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[Diandra Devin]

It was nearly a week after the ball. Diandra had been busy with work, but she'd finally gotten a day off for herself. She had been keeping in touch with Ibram Chamberlain via their communicators as he was still on planet. She wasn't sure for how much longer, but already she was enjoying spending time with him. Without truly realizing it, she had allowed herself to become friends with the enemy. Perhaps it was the first step in a long road to recovery from her broken heart.

The day was crisp, cool and sunny. People were dressed in lighter clothing, but still wore jackets to warm themselves against the light breeze. Diandra wore a soft over sized shawl in a cream color over a dark green long-sleeved top and a pair of thick charcoal colored cotton paints. Her sensible shoes made a soft thudding sound on the duracrete as she approached the cafe where she had agree to meet Ibram for stimcaf and something to nibble on.

Brushing back a strand piece of her loose hair, she stopped outside the stimcaf shop. All sorts of good smells bombarded her nose as she looked in through the windows, wondering if Ibram had arrived before her. Seeing that he had not, she entered and got herself a large cup of hot tea and a sweetbun. She stepped outside then and settled down at one of the white wrought iron tables that littered the walkway in front of the cafe.

As she waited, Diandra's thoughts wandered a bit. They traveled back over the past week, and then back to the ball. She tried to think of how it came to be that she'd given Ibram her comm number and her holo address so that they could keep in touch. She had been a little tipsy at the time, but she also remembered resolving to give the man a chance. Diandra supposed that it had been a good thing that she gave Ibram a chance after all. He had not once come onto her or shown more interest in her other than perhaps wanting her friendship.

She pulled her waist-length raven hair over one shoulder and ran her fingers lightly through her tangle of curls. Diandra looked fairly peaceful as she watched the sun fully rise over the cityscape that she had seen all her life. It was one of the prettiest things she'd ever seen; little did she know what a pretty picture she made. The light caught her hair, bringing it alive with a deep blue and gold tint. The warm sunlight gave her skin a golden glow; that glow continued to her eyes, which in the sunlight looked like quicksilver.

Diandra was the picture of a beautiful woman at leisure with nothing more on her mind than looking forward to seeing a good friend.

[Ibram Chamberlain]

Ibram had quite a bit of work and favors to earn himself a day pass of leave. They were being assigned to a new location, and he wanted to see the women he met at the Ball again. She had given him her various addresses, and Ibram had hoped to write her in the near future: a letter here and there. CPL. Gry "Pops" Jolas, the oldest member in the 20^th Company, had sensed in the young officer where he was headed. Despite Casx being a large figure in the company, he remained their leader, and SFC. Meaden was too busy cracking wise with that cool relaxed attitude of his. His was a mix of dark humor, and comic relief to the men. Pops had the best standing with the men, serving as a father figure. He was the chief vox operator in the Company, and easily could be the senior non com or higher. He held a chief amount of seniority despite his rank, in due his twenty-six years as front line trooper or that he could've retired to a nice life. He's always been with his men, even though spanning various units, in the highs and lows always preserving the integrity of the unit while looking out for the other men. He also has a fine list of decorations, but much to modest to claim most of them.

Before he was killed in the latest operation the man that was closest to Ibram, 1^st LT. Adelbert "Ames" Lolmbou. Ibram found him to be his role model and counselor when he needed it. He was genuinely interested with Ibram's past and grandfather which made losing him all to hard on the Ibram first coming to the 20^th. After drill he would spend thirty minutes or so teaching Ibram the tactics and logistics that made a effective platoon. Lolmbou was picture perfect of the citizen turned soldier. Before he was young lawyer with a bright future ahead of him. He heard and took up the call of duty without second thought. He was a humble, congenial, honest, and self respecting man. Ibram's aspirations of becoming a great soldier were realized with Lolmbou. With great effect upon his death, Ibram was distraught and lost. It was Pops who lent out a helping hand and kind word of a fatherly figure to him. Ever since then, Ibram has felt a close bond with Pops. However, Ibram still sorely misses him and doesn't like to think of it too much, at least with anyone other than Casx or Pops.

Ibram's trademark boots were on his bunk, already polished, and along with his pearl handled DE-10. Pops peeked in seeing the man dart across the room. He just shook his head and chuckled to himself. He caught the 2^nd Lieutenant off guard when he spoke, "I know that look, can see it right in your eyes boyo." Chamberlain jolted, and was amused to see Pops. "Pops, what brings you by my humble little part of the bunker?" Pops gave the look that you could tell that he knew what Ibram was preparing for. "Missed a spot on your boots again, same spot lad…buy her anything?" That thought stopped Chamberlain, that hadn't crossed his mind. Pops continued, "Figured as much. You know anything that happened in the Galaxy, and could spend my entire morning about it, but you kids today can't think of everything now, can you!" Ibram stumbled for a response and muttered a jumbled word, but Pops intervened halfway through and told Ibram to come over to Pops. Ibram had grown a large dumb smile because he knew Pops was right and didn't hide it well. "Take this, buy something nice for the girl." Pops forked over a handful of credits to Chamberlain. Just like buying dinners, he refused to take the credits, but you couldn't win a battle against a sweet, old fatherly man like Pops, especially when he had nothing but good intentions. After that Pops left the room wishing Chamberlain a measure of good luck.

Ibram gathered his things, donned his crisp uniform again, put on his brown leather belt, and with his holstered empty pearl handled DE-10 at rest by his right hip. He checked his boots again and left the room after donning his service cap of course. The distinctive patch of the 82^nd rested at his right shoulder with it on his cap as well. He promptly left the barracks.

It was a rather beautiful day, and the sun warmed his face. He had not seen a day like this in a long time, something that usually made his day worth trudging through. It's as if his ancestors and grandfather smiled upon from the mighty stars. Surprisingly enough, Ibram wasn't a stimcaf drinker and didn't much care for it. He was rather nervous, but used Pops credits to buy a few flora with some sweets. She probably had much better, but heck it was the thought that counted. He wasn't supremely crushing on the women, but he had a fondness of her. He never had many women as friends growing up, so he watched so that he wouldn't make the wrong remark or otherwise. His boots made a almost musical sound when hitting the ground, and with that breeze for all Ibram cared he could have been sailing care free down the metropolis of civilization.

Before long he arrived at the predetermined destination, a respectable outlet in the maze that is downtown Coruscant. He was admittedly nervous, almost the same he had the felt the week prior. Then he saw Diandra, sitting admirably by herself in one of the outdoor tables. It was such a nice day, and catching some fresh air would be good before shipping out. His stay here wasn't long enough. That night had seemed like such a blur, and then he remembered he never talked about the pearl handled pistol when talking about Jabiim! Well he had a conversation starter, and found her. He slowly approached her, almost it seemed cautiously. Ibram had a dumb smile about him, something he just couldn't shake off willfully it was strangely involuntarily. Being the old styled gentleman that he liked to be, he took off his cap in a sweeping motion in a bow to the young lady. He then raised her palm and kissed the top of it. He then sat down, still shaken from the loss of Lolmbou but now wasn't the time he told himself.

Edited by Ibram Chamberlain, 18 February 2009 - 11:12 PM.

[Diandra Devin]

Diandra was startled for a moment when Ibram appeared before her, shaking her out of her reverie. Her blue eyes met his gaze for a moment; she was just about to open her mouth to say hello when he bowed. He surprised her further by taking her hand and kissing the back of it in a gesture that was so old-fashioned and courtly it was considered ridiculous by most she knew. Diandra, on the other hand, found it charming, and a grin twisted her lips upwards.

That smile reached her eyes, showing the beginnings of laugh lines around them. She spotted the flowers and sweets then, and nodded to them.

"Meeting a lover here, Mister Ibram?" She asked, her tone playful. "I'm quite sure that she'll love them."

She noticed something though, perhaps around the corners of his mouth, or in his expression, that hinted at an inner turmoil. A concerned look crossed her face, but not wanting to pry, she smiled again and waited for his answer.

Diandra could only imagine what the 2nd Lieutenant had been through to give him such an edge of...sadness. She scooted her chair closer to him and took another sip of her tea. She had not yet finished sweet bun, and she took a bite of it now. She hoped that perhaps she could talk to him a little more, more so than the ball. It would be nice to have a new friend; even if she could not see him all the time.