to just forget now but if they would create a relationship and Zel would abandon her...Was she ready for such suffering? It was a chance for Eli to have a father figure but Twi'lek was not a Zabrak. Then again, her son would never be raised in Zabraki culture so did it matter?

Golda forgot about all this for a moment once they lips met again. She liked that answer to her doubts. He wanted her...It was nearly surreal. Many men did want her but mostly for her body. And often she let herself to be used, to confirm it but Zel wanted to stay. Despite her son, despite not knowing much about her life aside from few fragments on her past. He didn't ask about Eli's father which whose episode was one of the most embarrassing events in her life. Was this too good to be true? There was no hook? No strings attached? Golda began to count how many stable relationships she had in her life. Two, maybe? One in her teens, but that didn't last very long as many early loves. One right before meeting Eli's father. That one was a bastard who had to score every woman in a near proximity. Even Rodian ones....Finally running off with a Twi'lek barmaid. Which immediately led her to another doubt, Women of Zel's kind were considered one of the most attractive in the entire Galaxy. Without any mindtricks, pheromones...just that. Graceful and beautiful. Maybe it was different for Twi'lek men? Humans were more exotic. She caught herself on trying to find a reason to say no...Just looking for problems.

”But you will be sometimes?” Golda locked away all the doubts. It was not necessary; he was a nice man. Just try it without getting too attached. See if it is safe. He wouldn't be around much...Would it help or deemed them to fail from the start? Finally she just let go and decided few meetings wouldn't hurt. ”Maybe...we can get a dinner sometimes?” It was clear Golda was still very cautious but not enough to shot down an opportunity to have a normal relationship. Though they may have got the dating sequence wrong a bit....Generally sex was not first in the queue.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Dinner. That was a good idea, and he had to admit normally the man took the lady out to dinner before there was any sex involved. It was certain this whole situation hadn't exactly followed the typical pattern to be true.

That didn't mean he was unhappy at all.

As it happened, Coruscant was being very good to him so far. He hadn't expected to particularly like the world or to fall in love so fast. It was all so fast, just a one night stand that was growing further and further. And he didn't object. He wasn't the most impulsive of men, and he didn't fall easily. There was just something about Golda... Wounds?

Yes, wounds. He wanted to heal them. He saw her vulnerability and instantly wanted to be her strong protector. It was instinctive, it was his nurturing nature. His good nature. He saw pain and wanted to provide comfort. He saw sadness and he wanted to provide cheer. He saw loneliness, and he had to do something. His own loneliness demanded that too.

"Dinnah. I'ze buy you one soon azi gets a job. But wen I do, I migh no see joo much. Dey coul sends me anywhere in da 'ol galaxy. I'ze can't 'spect you to move wit me. No wen you haz a son to look aftah."

Zelada held her a little tighter in his arms and pressed his lips to her neck again, unable to take them away from her exquisite pale flesh. Her slender form was positively entrancing him. Everything about her was. Her shyness, her aloof beauty. Her golden hair, her grey eyes, her skin. She was so alien from him, yet so very beautiful. Not a Twi'lek, but just as beautiful in his estimation.

He realized there was going to be another tattoo in the future.

"I' migh seem a littel too soon, bu' I coul' make my home wit joo. Send joo money I make to suppor' your son. I-"

Zelada broke off as a brilliant idea reached his mind. Chandrila. His family. If he could persuade them to open their minds and hearts to a human girl, then he could help create a new life for Golda on that idyllic world, get her out of this dingy apartment and take her some place clean and bright. That was an intoxicating vision of the future.

"Joo ever bee to Chandrila?"

[Poludnica]

Why such man would like to stay with her? For Golda it was very hard to just accept the fact she was lucky or interesting enough to draw the right sort of men. Zel didn't seem rich or even didn't have a stable job but he was a good being. Better for her in these few hours than anyone before. She even grew to like his broken basic, it made him even more sweet and interesting when the Twi'lek tried so hard to speak her language. ”Don't worry about it, My aunt owns a small bar, so I we can get one for free now. It's nothing fancy and mostly droids work there, but it's a start.” She smiled, trying not to think he would be gone soon. Maybe even for months. You couldn't have everything apparently. Golda desperately sought a reason to keep Zel close but it would be hard to earn enough money for three people. Unless...

Her body shivered with pleasure when Zel pressed his lips to her neck. Golda reciprocated, tasting salty savor of his blue skin. It was as exotic as everything about him. The woman didn't want to admit but she was angry. Angry at Eli and herself. If not for the child they could move around the Galaxy together, she would be free but as much as Golda wanted to get away from Coruscant she didn't want to be a bad mother. Like never in her life it struck her how much one night had cost her.

Zel's voice brought her back to reality. The same soft and broken basic. Probably it was influence of his native tongue that made all syllables to sound so feathery. ”You...Home? With me? Golda blinked, not sure if she understood. They knew each other for less than a day but Zel already decided he wanted some future with her. The pace this was moving was frightening, but she discovered that not unwelcome. It made her to think a while about a possible future. A future that is not lonely. In which Eli has a father, maybe even a sibling. The string of images was rudely interrupted by the unpleasant screech of reality. They were of two different kinds. What were the chances such relationship would survive? Especially with Zel away so much? Golda's body was already strained from bearing Eli, another such episode could kill her. On top of that she was a smuggler, someone would even call her a criminal. All this made a sorrowful expression to show on the woman's features.

”It's ok, I can support Eli. You don't have to.” She placed a finger on the man's lips, followed by a long kiss. ”But maybe....there is a chance for you to stay. Maybe...maybe we could work together. Often things asked of me...are not doable by a single person but if I had someone trained like you. I could earn more and share some profit with you.” She smiled. ”That way you could stay, maybe..live with me. Eli is with my aunt, I just visit him so it wouldn't be a problem for us to...actually be here.” Her eyes trailed off for a moment. She wondered if the idea even had any merit. Golda had contacts, there would be no problem finding work for someone like Zel. Invisible District was an alien friendly place where a Twi'lek would earn more than a human. The question was if Zel was ready to do less legal activities.

”No...I don't know that place. Is this your homeworld?” She asked, a bit surprised so sudden change of a topic. Golda sat up and began to braid her hair, as always when nervous if only to do something with her hands.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

The blue Twi'lek savored the taste of her as she pressed her lips to his, marvelling again at just how much he'd fallen for this woman. There was just something special about Golda, about her touch, about her lips. The way she stroked his headtails. After she pulled away, he listened.

Zelada hadn't exactly been contemplating going into business with his lover, as it was a foreign concept to him. No one had ever given him a business proposal right after making love before.

He wasn't entirely sure what to say really. He didn't generally mix business and pleasure, and his own work tended to be along the lines of providing muscle rather than anything more complicated. And it would sure be hard for him to work with Golda when they didn't really speak the same language.

"Ill tink 'bout it." He managed as he rose from the bed, watching Golda braid her hair. The merc padded across the floor in his bare feet as he gathered up his clothing again and started to dress.

He listened to the question about Chandrila, and he chuckled slightly. No, he wasn't from Chandrila. That would have been pretty odd to be a Chandrilan mercenary who didn't speak Basic. Well, at least he wasn't illiterate to complete the list of things Chandrilans weren't.

"No, my famly'z on Chandrila. Dey ownz a brewry an' a rest-restaurant. Iz a nice plan't, lotsa trees, lakes, an' nature. Evryone 'appy, nice weather. I was tinking joo migh wanna stay dere for a while, 'an see if joo like it."

[Poludnica]

Golda thought she could sense Zel didn't really like the idea of working together. At least that was her interpretation which made the woman to back down a bit and cover herself with a blanket. It was hard to tell apart a true rejection from just a minor disagreement. For someone like Golda every little displeasure from someone the woman wanted was like the end and of course all because she couldn't held back her proposal.

For a moment Golda watched him getting dressed. Her eyes were following his nicely shaped body with a strange expression of yearning and sadness. ”Mhm..” She muttered in answer and slipped from the bed. Still clinging to her green blanket, she began to look for her own garment, ashamed now of her own nudity even if minutes ago Zel kept her in the lover's embrace.

She was still busy with her clothing when the Twi'lek explained. Golda heard his soft chuckle and let her hope to spark again but it was not only Eli and her. It was also her aging aunt who wouldn't survive on her own. The spark faded away as soon as it appeared. The young human walked over to Zel, her hands still fiddling with the braid . ”I ...will think about it.” She said with a small though sad smile, trying to avoid the eye contact. Golda knew once her gaze would be locked with his, there could be no rescue. She chastised herself for getting her hopes up so foolishly. ”So...” The girl started but couldn't really finish. What there was to say after something like this? Good bye? Was fun? At least Zel had a decency to stay until the morning unlike her adventure from few years back. Maybe he did say the truth though and would want to make it work.

”We will think?” The answer she had given him was not entirely true since Golda had already made the decision. Eliana had done more for her and Eli than her own biological mother, there was no she would leave the aunt like that. The woman was too afraid to tell Zel that though as it might rip her off even those few moments of possible happiness with him.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"We will tink," Zelada confirmed as he guided his headtails through the narrow opening of his shirt, one after the other. For a Twi'lek the simple task of getting dressed was, well, not so simple. Most clothing in the galaxy wasn't designed with headtails in mind, and they took a little work. But they were a part of him, and he wouldn't wish them away.

He'd think about that business offer, but he was used to finding his own work, work suited to his unique talents. He was certain Golda meant well, but she didn't really know the kinds of work he was suited to, his likes and dislikes. It just made more sense for him to be the one who found his own job.

He was hoping to be taken on by a security firm maybe, or by a private contractor. He wanted something approximating honest work instead of the sort of strongarm stuff the Hutts had him doing. This was why he'd come to Coruscant, hoping for something better. Wanting decent work for someone with a conscience.

Zel's meandering path took him out to the living room again, where he put on his socks and his boots again, trusting Golda would be there as he spoke to her.

"I'ze look fora job noaw, but I'ze be back tonigh' for dinner if joo want me still."

[Poludnica]

She watched him adjusting his blue head tails. Despite her mind warnings of getting close to a man, Golda's body craved for his touch no matter how brief their encounter would be. The woman let her hands to move and gently touch Zel's lekku, feeling their warm, soft texture. It was strangely exotic and only added to the man's cuddliness. The memory of the last night was still fresh in her mind, enough to elicit small shudder of pleasure. As reckless as it may be, she wanted more. Maybe...maybe he would return, even if not to work with her.

Golda followed Zel near the couch where the rest of his clothes and shoes were lying. Heavy, combat boots many bounty hunters used. She was still in her underwear and shirt, leaning against the wall only coming closer when Zel was done. Her fears calming a bit once the Twi'lek proposed coming back for the evening. She smiled and wrapped her arms around the man's neck. Sliding her palms just under his lekku. It was amazing how soft he was and yet strong. Golda let herself to press her lips to Zel's blue ones, savoring every moment of closeness, trying to remember this sensation. With a surprise Golda discovered her body craving for more and only by sheer strength of will she managed to pry herself away from Zel, remembering there were things to do today. Important things like finding out if Darek was alive.

”I would like that....” She just said with a coy smile.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Zel smiled back at his lover as he fastened his belt, and then he was fully dressed again.

He rose and walked over to his duffle bag and rummaged around for his blaster pistol, which he tucked into the small of his back, pulling his shirt down to conceal it. Now he was set to go out, ready to defend himself if need be.

There was just one last thing to do.

He reached into the duffle again and pulled out his prized weapon, his Mark III Hutt disruptor. He stepped closer to Golda and held the ornate and compact weapon to her in one hand, fingers far away from the trigger. This was one weapon you didn't want going off.

"In case dat guy come back. Jus' poin an' shoot, an' 'e won bothah joo no more."

He set the weapon down on the table and reached out to hold Golda's exquisite face in his hands. And then he kissed her one more time, locking his lips to hers and gently stroking her face with his long fingers. He savored her taste before finally pulling away.

He turned and walked away from her, pausing as the door slide open to wave, then walking out through it and back onto the streets of Coruscant. But he knew he wasn't lost on the planet. He had a place to go to.