|
A®heim
One does not just make a dreadnought.
3,801 posts
6 likes
|
|
last online Sept 16, 2018 19:37:00 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Sept 22, 2010 11:04:35 GMT -5
Post by A®heim on Sept 22, 2010 11:04:35 GMT -5
Hm. Perhaps these are my limo boots after all...aw, but that would mean I left the jet booster robot boots back at the headquarters! And I had plans for those tonight, too... He laughed lightly and followed Rahja towards the speeder. Hold the comm--did she just laugh? Not a slight smile, not a reserved chuckle, a satirical snicker, a derisive smirk? Inconceivable! It should also be noted that this was one of the few times Sean made a conscious critical observation that his Familiar did not.
In Ayer's defense, his mechanized mind was meandering elsewhere. The construct canary was still setting his systems straight and taking diagnostic inventory of the damages. It wasn't bad--the emergency thrusters had fired in the nick of time to dive beneath the speeder that almost turned him into a scrap iron blackbird pie. Of course, once he had avoided the frontal impact, airbrakes had their limitations. Still, it could have been much much worse. I assure you, I'm alright. I just... I was frightened for you, Sender. I thought it might have...might have been my fault your systems failed.
You can never be sure with Familiars. Natural law dictates that the more complex a system, the less it takes to screw something up. Ayer would feel terrible if his forceful overpowering of his brother's Runner's Respite caused his thrusters to malfunction. He made a repulsor-assisted hop to the roof of the stretch speeder. It...wasn't, was it?
Sean had meanwhile climbed in after Rahja--mentally wishing he had possessed the presence of mind to open the door for her--and narrowly missed her quip to the "driver" about the true status of their relationship. He did, however, make a mental note to inform it the very same thing. Eventually. When Rahja wasn't there. What, couldn't a man have his fantasies? Sender's somewhat nonchalant if inquiring statement caught his ear. Oh riiiight, come to think of it I think I have seen one of these before during my time at PF. Apparently they're a big deal.
The interior of vehicle was, in one word, luxurious. This is to say, it didn't look like an interior of a vehicle at all: satin-lined supports punctuated the broad, tinted windows that seamlessly curved into the ceiling giving a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding city lights. The seats were all deep, comfortable, and upholstered with fine leather and a pristine, but well-used recliner sat oddly secluded near the rear. Without warning, the doors closed on their own accord (Sean pulling his hand back in surprise as he was about to close it himself, Ayer narrowly slipped inside just before they clicked shut) and the windows dimmed to blackness.
A holoprojector array in the center of the cab flickered and exploded forth in a starburst of 1-dimensional, semi-transparent, glowing blue squares displaying various snippets of data--code sequences, images of surrounding areas, vehicle diagnostics, galactic stock market, etc. These fragments hung eerily suspended in the air for a few seconds before becoming a rapidly condensing whirlwind centered in front of the group. The storm settled in the form of a bald headed man with a slightly crooked nose and pure white eyes, the hologram still a light blue and transparent. Just the head. With a classic chauffeur's hat.
"A big deal? This is an executive speeder. The director himself uses this vehicle on the few occaisons he skulks out of that lair of a headquarters. Why he believes you two have earned its use is beyond me, but that's not exactly my job to question. It never is."
Creepy.
The floating head scowled at Sean. "You don't look amazing yourself. Horrifying even. You often dress this way when you have female company?"
Sean rolled his eyes, the slightest hint of a flush present in his face. Which of these buttons turns him off? He fingered a control panel next to the door that had more buttons than a eighty grand entertainment center remote, clicking buttons and flicking switches at random. A extravagant (and fully stocked) minibar unfolded along one window from the floor bringing a large, somewhat mischievous grin to his face. Awesome.
"How's that for gratitude?" The head next addressed Sender with a slightly less antagonistic tone. "Anyway, I don't know what this is or 'how it came about', nor do I particularly care, but as you had the common courtesy to call me 'gracious', I suppose I owe you an introduction. I am universal unintegrated intelligence unit 0049, however you can call me Niles."
He's a Ghost AI; Cyberspace entities without a physical interface. They use very similar coding as we do, though. Familiar uses a few of them to regulate its enterprises. Ayer perched on the newly deployed minibar and began doing some rudimentary repairs on his slight hull damage with the micro-fusion cutter in his beak.
"Glad to see someone has done their homework. Be careful, I don't want to see any scorch marks on the mahogany. Now if you don't mind--not that I really care if you do or not..." The head flickered and vanished but the voice remained, albeit now coming from the cockpit cab. "I do have a schedule to keep. Next (and only) stop, the Nebula Orchid."
Sean and Ayer looked up in tandem surprise. Then at each other. Then at Rahja and Sender respectively. I've never been much of one for fate... He stared philosophically up through the sunroof for a few seconds then back to Rah with a satirically serious expression. Conspiracy theories on the other hand...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Sept 26, 2010 21:10:44 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Sept 26, 2010 21:10:44 GMT -5
This new facet to Rahja was just a taste of the person she had been (openly, anyway) years ago. With his company (and more importantly, their little excursion out), she was getting a taste of what life used to be like…the sort of freedom that she’d had before orders dictated much of her life and daily routines. His comment was met with a quiet chuckle and a smile as she shook her head slightly, part of her wondering if this whole thing was just some very fanciful dream. ”Well that’s a shame…how are se supposed to get to the tops of some of these buildings now? Ah well…I suppose the limo will have to do…no offense,” she added, after all, this one seemed rather…touchy.
”Well, I'm fine. I was just so surprised by the fact you bypassed the Respite that not all the systems connected for a moment. You didn’t do a thing…it was my surprise, my being caught off guard. Anything could have done it. Besides, I’ve not had a maintenance check since….well, a long time.” It was all fact, after all. He certainly didn’t blame Ayer for the malfunction but rather the combination of surprise and much needed maintenance. ”Though you did nearly cause me to lose control again when you took a nose dive.” That didn’t mean he didn’t blame Ayer for some of it though.
Now, when she’d fist climbed in, the woman hadn’t taken much notice of the interior décor of their AI assisted ride. Once seated, however, the aesthetics of the place caught up to her like…well…being hit by an out of control speeder…limo. The satin, the plush leather seats, the view, the mahogany colored and well polished synthwood…it honestly made her uncomfortable. There were still just some things the jedi in her (or what was left of it) couldn’t quite get used to. Red eyes flickered about the area, taking it all in right down to the out of place recliner, as the familiars assured each other of their status. Not until the interior dimmed and the hologram of…everything...appeared did she actually pay closer attention to the conversation happening with the AI. ”An executive speeder? Hmm…does he now? I suppose that would explain the out of place recliner. I'm not certain why but he feels like the sort…and yes, that question does beg asking…” that question, and a lot of other questions, like: why did he allow them to use the pod? Why did he lock them in the meeting room together? Why did she get the feeling he wasn’t done with them yet? Why….was the AI hologram so creepy looking? And such a prick…
”He could have gone naked, you know…so unless you also have a change of clothes in here for him, and unless you’re able to program a different way for him to appear Sean, I suggest both of you leave each other alone.” With that said, she eyed the minibar and did that “little smile/brow thing” that he found so unnerving as he too eyed it. Turning her attention back to the AI…Niles, apparently (go figure)…she nodded slightly, eyes wandering over to Ayer as he explained further. Sender, now perched beside Ayer did what he could to assist in the repairs. ”You know, Niles…you remind me of a coworker of mine…” It wasn’t necessarily a compliment…nor was it exactly an insult. She wasn’t known for getting along with people easily, and while she and the other Hound members got along well enough, she kept them about as close as most people…not very. The last one she’d gotten overly close to was part of the reason why she also hated warning claxons.
“Next (and only) stop, the Nebula Orchid.”
Yes, she’d thought so…it seemed the Wizard wasn’t quite done with them yet.
“I’ve never been much of one for fate…”
Red eyes turned from Sender, who was sharing the same sort of ‘well this is…interesting…but somehow strangely expected’ look with her as Sean and Ayer were sharing one of surprise, to the man across from her as he gave that oh-so-serious look.
“Conspiracy theories on the other hand…”
Rahja couldn’t help but chuckle at that and shake her head. ”Sean, my friend…I believe you’re very, very, late on coming to that conclusion.”
|
|
|
|
|
A®heim
One does not just make a dreadnought.
3,801 posts
6 likes
|
|
last online Sept 16, 2018 19:37:00 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Nov 25, 2010 21:03:47 GMT -5
Post by A®heim on Nov 25, 2010 21:03:47 GMT -5
”You know, Niles…you remind me of a coworker of mine…”
The giant floating head turned to face her shortly before vanishing. "Splendid. We should form a club." His synthesized voice was laced thickly with sarcasm and malcontent. Sean made a mental note to form his own club comprised of everyone who agrees that Niles is a prick--which he imagined would be just about everyone. Possibly even Niles.
With the GAI driver back in the driver's seat, Sean almost felt as though he could relax. Maybe. Not really. So he checked out the minibar. Rows upon rows of ornate glass vessels lined the top four shelves while the thicker counter-top was layered with a gossamer array of crystal shot glasses, all upturned and placed in such perfection that couldn't possibly be done by living hands. Sean was no wine connoisseur, but he knew just enough to be impressed that he didn't recognize a single label. Many were labeled in languages he had never seen before with dates on them more ancient than the Sith Dominion. One was even called Sith Dominion Drought. I may be late, but this was more than worth it. Unless Mal-baaannnthhhannn...ibu...is Eastern Apithirii for 'poison that melts one's spleen', I'm going to have to resubmit my opinion that not all conspiracies are evil and/or out to get me. He picked up one of the bottle and peered through the semi-opaque glass at the auburn liquid inside. It's like a conspiracy within a conspiracy.
The fusion-cutter folded double a few times and concealed itself along a small grove in Ayer's beak. He craned his neck over to evaluate his self-repairs and sighed. Should you really be going through those? They only belong to the head of a secret controversial organization with a penchant for remotely controlling our lives.
Sean laughed aloud and replaced the bottle. Come now, bird, don't be such a square. Next thing you know, you'll be as serious and boring as your little brother. He smiled jokingly in Sender's direction. Besides, He examined another bottle. Don't you think the great omnipotent Wizard would expect a little self-indulged hospitality if he locked me, an bald evil smurf, a sexy evil smurfette, and his godly booze drawer in a small, enclosed space. Even with twin feathered voices of reason this seems like a recipe for disaster and great fun. Hey!
Ayer tilted his head questioningly as Sean's hand darted to replace the bottle he was holding and snatch up another. I recognize this...now this is a fine vintage: Farfinn Bloodsnake. My father sent me a bottle, my first Life Day away from home in the military... He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh capped with a content smile. This was one of those opportunity you never get again in a thousand lifetimes, and so he took advantage of it.
He swept up a pair of the crystal glasses and sat back down next to Rahja. Ayer remained on the minibar counter, compulsively readjusting the disturbed glasses. A corkscrew materialized in Sean's hand and the cork was freed to the accompaniment of a sharp pop and the subtle odor of fermented fruits. Holding the bottle in one hand, and both glasses in the other, he filled them with the deep maroon liquid with a practiced motion. One he set down on the armrest along with the bottle, the other he offered to Rahja. Though the city lights whipped past, the sophisticated inertial dampeners on the speeder meant that they may as well have been in a stateroom for all the difference it made.
A toast. To the continued vitality of the galaxy, and to the birdbrains and builders-of-birdbrains that make it possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Dec 7, 2010 23:04:02 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Dec 7, 2010 23:04:02 GMT -5
One brow was raised at the GAI’s reply, followed by a malicious sort of grin. ”Oh that would be amusing…” she agreed before sitting back and smoothing out her dress. She was fairly certain there would be an absolute cloud of nearly venomous malcontent and silent ire that whoever got close enough to it would wish to commit suicide within thirty seconds of entering it. With the irksome Niles out of the immediate vicinity, Rah was content to watch Sean with some measure of curiosity as he inspected the minibar.
“I may be late but…”
Chuckling, she could only shrug slightly to his commentary as he studied the bottle he’d picked up. ”I wouldn’t know, Sean…I don’t pretend to know much about alcohols or the Aphithiri language.” Sender, who was now resting on the seat beside her, honed in on the bottles as Ayer countered with a relatively valid point. However, would the Wizard really expect anything less of Sean? It was because of this that Sender believed it was quite alright for the man to go pawing at them, provided he didn’t break anything.
”Actually, Ayer…”
“Come now, bird, don’t be such a square. Next thing you know, You’ll be as serious and boring as your little brother.”
Oh now that hurt. It really did. With a snap Sender’s beak shut again and he hunkered down so that he was ‘laying’ beside Rah and not only ignored Sean’s stupid grin, but focused intently on the scenery outside. It only took him a moment to get up again, hop up onto the back of the seat and peck at a button beside window separating the cab from the rest of the limo. With a woosh it slid open and he hopped through, pressing a similar button on the other side to shut it again. Puzzled, Rah was torn between listening to Sean and wondering what had gotten into Sender. Was it the barb from Sean? It seemed the most likely cause, however, Sean’s comment about her being an ‘evil smurfette’ had her chuckling…especially with what followed.
”I'm evil, yes…but I'm not so sure about the ‘smurfette’ part. I'm far taller.” As he moved to pick up another bottle, Rah gave him a puzzled look. The comment about his father and how he knew the brand took her a bit by surprise, but it seemed he had good memories of it at least. Even as Sean took the glasses and sat down beside her, opening the bottle in the process, she couldn’t help but wonder…”If you don’t mind my asking…what is he like?” What was this? Rahja was asking personal questions? Taking the offered glass, she lifted it slightly. ”I’ll drink to that,” she agreed and lightly tapped her glass to his with a gentle tinkling sound and took a sip of the deep red liquid.
After a moment she spoke again. ”You know, it’s a bit difficult for me to try and imagine what family members must think or feel about each other, honestly…I don’t really remember mine, much less how I felt about them.” Now there was a real rarity…Rahja was offering personal information. ”You’re very lucky to know yours, Sean.”
|
|
|
|
|
A®heim
One does not just make a dreadnought.
3,801 posts
6 likes
|
|
last online Sept 16, 2018 19:37:00 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Jan 31, 2011 9:07:04 GMT -5
Post by A®heim on Jan 31, 2011 9:07:04 GMT -5
((OOC: Swapping color codes on my mark...))
Complete silence greeted Sender as the window snapped shut behind him. The cab was empty--there were two comfortable looking bucket seats, but not a soul in either. A vertical halo of enough flashing toggles and readouts to give a starfighter pilot an epileptic seizure ringed the city lights as they slid silkily past them. The control array in front of one of the seats twitched slightly now and then, making minor corrections to the speeder's course. The small window which had recently closed tinted, cloaking the events in the lounge area in impenetrable blackness.
"Abandoning the jovial company?" drawled the steering wheel. "It's taking a bit longer than I projected--traffic is outright awful."
The wheel and the sights outside were the only indication that the speeder jerked suddenly to the left, nimbly dodging a pair of red lights and making the only other noise that penetrated the cockpit--a drawn-out honk of a horn. "Cab drivers. The first things to go in our eternal crusade to save the universe."
_______________________________________________
My father? Sean leaned back in a loose lounging posture, slowly swirling his glass as he tried to compile his thoughts on the man he hadn't seen in so many years. And why was Rahja asking? She seemed hardly the type to pursue family history--unless she was planning an assassination--yet not only was she inquiring upon his part, but she was turning the dusted pages of her own storybook as well. A storybook that was normally closed, locked, and chained. And protected by a high-energy laser grid. With rattlesnakes.
Reverie over. Sean leaned forward, resting his glass on the armrest, and looked to the lights overhead. I suppose I am lucky to have known him. To still know him, I guess...I owe him a lot--taught me to shoot, gave me the hunter's eye, and how to find my way in the galaxy. Mum taught me to keep my mouth shut when I chewed. He closed his eyes and took another sip, smiling as long-past memories of Life Days, dinner parties, hunting trips, and rainy days played across his eyelids. They were all crazy as a gundark, especially my sister- man, I haven't seen her since she went off to the university...
Ayer, like Rahja, had been slightly perturbed by Sender's sudden retreat. What had set him off? Sean, again? He had been joking, although, perhaps that was simply a norm Ayer had long adjusted to. The CPC (Central Processor Council) unanimously decided to let little brother have his alone time. Besides, he was learning so much about Rahja and even his own partner! Chances like this were few and far between. I've never met your family. Do they...you know...know?
Sean raised an eyebrow at his Familiar. About you?
PF in general.
Uhhh... He squinted in thought trying to remember if the somewhat touchy subject of secret societies had ever come up in his messages home. Nope!
Should make for an interesting family reunion.
Sean chuckled, shaking his head, and downed the remainder of his glass. The bottle was back in his hand in an instance, flipped once over and caught ready to renew the glass' contents. He offered the same service to Rah. They'd take it well. They're good folks. As you said, Rah, I'm very lucky to know them. He hesitated, once more stewing a micro-maelstrom in contemplation. At last he spoke, unsure if he was taking a step into the rattlesnake laser grid or not. What...do you remember...if anything?
Ayer tuned his audio receptors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Feb 8, 2011 19:40:49 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Feb 8, 2011 19:40:49 GMT -5
Finally, maybe, he’d get some quiet…or at least some company who wasn’t going to be poking fun at him. He may have seemed ‘square’ to Sean, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have feelings. A little oversensitive? Perhaps he was, but then again, he had reasons why he was so serious all the time (which wasn’t even all the time) and those reasons were (to him anyway) quite important. Being made fun of not only hurt, but it down right irked him. Hopping down onto one of the seats, he hunkered down again and went back to watching the lights of the city flicker past.
“Abandoning the jovial company?”
He gave a little shrug. ”For a little bit, I suppose. And what did you expect? It’s Kuat. Hey…at least is isn’t Coruscant traffic, right?”
“My father?”
She nodded slightly, taking another sip of the fragrant wine, one knee hooking lightly over the other as she listened. It wasn’t much to go off of (she certainly didn’t understand any better), but the emotions she felt from him…the expression on his face and his tone…he certainly seemed fond of his family. ”Well, at least you were taught something useful…and I do mean chewing with your mouth closed,” she retorted with a chuckle. When he mentioned his sister, Rah flipped through her mental files for the information she wanted. She’d done her homework on Sean shortly after she’d met the man…basic background checks, some family history, looking to see ‘what’ the man was and where he came from rather than ‘who’ he was. The situation had changed recently, however, and she’d gone back through her notes on him from before…that information was there, but at the moment she was having difficulty recalling it. Finally it clicked, since the information had struck her as odd. Well, not so much what the sister was studying, but the age she’d left to study it at.
”Environmental research, correct? Your sister, I mean…she’s in environmental research?”
“I’ve never met your family. Do they…you know…know?”
For the moment, as Sean and Ayer spoke, Rah simply turned the glass in her hands. The crimson liquid almost seemed to hold her entranced as it shimmered through the crystal containing it. Flickers of red blood on snow tugged at her mind before she shook them away in time with politely refusing a refill of the drink.
“They’d take it well. They’re good folks. As you said, Rah, I'm very lucky to know them.”
”If your feelings, and what I’ve read about them, are anything to base off of, then I believe they are ‘good folks’ as you put it.” A simple, but honest, answer. Sean’s question, however, earned him a momentary glance before she looked back at the remaining wine. Again those faded and blurred images of stained snow and ice tugged at her mind, this time earning a sigh and a slight shrug.
”I remember very little…feelings, mostly, aside from the day they died. I loved them, and they loved me. My sister and I were always happy…but there was always underlying stress and fear. I remember moving a lot…three, maybe four different planets and various places on them. There was some sort of trouble father was in…he was always the most worried, anyway.” Pausing, she tried to further collect the memories from the graves that she’d buried them in so long ago, her gaze never leaving that of the liquid in her glass. ”I remember Suni and myself being taught how to hold and use a dagger, or where to hit if someone ever tried to hurt us because our parents were growing more and more afraid. But mostly…I…I believe they both had to have been quite brave. They were in the end, anyway…”
Shaking her head slightly, she’d sigh and a ghost of a smile would touch her face before she looked over at Sean. ”They had to have been brave to persevere through everything that happened until Mygeeto, and then for my mother to let the jedi take me.” Again she’d shrug and look back at her drink a moment before taking another sip. ”But then…maybe she just knew she was going to die and didn’t wish me to suffer or die on my own. I can’t say for certain.”
|
|
|
|
|
A®heim
One does not just make a dreadnought.
3,801 posts
6 likes
|
|
last online Sept 16, 2018 19:37:00 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Jul 4, 2011 22:05:37 GMT -5
Post by A®heim on Jul 4, 2011 22:05:37 GMT -5
”Environmental research, correct? Your sister, I mean…she’s in environmental research?” Sean showed a momentary expression of surprise that shifted to a muted smile. At first he had thought she had pulled off another amazing feat of mind-reading, but much more likely she had just done her research into the personnel files. Sean was pretty sure he had glanced at Rahja's at one point as well--he vaguely remembered being slightly miffed at how much of hers had been blacked out compared to his own. Needless to say, it hadn't told him much. Yep. The little tree hugger may as well have been a prodigy--top of her class two years before most get to be anything of their class. Never missed an oppurtunity to rub it in my face. He smiled more fondly at the memories. She couldn't have been any more different from my father. In fact, sometimes I think the only reason dad wasn't hauling in real man-eating alien behemoths for his range was that she'd dive in front of the beast and read its rights if he tried. He gave a long chuckle that slowly turned into a drawn-out sigh. She was against me going into the miliary too. I had to wait till she had gone offworld to enlist. Haven't heard from her other than the occaisonal letter on the holonet since then. I always used to wonder if she was upset with me for my decision, but somehow I think she'd be okay with it in the end. As long as I was sure it's what I wanted to do.
She sounds like a wonderful person. I'd have liked to have met her. Ayer hopped down from the minibar and took a small leap to the arm of the worn recliner. There was a slightly scrathed corkwood bar running along the side of it that his talons fit perfectly around and an interface jack was fitted to the wall just next to it. No guessing who that was for, then.
Man, if she could see PF...I bet she'd love it. It would probably make her more comfortable with what I do, too. Too bad secrets have to be so secretive, eh? That was the tricky thing with secrets is that they quickly tended to fester, manipulating the emotions that surrounded it until one wants nothing more than to find release in another soul. Sean at least had the advantage of knowing many of Project Familiar's...associates, but the times he had been so tempted to reveal even the tinniest bit of background on that little bird that followed him about where getting ever more frequent. Sean, for all his military training and experience with nonexistant organizations, would not make a very good secret agent.
Now Rahja on the other hand was composed of about 75% water, 18% carbon, 3% nitrogen, and 100% undisclosure (and trace other elements). It was for this reason that Sean stayed very, very quiet while she disclosed. Not dis-clothed--one step at a time. Even Ayer ceased admiring the many small luxeries surrounding the seemingly inocculous chair and focused every sensory device on this rare bit of insight.
There had been hints, yes--small details of her past evident in everything from how she held herself to how she held a knife--but he hadn't realized just how ingrained these elements were into her life from as far back as she could remember. What was it like to have always lived with the shadow of an unknown fear creeping out your heels, always running with the never the time to stop and ask why? He had a childhood, and a happy one at that, but he felt undeserving of it now knowing at last the extent of which Rah had gone through. It could have been any number of things--murderous credit collectors, bounty hunters, even Dark Jedi seeking to exploit her precious talent. Whatever it was must have been truly awful for her mother to have handed her over to the Jedi. He couldn't help but fear what may have happened to them afterward...
Ayer was the first to break the long silence that followed, much to Sean's relief as no consolation that his mind brought forward seemed sincere enough for what she had told him. She did a brave thing, your mother. To sacrifice what she loved most to give you a fighting chance... The scenery outside shifted in a new direction causing the Familiar to briefly wonder whether flying over the traffic was entirely legal for a landspeeder to do.
Sean took no notice of this but at last thought of something to ask her. She had already revealed more than he had ever hoped but maybe he could get just a little more. Why did you leave the Jedi? Why go into the military instead of continuing to develop your...abilities? He frowned slightly as he puzzled the question himself though his head remained hung with his elbows resting on wide-spread knees. He had never known much about the structure of Jedi training and while he knew of the Corps and who they were comprised of, he simply assumed she was far too talented not to be selected as a padawan learner.
Ayer looked out the window again and took another jump from the chair to the ledge beside the tinted glass that separated the cockpit from the rest of the cabin. While the glass was far too dark to make anything out through, his brother and many of the devices surrounding the driver's seat showed up clearly on thermal. What was Sender doing in there?
_____________________________________________________________________
"The difference," Niles drawled on, "is that you don't even have to be on the ground to experience gridlock on Coruscant." The view outside the cockpit reeled as he brought the speeder swooping around a corner. The sheer number of lights, signs, and holoscreens visible through the transparasteel had increased greatly--they had entered downtown. The streets quickly became bloated with churning throngs of mingling civilization, much to Niles' chagrin who muttered something about repeating blasters. Their pace had slowed nearly to a crawl.
"So tell me. What could possibly trouble one of the Wizard's "paragon" creations?" More sarcastic, drudging speech, "Not jealous of the latest models are you?"
It was around the time that a brilliant pink rodian clothed in a long, metallic irridecent green and blue cloak practically pressed its...whatever that thing on its face is up against the window trying to get a peek. The steering wheel could take no more and tumbled over backwards. The speeder immediately jerked upwards, coming to a stop about 20 meters above the ground. A blue light atop of it began a steady flash and the vehicle continued merrily along its way. Which was about another 90 feet before it set down again (several pedestrians nearly diving away to avoid it) in front of an extravagant building with a large neon orchid-shaped sign resting atop it.
"We're there by the way."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Jul 5, 2011 5:14:29 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Jul 5, 2011 5:14:29 GMT -5
”I suppose that’s true enough. Not that I typically have to worry about it either way.” The muttered reply was hardly even pondered before it had been given. After all, it was the truth. With the shape and size of a bird, he didn’t have to worry about being stuck in traffic if he didn’t want to be…that was Rahja’s worry. After that he kept fairly quiet, his visuals kept on the changing scenery that passed them, each moment bringing his processors new information…even if most of it was extraneous.
Who knew when it might become relevant?
“So tell me. What could possibly trouble one of the Wizard’s ‘paragon’ creations? Not jealous of the latest models are you?”
With a tilt of his head, Sender pondered the question.
”No. Not particularly. I just didn’t enjoy being teased was all.” It was an honest, if very watered down, reply. So far he had no reason to be jealous of any of the others. Sure there were some interesting changes to the new line, but he liked his simple and unobtrusive form…it was part of what made him so easy to overlook out in the field. Still, he was pondering if he should add more to that statement when Niles pulled some of his more dastardly moves…sending the poor, unprepared, AER tumbling unceremoniously across the cockpit, wings splayed out and repulsors firing to try and get him to rights again.
It didn’t work well…
“We’re there by the way.”
Sender could only flail a bit as he flipped himself back over to his feet….very much miffed once again.
The surprise Sean had shown, however brief, had been amusing…though, not amusing enough to show past her eyes. Perhaps, in time, he’d learn to see it there…but for now she doubted he would see much of anything. Maybe she was wrong. Who knew. Still, his comments on his sister added another layer of understanding to the swiftly compiling log that was Sean Mu’haro. What that layer might mean, however, was still beyond her. Sean, for all she could find of him, was about as much of a mystery to her as she was to him, albeit for different reasons.
His was because he knew so little about her…where she came from, what had happened to her…Rahja, however, didn’t understand family life. She didn’t quite grasp what it was like to live ‘normally,’ and so she could read all she wanted but it didn’t add much more than basic knowledge to her understanding of him. His words, and the emotions behind them, were what she needed in order to understand him better. Still, as she spoke about her past she found it difficult to sort his information in and bring her own to the forefront. It wasn’t something she was accustom to…sharing her life.
At the distance (chronologically) she was speaking, there wasn’t much emotion involved…no immediate danger or discomfort. She held no chip or sore spot (that she knew of) about this portion of her history that would keep her from sharing it. It simply never came up. It was sad, what had happened…regrettable…but it had been so long ago, now, that it was an old injury that was difficult to reopen. She spoke plainly, if thoughtfully, her voice only holding bits…mere traces…of sentiment, of regret, as she relayed what was, (questionably) obviously, simple information.
“She did a brave thing, your mother. To sacrifice what she loved most to give you a fighting chance…”
”Of course…but after watching father and Suni die, then being forced to watch me fight to keep from suffering the same fate…well, it was an obvious choice when the jedi suggested it later. We were fortunate that he arrived when he did or I likely wouldn’t be here. As it was we’d been lucky to survive the crash of our ship. Still…I’m surprised the man even took me.” She couldn’t help but chuckle a little and shrug as she took another sip of her wine. Even as the events of that day played out behind her eyes, she felt detached…as if it had been another person who had lived through those events. ”Most people don’t consider taking young, blood-drenched, murderous, girls back to the jedi temple.”
The impish grin that had started forming on her face after that last remark faltered, then failed, as Sean asked his own question…well, questions. That…was a sore topic. One that earned a frown that drew her brows together and the corners of her mouth down as her face seemed to tighten and angle with the expression. One nail tapped lightly on her glass as red eyes turned back to looking at the liquid, her mind turning swiftly. Was she willing to answer that question? Was it wrong of her to refuse the information on the grounds of it ‘hurting her feelings’? Am I really that delicate?
Sighing, she shifted around a bit, smoothing down her dress along one leg and taking another sip of wine.
”I…became too old.” That was the simplistic answer, but it would do for a starting point. ”I was a youngling to the oldest age they allow…thirteen. I…have always been…solitary, and a bit…troubled, if what I just told you is any indication. I always felt out of place…I hardly knew any basic, the climate was horrible on Coruscant, I knew so little about the different peoples of the galaxy and there wasn’t another soul that looked like I did…it was lonesome, but I did my best to do as the masters instructed me, to learn what they taught and be the best. But there was always…something…that prevented any knight or master from taking me as a padawan. It didn’t bother me over much until I was twelve and I knew I was running out of time. The more rejections I faced the more frustrated and isolated I became…especially when my friends, older and younger, were all finding masters so much more easily.”
Swirling the liquid in her glass she decided she might not drink the rest of it. It reminded her too much of the color of blood…old doubts and insecurities rising up again. Had it been because she’d killed that pirate? Was it because she had some darkness in her even back then? Almost disgusted with the thought, she looked pointedly away from the glass in her hands and out the window. ”So…when I turned thirteen and I still had no master, the Council decided that it was time I was assigned to one of the Corps. Luckily for me I had some talent in healing and so they sent me to the medicorps.” She shrugged a little and, with a steady breath, started burying the hurt and bitterness again as the speeder slowed near one of the walkways.
”I liked it there well enough, actually. I enjoy healing others. But, all good things end, and my time in the medicorps was no different…hmph…I must’ve been…twenty? Twenty one? when I left. I suppose it was petty, my reason for leaving, but I was young.” Looking back over to Sean, she managed a mild smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes. ”I didn’t, however, enter the military at that point. That decision…it came later…” Glancing away from Sean again, she was silent for only a moment before the speeder jerked and tipped, her body reacting swiftly to keep from spilling the red liquid all over everything as she twisted just slightly away from Sean…just in case.
This was a nice dress, after all, and she didn’t want anything spilled on it.
After a moment of near complete confusion through motion, the speeder settled once more and slid to a stop. For a long moment Rah could only blink, wide-eyed, and wait to see if any other surprises awaited them.
None came.
…Thankfully.
Not taking any chances, she swiftly finished the small amount of wine that was left in the glass and set it back in its place before moving for the door…composing herself on the way. In a flash the window was down once again between the cockpit and the back, Sender hopping through swiftly and taking over before Niles could pull any more stunts.
”Alright everyone…out of the flying d—I mean speeder. We’re here. Rah, the button is…oh…well then…never mind.” At least it seemed Niles had been ‘kind’ enough to open the door for them. He didn’t doubt the cranky GAI wanted to expel them as much as they wanted out by this point…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Aug 25, 2011 2:16:03 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Aug 25, 2011 2:16:03 GMT -5
The ebony stretch speeder glided off without another word leaving Sean with the fleeting thought of how strange it would be for someone in a normal line of work to expect it to. Within seconds it has vanished amid the flashing lights and sounds of the city's night life.
”Thanks Niles!” Turning, he muttered to Rahja, “Let's ask for a different chauffeur next time.”
Ayer had narrowly avoided being shut in the door on his way out and now settled warily at the edge of the street, scanning their surroundings as had become a matter of one part impulse, one part caution, and one part curiosity. ”Next time?”
Sender...was about as anxious to get back into a GAI controlled speeder as Ayer seemed to be. Or Rah for that matter. The chiss seemed perfectly happy to be back on solid ground and was smoothing out her dress as they spoke, ignoring (outwardly, at least) the people entering the restaurant. The AER, however, was swiveling it's head every which direction.
"Well, that was...eventful. I'm not sure I'm anxious to go again, though. Can we just...hail a taxi next time?"
"I think that might be a good idea. While I liked the limo, the driver receives poor marks from me." Shooing Sender from her shoulder, Rahja looked back over to Sean before glancing back over to her hovering counterpart. "And, I believe this is where the birds go people watching?"
Sean shrugged, still looking after where the limo had vanished off to. "I dunno, I thought it was kinda fun, and Niles is only a little more trying on the sanity than most taxi drivers I've run into. 'Specially on Corellia. PLUS Project Shuttlebus has a 100% employee discount!"
Ayer seemed satisfied--or at least relatively unconcerned--with what his quick sweep turned up and instead hopped over next to Sender, giving Rahja a quick salute with one wing. "I swear upon my life and all those that may follow, no dewbacks shall crash through the restaurant window and disturb your meal!"
A light chuckle was given to Sean's reply. "Oh yes...but only upon risk of life and limb. At least with a living being driving, I know who to haunt should I die because of their stupidity." Ayer's comment, however, had her pausing mid-step. Two sets of red eyes, hers and Senders, locking onto the steel seagull at his words.
Sender chortled softly and glanced back up at Rah. He watched her thoughts churn behind those red eyes, with some amusement, as she attempted to decide how to react. Finally, she simply shook her head and smirked.
"Good to know." Turning to Sean, she nodded toward the door. "Shall we go then?"
Sender, still amused, didn't bother to say a word as he hovered higher before taking off for the rooftop to find a nice place to perch.
"We shall!" Sean stepped forward and grasped the door handle jubilantly, allowing a group who had just been about to exit to pass through before motioning with his arm to Rah to move inside, following once she did so. "I've never actually been here before, so I'll let you take it from here. Lead on to glory and good fortune!"
Ayer shook his head and have a short synthesized sigh as the two entered the Nebula Orchid. Seeing his brother dart off into the night sky, he couldn't help but smile slightly. With a swift heat-lock on Sender's repulsors, he followed suit coming to a landing shortly after his brother found a good perch. "You alright there, Sender? Something had to have bothering you if you went to Niles to sooth your mind and soul. Not getting suicidal on me, are you? Take it from me--it doesn't work unless you're reeaally thorough."
Rah couldn't help but chuckle at Sean. He was practically radiating happiness and that...made her smile. Some part of her kept telling her to stay alert and aware and to keep herself to herself but...just this once...just this once I'll do something different, she thought. Then it can go back to being... Being what? The same? No she doubted it would ever be the same.
"To glory and good fortune, hmm?" She opened the second door into the main restaurant and was greeted with cool air and the smell of food. "Maybe not glory and good fortune, but a table and good food I'll accept."
Stepping to the host's podium she spoke to the man briefly, trying to figure out whose name the reservation might have been set under. It turned out Sean was the lucky winner. "Well, it seems you got us in here after all, Mr. Mu'haro."
Outside, Sender settled down on the top of the roof and emulated as close to a contented sigh as a droid could as he overlooked the city (or what they could see of it, anyway). Ayer's question had him looking back, though, his thoughts screeching to a halt. "I just...needed some quiet and space was all."
"Inconceivable." Sean shook his head as he came up alongside Rahja. "Yet somehow I can't bring myself to be surprised." This night had been one startling turn of events after another so far and every time it seemed the miracles had culminated to a show-stopping finale, another lined itself up. Oh well.
The man at the podium gestured for them to follow and he led them to a table Sean could only imagine required special reservation months ahead of time. After all, there are very few location in any establishment that can boast relative seclusion, a window view, and a waterfall. Alright so a water fountain, but a nice one! The waiter set down a pair of menus alongside a rather thick leather-bound wine list. Synthleather? Somehow Sean doubted it... "This is...this is nice, I gotta say. I don't think I've ever eaten anywhere quite like this since...I don't even remember." He pulled out Rahja's chair, waiting for her to be seated before seating himself at the opposite end.
Up on the rooftop Ayer paused, as he pondered Sender's clause. Was this another one of his ploys? What had taken 'way his joy? "Well there's plenty of that up here...space that is. It's still kinda loud, but that can be remedied with a little service tweaking."
Ayer stared out over the city lights. The glittering sparks of airspeeders whizzed by in the wind--seemingly disembodied shooting stars. Well not really. Ayer switched off the heat-track. There we go. Shooting stars. How peaceful. "You know if anything is bothering you, you can tell me. We've been through enough together and beyond to warrant a mutual trust."
"Oh good...I'm glad, because too many surprises and you may never speak to me again for starting the whole cascade." Was she....joking again?! By golly she was!
As the man lead them on through the pleasant ambiance of the restaurant (from soft dance music and people on the floor to one side and trees, orchids, and tables of finely dressed, eating, people on the other), Rah was sure to keep close to Sean. She may have looked like she seemed right at home in a place like this but she was uncomfortable with the decadence of it.
That was the jedi in her, too.
With a thanks to the host as he set down their menus, she was...pleasantly surprised by Sean acting quite the gentleman and pulling her chair out for her. With a smile she took the seat and glanced around. "That's alright...I don't get to go places like the Orchid often. This is a treat for both of us." She chuckled. "Typically I'm eating out in the middle of nowhere or some smoky pub where I have to watch my back. ...This is a nice change."
Picking up one of the menus, she started scanning the items within. "Though I have to wonder...how in the world did they get this table..."
"Well...I don't mind the noise from here. City sounds don't bother me much." Sender mused, as he looked from Ayer back out over the sky lanes. It was nice, having a night out without having to watch every shadow or worry about the next day.
"Yes...I...suppose I know that but...it's difficult to just say things sometimes, trust or not." He looked over at Ayer again, feeling a bit pensive. "It's just that some things bother me is all, and in the long run they don't really matter so I don't see the need to bring them up."
"Well don't drop your guard yet..." Sean shifted his eyes and his chair and steepled his fingers with his elbows resting on the table. "These upper-classies can be crafty. What with their general opulence and their political connections and their fancy hats." He grinned and picked up the menu. It was nice to see that despite all things Rahja seemed to have relaxed a little more than usual. While he would never admit it aloud, he had often felt uneasy in her presence simply because of her, well, uneasiness. Jumping at shadows is infectious. However the sheer peacefulness and seemingly infallibility of this night seemed to put all minds at ease. Assuming a dewback would not, in fact, crash through the window, the only enemy scheming to undo it may have been himself. He scolded himself mentally Not To Screw This UP. In spite of Rah's passing inquiry, another question begged priority response from his stomach; what to order? "Conspiracy. So um...any recommendations?"
"I understand. This life we have is tricky. We don't have the luxury of taking things one step at a time. We've just been thrust into the world with a sheet of instructions that tend to focus a bit too much on the details rather than the underlying ideas." Ayer went silent for a moment before he could ramble further. After a while he turned his head to his brother. "Just know that you can if you need to."
How had she known that he would say that? Well, the force was always an option but it wasn't the case this time around...she was just able to tell. It wasn't like he hadn't claimed conspiracy already once tonight. Still, she smirked at the whole thing and shook her head. "Oh yes, because fancy hats and conspiracies always go together, Sean. It's a prerequisite."
For a moment her mind chewed on his question, however. It was a good one since she didn't really know herself. "I haven't a clue. I've only been here once and that was a good while back." She pondered the menu for a moment eying the tomato bisque. Funny, but she had a fondness for the stuff. "From what I hear their seafood is good, as are their pastas..."
A half heartbeat of silence and she said the first thing that came to her mind...an uncommon occurrence with her (or just about any chiss). "You know...this is the first time I've been out to do something fun in..." She tried to recollect the amount of time....it was a difficult task. "Well...it's been months, at least." Looking up from her menu, she smiled.
"I'm...." The hesitation was palpable as she chewed over her words, but she was already committed to them. "I'm glad you're here to share it with me."
Immediately she sought refuge behind her menu.
At his brother's words, Sender could only sigh slightly. He wasn't used to so many words all at once, much less about life. "I suppose...and thank you, Ayer." For a long moment he was quiet, watching a ship fly slowly over the city toward the landing pads. It looked like some high-class transport but he wasn't bothered enough to run and ID tag on it to find out. "What do you think of Rah, Ayer? I've known her for quite a few years now and I'm still not always sure what to make of her..."
"Damn straight." Sean eyed the seafood and then the pasta sections in turn. "Well then how about a good solid Kuati prawn alfredo. You just can't go wrong with pasta, cheese, and freaky spindly sea creatures."
At Rahja's words he leaned back with a smile, closing the menu and setting it off to the side. It was endearing, the way she struggled with suppressed emotions, and he was a little caught off guard when they actually won out in the end. 'I'm glad you're here' coming from her was like a falsetto proposal from your everyday Joe or Sue. His smile grew a bit wider. "The trick, is to find a bit of fun in everything ya do. From the mundane to the inhumane. Not to say I always enjoy what I do, I just try not to hate it. The bird helps too. Get yours addicted to poetry, it's hilarious."
"You may never know why the nauru cries, for in you go creepin' and then you get eaten, oh what an awful demise."
Ayer stared up at the partially clouded sky for a few moments.
"Yeah that was terrible. Don't trust naurus, though. They're tricky. So's Rah, really. If you really want my take on her, she goes to rather extreme ranks to seclude herself both emotionally and physically. No doubt this is all the result of her rather cloak-and-dagger past and present, but it has extended into all facets of her life." He peered down across the edge of the rooftop. "Until now..." He tilted his head to the side. "I feel I know your answer already, but...same question?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Aug 31, 2011 4:07:48 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Aug 31, 2011 4:07:48 GMT -5
Rah couldn't help but chuckle softly and shake her head at his comment. "I think I'll pass....but there's a soup here that I'm considering that has a good mixture." She'd spoken from behind her menu, still, until finally managing to lower it and look at him once again.
"I do enjoy it...most of the time. That wasn't my point." She paused a moment and settled the menu down, looking back toward the small band at the front. "I simply meant that I've not had a real day off in....almost longer than I can remember. At least, not away from base or Familiar." She looked back to him. "It's a nice change...especially with company."
That earned a bit of a chuckle. "I'm not normally one for company...if you hadn't noticed yet."
"That was....pretty bad, yes." Sender chuckled just a little. "You've certainly done better before." After that comment he settled in to listen. While he had to admit that some of it was true...not all of it was spot on. "What do I think about her? Or what do I know about her? There's a difference there, I suppose..."
Sean chuckled, "Nor have I, but this is a good way to spend one. As for the company, this is the first time I've felt the comforting shroud of privacy in an eternity. I spend most of my time in close quarters with the rest of that lunatic squad--be it tight sleeping arrangements or being shot out of a cannon. Even out "alone" in the field, they don't call them Familiars for nothing." He smiled and shook his head. A waiter came by and he ordered the pasta al la spindly sea creature waiting for him to take Rahja's and depart before speaking again. "Normally you have me all paranoid that you're going to drop down from the ceiling and attack me with a knife at any moment, but this...this is the most relaxed I've felt in a long time."A rustle of feathers announced another winged observer--a large crow landed a few feet away from the Familiars on the rooftop, gave them a quick jerky glance, and began preening itself. Ayer watched it for a moment then turned back to answer Sender. "What do you....think about what you know?" She'd order the seafood paella ((link)) once the waiter came, mulling over Sean's words. Even once the waiter was gone she'd listen quietly, eyes watching him easily. Finally she'd shrug just a bit and smile just a little. "Well...at least I'm doing something right. I don't try to let people feel comfortable around me...not unless they're a target."
Chuckling slightly, she'd settle back in her seat a little and smooth out the bottom of her dress with a hand. "I can't say I have that problem, though...I am almost always alone, save for the bird. My squad doesn't have much contact with each other for....various reasons."
Sender would look over at the rush of wings and feathers. For a brief moment his systems scanned the crow before he dismissed it placidly. "Well...birds of a feather..." He chuckled. "What do I think about what I know? Hmm...I suppose I think it makes some sense, but it's very....difficult for me to adapt to. She's always so closed off...more than just because of her past or her present....when we went to Csilla...her home world...." He shuddered at the thought of all the snow and ice. "Well...it was like being stuck around a bunch of Rahja clones....or she was a clone of them...they were all so closed off....private." "Right..." Sean crossed his hands in his laps and stared at them. Hello hands. So how 'bout it? What do I say now? After a moment he looked back up, fixing Rah with friendly grey eyes. "So what'd you think of latest batch of newbies? Man it feels good to call Sarge a newbie." He laughed at the irony of it and flashed Rah a grin with just a sliver of hope in it that she would pursue the opportunity to get on a lighter subject. "Hey you two dusk-feathered friends are the flock. I'm the out of place tern here. Not like Rahja then, huh?" He paused a moment to confirm his next statement. "The Chiss aren't officially registered in the Republic databanks. That alone stands testament to their tendencies. Who knows with Rah, though? Maybe all this time offworld will slowly alter what has been ingrained into that head of hers since the beginning. It's certainly something to watch for." Rah was, if possible, more uncomfortable than Sean as the conversation faltered. When she was trying to get information she was good, quality, tops at making conversation...but talking...just for the sake of talking? What could she tell him, anyway? It wasn't as if she had a social life, or like she could tell him much about her missions...
She looked back to him from her study of the people on the dance floor when he spoke again, thankful for a new topic but....well, she wasn't sure she was thankful for that topic. "Damien Meesha...I can't say I'm a fan of the man. He didn't exactly endear himself to me on Ascension when he nearly disobeyed orders." A flicker of the chiss in her rose up at that, honestly furious with what had nearly happened. If he had been in the Ascendancy she thought, he would have been in serious trouble.
"Because of that, I'm not certain how I feel about him being gifted with a familiar." She gave Sean a serious look. "I can only hope you and Ayer will make sure that he takes care of that little droid." He wanted a lighter topic...he'd looked in the wrong place. Poor Sean.
Still, not all hope was lost...
"The new REAs are...interesting, though." She quirked a bit of a smile. "I'd almost hoped...oh which one was it...10? The fiery one...would be given to your Sergeant." There was a pause, whether for dramatic effect or because she was thinking wasn't entirely certain. "Is that bad of me?" That smile broadened just a bit into an impish grin.
Sender could only shrug. "Maybe, but I'm not so sure. Sean's broken through in a day what it's taken me years to get through...but she still likes her secrets. She went through no small amount of trouble to find Csilla and gain the rights to be taught by her own people. It's difficult to work with her sometimes because of it all...her being so closed and...some of the things we have to do..." Damn, screwed up again... Sean clenched his teeth behind his lips and squinted one eye slightly. He had completely forgotten that little incident on the Ascension. "We can't do much of anything else, though Ishtar herself does a pretty good job of it. Reminds me of my mother..."He was grasping at straws at this point, hoping to pull out of this conversational tailspin. Luckily, Rahja did it for him. He gave a small sigh of relief and the smile slowly returned. "They're certainly a far-cry from the canaries. With all the shameless puns and the feather-gear emblem, I didn't think they had it in them to deviate from the avian. And yes, that's just cruel. I watched that thing in the testing grounds once. I thank my lucky stars I'm not being shot out of a cannon with a sentient flame-thrower.""Ain't that a bugger of a quandary? The same goes for Sean, actually. You might find this to believe, but he's been in even higher spirits than usual lately. It's kind of frightening. But hey," He clapped his brother roughly on the back with one wing. The crow flew off with a hoarse caw. "There's only so much we can expect to do as droids. Even if we are pretty amazing, there's no substitute for flesh and soul." A soft chuckle escaped her at all the multitude of possibilities and scenarios her sadistic Chiss mentality came up with at the thought of Sean, Ayer, Damien and a napalm carrying droid in a drop pod. Oh....if only Sean and Ayer could be pulled out of those scenarios and kept safe... "I might pay to see Damien locked in a dop pod with that thing." That grin broadened. "Just so long as you and Ayer were kept safely at a distance, of course."
"Still...I'm not sure if I will feel amused or...sorry...for whoever gets that one." Their drinks arrived a few moments later. Nodding in thanks, she took a sip of her wine and smiled, nodding in approval a moment later. "Not quite as good as what we had earlier, but close...very close." For a long moment she turned the glass in her fingers before looking at Sean.
"So, Mr. Mu'haro...when you do have a day off, what do you enjoy doing, hmm?"
Sender looked at his brother at that. "Really? He's always so...so...upbeat. This is higher spirits?" He staggered a bit at the hefty pat to the back and watched the crow fly off, obviously spooked by the odd 'birds' it had shared the roof with. "Well, yes, I suppose...but I'm her partner, you know...and after everything we've been through together...Oh, I don't know. At least she's nicer to me than that trianii...or the twi'lek...or...you know, they're just a generally...uncomfortable....group to be around for me....heh...heh..."
Sean swirled his wine pensively as had become a habit far before this night. "...Alright I admit it would be funny. 'Course my overdeveloped sense of duty would have me dragging his sorry arse out of there before he got too badly burnt--that is if Ishtar hasn't slit my throat and sent me to my room by then. Heh." At last he took the first sip. "Not quite as well aged, but then what would you expect from a man older than dirt?" He took another drink and mulled over Rah's question. What did he do? Not much... "Well...sometimes I do a little traveling. Never very far--rarely have the time to. To be honest I stick around here or the Killer Death Yam most of the time. PF comes up with some interesting volunteer jobs now and then that I'll carry out--talent scouting, mostly. Get a guise, conjure an appointment, and reveal about as much as an Ubese nun. You'd be good at it."Ayer chortled and shook his head. "Nah, he can actually be pretty serious when the situation gets tense. The upbeatness is usually borne of boredom." What was Sender going on about now? Twi'lek? Trianii? Oh yes! Rahja's squad. "What? The covert sociopathic contract killers aren't friendly? I woulda thought they'd have been the life of the party!" "Oh pha...that would be about the only time my sense of duty wouldn't kick in. That, or if you stuck a dark jedi in a room full of ysalamiri...and the napalm-dragon." She paused, pondering the satisfaction she would feel upon seeing that last happen. "Mmm...yes, I would pay in blood to see that...but...ah well. And she had better not slit your throat. Ever."
Teasing or not, those crimson eyes all but dripped blood at the thought. Still, with a thought she seemed to ease down, the monster leashed and sent back to its den in her heart and mind once more. "Killer Death Ya--oh...oh! Force help me Sean..." That had her laughing softly (once she got it) at his insanity. Or at least laughing at his choice in re-naming of the KDY. Still, she shook her head slightly. "I may be, yes...but...sometimes I don't want to. I'm layer after layer of Force only knows what that sometimes I have trouble keeping myself straight. The most refreshing times I've ever had was when I was on..."
She paused...then shut her mouth. After a moment she continued. "When I was with my people. It was nice not having to attempt to blend in. Secrets were one thing, but even so...I could be what I chose to be, and anything I -had- to be, I already was." She smiled a bit, a touch of fondness in the look. "I enjoy traveling also, but I especially enjoy going back there."
"And he gets on me about being serious...hmph. Well, at that's news to me anyway. Though I don't suppose he would have lasted too long as a sniper if he couldn't be serious when it counted." He watched as a pair of Kuat security patrols went speeding along below them, sirens wailing and covering his chuckle. "Well...one or two of them aren't too bad. Do you know that Crass is one since the Ascension was handed over? He's one I don't really mind...and there's a bothan that's alright..."
Sean beamed at Rah's reaction to his acronym (that and the death stare she had given him a moment ago had really started to unnerve him). "Hey it's better than Krill Drink Yarn." He went quiet while Rah reminisced on her homeworld. He had another sip of wine. At this rate, they might need a designated driver for the trip back. Just as long as it wasn't Niles again. "Sounds like a real pipe dream come true for you. So then is the real you you or are you a you who isn't you?" He frowned in mock confusion. "Who am I?"Ayer peered down at the passing patrols, the passive portion of his Spyglass locking onto the fast-moving vehicles. Out of pure curiosity he cross-referenced the police channels. Just a small fire. He switched off the passive system before the whirling target reticule could get on his nerves. "I'd notice several changes in records after that, but I had never delved much deeper. That's interesting to know. Crass has a bit of a history with Rah if I'm not mistaken. With all of us, really. As for the bothan...I've never had a quarrel with one before. They're a rather unquarrelsome bunch." "Krill Drink...you know I'm not sure i want to know how you come up with these things," she mused, smiling. "I suppose it was...if only because I was...normal...there." As he continued, however, her brows furrowed and lifted in turns…but that last question...oh that just did it.All she could do was put her face in her hand and laugh....and laugh...and laugh. It was quiet, certainly, but the amusement bubbled up around her, showing just a bit more of...what was that, anyway? The jedi? The mercenary? Who knew...who cared. "Oh Sean...I wish I knew. You're about as perplexing to me as anyone I've ever met."
And thus the food arrived.
"Yes...yes he's a pilot for the Hounds now...and rather good at his job. They...um...do have a history, though. She trained him for a while, you know." He chuckled and shook his head, wings flicking just slightly. "Do you know...I keep wanting to spy on them?" Red photoreceptors flickered over to his brother almost mischievously. "You don't suppose we can conjure up a reason to send a dewback through the window, do you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
Master
|
|
|
Oct 25, 2011 3:16:47 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Oct 25, 2011 3:16:47 GMT -5
"I promise you most sincerely..." He moved his hand slightly forward on the table, not quite touching Rahja's but enough to buzz that little personal space aura everyone had (Rah's likely being three times the size). "...I do it on purpose." His eyes locked with hers for a moment only to jerk away when the shadow of waiter hovered across them. "Excellent!"
Ayer regarded his brother out of the corner of eye to hide the smirk. The mischievous disrest coming from Sender was nearly palpable--the number of detectable subroutines running through his processors was enough for that. Yet another ironic barrier between the living and the mech, they each had their own form of telepathy restricted to their like kind. Well, there had been exceptions. Exception. No need bringing that up now. "I'm not sure about a Dewback--even with our combined might, the weight may prove too much--but I have the next best thing." His visor flickered as the Spyglass reactivated at full manual capacity. With a few subsystems shunted into overclocking the program, the ceiling beneath them almost seemed to melt away, the many green outlines (and two blue) continued about their evening oblivious to the eyes watching from above.
"Care to take a peek?"
Personal space was a fickle thing with Rah...sometimes it could fill a whole room, other times it was almost non existent. True, those times were about as rare as snow in the desert, but it seemed snow was falling somewhere. Crimson eyes looked at his hand then back to him. So he acted like a fool for a reason? Or did he mean....you know, she wasn't going to worry about it right now. Managing a smile to the waiter, she nodded her thanks. As the man left she chuckled a little. "Well, at least it looks and smells good."
Sender watched Ayer momentarily debate the situation. Oh I bet he's smirking too...you can't fool me this time brother. Still, the reply he got wasn't exactly what he was expecting either. It made him chuckle a bit and shrug his wings. "Well, I was more concerned with finding one around here...getting it through the window would be simple enough. After all, no one said we would be the ones physically hefting it anywhere." Hopping over he scrolled through the multitude of programs in his systems out of habit more than anything else. At this angle he couldn't really see more through the roof than the electrical wiring and ducts with his programming. "Well, I wouldn't have said anything if I wasn't up for playing spy, you know."
Sean inhaled deeply taking in the steaming aroma of his meal. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had something like this. Probably in a previous life or something. "It does look incredible, smells amazing, and..." He lifted his fork, spinning it once in his grip before plunging it into his quarry. In the manner of a true culinary appreciator, he impaled as many different chunks as he could onto the utensil before popping it into his mouth, "Tastes like dead animals and amputated plant limbs. Delicious dead animals and amputated plant limbs!" He reached forward for the bottle and refilled his wine glass, subconsciously praying for a designated driver (after all this made his...4th? 5th? 9th?) He then offered it to Rah. "Care for some more grape blood?"
"Where would you be without me..." Ayer shook his head mockingly and broadcasted the secure uplink to Sender. With the link established he uploaded his visual data to Sender's hub and began streaming the view through the spyglass. "It's no Dewback, but it's pretty gorram amazing. So in case you skipped out on reading the owner's manual, green is civilian, blue is our team, red is the other team, and yellow is the unaligned scum and villainy."
Where in the world did he get these ideas? Dead animals and amputated plant limbs? Really? She chuckled at the morbidity of it all. Oh yes, she liked him. Half of her was disgusted by his comment the other half extremely amused and very much appreciating it. Shaking her head, she tucked into her own dish, savoring the flavors. Now if only I had the recipe for this... "Well I'm glad you like it." Taking his offer, she held up her glass for him to refill. She could take her liquor, but....maybe it would be a good idea to call a taxi on the way back. Once she had a bit more in her glass, she held it up to him. "Thank you, Sir. Force knows this grape blood goes well with dead fish and amputated plant limbs."
"Oh, likely bored out of my mind somewhere in the jungles of Onderon," came the amused reply as he established a link with Ayer and checked his end for any 'leaks' of information. The multitude of colors was interesting really. While he had a similar program it didn't work quite as well as Ayer's (obviously) and only highlighted Military, targets, and high priority criminals, leaving civilian and low priority criminals as little more than greyish lumps of movement. "Well, isn't this quite colorful...you have a full spectrum I see. Aww, and there are our two little miscreants. They grow up so fast."
---
Time had seemed to pass in a flash, really. Sean was one of the easiest men...one of the easiest people...to talk to that she'd happened across in quite a while. Then again, she had had quite a few glasses of wine and it was catching up with her, so maybe that was the reason? Their meal had passed pleasantly and, surprisingly, incident free. She'd even managed to get Sean up to dance once...that was an experience in and of itself, but she'd enjoyed it. Now, however, she was getting the feeling it was time to be off. The hour was getting late and they all had to get some sleep tonight. Not to mention she thought the restaurant might want their table free eventually. "Well..." she started, resting her chin casually on the palm of her hand, "shall we get going do you think?"
"Think that's neat? Watch this." Ayer initiated one of subroutines of the Spyglass and his vision exploded with information. That small reticule returned, zipping around the room on the tiniest hint of his whim. Everything and everyone it crossed, semi-transparent data boxes leaped up around--everything ever digitalized about them displayed at a speed only a computer could try to comprehend. The waiter serving the pair previously worked in a flower shop. The woman there received a parking violation not half an hour ago. Her handbag contained a capsule of lipstick she purchased at a small boutique on the KDY. It was all there. Even the computer found it a little dizzying. "What do ya think of THAT?" The reticule zipped over to their pair, two boxes for each appearing--once for the unclassified, another for the...more. "Uh-oh. I think they're choking! They're turning blue! Well at least Sean is...what color does a Chiss turn when they're choking?"
__________________________
Time passed in a blissful alcoholic haze. Sean had begun to have trouble remembering the little things that had happened, but all of them were pleasant. He recalled being coaxed into dancing once and had been relieved that he hadn't stepped on too many toes. Yep, life was good, but the night was late and coming to a close. The waiter approached at one point asking if they had needed anything else. When Sean requested the check, he only frowned and told them the bill had been paid in advance. Whether it was the wine or he had truly gotten used to the oddities surrounding this night, he found himself only mildly perturbed by this, shrugging it off to answer Rah. "I guess it has to end eventually. This was...it was nice. I feel glad...that...you be here with me for this." He laughed, the sound tinged with the slightest hint of delirium. "Guess we better find a ride back, huh? Just gotta wave down taxi an'," He giggled again shaking his head, "An' tell em to drive into that yonder hill there. We live in a hill."
She honestly didn't think too much about it when the waiter told them that the bill had been paid for. If someone (likely the wizard) wanted to play philanthropist (because he tended to do that) it was just fine with her (she'd just have to thank him later)...she wasn't going to look a gift gundark in the mouth (though she'd tried to do so previously). "It does haveto end 'ventually, Sean." She shrugged it off mildly and gave him a placid smile that softened all her features. Chuckling at his question, and subsequent remarks, the chiss miss stood and held out her hand to him.
"I think you've had quite 'nough to drink, Mr. Mu'haro...an' a taxi is certainly in the stars for us, but no hills." Chuckling again, she caught their waiter as he brushed by to see to his next table. "Can we see the front desk about a taxi?" He nodded once and she let him go on about his business. "C'mon then, Sean. You c'n stay in my room t'night."
"Yesh, I think I 'ave too." He stood slowly to lessen the rush of blood to his head, though a little unsteady he was by no means what he would call drunk. He had been drunk before. There had been more yelling. "That'sh really nice of you. You're...nice. Ya know, when yer not...stabbin' me with knives n' whatnot." He paused, staring into space with a dopey grin and hazey eyes. "Naaahh, that's nice too. Frisky! Where do ya live again?"
Another well-dressed man opened the door for them though Sean's impaired reaction time had him stumble forward slightly as he had reached to open it himself. With a mumbled thanks he stepped out into the crisp night air alongside Rah and took in a deep breath of it. A taxi speeder pulled up to the curb, the driver looking at the couple expectantly. "That looksh like our ride. Check and see if the driver is an evil robot."
Sender perked up from their competitive game of pong as he noted the movement of a very specific signal. The ball flew through his vision, streaking by buildings and vanishing below his paddle and in front of a taxi that had pulled up below them. "There they go...hah! I think they're tipsy too." He wondered exactly how tipsy... "This could get fun."[/color[ He paused thoughtfully, wings slightly outstretched. "That, or very awkward...either way it should be interesting." Chuckling merrily, he shut down the remnants of his side of the game and blasted away with a backwash of heated air.
"I'm only nice sometimes...but I've never stabbed you Sean." She narrowed her eyes in thought after that as she tried to double check her memory to be sure. It was awfully foggy in there, but so far no Sean stabbings popped up. His final words caught her attention and she laughed brightly, wrapping her arm around him and pressing herself into his side, still chuckling. "What? You want me to stab you? I dun think so, Sean....now cuffs maybe...I could stab you with my nails though." As the speeder pulled up, she pried herself away from him and slipped inside, waiting for Sean to be in with her before reading the address of the hotel she was staying at from her datapad for the driver.
"Sorry Sean, no evil robots or ghost heads in this taxi. Think we might be safe fer now." The tone was…more than a little amused as she grinned impishly.
"Ya sure? I coulda sworn...maybe that was..." Sean still had some quality of mind remaining to stop talking there, whether or not there was anything to actually say. Her arm went around him then and he responded in kind. Her bright laughter tickled him inside, so uncharacteristic of her usual demeanor. It made him laugh as well. "Well now, if you're offering..." Sean slid in after her, moving as close in next to her as he could comfortably and shut the door, letting out a long breath as he leaned his head back against the seat. "That was wonderful..." His brow furrowed slightly. "Though I have thish nagging feeling we're forgetin' somethin'..."
Ayer was shaken out of his tired trance when the score changed from 0-0 to 0-1. Though the Spyglass was still online, he peered over the transparent edge of the roof out of habit. The white bar of his paddle faded away as he ended the game. "Oh they're done? How long has it been?" His enhanced audio receptors picked up some of their banter. "And how many drinks have they had? Guess that's our cue to- Hey! Wait up!" He took a quick hop off the ledge and engaged his own repulsors to pursue his brother.
As he settled in beside her, she curled up close to his side, resting her head on his shoulder and pondering what they might be missing. She never really worried about Sender, the necklace she wore kept him updated on her movements, and besides, he knew where she was sleeping...he'd know where to look for her. "Hmm....dunno. Birds are alright, have my purse, we didn't really bring anything else...you didn't need your wallet...." Shrugging she put it from her mind for the moment. She hadn't brought anything sensitive with her, really...all of those items were with Sender and he'd be following them. "Still, you're right. Tha' was wonderful. I had a very good time." Now there was an admittance that didn't occur often. The placid little smile on her face grew just a -bit- more wicked. "So...what if I was offering? Hmm? What would ya say to that?"
Sender couldn't help but laugh at his brother as they flew along, tailing the taxi transporting the tipsy twosome. "I'm not sure how many, but it takes a fair few to get Rah that loose lipped. I'm not certain if I'm frightened, relieved or amused."
Sean kept his eyes closed and a content smile on his face for much of the trip back to Rah's hotel. This had truly been a night to remember and it didn't even have to be over quite yet. "If you were offrin'...I would ashk what's the catch? Gotta be a catch--alwaysh a catch with you...catchy people." He rolled his head over to squint at her, that huge smile still plastered across his face. "Mmm, second thought, don' answer that. Be a surprise." The late night lights of the city streets flashed and darted over the two, briefly illuminating her features and tantalizing his eyes. Slowly, his head leaned forward closer, his eyes closed, the part of him still uncertain if this was going to lead to pain drowned out in passionate bliss.
"I vote frightened!" Ayer called after Sender. He made sure to keep his targeting systems firmly locked on the taxi below so as not to lose it within the throng of bodies and vehicles. With a short burst of speed he managed to bring himself up just behind and to the right of his brother. "Though I'm sure some degree of amusement could be gleaned from this. Let's just agree that what happens on Kuat, stays on Kuat."
"Hmmm...the catch?" She had to ponder that a bit, crimson eyes flickering with the lights that passed around them outside the taxi. She didn't think there would be a catch really...not with this. Not with him. Before she could answer, he was looking at her and telling her not to answer. Rahja had to grin. That was just fine with her. For a long minute they just looked at each other, her eyes darting between his as she watched them sparkle and glisten...and then he made his move. Any breath she was holding in that fragile moment she let escape softly as her own eyes closed and she all but melted against him.
To the woman it seemed like the rest of the journey happened in the blink of an eye. Really all she could remember was the feel of Sean's presence in the force, the sound of his voice, the physical presence of him and a sort of cocktail of emotions that seamlessly blended calm, comfort, safety and a healthy dose of attraction and anticipation. Maybe that was just her, though. She was too hazy to decipher which emotions belonged to whom. It wasn't until the taxi stopped that she came back to the world at large (for the most part) and paid the driver, thanking him profusely and with no shortage of chuckling as she got out of the taxi again.
Sender chortled at Ayer's dismayed reply and slowed just slightly until his brother caught up again. "Oh that will certainly happen....but I don't think we need to be frightened. I mean unless something does happen between the two of them tonight. Though, I'd just power down if that happened. But, if nothing happens...it might be fun to tease them tomorrow about how drunk they got." It really wasn't a long flight. Traffic was lighter at this time of the night and so the taxi moved at a decent clip. Ten minutes tops and it was pulling up beside the hotel. "And there they are."
All too quickly the taxi came to a stop and Sean found himself stumbling out half holding up half being held up by Rah, hooting with laugher all the while. This night had been amazing and the climax hadn't even been getting shot out of a cannon. He barked another short laugh at how many twists and turns the day had proffered. It was hard to believe that mere hours ago they had been clambering through the dank cave passages surrounding PFHQ, or that just this morning he had been nodding off to Phae's long-winded speeches to the new agents. And so as he jovially heaved open the lobby door with a deep bow to the woman there could be no doubt he truly loved more than anything on this or any other world, his mind and its fantasies wandered ahead to what could possibly come next. What could be worthy of capping off this night of surprise and wonderment?
Well...Sean could think of a few things...
"You put a heavy burden on my servos, bro. After all, if you bail on this, someone still has to record things for blackmail!" He dipped to the right and spiraled down to the roof of the hotel just as the two headed inside with so much ceremony. Ayer shook his head and chuckled smugly. "And there they go..."
There was...something...about this night, and about Sean, that was just...No, she couldn't fully admit it to herself, but...there was something long since forgotten that was starting to unbury itself again. As he tried (and succeeded considering how buzzed they both were) to be a gentleman, opening the door for her, she smiled prettily and passed him into the hotel, giving him as tantalizing of a 'come hither' look as possible as she headed for the lift up to the floor her room was on.
Sean wasn't the only one who could think of a few things to add to the night's mysteries and pleasant nature...but he -was- the only one she could think of sharing those things with.
As the two droids spiraled down to the roof, Sender laughed and clicked his beak once in amusement. "Fine, fine....if I have to help record...Well, I can do that. C'mon, let's get in there."
---
The sound of her alarm had the chiss grumbling a litany of beautiful sounding curses in Cheunh. Groggily she reached over the warm body she was curled up against to slap the button and turn it off again before settling back in against the man beside...wait what? There was something distinctly awkward about this. When had another person made it into her bed last ni--SEAN! Crimson eyes opened slowly, but they didn't stop opening until they were about as wide as a one credit coin.
Now, she lay there for a moment, finding herself relatively unclothed and certainly rumpled. Sean wasn't much better. Still, she was just a might too comfortable to go shooting up in surprise, but far too surprised to just stay relaxed. Tensing, she lay still as she tried to remember just what had happened...when she couldn't she propped herself up on one elbow and mentally shook herself. "Sean...wake up..."
Someone stirring woke Sean from the deepest sleep he could remember having in decades. When Rahja spoke he only groaned and rolled over groggily to face her. Rahja. In the same bed as him. Wearing only... His eyes shot open then blinked against the morning light. At least he assumed it was morning. Man did he have a headache, what did- RAHJA'S IN THE BED! He sat hurriedly, propping his head up on his elbow, and immediately regretted it. His eyes closed tight as he groaned in pain. "What ha-...did we-...oh my head..." He laid his head back down on the pillow, his hand falling across his chest. His bare chest. He groaned.
"Morning lovebirds." Ayer stood next to Sender, wings crossed smuggly across his back. A mischievous grin stretched across his beak.
"Gah! Bird- birds!" He rolled to the side and promptly found himself sprawled upon the floor, hitting his head on the nightstand on his way down. With the sheets pulled off of him he could see that his only apparel was a pair of red plaid boxer shorts. He tried to use said sheets to heave himself back up as the world reeled around him only to yank them off of Rah as well. Last night, what had happened last night? Why couldn't he remember anything about it? Looks like there were some witnesses that could clear things up. "What happened?!"
Ayer put one wing across his chest in dramatic mock disbelief. "Why Sean, what ever could you be referring to? What would there have been for us to see? Surely nothing holonet upload worthy."
"Force help me if anything- If you- Gorram it, what did you see?!"
"Ohh...nothing much," Ayer averted Sean's piercing (and slightly panicked) stare to look absently around the room. "Just everything."
Well, she wasn't the only one who was behind the power curve it seemed. Of course, Sean's look was priceless when he saw her. Maybe it was worth it just for that look. Then again, the laugh it earned had her trying not to wince. It seemed Sean wasn't the only one with a headache either. As he tried to muddle things out she just couldn't help but...well...look. It wasn't difficult to appreciate what she saw, and she couldn't help but think that the uniform he typically wore hid a few things that shouldn't have been hidden. Namely all of him. Well, all of him that she could see anyway.
Of course that had to be when Ayer piped up.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked over at the two smug looking droids, Sender chuckling softly. In a blur she felt the dismay and surprise radiate from Sean a moment before he hit the ground, pain radiating out a moment later. Chill air hit her skin pleasantly, but surprisingly, as the sheets were roughly pulled away by Sean while he tried to get himself up again. Calm and collected as ever, she lay there quietly in little more than her underwear and bra, waiting for some of the residual head throbbing and commotion to die down.
With a hand to her head, she tried (vainly) to piece together what had happened once they had gotten out of the lift. She remembered bits and pieces...and a lot of subtle (and not so subtle) emotions....but those drinks had done a good job at blurring everything together.
Sender, of course, was absolutely eating it all up. "You know Sean...I didn't think you had it in you to keep pace with Rah like you did. I'm rather impressed at how long you lasted." There was more to that statement, obviously...but he wasn't going to spoil the fun just yet. That did have Rah looking up (and sitting up), blinking at what he'd said. She glanced at Sean from the corner of her eyes before standing and circling around the bed with long-legged grace (more than she felt she had certainly) to go and help the struggling man to his feet.
"I know you better than that Sender....you wouldn't have tormented yourself. You would have powered down."
"Sure...if Ayer hadn't talked me into waiting up with him to get some blackmail images first..."
Rubbing his head where it had hit the nightstand, Sean extended his other hand clumsily to Rahja as she helped pull him to his feet. The room reeled again and he just barely avoided an awkward fall into her. Not that this moment could really get much more awkward, reasoned the part of him that considered tumbling forward anyway--to embrace that smooth, cerulean skin and feel the shapely curves of her body. He found himself smiling despite the situation. "Thanks Rah. Oof... I feel like my head's been smashed in with the slice of lemon that's been sitting on my tongue for the last nine years..." He groaned again, cursing how breathless just that comment had left him. His hand went to his forehead.
Ayer had been giving Sender an incredulous smirk as he went far and beyond the initial level of intended mindfudgery, but now he just shrugged and decided the time for payback was well overdue anyway. He'd go with it. "What's the matter? The great Mu'haro stripped of his lunacy? Oh no, he's helpless!"
Hesitantly, Sean pulled his eyes from Rah's exquisite figure to sort of...try to...sneer at the two droids, though it just kept coming out as a kind of grimace. "Endurance? You mean-..." Slowly, he seated himself back on the edge of the bed. "Wow."
"It's true, I may have goaded Sender here a bit into being my crafty accomplice, but really he was totally willing already! Good thing too; it went so long into the night, we had to pull double duty on the recording while the other conserved power!"
As she helped him up, a bit of her consciousness that had been checking him over through the force gave her a bit of a spin. That had her blinking...it must have been from Sean, there was no reason why her balance should have been upset. "You must have really hit your head..." she muttered, only partially to him. Without thinking she used her other hand and arm to help steady him, having to get closer to actually do any good. Of course...there...was a part of her that wanted to be closer and...Oh come on, get your head on. He's hit his head and with everything else...
With everything else they supposedly had done, would getting closer really be any more of a problem?
"I'm sure it...what? You know what....never mind. Come here and sit down so I can take a look at that bump of yours." Even as she spoke, trying to ignore the gnawing uncertainty of what Sender and Ayer were implying, she tried to get Sean to have a seat on the edge of the bed. Had she and Sean...? No. No it wasn't possible. Right? She...wasn't sure. But the one thing that surprised her the most was that she wasn't entirely sure if she would have been upset if they had.
A light streak of purple colored the tops of her cheeks at Sean's confused and...amazed?...reply to Sender's comment about endurance. Now that she'd gotten him seated she didn't feel quite so bad in finding an excuse to keep her face as out of sight as possible until the heat faded. She started by moving to kneel behind him on the bed and check the back of his head carefully with gentle fingers and the force.
"Well, I'm sure we could have both stayed up, but I didn't want to risk it. You two were quite...lively...last night." Sender remarked in a highly unusual bald-faced lie. They had been anything but lively last night once they'd managed to get down to what little they were currently wearing. It was both amusing and an extremely bad idea...whenever Rah found out the truth he'd be lucky not to be scrap, he was sure of it.
Sean gingerly touched the back of his head where he had hit it. There was a small bump, but no blood or anything too serious to speak of. As it were, he wasn't even sure if the unsteadiness he was feeling should be attributed to that, the fact he stood up too quickly, or all the alcohol. It was probably the alcohol. He didn't protest, however, when he felt Rahja's weight slide onto the bed behind him and gave only the occaisonal wince as she addressed his horrid, terminal booboo. It hurt, but it also felt so good. Just knowing she was there, so close, and touching him was a wonderful feeling. Then it hurt again. "Ah! Really, it's nothin' Rah. I'm alright. Just caught me off guard...all this...and all..." Some part of him still just didn't believe it. A larger part certainly didn't believe the tin canaries.
Sean knew Ayer was a terrible liar, but Sender wasn't much better--if not worse. He also knew that the latter still bore no small grudge against him for...stuff. Whatever the case, there was no way he was going to start jumping to conclusions, no matter how sensual they may be, unless they started producing some hard evidence. "Yeah, yeah, I'll believe it when I see it-" He paused, going slightly red, "I- I mean...you know...when WE see it...or what isn't...it- you know what? Nevermind. What time is it?"
Ayer nipped the edge of the window curtain in his beak and pulled aside to bombard the room with merciless sunlight. "13:00." He stated matter-of-factly.
Sean rubbed his eyes and let out a long moan as he slouched backwards into Rah. "So much for the veteran soldier discipline...who needs armies? We'll just get all the Sith drunk and they'll forget to show up to battle. That's how they did it in the ol' days, you know?" He leaned his head back smiled up at Rahja's upside-down face. It was wreathed in a golden nimbus of horrible, piercing sunlight that all at once accented her exotic facial structure and burned holes in his retinas. "I'm gonna go find my pants. Wanna help?"
Hiding?
Oh yes, very much so. Even so, it was about as good an excuse as any to keep out of direct sight. Really, she found the 'unflappable assassin' cover quite comfortable and blushing just ruined the image. This was so awkward and uncomfortable in so many ways...truth to the situation or not. The main source of these feelings? The fact that she knew them and wanted to deny them, any possibility of them, with every (okay almost every) fiber of her being.
What good would it do either of them, feeling so deeply for each other? She sighed silently and had to sternly resist the urge to just wrap her arms about him and rest her head against his shoulder. Chewing lightly on the inside of her lower lip, she accidentally pressed just a bit too hard to that hot bump on his head as her divided thoughts (partially focused on easing the pain and swelling and partially on everything else) got the better of her.
At his words she immediately pulled away, apologizing profusely in cheunh...then in basic...
"I'm sorry...I was...distracted by my thoughts. I should know better. I didn't..." she sighed and sat back on her heels, feet tucked comfortably under her. "I didn't mean to hurt you," she finished in a quiet mumble. Combing her fingers back through her hair, she turned crimson eyes to Sender and Ayer again, albeit unseeingly. Half a moment later she shook her head clear of her thoughts and chastised herself silently for what could only be called fantasizing.
What? She couldn't help it that she had a curious side!
Or that he was attractive.
And kind.
And funny.
And...
Sean's words had her brows lifting substantially.
As Ayer blasted the two of them with light from the outside world and told them the time, she startled significantly. Her already slightly more light sensitive eyes, even more so from the residual effects of last nights alcohol, slitted themselves swiftly as she turned her face away, feeling very vampiric. A sharply hissed breath in was given as sign of her own pain only moments before Sean slumped back into her.
That had her tensing, eyes opening despite the painful light. Slowly turning her head back, she'd look down at him as he spoke, bits of that tension ebbing from her once again as she slowly acclimated to the nearness of him. Oh how swiftly she seemed to have forgotten that they'd been curled up together only a few minutes ago.
With her head pulled back slightly, she looked down at him quizzically as he leaned further back against her, his head and neck settling against her chest. A subtle smile formed along her face for a moment before brightening into a mischievous grin at his question. Certainly the light reflected off his features, so much lighter in color than her own, was painful but...it also made him sort of...glow.
The thought made her snicker softly as she wrapped her arms over him to rest her hands against his chest. Sighing heavily she shrugged. "Oh, I suppose...I just hope they haven't decided to walk off on their own by now." Leaning down she'd give him a light kiss before shifting out from under him. "Though I sort of like you this way."
She gave him a flirtatious wink and set about searching for any bits of clothing she could find.
"We have a transport to catch back to HQ in an hour and a half, Rahja..."
She sighed.
"Of course we do," she stated unhappily as she produced a shirt (Sean's, actually) from just below the bed.
|
|
|
|