![[sticky entry]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/entry/sticky_entry.png){kind=small}
"--just talk into it? Okay, uh, you've reached Cal Kestis and BD-1."
"Hello!"
"Leave a message and I'll... try to figure out how to get back to you."
Cal was getting better at asking Arden to spend the night when he thought he might not get a good amount of rest on his own, and it seemed like even less of an annoyance to ask after the dance. In return, Arden was getting her fair share of cuddling this morning, but Cal would be happy to relinquish some of his hold once he woke up more, or the covers didn't feel quite so nice and comfortable.
[For the girlfriend and their visitors!]
[For the girlfriend and their visitors!]
Kashyyyk, Wednesday
Jan. 1st, 2025 09:35 amOnce Cal realized he could get back to his world (with no apologies from Portalocity, of course), the first thought that came to mind, after making sure his friends were all right, was bringing Arden to Kashyyyk. His descriptions and BD's visuals could never truly describe the lush wildlife and amazing forests that Wookiees fought so hard to keep out of the Empire's hands. Plus, he knew exactly what he wanted to give her as a belated holiday present.
"It's going to be a bit of a climb to get to the top of the path, but I promise it'll be worth it," he said. "If you're still recovering from the party last night, I can give you a lift."
Was he teasing? Was he encouraging? Why not both!
[For the girlfriend! NFB due to distance.]
"It's going to be a bit of a climb to get to the top of the path, but I promise it'll be worth it," he said. "If you're still recovering from the party last night, I can give you a lift."
Was he teasing? Was he encouraging? Why not both!
[For the girlfriend! NFB due to distance.]
Last night, as planned, Cal had gotten to experience a Central Park Christmas Eve with Arden, complete with getting to ride a horse-drawn carriage and learning all the carols his brain could handle. Crashing together made the most sense, and getting to wake up cuddled with Arden was just about the best morning gift he could ask for.
He tried to open his eyes for a moment before the hot chocolate-equivalent to a hangover hit him and mmm maybe a few more minutes of sleep would be a good idea.
[For she who is being snuggled!]
He tried to open his eyes for a moment before the hot chocolate-equivalent to a hangover hit him and mmm maybe a few more minutes of sleep would be a good idea.
[For she who is being snuggled!]
One of the best things about the internet, Cal had discovered, was the nearly endless supply of recipes. Once you got past whatever story the person wanted to tell about the food, you got rewarded with the recipe, and after drooling over pictures for long enough, Cal figured it was time to actually start cooking.
Today, he was starting with chili--two pots of chili, actually, because there was apparently a lot of contention on the actual ingredients. He'd ignored the recipes that called for chocolate, because that just seemed totally wrong, but one pot had beans (with fake meat, because that seemed like a good match) and one had no beans (just real meat and a bunch of spices). He was like 96% he wouldn't cause any food poisoning, and that had to count for something.
[Open!]
Today, he was starting with chili--two pots of chili, actually, because there was apparently a lot of contention on the actual ingredients. He'd ignored the recipes that called for chocolate, because that just seemed totally wrong, but one pot had beans (with fake meat, because that seemed like a good match) and one had no beans (just real meat and a bunch of spices). He was like 96% he wouldn't cause any food poisoning, and that had to count for something.
[Open!]
The past two weeks had been amazing for Cal, but it was time to put his big boy pants on and have a serious conversation with Arden.
After his morning run and workout, of course. And his first cup of coffee. And after changing into one of his sleeveless shirts because Arden liked his arms. And bringing one of the blankets that had ended up randomly in his room this week. And bringing BD-1, of course.
Yes, big boy clearly ready for a big boy conversation as he knocked on her door.
[For the lady inside!]
After his morning run and workout, of course. And his first cup of coffee. And after changing into one of his sleeveless shirts because Arden liked his arms. And bringing one of the blankets that had ended up randomly in his room this week. And bringing BD-1, of course.
Yes, big boy clearly ready for a big boy conversation as he knocked on her door.
[For the lady inside!]
The Beach, Early Sunday Morning
Oct. 6th, 2024 02:06 pmLast night had been a lot.
This morning had been A Whole Lot.
Cal had been through the ringer before, but nothing in Fandom had affected him this deeply, and as soon as Arden was settled and resting, he hit his breaking point. Cal made sure Kamala and her family were going to stay with Arden, and then headed down the outside stairs of the manor, because if he had to see Duke or Grimm for one more second his waning self-control might snap.
He made it to the beach and dropped to his knees at the edge of the water before finally being sick, bile rising from the stress of Arden's injuries, the vision he'd seen, and the pounding ache in his head. Once his stomach was under control again, he shifted back and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down and meditate, but his safe mental space was darker and twisted, and the calm refused to come.
He opened his eyes and tried to slow his breathing as he grabbed for his communicator. "Cere? I know it's early, I'm sorry. I need help."
[For his friends! Cal, Cere, and Greez being on the beach is good for broadcast, but the conversation is NFB.]
This morning had been A Whole Lot.
Cal had been through the ringer before, but nothing in Fandom had affected him this deeply, and as soon as Arden was settled and resting, he hit his breaking point. Cal made sure Kamala and her family were going to stay with Arden, and then headed down the outside stairs of the manor, because if he had to see Duke or Grimm for one more second his waning self-control might snap.
He made it to the beach and dropped to his knees at the edge of the water before finally being sick, bile rising from the stress of Arden's injuries, the vision he'd seen, and the pounding ache in his head. Once his stomach was under control again, he shifted back and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down and meditate, but his safe mental space was darker and twisted, and the calm refused to come.
He opened his eyes and tried to slow his breathing as he grabbed for his communicator. "Cere? I know it's early, I'm sorry. I need help."
[For his friends! Cal, Cere, and Greez being on the beach is good for broadcast, but the conversation is NFB.]
So, the whole "winner gets dinner" thing from Paintball had been a fantastic idea that resulted in Cal paying for many more dinners than he expected, but Arden coming in first in the last class and Cal getting beaten by Arden and Kamala meant a special meal had been earned.
With the help of technology, Cal had found an authentic Southern-style barbecue restaurant on the mainland to take both ladies to. With the help of BD-1, Cal had learned that "threesome" was not the proper way to refer to the dinner before he'd made the mistake of saying it out loud. He really did have the greatest best friend.
"I don't know if the sweet tea will stand up to Arden's skill, but it sounds like everything will be good," Cal said as they were led to their table. If this surprise turned out badly, he was going to blame the internet.
[For the winners!]
With the help of technology, Cal had found an authentic Southern-style barbecue restaurant on the mainland to take both ladies to. With the help of BD-1, Cal had learned that "threesome" was not the proper way to refer to the dinner before he'd made the mistake of saying it out loud. He really did have the greatest best friend.
"I don't know if the sweet tea will stand up to Arden's skill, but it sounds like everything will be good," Cal said as they were led to their table. If this surprise turned out badly, he was going to blame the internet.
[For the winners!]
Cal didn't sleep well on the best of nights, but the past few days and weeks had left him with a lot to think about. Conversations with Liliana about setting the rules of the Order aside and forging forward on his own path, and the inane messages he'd received yesterday were one thing. Getting to see Kamala's home was another. The colors and the music and the happiness had been contagious, and all Cal could think about was how much the Mantis crew would have loved it, which made him think about how they were all stuck at home without him, like in danger, while he was dressing up and going to parties. The guilt churning in his stomach had kept him up, and after tossing and turning, he'd given up and gone into the kitchen for a snack. Cheese was a cure for all ills, right?
[Expecting one, but open for anyone else who can't sleep!]
[Expecting one, but open for anyone else who can't sleep!]
Outside the School, Early Friday Morning
May. 31st, 2024 09:10 amSo, it turned out that when you let people with no fear of heights visit the Eiffel Tower as part of Earth Tourism, they returned to the island with some amazing ideas. Cal had been eying the tower on top of the school since he'd arrived in Fandom, and he only needed the tiniest bit of encouragement from Arden to be convinced to try to scale it. He didn't want his Jedi abilities to get rusty, after all.
Not wanting to be foolish enough to try this in broad daylight, they'd gotten started before sunrise, working up the main portion of the building, with Cal leading the way and Arden following behind. He wanted to encourage her climbing skills, like a good friend, and there were enough ledges and bricks that Cal could pull loose for her to have a clear path. The second part, on the other hand, was going to be a little more treacherous, and they'd stopped on the roof to catch their breath.
"It's already a nice view, huh?"
[For the partner in crime!]
Not wanting to be foolish enough to try this in broad daylight, they'd gotten started before sunrise, working up the main portion of the building, with Cal leading the way and Arden following behind. He wanted to encourage her climbing skills, like a good friend, and there were enough ledges and bricks that Cal could pull loose for her to have a clear path. The second part, on the other hand, was going to be a little more treacherous, and they'd stopped on the roof to catch their breath.
"It's already a nice view, huh?"
[For the partner in crime!]
Midnight Manor Roof, Sunday Afternoon
May. 12th, 2024 03:10 pmCal had no idea what kind of holiday was happening today, which was probably a blessing. He had offered to help Arden with her meditation practice, and was grateful the weather was nice enough for them to be on the roof like she'd asked.
As promised, he had blankets to make things more comfortable, and some water. Time to do some kind friend stuff as friends!
[For Arden!]
As promised, he had blankets to make things more comfortable, and some water. Time to do some kind friend stuff as friends!
[For Arden!]
The Beach, Friday Afternoon
Apr. 26th, 2024 09:02 amBy this point, Cal had sense enough to figure out something was wrong. He had spent the last few days feeling pulled in two directions: one was to create and construct, to build BD-1 and himself up for when the Empire inevitably arrived and ruined everything here, and the other was to regain control over his growing fear and focus on the present.
The fear had grown more consuming with each passing day and the answer, as with most problems that couldn't be solved with violence, was to try to meditate. The beach seemed like the best place, to let the surroundings help him calm himself. Cal knelt down in the sand and closed his eyes, feeling BD-1 settle down beside him. He focused on the feeling of his breathing, the sound of the water, the cool sensation of the sand... and raised his lightsaber as he felt his concentration break.
( Sometimes, violence actually is the best answer. )
[Preplayed with the lovely![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
afraid_of_marshmallows! Everything after the fight is NFB, please!]
The fear had grown more consuming with each passing day and the answer, as with most problems that couldn't be solved with violence, was to try to meditate. The beach seemed like the best place, to let the surroundings help him calm himself. Cal knelt down in the sand and closed his eyes, feeling BD-1 settle down beside him. He focused on the feeling of his breathing, the sound of the water, the cool sensation of the sand... and raised his lightsaber as he felt his concentration break.
( Sometimes, violence actually is the best answer. )
[Preplayed with the lovely
afraid_of_marshmallows! Everything after the fight is NFB, please!]Infopost: Cal Kestis
Mar. 21st, 2024 08:46 pmHooo boy, it's been a while since I've done one of these.
( A Jedi and his droid. )
( Psychometry: the weird touch! )
( And then there's me! )
( A Jedi and his droid. )
( Psychometry: the weird touch! )
( And then there's me! )
