Midas Touch

[Damon Riggs]

KRANT
RENDEZVOUS SITE
INTERACTING WITH: [member="Arekk"], @Teyla Ee’everwest, [member="Athena"]

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The VOID station job had proven to be a success of epic proportions. With the amount of credits the crew had managed to pull, thanks to the help of a pretty handy slicer, they were going to be set for a long time. Some of the take had to go to the Confederacy, but there was still a significant payday in this for them, as well as the promise of more work. Riggs was still ecstatic about the whole thing when Teyla landed the ship at the agreed rendezvous site. They had sent off the coordinates and were waiting on the Ebon Hawk to arrive.
Riggs threw his restraints off and the minute Teyla was out of her seat, he pulled her into a hug and deep kiss. He let her go with a laugh, a deep and excited chuckle, that cake from a happy man.

“Can you believe it!!?? There is more than enough for us to put down on a place, a real place, not some ship mind you. You didn’t want to have to raise the baby on the ship, well now you won’t have to.”

It was clear that Riggs enthusiasm was geared toward what the take meant for their future and for the family. Nothing about future work was mentioned at all which was one thing Riggs was careful not to do. His heart had always been with his family, and providing for them, especially with his parents gone now. Teyla and the baby were all he had, and his crew, and Marcus. Jenkins still hadn’t been found, but Riggs counted him now that he knew he was alive.

Damon ran back to the loading ramp and smacked the release pretty hard. The fresh air of the forested world came flooding into the ship, and Riggs rain out to wait for the ship. His eyes went up to the sky where he saw the Ebon Hawk not far from where they had landed at all. She was getting close.

Running back up into the ship, Riggs grabbed enough booze and sparkling cider to keep them more happy than they needed to be. A box of cigars were grabbed as well. This was a celebration pure and simple.

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[Arekk]

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Aboard The Ebon Hawk, Arriving to the Rendezvouz Site​

"Without passion you are already dead."​

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[member="Athena"] ~ [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] ~ [member="Damon Riggs"] ​

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The mission was a success.

Ar'ekk was able to retrieve the datapad containing vital information to locate a very valuable location somewhere in Nar Shaddaa where he would be able to obtain technologically advanced cyberware and upgrades for both himself and Athena that were not available in the regular black market of Ethos City. Though the entire prowess wasn't as smooth as he wanted it to be since he had received a blaster shot on his left shoulder, the still human part, and was in considerate pain.

"Baby sweet, I'm gonna need to get patched up. This wound is starting to look really ugly."

Thanks to Athena's marvelous experience with security systems and computer terminals overall, the entire group was able to make it out alive with their pockets full. Sharing his part wasn't part of the deal nor it was negotiable whatsoever and receiving any sort of compensation what out of the question since the slicer was there for another reason.

Accepting the smugglers' invitation to celebrate with them was something they wouldn't pass on and agreed to meet at the provided coordinates, the Ebon Hawk was set on auto-pilot and would eventually touch the ground wherever Damon and Teyla were waiting.

"Sorry for that rough wake up, I know you love to sleep."

Always sincere, ready to give his life for the beautiful replicant girl that had stolen his heart. Ar'ekk roamed through the millennia old ship as he began to undress his upper body to eventually sit down on the edge of the bed inside the medical bay, waiting for Athena to come assist him when possible.

"It went good, though. I didn't have to worry about much except a couple of guards and that incident with the excrement."

 

[Amz]

The job had gone smooth, all things considering, but it was once they were sitting that she started to really feel everything. Once the high of adrenaline came down.

The ache on her leg was most keenly felt, the fabric on her upper thigh burned away and light scorch marks on her tanned skin were indicative of a near-miss blaster shot. Then there was the matter of something brown caked on the bottom of her boots. Yeah. She was probably going to dispose of those. Teyla swiveled her seat around and got on her feet, an impulsive hug and kiss from Damon planted on her. His excitement was catching and her lips cracked in a smile, embracing the moment with her lover. She hadn’t seen him this happy since she told him about the pregnancy. They’d needed this win.

“I know, I know, and we did it together.” Teyla laughed, stroking his stubbled cheek and kissing him once more. They pulled away from the embrace, Teyla chuckling again as she watched Damon disappear down the loading ramp in his giddiness. Up until recently, the two of them had only ever lived in the moment, but now? Now they could actually consider and plan for the future. They could get a home, a place where their child could be fed and grow and receive a proper education, beyond what the confines of the Inquisitors Revenge had to offer them.

There was also the matter of ensuring their child's safety and the distant, but the ever-present thought, of whether or not they’d have to pack up in an instant to go on the run again. But, with the amount of credits they were getting, that was something they could address and come up with a solution on.

Later, they could talk about all of this later.

Presently, all Teyla wanted to do was celebrate with Damon and the crew. Stepping off the loading Ramp, she stretched her arms in the air and inhaled a deep breath, walking to Damon's side and looping her arm through his, waiting.

[member="Arekk"], [member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Athena"]

 

[Athena]

Location: Aboard The Ebon Hawk, Arriving to the Rendezvouz Site​

Tags: [member="Arekk"], [member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"]​

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Typically green eyes flared with unnatural light for a moment as Athena logged the injuries that plagued her beloved. Every scratch, every scuff, and especially the wound in his left shoulder. She moved across the smooth floors of the Ebon Hawk with a soundless grace that only an automaton could produce. Impeccable. Immaculate. Her bare feet didn’t even really seem to make contact, but she moved nonetheless, floating around Ar’ekk with palpable worry. She orbited him like a small satellite as he walked to the medical bay, not touching, but analyzing.

“I’m here. Let me help you…”, Athena spoke lightly, a little distant, while she ran through possible treatment plans. Many ships had a variety of pocket-sized diagnostic devices but the replicant female could do much the same thing without any add-on accessories. He undressed as she moved toward the appropriate medical necessities and began to lay the sterile pieces out on a metal tray. “I hate when you get into firefights. Blaster burns…They cauterize the skin. Make it harder to heal.”

She was honestly surprised that Ar’ekk was able to get undressed without her assistance. He sat, her handsome patient, and her lips formed a delicate frown. “I worry for you.”

The seemingly delicate creature washed her hands and pulled on a pair of gloves. She didn’t have the ability to contaminate his wound the same way a normal human would, however, there was still the possibility of being a carrier of particulates. Synth skin was very close to being human. Very, very close. It held similar fragility and similar faults. Ar’ekk apologized for waking her and she shook her head slowly. “I would rather be awake with you than sleeping. You know that.”

Athena did not dream. But, sometimes, the world became a little too much. It was more than she was used to and powering down gave her time to sort through all of the data she’d collected throughout the day. It was especially necessary after an upgrade or a new software installation. There were fragments of the old code left behind that required systematic removal or she could suffer untimely glitches. Losses of time. No one wanted that.

She wheeled a standing table over to the cot that Ar’ekk was seated on and took a good look at the wound on his shoulder. “How close range were you?”, she questioned, unable to extrapolate the distance without the proper points of reference. The size of the injury was telling. The area was blackened and she closed her eyes for a moment when her olfactory sensors picked up something she was desperately trying to ignore. Seared flesh. “This will hurt.”

The auburn-haired android paused. Apology drew itself all over her soft features in such a way that one might suspect that his pain caused her far more harm than it did him.

“I am sorry.”

From there she set to numbing the area with several needle points around the wound itself. She knew it would feel like fire at first but the cooling sensation that followed would likely be welcome. Athena couldn’t completely dose him else he would sleep straight through this meeting with the rest of the crew from Void Station. The replicant set to removing dead flesh or pieces of skin that could not be saved. It would allow the bacta the highest effectiveness. “I will be quick. I promise.”

True to her word she worked efficiently and swiftly. Before he knew it she would have sterilized the area and ensured that there were no fibers stuck inside. From there she administered the appropriate dosage of injectable bacta and covered the area with a thin layer of synth-skin. It would protect his newly growing flesh while the organic compounds promoted the rapid production of the protein collagen required for healthy skin. “Your fibroblasts are already responding. That’s good. Just a quick med-patch and you’ll be right as rain…”

She pressed down the edges of the aforementioned patch and watched as it adhered to the unblemished skin on the outside of the affected zone. Almost as an afterthought, she placed a whimsical air kiss near the white bandage. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had read, that a kissing pain away was a human commonality. Athena didn’t understand it but would do anything to make Ar’ekk feel better.

“All done!”

Athena pulled away and disappeared with the tray for a moment to dispose of any biological material. She removed her gloves, washed her hands again, and placed any reusable tools in an autoclave for sterilization. Her right hand fell to her hip, the electric blue fabric of her dress seeming to shimmer when she moved, and she rounded on her patient. Within her left hand were two silver tubes that held a combination of painkillers and general antibiotics. “Every six hours. One in the upper arm like this…”, she demonstrated, holding her thumb over the back, quite like a pen.

“If we are going to be good guests, my love, you will need a new shirt. And a cup of strong caf...”

 

[Damon Riggs]

KRANT
RENDEZVOUS SITE
INTERACTING WITH: [member="Arekk"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"], [member="Athena"]

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Maybe Riggs was a bit too excited for his own good, but he knew what this meant for them. Ever since Damon had met Teyla they had always worked from one job to the next in order to just stay afloat. There were personal things that seemed to always get mixed up in their work, like Marcus Jenkins being found, or the fact they were being chased across the galaxy by someone that wanted them dead. These credits meant a secure future, one of the things Teyla wanted before she would agree to marry him. They had at least agreed to agree to be together. It wasn't like she was going to leave him high and dry while pregnant with his baby. Besides they loved each other too much for those games.

Honestly none of those things mattered right now because they had the credits in hand. It was foolish of Ar'ekk to not want to take any of them. Who turned down free money. Well with the work that went into it, it was not free, and he earned what they offered. Riggs and Teyla were full partners in their business, it wasn't just a term to describe their romantic involvement. When she made the offer Riggs didn't have to interject, he trusted her decision making.

When Riggs spotted the ship, Teyla was with him. Her arm lopped into his, and the couple stood there as the Ebon Hawk landed. A smile was still plastered on Riggs face as he was ready to give the man an over enthusiastic hug the minute he saw him. Riggs eyes dropped to Teyla's wound though. A frown threatened to wipe the smile off his face. How had Riggs just now noticed that she was hurt.

"You're hurt?"

Riggs places a hand on the hand that held his arm. Internally he was kicking himself, but he knew if he voiced that he should not have let her join them he would get an earful about it later. She was her own woman, and the once wealthy and proper woman had been far removed from that life for a long time. She had been a CSF officer, private security, and now a full time smuggler. Riggs knew better than to insinuate that she needed to be protected because she could take care of herself, and he knew it.

"Right... well, I am still excited about this haul, and if Ar'ekk can't be talked into these credits maybe Athena can. They earned them."

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[Arekk]

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Aboard The Ebon Hawk, Arriving to the Rendezvouz Site​

"Without passion you are already dead."​

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[member="Athena"] ~ [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] ~ [member="Damon Riggs"] ​

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He felt a huge relief when Athena came into the medical bay in his urgent assistance, ready to make sure nothing went wrong with his new injury. Another one to the list, he thought, but that quickly dissipated as the auburn-haired girl began the treatment. She had the hands of an angel and the loving care made things a little less dramatic and the hurting seemed to fade away in time thanks to her.

"I'm sorry, my love. But there was an awful lot of opposition inside that place you couldn't even imagine. It won't happen again."

As always Ar'ekk was being completely honest with Athena. There was no way he could even lie to his beloved in any manner possible and this promise, like the many others he had made, would be kept. He sat on the cot with a grimace on his face, clearly in pain, as she prepared all the apparatuses and items necessary to begin the treatment. Eyes followed her along followed with a big smile despite being hurt too much inside, nothing made him more happy than being with her.

"Mid-range, two steps away probably." A quizzical glance formed on his face, facing upwards as he went through the scenario in his head. "I didn't even see it coming."

A firm nod followed suit as she revealed that whatever was coming next would feel like getting pricked by a thousand needles or having your bones broken by a giant. Either way, Ar'ekk closed his eyes for an instant in preparation for the sting that would soon come as Athena cleaned up the seared flesh from his blackened wound and made sure no infection could get him in deep trouble.

"I'm in good hands." He mused with a painful grin again, this time feeling the sting like an ice pick piercing his flesh. That really hurt. "Eek!"

Athena always surprised him with something new, like a simple gesture or a simple conversation between the two of them. Seeing her perform actions other human beings could consider being mundane was awestrucking for Ar'ekk and specially for his beloved and when she kissed the bandage he couldn't help himself but giggle in complete happiness. She was everything a person could ask for and he very well knew that, she was someone he wanted to live his entire life with.

"Thank you, baby sweet. What would I do without you?" A thankful peck found her way, his free hand reaching out for the two silver tubes. His beautiful doctor had done a marvelous job. "I love you so much."

Getting up from the coat nice and easy, the slicer opened the armoire nearby and rummaged through until he retrieved a black t-shirt and two fur jackets that would give him and his beautiful Athena enough warmth if they decided to go outside or be inside the ship. Despite being recently patched up and feeling a lot better than before, he struggled to put on his t-shirt and eyes found Athena's that just screamed "Help me".

"You're right, my love. I will get us some delicious caf with the cookies you like so much. How's that?"

Their visitors would board the Ebon Hawk soon enough.

 

[Amz]

“Oh...none of that now, it’s just a scratch.” a smile turned up her full lips feeling the grasp of his hand over hers. In return, she gave him a brief but affirming squeeze. “Nothing to worry over.” She understood the unsaid context, the concern he had for her and their child. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to protect them, and she knew he would do anything necessary to see them both safe.

“They did,” she agreed, “but, if they won’t take the credits, there might be other ways to repay them,” It could be quite telling of a person's financial situation, when such an amount of credits as what had been offered, got outright turned down. “Perhaps in the way of a, mutually beneficial arrangement?”

Mere seconds went by, and the roar of engines as the Ebon Hawk came to land was deafening. The wind it created picked up her dark hair, whipping it, and creating dust circles around them. She squinted at first watching it land, then closed her eyes and held up a hand to keep the dust out of her face. When the sound of the engine died down and the winds stopped, golden eyes slowly peered open, hand lowering in beat with the lowering docking ramp.

Her head canted to the side and her arm detached from being looped into Damon, motioning towards the ship. “I suppose that’s our que, hm?”

Up the ramp they went, to meet with their, out of nowhere, Angels in disguise.

[member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Arekk"], [member="Athena"]

 

[Athena]

Location: Aboard The Ebon Hawk, At the Rendezvouz Site​

Tags: [member="Arekk"], [member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"]​

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Athena smiled when her Ar’ekk promised that he that he would not be injured in such a fashion again. He was so cute when he did that, fibbing, without meaning to. The replicant knew he had every intention of trying to keep his word to her. He never, ever, lied to her intentionally but the slender creature did not deal in fanciful hopes. As human as she appeared, she wasn’t, and the empirical data she gathered passively disagreed with his statement. Skilled fingers worked carefully and precisely for a long moment in silence while she cleaned and bandaged his wound amongst all the burned epidermis. “You are forgiven, but, we both know that there is a high probability that it will happen again with or without your consent. You are perfect. Yet, you are still human.”

As a mostly organic being, he was still capable of being injured in ways she was not. Her body could be destroyed by there was always a backup of the contents of her memory crystal hidden in his private servers on Lithios. She uploaded a fresh copy every seventy-two hours. Ar’ekk explained how close he had been to his would be executioner and Athena made a small noise. “I can see that.”, she murmured, a little distracted, but still computing the depth of the damage.

She hated hurting him. It hurt her. Even if it meant helping him, it felt wrong, and if she weren’t imbued with the inhuman stillness of an automaton her hands might have shaken. Instead, they only moved with surgical precision as her enhanced eyesight scanned him briefly for complications. “I am with you, my love. Please do not move.”

His giggle, the small laugh, when she air-kissed the top of his bandage was all the reward she needed. He asked what he would do without her and Athena’s large eyes blinked, perfectly green, and easily the color of the first leaves of spring. “Starve. Sleep in all day. I have read that death by boredom is also possible.”, her words were factual, but, punctuated with a kittenish smile that showed she was making an attempt at humor.

Then came the words that he said so easily. The three words that she had never thought would be reserved for her alone. She had watched Ar’ekk through laughter, love, grief, and then self-destruction without any physical form to do anything about him. The auburn haired-replicant had cared for him from afar before she had even known the words to place meaning to it. Her synth-skin cheeks took on a hue akin to primrose. “I love you.”

When he went to try and get dressed her light laugh would carry through the medical bay when he looked like an awkward chicken, with one wing stuck in the air, before she moved to help him. “Silly.”, she chastised gently, before thoughtfully tugging his shirt down where it belonged. Athena accepted the warm fur-lined coat that he held as well, but didn’t put it on yet, considering the Ebon Hawk was quite comfortable.

It didn’t occur to her until then that she had been mistaken. They were to be the hosts for their new friends, not, the guests. She sucked in air with her artificial lungs before exhaling. “I would have made fresh cookies if I would have realized they were coming here. Make extra caf, darling. I’ll organize a little more finger food quickly.”

She leaned up to kiss his cheek, but paused, before leaving the medical bay.

“I’ve also been thinking. On the issue of your safety. Instead of promising that it will never happen again why not promise that you will always do your best to come back to me. Is that fair?”

She slipped away before he could answer, knowing that their guests would be there soon, and that she wanted to at least have something ready. By the time [member="Damon Riggs"] and [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] were headed up the lowered ramp they would be greeted by the young replicant who wore a pleasant smile. “Welcome to the Ebon Hawk.”, she spoke cheerfully, with dancing green eyes, and oddly enough, still barefoot. If they were going to leave she would obviously get dressed more appropriately but this ship was home away from home.

“Please, friends, join us in the main hold. We have caf. And cookies.”

Her head inclined as her hands clasped together for a moment before she began to lead the way. The ramp closed behind them. Krant was mostly safe but one could never be too careful. As they walked, the replicant turned around and faced the pair, her expression inquisitive, while traversing the ship backwards. “I am Athena.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you well after your adventure?”

Athena had added a few trays of light snacks (and cookies) to the round table that had been added to the main hold to make it more of a lounge. There was enough space for an entire crew to sit and gather so there shouldn’t be any problems. Spying Ar’ekk entering about the same time with the full caf carafe she beamed and danced up to him to take it. Another kiss to his cheek. Athena loved having company and it showed.

 

[Damon Riggs]

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KRANT
RENDEZVOUS SITE
INTERACTING WITH: [member="Arekk"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"], [member="Athena"]

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It’s just a scratch, and you’re just pregnant. Let me be concerned and at least ask.” Riggs wasn’t going to let it go that he had a right to be concerned even though Teyla’s look told him plenty. He trusted her, which was why he she wasn’t completely sidelined yet. He owed Ar’rekk though, because she might be have been hurt or worse without his arrival.

Riggs nodded in response to Teyla’s observation. They would have to find another way to thank them because Riggs paid his debts, and he was to proud to let it go now. The man was hopefully trust worthy enough not to double cross them, but Riggs was still on his guard. What did a man who wanted no credits really want that they could offer.

He walked up the shipwith Teyla as the replicant greeted them. So Ar’ekk had a friend, and by the looks of it a very interesting friend. Riggs nodded. Teyla was better with introductions than he was, but he put forth an effor. A hand was extended in greeting, and Riggs smiled.

“Caf and cookies sounds great. Nothing like a close call and a load of credits to work up an appetite. We owe you guys, Ar’ekk, well he kept the baby from getting hurt so we are really grateful. I’m Riggs, this is Teyla...”

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[Arekk]

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Aboard The Ebon Hawk​

"Without passion you are already dead."​

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[member="Athena"] ~ [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] ~ [member="Damon Riggs"] ​

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Getting hurt in this line of work simply came with the territory and there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop that, giving Athena a small lie to try and keep her calm and not overthinking things when out doing whatever odd job came up on the DarkNet. But the replicant girl was smart enough to recognize and see through his bluff, even if it had a positive meaning hidden inbetween. Worrying her was the least Ar'ekk wanted to do.

"I will always come back to you, Athena. That's a promise."

Her joke didn't go by unnoticed and he laughed in unison with his beloved at her commentary, finding it amusing and realistic even if she said such in a joking manner. She knew him all too well and probably would've headed down that destructive path she ever so carefully described with extreme accuracy. Luckily, it wouldn't be that way.

"That would be an awful way to die, though. It's either that or drunk on the worst bar of Ethos City one could ever set foot in."

By the time he responded, Athena had already left the medical bay to prepare those delicious cookies he always devoured in the kitchen back at their apartment. She prepared exquisite food with a marvelous technique as if it was made by the angels of Iego themselves. The former Jedi turned slicer walked through the milennia old Ebon Hawk with a clear discomfort on his shoulder and headed to the kitchen, flicking the button on the caf maker and waited what seemed for an eternity to finish.

Pouring himself a hot steaming cup of caf and making his way towards the main cargo hold, Ar'ekk bumped into the group and gave them the biggest of smiles. Athena made her way towards him in the smoothest of ways, like a bird prancing around elegantly, and wrapped his good arm around her waist. Sipping from his mug and giving the duo a nod to invite them over, he made the necessary introductions.

"Welcome aboard the Ebon Hawk. I see you've met my beloved Athena." His eyes lingered on the replicant girl, the love of his life, and gave her a big smile. His voice oozed confidence and some sort of swagger accompanied his gestures. "Please, make yourselves at home. I'm Ar'ekk."

Pointing his cup at Teyla, the slicer couldn't help himself but laugh (in a good way) about such coincidence. The Force had a way of acting so strange at times and this only confirmed his belief in such hokey religion even more. It was truly fascinating and frightening at the same time, how everything conspired.

"Nice to see you again, Teyla. How's your Wookiee friend? It's been a long time." A small pause between words. "Also, Damon. Nice to meet you."

A hand reached out to shake theirs in the most polite of ways, at least the one that wasn't injured and obviously patched up, before eventually returning to sidehug Athena. Despite being covered by a fur-lined jacket, the injury was quite obvious and his discomfort showed despite the effort to not look like a wimp.

"Come in. The cookies are to die for."

 

[Amz]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Teyla gave him a sharp look but said nothing, saving them both from rehashing an argument they’d visited the week before. The ordeal was over, they were both alive. To her, that was all that mattered. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]She wasn’t trying to act indifferent to her physical condition, she was very aware of the child she carried, but it had always been her job to ensure the safety of others. Needing to be protected? That was a new concept, and the more her stomach swelled, the more Damon fussed and fretted. It was both endearing and equally frustrating, and something she would have to resign herself to getting used to. After all, there were worse things in life than having her paramour concerned about her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]As they entered the ship, introductions and pleasantries were exchanged and the two were encouraged to follow the barefooted Athena to the back, “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, smiling. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The woman leading them intrigued her, and Teyla picked up quickly on some of her quirks, first noting the sockless feet on the cool durasteel and the curious mannerisms that seemed to give way to her innocence. Where had Ar’ekk been hiding her the last time they met, and why had he failed to mention her? Curious, indeed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]For now, she filed away the information and questions when noticing the slicer at the other side of the room, cracking a broad smile.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“We did, and she’s very lovely.” Teyla said, moving in further and offering her hand for a shake. Golden-eyes looked over the other arm, catching on to the fact of it being injured by the way he kept it close to his chest. “Rafiki is well, recouping back on the ship.” she paused, then nodded towards his wound. “How are[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] you faring?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Teyla found a place to take a seat, but not before pilfering one of the cookies and nibbling on it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]They were delicious! She loosed a contented sigh, glancing between Ar'ekk and Athena.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]“Gotta say, it’s quite a surprise to see you again, didn’t expect you to leave Lithios. But we’re both sure glad that the two of you showed up when you did. Your timing couldn’t have been more impeccable, and we’d like to find some way to repay you for the troubles." [/SIZE]

[member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Arekk"], [member="Athena"]

 

[Athena]

Location: Aboard The Ebon Hawk, At the Rendezvous Site​

Tags: [member="Arekk"], [member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"]​

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Promises, promises.

She always felt a swell of artificial warmth anytime he did something so incredibly sweet and selfless. Ar’ekk was a gentleman toward her, in every way, and she always appreciated his patience. Her systems that governed logical function were backed by irrefutable data. It could make her a difficult person to argue with. Even more so, it could be a trial to get her to understand arbitrary concepts. She was learning. It was just going to take time.

In-between the infirmary and the picking up their guests she hurried to make things appear a little more hospitable. Her navy-blue color-block dress was piped with neon blue stripes that ran down her slender sides. It was cheerful, just as she was, and fit her personality wonderfully. Her eyes flickered toward the one known as Riggs. Damon Riggs. “A close call?”, Athena questioned, curious, while also making sure to smile at the woman beside him. She didn’t want her to think that she had forgotten. She reached to shake his hand briefly, but, it would seem exceedingly gentle. Not a firm grip to be seen.

“By my estimations, there should have been more breathing room. I will recalculate for the next venture. Regardless you are both most welcome.”

It was the word “baby” that caught her attention the more than anything else.

Green eyes flared with a little light as she looked over Teyla in the same moment as she reached for her hand as well. The same enhancements that let her see to his injuries all let her see the truth of the matter. The dark-haired woman was with child. Not terribly far along in the gestation period, but, she didn’t need special sight to know that. Her belly was not yet like that of a giant shock ball. If the handshake she had given Riggs was soft, this, was barely a whisper. As if she were afraid to break something. Eventually, she peeled her eyes from Teyla but only because they’d reached the main hold and it would have been rude not to greet Ar’ekk appropriately.

The much taller man referred to her as his and her nose crinkled as she tried to hide in his side for a moment. He was always so possessive. Though, technically, he did own her. While the thought might have bothered some of the less enlightened the replicant was glad for it. Not everyone treated their creations with such delicacy, respect, and care.

She left his side momentarily to set down the caf carafe she’d stolen from him but quickly returned to him. Athena seemed almost relieved when Teyla sat down. She was nervous. There was so much information on the Holo-Net about pregnant females that it was hard to filter through quickly. What should she do? Boil water? Offer peanut butter? Sardines? At least she was sitting down. Athena had seen that multiple times. Expecting mothers should rest adequately. Her eyes turned toward Ar’ekk and she tugged on his collar. “They have a tiny human.”

She looked back between Teyla and Riggs.

“You have a tiny human.”

The words burst out of her, interrupting all the shop talk, with a mixture of wonderment, fear, and glee. Her hand came to rest over her mouth for a moment before she spoke again. The Holo-Net said no caffeine! Oh, no. There was so much caf in the room. Would smelling it hurt? No, no, just drinking it. Not lethal but ill-advised. Her eyes flickered again as she accessed the data stream and tried to append her knowledge as best she could. “No caf for you. Is there something else I can get you? Should you be walking? No, you’re sitting. Now. Exercise is good for expecting mothers but I don’t think the person that wrote this article had being shot at in mind—“

“Pillows? A blanket? Substantial food? Ar’ekk loves when I cook.”

Athena looked positively miserable. She felt like a terrible hostess. Teyla and Riggs would never come back now. The notion of some sort of repayment had completely slipped her mind, though, it likely wouldn’t have held much weight in the first place. She didn’t know the meaning of quid pro quo and had never truly been exposed to people that would expect such things. She excelled in surpassing all manner of technical difficulties but, aside from Void Station, Ar’ekk had done his best to protect her.

She knew about violence and crime. But, there was a reason he’d left her on the ship aside from her update.

“You have sustained minor trauma. If you would wish it I am capable of performing a variety of diagnostic and treatment services. You need. Something[SIZE=11pt]—”[/SIZE], she nodded her head, slowly, clearly trying to understand. It would never occur to Athena that Teyla was perfectly fine, content, and currently enjoying a cookie. Athena liked to take care of others. Ar’ekk was often the subject of her protective instincts. “[SIZE=11pt]—I’ll get juice. Juice and water.”[/SIZE]

She released Ar’ekk with an affectionate pat and backed toward the hallway that would lead to the galley, mumbling to herself, as she read and discounted ludicrous amounts of information.

‘THEY CARRY CHILDREN FOR NINE MONTHS?’ ​

 

[Damon Riggs]

​

KRANT
RENDEZVOUS SITE
INTERACTING WITH: [member="Arekk"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"], [member="Athena"]

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Riggs was about to say anything to agree with Teyla, but the moment that Athena realized that the woman was pregnant her enthusiasm took over everything. Wide blue eyes watched in wonder at how innocent the replicant seemed to be. Looking past her to Ar'ekk he smiled a bit as he tried to compliment the man on his choice of a partner. She seemed as eccentric in her own was as Ar'ekk was. To say they were a good match was an understatement. Her offer was very generous, though it drowned out their intent to find a way to repay the couple for the assistance they offered. Credits were already denied, but the needed to find something that the two would be willing to take. Riggs always paid his debts.

A chuckle escaped Riggs mouth as Athena left to get juice for Teyla.

"She seems excitable. I like her, Ar'ekk. Though, if we could... please tell us if there is any way that we can repay you for the help? The heist would not have happened without it."

He reached out for the caf and cookies that had been laid out for them and started in on them while he was waiting. Riggs was never shy about these things. Where there was caf and cookies Riggs would always be the first to belly up. In fact his love of caf and desserts had been what allowed him to get Russo to drop her guard when the commander was giving him a difficult time about how his command was interfering with her squadron. Those were memories that Riggs tried to push out, but there were times they came back. The trauma of the war and the relationships formed during it always had a way of creeping back up.

His blue eyes turned to Teyla as he realized how tired he was, and his head dropped to her shoulder.

"That was too close... I'm getting flashbacks."

PTSD plain and simple, but RIggs managed.

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[Arekk]

​

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Aboard The Ebon Hawk​

"Without passion you are already dead."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Athena"] ~ [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] ~ [member="Damon Riggs"] ​

​

The enthusiasm shown by Athena had him melting right there and then, almost wanting to just tell her that having a tiny human was in the back of his head too. Not the occasion to do that of course because that would only make their visitors feel awkward but instead shared that same excitedness with a smile and a chuckle that mirrored that of Damon's, shrugging.

"They do, baby sweet." The man countered with another whisper, smiling warmly as she seemed so surprised about Teyla's pregnancy. "How cute is that?"

Eventually, Ar'ekk circled around the table with the caf and cookies to rest his palm on the smuggler's shoulder.

"She means everything to me. Just like friendship, that's all I ask. Don't fuss about a payment, me and Athena are more than good."

Giving a bite to a particular delicious chocolate cookie, the slicer dragged his gaze between Teyla and Damon to reassure them everything was okay and that they did not need to be paid with anything. The money was as good as theirs and the only thing Ar'ekk asked in return was their friendship, nothing more and nothing less. It seemed like a very weird thing to say or even ask for but that's what he felt. Help eachother, become a tight group and be there for the difficult times was more than one person could ask for.

"Maybe there is a way I can pay you instead. You friendship in exchange for something I can offer kindly for your new family."

There was something that the former Jedi turned slicer had been thinking for a long time and that was setting up a couple of business ventures somewhere quiet but also getting rid of some investments made on Lithios that would certainly benefit both Damon and Teyla alongside their newborn in the near future. A home to call their own in the heart of the Financial District of Ethos City, not the best choice of a planet but it was on a planet that didn't show up in the charts yet it was bigger than Nar Shaddaa and Coruscant themselves.

Grimacing a little due to his injured arm, Ar'ekk leaned against the table carefully enough to not make a mess of what was in display to grab and eventually spoke once again.

"But we can talk about that later. Let's celebrate now, shall we? Us four."

 

[Amz]

She felt little bubbles pop against the inner wall of her stomach, the child seemingly responding to Athena’s enthusiasm with a bit of their own. Placing the hand that was released against the small round bulge of her stomach, she rubbed over it softly; as if it was the skin of her child that she touched, trying to soothe their restlessness.

With the rapid-fire questions from the replicant, Teyla became easily swept away from the earlier offer she’d posed. “That’s right, we do,” she said, her voice changing to a sweet and soft note, unable to keep from smiling at the women's innocent rambling about the ‘tiny-human’ incubating in her stomach. “Or rather, will. Barely fifteen-weeks to go.”

Teyla tried to interject, holding up a hand to indicate that she was fine when [member="Athena"] offered her food and other beverages. She certainly hadn’t expected anyone to wait on her unnecessarily, being perfectly content as she was. “Oh, no, don’t wo-” Teyla cut herself off and let it go. She knew from experience with Damon, that it was sometimes better to indulge rather than fight against it, and the woman seemed possessed with the need to do something to be helpful. “Sure,” she conceded finally, “Some juice would be nice.”

Golden-brown eyes watched as Athena ambled off, murmuring to herself. Teyla smiled again, nodding in agreement with Damon’s sentiment. Her innocence was a refreshing welcome, and she was certainly interesting.

“Friendship, that’s all you want? Hm.” Teyla let the thought turn in her mind, wondering silently what kind of invisible strings might be attached to that sort of a deal. It seemed a bit odd, since they didn’t know [member="Arekk"] that well. Not beyond a simple meeting at a bar in Lithios, and most recently, the heist. He offered so much, for what seemed like so little in return. But, perhaps that was more of a reflection on how used to the more unsavory aspects of the smuggling lifestyle Teyla was becoming.

“Okay, later.” she was very curious about this offer, still nibbling on her cookie. “To us, then? What do you have in mind for celebrating? What do we do? A toast?” she grinned, “Sabacc?”

The conversation was seemingly starting to flow, and she enjoyed the ease of it, until [member="Damon Riggs"] came up beside her, nuzzling his head against her shoulder. His words, heavy and somber.

“It’s alright..we made it,” she said, reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze. He hadn’t had an episode in a long time, and knowing that it was related to tonight made her feel a modicum of guilt. Had she caused this, because of her sheer stubborn will? All of her insides turned uncomfortably, knowing there wasn’t anything she could do to fix it. Nothing beyond being there, and acting as a calming presence that he could anchor himself to. “I’m right here, just hold on to me.”

 

[Athena]

Location: Aboard The Ebon Hawk, At the Rendezvous Site​

Tags: [member="Arekk"], [member="Damon Riggs"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"]​

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Only fifteen weeks left. So, it really WAS nine months? Whaaa-Du-Hek. Her head was spinning.

There was so. Much. Information. About. Tiny. Humans. It was fantastical to her. Her eyes flickered as she accessed the data stream and cherry-picked information about human biology. She was capable of diagnosing and treating grievous wounds and injuries that generally pertained to a standard template. Obstetrics was not standard. She moved through the galley with an expression full of extreme thought. Ar’ekk thought that having a tiny human was cute. Was it? Did that mean he wanted one too?

The thought saddened her. She could give him many things. But, at the present time, a tiny human was not one of them. Her frame did not allow for it.

She fretted about Teyla something fierce. She’d been shot at! Athena felt incredibly guilty for coming into the battle so late. Her software updates had taken much longer than initially expected and she’d come into the fight late. If she had been ready sooner then perhaps she could have assured that Ar’ekk and their new friends had an easier time of it. Her lips pursed as she began to fill a tray with items that she thought Teyla might like. Bottled water, mupple juice, and sound ground-apple juice. That was all they really had aside from wine…

But the Holo-Net said wine wasn’t good for a developing fetus either.

She found chocolate covered camby berries and also loaded up a bowl full of beebleberry ice cream. Athena figured that she would wait and see if anyone was actually hungry before she began cooking anything in particular, but, she did have the auto-chef start thawing a roast. Just in case. She also stopped by one of the hall cabinets and picked up one of her favorite soft blankets and a squishy pillow. Athena had all sorts of things stashed away on the Ebon Hawk. Little pieces of home, of Ethos City, that she never wanted to be without.

When she returned to the main hold everyone seemed to be settling in. Athena turned her frown upside down and beamed at the present company with all the light and attention they deserved. She had missed the admission that Damon Riggs was suffering from some sort of flashbacks so she turned her focus back to Teyla while they snuggled. She liked that. People that weren’t afraid of being close to each other. They knew how lucky they were. Many organics didn’t. “I come bearing gifts that, according to the Holo-Net, are acceptable for your tiny human.”

The auburn-haired woman sat down the new condiments on the table, and nudged the ice-cream close, before setting the blanket and pillow in an empty seat beside the couple. As always she found Ar’ekk shortly thereafter. The slender creature slid in beside him, careful of his arm, but always nestled herself into his side. It was safe, warm, and wonderful there. “Please let us know if you need anything else.”

“I downloaded as much as I could on human gestation but it is difficult to sort through so much data so quickly. I have learned that you should have plenty of rest. That regular check-ups are advisable—Oh and that you, Mr. Riggs, should not be afraid of harming your tiny human during intercourse. The youngling is well protected within the amniotic sac. Nor will your offspring know what you’re up to.”

“As far as your tiny human is concerned, Ms. Ee'everwest, is just taking a very brisk walk. I would advise this exercise over a fire-fight in the future.”

Athena closed her dialogue by smiling brightly before she picked up a camby berry to slowly nibble on. She could eat, some, but her intake was always limited. She didn’t mind it though. It let her snag things off of Ar’ekk’s plate more often than not and she loved to share with him. She reached behind her to tug her slicers arm around her waist and leaned her head on him while her bare feet tucked up daintily beside her in the booth. “What did I miss?”

She blinked once, twice, and her green eyes flared. His biorhythms had changed. Was he not able to imbibe coffee either? “Is everything all right Mr. Riggs?”

 

[Damon Riggs]

​

KRANT
RENDEZVOUS SITE
INTERACTING WITH: [member="Arekk"], [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"], [member="Athena"]

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"Sabacc, always, and whiskey."

Riggs answered the question Teyla had asked, in an attempt to put himself in a lighter mood. What Teyla could not have known, or iggs for that matter, was that having the woman he loved in harm's way was going to trigger an episode of his PTSD. Maybe it was because she was with child, or because she had gotten shot, but Damon knew it was because of that. The flash of Russo's ship blowing to bit from the escape pod he was in played over and over in his mind.

"Maybe just the whiskey," he said later.

Teyla was encouraging him that they made it, and Damon nodded his head against her shoulder as he picked it up. Now Athena had noticed and wanted to know if everything was alright, and Riggs nodded, then shook his head. If they were going to be friends, he might as well give them a bit of the story.

"I wasn't always in the smuggling business, Athena. When people call me Captain, that is because I actually was one. Captain Damon Riggs of the SSD Inquisitor. I commanded one the largest capital ships the Galactic Alliance had, and during a battle with the Sith over Coruscant we lost it. My best friend was lost, the woman I loved at the time, lost. Because of it, I suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. A close call like we had... well they can trigger episodes and flashbacks."

He squeezed Teyla's hand.

"I used to drink a lot of whiskey to try and forget, and Teyla... when she started working for me had to deal with a drunk. Force only knows why she fell for me, but here we are. I'm sober, she's pregnant, and as soon as we can get enough credits I'm buying her a nice place and making her my wife. Though, we have done of few of those things backwards."

 

[Arekk]

​

​

Aboard The Ebon Hawk​

"Without passion you are already dead."​

——————————————————————​

[member="Athena"] ~ [member="Teyla Ee'everwest"] ~ @Damon Riggs ​

​

He didn't know if he should laugh or feel embarassed for what his beloved said to their guests and instead held her hand tightly but in a gentle manner, giving her these big moon eyes that just screamed "Oh no!" followed by a nervous chuckle. She had a way of saying things and didn't blame her, the innocence of the replicant girl showed and there was nothing more beautiful than that.

"Athena, my love!" Another chuckle escaped his mouth while his gaze shifted to both Teyla and Damon. "Please, have some more coffee."

With that out of the way and tightly holding Athena from her side while giving her little pecks on her temple, Ar'ekk listened to Damon's story and couldn't help but relate with what he was saying. Albeit radically different in some points they were similar in some ways, the post traumatic disorder affected anyone at any given time and destroyed your life until there was nothing left. Thankfully that wasn't the case here for either of the guys.

"Happens to the best of us, Damon. And I can't help but relate with your story because it sounds so similar to mine though it happened long ago. Former Jedi Knight here, fought in Malachor V against the One Sith. Lead a group of fine soldiers to battle, we were practically a band of brothers but that war condemned us all. I was the only one to make it out alive after we were ambushed by thermal detonators, lost my arm and burned half my face in the process."

You obviously couldn't see the facial injuries on the man's face anymore thanks to synthflesh replacing what was hurt but the cybernetic arm replacing the missing organic one couldn't be missed whatsoever. Sacrifices were made in their lives that costed them too much but here they were... Alive. That's what mattered and Ar'ekk respected Damon for just that as he hoped he'd respect him in return.

"That fething PTSD affects me to this day too but not as radically as I thought. Athena's my anchor and everything, she took care of me in my worst and best moments. Just much like you, she's the one I wanna spend the rest of my life with. You two are like family now as well, don't forget that, even though we just met."

His temple rested against Athena's and smiled, content of what he had. This would be the beginning of a truly great future for all.