The interactions between Sho and Ari begged to be expounded upon, but unfortunately Sho was called away, leaving a very flustered Champion to mutter a suggestion about their further course of action. Yerbol chuckled at his partner's reaction, patting her on the back.
"Come on, honey, I think anybody would be scared in a situation like that." He uttered a follow-up as he slid away:
"Especially someone as delicately raised as you." Expecting a public display of tickling, he raised his arms up, professing:
"I DO have a surprise for you that'll make up for the comment!" He jumped backwards a few feet with a chortle, telling her:
"Which I won't tell you about until I'm good and ready...and I'm not. So, here's what we're going to do: you and the dogs go back to our hotel room and get changed into...well, there's that dress I saw in your pack and I think it looks positively smashing, so maybe that? I'll pick you up in...an hour and a half? Yeah? Sound good? See you in a bit!" Without any further explanation, the Champion bolted away, fully aware that she would be frustrated with his lack of detail. Hopefully the question and the subsequent piece of jewelry he planned on giving her(again, hopefully) would persuade her that his sudden disappearance was worthwhile.
Dodging into the central market they visited earlier that day, he strolled past a few of the storefronts before settling on one he had ducked into for a few minutes while Aria was occupied with another store. A Twi'lek behind the "L" shaped counter wearing a distinguished monocle smiled knowingly, reaching into the opaque glass case and withdrawing a small black box, pushing it across the counter.
"It's all ready for you, young man."
"Perfect...can I look at it again? Just to...you know, confirm what I'm about to do." The Twi'lek laughed, opening the box to reveal a breathtaking piece of diamond swirled with emerald and aqua colored flecks that produced a serene effect on the viewers, said diamond in a silver setting.
"I can't believe this."
"Most people can't. Would it make you feel better to know that most of us were in your shoes once and made it out to the other side alright?" Breathing out sharply, the Champion took the box and nodded with a nervous smile.
"You have the luxury of already being there...I need to make sure she says yes first."
"This ring would make the most royal of princesses acquiesce."
"Let's hope."
______
"I assure you, sir, one of our private balconies is on hold for you."
"Absolutely sure? As in, if we come up there our bloody names will be on the table sure?"
"Yes, yes, of course! We look forward to your visit and will ensure your instructions will be followed to the letter."
"Good...good." The sleek ebony-colored transport pulled up to their hotel, Yerbol instructing the driver:
"Give me a sec." Emerging from the transport in a white jacket with green shirt, tie and black pants that complimented the the lightly colored upper half(another purchase that he made, this time claiming to "have really bad stomach issues". Thankfully it didn't take too long to pick out the ensemble and have the shop owner keep it on site until he could arrive there).
"Ok. Ok here we go." He thumbed the ring box in his pocket, closing his eyes for a quick second.
"Time to change our lives forever...for better or worse."
_____
He was of course extremely complimentary about his lover's appearance, issuing her into the transport that cut through the central markets and up towards some of the upper class residential homes.
"Don't worry, we're not lost, I promise." After a few turns, they arrived at a manor with a sweeping half circle driveway with trimmed edges gently flanking the front of the stone building. The transport doors were opened for them by the staff of The Cliffside Manor, a revered eating establishment that proudly claimed it once was the residential quarters for three Republic senators. They were issued through a black and white checkered marble entranceway and through a main dining area that was intimately lit, brushing past the tables before being led through a set of double doors with ornately etched glass panes onto a circular balcony with a small cherry-oak table in the middle with two chairs seated next to one another. A candelabra sat in the middle of the table, dishes and cutlery placed in line with the seats. In front of them lay the sweeping hills of the countryside dotted with trees and fauna, mountaintops visible in the distance.
"So...what do you think?" He withdrew a chair for her as he added:
"I think it's befitting a senator's daughter, don't you?"