A First Date

A First Date
Date of Scene:	01 November 2025
Location:	Kublop Springs - Tenoo - Outer Rim
Synopsis:	Zetha goes on her first actual date. It's quite nice.
Cast of Characters:	195, Zetha Rumir

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Amarik (195) has posed:
It might have been as short as half an hour, or as long a couple, depending on how much convincing the doctor had had to do in order to get Zetha to leave the business about the Mandalorians well enough alone until she could take care of her personal matters. He would have told her, too, that there was little to be done on that front yet anyway, the Mandalorians weren't exactly playing friendly and he'd yet to confirm that Thaarin was going to be allowed to bring him along to study the strange 'Jasper' duplicate. And the doctor was adamant that Zetha not talk to him, or the other Mandalorian, until he'd done a psych eval on both of them.

So Zetha doesn't have much else to do in the meantime, unless she wants to go back to the junkyard and obsess over the drill bit, which has been already been reassembled...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha had resigned to go talk to Crane with much pushing from Soren. Truth of the matter was, she didn't like that she had inevitably pushed 'Crane' away but at the same time, she felt like her own feelings on the matter weren't taken into consideration. None the less, she leaves Soren to do whatever it is Soren does and makes her way to the convent. Of course, she has no idea where Crane is. Right there in the open entrance, in his room, in the inner sanctum. But she'll go looking for him never the less.

Amarik (195) has posed:
She'll bump into him as she's making her way towards his room in the convent.

She might not know how to feel when it immediately becomes apparently that he's packed up, and is carrying a small backpack. He looks like he's going somewhere that isn't here... permanently.

Regardless, when she appears in the hallway, he seems happy to see her. Those electric indigo eyes light up, and there's zero trace of any bitterness or resentment towards her, despite how she'd treated him earlier. "I was going to ask the other convent members to make sure you knew I'd left this for you," he says, holding out that romance holobook she'd mentioned was her favorite. "But now, since you're here, I can just give it to you. I know you like it."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
There's a blink as she sees how he's packed up, that small backpack, and when he offers her that holobook...she takes it hesitantly. "..Thanks..but.." She looks past him to his room and then back to him. "Are you going somewhere? I...I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for how I snapped at you back at the junkyard. And..." A part of her feels like this is now pointless. But she pushes past that and musters up the courage to continue. "Crane. Things have been a whirlwind and often I find myself landing on only one foot and stumbling. But you've always been a rock that I can steady myself with. And that means so much to me. I -do- like you..." She stops there though, like working through things she wants to say before saying them so she doesn't mess something else up.

Amarik (195) has posed:
The young Tholothian man looks really confused. "Oh," he says, "that's alright, I wasn't angry at you."

He pauses. "Well, to be honest, I thought I didn't really have a reason to stay here. Since it seemed like you didn't want to see me anymore, and Navi and Cayde will visit Jedha plenty..." he trails off.

But when she says she likes him, he smiles faintly. "Thank you," he says, "I'm flattered. Should I stay, then?"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"You don't have to be angry for something to have still been wrong. I was wrong. This thing with Zealot and what he's asked me to do has got me frazzled...but when I found out that it would benefit others...and we changed the gameplan a little bit. I'm still terrified Zealot's going to think I'm wasting time or...whatever...but everyone is right. I can't let that fear control what I do..."

Then she lets out a light laugh. "I'm rambling again. Sorry. It's really just me trying to sort out my thoughts." Then she smiles. "Would you please stay? I would like that. I really would. Cause I'd like to still see you, talk, rant about crappy romance writing...I mean...if you really want to stay and keep hanging out with a whirlwind of a person like myself."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Okay," he says, and immediately puts down the bag. Perhaps it will occur to her that it seems that the only reason he's here at all is... her.

He sits down on the small futon in the hallway, and offering her a faint smile and patting the spot on it next to him, inviting her to sit down.

"Don't be afraid, Zetha. Even if you are wasting his time, it doesn't matter. What can he do to you, that the Jedi won't be able to protect you from? I'm sorry that had to happen to you, and I'm sorry you were terrified. But he's just as afraid of the Jedi, as you are of him. Who wouldn't be? Your friends are powerful, Zetha. No harm is going to befall you, or Wiis. The co deputies won't let it happen, I'm certain of it."

"I like you, too," he offers randomly. "But I fear I've only been a mediocre friend to you, and I don't want that. I want to be more than that."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha's smile doesn't fade, and in fact likely brightens a little as he sets his bag down. The whole matter of factly, she asked, he obliged, is likely something she will have to get used to. When he sits, and offers her a seat beside, she takes it and listens to what he says.

"I know. I need to trust that. I'm still..learning? How to trust that. But Cayde and Navi have done many things to help protect Wiis and I. And I need to trust that will continue." She offers this. "It's just...it was me and Wiis only for a long time. Seventeen years is a long time to only exist in the junkyard. Wiis usually ran most the errands and I worked on orders or just making things work again around the yard. So it's hard letting go of that feeling that protecting Wiis is on me and me alone." Even saying that out loud is likely a big step for Zetha. Though with the last bit of what he says, she actually blushes.

"You have been more than a mediocre friend. You're someone I can trust. You've done a lot for me whether you know it or not. So keep being that...and maybe even more...e-eventually...of course..." There's a pause. "I'm glad you like me too. This would be a weird friendship if you didn't..."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"You can't be blamed," he says, "everything you've said is true, but there's also the fact that everyone else around here just doesn't seem to believe that Cayde can carry his half of the job and help protect you if you need it," he says. "You've seen how Navi, Thaarin, and even the doctor treat him. They treat him like he's a child. And maybe he is, and maybe he does mess up a lot, but did anyone ever consider that perhaps it's because they don't believe in him? They don't believe he's capable of not ruining whatever he touches. Imagine if everyone believed that about you. It wouldn't be fair, would it?"

He seems intrigued and puzzled when she says they that could maybe be even more. "What do you mean?" he asks. "I want to know how I can be more than the friend I'm being now."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha nods. "I think I maybe got that habit too. Cayde means well, and he tries so hard. I can see that he does. Gods I kinda see myself in him sometimes. I've been meaning to be able to talk to him, like without anyone else around. Because I think he acts a little differently when he's got anyone else watching his every move. But I'd like to just have a conversation with him. Let -him- express how he feels - though I think he has a hard time with that too." She offers this and then nods. "You're right. If the tables were turned, it truly wouldn't be fair. I think people need to be reminded of that. A person can't grow if they're being put down all the time."

When he asks about what she means, Zetha actually blushes. "Well hanging out like this helps. Just being able to sit and talk. But I'd like to get to know you more. Maybe...and this is so not how it works in When Stars Collide but...maybe go out? Like on your boat, but this time not with any needed destination in mind. We could enjoy the water and time together. Hopefully without any interruption." Zetha. Can you not just say 'go on a date'?

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Yeah," he says, "I think that would be really good for him. And you," he says. "And reminding people would be good, too. I think that would mean a lot to him, if you stood up for him, once or twice, or even better, multiple times."

Zetha may be happy to find that this seems to please him, greatly. He nods vigorously, his eyes light up, and he smiles broadly at her. He'd never done that before, and she might find herself realizing that he's even prettier when he's excited like this. He stands up, and starts hurrying towards the exit of the convent. "If we don't get to the dock in the next ten minutes, we'll miss the sunset!"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"You're right. If anyone has been a mediocre friend to anyone it's me to Cayde. But you're right and I'll do that. Not only because you said it but because I agree and it needs to be done." Zetha offers this much and then lets the matter rest. If only because Crane is suddenly really excited. That smile alone tugs at her more than she maybe realized it would.

Then he's standing and hurrying to leave! "Well wait a moment and at least let me follow you!" This said with laughter and joy in the words as she stands and hurries to follow him.

Amarik (195) has posed:
"No!" he says playfully, now full on running. "You're too slow!"

But it's not like Zetha doesn't know where the docks are, it's just highly likely that he's gonna get there a full two or three minutes before she does.

He'll already be on the boat when she arrives, but as luck would have it, the fuel reservoir is empty, and he'll still be filling it when she arrives.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"You're such a jerk!" Zetha calls back just as playfully while trying to keep up. It doesn't work. She's a couple minutes behind but then spies him filling the fuel resivoir. This at least allows her to catch her breath for a moment.

"While we're on the subject of friendly things...I do want to make sure I know your boundaries. I know you like your privacy and I'm hopefully doing better at respecting that. But like now while we're here and hanging out and such... is NOW - or at least when you're done filling the tank - an okay time to hug you?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
He doesn't actually say anything when she asks about his boundaries, but there's a playful twinkle in his eyes when he looks over at her while filling the reservoir.

Once he finishes, he'll shrug off his outer layer, revealing the sleeveless shirt he's wearing underneath and the very faint scar on his upper arm. Zetha might have recalled that one time he'd clearly been injured, somehow.

But before she can say anything else, he wraps an arm around her waist while tossing the rope securing the boat to the pier post onto the dock.

He smiles. "This is fine," he says.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha won't ask about the scar. Maybe sometime in the future, but not now. It may dampen the moment and she doesn't want that. Instead she'll watch as he finishes filling the tank and tosses that securing rope onto the dock.

When he moves to wrap an arm around her, she'll shift and lean her head onto his shoulder. Shoulder? Arm? Wherever her head can rest depending on height difference. "Yeah. This is great." Letting them stay that way for a moment. "So. You know a good place to watch the sun set, eh?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Of course I do," he says, "I come out here on a weekly basis to see it. It's wonderful. Have you ever visited the pools on top of the trees?" he asks.

"The best view is from up there." The boat will then jolt as it hits the current, and away they go.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"We might have to make this a regular occurence then. That I join you sometimes. If you wish." Zetha offers and then gives a shake of her head. "No. I don't regularly come to the woods..." And this is likely a huge step considering what happened the last time.

"Well if we can make it, I can't wait to see it... but I think the view will be wonderful anywhere because we're sharing it together."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"I would like that," he says immediately, "you can come with me anytime you want," he says with a smile.

He laughs. "We'll make it, don't worry."

He seems flattered and embarrassed when she says it will be wonderful anywhere because they're sharing it together. "You're too kind," he says, averting his gaze bashfully.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Careful. I may come so much you'll actually get sick of me being around!" Zetha says jokingly and then watches the scenery as it goes by while the boat travels along.

"Just being honest." She says then which rolls right into her commenting, "We hang out enough times people might think we're dating."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"I won't," he reassures her.

When she comments about them hanging out enough that people might thing they're dating, he shrugs. "So?" he says nonchalantly. "Is that a bad thing?"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
And there it is. But is he asking because he -wants- them to be dating or just doesn't care what other people think. "Honestly, I don't think so. In truth...I guess it's more if someone like Navi, Cayde or even Doctor Cassias asks. What would we tell them? Which answer would be the truth?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
He suddenly stops piloting the boat, and he frowns. He seems pensive but also confused.

"I don't know," he says. "What do you want?"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"Maybe to give it some time. We like each other which is a start. I'm open to the possibility that this may turn into us dating. Which likely sounds like deflection...but I'm still working out some things. And I don't want to just jump into something. Time. Potential. People can think what they want. What matter is that we're on the same page." Zetha offers, feeling the little mood shift that she was hoping wouldn't happen.

Amarik (195) has posed:
"You want to... date me? Or no, you don't?" he says, incredulous. For some reason, this seems to be news to him.

There's a pregnant pause, and he goes back to steering the boat, but his expression is pensive. "...right. It doesn't matter what other people think, it just matters what you want, and what we know to be true."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I do." Zetha says it firmly. Or she thinks she does. "But it's very new territory for me. To date anyone. To feel like I'm ready to date someone. It may not seem like it right now, but this whole conversation is terrifying for me to have. Cause it puts a bit on the line. But if you're open to the potential.."

His other statement comes and she nods. "Yes. Just that." And then she tries to turn it all around again. "So. Sunset?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Oh," he says. He seems surprised. -Very- surprised, and speechless. "...I'm flattered. But I had no idea you wanted to date me," he says, "and I'm sorry, but I just don't --"

But then suddenly, the boat dips, and there's some turbulence. His attention is diverted back to piloting, and he says, "We're about to go over the falls --"

He pushes the repulsorlifts to max capacity, and then suddenly, they're nosediving at a 45 degree angle!

Zetha Rumir has posed:
And there it is again. Zetha's mind can fill in the rest of what was going to come after 'just dont'. Not that she has any time to actually fill in the blank even mentally as the boat jerks and then they're going over the falls. She just grabs onto the nearest not-Crane object she might be able to grab onto so she doesn't go flying out of the boat herself.

Amarik (195) has posed:
Thankfully, the nosedive doesn't last for long. Before Zetha knows it, she's drenched and they're in a gorgeous, reflective pool of water on top of those massive flat topped trees that Tenoo is so famous for.

The setting is serene, romantic - and the reflection of the sunset in the still water is gorgeous.

Crane is up top, raising the sails so the boat slows its pace. Once he's finished, he looks down at her, offering her a faint smile, as he climbs down the mast to join her on the deck.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha smiles and then dips her head. "Look. I understand if you don't want to date me. Just...please don't stop being my friend. That's all I ask. That's probably more of what I need now than anything. Friends. So..." But the view is incredible in that sort of take your breath away kind of thing. If friends can enjoy this, then maybe things won't be so bad after all.

"This view is incredible, and look how the water reflects the colors. It's absolutely gorgeous."

Amarik (195) has posed:
He doesn't say anything at first, but when she tries to change the subject and talk about the sunset, he doesn't look over at it.

He's just looking at her. "Zetha," he says, "I want you to tell me how you really feel."

"And be honest, please."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
She actually frowns a little, and turns her attention to the sun while it slowly dips below the horizon. "I like you. A lot. I find myself smiling every time you message me. Those cute little additions to them that I still don't quite understand. You've been there for me for a lot, and you showed me a kindness even from the first moment we met at the convent. The fact that you've actually taken time to make sure I'm okay. That you miss me, and I miss you, when it's been a while since we've seen eachother."

There's a pause as she looks over at him. Her own purple gaze sparkling with the fading sun. "You need to know that I am still working out some things with myself. Mentally and emotionally. So I can't, and won't, put anymore to it than that. I'm open to seeing if it could be more. That's how I feel."

Amarik (195) has posed:
His bemusement grows. "But what does that all mean?" he asks, his brows furrowing.

"I meant, what are you feeling right now? You seem disappointed..." He goes to intertwine his fingers with hers, but still doesn't look over at the sunset. He's still watching her.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"I am. A little. Right before we went over the falls you were saying something. I said I wanted to date you and you apologized and said you just don't..." Zetha offers and then gives a chuckle. "I figured it was something like you don't see yourself dating right now. Or you just don't see me that way. Either of them are fine, of course. It's not the first time something similar has been said to me."

This is when she looks to him. "Which is why I said...why I asked...that you don't stop being my friend. That this doesn't hurt anything between us. But it's just that whenever I feel like I've managed to maybe figure something out about feelings and friendship and relationships...I find that I might just be wrong. Which is on me. And that's okay."

Amarik (195) has posed:
He doesn't say anything. Instead, he reaches forward and lets the back of his hand trace her lekku, very gently, while he maintains eye contact.

He then reaches into Zetha's mind, hoping to discern just how disappointed she was, or if he'd hurt her more than she was letting on...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
That hand against her lekku has her giving a soft smile. Though their eyes are meeting, she's maybe searching into his for something. Hopefully acceptance, at the very least, that he's satisfied with her answer.

As he reaches into her mind, the truth is apparent. The hurt stems from the fact that it's been done before. So she's honest that she's only a little disappointed between them, but there's a pain that does go a bit deeper. It's likely something she'll be talking to Doctor Cassias about sometime soon. Tell the people you love that you love them. But love - to Zetha - isn't as sectioned out as it should be.

Amarik (195) has posed:
For a moment, he just stands there, not knowing what to say or do. His brows furrow slightly, and if Zetha had to guess, it's a pensive look, like he's trying to figure out what he should say or do next.

Maybe a minute elapses, or perhaps a few seconds. But what comes next will probably surprise Zetha.

He leans towards her, hesitantly at first, but then attempts to kiss her. It's fumbling, awkward, but sincere...

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha watches him for the seconds or even minute that he's seeming to...think on things. Really think. She's not even sure if she should break the tension by saying something or just see what happens. A thought that goes overboard when she finds him leaning in and he's kissing her. Sure it's awkward and fumbly...but what first kisses aren't.

Her response? She accepts the first attempt and likely adjusts just enough so that there can be a second one just after. A little less fumbly, maybe similarly awkward, but definitely just as sincere as the first. Her eyes close and everything!

Amarik (195) has posed:
After his first attempt, he seems embarrassed. "Sorry," he says, "that was bad, let me try again--"

But then she just interrupts him by kissing him a second time. He'll be just as accepting of it as she was of the first one, as he wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her in close.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
That second kiss doesn't linger for too terribly long, breaking off gently from it as he pulls her close. Zetha wraps her arms around him in return and holds close to him as well. "Second one wasn't too bad, I don't think." She whispers since she's so close to him. Now this is the awkward moment where she doesn't want to hang on for too long, but also not to pull away too soon. But she does, eventually, shift to pull away just so and one hand drifts back to intwine fingers with his own again. "So. Is this when I get to turn the tables on you and ask how you're feeling right now. And to be honest with me?" She grins. "Seems only fair."

Amarik (195) has posed:
Again, he doesn't say anything for a few moments. He just stares into space, brows furrowed. He seems overwhelmed, but isn't voicing it. At least not yet, anyway.

Finally, he says, "I was going to say, I just don't know how." There's another pregnant pause. "I've never had anyone want to date me, and like me, too. The first girl who kissed me, well, I'm pretty sure she hates me now."

"I don't want to accidentally hurt you. I just want you to be happy. What I want outside of that doesn't matter that much--"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
"If it makes you feel any better, the first kiss I ever had was with the same Mandalorian I now need to infiltrate and cooerce into taking me to his labratory...so..." Zetha gives a grin and then a shrug. "I am happy. Happier than I've been in the past. And I need you to know and understand that I am still working on various parts of myself. I'm not perfect, but no one is. And this...one step at a time. Because that's all we can really ever take. We'll stumble together, I'm sure, but...I'm excited to see where it goes..."

She then shifts to rest her head on his chest a moment. "As far as first dates go...this is high up on the list."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Okay," he says, although he sounds a little uncertain.

But then after she moves to rest her head on his chest, he says more confidently, "Right. That's good."

He awkwardly places an arm around her shoulder, and has to readjust after a moment to make the placement of his arm less uncomfortable.

Eventually, he sits down, letting her lean on him as he finally turns to watch the sunset. "I'm glad you're happy," he says softly.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha shifts to sit with him, lean on him, and she actually takes in a breath and lets it out just before relaxing against him a bit more. "Well. You're happy too right? I mean...you're like the other half of all this so things you want or think or feel are going to matter. And we've kinda only focused on how -I- feel." She offers this, still tucked close, and just trying to have a conversation.

"That is a really pretty sunset though." Says the roller coaster of emotional wonders.

Amarik (195) has posed:
He pauses, frowning pensively for a moment. "...yes." Then, more confidently, "Yes."

He gets up, reaches into the water and pulls up a lotus flower and sticks it in her lekku. "It is," he says, then kisses her cheek. "But not as pretty as you."

Zetha Rumir has posed:
The first time he sort of had to correct his reply, Zetha could over look it. The fact that he's done it a few times now has her worried. "Are you alright? You seem like you're unsure of things...." Like, she doesn't want this to be happening simply because it would make her happy. She can become happy again after being disappointed. But questioning him seems rude after everything. "Crane I need you to be honest with yourself and me. Is this something you truly want?"

Amarik (195) has posed:
"I think so," he says, but this time he doesn't hesitate.

"All I know is that right now, this is nice. What I had in the past, wasn't. Will it stay that way? Probably. But only mystics can discern what the future is through the Force, and even they cannot always be certain and are often called kooks." He sits down next to her again, and rests his head on her shoulder this time, watching for the rest of the few minutes before the sun dips below the horizon. Then he gets up and goes over to the yoke of the boat and pilots them into a small side channel that will take them back to Kublop.

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha nods. That's enough for her and the lack of hesitation makes her feel better. The moment that they spend together watching the sunset is nice and then he's getting up and taking them back to Kublop. The smile on Zetha's face doesn't fade at all, and she overall seems happier than she's been in the last several days if not weeks. "I've got a few projects going on at the junkyard. I only say that because I can get really into the work and then wind up passing out there. But I think I could come back to the convent if you really miss me that much."

Amarik (195) has posed:
He nods. "It's okay," he says, "it would be nice if you came back, but you don't have to if you feel like you need to stay at the junkyard for Wiis," he says.

Once they arrive back at the docks, it's half past eleven.

He walks with her until they're off the pier, then hesitates, not sure if she'll go with him back to the convent, or head back to the junkyard.

"... should I kiss you goodnight?" he asks awkwardly. "Sorry--"

Zetha Rumir has posed:
Zetha will likely come back to the convent. She misses it. It's closer to some of her favorite places and people.

As they arrive back to the docks and he walks her to the end of the pier she'll glance to him and then gives a little blush. "Why are you sorry? I figured I'd at least come spend the night with you at the convent. So you can kiss me goodnight there before we sleep in our respective corners."

Amarik (195) has posed:
"Ah, it sounded stupid after I asked," he admits, averting his gaze, looking embarrassed.

He nods, and then takes her hand as they walk back to the convent together.