A New Haunt (Alizabeth)
Jan 13, 2016 5:26:58 GMT
Post by Admin on Jan 13, 2016 5:26:58 GMT
Adam Faulkner
Old 05-30-2015, 03:12 PM
First it had been a series of assignments that had kept him off planet, and then the news of his father's rapidly deteriorating health had found him sneaking back to Bakura for the first time in years. That trip had been an emotionally draining one to say the least. The deathbed confessions of a dying man had left him reeling. Adam had been raised that his own birth had caused the untimely death of his mother, and also the eternal resentment of his father. So the revelation that his mother had been a Jedi, and his father had betrayed her upon finding out had come as huge surprise, for him and his estranged brother. A brother who apparently had inherited his mother's talent with the Force. And so the feelings of jealousy long forgotten had come bubbling up to the surface. Adam had spent years in his brother Alex's shadow, always second best, least loved by his father, and now in his eyes overlooked by his own mother. That coupled with the disaster at Drunkenwell had shaken him badly. He had had needed to take some time breathe, time to deal with his ghosts. So he did what he did best... he disappeared.
He had reconciled with his brother somewhat after coming to the realization that their family's shortcomings were no more Alex's fault than his own. They were by no means close, but it was at least a step in the right direction. And after months of solitude he had decided to come home. It had been quite a while since Adam had been back to Telos... A place where he could let his guard down, well as much as his training would allow. As he entered the cantina, he pulled the wide brimmed hat he had taken to wearing lower on his head, casting his face in shadow. His blue eyes shone through the darkness, darting back and forth, as he scanned the place out of pure habit. The bar was crowded but he shouldered his way close enough to get the bartender's attention easily enough. After a while he found himself looking for an empty booth he could settle into, glass of Namana liquor in hand.
It was then, that his eyes fell upon a sight that just couldn't be. Way back in a secluded booth with a duffle bag tucked into seat across from her... But she was dead, sure he had seen her once before after Drunkenwell but only once, in this very place in fact. But surely it had been a dream of some sort, some kind of wishful thinking on his part. It had to have been his imagination. He walked over to where she sat, slid the bag over to make himself room and took a seat, noting the empty glasses that littered the table as well as the half empty one in her hand. And so he now came face to face with yet another ghost from his past.
“Liz...”
***
Liz
Old 05-30-2015, 11:53 PM
She had seen him walk in, as she had seen everyone walk in for the last several hours. But she had thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. It couldn't be...
"....Adam...." she whispered his name and her eyes widened as he seemed to hear her, despite the low volume that no one, even had they been at her table, would have heard.
As he walked towards her, she found herself backing up. Sliding further into her booth and further away from him. He suddenly sat down, pushing her bag aside as if not there and spoke her name.
"Liz...."
She nodded and then shook her head. "I didn't have a choice," was all she could get out her mouth. She had seen him here, just a few tables over, almost a year ago. After her ordeal and return. She had been broken then. Scarred both physically and mentally, she had run into Adam and Tal and after much coaxing, had promised them a dinner date the following night. She never made it. The Republic shipped her out 'for her own good' that same night.
Now, here she sat again. She had to explain a disappearance that hadn't been of her choosing. And once more face a man she had been close to and see disappointment in his eyes and know no matter what she said, it wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't bring back the year and a bit that a simple negotiation assignment had torn from them both... and others as well.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 01:04 AM
"I didn't have a choice"
"No need for that," Adam held out his hand to stop her and let out a low chuckle, accompanied by a smile that just barely reached his eyes. they could talk about that eventually but not now. Now he was just happy to see her. Searching her face during the brief pause, he could find no sign of the bruises that had once adorned her face during their last brief encounter. "You know... when you asked me to dinner I had no idea that I would have to wait so long."
He took a long gulp from his glass, nearly draining it before removing his hat and sitting it down beside him. He hadn't missed how she shrank from him as he approached, but didn't say anything. After all, it had been a long time, they were practically strangers now. There was no telling how much had changed, at lest not yet.
"I take it you're as surprised to see me as I am of you."
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 01:40 AM
As he held his hand up, she bit her lip and smiled. She relaxed and settled herself a bit more comfortably. Nodding she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "I am surprised, Adam... I honestly didn't think anyone would want to see me, least of all you and Tal."
As he took a long draw of his drink, she motioned a waitress over to get refills for them both. As the woman left, Liz smiled warmly. "I am glad I was wrong." She took a sip of her own drink and glanced around the room. "So tell me what everyone has been up to? I mean besides wondering just how long it takes a woman to get ready for a dinner date?" She tried to laugh it off, the fact she had stood him up from their last meeting... but it fell a little flat and she quickly tried to bury it in another sip of her drink.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 02:12 AM
"Trust me, seeing you alive and well is much better than not knowing and thinking the worst." Adam smiled as he saw Liz start to relax a little bit. He nodded a silent thank you to the waitress as she handed him his drink, swirling it around and then taking a sip before continuing, "And it is good to see you."
"As for what everyone has been up to... Honestly... I Have absolutely no idea. I've been out of the loop for a while now. Truth be told, this is the first time I've been planet-side in about a year, maybe longer. Sometimes it's hard to keep track." It was only then that it occurred to him that he had been so caught up with his own issues that he hadn't even bothered to keep up with his friends back home. A pang of guilt raced through him. It was kind of hard to be mad at someone for disappearing when you yourself was guilty of the very same thing. "I recently heard from Tal, seems he ran into a bit of trouble, but that's about it."
"So what about you... Ever find that perfect outfit?"
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 02:41 AM
She laughed then and it was genuine. "Nope. May have to h give me a bit longer." She was glad to be forgiven, but it pained her to see his eyes cloud for a moment. "I'm sorry you've been away as well. But it seems like the galaxy is finally going to give us a break. We may have to hunt Tal down and have that dinner soon."
It was good to be back. But hearing Adam had been gone and Tal had been in some trouble made her realize that the assignment that had begun their working relationship had also done more than that. It had begun a tie of friendship. "I wonder if every group gets close like this..." She mused out loud.
"My guess is probably not. But I'm glad it happened to us. So what mischief have you been up to that drew you away? Looking for the perfect jacket for dinner? " She laughed and took a sip of her drink glad to be home. Perhaps she would recommend a spent approach to healing to her superiors. Getting left in seclusion hadn't done her half asmuch good as seeing Adam tonight had.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 03:22 AM
"A much needed break, and one I definitely plan to take full advantage of. there are quite a few people that need some catching up with. You not least among them. And dinner would be great, assuming I don't get stood up again that is." He couldn't help throwing in the jest, but he smiled to show he wasn't completely serious.
"Its kind of hard to imagine a lot of people being friends with people who seem to vanish into thin air, but it seems like that's something we all have in common..." He mused into still nearly full glass, "Maybe we should start a club."
"Oh well you know me, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I like to keep busy." The events of that family reunion still weighed heavily on Adam. He had mostly come to terms with what had happened during his brief visit to Bakura, but he didn't yet find himself much inclined to share the details of what had transpired there. "Mostly family stuff... Ask me again some time"
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 11:32 PM
She caught the jab at the missed dinner and winked. "At least I will show up closer to the time this time."
She tried not to keep her mind wandering back to his brush off of where he had been. Smiling, she brushed hair from her face and nodded. "Of course. And I will hold you to it." She held her glass to him and smiled brighter. Her eyes finally fading from their shadowed hollows and shining once more. "To the future, dinners together, friends here and gone... and, well... to being home again."
Listening to music, speaking of neutral subjects as if neither of them wanted the moment to end. Neither wanting to voice the worry that a repeat of their last encounter would ensue... and it would be months before they saw one another again.
As Liz stifled a yawn and laughed, she finished the last of her drink and smiled at Adam. "I hate to call it quits, Adam, but I need to figure out how to report back early tomorrow, and how to get clearance to get back to work. Do you mind if I ask to beg off for the night?" She hoped he wouldn't be upset at her calling it quits so early, but she was tired, rung out, and still nervous about reporting to the bosses she had disobeyed orders and returned before she had clearance to.
<<auto'd with permission>>
***
Adam
Old 06-01-2015, 01:01 AM
"See, the thing is, I'm almost afraid to take my eyes off you... Bad things seem to happen." And while that was something that was on his mind, it was not the only reason he was loathe to call it a night. But she was right, It was time to get back to work. With a sigh and a nod he drained the rest of his glass. "I guess you're right... Can't be on vacation forever."
He grabbed his hat and perched it on his head, with a flourish most likely brought on by the liquor, as he stood stood up from his seat. He also made sure to grab the duffle bag sitting beside him and sling it over his shoulder. "The only thing left is to see the lady home... if she doesn't mind."
***
Liz
Old 06-01-2015, 01:09 AM
"Of course she doesn't mind..." She laughed, set a cred chip on the table and followed him out.
They walked back to the housing section where she took her bag and gave him a hug. "I won't disappear tonight, Adam... I promise. And I'll comm you in a couple days so we can have that dinner." She touched his arm and smiled. "It won't be like it was... for either of us. I have the feeling things are going to be different... better, even, this time."
She watched him nod, knowing they didn't want to say goodnight, and she broke away first. Heading into the building she looked back one final time and waved. As he waved back she headed for her room with a lighter feeling. Tomorrow she would hit the gym early, then see what it would take to report back to duty. And she was looking forward to dinner with Adam again in the near future.
***
END OF THREAD
Old 05-30-2015, 03:12 PM
First it had been a series of assignments that had kept him off planet, and then the news of his father's rapidly deteriorating health had found him sneaking back to Bakura for the first time in years. That trip had been an emotionally draining one to say the least. The deathbed confessions of a dying man had left him reeling. Adam had been raised that his own birth had caused the untimely death of his mother, and also the eternal resentment of his father. So the revelation that his mother had been a Jedi, and his father had betrayed her upon finding out had come as huge surprise, for him and his estranged brother. A brother who apparently had inherited his mother's talent with the Force. And so the feelings of jealousy long forgotten had come bubbling up to the surface. Adam had spent years in his brother Alex's shadow, always second best, least loved by his father, and now in his eyes overlooked by his own mother. That coupled with the disaster at Drunkenwell had shaken him badly. He had had needed to take some time breathe, time to deal with his ghosts. So he did what he did best... he disappeared.
He had reconciled with his brother somewhat after coming to the realization that their family's shortcomings were no more Alex's fault than his own. They were by no means close, but it was at least a step in the right direction. And after months of solitude he had decided to come home. It had been quite a while since Adam had been back to Telos... A place where he could let his guard down, well as much as his training would allow. As he entered the cantina, he pulled the wide brimmed hat he had taken to wearing lower on his head, casting his face in shadow. His blue eyes shone through the darkness, darting back and forth, as he scanned the place out of pure habit. The bar was crowded but he shouldered his way close enough to get the bartender's attention easily enough. After a while he found himself looking for an empty booth he could settle into, glass of Namana liquor in hand.
It was then, that his eyes fell upon a sight that just couldn't be. Way back in a secluded booth with a duffle bag tucked into seat across from her... But she was dead, sure he had seen her once before after Drunkenwell but only once, in this very place in fact. But surely it had been a dream of some sort, some kind of wishful thinking on his part. It had to have been his imagination. He walked over to where she sat, slid the bag over to make himself room and took a seat, noting the empty glasses that littered the table as well as the half empty one in her hand. And so he now came face to face with yet another ghost from his past.
“Liz...”
***
Liz
Old 05-30-2015, 11:53 PM
She had seen him walk in, as she had seen everyone walk in for the last several hours. But she had thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. It couldn't be...
"....Adam...." she whispered his name and her eyes widened as he seemed to hear her, despite the low volume that no one, even had they been at her table, would have heard.
As he walked towards her, she found herself backing up. Sliding further into her booth and further away from him. He suddenly sat down, pushing her bag aside as if not there and spoke her name.
"Liz...."
She nodded and then shook her head. "I didn't have a choice," was all she could get out her mouth. She had seen him here, just a few tables over, almost a year ago. After her ordeal and return. She had been broken then. Scarred both physically and mentally, she had run into Adam and Tal and after much coaxing, had promised them a dinner date the following night. She never made it. The Republic shipped her out 'for her own good' that same night.
Now, here she sat again. She had to explain a disappearance that hadn't been of her choosing. And once more face a man she had been close to and see disappointment in his eyes and know no matter what she said, it wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't bring back the year and a bit that a simple negotiation assignment had torn from them both... and others as well.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 01:04 AM
"I didn't have a choice"
"No need for that," Adam held out his hand to stop her and let out a low chuckle, accompanied by a smile that just barely reached his eyes. they could talk about that eventually but not now. Now he was just happy to see her. Searching her face during the brief pause, he could find no sign of the bruises that had once adorned her face during their last brief encounter. "You know... when you asked me to dinner I had no idea that I would have to wait so long."
He took a long gulp from his glass, nearly draining it before removing his hat and sitting it down beside him. He hadn't missed how she shrank from him as he approached, but didn't say anything. After all, it had been a long time, they were practically strangers now. There was no telling how much had changed, at lest not yet.
"I take it you're as surprised to see me as I am of you."
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 01:40 AM
As he held his hand up, she bit her lip and smiled. She relaxed and settled herself a bit more comfortably. Nodding she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "I am surprised, Adam... I honestly didn't think anyone would want to see me, least of all you and Tal."
As he took a long draw of his drink, she motioned a waitress over to get refills for them both. As the woman left, Liz smiled warmly. "I am glad I was wrong." She took a sip of her own drink and glanced around the room. "So tell me what everyone has been up to? I mean besides wondering just how long it takes a woman to get ready for a dinner date?" She tried to laugh it off, the fact she had stood him up from their last meeting... but it fell a little flat and she quickly tried to bury it in another sip of her drink.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 02:12 AM
"Trust me, seeing you alive and well is much better than not knowing and thinking the worst." Adam smiled as he saw Liz start to relax a little bit. He nodded a silent thank you to the waitress as she handed him his drink, swirling it around and then taking a sip before continuing, "And it is good to see you."
"As for what everyone has been up to... Honestly... I Have absolutely no idea. I've been out of the loop for a while now. Truth be told, this is the first time I've been planet-side in about a year, maybe longer. Sometimes it's hard to keep track." It was only then that it occurred to him that he had been so caught up with his own issues that he hadn't even bothered to keep up with his friends back home. A pang of guilt raced through him. It was kind of hard to be mad at someone for disappearing when you yourself was guilty of the very same thing. "I recently heard from Tal, seems he ran into a bit of trouble, but that's about it."
"So what about you... Ever find that perfect outfit?"
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 02:41 AM
She laughed then and it was genuine. "Nope. May have to h give me a bit longer." She was glad to be forgiven, but it pained her to see his eyes cloud for a moment. "I'm sorry you've been away as well. But it seems like the galaxy is finally going to give us a break. We may have to hunt Tal down and have that dinner soon."
It was good to be back. But hearing Adam had been gone and Tal had been in some trouble made her realize that the assignment that had begun their working relationship had also done more than that. It had begun a tie of friendship. "I wonder if every group gets close like this..." She mused out loud.
"My guess is probably not. But I'm glad it happened to us. So what mischief have you been up to that drew you away? Looking for the perfect jacket for dinner? " She laughed and took a sip of her drink glad to be home. Perhaps she would recommend a spent approach to healing to her superiors. Getting left in seclusion hadn't done her half asmuch good as seeing Adam tonight had.
***
Adam
Old 05-31-2015, 03:22 AM
"A much needed break, and one I definitely plan to take full advantage of. there are quite a few people that need some catching up with. You not least among them. And dinner would be great, assuming I don't get stood up again that is." He couldn't help throwing in the jest, but he smiled to show he wasn't completely serious.
"Its kind of hard to imagine a lot of people being friends with people who seem to vanish into thin air, but it seems like that's something we all have in common..." He mused into still nearly full glass, "Maybe we should start a club."
"Oh well you know me, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I like to keep busy." The events of that family reunion still weighed heavily on Adam. He had mostly come to terms with what had happened during his brief visit to Bakura, but he didn't yet find himself much inclined to share the details of what had transpired there. "Mostly family stuff... Ask me again some time"
***
Liz
Old 05-31-2015, 11:32 PM
She caught the jab at the missed dinner and winked. "At least I will show up closer to the time this time."
She tried not to keep her mind wandering back to his brush off of where he had been. Smiling, she brushed hair from her face and nodded. "Of course. And I will hold you to it." She held her glass to him and smiled brighter. Her eyes finally fading from their shadowed hollows and shining once more. "To the future, dinners together, friends here and gone... and, well... to being home again."
Listening to music, speaking of neutral subjects as if neither of them wanted the moment to end. Neither wanting to voice the worry that a repeat of their last encounter would ensue... and it would be months before they saw one another again.
As Liz stifled a yawn and laughed, she finished the last of her drink and smiled at Adam. "I hate to call it quits, Adam, but I need to figure out how to report back early tomorrow, and how to get clearance to get back to work. Do you mind if I ask to beg off for the night?" She hoped he wouldn't be upset at her calling it quits so early, but she was tired, rung out, and still nervous about reporting to the bosses she had disobeyed orders and returned before she had clearance to.
<<auto'd with permission>>
***
Adam
Old 06-01-2015, 01:01 AM
"See, the thing is, I'm almost afraid to take my eyes off you... Bad things seem to happen." And while that was something that was on his mind, it was not the only reason he was loathe to call it a night. But she was right, It was time to get back to work. With a sigh and a nod he drained the rest of his glass. "I guess you're right... Can't be on vacation forever."
He grabbed his hat and perched it on his head, with a flourish most likely brought on by the liquor, as he stood stood up from his seat. He also made sure to grab the duffle bag sitting beside him and sling it over his shoulder. "The only thing left is to see the lady home... if she doesn't mind."
***
Liz
Old 06-01-2015, 01:09 AM
"Of course she doesn't mind..." She laughed, set a cred chip on the table and followed him out.
They walked back to the housing section where she took her bag and gave him a hug. "I won't disappear tonight, Adam... I promise. And I'll comm you in a couple days so we can have that dinner." She touched his arm and smiled. "It won't be like it was... for either of us. I have the feeling things are going to be different... better, even, this time."
She watched him nod, knowing they didn't want to say goodnight, and she broke away first. Heading into the building she looked back one final time and waved. As he waved back she headed for her room with a lighter feeling. Tomorrow she would hit the gym early, then see what it would take to report back to duty. And she was looking forward to dinner with Adam again in the near future.
***
END OF THREAD