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Mal
Am I, or the others crazy? - Albert Einstein
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last online Nov 1, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jun 29, 2014 0:00:37 GMT -5
Post by Mal on Jun 29, 2014 0:00:37 GMT -5
Mal was happy to sit in silence for the moment and eat, this wasn't the best spiceloaf he'd ever had, but it was good. He'd definitely consider eating it again if he ever came back here, and in all honesty, with his skill in cooking... He probably would be back. His mind wondered slightly for the moment, he needed to get back to his tinkering. Though he seemingly wasn't paying attention, he was well aware of what was around them. Though that was due to being in one too many battles than him actually trying, if he'd been trying he probably could have heard a pin drop two tables away. Of course he didn't consider that fully at the moment, instead he was working on plans for a new hidden hold-out blaster mechanism, this time with a build in power source to give him more ammo.
Mal notices Ina's hands moving out of the corner of his eye and turned to look at her. He let her finish signing before he looked down at the screen on the datapad and read her words. After he did a small smile spread across his lips, if he was honest with himself he knew he was curious. But at the same time it wasn't his business, she chose to live with it and that was her business. "Well, it was your choice. The way I look at it Miss Icharus, you had your reasons for making that choice. Who am I to question it? It's not the same, not by a long shot, but I kept my scars instead of getting rid of them." Reaching under his shirt, he pulled his mother's wedding ring from its place under his shirt. "I chose to wear my mother's wedding ring around my neck. So the choice was yours, from my point of view you had good reasons I'm sure." Mal simply left it at that, shrugging and offering her a smile.
Mal leaned back in his chair and looked down at the remains of his food, there wasn't even really enough to save. Years of time spent in the field had taught him to eat fast without seeming rude, and to eat when he got the chance. With nothing put pure military discipline, he leaned back over his food and slowly started to eat again. He was in no huge hurry, he just didn't want to waste the food. Especially since compared to military food it was five star gourmet. He very nearly shuttered at the memory of eating a quote, spiceloaf substitute end-quote, that had nearly made him sick from one bite. He was pretty sure it had been expired by about a thousand years, but he couldn't prove it.
Mal looked back up at Ina and offered her a lop-sided grin, "Besides, if it's something truly important, I trust you'll tell me about it if you give me the job. I will need to know everything about you I can if I'm going to protect you properly. Friends, family, any known enemies, medical conditions, allergies. Everything Miss Icharus. Likewise, I'll tell you the same about me, that's more about faith and trust than anything else however. Believe me I hope the information is never needed, but I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." After he finished speaking he leaned back in his seat and glanced down at his food again, before leaving it for the moment.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Jul 9, 2014 11:45:07 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Jul 9, 2014 11:45:07 GMT -5
She nodded to herself as she focused on the datapad and the words it held. A small smile broke across her face. Ina was happy that Denton understood her decision, even if he didn't quite know the details of her reasoning. The senator was even more pleased that he hadn't brought the subject up because he was merely being polite to a potential new employer, but that he really couldn't care. As he explained, he had tokens and evidence that he preferred to hold onto it, instead of tossing away. All in all, Ina felt it was a more than satisfying answer.
No new text scrolled across the screen, and so Ina went back to the rest of her meal, finishing up the last of the sausage and rice and washing it down with a few sips of her juice. She moved the empty container to the side and sat forward, a bit hunched, with both hands around her cup. Her blue eyes wandered aimlessly over her surroundings, passing over a few beings walking nearby and finally stopping once again at the small pond. The waterfowl had moved on, but she could see a few ripples indicating fish just below the surface.
As she watched in fascination to see if any of the creatures would reveal themselves more fully, she thought back over her conversation with Denton. The original plan had been to break for lunch and then continue the interview, either her or back at her loft. But as she considered all that had already been discussed, she realized that she needn't ask any more prying questions. Ina felt certain in her choice. Any other details could be worked out later or discovered on the job. There was only so much she could learn about him in this format, and there was no use dragging it out. Even if she had enjoyed their chat here in the park.
Ina's eyes slid over to Ofi, but the droid's red photoreceptors were unreadable as always. And though her friend's skills ran short of mind-reading, they had been in each other's company long enough that the senator felt sure Ofi could put two and two together in that glance her way. She knew this had been hard for the droid to accept, the need for another bodyguard, extra security. And Ina had tried to make the process as painless as possible. But it was time to settle things up, once and for all.
Again her head inclined in a nod, this time as if she had come to a personal decision having seen whatever it was she needed to see in Ofi's red optics. She turned her attention back to the sergeant, preparing herself to announce her decision without further delay. However, she noticed fresh words on the datapad. Ina paused a moment or two then to scan through them, to see if any of them would have any bearing on what she was about to say. But all they did was serve to vindicate her choice, and she smiled to herself.
Her hands lifted, and her fingers began quickly flying through signs. << Well, I promise to tell you whatever it is you will need to know then, to perform your duties. >> Ina's smile widened slightly then as she turned it on the man across from her and pointedly ignored looking at Ofi, who was taken aback at this change in the plan and fluttered her metallic wings. << I had intended on continuing my questions, but I realized I no longer need to. You've got the job. There will be a trial period, of course, and once that has been completed, it will be official. Welcome to the team. >> Ina held out a hand in order to seal the deal with Denton.
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Mal
Am I, or the others crazy? - Albert Einstein
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last online Nov 1, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jul 13, 2014 0:09:26 GMT -5
Post by Mal on Jul 13, 2014 0:09:26 GMT -5
Mal let Ina look around and do her thing in peace, finishing his meal quickly. Ina was looking around and thinking, so he leaned back in his chair and let his own mind wander over the whole interview so far. It seemed to be going well, so he wasn't as worried as he probably could have been. The droid floating there had been keeping her peace the whole time, and it was impossible for him to read the photoreceptors the way he would a being's eyes. Still something told him the tiny droid wasn't exactly excited about him applying for the job. He wasn't trying to step on anyone's toes, but the droid didn't exactly have toes now did she? Still if she was a part of Ina's life he would deal with it without complaint, he didn't care for droids, but he didn't quite hate them either. Not yet anyway.
Then Ina was suddenly signing again, his eyes glued to her hands as she started signing. He recognized several signs but didn't know what words they went too, he'd pick it up as they went he guessed. She smiled which caused him to smile as well, and glance down at the screen to read. His eyes flicked back and forth between the screen and her hands, reading both to the best of his abilities. Wait... had he gotten the job without completing the interview? His eyes moved between the screen and her offered hand a few times. His mind running over everything quickly, he had assumed the interview had been going well, but this was better than well, this was great. His steel grey eyes moved from her hand to land on her eyes as his smile widened.
Mal reached out and shook her hand gently, "It's my pleasure Senator. I promise you will not regret this decision in the slightest." And she wouldn't regret it either, he was probably in the top percentile of choices for a bodyguard. He was paranoid but not overly so, and he always trusted in his gut, plus he was a delight to be around. He had a good sense of humor and wouldn't hesitate to use it around his employer. So she would be both safe and entertained... then again she might end up regretting this, he should probably learn her sense of humor before he started cracking jokes around her. The last thing he wanted to do was offend her, she seemed like a truly kind and good person. He guessed that she was the type of person that most anyone would like when they got to know her.
Mal let go of her hand and smiled at her again, "When would you like me to start? I assume tomorrow, but I am not positive." Truth be told if she told him that she wanted him to start right this moment he wouldn't mind. He only had his hold-out blaster on him at the moment. "If you want me to start now, that's fine as well ma'am. I should warn you though, the only weapon I have is a hold-out blaster up my left sleeve." He'd demonstrate the mechanism he built at a time when they weren't in public and people could get scared. Plus he didn't want to get blasted by Ofi for bringing a weapon out in front of her friend. That wouldn't be a good start to their relationship at all.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Jul 28, 2014 16:10:35 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Jul 28, 2014 16:10:35 GMT -5
Ina appreciated the man's surprise as she welcomed him to her team and hid a grin. A team that now consisted of herself, Ofi, and Denton; not much of a team, but she wasn't sure what else to term the newly formed trio. It was always nice to run into someone who didn't feel entitled to everything offered to him and seemed genuinely pleased, if not startled, to have gotten the position so unexpectedly and without much fanfare. Plus, she could feel in his light but firm handshake that she had made the correct decision; it spoke of his character and how he might approach his job moving forward.
Taking back her hand, her fingers whipped off a short response, allowing some amusement to show on her face. << I hope I will not either, Sergeant. >> In truth, she didn't think she would be regretting the decision to hire this former soldier as added security and protection. From what she had heard from him so far and discerned while they were speaking, the senator believed he would be a good fit in aiding Ofi to keep her safe from any future situations she might find herself in. And even if for some unknown circumstance Denton did not work out for her purposes, she knew she would deal with that as it came and would not worry about such things in the present.
Her new outlook on life was quite a change from how she had been going through life just a few weeks prior. Her former self would have been shocked and horrified at her. Her former self that would have wanted to check and check again, do all her research, and then make a carefully informed conclusion to her problem, all the while wary she had made a mistake. Just as she tackled her reports for her committee meetings. Now, however, she was comfortable with taking chances and facing things day by day; what she had been subjected to while being held against her will had taught her that life was precious and she should just live in the moment, instead of planning out her future in detail. Taking risks was how she had ended up in the Senate in the first place, after all.
She finished reading the rest of his words, eager questions about the new career he had found himself in and honest revelations about not being fully prepared to start right away. This time she could not completely mask her smile. If she had had any lingering misgivings, they had vanished in the last moment or two with Denton's enthusiasm. But she had been prepared for such inquiries and began signing again. << Well, I had thought to give you the weekend; we can start fresh after that. To give you ample time to make any arrangements you need to before fully committing to my protection detail. >> Ina glanced over at Ofi before turning back to the sergeant. << Ofi should be able to handle the duties herself for a few more days.
<< But until then... you and Ofi should probably speak and get roles and tasks sorted out. Or whatever it is you need to do. I'm sure you have much to discuss, as you'll be working together for now on. >> She waited a minute or two for Denton to absorb this new information from the datapad. Then she inclined her head towards the birdlike droid, stood up, and carried her chair a bit closer to the pond to give her two bodyguards privacy; somewhat of a formality, considering she couldn't hear them at all and hadn't been around the man long enough to be accurate enough at reading his lips.
Ofi watched Ina move away and then refocused her red photoreceptors on the soldier whom her friend had just hired right in front of her eyes without any internal discussion. The droid was a bit miffed, if a mechanical being could feel such, but she did know it was ultimately Ina's choice, and she could only offer her support, no matter whether she agreed with it or not. She trusted her friend's judgement, though Ina was an organic and prone to err, and so she would trust this man as well... to the extent that was possible for the droid.
Tilting her head, she stared at Denton a moment before speaking her piece. He needed to understand a few things. Though she had acquiesced to Ina's idea to take on a second bodyguard, there were some details she wasn't willing to compromise on. "You should know that, due to recent events, you have only been hired because Ina believes I need the assistance, and I compute enough of a percentage to agree with her on this manner." Ofi paused and then straightened her head. "Until now, as she said, I have been the sole protector of the senator. This means you will be aiding me, listening to and following my instructions. I have many unique skills at my disposal given to me by my maker, and because of these, you may offer suggestions, but my word is final. Do you understand?"
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Mal
Am I, or the others crazy? - Albert Einstein
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last online Nov 1, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
Padawan
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Aug 3, 2014 20:17:41 GMT -5
Post by Mal on Aug 3, 2014 20:17:41 GMT -5
Mal smiled at Ina and nodded his understanding, he did have a few small things he still needed to take care of. The weekend would be plenty and then he would be able to do the job no problem, he also wanted to go pick up a few items that he felt would come in handy. A new holster and a backpack would be good, maybe fill up on a few basic supplies in case anything happened. Though it was all along the lines of he would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. In the meantime he refocused his attention on Ina and what she was saying, not paying attention would be a bad start to their working relationship. Mal raised his eyebrow slightly when she said he'd have to start working with the droid more. He had assumed he'd be handling everything and the droid would be handling everything within a few feet of Ina. Or maybe he'd hoped that would be the case.
Mal then sat there and listened to the droid silently and with a blank face. The droid really expected to get away with that? No, he wasn't going to let that fly at all, he would work WITH the droid, but he wouldn't work FOR the droid. Even getting him to work with the droid was a lot, he didn't particularly want to deal with it. But it was a good job, he liked Irrina, and this way he could probably do a lot more good with her than he could on his own. So that had overridden his dislike of droids, but he still obstinately refused to work for a droid. It grated at his insides like a varen trying to escape a cage, it took him a few moments and deep breathes to calm down enough to reply without being sarcastic or snippy. He wanted Ina to like him, not hate him for insulting her friend.
Mal looked at the droid and flashed it his best smile, "Sorry, but no can do. I was hired by the senator, not by you. This means I work for her and not you." He stated it matter of factly, there would be no compromise on this subject with him. "If you don't like it, too bad. You don't have the ability to fire me. I don't work for you, you don't work for me. The only one of the three of us that has the final word, is Irrina." Leaning forward in his seat slightly his eyes locked on the photo-receptors, grey eyes narrowing just a fraction that no organic would notice. "You have many unique skills, I have many unique skills earned through years of training. We work together, no other way. Any other way, this isn't going to work and Irrina is going to be put in more danger if the time ever comes."
Mal leaned back in his chair and sipped his drink before placing it back on the table. His eyes never left Ofi's photoreceptors, he was content to sit there for as long as it took for the avian droid to understand. However the thought struck him to try and jab her the way she had tried to jab him, so he sat straighter in his seat and gave her his most pleasant smile. Which was quite difficult for him, smiling at a machine. "Do you understand?" He was seriously tempted to buy a ion blaster just for this droid, but he wouldn't do it. It was expensive and his regular blaster would be good enough to deal with any droids they would have to fight. Or for any need he may have to shoot Ofi. Which ever came first. He was hoping for the second.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Aug 12, 2014 15:57:29 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Aug 12, 2014 15:57:29 GMT -5
Ofi knew her words had hit some pressure points on Denton. Maybe he hadn't noticed the reactions of his body, but she had perceived a slight uptake in his vital signs. But even if she had been fitted with an empathy package, the avian droid knew in complete certainty that she would not have regretted the effect she had had on him. And in a way, it gave her something akin to pleasure to finally have ruffled the seemingly unflappable man. Perhaps she was finally digging into some of his weaknesses, something she thought Ina hadn't spent enough time on doing.
Her unexpected feelings of delight at the man's discomfort were completely hidden on her bird-like mechanical body; it was blank as always. She spoke again, her red photoceptors appearing to narrow as she did so, impossibly so for the droid. "Mere semantics, Sergeant. With me, for me, for Ina. Is it really worth squabbling over such petty details? Believe whatever helps you sleep at night, helps you perform the job my friend hired you to to. It is not something I personally will waste valuable circuitry on.
"And my relationship with Ina being what it is, I know her better than I know my fellow droids. I trust Ina wholly, which I hope I do not have to explain to you was very difficult for one such as me to compute, her being organic and obviously error-prone in comparison to myself, a droid. However, my assignment to her has expanded into much more than just that. I am her friend, her confident. Her protection. As well, it works the other way around; Ina trusts me wholly with any decision I may need to make and enact. Even the hard ones.
"So in the end, you are an interloper who will need to earn respect and trust. Until then, where the senator's safety is concerned, my word is final. I will certainly take anything under advisement offered by your... skills and run it through my programming. As Ina wishes this to be a partnership. In some cases we may agree; in some cases, most cases, we likely will not. And in those instances, you will stand by my conclusions. Because ultimately, as I have explained, I have the experience, in both Ina's peculiarities and in keeping her safe. Because the undeniable fact is I have been Ina's personal security for over a decade. How long have you done so, Sergeant? Oh, that is right. Never."
She paused then, believing the matter finished, and glanced over towards Ina. The Offshoot was still sitting peacefully by the pond, unaware of the heated conversation going on behind her. Ofi focused back on Denton. "Now if you can pull your attention away from whatever rod happens to be lodged in your rectum at the moment, I thought perhaps we might actually get to what is actually important. I have no fascination for a genitalia measuring contest. We are here to discuss Ina's safety and how we are to, somehow, accomplish that. Together. If that is all right with you." Her red eyes bored into the man's, daring him to object, to show his blaster, so she could shoot him and be done with it.
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Mal
Am I, or the others crazy? - Albert Einstein
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last online Nov 1, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
Padawan
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Aug 16, 2014 19:02:05 GMT -5
Post by Mal on Aug 16, 2014 19:02:05 GMT -5
Was a droid trying to ruffle him? Make him get angry? He thought so judging by the responses he was receiving from a machine. He even started to get angry, he thought he could feel his face reddening, and then all of a sudden, it hit him. And he relaxed, settling back into his seat and smiling wide. Mal had figured out what was going on with this droid. And he had to admit it tickled him to no end, he didn't laugh however. He wouldn't be surprised if the droid shot him soon, he kinda wised he'd worn an armorweave vest, but he hadn't thought he'd needed it. He still didn't think he'd need it, if the droid shot him he'd shoot it. That was that, of course that was provided the droid didn't shoot to kill. He suspected that she did. Still, he was now a happy man.
Mal smiled again, his eyes never leaving Ofi's photo-receptors. "I'm not here to steal your job or take your friend from you. I'm here to protect her. I'll tell you something that I'm not ready to tell Irrina, I'm not ready because I haven't practiced it yet and am not trained. But take this into your computations Ofi. I have the ability to use the Force, if I sense something bad about to happen, I will make sure Irrina is no where near it when it happens. Even if that means I have to lay my life down." Mal laid his left hand, the hand with the hold out blaster up the sleeve, on the table with his palm flat on the table. He rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his chin on his right fist. He wasn't going to make any sudden moves, he didn't want the droid to think he was trying to attack her or Ina.
"And by the way, droids are just as error prone as any organic. You've made an error already, unless of course you were programmed with hubris and a condescending personality." Mal raised one of his eyebrows at the little droid before moving slightly to be more comfortable in his seat, his left hand never moving once. "Now. I will not bend to whatever you say in those instances for two very important reasons. One, if I bring something up it's for a damn good reason, I have worked protection detail before, read my file. And two, chances are, I won't have time to explain it. Believe it or not, there are ways to mask whatever is needed from a droid's photo-receptors."
Mal's smile finally faded and he looked dead serious at the emotionless droid. "Now onto business. You will continue as you have, we will run security information by each other in advance so that we don't overlap. Because you were obviously not programmed with personal interaction intended, I will deal with any living being we deal with. Likewise you will deal with droids. If we deal with military, that is my field. Now, if you're finished with the genitalia measuring contest, I'm more than willing to compromise and work with you. But that's it. There's no way to make this work other than together, if one of us is above the other, then it will only cause problems, as it has so far." Mal rolled his right shoulder slightly, getting stiff from the position he was in.
Mal looked over at Ina for a second and smiled, then back to Ofi. "Someone like Irrina deserves the chance to do whatever she can, she's got the drive to make a difference. I believe she can, and I'm willing to make sure she can do that even if I need to die so she can. I don't do that lightly, not just for anyone." His mind raced for a few moments, his eyes moving like he was reading while he was thinking. He glanced at each person in the cafe for a split second, then turned his gaze back to Ofi. "Case by case we will work with local law enforcement, or military, or private security, whatever is needed. Only for the most high profile of visits I suspect, so I doubt we will need it often. I will go and scout ahead before any visit, just to see what's going on and get a feel for the place. You are her friend, trust her judgement. She wouldn't have hired me without speaking to you unless she felt it was a right choice. I'm not asking you to trust me, but to trust her and her judgement. I won't lie, I'm not excited about working with you either, but I'm willing to for her sake. I'll put aside my pride for her." He decided to leave the 'will you?' silent for now, he needed to get over his dislike of droids anyway.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
55 likes
the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Aug 29, 2014 16:30:43 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Aug 29, 2014 16:30:43 GMT -5
(((Sorry for so long... I didn't mean to. Plus I feel like it might rushed/ragged at the end... but I don't want to agonize over fixing it lol.)) The droid adjusted her wings, a gesture that was all annoyance and something learned from being in the company of humans and humanoids for many years. How many times must she explain to this thick-headed man that she was not at all concerned about losing her job or her friend? Those were cast with such long odds as to be impossibilities. What Ofi was trying, and apparently failing, to get across, was although Ina may think they were on equal ground, this Denton really had much to prove before the droid herself designated him such. And despite any skills or knowledge he claimed to have, Ofi would always have the final word. At least at the beginning. But then, surprise, surprise, the man revealed himself to be Force-sensitive, and Ofi cocked her birdlike head, processing the information. How had it been excluded from all his files and paperwork, which the droid had gone over thoroughly multiple times? And why would he not trust his new employer with the information or not realize that Ofi would immediately tell Ina when the two were alone? She stared at him, wondering briefly if it was a lie in an attempt to throw her off-guard, but there were no telltale signs that would accompany a falsehood. No matter his motive, she highly doubted this man's rudimentary Force sense would be any match for her built-in computer and sensor array and let the comment slide. She straightened, bristling, photoreceptors flashing darker, at his mention that droids were just as error-prone as organics. It took all her control not to strike back violently and to remain perched there on the table. A slap in the face to all her kind, even if she didn't associate with them closely. Ofi thought of the reason why this Denton was even here, being hired as extra security. However, Ina's kidnapping had not been an error; the droid had done everything within her power to protect the senator. Mechanicals, were susceptible to glitches if not maintained; Ofi took very good care of herself and would not allow herself to fail. The rest of his speech continued to grate on her, like gritty sand in her gears. Trying to undermine her authority, arguing that his own skills were somehow superior to hers. Daring to assume how she went about her duty of keeping Ina safe. So many times she would have preferred to interject with an objection, but she computed that doing so would only make matters worse. And the cycle would continue on and on with neither of them getting anything across, no business getting accomplished. And so Ofi waited, everything Denton said downloading into her perfect memory for later recall. When he finished, she started with one of the remarks that had bothered her the most. "I was actually programmed as an assassin, sergeant, by my maker. The most deadly member of my model group." Since it appeared to be a free-for-all for disclosing secret information, Ofi decided to comply. She spread out her wings straight from her body. At a click, the metal tips retracted, uncovering extremely sharp blades made of exmantium that gleamed in the sunlight. "As you can see. And if you consider my new programming to keep the senator safe as condescension, there is a problem with your own programming. I am not capable of full organic emotions." Ofi hid away the edges and refolded her wings, wanting to keep her blaster as her own surprise for later. "However, that does not mean I am not capable of interacting with organics of various species. Who do you think compromises the Senate, of which Ina is a member, and with whom she spends the most time in the company of? I have had more experience dealing with living beings than with mechanicals and droids in the past years. So this is an issue that I must disagree on. As well as your maddening desire to disrespect my experience in security, an area in which I obviously have many years on you. I do realize you may have had similar experiences and training, but this is a whole new world for someone who has not been party to it before. The political sphere works in a very different way to the military.
"And as for your supposed Force sensitivity that you deemed to keep to yourself instead of disclosing it fully to Ina, your new employer... this strikes me as a very major breach of trust. I have no choice but to reveal this to Ina myself. Whether or not she decides it is reason for dismissal will be up to her. The senator takes honesty very seriously, sergeant. She may wonder if there is anything else you are hiding from her that might compromise her safety and your ability to do your job." Her diatribe stopped there. The droid hadn't even begun to complete what she wanted to get across to the man she would have to work closely with for the foreseeable future. They appeared to be at odds with each other, in philosophies and otherwise. But in her peripheral vision, Ofi had noticed that Ina had stood up from her seat by the pond. And in moments, the senator would be rejoining them, hoping they had wrapped up their discussions and were ready to move on. Suddenly Ofi's manner changed, subtly but it had, with the reappearance of Ina. "I compute that we have arrived at an impasse of sorts, a conflict of wills an organic might say. But I do not calculate that these issues are anything that will get in the way of the ultimate goal of keeping Ina safe. Yes? So for the moment I shall leave it as agreeing to disagree on these matters and we can take them up at a later date. And work on our... relational differences then. On-the-job training as if were."Reaching the table, Ina signed to Ofi after dragging her chair back in place. << Are you two all set? I would like to head home and go over some reports. And I'm sure Sgt. Denton would like to start preparing for his new job next week. >> She smiled, seating herself and pulling the datapad towards her. A datapad that had portions of the recent conversation between the sergeant and droid deleted from it, a lacking that Ina would not notice right away, if at all. Nodding, "Yes, Ina. All the details are ironed out. We are ready to serve you, together, and keep you safe." Ofi turned her red eyes towards Denton a moment, challenging him to deny it in front of his new employer, before focusing her attention back on Ina. "There may be some growing pains, as there is in anything new, but I have no doubt that any problems will be quickly resolved in a smooth manner." << Wonderful! >> She turned a smile on the sergeant and arranged the datapad's screen so that he could read it as well. << I suppose that means we are finished here, then. And I'll see you bright and early next week. I'm very much looking forward to your joining our little team and everything returning to normal, or as normal as can be. That is, unless you have any further questions before we part ways? >> Ina's eyes looked inquiringly at the man across from her, wanting to make sure he was completely comfortable with his new position and the arrangement it required before she headed back home.
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Mal
Am I, or the others crazy? - Albert Einstein
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last online Nov 1, 2015 16:27:49 GMT -5
Padawan
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Oct 21, 2014 11:51:17 GMT -5
Post by Mal on Oct 21, 2014 11:51:17 GMT -5
Mal listened to the droid, he was starting to hate this droid, in more ways than one. Still, he simply brushed it aside, he had no choice in his coworkers, and he would just have to deal with it whether he liked it or not. And this was most definitely a not moment."Agreed." Was all he said to Ofi, in a calm and controlled tone of voice. With that Ina was with them again and talking to them, his eyes taking in every word that was said... er signed... Whatever. He was reading them all, didn't that count for something?!
Mal looked up at Ina and smiled, nodding at her a few times, "Well Ina, I do have one thing I want to say. I'm an untrained Force sensitive, so those bad feelings I get, well it's the Force. I tell you I get a bad feeling that's what I mean." He blinked at her a few times, and then smiled again and stood straight. A good feeling washed over him, and he suspected it was simply from him being honest with Ina. "I wasn't going to tell you yet, but I mentioned it to Ofi so she could bring it into consideration, and she assumed it was a breach of trust. In honesty, I didn't want to tell you about it until I was trained and you could rely on it. But Ofi stated you would be informed. So I decided I would rather you hear it from me, take it as you will. It was a personal choice."
Mal rolled his shoulders a few times, then looked at Ofi, this was a droid he couldn't trust. He would have to remember that for the future. Anything he wasn't ready for Ina to know, Ofi wouldn't know. And Ofi would only find out because she was translating for Ina. He'd have to find a way to let Ina know things he didn't want Ofi to know for one reason or another. In any case he pushed the thought to the back of his mind for the moment, it wasn't worth considering right away. As it stood most of his secrets were already laid bear between the three of them. Not that the droid could hope to understand that some things were very personal. He was definitely going to get a droid disruptor now, just for Ofi. And if he ever had the chance to use it, he was going to enjoy it far too much. Unfortunately he wouldn't use it unless he absolutely had too. He had one of those... what was it called? Conscious'? It was mighty annoying at times, and there were days he wished he could get rid of it, but that was all for another time.
"I'll see you bright and early in a few days Senator." The man held his hand out for Ina to shake, then cast a look at Ofi. "Would you like company on your walk back?" This he was asking more out of friendliness than anything else, it would help to get to know his future employer better, but he also understood if she would rather go with just Ofi. There would be plenty of time to get to know each other on the job.
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Mara
nothing worth anything ever goes down easy
9,275 posts
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the one and only
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last online May 2, 2022 22:30:17 GMT -5
Master
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Oct 23, 2014 17:00:21 GMT -5
Post by Mara on Oct 23, 2014 17:00:21 GMT -5
If she had been capable of feeling relief, Ofi would have done so when Denton had merely assented to her assessment of their contentious situation. She had been calculating a high chance that he would continue to dispute her in front of the senator--and indeed, she sensed the tension in his body with his continued irritation against her--but instead, he had used what common sense he had and let the topic slide. For the time being they would agree to disagree on their issues and work out their personal kinks with each other as time went on. The droid's analytical side saw this as a plus; after all, learning was a process and not an automatic switch. But the part of her that was intensely loyal to Ina was still unsettled with not having a resolution to their argument; however, she would just have to live with it, predictions of further discord notwithstanding.
When Ina had joined them, the avian droid had changed her position. She moved closer to her friend in order to watch her signing hands more clearly so that she could transmit them in text form to the datapad on which Denton would read her words. It was just a coincidence that doing so put some distance between Ofi and the new bodyguard from which she could see perceive some annoyance emanating from, though he worked mightily to contain his disease with the droid with Ina. Any other droid with pleasure centers would have certainly swelled at seeing the man's discomfort, but Ofi merely focused back on the task at hand: facilitating conversation between Ina and Denton.
The senator waited patiently while Denton read her remarks on the datapad and then spoke in answer. She had expected that the sergeant would simply shake his head and take his leave of them, knowing that the interview had gone well and he had already earned the job. So she was a bit surprised when she saw that he had something more to relate to her. Not a question but something important that they had somehow not covered yet during their earlier conversation. Thinking maybe he was just curious about salary or something in that line, she relaxed, ready to put him at ease so he could be on his way.
But in the next second, her blue eyes widened, and she stiffened at this wild revelation from Denton. A Force sensitive? She didn't know a lot about the Force, but she did know that it was the Force that gave the Jedi their mysterious powers. Did this mean that her bodyguard was a failed Jedi? His resume and bio hadn't accounted for any time for such training, but if he had kept this to himself, perhaps there were other things, other secrets. Ina pulled her gaze from the datapad, first looking towards the man and then towards her droid companion before going back to the screen in front of her to go over the text again.
Once she had gathered her senses a bit, she looked back up to Denton. << I do appreciate you telling me about... this. I admit, this news does surprise me a bit, and I'm not sure how to reconcile it just yet. I do understand your reasoning for keeping it to yourself... >> Ina herself preferred to keep her life and past an open book, was willing to share any and all of it if asked about it. Even the most painful parts were not kept silent. But that was her own personal choice; some beings were more private than others, for various reasons. << But I am a little disappointed that you didn't share this information with me right from the start. It is no small thing that you have this... gift. >>
From her perch on the table near Ina, Ofi focused one of her red optics on the human bodyguard without turning her head. Curious that he would blurt it out, right after he disclosed it to the droid, like it was some big secret, a bargaining chip to get the droid to believe his skills were superior to hers. Her friend's reaction to the news would have made her smug, if she had the ability to express such organic emotions. Perhaps this was just what she needed to get rid of this man and go back to convincing Ina that she would be all right with just the droid as her security. But she was disappointed when the senator continued.
<< However... >> Ina sighed. In the short time since receiving this unexpected information regarding her new hire, she had taken time to consider whether it was a deal breaker and how she felt about the whole thing. Though it was a breach of trust and something she had wished he had been upfront with, she didn't think it was reason for dismissal, not yet. That he had told her now instead of it remaining a secret worked in his favor. And just maybe, having a member of her security detail who could sense the Force would be an advantage for her. << You still have the job. I just ask that in the future, you will be more honest with me and with Ofi. >>
She waited a few moments for him to digest her reply before standing and accepting his hand and clasping it back, briefly. Ina smiled and nodded. << Yes... and congratulations again. I look forward to working with you in the future. >> At his offer, she glanced down to her droid friend before looking back to the man in front of her. Politely, she shook her head. << That's very kind, but I think I shall remain her a while longer before returning home. My reports can stand to wait another hour. >> Though she very much wanted to question him regarding his Force sensitivity, she knew it would be better to wait until she had come to better terms with the news and did a little research before grilling him on it. << We shall see you bright and early next week at the loft. >> Farewells were finalized, and she waved as Denton turned and made his way out of the park.
After the man was no longer nearby, she signed to Ofi; a silly notion, considering that he likely couldn't understand GSL, but still a habit of hers. If it was a situation where a being wouldn't speak aloud, she wouldn't sign. << Well, that was... interesting, to say the least... >> Referring specifically to Denton's revelation as well as to the day as a whole in general. << But I think it will all work out in the end. It has to, right? >> She smiled down at the droid, whom merely shrugged, lifting her wings up and down, daring not disagree with her friend, who needed something positive to lean on.
Soon they were also exiting the park and making their way back to the building that housed her new loft, Ina walking in pleasant silence with Ofi on her shoulder. She took a roundabout way, wanting to enjoy the fresh air--as fresh as air could be on a bustling cityplanet like Coruscant--for as long as she could before sequestering herself in her home for the next several hours, going over committee reports and schedules for the coming senate sessions. Usually something she dreaded but now, they were a reminder of her life returning back to normal. And once it did, she could finally move on and forget the awfulness of Boz Pity, replacing it with mundane Senate tasks that she could contend with without fear, due to the presence of Ofi and now of Mal Denton.
[to x...]
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