Terra - Ottawantreal

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A huge North American city, built in a mishmash of styles from many eras of architecture. the spaceport is bustling and filled with cruise ships, racing yachts, and transport craft. It's full of shops, clubs, gardens, and tourist attractions.

The weather is currently cool but sunny.

Rigel frowned a little then shrugged "I want companionship, to be able to talk to someone and take care of someone and have them do the same with me." He said then paused before shaking his head "I may not be saying this right. I want to make you happy, if happy is just being friends. that's fine, if it is being lovers and friends, that's fine, even if it is being married, that is fine. If it is simply being a father figure to help you find a lover or husband, then that is what it will be." He didn't much like that last one though. Hm. Maybe he did love her a little, not as a soulmate, but somehow.

Luka looked bewildered. "Rigel... I... I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do. " Damnit man, why couldn't he be clear with her? argh.
"Believe me, i've had my fair share of rejection, I can handle it. " She didn't much want to go through that, but she couldn't stand the idea of trapping a man she cared so much for into a relationship if he didn't want to give that a try. Was he just too scared of upsetting her?

Rigel chuckled at that and shook his head a little "Luka, if I didn't want to even give this a try, I would have said so to begin with. I would have said something along the lines of we can be friends and work together but nothing more. As it is, I am a bit confused myself. We grow up being told we only have one soulmate and that we will only love once, but I do care for you, more than just friendship and different than what I felt for my wife. Maybe it's because I lost her so long ago, or being forced into slavery and that changing how I think, maybe it's just respecting you for being you and working together for a while now. I don't know, but I am willing to give this a try if you want to. I just wanted you to know that I cannot guarantee that I will feel deep love and that might be reflected if this goes anywhere. If you don't want this to go anywhere and just stay friends, I will live with that and be your friend alone. I think you are old enough to make such a choice for yourself."

Luka looked conflicted, she was still struggling to wrap her head around all this. Slowly she nodded. Rigel.. I.. I like you. Like.. i really like you." She blushed and averted her gaze. "But I have no real idea what i'm doing. I've never really had a proper relationship." She coughed, yeah, she wasn't a virgin but she'd never really had a proper boyfriend. It was sort of exciting and terrifying all in one go. "And maybe.. maybe it won't work out but you don't know unless you try right? That's... that's why people date. Right?" Least on her world, nobody just rushed into marriage, that was just asking for trouble.

Rigel nodded and smiled again "Right, that is why people date. We may only have one soulmate, but we do have to find that soulmate through dating even on Pandora. Some know right off, others have to date many before they find their one."

Luka shook her head, she'd never understand this soulmate thing, it was such an alien concept. "how do you know?" She asked curiously.

"It is simply a knowing, deep inside. Like when you dream of the future, not only seeing them in it, but not being able to see a future that doesn't include them." Rigel said quietly, looking away and seeing a flower across the path. His hand went up to touch over his heart and he sighed. "Feeling pain at the thought that they aren't there and joy when they are beside you. Not to say our kind doesn't fight with their spouse, but reconciling quickly so you won't be apart. Not only being lovers in every sense of that word but also being like the best of friends to one another."

Luka sniffed. "that... is beautiful." She told him, misty eyed. How could she ever live up to that? Was it fair on Rigel to even try? She didn't know, except that she really really wanted to. Was that selfish? Probably.

Rigel nodded and looked down to his hand, moving it "I am living that future without her now, and what I needed you to understand that I can't give to you because that was hers. What is left of me, I can offer to you, if you want it. You just have to say so."

Luka nodded slowly. "You shouldn't have to be alone." And yes, she really did want this. Even if it was a bit scary. "I never want to be a replacement for your wife, she... she sounds wonderful and what you had was special. It's not fair to expect things to be the same a second time around but... but everyone deserves a chance at happiness right?" She looked anxious, so uncertain, so nervous, so really really confused. honestly she'd never expected Rigel to return her affections at all, and now she knew he did it was a lot to digest.

Rigel shook his head a little and smiled, looking to her again "No, this isn't about replacing her or anyone. This is about living now." He agreed

Luka smiled softly. "i.. i'm willing to give it a shot if you are... " She spoke nervously. This was a huge breech of professionalism, you weren't supposed to fraternize with superior officers but well, James already broke that rule didn't he? And nothing that bad happened. And this wasn't the military any more.

Rigel smiled and nodded. "I am willing to try too." He said gently. "Dating can be fun." He did want to show her fun, since she had grown up so militaristic.

"I uh.. i've never... been on a real date." Luka admitted shyly.

Rigel smiled and made a motion to the park they were in "A date can be as simple as this, being together and exploring a new place. Or going to watch a movie or eat together." He said then shrugged "The main point is simply being together, doing things together that you both like or want to try."

Luka clasped her hands again. "I know what dates are I just... never went on one. All the guys i've kinda... had anything with haven't been the sort who want to ... or should... be seen in public with me. " She smiled a little sadly.

Rigel reached over to touch her clasped hands. "Well, I won't mind being seen with you. "

Luka smiled at him. "thank you." That meant more to her than anything. He had to be aware that people would talk and judge and all that right? Knowing he didn't care was amazing.

"Your welcome. If anyone does say anything, just tell them we are both consenting age adults. I know there will be some that try to say something, which is why I wanted this time to talk, just you and me. To go over the pros and cons of the whole situation." Rigel said

"I'm glad you did." Luka squeezed his hand gently. "The others will disapprove, some of them will make jokes. " She frowned. "Maybe they shouldn't know just yet, till...we have a better idea of where we stand?"

Rigel nodded then shook his head "You should realize by now, some of them think they are comedians." Rigel said with a chuckle then a shrug. "If you want to say nothing, we won't say anything, but they will do the same things when they find out, be it now or down the road. Who knows, we may date and end up with you not liking me as much as you think you do now."

Luka nodded. "Even so, I think... i'd rather know things are going to work before we steel ourselves for the judgements." She wasn't quite ready to deal with the judgemental looks and the gossip. Of course they'd probably do that anyway, but still, she wanted to minimize the rumors. She also wanted to speak to Dawn, make sure she was okay with all this. It felt to her like finding out later was probably going to be far more unpleasant for the girl she considered her friend.
"you.. really don't care what they think?"

Rigel shook his head and smiled a little "People will think what they want to think. Most of the ones that came to me were more concerned with me being upfront than that there was a possibility of us dating."

Luka frowned. "People came to you?!" Damnit, clearly she wasn't very good at hiding this kinda thing. Gah.

Rigel nodded then shrugged "They wanted to protect you." He said gently.

Luka looked at her hands. "Who?"

"Dawn for one, she said to tell you what all I can offer and what I can't or let you go fully." Rigel sad with a shrug.