[D2, EN - Ausar Estate] The End of an Era

[Ilar'Shala]

Always scheming, always with irons in the fire. He thought to himself.

"Then I'd advise you to show caution, if it's not out of line, just remember the target of your research. Any set of eyes or ears could belong to someone looking to curry his favour."

[Raela Ausar]

She nodded. "I intend to... I'm going along with it quietly for now. That seemed like the wisest course."

[Ilar'Shala]

"I know you'll take every precaution, I just worry. You said I'll need to free myself of you, but I'm not ready just yet."
He added with a grin before explaining some of his efforts.

"Darth Hofu has agreed to instruct me in the way of the Dread Masters. I think it might be a worthwhile endeavour."

[Raela Ausar]

She nodded thoughtfully and shrugged. "I will leave that to your judgement. I just advise not falling to deeply into the more culty aspects of his thing."

[Ilar'Shala]

"In earning his confidence I might be able to learn some insights to help quash his aspirations for the Council." Ilar said as he laid out one aspect of his plan.

"But I have never been one to be taken in by hokey religions."

[Raela Ausar]

She laughed and nodded. "Well, I look forward to seeing what you come up with, then."

[Ilar'Shala]

"It would indeed be a strange reversal on our previous status if l were to learn something to teach you my Lord." Ilar mused as he absently stroked his jaw.

"Although I know your curiosity well enough that the origin of new learnings is rarely something that concerns you."

[Raela Ausar]

"I think you will have much to teach me in time... Training is a process that affects the trainer as much as the trainee," she replied, looking over to him. "You do have that right."

She looked thoughtful. "This does change our dynamic in other ways... Do you want me to take you to my bed, or is it something you tolerated because of your place?"

[Ilar'Shala]

That was a change in their interactions that Ilar had not considered and it took him a few moments to consider his response.

"I might not have had the power to say no before," he slowly spoke, choosing his phrasing carefully. "But nor did I have the inclination. I would ask though if the physical side of our relationship was merely a pragmatic matter of proximity in your eyes?"

[Raela Ausar]

"... No, I don't think it's a pragmatic matter of proximity. I'm picky about my partners," she said after a moment's thought.

[Ilar'Shala]

Ilar slipped his feet out from beneath him and onto the floor, then rose from his chair and approached Raela.

"Perhaps my present position and previous patronage have polluted my perspective, but my passions profess the person I perceive as my paramount paramour is you."

He alliteratively replied, since she started it.

[Raela Ausar]

She rose, moving until they were standing nearly nose to nose. She brushed a finger along his jaw. "Don't doubt yourself. There is only passion, after all."

[Ilar'Shala]

Ilar nodded as his hand moved up to cup Raela's jaw firmly and he claimed her lips, he did not ask, he did not speak. He just took what he wanted.

[Raela Ausar]

She returned the kiss aggressively, her hands coming to rest around his waist. Her grip tightened, pulling him tight against her.

[Ilar'Shala]

The last time they had coupled, Ilar was fuelled by rage and frustration. This time he was no less intense emotionally, but channelled it less violently, he had no need to prove anything either to himself or Raela.

Their bodies crashed together as the snow storm outside raged, but it paled into insignificance compared to the whirlwind of passion inside.

[Raela Ausar]

Raela gestured to shut off the lights the rest of the way, leaving them only with their passion and the raging storm outside...

/ftb

[Ilar'Shala]

/scene