Nar Shaddaa

Zane hadn't wanted to sleep on his ship, honestly he didn't want to sleep at all, he knew he would run out of steam sometime soon though. At first he had thought of asking to crash at Arsele's but some part of him had been a bit reluctant about that. So instead he found a decent hotel in uptown, and booked a room.

He couldn't resist sending a message to the Blonde Beauty though, and had eventually sent her a message seeing if she'd join him. Which is why he found himself in the hotel bar, nursing a glass of whiskey. He hadn't taken a sip yet, he had been abstaining all day and perhaps needed a little help getting started.

Arsele had got the note; She hadn't been surprised, but she wasn't one-hundred percent sure why. Regardless, she showed up, wearing a conservative blue and white dress, walking over and sitting down next to Zane.

"See? Whiskey before me."

Her smile showed she wasn't being serious.

He turned her way and offered a wan smile. "Not quite beautiful, I haven't even sipped it yet and this will be my first one all day."

His eyes slipped over her form for a moment. "You look good by the way, the sight of you melts my exhaustion away."

"Exhausting night, hm? Maybe I should have gone easy on you then," Arsele said casually, ordering a lemon drop martini from the bartender.

With a motion Z informed the barman to put it on his tab, a more natural smile on his lips. "I'd never want you to go easy on me beautiful, no fun at all in that. It's just been a long day. Haven't slept since the little nap I had after me met."

"Well, glad to know I'm not the only one out of it, anyways..." she said, turning on the bar stool to face him, "But you look good Z, all things considered."

"A man must do his best to always be presentable." The rake replied with a chuckle. "You're out of it though?" He turned to face her more fully a hint on concern in his eyes. "Anything I should know about?"

A light dry chuckle, a smirk gracing her lips, "Various small things; Mom and Pop having me kidnapped, Arali dear turning me down, trouble sleeping... Nothing huge, but they add up."

Her drink was set down near her elbow on the dark wood bar.

He reached out to out a comforting hand on her thigh. "I'm sorry Arsele, is the kidnapping why you missed our date?" He asked a look of concern in his eyes.

"Hm? Yes yes. Long story short, I got involved in Alderaanian noble house politics, and that got the attention of my family. There were alliances invoked, and favours pulled in, and they sent someone to 'keep me busy'. Fortunately, I have a lot of experience slipping out of that kind of special care."

He sighed, and gave her leg a reassuring pat. "I should of known something was wrong when you didn't show up. Still I'm happy you're sage."

"As for Arali, well it seems like I may owe you an apology there. I had a friend that was in pretty desperate need of some relief, so I introduced her to Arali. I never thought that little plum was a one woman type of girl though."

That got a chuckle as Arsele lifted her drink, "You don't know as much about a lot of women as you seem to think Zane dear. Still, I can tell it was a struggle not to say 'yes' when I asked; I think that was more a case of our particular relationship than her general outlook. She is a very steadfast and principalled woman; Part of the reason I find her so adorable you know."

Her laughter helped, and he finally managed to pick up his drink and bring it to his lips. "You're right about that, I'm no mind reader after all. So a gambler has no choice but to wager with the cards he has."

"That she is Arsele, adorable that is." He added teasingly. "The other part I'd also have to agree with, after all she wouldn't let me take on all the responsibility for the mistakes I made last night." He smirked. "She's also a stubborn Plum."

"She tastes like plum? ...now you're just taunting me."

Arsele pouted briefly before setting her own glass back down, "But you talked to her about what happened last night then?"

"Perhaps I am." He replied teasingly before nodding.

"I did, but Arali was there for it. Mind you at the safest place I could put her." He sighed. "People were hurt, shot of course. One of my friends lost an arm. The other her life. I took the body to the Jedi temple earlier this morning. It's where I saw Arali."

"I... see."

Arsele had never really experienced anything like that. But then, she always worked alone.

"My condolences on the loss."

"Thank you." He replied with a soft smile. "It's not the first time I've lost someone on something like this though, you learn to take it in stride. I did most of my mourning earlier today, though I admit it still stings, and leads to my own trouble sleeping."

Taking a sip of his whiskey he watched her for a moment. "Could I ask what's bothering you so much to lose out on sleep?"

"Last night?"

There was a pause.

"...you really can't figure that one out?"

"I'm an idiot." He replied softly looking into her eyes.

Reaching out he took one of her hands in his own if she'd allow it. bring it up and turning it over to plant a soft kiss on her palm. "Thank you for worrying about me Arsele. Even if I'm too foolish to understand it when you first said it."

"You should feel honoured; I don't just worry about anyone you know. Even if you can be a bit that way sometimes."

She was looking at her hand as she said this.

"I am honored." Z replied, as he rose to his feet, letting their hands part as he noticed her gaze. "I should remember, you don't like being treated like a princess." He murmured as he leaned in with the intention of stealing a long and deep kiss, the type you really shouldn't share in public.

Her hand went lightly to his shoulder to hold him back, "Hm? A bit; I don't think that counted though. Just a bit... well... embarrassing, I suppose."

She cleared her throat lightly and finally looked up at him.

That really wasn't what he was expecting, but as he looked down into her eyes he nodded. "I'll try to be more careful then." He offered softly.

"I've been known to act without thinking though."

"Believe me, that hasn't slipped past me Zane." she said with obvious sarcasm in her voice, motioning for him to sit down again.

He chuckled lightly, and retook his seat. Picking up his whiskey once again and taking a sip. Placing it back on the bar he watched her in silence for a few moments before speaking. "I can't figure out what to say anymore."

"I think this might be a first for me."