The Aftermathematics

[A®heim]

Project Familiar was quiet now. The "guests" had all departed, they had many months to learn just what they had agreed to. Poor saps...there is no greater joy than being so closely bonded with an entity like a Familiar.

There is also no greater responsibility.

All this would be contemplated at the moment by the small, newly reconstructed bird on Sean's shoulder had it not been playing a game of pong it had projected on the blank white walls.

Sean himself would likely be contemplating the quest so similar to his own the new recruits would now be undertaking, there was just one problem...

ZZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzz......

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Inattentive as usual, the chiss had simply sat back and let her familiar do the talking…what little of it was needed anyway. She preferred to stay silent, resting in a corner of the room, feet propped up on another chair, back against a wall. Her pack was settled beside her, the butt of that sniper rifle resting against her right shoulder as the rest of the long weapon lay settled at an angle across her body, the muzzle of the barrel pointed down to the floor. Sender had taken up his regular position upon her shoulder, just behind the butt of that rifle, tail flicking every once in a while to keep himself balanced as she readjusted herself, appearing the lazy feline in the shadows of the room.

Bloody red eyes had gazed silently out at them all, seeming to glow from the shadows of her raven hair and the darkness of her cerulean skin, made darker still by the unlit corner she had chosen to sit in. Her smile, when she did actually smile, had curled up almost wickedly, showing bright white teeth that only cemented their thoughts of her being some kind of devil. Yes, she knew that’s what they thought of her…how they felt…she made them uncomfortable, sitting there in the corner, cradling her weapon as if ready to shoot them all should they breathe wrong, and watching them through glowing red eyes. When she did speak, if she was forced into having to speak rather than allow Sender to be her proxy, her voice had been low and cool, even and calm and devoid of most emotion…other than, perhaps, a mild form of amusement at making their skin crawl because of her persona.

That was what it was, after all…a persona…a mask worn to hide the hurt their fear of her caused. Better fear of her, however, than someone attempting to befriend her and end up getting hurt or killed or worse. She’d watched, and listened, and learned about the new REAs, and hadn’t quite agreed with their new distribution process. Civilians, outlaws, for all she knew sith and mandalorians would be getting these new models and that meant more people she might have to kill if one of them decided to use their REA for…unscrupulous…reasons or actions. It meant her job would be more difficult if one of them were to be asked to protect an enemy of the Republic. It hadn’t made her happy…not one bit…but she’d bitten her tongue and kept her mind to herself. It wasn’t her place to complain…at least, not here.

The tension around her had tripled then, and that had radiated out toward the others, especially through that glare. She’d had a mind to get up and walk out right then, but Sender…stupid bird…had started jabbering in her ear about how it would work itself out somehow and that the Wizard knew what he was doing. She’d huffed loudly to shut him up and then repositioned herself again...in for the long haul. It was with no small amount of relief that the “meeting” (tutorial and crash course was more like it) had ended and the lucky new recipients had left with their partners. Poor saps…there was no greater pain in the arse than being so closely bonded with an entity like a Familiar.

This wasn’t to say that they weren’t highly useful and…grudgingly…appreciated, however.

Rahja counted on Sender more than she cared to admit, had come to value him as a friend…if an annoying one…and wouldn’t trade him for a heap of credits. Ah well…at least the greenhorns were piling out of the front room upstairs now and that meant she could leave too. Taking another glance about the room as she stood and slung her rifle over her shoulder, and Sender, her eyes caught on a familiar form…no pun intended. Grabbing her pack, she ghosted her way over, that thick chameleon cloak swirling about her as she cleared her throat…no motion from the bird, and the man was still snoring away.

Typical.

Slamming her pack down on the table that rested near by him with a loud thump of material encasing heavy items and clank of the metal clips on the metal tabletop, she kicked the bottom of the chair he was on with the toe of her boot.

WakeUpMuharo!

She’d shouted the words fast enough they ran together slightly, her fists on her hips as she glared down at the two, a ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth and hoping she’d scared the ever living out of the two there before her.

What’re you two lazing about for? Does this look like rec. time to you? No! On your feet soldier! We’re Oscar-Mike! Get a move on or you’re SOL on catching up to the squad!

[A®heim]

Heart rate increased tenfold. Chair tips back...and.....FLOOR! Despite this unexpected rendezvous with linoleum, Sean was on his feet in moments and snapped to attention. His shirt was askew, his pack on upside-down, and his rifle spilled across the floor in 9 segments.

Ah- Tah- Rah- Porting for duty, I wasn't asleep Sergeant Meesha! He blubbered as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. Squinting at the figure towering over him he relaxed and a sly smile manifested itself. Oh, the demoness survived the gauntlet after all. *yawn* Foiled again.

Ayer, who had stepped calmly from Sean's shoulder to the table just before Rahja kicked his chair, regarded the Chiss evenly. The projected pong ball ricocheted off her left cheek bone, crossed the bridge of her nose and was intercepted by the second paddle near her right eyebrow. Hello Rah.

Sean had bent down and began to reassemble his pack examining each segment of his rifle painstakingly before fitting them into their corresponding pockets. Son of a baznitch, Rahja, what if I had broken this? You have any idea how much this thing means to me? it's practically the most valuable belonging I have!

Ayer made a tiny noise from the table and returned his attention to scoring his 4914th point across Rahja's earlobe.

Either the sniper didn't hear his Familiar he he pretended not to. And what do you care if I catch some z's? He collapsed back into the meeting room chair and put his legs up on table. I found this place first! He said in a mock whine.

Ayer selected the save game option on Sender's right wing and deactivated his projector. Well technically I found it first. I was here long before any of the rest of you, including Sender. However, if we're done bickering, I must say that I quite agree with Mu'haro. I just got back from a pathological nightmare that terminated with my death....I deserve a hell of a vacation.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

That bright white grin curled upward as he flailed slightly in his chair…eyes going wide as he tipped backward, Ayer hopping swiftly off of his shoulder to the table before he fell sprawled across the floor. Well, that hadn’t been intentional but…it was funny anyway, and she chuckled despite herself. Sender also seemed to find it most amusing when Sean bolted up and snapped to attention stumbling over his words and trying to hide the truth of the matter, then outright laughed at his second comment when he finally realized the truth of the situation. That grin dimmed to a mildly amused smirk and she nodded, first to the man, then to his familiar…yes, the demoness had survived. Pity, really.

Well hello there Sean…long time no see, brother.

Hello Ayer. Yes…I survived. Much to the chagrin of those attending, I'm sure.

…Funny…I remember you nearly giving in to the same devious beast that claimed Sean here…and then the temptation of freedom nearly won out. Lucky I saved you from both.

Rah’s eyes narrowed slightly as she glared over at her companion, the black band around her upper left arm and the red, three headed, hound emblazoned there glinting oddly in the dim light making the yellow eyes of the trio of heads seem to glow, her rank bars showing clearly against the band around her other arm. She had a meeting to get to with the General, and her ride was leaving in an hour…she could afford a bit of time talking, but…not all day. Despite this, she pulled out a chair and settled herself into it after lowering her pack from her shoulder once more, Sender hopping from her shoulder to settle beside Ayer.

Sean’s complaints seemed to fall on deaf ears for a moment as she simply watched him check the bits and pieces of his rifle then fit them back into his pack. One leg crossed over the other, one hand running over her face to ease the soreness in her eyes. She’d not gotten sleep in…when WAS the last time she’d slept? It felt like ages ago. Ah yes, the med bay on the Ascension…but that had been while she’d been recovering from the poison’s effects after nearly dieing…it hadn’t exactly been for simple relaxation purposes, and much of it had been under the influence of some drug or other to help make certain she would remain stable.

Oh stop complaining, Sean. Unless that thing has sentimental value, I doubt it’s worth getting all uppity over. It isn’t as if the Military can’t provide you with another one that you can modify to your heart’s content. Besides…they’re sturdy weapons. One drop won’t break the silly thing. As for what I care…

She shrugged slightly before folding her arms before her and settling back further, rifle propped against the ground, with one hand wrapped around the sling so that it leaned against the table gently.

You needed to know the meeting was over…I decided to inform you.

That, of course, was code for: I saw you were here and wanted to say hello. Rahja had a habit of speaking in codes like that. It was an unfortunate side effect of 1) being chiss, 2) being a former mercenary, 3) being part of a Spec Ops division of the army that no one was REALLY supposed to know about. It didn’t help that she didn’t like speaking plainly to begin with, especially if any form of emotion was involved. At Ayer’s comment, those crimson eyes locked on to the new target and one eyebrow raised slightly. She’d only heard bits and pieces of what had happened from Sean…and those were far from anything solid enough to put any conclusions (or even a hypothesis) together with.

Sender’s head had whipped about at the words from his brother, wings slightly raised in his alarm. He’d known that Ayer had been in trouble from what they’d gathered from Sean…perhaps destroyed…but Ayer had just made it sound as if he’d been through hell before it had happened…not that it had happened before Sean’s eyes as the man had made it sound. Well now THIS was going to take some explaining. Contrary to her appearance of collected neutrality, Rahja was just about as startled as her counterpart. Coolly, the woman unfolded her arms and reached over to tap Sender on the back lightly.

Sender, gather yourself together will you?...and shut your mouth, it’s hanging wide open.

Well Ayer, you have our attention now…care to explain?

[A®heim]

Sean hefted his pack onto his lap grumbling. As a matter of fact, it does have sentimental value....quite a bit of it. It's the only I have that predates the cockatoo.

'Cept maybe his socks.

'Cept maybe my socks. He confirmed matter-of-factly.

A derisive "pah" escaped his lips when Rah explained her motivation for informing him. He may not have spent much actual face-to-face time with the chiss, but they still knew each other likely more than anyone else in the galaxy. After all, it had been through Sean that Familiar had contacted her in the first place, a decision he would often jokingly regret. In truth, though, Rahja was easily one of the most competent members. Competent to the level where even Sean had begrudgingly acknowledged her superior skill to Ayer. The bird didn't mind, though. If his partner could nail 4 less marks than Rahja, that was fine with him as long as they stayed together. Not to say Ayer didn't take any and every opportunity to point out Sean's shortcomings. What else are friends for?

Great brackaset balls, Rah, if ya wanted a kiss all you had'ta do is ask. He fixed her with his wolfish smile knowing he had greatly overinterpretted her "codes". Ayer threw in a soft chuckle. It was good to be home. Speaking of which...

At the level of Sender's alarm and his partner's interest, Ayer hunched down low with a shy flicker of a glance and a beaked "sorry" towards Sean who rolled in his eyes in that "here we go again" way. Sure what had happened to him had been eventually confided with his partner, but that was different: he was Sean's Familiar, withholding knowledge from each other was not something they did. But how far does that extend? What should he say to his brother and therefore Rah? What could he say? "Oh well you know, we helped a condemned traitor of the Republic escape from a maximum security prison. Sean took potshots at the guards and I helped by broiling their dog teams! After that I spent the next few days on the run with the fugitives assisting them however possible while my partner did everything in his power to sabatage search efforts. Oh yeah, Aunna is pretty nice for a criminal and Vex really isn't so bad for a village-slaughtering master of darkness. Makes good coffee." Is that what he should say? Maybe he should...not like they'd believe it anyways....Ayer looked to his partner again for help.

Sean's expression hadn't budged a millimeter. Impressive. Some droids couldn't even maintain that level of inanimation. Looks like he was alone on this one...again. Well...I...see...

Ayer knew what he had to do, even if he didn't like it. Rah was his friend and Sender was his brother, but some things took priority over family and friends alike. I...can't tell you. It's classified....I'm sorry. Sean gave the droid an approving nod. He had done what was best, they would find out in time when the whole mess was resolved. Ayer wasn't feeling great though: he had slipped up. Forgot he was no longer alone in Sean's quarters regaling him with the incredible tales of his travels with the wronged Republic Major and the Dark Jedi with the single bright spot that kept him going. He was ashamed and embarrassed.

Well that wouldn't do for the ickle birdie. Alright, I'll tell you! Sean piped up jovially as he jumped from his seat. So there we were! Alone in the dark underworld of Coruscant! 2 against 20! Fought for hours! BLOOD EVERYWHERE! ...those were the toughest 2 guys we ever fought, eh Ayer?

The Familiar lifted grateful photoreceptors and spoke with a hint of amusement. Yes. That's exactly how it went. The message behind his gaze was as clear as if the words had scrolled across his visor....which they may have, Sean had gotten so used to those sort of things that he sometimes had trouble sifting reality to what his mind made up. "Thank you."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She sat there, silently bemused by his reply, rolling her eyes a bit at the socks comment. The light flutter of her lashes was the only easily distinguishable signal that she’d done so. The derisive little sound that escaped him made the woman smirk ever so slightly, making those sculpted features angle slightly. He knew what she meant, even if they hadn’t spent much time speaking. He was intelligent enough to have put her personality together fairly easily…time to change the game up then…and have a little fun of her own. Standing casually, she allowed her rifle to settle against the table before she strode around behind him and leaned over his shoulder, coming dangerously close to pressing against his shoulder and practically purred her answer against his ear so all three others in the room could hear her, adopting a wolfish grin of her own, red eyes glinting brightly.

Alright then…Sean…may I…have a kiss?

That raven black hair slipped over her shoulders, brushing silkily against his neck as her warm breath tickled against his ear and jaw. Sender’s jaw dropped nearly to the floor at what she was doing. Certainly he knew that Rah acted as a spy, that she did things like this to people, that she was more than capable of acting the part of seductress, but to see her do it up close…and to a friend…it had him baffled beyond imagining. She certainly didn’t seem to be trying to harm him in any way…was she…TEASING HIM?! Certainly the chiss woman was teasing Sean…he’d set himself up for it and the temptation was just too much to resist. Sean knew she was a sniper, but he didn’t know EVERYTHING she did…that included her work as a spy and covert operator. She’d had to do all sorts of work, take all kinds of covers, to get her jobs completed, and so she had brought up some of that well used training. Besides…it was likely the last thing he’d be expecting from her…and it had certainly thrown Sender for a loop…which was always worth it.

By the wizard’s shiny black shoes…

He’d nearly forgotten all about the question they’d posed to Ayer in the stunned confusion of what he was witnessing. It wasn’t until Ayer hunkered down and managed to say something that either Rah or Sender managed to bring themselves back to the present. At the droid’s answer Rah chuckled softly, still hovering beside Sean’s ear, and shook her head…it was as much as she’d expected. At Sean’s addition she finally stood straight again and rested a hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly. It was a lie and she knew it…well, it wasn’t a LIE, but in relation to their question it was.

Of course Seah, of course. Though I doubt the battle on Nar Shaddaa was what “killed” Ayer here…but I’ll leave it alone for now. I don’t feel like prying today. It’s my day off.

[A®heim]

Uh-oh. Bluff called. Evasive action, commander!

Oh Rahja...you know, it gets oh so lonely around here with only the pigeons for company--and by pigeons I don't mean the birds, though they aren't very personable either.

Hey!

Sean gave his Familiar a bemused smile. And while I love this one very much...

Ayer sighed. You're only fooling yourself, human. He said the word with that same sarcastic emphasis his partner used when he reffered to the droid as "bird" and resumed his game on the wall.

...it's more of a... The sniper noted Ayer's stoic ignorance of his existance with a raised eyebrow. ...friendly kind of compassion. I can't imagine any further relationship with the birds to be particularly healthy.

Or possible.

Imagine the children; Cyborg Sniper Ninja Ospreys. Now THAT would almost be ALMOST as scary as what our children would look like. Teal skin, red eyes, forked tongue, the other kids would never leave em alone!

Alright, the chaf was loaded, time to fire ad hope it halts the torpedo. Sean leaned in to Rah, the goofy smile instantly replaced with one of great seriousness and concern, though his eyes still twinkled with amusement. So, now that you've heard my version of Nar Shadaa and my questionable mental status on the subject of love affairs, still want that kiss?

_______________________________________________________________________

Good to know you're on top of things, sir.

Oh but it is ever so amusing. I admit that when I created the Familiars, I had intended them to create interesting bonding scenarios with their partners, not the between the partners themselves. How I do love surprises.

The Familiar sighed and hopped in front of the old man, obscuring his view of the small holoscreen and forcing eye contact You realize those two have known eachother since before they were a part of our little operation--course you do. You are the all knowing master of the galaxy. I apologize for not bowing to your divine greatness, bad back you know.

....anything else?

Phae stared at his partner in exhasperation, sputtering a few more words that wouldn't align themselves in his processor (an interesting sound as each track overlapped the other for a moment) until finally he composed himself. He hopped away from the screen and back to his usual station on the desk. There's a sort of fruitlessness to arguing with one's maker.

Settling down to sort out some test diagnostics, he turned to mutter at Arza. I'm going to tell Ayer you're being a peeping tom now.

Arza chuckled. You're more of a stuffy old man than I am.

Thank you, sir.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

One thing you didn’t do to a good spy…try to call their bluff…especially with something as simplistic as a kiss. Rah’s ability to bluff had been tested with much worse. Sender sputtered a moment before falling silent again, knowing this wasn’t about to end well for Sean. Another incoherent protest to the birds comment and once more he was quiet, chuckling slightly at the whole situation. What a shock it was going to be for poor Mu’haro.

Oh, it must be quite lonely…you poor man.

A light little chuckle escaped her, feminine in its delicacy as she remained looking at him from her position behind him, hovering over his shoulder. One hand trailed along one shoulder, across the span of his back behind his neck, and let it settle there just below his hairline before pressing right up against the shoulder she was behind.

Certainly not…those feathers are sharp after all…and where would you put…well, never mind that…but I agree that the product of such an affair would be most horrendous. Though…I must inform you that I don’t have a forked tongue…not yet anyway.

As he leaned in closer, looking so dreadfully serious and concerned save for the amused glint in his eyes, she held back a smirk of her own and pressed her lips together. Backing away slightly before standing and slinking around to the front of him seductively, the hand resting at the back of his neck trailed along his other shoulder and then his chest before she settled herself on his lap and leaned in perilously close.

…Yes.

With that she pressed her lips lightly against his, pressing herself against him lightly, one hand resting lightly on each shoulder. After a moment she pulled away so their faces were only an inch apart and smirked mischievously.

So…was it good for you?

She asked cheekily.

[A®heim]

Sean's eyes widened for a moment. He hadn't seen this coming...or had he? In that brief moment before contact he wondered vaguely if this was not indeed the end result he had been unknowingly bowling for the whole time, or if he was just trying to tease Rahja without thinking of the inevitable.

All this mulling vanished when her lips touched his.

Some part of his mind was setting off an alarm: "What are you doing? She does this for a living! Don't stick yourself in the ranks of the sucke-" He mentally slapped the snooze button. True that was one of the things everyone learned the hard way in the military: Beware of the females.

...And don't hold your rifle backwards, the end results were basically the same.

But none of that mattered now; the rapier wit, comedic evasion, and sarcastic aloofness that he used to rely upon in social confrontations evaporated and left him alone in the raw. Naked....metaphorically speaking.

Ayer focused on his game trying very hard not to pay attention to whatever was happening behind him. *pong*......9992......*pong*......*pong*......9993...... *pong*......*pong*......9994......*pong*......Sean had shutup for an awful long time (ie. 12 seconds), Ayer flawlessly rebounded the pixelated ball off his paddle and turned to see if he was choking on a marshmallow or something.

Why so quiet all of a- His repulsors flared sending him flipping into the wall, pinning him there rather comedically upside-down with his feathers splayed out as he slid slowly down, his receptors wide. The simple AI rebounded the ball which passed by his paddle on the 9998th point. The results scrawled themselves across the human and the chiss in the brief moment they were connected.

GAME OVER

High Scores
1. pwn3d! - 10000
2. Ayer - 9999
3. Ayer - 9999
4. Sender - 9999
5. Ayer - 9999
6. Ayer - 9998
7. Phae - 15
8. Phae - 14
9. I hit it! Yay! 1
10. --- 0

[/center]

As their lips parted, Sean let out a barely audible sigh. Yes. Very good... He lowered his eyes and cleared his throat as if suddenly aware of the awkwardness of the situation. Heh...well then...ummm... Under the table, Ayer to regain his balance shaking his head in some hope that it might unscramble his gravimetric sensors.

You have no idea what you're getting into. Both of you. Love is a treacherous path that should remain untraveled unless one if properly prepared. Start down it now, and I can't promise I can protect you from its perils like I can protect you from a bullet. And believe me, I'm all too familiar with both cases.

Sean stared at his familiar for a moment before raising an eyebrow. Ayer, you're explaining love. You. Stop it, you're not supposed to be able to comprehend such a thing as lov- And it's not love! That was just Rahja being a seductive, soul-eating baznitch--no offense. He paused and turned his head back to the chiss. I mean...um...right?

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She had caught those stray warning thoughts of his, mere tingles against her mind as they had kissed. Truth be told, hers was doing just about the same thing as dozens of “red lights” flared to life across the board. What had she been thinking, kissing him? Sure she’d been teasing him, but…but it was something a bit more than that. It was dangerous for both of them…dangerous for him. What are you doing, Rahja?! Do you WANT him to get killed?! Cut this foolishness out right now! The thought made her tense slightly inside. No…that was the last thing she wanted was for him to get hurt, but…she just hadn’t been able to resist the temptation.

Sender had been busy surfing the holonet, spending his time looking up various bits of information then receiving the coded message, then going back to his surfing when he heard Ayer begin to question the two quiet beings. He was used to Rah being silent, she seemed to like it…more or less…and so he didn’t think much of it. When he heard the sudden flare of repulsors, followed by the thud of something hitting a wall and sliding down it, he cut the view of the net to see Ayer pinned upside down to the wall and sliding slowly downward. Turning his head, the sight that had sent Ayer flying had his wings up and feathers out as well, nearly falling off the table as he hopped backward and almost off the edge.

Frelling hell!

Rahja studiously ignored her companion and Ayer’s reactions as she covered her emotions with that cheeky quip, but his reply had her stunned and forgetting to breathe for half a moment. Her cheeks flushed a light purple as he looked down and cleared his throat, trying to find something to say when Ayer piped up again. His words stung…badly…and her face darkened as she stood up from her seat on Sean’s lap. The reply from Sean hurt nearly as bad and she was glad her back was to the three of them by now as she knelt down by her pack and busied herself with pulling her credentials from it…or trying to. For some reason she couldn’t get her fingers to work properly.

You have a wonderful grasp on the concept Ayer, but as Sean said, you have nothing to worry about. No offense taken, Sean, most see me that way and I’d have it no other way. Keeps people where they should be…at a distance.

Finally she managed to pull her credentials from the pocket in her pack and hefted the whole thing up and settled it onto an empty seat as she dropped the lanyard over her neck, flipping her hair up so it came free. She was so STUPID…this was the same reason she never got close to Crass, it was the same reason she couldn’t get any closer to Sean…the sooner they got out of here the better. Sender had hunkered down As soon as the word ‘love’ had come from Ayer…this was a touchy subject with Rah and he knew it. The further things went the more he saw Rah shutting down and his wings flicked in his agitation. It had been his personal mission to try and get her to open up and dammit she’d been doing so well!

Sender, we’ve got a ride to catch. The General wants us, remember?

Rah, I…

No Sender.

…But Rah…

She ignored him this time, holding up a hand and slinging her rifle over her shoulder before readjusting her cloak in the process. Anything to keep her back to them until she could get herself pulled back together.

[A®heim]

What could he say? No! Don't say anything, Sean. You're a lumix and nothing that comes out of your mouth ever actually accomplishes anything positive.

Well that's not very nice...[/i]

But it was true. And now you're arguing with the equivalent of a subconscious Ayer.

I already have one of those, thank you, and mine can be locked out of my room if it bugs me.[/i]

And how Sean glared at the bird now. Ayer had ALWAYS been more knowledgeable than the sniper, but that was purely recorded data he could pull off his databanks or the holonet and he could always be bested by the complex and often illogical subjects such as morality.

...and love.

So when Ayer had recited his warning in the unmistakable tone of one who knows what he's talking about, it irked his partner a little. It was eerie. Arguably impossible for an AI, but then Sean was starting to believe more and more that there was nothing Artificial about a Familiar's Intelligence. It also stung a little as any opposing statement does that you know, deep down, is correct.

And he could tell Rahja felt no differently. There was nothing difficult to read now: a last legs effort to retain composure. A panicked action. It was not meant to deceive, but to block out all: Rahja had replaced the normal parries of her rapier with a kite shield held shakily behind her as she made her retreat. Now he had done it...

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

He wanted to say something, anything he could to keep her from departing on such a bad note. Ayer, who had taken a similar posture as Sender after realizing what he had down finally got together the nerve to make eye contact with Sean. He could see that his Familiar was running through a similar scenario in his processors. He sighed silently, the little thing could probably figure out something better to say than he could, but he could tell that Ayer had no such intention. The bird knew that anything it said in the place of Sean, no matter how prepared the statement, would only drip lemon juice on the paper cut.

And once again, Ayer was right.

Rahja had gathered her belongings. She was going to leave without a word....


___________________________________________________________________________

In his office, Arza peered evenly at the holoscreen. The end of pipe was held parallel to the light furrow in his brow and his eyes betrayed his stoic demeanor for a moment-- flickering quickly between yellow, blue, and green as they did when he was deep in thought. At last he seemed to come to a conclusion, eyes returning to the grey facade, without changing his expression or turning his head, he addressed his Familiar.

Phae.

The first of the familiars answered irritably without turning from his work. Yeees?

Run lockdown protocol on floor 3, section Gamma.

Now Phae turned around with his head tilted. Any particular reason? ...Hey! Isn't that where Se-

Can you do it or not?

Well yes, of course, but-

Then do so. Arza's voice was calm, but the tone had an underlying demand for compliance that the bird wasn't about to go against. His partner may be reckless at times, but very rarely had his unusual requests ended badly.

___________________________________________________________________________


The lights went out. Sean froze and looked about in the dark. Two small nimbi of light surrounded the two Familiars in the room. Ayer looked about him causally, not seeming too alarmed by this change of events. The darkness was replaced with a dim red light and calm, feminine voice sounded over the loudspeakers.

"Attention faculty. Floor 3, Section B is now under full lockdown. Drill cycle will complete in: 4 minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience."

The thick blast doors meant to prevent the spread of anything from contaminants to terrorists closed off the hallway on either side of the small group. Sean looked up at the posted sign on the wall. Yep, this was Section B....but none of the labs seemed to be currently in use...

A knowing glance from Ayer confirmed it. Clever bastard. Sean wondered whether he should add "tackle glomp" or "uppercut" to his list of things to do if he ever met the Wizard face-to-face. Well, the stage was set, the lights were on, only one thing to do now...

Rahja... He spoke in barely more than a whisper, mostly because he had no idea what to say next, but partially because that just seemed the most appropriate way to say it at the time....odd.

_____________________________________________________________

Gee. That was subtle.

Thank you.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The lights flickered out, a circulating red light replacing it and she sighed heavily, her head drooping slightly as if in defeat. She knew what came with those warning signals. Sure enough, less than three seconds later heavy blast doors had slid shut effectively cutting off all means of escape. Gorram…her luck was horrible!

Good thing our ride is delayed until tomorrow…

The quiet voice of Sender only rankled her further. It had been meant to show her the bright side of things…it didn’t work. A low growl of words in cheunh had her familiar backing up a pace and hunkering down further as the woman pulled off her credentials once more and stuffed them back into her pack. In this lighting she looked even more hellish than before…a fact she was pointedly aware of. The sculpted and pronounced bone structure of her face appeared more ghastly and gaunt in this lighting, the demonic red of her eyes flickering brightly each time the warning lights on the ceiling caught on them, her hair a deep shadow of black that flickered and flamed with those same warning lights, the blue hue of her skin darker and eerie looking in the unnatural play of light and shadow around them. She knew how she looked because she’d been told before, she’d been stuck in locked down areas with mirrors before, she’d caught the thoughts of others in those times…it wasn’t easy being chiss if you had a heart. That was one reason why she tried so desperately not to have one.

Even as he spoke her name, she sighed and steadied herself mentally and emotionally as best she could before turning to look at him…them, really, seeing as Sender and Ayer were there behind her also. One eyebrow arched slightly as if waiting for him to say something further, when he didn’t she shook her head and moved her pack to the floor once again, debating on settling herself in the chair. Deciding she didn’t have the desire to sit, she pulled her cloak off and layered it over the back of the seat before folding her arms and pacing a bit…much like a caged animal. Finally she paused and lowered her head, eyes narrowing at the floor.

Sean…I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I should have thought before I acted…Ayer’s right…I mean about love being dangerous. I should know…and I should have known better than to act so foolishly.

[A®heim]

In the pulsing red light, Sean's astonishment was cloaked by the gaunt shadows his jaw sprawled across his face. Apologize? Rahja was apologizing? To him? He may not have known the implacable chiss sniper perfectly through and through, but he sure as hell knew that getting an apology out of her falls under the category of other such enjoyable enterprises as arm wrestling devil squids and playing tag with Sith lords.

Yet here she was...

Right in front of him...

How her hair glistened in the flickers of sha-

Focus Sean, things are shaky at the moment-- the Wiz bought you some time, but you have to make sure you use it wisely. He looked around the room for inspiration. With the closing of the heavy blast doors, the segment of hallway had been turned into a slightly curved, 30 x 10 foot room. The modular seating and a small coffee table where he sat represented the only significant features other than the whirling klaxon light on the wall and the featureless doors of the adjacent laboratory. Blast. The bird was right. Always bloody right....

The bird isn't always right. All life makes mistakes, natural and artificial alike. It's what keeps us advancing and inventing. Sean paused a moment. He had hoped to play to his strengths and just start start talking, let his loose tongue do the rest. It worked. Sometimes. His eyes flitted to his Familiar almost unnoticeabley.

Ayer took the hint; the ball was on his paddle now. Love is like a cookie: in the end it's bad for you what with it's trans fats, sugars, and preservatives, but I'll be scrap iron if those trans fats, sugars, and preservatives don't put a smile your face.

Sean's brow furrowed and he he turned slowly to the bird with one eyebrow cocked. His expression combined with a slouched but stiff posture screamed one word: What?

The droid stared right back at him in defiant indignation. I rather liked it.

....O...kay then. What I'm saying, and what I can only guess the sandpiper is trying to say, is that life is too important to take seriously. You say you are foolish, that love is dangerous. I'd be a rotten liar if I told you otherwise. But is it more stupid and dangerous than sitting up in some tattered, camo-screened steakout taking crackshots at crackpots just having to pray they don't wonder by a little too close?

Ayer's visor flashed off and on quickly, a signal they had devised long ago that was the equivelent of a nudge to the shoulder. He was right, getting a little heavy on the sayings and metaphors. Get to the point already.

If love is gonna make my head explode, then you had better page the janitor cause there's about to be a mess on floor 3, section B.

What a romantic image.

Shutup.


_______________________________________________________________________________


"Awwww, that's cute."

Phae jumped with a small repulsor flare and even Arzahiem took in a sharp breath. Both turned in one part alarm and another in confusion as to who the intruder upon their hallmark moment was.

Dr. Lenarski, what a preliminary yet somewhat expected surprise. Is there something I can do for you?

Pan stomped through the doorway towards the pair, talons clacking on the polished hardwood floor, until she reached his desk. Clawed hands clamped down leaving small scratches in the finish and her fanged maw lowered itself menacingly to the old man's face. He found himself unconciously adjusting his colar. Phae took several not-so-small leaps back. "For starters I vould appreeciate eet if hyo vould NOT shutdown an eentire section off my laboratory for hyor childeesh leetle ventures!"

Arza removed his pipe and opened his ornate snuffbox to go about refilling it. Despite the casual action, he kept a careful eye on the raptor-like being who had moved back slightly and crossed her arms. Doctor Pantamime Lenarski was the most brilliant physicist he had ever met. And the most carnivorous. While he was certain she had no actual intention to harm him, accidents happen and a precaution not taken is a lesson soon to be learned. You do realize, I hope, that it is my very "childish little ventures" that make this little world go round, as well as constitute you employment.

She sneered. "Pah. Eet ees only job I can get, hyo know zat hyo corprate bostard. Everyvhere else requires hyo know hyor own species."

All I care is that you're a genius and you're on my side.

"Not eef hyo keep pulling stunts like zees, I von't!"

My sincerest apologies. Change of water pressure set off the drill I assure you. I'll see to it that it's repaired.

"Yah, I see hyor "vater pressure" right zere. Hyo stay out off zees things, Vizard! Hyo don't eenterfere vith luff!"

Phae crept forward slightly and replicated the sound of clearing one's throat. As much as I hate to interrupt this interrogation, I can't help but wonder. How did you get in here, Doctor? There should have been enough security measures to deter the most hardened of bored college students.

"Zats because I made ze boredeest von off zem all. I yanked zat meserable Fameelier out off von off hees virtual daydreams and told heem to get me to hyo or so help me I vould UNmake heem!"

11's draconic head peered meekly in through the doorway. His voice lacked its usual cockiness. "She is very persuasive...."

That's it. Next evaluation is close-quarters combat for you.

The cockiness returned. "Oh yeah? Too bad! I'm adopted! FTW! Good luck making my fight in your trial while I'm on Dantooine, n00b! Roflwaffle pwnt!"

"11! Go avay!"

"Y-yes maam." His head vanished.

Phae leaned in close to his partner. Should I tell him?

Arza chuckled. He'll learn soon enough that life with the DLA is going to make our trials seem like naptime. Now Dr. Lenarski, if there's nothing else...

She stuck a claw towards him and peered scrutinizingly with one eye. "Hyo get zat lockdown leefted or so help me...

I'll get on that now.

Pan nodded and shot the two one more dirty look before turning and stomping out of the office, her tail swishing irritably behind her. Phae waited until he was absolutely positive she was completely out of earshot before he spoke again. By the Force she's eccentric. Frighteningly so.

Yes, well thankfully eccentricity is a talent in high demand for this operation. She may be one of the few things I'm genuinely afraid of these days, but I don't know what I would do without her...Well! He spun his chair back around to the holoscreen of the snared snipers. I'd say we've bought our friend enough time, what say we lift this lockdown already?

__________________________________________________________________________



The bedraggled man, in his slacks, undershirt, unruly hair, tired eyes, and mismatching socks, took a step closer to Rahja. Just a small one. Her crimson eyes regarded him, always calculating, two glowing red points like the visors of the birds also upon him. So much red everywhere...the color of passion.

...and blood.

Same thing really, Rahja had a point about that.

Then suddenly the red went away.

"Lockdown Terminated. All floors fully functional and accessable. Security level is: Green."

The klaxons ceased their silent warnings, the bright white lights overhead one by one flickered into existance. The blast doors creaked and lifted slowly transforming the once claustrophobic room into the curved hallway it used to be.

You're free to go now. I won't stop you, but just remember: if you don't care where you're going...

Ayer bowed slightly and spread his wings. ...then you're not really lost.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Those eyes, whether he noticed or not, were constantly darting about the room. A shift of her posture, a slight increase in her heart rate and breathing…it wasn’t because of her potential feelings for Sean that these changes were occurring. No, Rahja just really HATED warning lights. She never used to…but then, things change, don’t they? As he started speaking again, those crimson eyes caught on his face once again and she shook her head slightly. Maybe he was right…of course he was right…but he just didn’t understand. She was about to tell him so when Ayer piped up. Both man and chiss turned toward the little familiar slowly wearing nearly the same expression, but likely for completely different reasons. Even Sender had turned to look at his brother with his beak agape in confusion and disbelief.

“I rather liked it.”

Rah simply shook her head and returned her eyes to Sean. His words struck a little too close to home, unfortunately, and those eyes turned away, though she never turned her face away. It was likely he’d never know the difference between her actually looking at him and not…it tended to take a while for most races to tell the difference. Well…she DID have the scars from something very similar to that, and the only reason she was alive right now was because of…

“If love is gonna make my head explode, then you had better page the janitor cause there’s about to be a mess on floor 3, section B.”

“What a romantic image.”

“Shutup.”

Despite herself Rahja chuckled slightly at the morbid imagery and Sender sighed heavily. Only HIS partner would laugh at something so morbid. He watched Rah shift again and mildly wondered why she was so twitchy…well it had to be all of this ‘love’ business that was going on. She regarded him quietly for a moment, eyes narrowed slightly as she debated the intelligence of telling him what she had on her mind.

I doubt love will make your head explode, Sean, but being around me it might very well get you killed…just speaking from personal experience here. You get involved with me in any way and you’re putting yourself at risk. I don’t want that for you…for anyone…but certainly not for you. Why do you think I…

She paused as the lights slowly came back on and let out a heavy, relieved, sigh and quite visibly relaxed.

I hate warning lights…

He went on about how she was free to go, how he wouldn’t stop her and some…odd little saying that Ayer finished for him. That head lowered slightly and those eyes closed as she tried to figure out just what she was going to do. Much as she wanted to deny the fact that she felt…something…toward Sean, she just didn’t want to see him hurt in any way, and that seemed to be just about all she was capable of bringing upon people. A long sigh escaped her and finally she looked up at him and closed the distance between the two of them, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him.

I'm a mess, Sean…I really am. I'm a mess and a danger in more ways that one, but I can’t honestly say that I don’t care about you and that I'm not interested. I just…don’t want to see you get hurt because of me.

For once she wasn’t that cold, hardened, insurmountable wall of emotionless persona that she so often showed the world. For once she was letting someone see past the chilled and icy exterior, past the teasing and mischievous facade below that. For once she allowed someone other than Sender to see that softer interior, the part that she hid from the galaxy if only so she didn’t get hurt herself. Sender was flabbergasted. His beak hung open and his head and neck had lowered into a disbelieving posture that relayed his utter confusion. Rah, on the other hand, just hoped she hadn’t made an even bigger mistake than kissing him in the first place.

[A®heim]

Sean stiffened and a short, surprised noise somewhere between a squeak and a burp escaped him at her sudden embrace. Well this just wasn't right at all, he would have to ask Ayer later is she had picked his pockets or taped a little note that said "I r stoopid" to his back.

Then again...It seemed so sincere.

That little warning voice coughed again.

He stuck a mental rubber band around it.

Ayer coughed.

He stuck a ment- crap. Oh well, he would just ignore them for now. I mean look; he was in Rahja's arms. It was like many a daydream's fantasy...almost, there was still one element missing. He slowly and awkwardly placed his arms around her as well. He pulled her into the embrace, head lowered, eye closed, and held her there offering what little security he could. It wasn't much, but it was there. There was something so wrong about this--like this version of Rah was creating some sort of dimensional paradox and a quantum singularity was gonna suck them in at any moment--why then did it feel so right?

Did it?

It certainly felt good....it had been awhile since he felt good.

Okay so that wasn't true, he had felt more than fair when Ayer first hopped out of the repair ward. Hell, even that nap he just woke up from had given him a certain amount of contentedness. What could he say? He was a hard to down kinda guy. But what of Rahja? This very moment alone was proof that such a life was not her privilege to lead, nor was it her fault: this galaxy just seemed to give some people more breaks than others. Ayer had brought up her file once after Sean swore he wasn't a stalker, and it had more red in it than an Iridonian mosh pit.

Classified

This appeared throughout most of it.

Deceased

What was it like to live in such a world? One where everything...everyone...

Eliminated

...was just a number?

Classified

Everything you had ever done...

Infirmed

...ever will do...

Classified

...ever accomplished in your life...

Deceased

The one's who died...

Terminated

The one's you've killed...

Classified

...classified.

It hit Sean then, the notion that had always tweaked the back of his mind but his impeccable pride had always hushed. That the blue-skinned, red-eyed woman before him, who he had always light-heartedly mocked and made into his personal damsel in distress, was tougher than him. She was sand panther to his jax: had and would endure hell and back just to survive in what must have been one cruel galaxy in her eyes. Every smile, every light chuckle was a mere escape attempt from the military secret her life had become. Horrors that would have Sean whimpering in someone's arms she endured and put over her shoulder as another check on the day's to do list, and this scared the crap out of Sean.

Because that's what Rahja was doing now.

But manlier of course. If she started whimpering, then there would be no doubt about that whole paradox black hole thing. A new feeling was starting to grow in him, more than fear, more than passion, was it...pity? She had been through so much, and him so little...was he worthy of pitying anyone? Who cares if you're worthy? Your damsel is in a hell of a lot of distress -now-, give her some sympathy man!

Sympathy...sympathy...his mind struggled for the right words to say. A snide and a humor-laced remark surfaced but he repressed it quickly. Sympathy, you idiot! She needs sympathy! Not another reason to knee you in the groin! Mind Sean had a point: getting kneed in the groin hurt. His hand unconsciously rubbed Rahja's back as he assembled something intelligible and hopefully safe to say.

There there, Rahja...

Please tell me you can do better than that.

In this job, you'd be dead if you were a mess, but I won't deny you're a danger.

Ayer gave him a confused glance wondering if this was some strange new tactic he was employing or just him being a naive idiot again. Sean returned his stare over Rahja's shoulder and the droid got the hint. He had gotten over the initial shock of the two's sudden intimacy and since he had been reprimanded for what he had said, he had put more thought into the situation as a whole. Ironically, the same consideration was being processed as his partner had previously done: Sean was right. Some things simply were not logical, but that didn't always make them wrong. Or was there a sense of logic beneath this after all? If one digs deep enough, anything can be justified in any sense and Ayer knew if he could reassemble this in a way he could actually comprehend, it would make things much less far-fetched. Hypothetically.

So what was the logic in this?

Being hurt because of you is the least of my worries. Being hurt by you ranks a lot higher on the list, but I'm hurt every bloody day. What's a little more pain? I'm glad that you care about me, and I promise you... He leaned back a little so their faces met and fixed her with the sincerest smile he could manage. The feeling is mutual. He continued to hold her with that genuine smile, wanting the moment to never end; here in this strange, underground hallway. Their own little world maintained by people similar to themselves--lost points of light in a dark galaxy who just wanted to do their best to illuminate the way--who felt this was indeed it's own little sanctuary from that bigger world. Away from the death. Away from the false senses of duty, the dark political objectives, the pains of life. Why couldn't the whole universe be like this?

Simple.

Because places like this wouldn't exist if it was.

It was a bittersweet thought. The worst kind. Sean felt a pang of loneliness and regret as he held Rah in his embrace. It had to end, or it would never to be again. Places like this, moments like this, they all existed to create a balance with those less pleasurable in this galaxy. What would they mean if one didn't enter the breach and brave the cruelty for a while? It all boiled down to a final conclusion: So what if I'm in danger? How am I supposed to enjoy what I have if nothing tries to take it all away?

Ayer, for his part, still puzzled over the whole logical aspect of the affair. Inspire camaraderie? No duh. Promote chivalrous and compassionate actions? It was no use. For every pro, a dozen cons sprung up across his display. Statistics, probability, cross-examination, hell logic itself all pointed to this being a bad idea. Yet one of those holes purposefully left by the Familiar programming had filled itself with...something...during his time with Aunna and Vex, and it told him to just go with the flow; that everything was going to be okay if he just let it go...ugh, so baseless and unreliable, but it wouldn't leave him alone.

On Sender's display a small window would blink and a message would scroll across his vision. Thoughts on the matter?

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Odd? Yes.

Awkward? Certainly.

Uncomfortable? Perhaps a bit.

The feel of his arms wrapping around her, however, was oddly…welcome. Correction: for as odd and awkward and uncomfortable as it might have been…it was very welcome. For once those warning voices…the ones that kept her at such a distance from others, the ones that shouted at her that she would only cause pain and hurt and death if she got close to someone, the ones that helped her keep that icy cold and beskar tough facade up to shield herself…they were silent, or close to it. It was…a rarity…to say the least. More than that, though, she felt…why did she feel…safe? She never felt safe. Not ever. Why, then, did this odd, awkward, very bizarre man make her feel safe just by holding her?

After a moment of standing there, a little tensely, she slowly relaxed and allowed her head to droop to the point where her forehead touched his neck. A deep sigh and she found herself wondering just how much of a fool they all thought she was now. She had never been much of one to show her emotions…not since she had been a youngling, and the newest of the younglings at that. It had started with the death of her father and sister, meeting the strange man who she later learned was “jedi,” then the delayed death of her mother and her being taken to the temple. It had been a strange place…foreign and colder than even Csilla, though not physically. The jedi didn’t MEAN to be cold…they just…were so emotionless in ways that she didn’t understand, and the younglings around her were so comfortable in this place on that strange planet that was so warm and sunny. They fit in and they knew it…they knew she didn’t belong there and so some of them had been cruel, while others…others had just been distant, cold. They hadn’t been unkind, but they hadn’t helped her try to adjust either.

Even the masters hadn’t quite known what to do with her and her growing frustration and anger. The more they tried and failed to pull her into their fold, the more angry and frustrated she got, and the further she slipped away from fulfilling her desire to become a padawan…and later a knight. Her solution? To attempt to stifle all emotion, to bury herself in her learning, to try and conform to the mold her young mind thought they wanted. In the end she had been sent to the medi-corps. She had failed…she had failed her youngling teachers, she had failed her family, and worse…she had failed herself. In the medi-corps she was, at least, able to learn from new masters…to put her minimally developed skills to use in helping heal people…to make them whole again. She had fit in there…been happy and surrounded by people who actually seemed to care about her. That had slowly started to change, however, when she had been transferred back to working in the temple medical wing. It was always so busy and she was, more often than not, stuck minding a desk rather than patients. It hadn’t helped when every time she did get to help she was always outshined by the padawans that came in and lent their talents. The anger had begun to rise again and that shell of non-emotion had solidified further until it cracked the day a very injured padawan was rushed in and after hours of work and exhausting herself with the other healers, she was (once again) far outshined by a padawan younger than herself who had come in at the end of the operations.

That had heralded the beginning of the mercenary life for Rahja and had led to the first time she’d allowed herself to get close to people. Then the first and only time she’d allowed herself to fall in love. He had been the only other one she’d ever really felt safe around…the only other one to help her, make her feel at home…well…anywhere, really. He’d been the one to find her bleeding and unconscious on the floor by her rifle after having been attacked while trying to line up a shot. She’d managed to kill her attacker and stay awake just long enough to finish the shot before losing consciousness from blood loss and pain while trying to heal herself. He had found her and carried her to safety, gotten her medical care and stayed by her…but now…he was dead now. They all were. The crew (her friends) and Shelk…since then she’d distanced herself, held herself away, from all others. Never again…never again did she want that pain. Never again did she want to cause the pain she had caused during her quest for vengeance afterward. Never.

Yet…here she was…letting someone close to the real her once again.

What damage and destruction would it cause this time?

Would he end up another “Classified” on her record? Another “deceased”? Force forbid he became another number…she didn’t think she could handle that. He was her friend, if nothing more. There could be more…might be more…he sure as hell treated her like more…

…more than a call sign.

…more than a bar code.

…more than a jedi reject.

…more than a killer.

…more than a devil…

Despite how he teased her, what he said when he poked fun, he treated her differently than most others. He didn’t shy away from her, or shun her, or watch her every move like she might eat his soul as soon as look at him. Maybe there was a little hope…if only just a little…that she’d found someone that she could allow just a bit closer than the others. There had been Crass, at one point, but what were the chances of seeing him again? Her path seemed to constantly cross with Sean’s though, and at the strangest of times. He understood some of her life…he was a sniper as well, he worked with a familiar, and for some reason she just…took to him more easily than she had Crass. She didn’t know why. Perhaps it was that hope?

Rahja caught her breath slightly, holding it and struggling with herself, her emotions. Her vision blurred through the build up of liquid in them and she closed them until she had mastered herself. With a sigh she let out her breath again and she was back to being almost as stoic as before. How stupid of her. It was stupid and weak…foolish…and weak of her to have let herself become so vulnerable that her own emotions threatened to take hold of her. Stupid, foolish, girl…well, the problem had been remedied for the most part and so she simply stood there with him, attempting not to think at all. Her selective mental hearing, however, seemed to believe the lack of thought coming FROM her meant that it should substitute with Sean’s thoughts ABOUT her.

“Who cares if you're worthy? Your damsel is in a hell of a lot of distress -now-, give her some sympathy man!”

Worthy? Heh…worthy of what? If he were wondering if he were worthy of being around her, holding her, or any other such thoughts…well…he needn’t have wondered. It should have been her asking herself that question, not the other way around. Lucky for Sean, that was where her consciousness decided it was a good time to start paying attention to her mental barriers again and so nothing else seeped through. One of his hands stroked along her back and she relaxed again. When had those muscles coiled up and hardened? The raven haired ‘devil’ woman hadn’t even realized it had happened until that soothing motion eased the built up tension once more.

“There there, Rahja…In this job, you’d be dead if you were a mess, but I won’t deny you’re a danger.”

That…had a sting to it. Yes, she’d said the very same thing, but even then it had stung…it only hurt worse when he’d said it. Well, at least he had the good sense to see the truth for what it was…Crass had told her she wasn’t a danger. He’d been foolish in that thinking, but Sean…he at least allowed the idea to be possible, that alone might keep him relatively more safe should they…should they what?

“Being hurt because of you is the least of my worries. Being hurt by you ranks a lot higher on the list, but I'm hurt every bloody day. What's a little more pain? I'm glad that you care about me, and I promise you...”

His words not only had her lifting her head slightly, confused and (if she were honest with herself) a bit frightened, but also had her chuckling for a moment. He was more worried about being hurt BY her? Well that could be taken a couple different ways, but she was going to take that in the strictest sense of physical pain and not emotional or mental. If she didn’t want him hurt physically, why, then, would she want to hurt him emotionally or mentally? He had pulled back just then, looking down at her and smiling. It was…a bit uncertain, nervous perhaps, but honest enough and she appreciated it more than he knew. A light smile flitted about her features as she looked up at him.

“The feeling is mutual.”

Again her body refused to allow her lungs to expand with air, her breath hitching somewhere between her throat and her chest. He did care about her after all! Why it surprised her so much she couldn’t have told you if she’d tried, especially considering she had guessed as much, but to hear him say it was different. It was always different to know something, and then hear it said…this was no exception. Her body finally allowed her breathing to resume and that flickering smile solidified just a little further as they stood there, a very unlikely pair. She hadn’t a thing to say, not a thought ran through her mind, just a blessed stillness seemed to have wrapped the two up for that moment, their heads nearly touching. Even her seemingly relentless need to be alone, to keep moving and have that comfortable cushion of space between her and any other living being, the azure skinned woman didn’t wish to move and she fought those ingrained urges down.

Not a sound or a movement seemed to catch her attention and the logical part of her mind warned her of the danger of this feeling...warned her that this kind of thing could end up getting her hurt or killed., or worse: getting him hurt or killed. She was the relentless watchdog, the one always on alert to keep herself safe…danger didn’t let it’s guard down…didn’t take a break…didn’t ever stop being just that: danger…she shouldn’t allow herself to fall into a state where it could creep up on her and gain the advantage. You didn’t live long that way…yet here she was, completely relaxed and willingly numb to her surroundings. Another sharp tug at her mind from her logical side and she shrugged it off…they were in the Familiar headquarters…they were relatively safe…just this once she would allow her awareness to narrow down to just one thing. Him. After all, how many chances did she get to be this way? To think or act this way? How often was she allowed just one, fleeting, moment to be nothing more and nothing less than a normal person, much less one who actually cared about another?

Next to none.

So what if I'm in danger? How am I supposed to enjoy what I have if nothing tries to take it all away?

Sean again…but she had to agree with him on this. What few things she treasured, she treasured so greatly because they were fleeting, transient, wisps of time or thought or memory. Brief and ephemeral moments of good emotions, belonging…moments like this…but moments like this ended and brought the realities of life crashing in again, and his thought had done just that. Smiling just a bit more, she pulled herself together and stepped back to look at him more fully.

Well…it seems like I find myself with a bit more time on my hands than I thought. Do you have any plans? I mean…other than hanging around with the tin canaries. Much as I love them all, I think I can only handle two at a time and so I'm about ready to get the frell out of here before another “lockdown” happens.

-----------------------------------------------------

Sender had watched the entire scenario in shocked silence. Attempt after attempt at trying to discern just WHY his partner was acting so…bizarre…was met with the processing equivalent of brick wall after brick wall. He was vaguely reminded of the times he’d seen flesh and blood birds fly into windows because they were so clean the avian didn’t know they were there. This must be what that felt like. He could see the situation, and he could comprehend the words, the actions, some of the visible emotions they were showing…but like that clean glass window, there was something he just couldn’t see blocking his attempts at fully comprehending the gravity and meaning of the situation. If he’d been a bird, and this had been a real window…no doubt he’d have fallen to the ground unconscious by now because of how many times he’d run into it trying to get past that block.

“Thoughts on the matter?”

--Thoughts? Sure, two thoughts. 1) I’ve not a clue what this is REALLY about. 2) If I were a flesh and blood bird, I’d be unconscious right about now.--

The reply had been sent nearly a full minute after he’d received Ayer’s question, and even then Sender was fairly sure that his reply didn’t make a whole lot of sense.

[A®heim]

((OOC: Was longer, but I cut out the last few paragraphs to give Rahja time to catch up. Almost got too carried away. > v <))

Sender's response came back late, Ayer had begun to wonder if he had gotten it at all. Some Familiars were on the verge of baseless paranoia with the security measures they placed on their systems-- the droid equivalent of a germaphobe. When that little alert blip finally did show up on his display, he opened it immediately. Finally, a take from a perspective he could fully relate to, a little sense perhaps.

"Thoughts? Sure, two thoughts. 1) I’ve not a clue what this is REALLY about. 2) If I were a flesh and blood bird, I’d be unconscious right about now."

Okay never mind.

A reply was conjured up with the near instantaneous typing power of tech mind magic and sent only a few seconds after receiving Sender's message. --Evaluatory Response: 1) You know Rahja significantly better than I do, I had hoped you could shed some light on why this seems to be shocking you so much more than myself. The only information I can offer is that perhaps one day, with additional experience, you will understand.

By experience, he did not mean knowing a certain weapon or delivering messages without detection.With a droid, those weren't so much experience as knowledge. Data. It could programmed in with no trial or teaching required. No, experience for droids meant adapting to situations they were never made to adapt to, ones that are beyond the instantaneous comprehension of a mechanical mind. An impossible task for most AI, to be sure, but not for a Familiar.

He had lied. A little. There WAS more he could tell Sender that would help him close his beak. He just couldn't tell him. Ayer's memory core flickered back to his time with the fugitives. Now THAT was something you couldn't program, couldn't learn in a simulation. THAT was experience. He had been so completely lost during those travels, overwhelmed by the facade that had suddenly fallen between him and reality. But then, sometimes you truly have to be lost in order to find anything new. Perhaps that was what 13 was learning now; how to learn from the lost. He nearly chuckled at the thought. He would not deny that his time with Aunna and Vex wasn't a pleasant experience but the thought of someone else going through a torturous trial you yourself had previously surpassed...there was a bit of pride and pleasure in that. Of course, 13 was significantly better fit for the job: she could at least defend herself effectively. Then again, maybe such an approach was more dangerous. Ayer had survived his mission hiding in a rucksack, perched out of sight and out of mind, or surveying their progress from above. The few times he had taken any direct action...

...he hadn't survived.

Alas, fate conspired great consequences for the sharing of such insightful data. It is a sad fact of life that the most valuable information is always a secret. One either had to be a genius or half mad to figure anything valuable out. Speaking of half mad...

2) Sender that makes no sense. Or as 11 would say: wtf?--

_________________________________________________________


Rahja stepped back from him slightly, but it was not a recoil of regret of worry. Or Revulsion. Good, making progress every day. Sean's relief was short lived, however, as that mischievous twinkle manifested in her eyes.

Wait.

How do you even see something like that? They're pure red. Blank slates of no emotion, one of the strongest features of her facade. Well maybe he was going mad, but he could swear from Kessel to Kripnitch that he could see something.

Which was never good.

Often fun.

But never good.

Good. Sean could use a little fun after all the recent drama (and mountains of paperwork regarding the recovery of his Familiar, application reviews of the latest adoptees, schematic formats, PF dental plan renewal, and some junk mail regarding a free* luxury space cruise above scenic Nal Hutta). Plans says you? Well let's see... He put on his best exaggerated thoughtful face. There are still several reports to fill out, Ayer is scheduled for repair-evaluation trial in a few hours, and I have, ah, "important business" to take care of far away from any authority, but... He grinned. I suppose I could fit SOMETHING in.

He jovially stepped away from Rahja and began to gather his things off the table. He absently checked the time, picking up his helmet by the rim. The display was faint, but visible under the visor. "81:91 :ʇsƃ 94-ɔәs ÿʇɐnʞ" The sun would have recently set. Perfect. Trivial duties could wait, what was wrong with a little fun between the drama? And no, not that kind of fun. Bad subconscious!

And I know just the place.

What he really craved now was a night on the town. A night on the town without orders to kill someone, that is. They had the time, right? Of course, time they may have but means was something different. PFHQ was quite literally in the middle of nowhere; the nearest major city being 800km away. Okay, so it's actually only 794 (as Ayer had once reminded him), but the distance remained an issue.

On foot that is.

Come on Rah, I'm gonna show ya somethin. Without waiting for an answer, he scooped his pack onto his back and set off at a brisk, bouncy pace down the hall. Ayer groaned knowingly and hopped up to the of the pick with the assistance of a quick repulsor burst.

PF may be in the middle of nowhere, but it was also designed to get things to many different somewheres. Quickly. Several sectors later found them in front of large, segmented door. It's surface, like just about everything else, was a sterile white color, the only feature being a single rectangle of silvery metal about 18 inches from the floor. Sean nodded to the bird on his pack, who sighed heavily and hopped down with a clack of metal talons on tile. You see, Project Familiar is actually an extension of a massive, natural cave system.

Do you really not remember what happened last time we did this?

Sean ignored Ayer and continued speaking to Rahja. While a significant portion of the larger galleries were retrofitted with the lab infrastructure, much of the tunnel networks remain little or untouched by the facility.

Ayer had approached the small rectangle and directed a datastream at it's surface. Several seconds passed before the calm, feminine voice sounded over an unseen intercom.

"Familiar Security Code Clearance: Red - Accepted. Disengaging magnetic seal - Subterranean Perimeter Access - Beta."

The door hissed and whined. Several clunks were heard within as steam billowed from the sealant vents around it and at last the door slid slowly open. The wet, clammy air of the caves billowed over them like icy hands of death creep across one in their final moments. Sean was disturbingly reminded of Subterrel and the aftermath of that chaotic mission. Maybe this wasn't the best idea...

____________________________________________________________________________

Aren't we going to stop them?

Explain your reasoning.

Do you really not remember what happened last time they did this?

Oh yes. Took months to find all the scattered wreckage and reomve the soot from the tunnel if I recall.

Phae stared at the Wizard waiting for him to go on. So far the man had done nothing to contradict his Familiars statements. ......well?

At this point I probably couldn't stop them even of I wanted, which I don't particularly. However, if it will put your processors at ease any bit, I don't believe we'll have to. He removed the pipe from his mouth and motioned with it at one of the holoscreens to his left.

Oh dear...

_______________________________________________________________________________


He suppressed reluctance and illogical fear. The SREC was in there, and they were going to require its services. Getting there ought to be a walk in the park compared to Subterrel; nothing was even shooting at them! Dim, labyrinthine, and equipped with minimal....equipment, the caverns seemed almost a sort of dark side of the searing white of the neighboring compound, but they were still technically a part of Project Familiar, nothing could harm them here. He nodded to Ayer and took his first step through.

"Und vhere do hyo tink hyor are going?!"

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((side note: just random words i created to use as the cheunh language...they have absolutely no real meaning...so far as I know.))

--Evaluatory Response: 1) You know Rahja significantly better than I do, I had hoped you could shed some light on why this seems to be shocking you so much more than myself. The only information I can offer is that perhaps one day, with additional experience, you will understand. 2) Sender that makes no sense. Or as 11 would say: wtf?--

Sender suppressed a chuckle and swiftly formulated his response. Poor older brother, so clueless on the chiss race in general, and most certainly his partner. Time to fill in the blanks…or some of them at any rate.

--1) Observational Disclosure / Elucidation: Well, Ayer, it’s really quite simple actually: Rahja, as a Chiss, tends to be rather reserved around everyone as a general rule of thumb...even on her home-world the chiss seemed only really willing to speak and react semi-openly to other Chiss. As an individual, she refuses to let ANYONE close to her due to her past and her current work, as well as her personal evaluation of herself. When I first began working with her she was no more than a duracrete wall emotionally, and it took me the better part of several years to get her to open up to me this much. Sean has, much to my surprise and utter bafflement, broken through quite a majority of that wall in less than an eighth of that time. I have never seen her show so much emotion to another living being…not even her comrades, though I’ve been struggling to get her to open up more…if only for her own emotional and mental health.

2) Amused apology/Elucidation: Ah yes, that…as soon as I sent it I realized that it was likely going to be as clear as mud to you. I had been musing that I believe I’ve just discovered how flesh and blood birds must feel when they run into a clean, closed, window. I can see, understand, and correctly interpret their words and actions, even some of the emotions they’re outwardly showing, but there’s something beyond that which I'm just not able to wrap my processors around. It’s as if I keep flying into that clean glass window time and again, able to see where I want to go but for some unknown reason…am unable to get there because of this invisible ‘block’ that I’ve stumbled across. So, thusly…if I were a flesh and blood bird, I would be unconscious because of how many times I’ve run into this proverbial ‘clean window.’

He looked over at the two beings and shook his head slightly, noting the return of Rah's impish humor, no matter how slight it was at the moment. Whatever was going on between the two of them, Rah seemed to be better for it.

Those red eyes had rolled slightly at the overly thoughtful face he assumed, and suppressed a smirk. Rummaging around in her pack for a moment, she withdrew a set of darkly tinted sunglasses and busied herself with one of the arms for a moment before he finished and she looked up at him again. That gorram goofy grin of his…blast him to all hells, that thing was contagious! A smirk pulled at the corners of her mouth and she nodded, pulling her pack up onto one shoulder and her rifle over her other.

Good…I was hoping you might be able to clear your oh-so-busy schedule for at least a little while.

Sender simply shook his head. If he’d had eyes to roll, he would have, but for now he simply let out a digitized sigh and with a wash of warm air and the bluish glow of repulsors brought himself up to perch upon his partner’s shoulder as well. Giving the bird’s talons a friendly pat with one hand, his cerulean hued counterpart perched the glasses upon the top of her head and waited for Sean to gather his remaining gear.

I'm glad someone does…I don’t know Kuat well…but unless you have a transport I think we may have missed our ride back to civilization. Not sure you have time to hoof it to the city, what with everything you have to do.

“Come on Rah, I'm gonna show ya somethin.”

With a nod, she followed after him silently, her grey cloak seeming to soak up the white coloring of their surroundings, making her about as interesting as blurred form moving along behind him…a strange distortion topped by a blue head and raven hair…until she once again put the entirety of the cloak behind her. She’d never been this deep into the maze of corridors and labs that made up PFHQ. Those crimson eyes flitted about, checking every corner as they came upon them, her senses reaching out to touch everything and everyone she could, attempting to ferret out any potential threats.

…potential threats?...what potential threats?

She sighed and shook her head, chuckling a little and feeling rather stupid. Well, better to have habits that kept you alive and made you feel foolish because you used them when you didn’t need to rather than not have those habits and end up in the freezer. He came to a halt and she watched Ayer hop down to stand before the door as she came up beside the man, eyes scanning the smooth surface of the door and beyond it.

“You see, Project Familiar is actually an extension of a massive, natural cave system.”

“Do you really not remember what happened last time we did this?”

“While a significant portion of the larger galleries were retrofitted with the lab infrastructure, much of the tunnel networks remain little or untouched by the facility.”

Rahja couldn’t help but fold her arms across her chest and chuckle at him (almost continuously) as he went about explaining about this section of the PFHQ like an excitable tour guide just itching to get the real show underway.

Just what happened last time?

The words would scroll along Ayer’s display just after he’d spoken, before watching him project the codes to open the door onto the access bar. He’d not been into this section of Familiar yet either…his time had been spent in the testing labs, outside, and in a series of caves to the west of them where the majority of the physical tests were preformed. After all, not all testing could be done virtually, and the Wizard wanted his babies to be as prepared for any event, natural phenomena, or environment as possible…what better way to prepare them than to put them into the environments he had at hand…where he could control the surroundings and keep his blossoming little familiars safe?

As the door opened, Rahja lifted her chin slightly, sniffing at the icy and damp air that blew into her face…a familiar and welcome sensation. It oddly reminded her of Csilla and some of the snow tunnels she’d been through there. She looked over at Sean as his uncertain and apprehensive emotions washed against her. Putting a hand on his shoulder, she squeezed it slightly and patted it before giving him a bright smile and stepping forward into the cave. Immediately the darkness seemed to consume her, her skin, raven hair and clothing allowing her to blend in easily, her cloak only adding to the effect. Turning to look back at him, those crimson eyes caught and held what little light was offered in the darkness behind her, making them appear to glow a bloody red. Speaking of those eyes, they widened slightly only moments before the creature behind Sean spoke. The chiss lept back a pace and crouched, her motions blurring slightly as those daggers appeared in her hands.

Rahja! Calm down.

The sound of those repulsors had echoed through the caves slightly moments after the woman had dipped into her defensive stance. The familiar (no pun intended) form of Sender filled her view and that head pulled back slightly, shocked out of simply reacting on instinct. Swiftly seeming to regain her composure, the woman’s muscles eased slightly and she stood straight once more, sheathing those daggers behind her once more as she eyed the strange…lizard…raptor…thing…that had spoken to them dubiously. Sender, appeased, settled himself back onto Rah’s shoulder and nodded to the doctor silently. When it seemed his stubborn partner was going to neglect an apology for her reaction, she found herself sharply prodded by a metal beak just above the ear. Biting back a hiss, she narrowed her eyes slightly. She saw no reason to apologize to…whoever this was…for her actions. She’d snuck up on them after all, it was her natural reaction to be ready attack whatever snuck up on her. If you were intelligent you just didn’t sneak up on people in general…you could never tell how they might react. Another sharp prod, and she swatted at the bird, sending him hovering swiftly away from her to keep from being sent clattering to the ground.

She wasn’t about to apologize.

Bird, if you don't stop that you'll regret it. As for where we're going, afraid you'll have to ask Mu'haro here...strahella'meyino akphallavisma nuitbigush'merthta bompheh. Pha.

Sender let out a startled and flustered series of sounds as his processors attempted to get out the beginnings of several different exclamations at once, before he finally settled on one.

Nuts and bolts...Rahja!

He'd understood what she'd said...and it wasn't pretty.

[A®heim]

Sean's swift, reflexive reaction to the sudden appearance of Dr. Raptor took place mere moments after Rahja's, Ayer leaping into flight from his shoulder so as not to impede him.

ACKITHAFA!

Oh sweet ground how you bruise the body and soul.

Ayer casually alighted on his back and feigned innocence. His partner could be such a klutz sometimes, it was a wonder he was still alive. Then again, he couldn't really blame him; Familiar was a veritable fortress protected by far more than secrecy and a few hundred meters of dirt. It was perfectly understandable to drop ones guard around here, even for an elite soldier. Except Rahja apparently. And Familiars alone in the caves. Ayer's visor flickered and his systems began autonymously analyzing nearby objects; sort of an eqivelent of a shudder for him.

Mynocks.

From his tactical vantage point on the floor, Sean scowled up at the good doctor. You of all people should know that I never think when I go ANYWHERE. Least of all when where I'm going is the dark, scary cave at 12 0' clock.

Good evening, Dr. Lenarksi. Ayer inclined his head slightly out of respect. Pan was a paranoid, terror-inspiring, nutcase, but she was theirparanoid, terror-inspiring, nutcase. Helpful traits in this day, age, and occupado.

Pantamime leaned down to growl at the man at her feet. "Und hyo should haff learned better by now. Shame of hyo! Eet's bad enoff hyo haff taught hyor bad habits to 03, but I vill not allow hyo to stain zees innocent guirl vith hyor corrupting influence!"

She pulled back from Sean, steadfast he was in keeping a defiant smile on his face though his skin had started to take on a palid tone. She regarded Rahja and instantly her snarling demeanor vanished, a kind (but still fanged) smile and compassionate tone of voice taking its pace. "Now now, deary. Zere ees no reason to be afraid, though my appearance suggest otherwise. I am doctor Pandamine Lenarksi, I do research for hyor Fameeliars."

As the Wizard is our grandfather, Pan is a sort of godmother. She did a lot of work in our later development and practically spearheaded the REA project herself. She's a valued member of the team. He gauged Rahja carefully and added an extra snippet in case his point wasn't clear enough. Our team....you can put away the knives.

"Thank hyo, 03. Eet ees goot to know zere is still some propriety left in hyo aftera-"

Don't listen to her Rahja! It's a trap! She's a ravaging, lethal carnivore I tell ya! She can JUMP-He hopped up from the floor, Ayer fluttering up to his shoulder, and began to gesticulate wildly with his arms. -she's got TEETH like- LOOK AT THE BONES!

The raptor fixed him with a tired, irritated expression. Sean was easily one of the most insufferable setient beings she had ever met. This seemed to be one of his favorite jokes that he made sure to add on newest grotesquities any chance he got. It was irritating...but admitably familiar. It was all in good fun, they both knew that. Still though, sometimes he didn't know when to shutup and sometimes that caused him to mistakenly strike a nerve. She found one of her claws subconciously fingering the charm around her neck.

"As I haff told hyo, eet is a piece of joolry off great value to..." Her claws traced the familiar ridges and carvings of the bone charm. In truth, it wasn't just an object of great value: it was her most valuable. The only thing she had of whatever homeworld she was from. The only clues to what she was and where the rest of her kind lay among the stars. As for what the decor was from, she had studied them several times and come to the conclusion that they were most likely humanoid knuckle bones.

"Look, eef hyo are zinking off sneeking off in ze-"

Sean inturrupted her scolding with more hysterics. Run Rahja! Take to the caves! Sve yourself! I'll do my best to hold the beast off, but know this: if I don't come out alive, I always loved you. Tell my boys....I loved th-

"Mu'haro!"

Run! I will see you again, I promise!Trying his hardest not to break apart laughing, he brandished the butt end of his rifle at Pan. Yaa! Back! Back foul creature! Return from the fiery pit of thy origin! He had begun to back up slowly, stepping over the threshhold of the blast door.

Pan placed her 3-fingered hand across her snout and rubbed it. "Oh so ZAT'S vere I am from. Zank you for ze enlightenment, I vill try to search out zees "fiery pit" right avay."

Sean had backpedaled several meters into the cave mouth now. While he had never outright tested it, he was fairly certain the good doctor was more than capable of outrunning him at any significant distance, but sometimes instinct took over. Well then I guess you should go get righbt on that. We'll be not here if you need us. He turned to continue down the tunnel.

"Not so fast, Mu'haro. I know ze futility off trying to stop hyo, but zat doesn't mean I can't prevent hyo from doing something TOO stupid. I'm coming with hyo."

Crap. So much for the romantic night on the town. Sean weighed his options: Pan wasn't exactly a common sight in Kuat, but no one would likely put up too much of a fuss. Of course, she didn't know that's where they were going and would likely be able to piece together the exact details of his plan. There was no way she was going to allow that. She WOULD stop him.

With teeth.

And claws.

And teeth.

Especially the teeth.

On the other hand, the caverns were quite easy to get seperated in... Alright fine. You can play nanny while we go spelunking. Just try not to- A rustle of wings was the only warning before something large and leathery swooped down from the yawning darkness now above him and deftly struck his Familiar off his shoulder and onto the ground.

TAKE THEM BACK OUT, RAHJA! TAKE THEM BACK OUT! BY THE WIZARD! MYNOCKS! MYNOCKS! NO! THEY'RE ALL OVER ME! GET EM OFF! GET EM OFFFFF! Ayer shrieked while a dazzling display of sloppily directed spears of voltage lit the mad struggle on the cave floor.

Sean looked down at the scene with quiet bemusement. Awww, it's like it remembers you...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The sight of Sean scowling up from his newly acquired sprawled out position on the floor had one dark brow raising slightly. Typically she would have been smirking at the sight, but in the presence of this new…being…she was back to the emotionally cloistered sniper that would be all too familiar to Sean and their AERs. Sender nodded in acknowledgement to the doctor and lighted on her shoulder as Rah held out a hand to help pull Sean to his feet once more as the strange raptor spoke. A light huff of air was her only reply to the woman (she thought it was a female anyway) calling her an innocent girl. If anything the doctor should have been worried about her corrupting Sean. Poor misguided fool of a dino…thing.

Sean still hadn’t taken her hand by the time this Dr. Lenarksi had backed away from him and though his smile had stayed defiant, the waves of fear had lapped against her. With another huffed sigh, she gave up on helping to pull him up…apparently he didn’t want the help. Turning red eyes to the doctor, that dark brow raised again at her words and tone. Afraid? Not…certainly she’d startled her, frightened her, when she’d first appeared but as Sender had kept her from reacting she realized that whoever this was hadn’t been someone to necessarily be “afraid” of…at least not simply because of appearances. Seeing Sender settled on the reptilian’s shoulder she was certain that was the case. A swift sweep of those crimson eyes over the scientist and she weighed her chances against the being should anything…untoward…happen. Her mind flickered through a variety of scenarios and calculations in less than a heartbeat as she listened. Even with her minor skills in the force she would likely end up on the KIA list if she tried to fight her off. She would have a fighting chance though…a better one than Sean anyway.

Finally she took a moment to swiftly formulate her reply and took a breath to start, only to be interrupted by Ayer. Turning her face toward the Familiar, she keep those red eyes on the scientist. Nodding to his added introduction of…Pan…this Pantomime Lenarksi…she returned her face back to the direction her eyes had stayed…until the little bird decided to add his little ending quip in there. Holding up her hands as she narrowed her eyes and looked at the droid, she made it quite obvious that her daggers had vanished some time ago…namely, before she’d spoken last.

“Thank hyo, 03. Eet ees goot to know zere is still some propriety left in hyo aftera-“

“Don’t listen to her Rahja! It’s a trap! She’s a ravaging, leathal carnivore I tell ya! She can JUMP- she’s got TEETH like- LOOK AT THE BONES!”

The wave of hurt that mingled with the scientist’s irritation was one that was all too familiar to Rahja and she fixed Sean with a stern look, folding her arms across her chest as Sender settled himself upon her shoulder once more.

Sean…

“As I haff told hyo, eet is a piece of joolry off great value to…Look, eef hyo are zinking off sneeking off in ze-“

“Run Rahja! Take to the caves! Sve yourself! I'll do my best to hold the beast off, but know this: if I don't come out alive, I always loved you. Tell my boys....I loved th-“

"Mu'haro!"

“Run! I will see you again, I promise!”

…Sean.

“Yaa! Back! Back foul creature! Return from the fiery pit of thy origin!”

"Oh so ZAT'S vere I am from. Zank you for ze enlightenment, I vill try to search out zees "fiery pit" right avay."
She let out a heavy sigh and decided the amusement she felt was outweighed by the empathy she had for the scientist. Shame really…it was such an amusing sight, and in a way Sean’s words were oddly touching…if completely absurd.

MU’HARO! Shut up for one moment, okay? Then you can act like a fool all you want.

Turning to Pan, she shook her head.

I'm sorry for him…he doesn’t understand what it’s like to…live a life that I believe both you and I know. After all, being a walking demon doesn’t exactly lend itself to being treated…equally. Though, perhaps for him this IS treating you equally? As for being afraid of you, or rather, how you look…

She huffed slightly, a smirk curling her mouth, the darkness of the cave behind and around her not making the imagery of her being devil-spawn any less noticeable.

…that would be hypocritical of me. Your sudden appearance elicited a general reaction that would have happened no matter who or what you were. Oh, and for future reference…you might worry about my corrupting Sean…I was assigned the flying conscience for a reason.

She jabbed a thumb at the bird settled calmly on the leather padding that covered her shoulder. Sender managed to make himself look ruffled and slightly offended at her jab, but they both knew he wasn’t. It was true, after all, and he had no delusions about it and didn’t mind one bit about being her “flying conscience.” Sean, she noticed, had backed up into the cave further so that he was now behind her, as if preparing for a mad dash from the irritable scientist. At least he wasn’t acting like a clown right now…even Rahja had her limits on who she would dare to piss off, and this toothy, claw ridden, irritable scientist was one of the few that she wouldn’t like to see angry.

“Alright fine. You can play nanny while we go spelunking. Just try not to-“

Rah and Sean both paused. Those glasses flipped down off the top of her head and the world was illuminated in the short range by the night vision of glasses. In the semi-darkness of the cave, the extra light enhancement was a bonus in spotting the downed familiar and his electricity sapping friend. Sender was already opening his chassis compartment, ready to expel that helium grenade he kept on him for just such occasions.

“TAKE THEM BACK OUT, RAHJA! TAKE THEM BACK OUT! BY THE WIZARD! MYNOCKS! MYNOCKS! NO! THEY'RE ALL OVER ME! GET EM OFF! GET EM OFFFFF!”

“Awww, it's like it remembers you...”

Punching Sean in the shoulder on her way to Ayer, she felt Sender hurriedly leave her shoulder as she pulled out one of her daggers again. Grabbing hold of the neck of the leathery creature, she sliced through it calmly and allowed the body to fall away. One of Ayer’s volts of electricity shocked across her arm, burning it and making it painfully numb.

Ayer! Stop! It’s dead and you’ll only injure me further if you continue. Now stop and calm down.

Lowering the familiar and swiftly de-suctioning mynock head to the ground once more, she put a hand over the burn on her arm. A slow, calming, breath in and she focused her energy, centering her attention on the area of the burn and reached out into the force allowing a flow of healing energy to pulse into the burn, the silvery glow of light flickering a bit now and then as she worked to remain focused. Her healing talents were rusty, the time between uses often long ones…only in the last few months had she ever really had the need to do any healing of herself or others. It was a bit taxing, honestly…more than it used to be. Letting the energy drift away from her again, she pushed her glasses back up onto her hair and sighed heavily. It shouldn’t have been that way…it shouldn’t have taxed her so. Looking to Sean she shook her head again.

Don’t be so cruel to him. Certainly he overreacted but he could have been damaged by that thing. You, of all people, should have been the first one to help him after nearly losing him.

Surprise, surprise…Rahja did have a heart.