Gravity

[Asmus Janes]

No reply was coming for a little while. Whilst Asmus was tight with his squadron mates there was nothing he felt like telling them. Or felt he should anyway. Sitting there tapping away at his screen with his emotions swinging from joy to confusion and every other possibility was a give away

“So, heard you had it out with Lucy then?”

“And he means the barny outside the mess. Unless you made up of course…”

“Not the way she's looking at him now Chad.”

“Yeah, like a fat kid through a chocolate shop window after being told ‘no’.”

“Come on guys,” Asmus said, though the corner of his mouth twitched up. “We talked it out, she got quite wound up. Alright now I think.”

“Almost surprised, she seems nice,” Chad replied. Asmus saw something in the way he looked back down at his food.

“You know, give it a few days to simmer down and I could try and talk her around to the notion that she had the wrong pilot in mind?”

Chad looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Cast offs from my SL?”

“Just a misunderstanding, not like it's sloppy seconds. Not sure you could handle her mind. Temper matches the hair. Fiery.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


“Hey!” Omar sat himself down with the rest of the squad, digging into his meal. He barely caught the exchanging going back and forth between Chad Sunwalker and Asmus Janes.

“Oh, we talking about the fight?” the Zeltron pilot would ask, devilry in his eyes as he shot a glance over to his squadron leader.

“I think just about everyone figured out just what Lucy was aiming for.” he chuckled, grabbing his fork to stab at his spaghetti, “Heard she was about to start going through the manifest to narrow down why you told her no.”

And just like that, the attention Asmus did not care to get suddenly had him in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Kaile decided not to got to her cabin. The thought of having to go back there along with the overwhelming sense of restlessness she felt culminated in heading off to B Deck’s observation room. With B Deck as quiet as it typically was, it left the area rather empty for use.

It wasn’t as large as the other public observation rooms, but it did provide an area of quiet solitude for those wanting to get away from the claustrophobic cabins officers were assigned to. The espion found an empty acceleration couch and sat down.

Glancing down, Kaile took her datapad. No message yet. That worried her. Almost immediately a wave of frustration hit her as well. Why am I worried about the fact that he hasn’t sent a message yet?

Maybe because you like talking to him again?

 

[Asmus Janes]

Ah shit.

“Well she didn’t exactly try and hide her feelings when I said no. It’s not like I hadn’t noticed that she was interested,” Asmus started to explain. How the hell was he going to gloss over Omar’s obvious implication. Actually that wouldn’t be too difficult. There’s been a few pursuits over the last year, especially when the marines were on board, but he was often coy with his squadron with who had his eye.

“Hah! We could always see her red head bobbing as she went jogging towards your landing pad as we came in!” Chad laughed.

“I could have more casually brushed her off, but I just decided to be up front and let her know it wasn’t going to happen. Yeah, in hindsight I was a little blunt and she took it badly. Evidently.”

Asmus went back to clearing his plate, one hand had subconsciously migrated to tug at the metallic frame of his datapad. He made a mental note to be seen talking with a few people over the next few days, just to limit the chance of anyone connecting Kaile to that horror show outside the mess.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Of course, that is when Wilson piped in, “No, that’s because our SL’s attention has shifted over to the operatives on B Deck.”

Considering Asmus’ interest on the Operatives in the refresher about where the special agents took residence in during the flight, and then the subsequent query about how Asmus had been turned down, Wilson was quick to tease.

“Wait, what? He really went up there?” Omar piped in, surprise and heavy amusement washing his youthful features.

“So how did that go?”

---

Leaning back against the acceleration couch, Kaile idly would tap against her datapad. After a moment, her finger went sliding across the screen, bringing back up the file Asmus had sent her. Unlocking and accepting, a new window popped up, bathing her face in a light glow of the media file.

There were several playlists here. More than a few were very familiar to the Lorrdian. A bittersweet smile began to grow over her lips as she selected a particular file.
The first melodic riffs of a guitar slowly began to resonate in the observation room.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Not well!” Asmus lied, thinking fondly of how it had gone. Strange how his mind went to her nestled safe in his arms rather than anything that had come immediately before. “Got caught by the Captain in the restricted zone, so do me a favour and keep schtum.”

“Defeated by a guard dog!” Chad laughed.

“Yeah, yeah,” Asmus replied, playing his part. “I mean, they don’t even have a locked door or post guards. How am I supposed to remember to avoid it on my jog?”

“Going back up again?”

“Oh no chance,” Asmus thoroughly lied. “They’d chew me up. While you’re here Wilson, save me reviewing the flight recording. Did those uglies launch a mag pulse or fire lasers first? Was getting my write up done.”

Shifting the subject was a weak ploy. There were a tight knit team, but at the end of the day they were also his subordinates. When his tone changed to official they tended to respond.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

While the tone might have changed, Chad was quietly contemplating. Not a day ago the Wraith Squadron leader had said he'd been turned down. Save that one of the operatives was currently in a bacta dip. Janes had lied. Not about it not going well but the bit about getting caught on B Deck. Unless he did get caught going up to try and meet another operative.

Just a process of elimination, Chad told his squadron leader. . Which meant…

Ah.

The cogs began to click into place.

---

Asmus’ datapad would give a quiet ping in an alert in the midst of his meal. . An incoming message. It was Kaile.

[ A pretty comprehensive media playlist. Not too shabby. ]

In the end, Kaile had succumbed to temptation and messaged him back. The music had made her nostalgic.

It also had made her miss him all the more.

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus looked at his datapad and back again. But during that journey his eyes passed across his squadron. Chad arched and eyebrow, but did not comment. Asmus sighed as he placed his cutlery back on his tray neatly and looked for the shelves to go and put them on.

“It was definitely a torpedo,” Wilson remarked. “But if you don’t check the flight log you know who will.”

Asmus groaned. The man had a point. “Alright. Oh eight hundred tomorrow. We’ve got a full two hour briefing and planning session before the sim.”

There were general murmurs of complaint at that. “I know we’ve done this scenario three times, but they need to observe the planning process each run. I also have it on good authority that someone has decided to throw something new in to try and catch us out. So naturally we’re going to pick a slightly different strategy to nullify whatever they have up their sleeves,” Asmus explained. With a weak laugh, he slid from his chair and took his datapad and tray for the racks.

He didn’t even wait to leave the mess before tapping into his pin to check the message quickly.

As he left the mess and the others behind, he held it before him in one arm so he could type with the other.

[I’ve always liked to keep a good supply of music to hand. The Rogues playlist is on the heavy side. Blame our old commander for that one. Anything in particular you like?]

He fidgeted with his hands as he walked. Far more pleased that she’d been the one to initiate this conversation than he should have been. The temptation to march up to deck B was strong.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Kaile ended up draping herself lengthwise on the acceleration couch. Outside the viewport, the blue-white of hyperspace illuminated the espion in its cerulean light. Asmus' response elicited a soft smile from the brunette. Funny, that such a small thing could evoke such a warm sensation from head to toe. Settling back, Kaile made herself more comfortable, hazel eyes drifting over the display screen.

[ Yeah. ] the Lorrdian began, skimming through the playlist. A majority of the songs were a few she knew. Others she'd never heard or would not have considered listening.

[ A little heavy isn’t bad. Some I’ve used myself while working. ] back on the Messa, Kaile had always kept her media player loud, singing along to the verses. Happy memories that had long since faded on by.

[ I’m sure if you are playing it during flight it amps the squad up. ]

Propping herself up, Kaile plucked a trail mix package. Opening it up, she collected a handful of the dried fruits and nuts and began to munch on them. At least it was something to fill her belly. Coming out here was a good idea. She felt less smothered by the walls. It gave her a little bit more time to think.

To plan things out.

A part of the espion knew that she couldn’t keep on going back and forth with Asmus like this. In her mind, she was making excuses all the while planning on leaving at the earliest opportunity.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[Yes! Well. One of the channel monitoring droids decided to report it once. After that we were banned from playing music of any sort whilst flying. That droid had a stick wedged up his charging port so far.

After that we just took to playing music before we headed out. These days we just play some in our own cockpit when we want. Not quite as much supervision out here.

Must admit can get a little claustrophobic when we haven't been in port for a few months. Used to stop off an awful lot more when we were on the Quin. Even worse here than when I was on a cruiser with Rogues.

I shouldn't complain, I imagine you can go a long time without a friendly face]

“Oh please let me see your face again,” he whispered to himself as he slipped back into his cabin. It was getting damned hard not to ask again. But it was a small ship. It wouldn't be long he told himself.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


I imagine you can go a long time without a friendly face.

It wasn’t his fault. Asmus was just trying to make conversation. He couldn’t know the ache that came from such a simple sentence said in passing. There were things beyond his know how or comprehension, subjects Kaile couldn’t breach. But it stung. It hurt.

A thought back to Bobo. To Kurt. Even Asmus. The friends and acquaintances she made that she couldn’t really keep up with due to safety concerns or because those relationships fell to the wayside. A deep sigh would flow from her lips.

A new song came up on the playlist. Tiny Dancer.

Even at her lowest, it made her smile.

[ Well, we’ll be heading to that fuel port in the next day or so. ] she typed back, biting her lower lip. Her hand came up to brush back her bangs away from her face.

[ This is a really good playlist. ] she reiterated, the mellow song resonating within the small observation room.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[That's like…three droids and a handful of faces. I don't recall them being friendly]

Asmus joked because once again he was skirting the things he wanted to say. The urge to go and see her was building. Like an emptiness that needed to be filled. His report sat unopened. The fuel station really wasn't much at all. Not even a docking port that could take people. They would pull up and plug in to refuel. Anyone who wanted to go to the station itself needed to take a shuttle over. It was hardly a reprieve from the day to day grind in his opinion.

[I'm glad you like the list. You're in your room listening now? I like to listen and zone out for a while. No reports or reading.]

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


Kaile was quietly singing to herself when she read Asmus’ message. Perhaps it was the song or maybe just the automatic way her fingers tapped out a reply, but she sent:

[ No, at the observation room. ]

She brought her knees up and rested her datapad against her thighs. There was something serene about being here. Nostalgic.
[ Thanks for the media file list ]

 

[Asmus Janes]

[That's alright. We loaded up a lot of songs and holofilms because we can be out of range of a holonet beacon for long periods. If we use the long range bandwidth for stuff like that instead of orders, they get annoyed!]

Whilst he still smelled faintly musky from the gym, he swapped his lightweight training top for a simple, clean t-shirt. Heading out of his room with his data pad tucked under one arm, he set out for a storage locker.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[ Holoflims? I've been too busy just listening to the songs. ]

Giving a slight frown, she minimized the music playlist to search what holofilms there were. Much to her surprise there were several old campy flicks she hadn't seen in years. One holoflicks series caught her eye.

[ Hah! Who uploaded YV929?! ] it had been one of Kaile's favorites. A short-lived show about the freighter Vagabondbuttefly and its crew, that unfortunately while it gained great ratings the show was discontinued after its first season.

 

[Asmus Janes]

[Oh everyone loves that! We even out the episodes on the server in the right order!]

Asmus chuckled as he slid the data pad back under one arm and opener the door to find his treasure, shiny and gold.

[You like it? There are a few more good space operas in there. Not as good, but at least they got a few seasons in!]

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


“Hmm,” sitting up, Kaile went through the rest of the line up. There was ‘Game of Trees’, ‘Boloball’ --

“Oh my stars, they even have C.A.S.H,” now that made her laugh, the sound echoing for a bit. The Lorrdian shook her head.

[ Yeah, might binge watch tonight. ] at the very least to catch up.

A few more and she gave another snort.

[ Some of these I haven't seen since I was in the Rebellion. ]

A bit more info about the mysterious Kaile than previously before.

 

[Asmus Janes]

That was interesting, Asmus thought. He wondered which rebellion she meant. There had been a lot over the years.

[Sounds a good idea]

A clink, a click and a hiss. Datapad back under one arm he wondered over to her couch and held out his peace offering. He kept the second bottle of beer in his other hand.

The half-light of the stars was reflected in her wide eyes. It smoothed out everything it touched, giving her skin an oddly flawless quality. For a fraction of a second it seemed that he was looking at the Kaile who had travelled on the Quintessence. No First Order uniform or bangs. Her hair was up in a messy top knot, the kind she'd used when she'd been doing mechanical work on the Quin.

He tried a cocky grin, but it ended in a nervous smile.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Asmus had surprised her.

That much was evident by the small squeaking noise that came from her throat, eyes wide as they locked upon the Squadron Leader. She hadn't even notice him enter the observatory, much less approach. Just how sneaky and quiet-footed had he become??

Discombobulated, her data pad fell onto the couch, bent knees extending as a flutter of nerves hit her.

“I- what, how--” he managed to catch her unaware again. Fingers came up to tuck the wayward strands of hair behind the shell of her ear that had escaped the messy top knot she wore. With no first order uniform or the typical agent dress attire, she had less of an edge about her. Top it off with the long sleep shirt and comfy pants, it was almost as if she were a snippet sliced from the past.

Almost.

Stars, he'd come as if straight from a dream. Standing there with the beer bottle outstretched, a half smile on his swarthy face along with the mused dark locks of his hair -- he had no right to look that damn good. But he did. And part of her was delighted to see him. The other ---

“Howdidyougethere?!” She finally managed to squeak out. Fingers were twitching, that itch again.

 

[Asmus Janes]

“I walked,” he replied plainly. That nervous smile had slowly shifted. He broke his eyes away before he could start looking at her in the that way again. He held the bottle of beer out a little more, just to emphasise that it was for her and not simply because he liked holding bottles at arms length.

“And I told you, it's my ship. Best i can tell it only serves to get me and my pilots or some of your people places. Captain is just a glorified smuggler really. Probably why…” he nodded back towards where the restricted zone was officially marked out. “...there a… er… new sign there to remind people not to go jogging through those quarters. Such a jobsworth,” he sighed.

It was just a set of clothes and a style of hair, but it was enough to make his stomach do flips at the sudden connection between the past and present.

“Budge up a bit,” he said, clearly intending to take up some of the long couch.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Toes immediately went darting back, knees bending up to her chest . . She took the bottle of beer he extended out to her more as an automatic gesture than any real desire for it. Although granted, it had been a long while since she could indulge in one.

She appeared a bit smaller sitting there, younger. Perhaps it was the half-light of the stars that painted her so. Or maybe it was memory. Either way, it was Kaile sitting there with the faint strains of Nebula’s ‘Wonderwall’’ playing in the background. She had a few packets of trail mix scattered by the floor, one open package beside her - likely what she collected at the mess earlier - along with another small white takeaway box.

Cradling the beer, Kaile couldn't seem to take her eyes away from Asmus. She still wasn't quite registering his presence; he surprised her. The simple, ‘I walked’ elicited a twitch at the corner of her mouth. As did the half annoyed remark a the restricted sign reminding the crew to not go jogging down B Decks corridors.

Nervousness tickled her belly when he sat down, the acceleration couch slightly dipping at his weight before it adjusted. Stars he was so close again, and with the backdrop of the half light, made her want to linger watching him. Drinking him in. Her gaze immediately fell to her beer.

“Might get in trouble if you are caught here…” She began slowly, voice a bit half hesitant.