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EverSteam

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  1. Hello! It's been a long time. So, it's been about three years since my last post and three years since I posted 'Goodbye Part 1' about my Sith Warrior. I think if there was a deadline for it... I would have missed it! haha Without further ado, here is my final Part 2 and Part 3 of Goodbye. Prompt: NotLP: Goodbye Class: Sith Warrior Spoilers: Usual Act 3 reference And part 3....
  2. Just sneaking in before the prompt changes... Prompt: Goodbye (Part 1) Class: SW (Darcia) Words: 2000 Spoilers: reference to the usual act 3 'incident', post-act 3. Set after all other pieces on her.
  3. Replies: I had some great ideas for this weeks prompt but first I just had to finish this! Prompt: Turning Point Class: SW Words: 2000ish Spoilers: set directly after "the incident" (so before the last one), SW act 3 spoilers
  4. Replies: So here's something original! A Quinn Piece! I just couldn't resist when this randomly came into my mind... Class: SW (I don't remember if I gave her a name yet... but she's that same as the last three or four SW pieces, occurs before the Rich Man conversation) Prompt: Disguises and Sacrifice Spoiler: reference to everyone's favourite incident! Words: 1600ish
  5. So I wasn't the only one with problems? That's good to know! I wrote this in a flurry of inspiration the other day and I have to post it! I've been crying (well, close to ) from frustration at not being able to post! Prompt: The Morning After (that seems as appropriate as any) Words: 2000ish Class: IA (Damin who is in Act 2) and BH (Leer(iah) who is post-storyline) Spoilers: a small reference to IA act 2. This is kind of future for both characters and I have no idea if the end of this will happen. I suppose a warning for minor, implied sexual content is in order. The situation (not a spoiler, just saving space): Also! Thank you for all your comments on the Damin piece and Audra pieces! And as usual, I'm enjoying everything and reading it all! om nom nom! I did write individual replies but then I lost them when it wouldn't let me submit
  6. Just stopping by before continuing to lurk (sorry for the lack of comments and replies, I do appreciate all comments )... Oh! And thanks for posting those stats Bright! I always love seeing them! Prompt: Life and Death and Failure Class: Smuggler (Audra) Words: 1000ish No spoilers. Just a warning that it might be a little sad and confronting. Prompt: The Sure Bet More Audra 600ish words Going back in time for an explanation... Prompt: Disguises and Technology (technology that I think doesn't exist... but what does that matter?? ) Class: IA (Damin) with reference to Audra (and Corso). Words: 1400ish
  7. I know, I've become a lurker again... but please enjoy this, I haven't forgotten poor Audra and Corso (posts will soon follow on them soon) NotLP: Catching Up Class: IA (Damin, his perspective), Smuggler (Audra) and mentioning of BH (Leeriah) 400ish words. No spoilers.
  8. That night... 'Here,' a rumbling, coarse voice harshly informs. Leer looks into the ugly face of its owner, recognising him as the man from before. His shoulder length hair is out of its tie and it plasters itself to his neck and cheeks. Drops of water slither from their tips down his skin but he doesn't feel it. All his attention is on the piercing, silver eye of the woman sitting in front of him. Leer glances at the bowl of hot stew that he offers her. His thumb almost touches the top of the watery, spicy liquid. She lookS back up to him and takes the bowl. She takes her untouched glass from the ground in front of her and offers it to him. 'Here,' she offers in high, feminine voice. He takes the drink and nods in satisfaction, the problem of an apology and reconciliation effectively and painlessly dealt with. A few other camp members watch but he can't see, his back to them. Leer sees them but doesn't give them any attention. She sits far from the others, dangerously close to the line of trees that surround the camps clearing. She rolled the rock she sits on to that specific place and was perfectly happy to watch the camp move about out of the light drizzle, protected by a large roof of material. The five edges of the temporary ceiling are tied to low branches and it covers most of the camp, excluding Leer's separate tent and Corridan's that is located just out of the materials cover. From where she sits, she has a perfect of who comes and goes from his tent. 'Why don't you join us, Champion?' 'Call me that and I will cut off your head,' Leer replies. He doesn't doubt her. 'Go back and enjoy the fire, Plar,' Leer requests with a gentleness that doesn't match the assurance of earlier. His surprise at her knowledge of his name shows and she smiles a little. 'I might join soon.' He nods and walks back, satisfied and thinking well of her but unreservedly pleased he is out of her company. ----- Five days later... 'Damin, I've made sure this message is secure. I know you should be calling tomorrow. Should is an important word there,' Leer wryly informs. Damin allows himself a smile. He was going to call her today as a small surprise amongst other things. He can't say he likes finding a message better. He could tell before she got past 'secure' that it means she doesn't want him to call. He considers switching the message off but that would unprofessional and petulant. 'Forget our last conversation. You shouldn't call till next week. Fill in the gaps again, ch'eo ebeucot. I know the delay will just kill you.' The message ends and Damin's replays it. He tries to commit every gesture and every word to memory. He erases it but it can't erase the strange stirrings it causes. Vector knocks on his door and he knows he has work to do. ----- Three days later... Leer takes a deep breath and watches the ranged students clear the bottom of the gorge that is used as the training grounds. They disappear into the dark jungle that isn't penetrated by the flood lights in the gorge that keep the night at bay. Ranged Mando's were working today at shooting up accurately while having to dodge enemies on the ground. They had to find out themselves that both of the three groups had to work as a team, something they were already impressively efficient at. The enemies on the ground were gharzr' caught the day before and once they were dead after the first few hours, Leer recruited some melee Mando's to take their place. Everyone left with small spots of red that indicate a hit and a few bruises and scratches. As she releases the breath, Leer looks to the dead animals and begins to climb down from her position half way up the gorge where she had been shouting reprimands and corrections to everyone. She had to kill one gharzr with her turret before it could take a fatal swipe of one of the ranged on the ground. Overall, everyone did well. It's been one and half weeks and Leer has been quickly upping the pace of training. First classes are harmless technique against her and the second are more... practical, real world experiences. Leer jumps the remainder of the way to the bottom and feels herself being pulled into the greedy ground. Lifting her legs out with little ease, Leer walks onto the more solid ground in the centre of the gorge. Today was the second class like this. Leer hefts once of the carcass over her shoulder and she can't say that she isn't impresses by the Mando's. They've learnt to extend their awareness beyond one enemy in front of them. Today they managed to fight of each other, the animals and dodge Leer's missiles with only a few, nonlethal hits of paint. 'Cadera.' Leer doesn't need to turn around to know who approaches her. Even if she didn't know the voice, the name would have given it away. Only one man calls her 'Cadera'. Leer picks up the leg of another gharzr and turns to Corridan, dragging it behind her as she walks to him. Corridan watches and makes way for her. She continues to walk, not glancing at him but not ignoring him either. Ordo falls in step beside her as she makes for the trees at the far end. She'll take the bodies over four hundred metres away, making the distance between the depository and the camp seven hundred metres. It's wise not to encourage the carnivores of the jungle to come any closer to the camp than necessary. 'Want an early report?' Leer eventually inquires in Mando'a. She speaks it automatically as she has become more accustomed to speaking it than basic in the past nine days. She hasn't noticed the change. All languages are the same in her mind. 'Nayc. Came to talk about your teaching.' 'Sounds serious,' Leer levelly replies, no mockery in her voice. She ducks stray branched that threaten to hit her in the face. There's no light from the stars or the flood lights behind them. They've been swallowed by the jungle and Corridan is walking blind. 'Stop,' he requests. Leer takes a few more steps before realising. She looks over her empty shoulder to Corridan. 'Head back to the gorge. Be back in ten. Talk then,' Leer assures. She walks to where she deposits the body, her legs mechanically moving. She dumps the bodies in the usual place, unseen things already waiting for her to leave so they can fight over the free meal. Leer breaks through the trees and see Corridan standing tensely in the middle of the gorge. Corridan impatiently walks to meet Leer. He hates leaving the camp unattended and he'd rather not be in this area surrounded by so much blood that attracts unwanted attention. 'What about it then?' Leer asks as they stop in front of each other. Corridan's eyes search her face before looking down to the intricate pattern on her armour, his eye immediately finding the heart. Pain crosses his features for a moment and he appears a little more haggard than before. His dark hair is greying further and Leer knows this hunt isn't doing anything to relieve his burdens. 'There's been mutters,' Corridan reports as his greying eyes meet hers. 'Can't take it?' 'In a way,' Corridan cautiously replies. The grief of a moment has passed and he is a commander again. 'Mutters that you can't take it.' 'I'm fine,' Leer replies without hesitation or thought. 'What they say?' 'Lots of things. Comments on your nocturnal behaviours are being made.' Leer stares at him with murder in her eyes. He takes it and ignores it. 'Strange things are heard.' 'Nothing they should care about.' The hot hatred in her voice isn't dampened by the cold that frosts the air. Nights on Dxun are as frosty as the days are humid and wet. 'Nightmares?' 'Haven't we all?' Corridan holds back the sting of tears. He nods and moves to the next item. She's the only person he knows that could cause so much talk and unrest in such a short amount of time. 'There's murmurs that you're taking something. Apparently Ses walked in on you injecting it.' The vial Gault gave her suddenly seems uncomfortable as it nestles between her chest. The Devaronian hasn't been far from her mind since landing here, becoming stronger the more she wants to forget him. She won't be seeing him again. 'Sleep serum,' Leer lies. 'Not a very effective one,' Corridan sceptically replies. He pauses and waits for Leer to come forth with the truth. 'Don't lie.' A lot of meanings are carried in those two words and they are not lost on Leer. 'Everything has its price.' Leer taps her small, red glass eye. Corridan slowly nods in a shallow, reluctant understanding. 'Anything else?' 'Been working over eighteen hours. Concerns you might be tired.' 'If I'm tired, I'll stop,' Leer snaps back. Their concern is only a confusing, unwanted intrusion. She won't allow Corridan or them to know how tired she is. Any comfort she could find was dashed by HK's last call. He still hasn't found her. And Damin... 'Vankx spoke to me. Said he saw you faint last night when cleaning up.' 'Vankx should keep his mouth shut,' Leer bites back. Her relationship with Vankx is strained. They have too much to say yet no words to say any of it. They have a lot in common yet are completely different. He wants to hate her but can't. Torian made his choice even if it meant Vankx never said goodbye. Even if it took him across the galaxy and far away from his friend. 'Talk.' 'Can't you feel him?' Leer asks quietly as if she spoke any louder, he might appear. 'Hear him? See him?' 'Nayc,' Corridan answers with a shake of his head. She's simpler than anyone would think. He knew Torian would be involved. 'He hasn't chosen me. See him?' 'Glimpses. Flashes in the corner of my vision.' Leer's body tremors. She wonders how much of the strain her stress is placing on her body is mental. She can't take it here. Sleeping is worse and staying awake is hell. She can't stay here much longer. She can't do this. Leer shakes her head as if to throw of the self pity and doubt. She's better than that. She's stronger than that. She meets Corridan's eyes and he sees the resolve. She won't stop until her time is up. 'Crazy, aren't I?' she asks with a feral grin. Corridan smiles a little but doesn't deny it. She laughs and looks around the gorge. 'Need to finish this soon or we might have some company.' Corridan nods and steps aside. He watches her for a while as she picks up two gharzr and throws one over each shoulder. Her eyes remain on the task at hand, not looking to the side. Corridan silently congratulates her on her strength, not knowing how much she is falling apart inside. ---- Four hours later... I slowly sit up, unsure whether to trust myself to be awake. Reality and dreams blur together but always in a way I can't tell them apart. I crawl to the edge of narrow tent and stand up in the rain outside. The fire crackles in a way that can't be imagined, the rain soaks through my clothes and brings a chill that assures me this is real and the distant breaks of twigs and rustle of leaves let me know I'm not hallucinating. I walk silently, feet bare and luminous against the mud, towards him. He smiles in that small way of his as if it's hard to remove a lifetime of gravity. Against the impossibility of it, I must have blinked because for a moment I think I see Torian's form flicker and his lightly glowing body is a little transparent. None of the Mando'ad sleeping under a large, dark green waterproof roof tied to low, sturdy tree branches stir. They continue to sleep, there out of time breathing creating a poor, deep chorus. I don't look at them. Something I haven't entirely forgotten tells me that if I do look away from him, he will disappear. When I stand before him, I feel bare and naked in a way I haven't since our time on Belsavis. I cross my arms across my chest and feel my own slimy, smooth skin. It seems to amuse him because his smile becomes larger and I hear a deep chuckle from his throat. I blush as strongly as I can, the already strange orange glow it gives my cheeks intensified by the four camp fires. 'I've been waiting for you.' I don't have anything to say in reply. Questions I don't want answered go through my mind. The answers scare me more than being in a pit of rancors, no weapons or enhancements. Am I insane? Aren't you dead? How are you here? Can you forgive me? But the one that scares me most, the one I want to shout and cry out, is 'do you still love me?' He bends down and kisses me softly, pressing his scorching lips to mine for a moment. 'Cyare, let's race.' 'Where?' I would race him anywhere. I would follow him anywhere. To death and far beyond. 'You'll see,' he assures in that firm voice so full of promises. But I still hesitate. Don't all the fables say you can't trust the dead? 'Viinir.' 'Wh-' I begin but he's already running, his form being lost in the dense undergrowth in moments. I run after him like he would always run after me. My feet feel like they hardly touch the leaf litter as I run silently, dodging ferns, branches and trees easily. But he seems faster than he ever was and I can't keep up. My limbs feel slow: my knees like hinges that need oiling. 'Torain, parer!' I call more in frustration than desperation. 'I have been, Cyare,' he replies from somewhere ahead. All I can hear are his steps and the brushing of branches on his body: all I can see of him is an occasional flash of gold hair, his navy shirt lost in the dark shadows of the trees. I try to run faster but suddenly I'm aware of the mud sucking my feet down, the feel of it oozing through the gaps between my toes. Each branch seems to slow me down and Torain's footsteps sound a little fainter. 'Isn't like you, Cyare,' Torian's voice scolds from ahead. An eerie concern laces his voice, melding with the rain drops that splatter on my face and drain my cheeks earlier flush. 'Need to run faster.' 'Why?' I shout back. I feel a burst of strength and pump my legs harder but a feeling of hopelessness settles on me and becomes a heavy chain on my ankles. 'Because they're chasing you.' The words chill me. They settle on something uncomfortable and terrifying like a net that doesn't catch edible fish but dangerous and dark things that wait in the shadows of the sea floor. I know I'm hunted. I see the bodies around my ship every week, I see the people that watch me from rooftops and shadows. But no matter how many there are, I still feel the same invincibility like there is enough room for the galaxy on my shoulders and still enough for one each in my hands. It has never weighed me down before. 'Aren't you fighting towards something, Cyare?' I don't have any opportunity to reply. A loud crash comes behind me, the sound of undergrowth being crushed under a heavy body and large feet. I turn my head quickly as I try to run faster. I grin at the sight of the large boma that is only twenty metres behind me. I find my strength and my speed. I run faster. So does it but I catch up to Torian for the first time and he quickly looks at me with a sharp nod and fierce grin. I laugh in the way only he could ever make me and we run faster together. But after minutes pass it gets closer. We see a slightly hidden cave a head and we jump to the side into it, the boma running past harmlessly. I laugh and sink against the wall, more exhausted than I have been in a long while. I close my eyes and when I open them, I think I see Torian flicker in the dark as if he isn't really there. But I must have imagined it. Torian is here. 'This the Mando vacation you promised?' I inquire with a fierce, taunting grin. Torian kneels before me and as I feel a wave of fatigue I notice how bright and real he looks. He leans forward, a hand on either side of the dirt next to my waist. He smiles in that small way and kisses me, heat spreading through my body. We move our lips against each other's in a synchrony only past lovers can achieve. I move my hands to his neck so I can press him closer. I feel his sweat, his pulse, his warmth and his life. I let out a small moan and impatiently pull him closer. I can't remember why but we haven't kissed in a long time. He chuckles at my eagerness and I feel a flash of irritation. He smiles against my lips. 'It's better,' he whispers as he pulls away. He moves out from between my legs and sits next to me. I lie down on the hard, dusty ground and rest my head on his lap. He runs his fingers through my lengthening hair, weening out knots that I haven't bothered to correct since we arrived on Dxun. 'Don't leave me,' I whisper before I fall asleep to his deep breathing and rhythmic strokes. 'I never did, Cyare.'
  9. Later that day in the Mando'ad hunting grounds.... 'Attention!' Leer bellows. Vankx and his crew turn around and face her, standing like rigid, metal planks. Their heads are bare of helmets; nothing hiding Vankx's eternally amused smirk. He seems to be laughing at everyone and everything all the time, even Corridan, as if he was privy to life's greatest joke. A few of the other men move to attention but most only glance and continue talking. Leer rolls her eyes which emits a short squeak of laughter from Vankx. She raises an eyebrow in inquisition as he forces the laughter down. She smirks in return and they share thoughts in that instance; they share their exasperation at such immaturity that demands a display of leadership. Leer watches the men that don't turn to her with the look a serial killer does to a cantina full of people. Who will I take down? Leer asks herself as she watches the talking men. She identifies the leader and he has his back to her. He stands two heads taller than Leer and has a black braid down his back, hovering above his arse, not quite long enough to wipe it. Leer gracefully marches through the muddy coating that covers ever inch of Dxun. The men that face her see her coming and send a warning with their eyes to their leader who turns around too slowly. Leer grabs his braid, twisting it around her hand, the motion yanking the tall powerful man down. She twists and twists until it covers her hand and half her forearm. He is forced to his knees and to be bending over backwards, his scrunched face staring into hers. 'Didn't you hear me?' Leer asks in a dangerously low voice that travels through the humid air to all the men as the jungle has fallen eerily silent. She pulls it some more and he grunts in the pain. 'We don't answer to you, burc'ya,' he growls in a deep, rasping voice. Leer raises a foot and brings it down with a resounding clang on his armoured chest. His grunt doesn't quite become a scream as she presses him into the mud with all her weight and strength. She still hold the end of his braid, the rest now unwound from her arm. 'Care to repeat that?' Leer inquires in Mando'a. The man only glares at her and gasps and she presses into his armour further, a dent beginning to press into his well toned chest. 'Listen up!' she calls to the fifty men in the clearing, speaking Mando'a. 'My name is Leer Cadera, Daughter of Mandalore, slayer of Kellian Jarro the Mandalorian Killer, Grand Champion of the Great Hunt, Destroyer of Coronet City, Most Wanted in the Galaxy and killer of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic.' Leer lets her achievements hang in the air, not needing to list her more recent achievements. She feels Corridan's eyes on her as they have been this entire time. He's remaining hidden behind large boulders and leaves, wanting to see how she manages in leading as well as probably wanting to make sure that dissent doesn't equal death. Leer stares each man and woman in the eyes and dares them to speak. When the silence continues, she speaks again. 'While we're out here, I'm your second in command and your teacher. You do what I say and you do it well and quickly. I say 'drop', you sink into the mud. I say 'shoot', you don't stop until I tell you to. I say 'attention' you give it to me.' Leer punctuates the last point by pressing foot further into the man and eliciting gasps of pain that can't quite become a scream. 'You've all heard rumours of me but I don't care what you think or what they say. I only care about what I'm here to do. I'm here to teach you what you need to know so that when you go back out there, you don't get carved up by a Jedi.' Leer's eye scans their faces, her expression grim. When she continues, her voice is low but raises with commanding hope. 'No, I'm here for more than that. I'm here to make sure that you hit them back, strike them down and wipe them from this galaxy. I'm here so you can all avenge those we've lost so far. I'm here to teach you the path to victory!' Vankx leads a cheer and the thundering sound of steel fists on armoured chests. She lets the sound wash over her until it ends, her eyes holding Vankx's for a long moment. His smirk has become a goading, approving grin but his dark brown eyes hold an edge of wary, judgemental anger. 'It won't be easy, it won't be fun and I won't be nice. I except you to follow my orders and instructions with obedience but not without question. You want a reason, you ask for one. You want an explanation, you ask for one. But what you don't do, is disagree with or disobey me. Anyone who does won't be living long,' Leer looks directly into Vankx's eyes and he only smirks in reply, 'out there and here, they will be answering to me.' Leer extends the shining blade on her free hand, pulling on the braid she still holds in the other as much as she can without tearing his hair from the roots. She slices the braid of in one low, poised swoop. The man protests in gagging nonsense but Leer presses the boot into his chest harder, the metal digging into his ribs. She holds the braid higher so all can see. 'Let this be a reminder of that. Now, I want everyone to divide into melee and ranged, depending on what you're more skilled in. Melee over there,' Leer says with a point to her right, the braid flying through the air like a whip. 'And ranged over there,' she orders, pointing her blade to the left. The men and women divide into their assorted sides and Leer isn't surprised to see Vankx on the left. No one spoke throughout the move and no one speaks now. They watch the short red head as she paces and evaluates. Leer stops eventually at the end of their columns. 'This is how it is going to work. There will be four groups and each group will have two classes. Those specialising in melee will have an early morning with me on different melee styles and weapons. Class will run two hours to dawn to three hours to midday. Rangers will then have a class on melee until one hour past midday. Melee will then have a class on range until five hours past midday and then rangers taking over on until two to midnight. All other duties are expected to be carried out in breaks. Every fourth day will be a break day. Any questions?' No one speaks but some shake their heads. 'Good. That's it for today. To those doing melee, go easy on the gal. I expect you all here, ready and sharp on time. Anyone who is late misses for the day. Feel free to skip as many as you want. I won't hunt you down though Corridan might. In the end, it's your life you're risking. Mashukir!' They all disperse and wait until they think they're out of ear shot until they speak in low murmurs. The content varies but it makes Leer smirk with satisfaction. She doesn't hear a word from Vankx. Corridan emerges from his hiding position and approaches her. 'Didn't know you had a way with words,' Corridan comments. 'Taught politics and diplomacy long ago amongst other things,' Leer comments with a small smile. Corridan evaluates her and shakes his head, deciding it's another thing about her best not to be explained. 'Interested in Vankx,' Leer comments shortly as she watches where he disappeared to. 'Reason?' Corridan inquires more from curiosity than suspicion. 'He's interesting and dangerous,' Leer replies with a thoughtful scowl. 'He hates me.' 'More complicated than that,' Corridan replies, also watching with dull eyes the patch of forest that Vankx disappeared into. Corridan rests a hand on her shoulder. 'He was Torian's friend.' Leer doesn't reply and Corridan eventually follows the path to the camp, his hand slipping from her shoulder.
  10. :D ------ Very early morning... A cold sweat covers Avyanna's body but it isn't cold enough to chill her burning skin. Her tanned cheeks flush red and the ends of her hair clings together in mats as they become wet with her perspiration, plastering onto her moist skin. Aric has laid her on her back, her head resting on both their singlets. He wishes that these crates contained some material but they don't. He opened one filled with water supplies, spilling some over his hand and holding it to her forehead. It isn't enough. He growls in frustration as he tries to fight helplessness. He isn't Dorne and he doesn't have any supplies. The medic had gone to collect new supplies since they had run out, that being the primary reason they were on this bloody station at all. All Jorgan can do is try and keep her cool and hope that the door opens soon. He tries pacing numerous times but fails and is drawn back to her side, to hold her hand and try and cool her forehead, only to be overwhelmed with irate helplessness and to begin pacing again. For all Avyanna knew, he was not even in the room. She is swallowed by countless memories she had repressed that now force their way to the surface: the voices and thoughts she had never understood, the flashes of places she thought she'd never been too, she remembers it all. 'What's happening in there, Daddy?' Avyanna tries to jump up to catch a glimpse through the small, clear window set in a white door. The seams around the door are almost invisible as it blends in perfectly with the rest of the white, shining walls. She doesn't get to see much in her jumps. Her father chuckles indulgently and lifts her up to see. She sees three men dressed in a dark blue working on what she thinks is a man. One of the men, dark hair and pale skin, smiles and he delves into the man's body, causing the man on the table to scream piercingly. The scene is a little blurry as her warm breath fogs the window. 'What are they doing to the man, Daddy? Is he sick?' 'No, Anna, he's fine,' her father soothes as the man continues to scream. 'They're working on him to make him stronger. We're trying to make him perfect,' he patiently explains. His perfect white teeth remain on display for all to see as he smiles pleasantly. 'What was wrong with him before?' Avyanna's younger brother asks, piping up for the first time. He eyes his father with curiosity and no trace of the suspicion or the later disgust and disdain that would come in less than ten years. 'He was a good soldier but he wasn't strong enough,' their smiling father replies, placing Avyanna back on the ground. 'We need the perfect soldier to beat the Imperials so we're trying to make one.' 'Like a droid?' Avyanna asks with a frown. She tries to grasp tactics that are still a few years beyond her understanding. What she does know is that men make droids and droids are physically stronger than men. 'A little, Anna,' their father tells them as his eyes don't leave the procedure room. His pleasing smile doesn't waver. He believes they're closer to a break through. 'He'll just be given a little bit of more permanent armour and stronger bones.' 'Will he still be him?' Avyanna asks with piercing innocence. 'He'll still be a soldier,' their father replies honestly. Both are too young to notice the dodge he made. If it all works, the soldier will not 'still be him'. 'Come on,' their father urges, taking their tiny hands in his and tugging them gently. 'Daddy has work to do so I need you both to sit tight in my room and wait for me to finish.' As they walk down the corridor, the man they were watching dies or passes out from pain, the screams that drew them to the room ceasing, leaving only a silence that echoes with finality. Avyanna crudely tosses on the floor, grazing and bruising her skin. The memory shifts from the glowing white corridors and her movement catches the eye of her despairing sentinel. Jorgan moves in quick, strong strides to crouch by her, his hand pointlessly hovering on her forehead. He snatches his hand away as his claws extend, only exacerbating his seething helplessness. He clenches his jaw and tenderly bathes her red, grazed face with water. He turns his eyes from her strong features to the door and purrs angrily. He isn't under any illusion to what will happen if that door doesn't open. 'Come on, sir. Snap out of it,' Jorgan murmurs as his eyes focus on her closed, twitching lids. The words distantly meet her naive six year old self and meld with her memory before being swallowed by the slippery white walls in her memory.
  11. Female Trooper x Aric Jorgan. Set some time in early Act two so vague spoilers up to there. I was going to post this in the SFFWCT but I decided it was a little too long and I have no idea where this is going... I'm hoping Jorgan was Jorgan-y. Trooper storyline runs along Audra's and Leer's. Leer intimately knew Avyanna's (trooper) father and was also the one to kill her father but Avyanna doesn't know that or much else about what her father really did. Avyanna has no connection to Audra. ------ Can I say 'thank you' one more time? 'You know this is your fault, don't you, sir?' Jorgan checks in a loud snarl. He paces impatiently and only looks at her to glare. He has to speak loudly to be heard over the deafening whirling of the alarm. The sound is erratic and follows no pattern; it's nothing more than a unpredictable shrill sequence of irritating noises. 'Can it, Lieutenant. This isn't the time for you to tell me how to do my job better,' his superior snaps. She stares despairingly at the holo that has no signal. Why did she think to include communication jamming in the alarm system? It seemed like a good idea at the time when they thought that they wouldn't be the ones locked inside. Aric growls and paces more. The menace in his stance doesn't suit his black tracksuit pants and tank top. His ears twitch in agitation and his fingers flex apart and his claws extend as if ready to scratch something. Avyanna wouldn't be surprised if that something was her. 'Can't we at least shut this damn alarm off?' Jorgan demands. 'No,' Avyanna informs him with a sigh. 'All shutdowns for the alarm system are in my room or the cockpit which are also on locked. There's one panel that can also shut it down outside the ship if you know the codes.' 'That's not much help when we're stuck in here!' Jorgan exclaims. He stops his pacing but not his ever persistent glare of disapproval. It's one of the worst that she has seen and that means it's pretty darn bad. They might be friends when off duty but that doesn't mean she escapes his critical, diligent eye. 'We just need to wait until Dorne is back. She knows the codes,' Avyanna says in logical, calm way that bellies her own irritation. She can feel the room shrinking and Aric's snapping isn't helping. Dorne and 4X have only gone to pick up some supplies. They should be back in a few hours. Until then, they have no choice but to sit tight and assume it was the droid returning that set off the alarm on the cargo ramp. Avyanna didn't remember ever turning the alarm on though... 'Dorne knows the codes but not your XO?' Aric asks in disbelief. Avyanna shrugs and can't come up for a reason for this. She watches him from her position on the ground. She knows when to hunker down and wait it out. 'Great, just bloody great. Why is the cargo bay included in the lockdown anyway?' Aric asks as he begins pacing again. 'Because there are things worth stealing in here. The cargo bay, cockpit, weapons room and my room are all sealed when the alarm is triggered,' Avyanna informs him. 'It will stop after an hour so until then, sit down and shut up. That's an order.' Jorgan stops his pacing and sits slowly on the floor. Avyanna closes her eyes and leans her head back on the crate behind her. Of all the people on this ship, why is she stuck in here with him? ---- 'Why'd you join up?' Jorgan asks. 'That's a boring question, Jorgan,' Avyanna replies with a small smile. She takes a small sip from her bottle of wine and looks up at the man sitting next to her. 'Why don't you tell me why you think I did? That's a lot more interesting.' 'You saw a worthy path and craved action to help and save others,' Aric replies with confidence. She feels touched by his faith in her integrity and is conscious of feeling his leg and shoulder touching hers. They feel like the only parts of her that are real. 'Like my mother and father?' Avyanna asks with a bitter smile. She looks back across the room at crates of food ration amongst other things. They seem closer than they are. They've already been in here almost six hours. Thankfully, the alarm stopped after one hour. 'Your mother is a strong, passionate woman and your father was a man worthy of admiration,' Jorgan replies seriously, almost reproachful of the scorn under her question. 'Do you look up to him?' Avyanna asks with curiosity. When they first met, he had assured her not to get confident just because of who her parents were, especially her father. Crude considering he had died less than a year ago at the time. He's never been mentioned between them since. 'Yes and no,' Aric replies carefully. He isn't sure where the young woman stood with her father so he has avoided ever mentioning him. 'Your father has made choices I wouldn't.' 'So have I,' Avyanna points out with a small smile. Every time she has, Jorgan has been down her throat about it. Her father made similar choices to her, saving lives and upholding honesty but Avyanna was never ignorant to something darker underneath. There always seemed to be secrets around him and she knew one of them concerned her youngest brother. Something deep inside her chest, an intuition that couldn't be held back by her strong love, told her that her father was not a good man. What made them differ was that she would kill her enemies openly and face the consequences. Her father would show mercy only to have them disappear or experience fatal accidents days, weeks or months later. Nothing that could be linked back to him, of course but Avyanna and her siblings were not so easily fooled. Intuition is something they had inherited plenty of. 'I see why you make them though,' Jorgan replies as if despite only seeing her father from a distance, Jorgan could sense the same thing. 'There is no point fighting for a Republic if it will only be filled with empty people and you understand that.' 'True,' Avyanna replies neutrally. She clenches her fists a little to stop their shaking, hoping Jorgan won't see the wobbly of the bottle she holds. The alcohol isn't taking any of the edge off. 'Are you saying you look up to me?' Jorgan frowns and looks conflicted for a moment. 'I'm saying I respect you a lot, sir. You're a lot like your mother but I didn't see it straight away. I may have been wrong about you. You are considerate, passionate, persuasive and ruthless towards our enemies. You have good instincts and you turned out to be a first class leader.' 'Wait, hold it a sec,' Avyanna replies holding up a finger and placing her wine bottle on the ground. She fiddles around in her belt and then her pockets. Aric watches with a glower and makes a 'tsk' noise. Distractions are something she's always been prone to finding. 'Found it!' Avyanna announces as she holds up a holorecorder above her head. 'Now repeat that again, just exactly the same but maybe throw in something else about my looks this time.' 'Don't make a bigger deal of this than it is,' Jorgan growls. Avyanna forces a grin and Jorgan smiles a little, shaking his head. 'Relax, Jorgan, I'm only joking.' Jorgan frowns and opens his mouth, looking across at the woman whose eyes are almost level to his. He closes it again and settles for a growl. Joking isn't like her. She isn't as firm as Dorne on regulations but she's professional when on duty and frequently when off duty where she engages in extra work, often in the main room sitting in the middle and using the holo terminal as a desk. Of course, that's when she can't find anyone to help outside or they are in the long passages in hyperspace. 'Aric, I didn't think I needed to tell you that means a lot to me,' she seriously replies. She's never used his first name before but now seems like a better time than any since they are technically off duty. 'I'm just calling it as I see it.' They sit in silence for a little longer and Jorgan can feel each breath she takes in and out from the small contact of their arms. It's coming fast and uneven and causes Jorgan to look at her chest, seeing the quick beat of her heart. Her eyes are a little scrunched closed and a grimace pulls at the black tattoo that swirls down the left side of her features. His critical eye moves down to hands, the holorecorder shaking in her knuckle white grasp. He can see the reason immediately when combined with her easy, uncharacteristic flow of jokes. 'Sir, are you-' 'Don't say it, Lieutenant, that's an order,' Avyanna barks as she sucks in another breath, her eyes closing tighter. 'For how long, Avyanna?' Jorgan asks in that constant tone of disapproval. She can't differentiate it from concern. 'For as long as I can remember,' Avyanna concedes, not opening her eyes. 'Don't tell Dorne or report this. You know what it will mean for me.' It's the closest to begging she has ever come in her life. 'How have you managed to hide this for so long?' Jorgan asks, not committing himself to a promise. 'Discipline and a very strong will,' Avyanna replies with a small smile. Imagine oceans, girl, oceans, she tells herself. They're stretching all the way to the horizon. 'No one else knows. I saw what it did to my father when it was discovered my younger brother had the same condition.' 'Had, sir?' Jorgan asks curiously. 'He's dead officially. He went missing eight years ago and was never found. My father didn't take well to having an opportunistic, self-serving coward as a son. He was cured of it eventually though I think he did that himself more than any of the specialists.' 'You never sought treatment, sir?' 'And give up on ever hoping to be in the military because of my medical record? Be a disappointment to my father? Of course not!' Avyanna almost shouts. 'Disappointment' wasn't the right word. Her father's scorn ran deeper than just that. 'You could be jeopardising everything,' Jorgan replies. It's occurred to him that if she was found unfit for duty he would be the commander of Havoc Squad. He doesn't want the position that way and she's earned it. 'I haven't let it get in the way so far,' Avyanna replies dangerously. 'If it becomes a problem, if I'm going to crack at any point on the job, you can report it. Until then, I expect your discretion. I'm trusting you as a friend, Aric, not just as your superior. Please don't betray that.' 'You endanger us or the mission, then you're out, sir,' Jorgan replies firmly before a small smile tugs the corners of his mouth up. He watches her agitated, beautiful face as she doesn't open her eyes. 'Until then, you're my fit, healthy commanding officer.' 'Thank you, Jorgan,' Avyanna replies, too appreciative, exhausted and terrified to say more than those sincere and inadequate words. 'But when I said I wanted a comment on my looks, I was looking for more than "fit", Jorgan,' she comments too bluntly to be considered flirting as she tries to force her mind away from how hard and tight the crate and wall next to her were. For her, the statement is nothing more than an honest admission. She turns her head to look at Jorgan, not realising until then how close they were to each other. Her gaze slips from his blue eyes and drifts his lips that seem so close to hers. Jorgan notices and pays her the same courtesy, not surprised by how close they are and bristling with more enthusiasm than he would let show. 'What would you prefer, Avyanna?' he softly asks. He moves in slightly, with no possibility of mistaking his attentions and without letting himself think for a moment about her being his CO. Avyanna tastes his breath as she breathes in and she seems to choke on it. She looks back away quickly. The closeness of his face to hers, the closed door that shuts out the world and the cramped feeling of the cargo bay all press down on her again. She begins to breathe quicker as the flight response kicks in, her mind shutting down before registering that to Jorgan, she just rejected him. She stands up quickly and looks around the cargo bay trying to look for somewhere more open. She settles for sitting down in front of the door which is clearest area of all. The door may be closed now but doors do open, she reminds herself. She closes her eyes again and tries to imagine something else. 'Sorry, Jorgan,' Avyanna calls eventually. He can hear the remorse under the strained tone. 'Status, sir,' Jorgan calls back in concern. He can't see her anymore except for the top of her high, blonde pony tail. 'Poorly, Lieutenant. Respiratory rate is fast as well as dramatically accelerated heart rate. Uncontrollable body tremors, most likely dilated pupils as well as excessive sweating,' she objectively lists. Jorgan nods but she doesn't see it. 'What do you need?' Aric asks, standing up to look down at her. She leans against the door, her lean, bare legs straightened out in front of her and her bare arms hugging her chest. Her tanned, toned body can be seen for all its advantages in her tight, athletic shorts and singlet but it trembles a little and she pulls her legs up to her. 'I need space.' 'On it, sir,' Aric assures. He stands up and begins to move the crates in the cargo hold all against the far wall. In half an hour, all the liftable stock is piled high and against the wall, giving her as much space as possible. 'I've done the best I can, sir,' Aric reports. Avyanna opens her eyes and she smiles wanly, feeling a little better. She pretends it helps more than it does. It's been six hours and every moment makes it worse no matter how much more room she has. Her heart feels constricted and she's terrified. There's no other way to categorise the feeling than just as pure fear. 'Thank you, Aric,' she genuinely says, smiling at him. 'Take a seat, Lieutenant,' Avyanna orders as she gestures to the floor next to her. Her body feels the urge to rock itself but she refrains. She needs a distraction from the fear that goes beyond words or descriptions; the creeping feeling she could never explain to anyone that can only be compared to an insidious whisper of 'you can't get out'. Jorgan nods in gratitude and takes the offered position, careful not to sit too close to his CO. He doesn't want to make this harder for her than it is. 'Anything else, sir?' Jorgan asks in concern. If he had ever thought about what they would do in this situation, this scenario would not have occurred. His CO was stronger than this. It would have been easier to imagine them killing each other than this. 'Talking helps,' Avyanna mentions, closing her eyes again. She's only been in a small space, cramped and alone, for this amount of time once that she can remember and that was well after her fear began. She doesn't want the same thoughts as then to come to her. They're coming for me. 'Guess I shouldn't ask how you got it,' Jorgan replies bluntly. 'That wouldn't be a good idea, yes,' she confirms with a wan smile. 'Also one I can't answer, Lieutenant.' I have to be a good girl or they'll hurt me too. Avyanna scrunches her eyes shut more, trying to hold back the tears of terror. She pulls her legs closer and tries to smother any sobs as she feels everything shrink around her, closing in and ready to suffocate her. Something warm and soft takes her hand. She opens her eyes and sees Jorgan's fingers interlinking with hers. They're covered in a fine layer a soft fur but they are strong and hold her hand so tight it almost hurts. She comes back to now a little and though the feeling of being in a small space with no escape doesn't leave, it doesn't get any worse. She hopes her eyes aren't red and she isn't crying. 'I'm here, sir,' Aric firmly assures. His eyes meet hers and hold them until she looks away. He isn't humbled by being able to do little more than this. 'Thank you, Aric,' Avyanna replies, her voice disgustingly weak. She clears it and smiles to him, relaxing ever so slightly. 'I seem to be saying that a lot to you tonight,' she says in a stronger voice. 'You do, sir,' he acknowledges with a smile. 'I don't mind.' 'Then I won't either,' she replies with a widening smile that is warm, hopeful and full of unintentional promises of happiness. Their hands fall to the ground between them and neither knows who guided them there. Avyanna keeps her eyes on them and studies them, trying to take as much support from the sight of it as much as from the symbolic and real warmth. Her skin is darker than his white-ish fur that's speckled with black. She studies the wrinkles on her knuckles and the shadows under their fingers. Their hands stay perfectly still as they both fear that if they move it an inch, the other might realise what's happening and let go. 'Sir, why was the alarm on?' Jorgan asks eventually. She's surprised he hasn't asked before. 'I don't know, Lieutenant,' Avyanna truthfully answers with a small shrug. You need to know the code to turn it on. All her crew members knew it but it makes no sense. It was turned on while they were in the cargo hold. They must have tripped it as soon as the alarm was turned on but that didn't answer who turned it on or why. 'Whoever it was doesn't seem to want us out of here,' she continues. 'Assuming they knew we were on board but anyone in any part of the ship would have heard us.' She leaves out the word 'argue'. 'We aren't getting out unless they want us to or Dorne and F4 come back.' 'I haven't heard anyone walking around the ship, sir,' Jorgan replies with twitching ears. 'I don't think they're on board.' 'The mystery deepens,' Avyanna replies with serious drama. She feels better speaking but she doesn't want to talk about being trapped anymore or the indefiniteness of their confinement. 'Why did you join, Aric?' she inquires instead, turning the conversation away to their original topic. 'The Republic has helped save my people and gave us the chance to remake our place in this galaxy to one we can be proud of. I want to protect it against those that seek to destroy it and being in the Republic army is the most effective way to shoot Imps.' 'I wish my reason was that good,' Avyanna wistfully replies before thinking. Aric regards her in silence. She pulls her legs closer to her chest and rests her chin on their peaks. 'Is this off the record, Jorgan?' she asks quietly, her deep blue eyes staring into his with their usual strength that is currently absent from her mind and body. 'Of course, sir. There isn't a record.' 'There's always a record with you, Jorgan.' She smiles at him gently in the way she does so perfectly. It makes you know that the future will be warm, safe and happy even if the now isn't and that she is strong enough to protect and support you. 'At first, I decided to make my mother and father proud and follow in their footsteps but one day when I was young, I was in a parade with my father.' She can see the streets in her mind and the clear blue sky. She's comfortable and happy, surrounded by the usual group of military men and women. 'It hadn't meant to be a parade but when the people knew that he was walking down the street they would flock to him, wanting to thank him. He didn't want to lose me in the chaos so he picked me up and put me on his shoulders. I looked down at all the people that were looking up at him and blessing him and I thought 'I want to have this. I want people to love me'.' 'That's why you joined up? To be loved?' She could feel his contempt already. 'I'm not my sister or my brother,' Avyanna grimly and honestly defends. 'I'm not crusading against the dark side or ready to see all hope in the galaxy fade while fighting an unwinnable war for something I don't believe in. I'm also not my younger brother who cared for nothing beyond himself despite having a strong affinity for the Force.' Two children proficient in the Force out of four. Avyanna always felt a sting of jealousy that their father doted on her younger sister but her Force dead older brother was her real adversary. He had potential in the three areas necessary for a good career in the Republic forces: intellect, physical strength and patriotism. However, he was disillusioned early on and always tended to a scathing pessimism and contempt. He has reached the rank of Captain but something happened that made him lose that patriotism. She has stayed close to her older brother and younger sister, sending messages without reserve but always leaving no trace. It was a precaution thought best by all. Avyanna worked to earn her father's respect, taking the path she knew he wanted for her and tried to be an equal to her brother. When she was younger, she lived to make her father proud with her strength and dedication but as she grew older, she shed the feeling. She found something else to work for and it pushed her further. 'I believe the Republic needs to stand and I believe it needs soldiers to hold it up. I want to help the greater good, Jorgan,' Avyanna firmly claims. 'I want to help the galaxy and I will fight for peace. But that doesn't mean that when an orphan finds her parents because of us or we help men out of burning buildings, that I don't glow in their praise.' Jorgan doesn't reply. Avyanna looks to him again and their hands. She can't guess what he's thinking and part of her wishes it no longer mattered but she feels a little trapped. He has leverage on her now and she's just handing him more blaster bolts and pointing where to shoot. Avyanna presses her thumb and pointer finger into her closed eyes, massaging them as she suddenly feels weary again. It must be a few hours of midnight now. Where was Dorne and 4X? Avyanna feels the dread crawling up her spine and latching onto her back again. As if sensing her slipping away again, Aric squeezes her hand a little. 'Do you have any siblings?' Avyanna asks. 'Five.' 'Close?' 'Not particularly.' 'I see,' Avyanna replies. If they are anything like Aric it is no surprise they aren't close but she has no doubt that despite a lack of intimacy, there is a strong bond of loyalty. 'You, sir?' 'Two and we're close,' Avyanna replies. 'Occupation?' she asks in reply. 'Two doctors, one other soldier, a teacher and a politician,' Jorgan effortlessly lists. Avyanna whistles in reply at the varying upstanding occupations of his siblings. 'You?' 'Republic Captain and a Jedi Knight.' It's Jorgan's turn to whistle. 'Older or younger?' 'Older brother, younger sister.' 'You seem like a middle child,' Jorgan assesses. 'And what is that supposed to mean, Lieutenant?' Avyanna inquires with a dangerous edge. 'You have a strong ability to compromise and flexibly work with various ages and perspectives,' Jorgan replies with a sly smile. 'Interesting compliment,' Avyanna replies with a look more perplexed than her XO had ever seen. She smiles when she reaches her conclusion. 'I'll take it.' 'Good, sir.' Jorgan grins and she returns it. 'Jorgan,' Avyanna begins as something occurs to her. Her fingers begin to distractedly and automatically stroke the soft, brittle hairs on the back of his hand. Jorgan notices with an uncomfortable flush close to a blush, shifts his rigid shoulders uncomfortably and doesn't move away or let go. 'We've been working together for over a year now. How have we never talked about this?' 'Disinterest,' he replies bluntly. 'That's not true. I've always had an interest in you.' Jorgan stares at her with a question in his eyes and a lot of other things. 'A professional interest in you.' 'Knowing your colleagues family professional, is it?' Jorgan replies with an almost devious grin. Avyanna has never been one to blush and she doesn't now. She's too confident and assured for that. 'I would think it is if Dorne talks about her brother non-stop,' Avyanna comments slyly. Jorgan looks a little shocked for a moment. It's the first jibe his CO has ever made about the blonde medic despite Jorgan's own irregular complaints. He chuckles and nods. 'Tell me about your life before the Dead-Eyes,' Avyanna requests. She knows she needs to keep talking and forgetting that they are locked in this situation without a choice. 'Not much to tell, sir,' Jorgan replies with a miniscule shrug. 'I was raised on Coruscant by my mother with my brothers and sisters.' 'Your father?' Avyanna prompts knowing full well what the answer will probably be. 'Died in action,' Jorgan simply replies. 'I saw the memorial for your father on Coruscant. I never apologised for my assessments when we first met. You got here on your own merits, sir, and I should have trusted that.' 'You wouldn't be the first to assume it, Jorgan, nor the last. The likelihood of the daughter of two General's landing a spot as the CO of the Republic's elite would likely be because of nothing more than some string pulling and buying to more than a few. But I did work hard to earn my place here and I will fight to keep it,' she viciously ends. She belongs as leader of this team and like everything when it comes to herself and her goals, she is nothing short of certain of it. 'Still, it was wrong of me, sir,' Jorgan sternly replies, 'and I'm sorry.' 'Don't sweat it, Lieutenant,' Avyanna replies with a smile so full of conviction and promises. 'What's sad is that I can never be sure that I really did earn my way here and it wasn't just my last name.' 'Either way, sir, Havoc Squad couldn't have a finer commander and I'm glad you're here.' He squeezes her hand a little tighter. She might like praise more than she should but her heart never wavered from being in the right place. His conviction in her might have been shaken but now it stands firmer than before. 'So am I.' Three notes sound through the ship signalling the warning for lights out in ten. Both soldiers look up to the speaker the sound came through and after the three notes end, they sit in an eerie silence. Neither move and each try to think of something to say but can't think of anything. The difficulty of a last name is something Jorgan's mind is still niggling at. Avyanna will never be able to escape the expectations and persuasion that comes with it. She will never escape suspicion and scorn and Jorgan wonders how she hides it so well. He never thought she felt bitter about it. Recognition by others had only ever made her smile in a way too genuine for mere civility. She had never seemed less than flawlessly gracious, professional and authentic. She has never flinched at the condolences of politicians, military personnel or anyone that knew her father. He wonders what else goes on behind the confidence and professionalism. Two notes similar to the three sound and it brings Jorgan out of his thoughts. There's five minutes until the lights go out. Dorne and 4X should have been back hours ago. Something must have happened. Jorgan would say they could be in a worse situation than he and his CO are but that might not be true. He doesn't know how much longer she can stand this and he knows she's trying to keep it together but she won't be able to last the night. 'We better get some sleep, Jorgan,' Avyanna suggests in a tone that carries authority and only the facade of not being an order. 'There isn't anything we can do while stuck in here.' Jorgan agrees and Avyanna removes her hand from his. She looks about the cargo hold and at the crates. There's nothing soft to use as a pillow or a blanket. Avyanna strips off her singlet and folds it into something good enough t provide some comfort. It's a good thing she didn't include shutting down the heating as part of the shut down. It's warm enough that she isn't cold in only shorts and a black sports bra. Jorgan watches her take off her singlet with critical, intent and slightly confused eyes. She isn't looking at him which he is thankful for as his eyes are consistently drawn to... well, every part of her really. She stands up and walks the three steps to the other side of the hold, placing it on the ground and then sitting down next to it. 'Sir?' Avyanna turns her head to him, taking her hair out of her tight and high pony tail. She lifts up her chin and stares into his eyes directly. She gives no further invitation for him to speak. She only ever waits for people to speak, knowing with less pressure, they will choose their words wisely. Jorgan fails to think of any words to choose at all as her hair falls down. It's soft, smooth and longer than he expected, almost reaching the end of her full, firm breasts. They stare at each other, him trying to find the words to ask why she's so close to being naked and her waiting for him to speak further. He keeps his eyes locked on hers but as a minute ticks by and she only combs down her long hair with her fingers, his eyes wander down. 'The floors hard,' she comments eventually, satisfied she has no knots in her hair anymore. 'My singlet makes it a little bearable. Unless you want an uncomfortable night and a sore head, I suggest you do the same, Lieutenant.' The rank brings his eyes back up and then diverted entirely from her. Even she noticed the look. She's never been good at picking up on flirting or anything sexual directed to her. She's curious that he was looking at her and wonders what his assessment was. Jorgan takes off his tank top and Avyanna barely gives him a glance. There's two minutes until lights out. Her hands shake but she presses them into each other to still themselves. Her heart is beating so fast she feels like she can't breathe. She glances at Jorgan again, wanting a distraction from how terrified she is. Jorgan places his singlet in a messy pile just left of the door frame and was about to lie down when Avyanna's voice stops him. 'You won't be able to sleep there. If you can't see a door, you can't sleep. Even if you could, anyone that opens that door will step on you, trip you or shoot you before you can reach for your blaster or knife.' Avyanna lies down on her side, facing the door. She gestures to the space in front of her or at the end of her feet where there is enough room for him to sleep as well. Jorgan stands up and picks up his singlet with a growl. He decides to lie in front of her and does so, lying on his back. Avyanna closes her eyes and counts down to the lights out in her mind. When they go out, it seems even quieter. Jorgan lies completely alert and awake. 'Completely' referring to the fact that he is completely aware of her breathing and her body which is so tauntingly close and naked. His eyes are quick to adjust to the minuscule light that there is. It doesn't make anything easier as he turns his eyes to her and can see the outline of her every limb. 'Your eyes glow.' 'Sir?' Jorgan asks in surprise. 'Your eyes are flat, white-yellow dics in this light. They glow slightly so I can see you watching me,' she explains without any menace, amusement or teasing. 'Why are you, Jorgan?' 'I just wanted to make sure you were holding up well, sir.' Not far from the truth. Now in the dark when both are quite bare is not the time to try and flirt with her again. For someone who is perceptive to people's needs and emotions, she can be unbelievably dense. He was pleased by that when Balkar was shamelessly flirting with her before and after every mission they've been on together. He had reason to believe they were still in contact despite his CO's early return every night they went to get drinks. What made him smug then frustrated him later. 'We've got a problem, sir,' Jorgan calls out to his CO as she walks past. Avyanna snaps her head up from the datapad she was reading and takes three long strides to reach Aric in the weapons room. She takes a smaller one to enter the room. 'What is it, Lieutenant?' 'Weapons malfunction, sir. Not surprising with all the action we've seen. With your permission, I'd like to inspect the rest of the crews ordinance, make sure everything's up to code.' She nods. 'Good idea, Jorgan. Nice initiative. I except a report by the end of the day. Anything else?' 'No, sir. I remember back when I was with Dead Eyes and we were sniping Imperials from 500 metres, the smallest problem could be the difference between a hit and success or a miss and failure.' 'I would imagine so.' She then went on to inquire about the rifles used by the Dead Eyes for twenty minutes. Jorgan told her about the time they took down a Moff with one clean shot from 600 metres. She ***** her head on the side and her deep blue eyes showed suspicious curiosity, finally realising something that would have been clear to anyone as her XO stands close to her, running her hands over a sniper rifle he had kept, telling her everything about it. 'Are you trying to impress me, Jorgan?' 'Maybe. Is it working?' His hand moves to rest on top of hers and he moves a little closer. 'I've always been impressed by you,' she answers honestly, no flirtatious meaning in her words. She's always been too honest for her own good. 'Hmm, good to know,' he almost purrs. She frowns and continues to meet his gaze with confident, deep blue eyes. 'If I didn't know any better, Jorgan, I'd say you were flirting.' 'It's possible, sir,' he replies with a small smile. She doesn't return it, not appreciating the ambiguity of his words. She would rather know for certain and not rely on the suggestiveness of his eyes and body. 'Just don't tell Elara. She'd probably write me up.' 'For something that's only possible?' she inquires with no guile. 'I wouldn't pass on such flimsy information. We'll talk more if you can make it 1000 metres.' She lets go of the rifle and turns to leave. Jorgan shakes his head in frustrated admiration. 'You are one demanding CO.' 'Careful, Jorgan, or I'll make it 1200 metres,' she taunts with a small smile he can't see. She walks out, picking up her data pad again and continuing to read it as she goes to the bridge, not sparing Jorgan a second glance. Jorgan pushes the matter of that aside as Avyanna replies. 'I appreciate your concern, Jorgan, but I'm fine. Go to sleep,' she orders gently. Jorgan looks to the ceiling but doesn't close his eyes. He's hyperaware of her next to him. She watches him for a few moments as he doesn't close his eyes. She chuckles quietly and he glances at her again. 'Something funny, sir?' 'Not at all, Jorgan,' she replies with a grin. He makes a noise similar to 'hmph' and turns his eyes back to the ceiling. He isn't sure how long passed until he sensed it over the excitement of his own mind and body. Her breathing wasn't deep and her heart rate wasn't slow. He looks at her again and sees her lean body trembling. 'Sir-' 'Can it, Lieutenant. I'm fine. Go to sleep,' she orders again but this time it comes in a wobbling, loud bark. She can't control the fear or trembling any longer. Tears roll down her cheeks and she tries to subtly wipe them away with frustrated fists. Why did it have to be Jorgan who was in here? 'Are they going to hurt us too, Anna?' 'Ar- Lieutenant, I need you-' Jorgan moves swiftly and without much thought. His lean, fur covered arms wrap around her and pull her quickly to his chest where she feels deafened by the loud beat of his heart. His hands press into her back and hold her close. His mouth is near her ear as he rests his cheek on her head, his arm under her neck. Her shaking, lean arms are trapped against his firm, warm chest. Her bare skin feels the soft pale brown of his chest and arms. 'We're off duty, Avyanna, you can call me Aric as much as you want. But on or off duty, I'll give you whatever you need wether it's more blaster fire or-' 'Jorgan, this isn't professional,' Avyanna manages to protest with a shake of her head. Stars, her hair smells good, Jorgan thinks as he breathes in. He doesn't know in that moment why it took him so long to find that out. 'What we do when we're off duty is our business,' Jorgan growls. His arms tighten around her and pull her closer. Avyanna can't think of a reply and even if she could, she isn't sure it would be one that disagreed with him. The air she's breathing is becoming too warm and she's feeling trapped in his arms. As if he knew, Jorgan rolls her over and moves her to take his place. He holds her from behind as they both face the door. His arm is her pillow and her back tingles as she feels his every curve, muscle and heart beat. Eventually, the trembling slows as Avyanna's body and mind become too exhausted. She slips into an uneasy unconsciousness but the fear of being locked away doesn't leave her be even then. Her dreams are menacing and she begins to twitch violently and shake, Jorgan holding her grimly through all of it. Dawn is still a few hours away when the fever sets in and there is no sign that anyone is coming to free them.
  12. Nothing, he was just there... being happy as he should be. It's a little unfair really but let's not go there and open that can of worms It was pre my posting here. Here's a link http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=512127 Made up or not it was believable He wouldn't and part of her would know that but it's still a terribly sad thing to know the person you love and who loves you will never entirely understand you. I had to 'tee-hee' a little at this I'm sure he would still have some brandy left over from last (doezen) try(s)
  13. Replies: Comments: Prompt: Home Ec and Sacrifice Class: Smuggler (Audra) Words: 1100-ish No spoilers. Set somewhere near or at the end of or just after Voss.
  14. It's probably too late to say now but thanks for the kind comments on my one-shots. It really gave me courage and I was far too terrified and happy to reply. Thank you, I'm really flattered! (same goes for your other comments, to which I say I have actually have been working on a novel ) I have been posting in my two own threads dedicated to my BH which you could check out if you want more: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=536484 http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=573130 I'm posting a lot in the short fic thread too a lot recently including some SW stuff. Here's a link to the updated index if you haven't checked it out already (just scroll down a little) http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=469174&page=366
  15. Replies: Comments: And I guess I'll post this! It's not going to get any better by only staring at it and I have for a few weeks now Prompt: Communication Breakdown, Dreams and Nightmares, Do the Math and Seven Virtues (hope) Class: Smuggler (Audra) Words: 1000-ish No spoilers. Warning for disturbing themes. Corso.
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