Efnir and Nomi 6

Nomi Amersu and Efnir Kis have been spending a lot of time together, just hanging out, getting to know each other better, enjoying each other's company, but on the night after the trip into the artifact, Nomi's emotions broadcast her concern as she finds Efnir (wherever he may happen to be).

"Hey, how are you doing after everything today? Maybe I can't fully understand what happened, but I'm here for you, if you want to talk about it or swap theories, or I'm cool with just playing a game if you want to not think about it." Her eyes search his face for any sign of what he is feeling.

“Of course, Nomi. I found it quite interesting actually. Do you want to get some of that Wookiee drink leftover? I think I remember it being tasty and I promise I will sip it this time. Then we can find a comfy sitting place. I can play a game AND talk about it if you actually have a desire and not meant as a distraction.”

Nomi looks relieved. "I shouldn't be surprised that you are more interested than upset. There's a lot of that Wookiee drink left. I'll go get it." She looks back over her shoulder as she leaves to get the spicy orange stuff. "Wanna play Dejarik? I owe you for last time when you slaughtered my Strider. It died before its time, poor monster."

It takes Nomi a few minutes, but she finally comes back hauling a load. She has the giant jug of orange spice drink, a couple mugs, a bowl of crunchy snacks that are usually salty, but Efnir can predict she has sprinkled them with something to impart sweetness as well to satisfy her sweet tooth. She's also carrying a big floor cushion and the Dejarik board. Nomi thumps the cushion down on the other side of the low table in the common room, leaving Efnir to sit on the couch. She pours them each a generous mug and presses the button on the Dejarik board to start the holographic display.

"Remember to sip it... Though maybe I shouldn't remind you, if you get drunk I'm bound to win, right?"

Nomi shrugs out of her customary leather jacket, leaving her in a comfy, soft v-neck, which she untucks. She settles on the cushion with crossed legs.

"So, what exactly happened in that meditation? How come you are shrugging it off like no big deal when the others are practically soiling themselves?"

Efnir watches her settle in and takes an actually small sip of the spice drink.

Thinking for a moment, “perhaps it is like a rock that rolled out of a fire. I reached but pulled my hand back, while the others got burned. So I do not fear the rock in the same way. It looked like there was no true damage done, thankfully, unless Vesper crashed into something when he ran out.

“What actually happened? I don’t know that I can say more than I did earlier. With what Vic saw on this end I can only guess but maybe we were like hacking into something with the Force? Maybe the encompassing tentacles were a representation of a firewall or other similar protection. But I don’t know about what was contained. This white magma, but it also felt like a consciousness. Alive.”

He looks at her, cupping the drink just below his chin. “We all seemed to agree that there was no way the artifact could store the amount of data that the Archives would amount to, so maybe it was simply like an access node. But that wouldn’t solve Firith’s issue of there only being one Archive. What if there is a backup, and instead of a technological server, it was biological. And it's out in wild space somewhere. And Damasa is the Key.”

With a quick shake of his head and one more sip, which is done before he realizes it was out of habit and really not that long after the last sip, he turns attention to the Dejarik board.

“Oh, you went already. Of course. I think I got lucky last time, but I won’t fall for your wiles this time.” There is a faint reddening of his cheeks which would be difficult to notice except she has seen before when flushed. He moves a piece on the side in what Nomi can easily spot as set up for a flanking maneuver.

Nomi leans forward and rests her elbows on the table as she looks up at Efnir. "So, the question is, is the tentacle wall/fire wall there to keep others out or to keep that presence in?" She taps her lip with a finger as she looks at the board, then moves a piece in to foil his flanking maneuver, effectively cutting off Efnir's advance on that point unless he wants to activate a special ability her piece has which would damage his. "If Firith was so worried about the archives being a single point of failure there would be no point in creating the artifact to solve that unless there was a second point right? There would be no solution whatsoever if the artifact was made as another way to access the archives which may then fall or be erased. Do you really think that the data could be written on something biological? Is that even possible? Wouldn't it make more sense that the secondary archives had attracted the attention of something else which is biological?" Nomi picks up a crunchy snack bit and pops it onto her tongue. She gestures at the board and her cup. "I'll drink when you damage one of my pieces."

Leaning back, Nomi sighs. "What if that dark presence is Damasa? We've been running toward this mysterious being who has been missing, presumed dead for years and we have thought that she would solve it all when we find her. But Firith knew that Damasa predicted Lilikai would fall to the dark side and yet he wanted to give her the artifact to take to Damasa. What? Hoping that she wouldn't actually fall if he got her out of there or that Damasa would redeem her? What if Damasa's self-isolation and the things that she saw, but had no way to deal with, caused her downfall too? I am starting to think that when we find her we shouldn't tell her straight away about the artifact or why we are looking for her. Not until we find out more about her and what she has been up to." She snorts. "Maybe we should take the warning that Master Yoda gave to Firith and Lilikai." She frowns wryly. "And besides that I am a little mad at her for what she said to Lilikai. She apparently didn't care that her words were the tip to that prophecy coming true."

“With those stakes I need to be careful with this. I will note I am 2 drinks up on you.” Efnir sets the cup down nearby.

“We can speculate all kinds of things. Who knows what it really could be. I agree with caution revealing too much to Damasa whenever it is we find her. Lessons learned from Lilikai. I will admit that I have a fascination with Damasa. Another Iktotchan Jedi. Well, former Jedi I guess, since she abandoned the Order. From what we have heard and seen she seems much more kindred spirit to myself than Master Tiin was and I maybe was hoping she would be able to teach me things outside his specialties. Maybe she still could, but I hear what you say about she could have possibly also fallen.”

Efnir makes a move on the opposite flank.

“Keep an eye and ear alert and if you feel something is off I will listen to you.”

Nomi shrugs. "I like to speculate. It keeps me on my toes. I wouldn't have to do it so much if I could predict the future." She gives Efnir a grin and ignores his flanking maneuver on the opposite side in preference for attacking one of his pieces with one of her own. "It takes damage now, when it moves," she reminds him of the bitten piece. It appears that she has forgotten that a piece he has moved into position can attack twice, or perhaps she has left herself open to a double attack on purpose.

"I can understand why you would feel a potential connection to Damasa and I appreciate that you will listen to me if I feel like something is wrong. But I think that you, Somi, Vesper and the Night Sisters will have a better chance of telling something like that, right? I can wish all I want to have the ability to sense the Force, but it's not tangible to me. I know that I work with it and it with me, but not so directly as the five of you. Now, I can detect a bull-shitter, as long as it's not Lilikai, apparently. So if it comes to that, I'll let you know."

Efnir smiles and takes the double attack. “There. Two drinks for you?”

Nomi has much more Dejarik experience due to her more frequent space travel over the last 5 years. Efnir on the other hand, plays exactly like one who first learned to play 6 years ago then hadn’t seen the game again until here on the Ronto. With her smarts, cunning and experience she will be able to quickly tell his strategy. There could be two choices here: first, employ effective counters and board position and end the game quickly. With this impromptu damage for drinks wager, the loser is going to be taking a lot of sips regardless, but a quick end would at least leave her not sober, but far less drunk. Second, to purposefully draw the game out. Efnir would still lose unless he got lucky or she missed something, but it would be closer. She would end up drinking much more, however.

Efnir tries to concentrate on the board, but even with only those 2 sips he is starting to feel a bit wobbly. He tries to keep a straight face and not stare at her. Not too much at least.

Nomi makes eye contact with Efnir as she sips her drink twice, then sets it down on the table and moves an unused piece into the space just vacated by the piece Efnir had killed. The holographic display causes her piece to rear up and slash his and holographic blood splatters. Nomi puts a hand over his cup. "That makes us even. Maybe we should move this game to your room so you won't have to go anywhere after it's done?"

Nomi shuffles things around, carrying the two cups, bowl of snacks and cushion. She has Efnir take the game board, which, being holographic, won't spill no matter the effects of the alcohol on his system. She leaves the jug behind.

"What did you do for fun at the Temple? You never really came out with us to clubs or venues. At least not when I was there, which I admit wasn't all the time."

Once at his room, Nomi settles the floor cushion next to his bed and uses the bed as a table of sorts. She hands Efnir his mug and let's him decide if he will sit next to her or on the bed.

Efnir follows with a bit of concern from the swift loss of the monster. Feeling a bit out of his league - at least it’s practice, and you can’t expect to get better without practice.

He sits next to her on the cushion with the board in reach of them both on the bed nearby.

“For fun? Well I suppose I found reading about various lore in the archives was fun. I liked my classes and spending time with Somi and Vesper since basically all the other padawans were half our age or less. Lightsaber dueling, learning about the Force, I really did like it. I didn’t really feel welcome out and about on Coruscant, people were either scared of my looks or that I might predict some terrible fate. When Master Tiin was out in the war I had to entertain myself with study and practice. I would carry various things around the temple to hone that ability, sometimes toss a ball against a wall and so forth. Looking back now it seems so simple and boring. We might be fugitives in frequent peril but it’s also the most fun I have had I think in my life.”

Looking over at her, “so is that one drink for one attack or what? We should really have clear rules.” He then reaches over to make his next turn. With her moving her unit, it opened a clear path for his ranged K’lo’slug to hit her Savrip three times, taking it out. He then picks up both cups and hands hers over, then clinks them together before they take agreed upon sips.

"One drink for me each time one of my pieces takes a hit. I never said you had to play." She winks at him and takes three sips. Then she leans her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes momentarily. "No one worth any attention would be afraid of you if they knew you. I certainly do not find you scary looking. Quite the opposite, actually." Nomi gives him a glance through her lashes then sits up to contemplate the game board. With the loss of her Savrip and Grimtash she is left with only her Molator and Houjix on the board. The range on his K'lor'slug gives it a big advantage. Nomi doesn't attack this turn, just moves one of her pieces so that they are now both out of range and on the wrong tiles to be hit. Efnir will have to move his pieces closer to do anything, which will make one of them vulnerable, at least.

She puts her hand on his knee. "Well, you know what I said about these being the best times of my life. So I get it."

"Hey, is everything ok, personally? I mean you were pretty insistent about the money thing the other day. Is there something you need help with or some kind of debt you need to pay?"

“I am the one who suggested the drinks. I will play along.” He takes another sip. With only two units left vs. his three he is feeling confident. And the warm spiciness of the drink chases away any thoughts of strategy. He moves the Ng’ok up the middle, leaving the Ghhhk and K’lor’slug behind.

“I just thought it little strange to ask someone to sell an item for me then find out nearly all the credits would go to the bank Nawah controls. And I maybe spent nearly all my remaining credits on the opera tickets and wouldn’t have enough to do that again if there was opportunity. Being able to buy some parts to tinker up my saber and the armor inserts was bonus. Well, I mean I would have enough with the lesser amount, but it felt wrong, but I get it that maybe the armor wasn’t mine really. I never had to worry about having credits before and I want to get things sometimes.”

She can tell he is getting a bit rambling in speech but is tolerating better than at the dinner before.

Nomi smiles sweetly and gives Efnir a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for taking me to the opera. It was a fantastic experience. And you are either being incredibly gracious - or have forgotten - to not mention my own upset I had with Nawah about money. I'm not even sure if she paid me after all that shook out. I think she's really used to having her own income independent of what we do on the ship, so she has no concept that the rest of us need money too and would rather not have to go ask her for it any time we want to buy a new pair of underwear."

Nomi leans forward over Efnir's knee to move her Molator into range of his Ng'ok and activate it's special ability, stunning Efnir's piece for two rounds. She's carefully positioned it between the Molator and his other pieces, offering her piece shelter from a direct attack at the moment.

Then she leans back and takes a few pieces of the salty sweet snack, crunching them as she waits.

Worried that the Ng’ok is at risk, Efnir moves up the Ghhhk to be near for any needed healing later, though this does mean the K’lor’slug remains without a good shot at anything for now.

“Again I find myself too hot with your closeness. It is pleasant do not mistake me, but now with the extra padding these robes are far too much. Maybe the drink does not help either.” He briefly gets up to hang the bulkier outer robe next to the hooded cloak on a hook then sits back down, wearing some loose pants and the shorter under robe. He sits back down, close enough his side is right next to her. “That is much more comfortable.”

Nomi looks at Efnir appraisingly. "It looks good from here, too," she says with a little laugh. "I'm glad that you don't mind being warm. Though we could probably turn up the air circulation if it's too stuffy for you."

Knowing that the K'lor'slug will not be able to move and use it's special 3x attack in the same round, Nomi transfers her Houjix across the board to be in range of the Ghhhk and does a straight attack, doing just enough damage to take that creature out of the game. She watches with satisfaction as Efnir drinks again. "Do you remember the first time we met?" she asks him.

Efnir moves the K’lor’slug around the outside, which opens a shot for later. She may have him in a bit of a control lock now with the stuns, but if he can get a good shot that might still tip things for him.

“No need to adjust life support settings for me just because you are warm. Easier to just wear less.” She can tell he is making quite an effort to keep his speech normal, and he kind of sways when sitting back down.

“Well when I arrived at the temple you had already been there for a bit so I was only initially introduced to Vesper and Somi when joining their class. I heard about you existing from Somi. I think she was still not very used to being apart because she would tell lots of stories about you. But the first time I met you in person was when I ran into you in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. I mistook you for Somi as I was running through levitating something and called out and asked why you weren’t in your robes. Maybe you were going out with Lilikai or something exciting. But when I got close and you didn’t recognize me I realized that you must be the sister and introduced myself. I remember you looking lonely. But that is how I learned you liked to be there for later group activities and ultimately how I found you on the day of the attack.” He looks strait over at her. “Actually it was quite lucky you were there at that early hour because I would have no idea where your room would have been with the mechanics, and searching might have lost the time to escape. Must be fate.”

He looks down at the cup which is only about ¼ full now, then gives it a swirl and waits.

Nomi takes a minute to look things over. Having the K'lor'slug gives Efnir a big advantage. With it's huge range and ability to do so much damage at once she has to keep her pieces away from it if she is going to have any chance to win. True that it can't take much of a hit, but you have to get your pieces close enough to hit it. She chews her lip as she considers, then finally having decided what to do she stuns the Ng'ok for another two rounds and moves her Molator to a diagonal from his K'lor'slug making it impossible to attack her again without moving first.

"I remember that. I actually thought about trying to be Somi. It was so second nature to pose as each other still. But I realized I wouldn't be able to do that since you identified I was her sister. That was when I was just starting training. No going out with Lilikai yet. I was between classes. And I was lonely. I'm amazed you could tell even from that short interaction. I wasn't used to being without Somi, especially at night. I have never slept well on my own. So yeah, I was tired and lonely. The flowers and playing my Dotaesivar are the only things I ever found that really helped so I actually spent a lot of early, early mornings there. Well, the flowers and music didn't help me sleep. The only thing that does that is spending the night with a loved one."

"Fate, the Force, whatever it was. I'm glad." She suddenly gives him a sharp look. "Would you have spent the time to look for me?"

Efnir again moves the K’lor’slug as his only option, circling around to try and get something lined up.

“Of course. I would have either found you or found out you were already out of the temple like the others were. Well, until they snuck back in. You would not have been left alone.”

Nomi offers Efnir the snack bowl. "I brought these for you too. Do you want some? Having something else in your belly can help offset the effects of the alcohol. I might have an advantage, with two stomachs." She pops another piece in her mouth and chews as she uses her Molator to deal just 2 damage to the Ng'ok and then makes sure to move it out of range of both of his remaining pieces. Efnir can see a perfect place to move his K'lor'slug to put him in range of her creature and trap it. He won't be able to do three attacks after moving, but he can do one and severely damage her piece, leaving it with only 1 HP.

Nomi sighs. "I wish I could say the same thing. That I would have looked for my friends. But if you hadn't been there to help make sure I didn't try to defend her, I'm sure I would have stayed to fight. We both know how that would have ended." Nomi looks at Efnir shyly through her lashes. "I will forever be in your debt for that."

Moving into position Efnir takes the attack but without the special ability it is not quite enough to kill the unit. Then takes a small handful of snacks and begins eating them one at a time. “Hrmmm. Your snack is good. I will have a little but am not all that hungry.” He takes his sip of the drink, now almost gone.

“Maybe I can talk to Nawah about a repayment plan. Wonder what value of kisses are? It might take a lot.” He wraps an arm around her and chuckles.

Nomi takes a sip of her drink. Hers is also almost gone. She smiles at Efnir and twists around under his embrace to sit in his lap, his arm now across the top of her legs. "For you, my kisses are free. But I'd also like to think they are infinitely valuable." She leans forward and kisses him while lifting one hand to the side of his face. Game forgotten for the moment.

After they break away Nomi looks over her shoulder at the game board and uses her Houjix to smash his Ng'ok. Doing the rest of the damage to kill it. Then she moves that piece to threaten his last piece. Her trap now becomes evident. Efnir can kill the Houjix, but leaves himself open to being stunned, or can kill the Molator but leaves himself open to the large attack of the Houjix. She looks down at her drink and preemptively finishes it, placing the empty cup on the bed next to the bowl of snacks. "Go ahead, do your worst."

Efnir also finishes his drink. “I concede.”

He then uses the Force to clear off the board and her glass from the bed to not have to move her from his lap. Then, proceeding to “do his worst” turns her fully towards him, one hand holding a lek and the other bringing her head in for kisses.

Nomi follows Efnir's lead and settles her thighs against his hips. Still kissing him she runs her fingers down the slanting curve of his tunic her fingertips brushing the bare skin underneath his collar. Her attempts to figure out where it fastens and how it's supposed to come off are to no avail. She's not worn such clothes before and never paid attention when her sister removed them, though in hindsight it would have been useful information in situations where she wanted to undress a Jedi. Frustrated in her attempts to disrobe him, Nomi giggles against his lips. "No wonder you get hot with all the layers you wear." She disengages and sits back a little on his lap. "How about you do yours and I'll do mine?" she suggests, reaching her hem and sliding her shirt up and over her head in one smooth movement exposing the expanse of her periwinkle torso marred only by the raised scar on her collarbone.

Efnir pauses briefly to appreciate her form, then hastily starts undoing the little ties on the robe flaps and slips it off. Still sitting lotus-style, he reaches out and draws her close, hands and lips exploring newly discovered territory but careful not to stab or scrape her with his horns. After a moment, still comfortably trapped under her, He leans back a bit while his hands run down her lekku and murmurs “You are amazing. This is amazing.”

Nomi's Lekku twine about his hands as he strokes them and she doesn't answer for a moment while she catches her breath. It's apparent from her breathing and the rapid pulse fluttering at the base of her neck that she's in agreement with his assessment. After a moment she starts to run her hands over the skin on his chest and she looks like she's thinking. She finally says in such a quiet voice it's almost a whisper, "Efnir, I really really like you. I don't want to mess things up by doing something right now while you're drunk that you regret doing tomorrow. And I don't know if just saying that is enough or if we should just hold off for now until we've gotten some rest..." She bites her lip and turns her eyes up to the ceiling. "I'm sure you've guessed that I'm not... I'm not a virgin. But I'm not sure if you've thought about whether that bothers you. Or if it bothers you enough that we should stop." Her eyes blink rapidly before she drops her gaze back down to his. "I'm not saying that we should do that, have sex tonight. There are plenty of other things we can do. I just- I just need to make sure you know about me and what I am and what I've done and you're ok with it." Her eyes are glistening a little at the corners and her Lekku have tightened about his wrists.

“Your decisions in the past are just that- in the past. Whatever the reasons at the time, they make you, you. And you are here now and for whatever reason like me. Why would I change anything on that path? But thank you for sharing, I was prepared for the possibility. If you are worried about the drink, yes I do feel nicely tipsy. But spacing it out compared to last time has helped quite a bit. Also I feel like my mental discipline and will is stronger. I would have no regrets.” He leans back until laying down, which ends up pulling her forward as well with her lekku around his wrists. With her face close again, he says “I am interested in all the things we can do. Now, or later.”

Nomi nuzzles Efnir's neck, holding herself just so to avoid his horns. Efnir can feel the strong happiness and admiration rolling off of her overcoming any other emotion she may have. "There are lots of reasons I like you. Not least of which your unending curiosity for experiencing new things - with me."

She pulls back, a mischievous grin now on her face. "So, let me show you something new..."