First Reply Long Night

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Open​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

The relatively new bar in the border of the Alliance space is bustling with people from all walks of life. Yet all I can focus on is my wandering mind.

Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat, and covering the crossroads I'm standing at. Or maybe it's the weather or something like that. This place does remind me a bit of home, yet home was something else. The atmosphere, however racy and glamorous they are trying to make it, it can't compare to home. The prastaig and the sight of men and women fighting over the smallest problems, oh it was all so gahd-damn simple. Goidelic women, and the occasional Galidraani tourists acting like fools, and the painful breeze of winter blasts, the life I once had, the life that one day I will help return and rebuild with all the brave souls in Galidraan III. I believe deep in my heart that I am doing the right thing. The people I kill, the convoys I raid, the shipments I smuggle, all I do so that one day I can contribute, even if it's just a minuscule contribution, to the freedom and sovereignty of my people.

Yet the road is painfully rocky and desolate.

In times like this, I miss my folks back home. I miss home. That probably explains the state of my smuggled prastaig I have in my hand. Half-empty. And it's not even midnight yet.

I sighed at the bartender serving in front of me. She would definitely try to cheer me up, had I told her not to. Out of pity, or just because I'm buddy with her employer. Either way, that's just pathetic. What I need is a friend. Or a lover? Nah, a friend is good enough. It's been karkin' three years and I don't even have anyone I would call a friend. Don't get me wrong, I get along well with my crew. We fight together, we drink together. They have been my saving grace throughout these past few years. But they are just that, people at work. We don't share the same value, nor connect on a spiritual level. I need a friend.

Or maybe just a someone who brings business and a heap of credits my way. Isn't that why I'm here and not home, after all?

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Sunny found herself hanging around spacer bars and smuggler haunts quite a lot lately.

But she was beginning to wonder why.

Thus far, her smuggling career had not taken off. In fact, it hadn't even properly prepared for take off in the first place. No one really wanted to hire such a 'green' smuggler. But she needed to work to get experience. It was a conundrum for sure. What she needed was sage advice, someone that already knew the ropes to help her on her way. The problem was, no one seemed willing to volunteer. Most of the other smugglers she encountered were wary of her cheerful demeanor and distinctly 'non-smuggler' appearance.

Despite this, Sunny was still determined to make all this smuggler business work. It was the only idea she had, and deep down she was afraid that she'd fail. Then she'd fail to pay back the goons, and probably fail at staying alive, too.

Wearing a smile, she approached the bar and had a seat. Talking with bartenders had been hit and miss -- mostly miss. So, she set her sights on one of the people sitting there. "What are you drinking?" Sunny asked, eyeing the drink that Eirc Galloway had in hand. "Is it good?"

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

Who in the…

Shifting my gaze towards the source of the voice, my eyes captured a figure, a woman who looks so out of place in this dark and exquisite bar. I tried to think what is actually bothering my mind, maybe the half-bottle of the gahd-damn single malt liquor you drunk feck, before I realised that the woman was asking me a question.

“Prastaig, Goidelic single-malt.” Karkin’ hell, I must’ve stared at her for a bit too long earlier, curse my slow, drunk brain. “Can’t find it ‘ere, I have a plug sendin’ bunch every moon. I tip her extra so I can drink this ‘ere. Much better than the piss beer and bootleg liquors they have ‘ere.” I told the woman proudly of the liquors of my people. It’s highly sought after, but ever since Galidraan III was occupied by the Lost Imperials, it’s been much harder to find in this area of the galaxy. A half decent cladhan is the closest you could get if you don’t have a link back in the motherland.

Feck… now what? I’m usually good with my words and smooth around the ladies, but this is one of the night where I’m just way too deep in my feelings, and in my bottle. My mind keeps wandering around and I must’ve been avoiding eye-contact for the longest time possible. It must be another solid seconds before I raised my gaze at her and my half-empty bottle… well somewhat up in the air.

“Wanna try?”

Hopefully the bottle isn’t the only thing that is up in the air in this long, long night.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Prastaig, Goidelic single-malt.

Sunny didn't know much about liquor; she'd never even tried it before. Even though her dad was dead now, she could still hear his voice in her head, lecturing about how alcohol only brought ruin. Maybe if he'd heeded his own advice, he'd still be alive. The man at the bar spoke about his bottle like it was a family member. And while she didn't know the difference between 'piss' beer or bootleg liquor, she grasped that the bottle in his hand was special.

She nodded after he finished speaking and silence fell as they simply looked at each other for a long moment.

Sunny blinked as the bottle was offered. "Sure, why not?" she said, still smiling. As she reached for the bottle, she thought about the future -- and how she could say that she'd had Prastaig, Goidelic single-malt in a cantina with a stranger. No one would be able to laugh at her then, right? Well...

She took a big drink from the bottle and swallowed. And immediately felt like she was choking on fire. The woody notes and complex oaky tones were lost on her as she coughed against the back of her hand. She didn't want to be rude, though, of course -- her smile never faltered. The wannabe smuggler only hoped she didn't look like too much of a fool (she didn't see the bartender's sneer).

After a tiny second sip, she could appreciate it a bit more. "I-it's nice," she said, offering the bottle back. "Thanks."

"I, uh, don't really drink much." Sunny felt the need to clarify. "Actually, I only order bubbly water because I don't know what else. Say, what would you order if you were me?"

Eirc Galloway ​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

From the moment the woman chugged a big gulp from the bottle, it was pretty apparent that she isn’t familiar with hard liquor. Her face after she swallowed the prastaig makes it even more obvious, smiling awkwardly through the burning sensation, trying not to offend anyone. Shifting my gaze from her to the bartender, I could see her sneering at the scene, to which I stared a dagger at. The woman is seemingly very out of place in this bar, there’s no need to make her even more uncomfortable than she probably is already.

What’s surprising is she actually takes a second sip after what must’ve been a horrendous first experience, which she handled much better.

"I-it's nice," she said, offering the bottle back. "Thanks."

“Must be your first time, eh?” I offered her an appreciative smile while taking my bottle back.

"I, uh, don't really drink much." Sunny felt the need to clarify. "Actually, I only order bubbly water because I don't know what else. Say, what would you order if you were me?"

“Hmmm, what would I order if I were a first-time drinker? I drank my first prastaig with my late pa when I was… way too young for it, so I wouldn’t have it any other way. But if I were you, I’d start with a Corellian whiskey. It’s lighter and has more sweetness to it.” I raised my hand slightly to signal the bartender, so the woman can decide for herself. It’s a bit busy unfortunately, it would take a bit until the bartender gets to us, so my half-drunk brain tried its best to muster another conversation point, and landed exactly at her curious current whereabouts.

“So, you don’t drink, and you don’t seem like someone who works in the underworld, no offence. What brings you here, then?” I shifted my gaze back at her and asked her, unintentionally with endearment in my voice. Like it or not, this is a dangerous place where people could get shot for looking at someone the wrong way, so either she’s just at the wrong place, at the right time, or I just got blindsided by her looks.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Sunny had been a little worried that her bar companion would laugh in her face. But he considered her request and kindly enlightened her. "Corellian whiskey," she echoed. When the expectant gaze of the bartender was upon her, Sunny nodded. "Yes, please."

Her eyes scanned the rows of bottles that lined the back of the bar. So many bottles. She even entertained the thought of trying them all, not all at once, of course. For now, she'd stick with the drink that had been recommended. After all, it was her first ever.

Her attention returned to the man.

"Well," she started. "I'm looking for work."

How safe was it to explain her whole situation to a stranger? Sunny didn't feel unsafe. In fact, this man was the nicest person she'd come across so far. So many of the people she'd met were intimidating or too no-nonsense to even give her the time of day. When it came to sinking or swimming, they'd all let her sink. But this stranger seemed different.

"Smuggling work, to be specific." Sunny added. Her smile turned sheepish. "I heard that cantinas were good places to make connections. Though, I haven't had any luck yet." She blinked a few times as she realized that she hadn't properly introduced herself. "My name is Sunny, by the way. Sunny Sterling."

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

Sunny, even her name is a complete departure from the dark ambiance of Bogden’s underworld. “Eirc Galloway”, I introduced myself with a somewhat puzzled smile. She’s looking for a smuggling work. No, not just that, she openly mentioned that she’s looking for a smuggling work, to a complete stranger, with a sheepish smile on her face. Cute, but deeply concerning.

“Hmm. May I ask why?” I asked her after taking a sip off my bottle, now my voice comes out a bit lower and softer. This is not a necessarily a rare occurrence in this cruel galaxy. A good person, in an ugly circumstances getting roped into the underworld, which will birth even more plight and predicament. And thus the cycle of violence is reinforced for another generation.

I’d like to think I was also the product of such predicament. I was a good person once, at least I hope I was. A bright knight of the Highland Brotherhood, the hope of the Galloway clan, a shining star in a dark and gloomy time. Yet here I am, fraternising with scums, frequenting fighting pits and spice den, perpetuating the very cycle of violence I fell in.

I shifted my wandering eyes back at Sunny, staring at her with an almost pitying expression. Such a cruel world we’re living in.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

She canted her head to the side slightly when he introduced himself. The smile on his face was familiar; people always seemed to smile at her like that. So far, Sunny had yet to find out if it was because they found her endearing or daft.

Needless to say, he wanted to know more about how a girl like her could end up smuggling.

"Credits." Was the answer. Her drink arrived, and she was quick to lift it up to her lips. A first sip was followed by a larger second one. "Lots and lots of credits."

Sunny felt warm, pleasantly so. The Corellian Whiskey was like liquid coziness, even though the bite of alcohol still made her eyes water a little.

"I've got loan sharks after me," she said, drearily. For the first time, a tiny frown formed momentarily. "On account of my father. He died recently." Sunny took another drink from her glass. "And I found out that he'd run up a whole lot of debt all over the galaxy."

It hurt, finding out that she hadn't really known her father.

Well, now the cat was out of the bag. If, by any chance, he worked for any of those loan sharks… she was toast. Her eyes lingered on Eirc for a long moment – he was quite dashing. Could she trust him?

Sunny really hoped so.

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

It always started this way. My eyes was glued at Sunny’s face the whole time, no blinks, nothing. The way she gulped her whiskey to help her talk about the truth and her watery eyes holding the burning sensation in her throat, maybe from the alcohol, but most likely a repressed expression of her emotions.

It’s always your closest ones that ended up betraying you. Sunny’s father leaving her unbearable debts, my hero abandoning our people for a dream of a shattered Empire. Me abandoning my blood, my own little brother, for a dream of a crushed spirit of Goidel.

It’s heartbreaking to think that Sunny’s tragedy is only one of millions that happened everyday in this cruel, cruel galaxy. Are we, as a collective, beyond salvation? “Hmmm…”, I sighed, pitying the fate of the young woman, robbed of her innocence so abruptly by circumstances I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies.

This is her only chance of survival, but with that, also the death of her innocence. Violence births violence and Sunny’s the newest victim of this never ending cycle of life.

As the conversation continues, I signaled to the bartender to close my tab. This is the worst place you want to be in when you’re hunted by loan-sharks hungry for paydays. My crew is nowhere to be seen, it’ll take to long to gather everyone, not to mention it might scare Sunny to call them here all of the sudden. Waiting for the bartender, I asked her a question.

“What’s your… experience in this regard?” I wanted to say acumen, but I have a feeling that’s still way beyond. Seeing her face, I can’t see murder, I can’t see extortion and I can’t see intimidation. Yet. Sooner or later she’ll have to learn and dive deep in the darker side of mankind.

As her survival banks on it.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

When Eirc sighed, Sunny felt like crawling into her glass of whiskey and never coming out. So, she drained what was left in her glass with a wince. As she contemplated her empty glass for a moment, she felt her normal optimism draining away. Maybe it was the alcohol, she reasoned silently. Yes, that must be it… not the soul-crushing realization that her situation was really quite dire.

Owing such a debt was to have an ever-present dark cloud above, always raining down. It was having to pay hard-earned credits to unsavory people in order to stay alive. The worst part of it was that it didn't even guarantee that she would live.

Eirc's voice drew her back to the present and she turned towards him.

"Not much," she said. Meaning, practically none at all. "I've done some courier work, but it's legitimate and… doesn't pay well."

In fact, her meager earnings were barely enough to keep her ship in the sky. Sunny swallowed hard, it felt like there was a lump in her throat. Her head was suddenly swimming in all the thoughts she'd been trying so hard to keep at bay. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

The bartender came just as Sunny finished her drink rather quickly. I grew up around drunks, it’s what my people do to celebrate, to wind down, and to cope with the increasingly tough circumstances; at work, at home, in the grand scheme of thing. Alcohol makes you bolder sometimes, yet also crumble some other times. With Sunny, it’s perhaps both.

I can feel the pressure is eating her alive, that she is screwed from all directions, yet in the moment of peril she still has the gall to stay true to herself and tell the truth. No smokescreen no nothing, just the fact that all her past experiences did not suffice to say the least.

But damnit it got me.

Maybe it’s the alcohol but how could I just left her in the gutter when she didn’t deserve one bit of this whole tragedy. How could I betray the little boy in me dreaming of fighting the good cause, of becoming a heroic Imperial Knight, back when that still meant something.

So I close the tab, both of ours, and signal Sunny to get out of the bar.

“This place isn’t safe, considering your circumstances.” My eyes wander from one eyes to another. This is Bogden’s underworld, everyone in this bar is more than suspicious. “Let’s talk in my ship.” I offered my hand to her, to navigate the crowded dance floor and passages, my other hand ready over my covered holster.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Sunny's drink had been paid for before she even realized what happened.

When she did realize, Eirc was already off his stool and motioning for her to follow. She gave the bartender a small nod of thanks and moved away from the bar. Her eyes scanned the dance floor. Dark silhouettes moved to the beat of the (rather loud) music. The people that weren't dancing were enjoying an array of fancy drinks.

When she looked around, she only saw the Bogden nightlife. Her eyes grew wide when Eirc said the bar wasn't safe. Sunny swallowed hard but didn't hesitate to take his hand as they began to wind their way through the crowd. While Eirc's eyes were watchful, his head on a swivel… Sunny's eyes were not so keen.

And that's why she didn't see the small group of men rising from their shadowed booth in the back.

As she walked, trying to be careful not to bump into any dancers, she realized that this was the first time she'd ever been on the dance floor – holding a man's hand, no less. But they weren't there to dance.

That much became apparent when Sunny felt someone grab her shoulder hard.

"Ah!" she gasped.

And she squeezed Eirc's hand out of instinct.

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

The rushing strides through the hectic dance floor, squeezing our body out of the pit people losing themselves to the music and their partners, would feel so intimate if it’s for any other reason than the one we have.

The dark lighting in the bar, complete with smokes and occasional flashes makes everything seems slower than it is, The bottle of prastaig I had doesn’t help either. Groups of men raised from their seats here and there, enough for me to hasten the pace, but not enough to just open fire in the middle of the crowded establishment.

Occasionally checking how Sunny is faring, I tried to keep my focus on the exit door. The faster we make it out of here, and back to my ship, the better it is for everyone. And we were getting close to making it, now on the outer edge of the dance floor, when Sunny squeezed her hand on mine. A quick peek to the back and I can scantily see a hulking figure grabbing Sunny’s shoulder, trying to yank her from me. Karkin’ hell.

Tightening my grasp on Sunny’s hand, I pulled her closer to me, temporarily surprising the mysterious attacker, while I lift my other hand from my holster and swung a hook right at his face. The Force-aided punch managed to knock the assailant down, yet it’s just one of possibly more, and his falling body sent that section of the dance floor to chaos.

With no time to check if Sunny was hurt, either by the assailant’s hand or me forcefully yanking her closer, I kept my grip on her hand and use the Force to push the remaining crowd, opening a clear way towards the door.

“RUN!”

Wounds can be mended later, when we both are in a safe place.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Sunny was caught in a tug-of-war between Eirc and her attacker. But she found herself moving towards Eirc, the thug's grip on her shoulder lost. A startled gasp escaped her when Eirc threw a powerful punch that knocked the man back.

And then all hell let loose.

The panic was palpable as people screamed or shouted, bodies stopped dancing and started fleeing. Sunny herself might have been lost in the chaos, too, if not for Eirc's steady hold on her. Blinking strobe lights cast the crowd in rather ghoulish light. But the mass of people seemed to make way for them, parting to reveal their way out.

Run!

Sunny did just that, and she didn't look back. Still holding tight to Eirc, she could feel her heart pounding away in her chest. It was fright. Or was it excitement? It was rather exciting or would have been if not for the whole life-threatening situation bit. She was alive -- all in one piece, too. A bit bruised perhaps, but nothing serious.Out of the cantina and now out on the streets, perhaps they'd be safe now.

"Which way is your—" She stopped when a blaster bolt cut through the air near them.

Eyes wide, she looked to Eirc.

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

Amidst the chaotic establishment of screaming and falling patrons, we managed to make it out of the bar, now on the street. There’s a hint of excitement up in the air, some kind of playfulness you don’t usually get from a life and death chase. It tracks with the rushing escape we made off the dance floor. But it doesn’t mean that we’re already safe. We’re already close, yet anyone could still intercept us.

And that’s what exactly happened.

PEW!

Karkin’ hell. A blaster bolt cut through the air near us, grazing the side of my abdomen, cutting Sunny’s question and stopping us on our track. I quickly spotted the gunner right in front of the bar’s door, a Trandoshan with two Hylobons flanking.

Falling on one knee upon the bolt’s impact, I turned my head back to meet Sunny’s eyes. My ship is already so close, but now the Trandoshan and Hylobons, who I assumed are coming for Sunny, can grab her easily.

“Catch!”, I threw my blaster to Sunny, partly for her to protect herself, and also to buy me the time to collect myself back up. I’m pretty sure she never shot anyone in her life, but this has to be the moment.

Quickly tapping into the Force, I connected my thoughts to hers. {It’s yours to decide…}

 

[Sunny Sterling]

It all happened so fast, but also felt like it played out in slow motion.

Eirc tossed his blaster her way, and she caught it out of instinct -- as she would a ball (or anything that wasn't a blaster) being thrown her way. She looked down at the weapon now in her hand. Her gaze moved from the blaster to Eirc as his voice spoke into her mind.

Oh no.

On a normal day, Sunny couldn't make a decision to save her life. Now, she needed to do just that...

Eirc had only tried to help, and now he was injured. These hunters were here for her, not him. This was all her fault. The blaster shook in her hand as she held it out in front of her. It was simple logic: kill or be killed. Sunny didn't want to take a life, not even one that would easily take hers. She was likely worth more to them alive. Then she could be sold off to recover some of the debt. All these thoughts swarmed her. But when she thought of them harming Eirc again, the choice was made.

"Sorry," she said (and really meant it), and fired three times.

One bolt hit the Trandoshan's broad shoulder, another a Hylobon in the chest, and the last one missed entirely. However, with wounded comrades, the last Hylobon hesitated.

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

I breathed a sigh of relief as the three assailants decided to retreat after two of them was hit by Sunny. It’s good that I didn’t have to ignite my lightsaber at all, even though I was fully ready for it if that’s what it took to escape the situation safely. A lightsaber would definitely attract more attention, and that’s the last thing we would’ve wanted.

“Nice shot.” I complimented her with a grin on my face, trying to offer a smile while holding the pain. That was a really nice shot, considering her lack of experience. Two out of three shots, both non-lethal. It takes a special kind of self-control to decide not to kill your opponent in a life and death scenario. It makes me feel hopeful of the world, even if it’s just for a millisecond.

With one hand still covering my wound, I led the both of us to my ship, away from the danger that is the open street of Bogden. It was already quite close when the thugs intercepted, so it didn’t take long till we reached the ship.

Entering the ship, I immediately goes to the small medbay, taking off my jacket and my top to try treat the wound, with grunts here and there at the pain from the friction. At times like this, I regret never paying attention to Force healing lessons growing up. Treating my own wound has always been such a hassle, not to mention my very basic knowledge regarding the medical field.

However, I realised that my current companion might be able to help. Not asking and just ignoring her while I try to fix myself would be rude to say the least.

“Sunny, you ever fix a blaster wound?” I looked at her with a hopeful eyes. I can’t help but feel a shy smile rising on my face, just realising that it’s only the two of us in this large and spacious ship.

Maybe, not knowing anything about Force healing has its own perks.

 

[Sunny Sterling]

Sunny finally released the breath she'd been holding.

The attackers were retreating now and, she hadn't killed anyone. Bystanders were already returning to business as if this sort of thing happened every day. The corners of her mouth pulled up into a relieved smile when Eirc complimented her and a bit of a blush colored her cheeks.

She tried to steal a glance at his wound, but it was hidden away from her sight by his hand. Each time her eyes lingered, she felt a sharp pin-prick of guilt. If not for him, she had no idea what would have happened to her tonight. For now, it seemed she was safe. As they entered the ship, she couldn't help but look around in awe. This ship was really nice, probably the nicest she'd ever been in. And it made her own little ship look like quite the junker by comparison.

Sunny's steps were quick to keep up as Eirc made for the medbay.

As he began to remove his jacket and shirt, Sunny's eyes shifted way -- looking to many of the readouts and instruments. Not like she knew what any of them did. She wanted to help because she felt responsible for the wound, but she didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. So, when he asked, she hurried to his side. "Let me have a look," she said, matching his sheepish smile with one of her own.

She retrieved a medkit from the nearby table and opened it. Inside, there was an array of useful things. Most of it was pretty self-explanatory for a novice medic, which was good. Sunny took out a bacta patch to have ready, and a wound cleaning wipe, which she opened first. The blaster bolt had left a dark burn behind, but there was no bleeding. She dabbed the wipe against it and gave him an apologetic look. "I hope that doesn't sting!"

"I'm really sorry about this," she added. "I didn't mean for it... "

Eirc Galloway​

 

[Eirc Galloway]

LONG NIGHT

~mama you've been on my mind~

WEARING: Black fur collar jacket just pants, spiced & woody fragrance
TAG: Sunny Sterling ​

BOGDEN, INNER RIM

Ouch!

As much as I want to savour the moment, Sunny’s touch still stings quite a lot. The blaster bolt on his abdomen might not be deadly, but it hits quite a lot of nerves and burns like hell. But of course I’m not gonna sound my complain at the beautiful smuggler, even if a wince can be seen on my face.

Then she looked at my eyes, with guilt in her eyes, and apologised again even after she’d taken care of me.

“Hey, it’s alright Sunny…” I put my palm softly on her hand, trying to soothe her. “It’s either them or some bastards whose shipments I hijacked months ago.” This is what life’s like for me, for those men and women working in this climate, and unfortunately also the reality of Sunny’s life.

“Besides, you’re fixing me just fine, it’s been a while since I met anyone who’s both dependable and fun to be around.” A little flirting wouldn’t hurt, especially since it’s what I actually feel. I was lamenting all night long about not having anyone I could call a friend, and just like that I was blessed with someone who could possibly be more.

“Anyway, I recon this part of the galaxy won’t be safe for you to travel alone anymore, do you have anywhere you wanna go?”

 

[Sunny Sterling]

The small winces of pain hadn't escaped her. As she smoothed the bacta patch over the wound, she let her hand linger there as if it would somehow help it work faster. Before she could lift her hand away, his hand had found hers. His attempt to reason with her did help. Sunny found herself taking solace in his words and the calm tone of voice.

A smile tugged at her lips when he said she was fun to be around. Was that true? Well, she supposed that some people did thrive on excitement and adrenaline. The time they'd spent together so far was short, but definitely not boring.

Having been quite sheltered by her father, when he was alive, she'd never had the chance to get close to anyone else before. Sunny felt an inkling of doubt. Maybe Eirc was just being kind because she was so pitiful. When he asked where she wanted to go, she canted her head to the side in thought.

"I don't really know," she said. "Does... this mean you want to travel together?"

Sunny blinked at him.

"Why do you want to help me?" she asked, gently. She was genuinely curious. After all, not many people would be willing to take in someone they'd only just met. Not that she was opposed to the idea -- there was warmth in her gaze as she looked up at him. And her hand was still resting atop the bacta patch.

Eirc Galloway​