Mouse Trap

[Xin Boa]

There could have been a hundred reasons for the hug. A small show of thanks for the offer, a token gesture for having survived a night of horror, or just a casual display of affection. It didn't have to mean that the talkative nautolan was feeling fragile after some introspection on the difficult moments of his life and his mistakes.

That's what he told himself when his mind got around to considering what she must have thought about him stopping and then doing this.

He sighed.

Hair, he found, had this particular scent. It wasn’t unpleasant to him, just slightly unfamiliar. Giving her a light squeeze he leaned back enough to look down at her. He had always thought humans had such small eyes, but up close he found they were remarkably colourful. Small irises contained fractal patterns of different hues. From a distance he had never realised the depth they seemed to hold.

Both arms wrapped around the small of her back now and he offered a small smile. Some of those thoughts rattling around his head seemed to have taken a break. Xin felt a little less like there was a heavy weight on his chest.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]There wasn’t much experience on her end in terms of reading nautolans. A number of expressions or signs were near universal and much of her inference had to go off those. A sigh was one of those. Still didn’t give her much to go on but it pushed her mind into the right direction on figuring out how Xin was feeling. His arms shifted and her head tilted up.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a hint of a smile. Dells made no motion to move just yet. Didn’t feel like the right time, plus they had a rare moment of silence. No Brak. No explosions or blaster shots heading their way. No targets to keep an eye on distracting the pair from one another. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So any moment now there should be an explosion or dead body of some sort to ruin this.” A grin and gaze looked around. Fairly empty, a spacer was headed into a bar. A small group was rounding a corner. “Always seems to happen, doesn’t it?”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

Xin made a show of looking around. He winced in advance of the expected event. Nothing happened, the Universe moved on. For some reason he had been blessed with a good sense for danger. At the same time that tended to be far enough ahead of it falling right on top of him.

When nothing interrupted them he slightly raised his shoulders in a manner that gave an impression of a shrug.

“I am nuh gonna say it,” he said. To do so would be to tempt fate. Instead he leaned in until they were just inches apart. Once more he paused, this time with a slight cant of the head as if expecting the interruption.

Another second fate decides to afford them. So he stopped wasting time and kissed her.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]There was laughter at his show of looking around. She had already scoped out the situation but it seemed Xin wanted his perspective on how the universe was treating them. Quiet stretched between them as Xin tilted closer, lips meeting in a kiss. If the universe was trying to interrupt them again, Delila wasn’t paying attention, mind doing its best to drown the outside world out. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Hand twisted into the fabric of his shirt, keeping the nautolan close. Face slightly pulled back from his with a bit of a grin. Another quick kiss and she found her mind wandering, trying to calculate how much time they had left. At one point she had considered parting ways with Xin on the station, not wanting to head to the fleet. Now she wasn’t so sure. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“See? Nothing bad...so far…” Dells slowly released her grip on Xin, as if doing so would cause more interruptions. “Next time we’re really alone lets hope it goes just as well. I mean, It should. We’ll be back at my place.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

“Don’t tempt it!” Xin hissed. He didn’t refer to what ‘it’ was in this case. It was said with a humorous note, but inside he did not find it quite so funny. “De station will fall apart just to prove a point.”

Slipping one hand back to himself the other remained around her back as he turned towards the wide portal. He led her back towards the portal where they could stand side by side.

Feth the universe, he thought as he looked out the window. With the light reflecting back off several layers of glasteel he could only see the brightest stars, but that was enough to direct his anger toward. He shouldn't have to feel guilty or frightened because he liked being around some people again. He enjoyed her company, he liked Brak’s too. They seemed honest too and he didn't get a lot of that in his life.

“Take a walk back to de ship?” He asked.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]“Only if we take the long way around.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Delila wasn't sure if there was a long way around. The station had seemed fairly symmetrical and we'll planned from what she saw. Still she wasn't ready to completely drag herself away from the small bubble that was Xin and a quiet moment. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Dells was already moving back in the direction from which they had came. Sadly the bubble had to burst. Probably wiser to do it alone instead of in front of Brak.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is the Fleet far? I'll be honest Xin, I'm considering not tagging along. Staying here. I can find a way home no problem. It may not be wise for me to continue.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

Xin took the comment literally. It was obvious from his expression that he'd been trying to think which way would take the most time.

“Oh. Right,” he replied, realising what the point of the line of questioning was. Far was a complicated thing when it came to hyperspace and plotting routes.

“Why don't...we put it into the navcomp. Might be easier to drop yuh on de way, or Brak on de way.”

Or neither, he didn't say. Which would mean they would be parting sooner than he had expected.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sure, thats fine. Coruscant is on the way to the Fleet?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a hint of amusement in her tone. Dells suspected Xin was looking for her to stick around a little while longer instead of running off to Coruscant. Gaze glanced sideways at the nautolan, trying to take in his expression. It was difficult, even considering the cultural and species differences Xin had a great poker face.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’m not abandoning you Xin, if thats what you think. You're great company. Which is extremely unusual to find anywhere.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

There was no sign of poker face following the complement. Whilst he didn't fully mimick all human expressions, particularly around the eyes, smiling was relatively universal. He didn't think he was that unusual. If anything he was perhaps more light-hearted and talkative than most of the outlaws he'd run with in his life.

“I've really enjoyed what time we've been allowed,” he replied. He had. Even the time of drinking and silly challenges that had escalated rather significantly had been fun. Finding fun wasn't always easy where he was. Criminals weren't doing that job because they were enjoying it.

“Let's see, we are rimward of Atrisia…” his eyes narrowed as he thought about it. “Depends which way de navcomp routes in and out of de core I guess?” He was no navigator. He knew that when you charted a path through the densely packed ball of stars in the center of the Galaxy travel times could change a great deal. It probably would be quicker to go via Coruscant.

“We wud nuh ha been back fah days if all had been to plan so he suppose Wesseq can go kark himself?” He shrugged.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]“He’s going to be mad because you’re back early? No doubt he has already heard the assignment didn’t go well.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Delila was (hopefully) piecing together information on the Fleet with a bit of subtly. Both Xin and Brak seemed to either respect of fear Wesseq to a certain degree. In the case of Xin it seemed more fear based, if she was gauging his reactions correctly. Part of her was interested in meeting this Wesseq face to face. The other part of her was scared she would end up shooting Wesseq point blank and causing a riot. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“So you’re not going to say goodbye to the Fleet this time around? Or you really can’t piss anyone off until you get a few jobs under your belt? I know you mentioned parts and goods for your first couple go arounds. Wesseq I guess has the power to say ‘no’ if he likes?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Brows knit in confusion, trying to sort out the logistics of the Fleet in her head.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Don’t want you to cause any trouble, I can always go and stay in the ship.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

“Nuh, he's nuh in charge,” Xin replied. “Could probably stop mi working ef him really wanted to. Don't think he would. De Fleet Council is in charge. Captains and reps from each ship. Wesseq just runs his special missions to keep em all flying.”

The Duros seemed the vindictive sort, but Xin had put in a good shift and probably wasn't worth his attention.

“Guess I go where de work is now,” he mused. It was a freedom he hadn't had before. His smile went a little nervous. Freedom to make his own way or a freedom to fail.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]“Hmn.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]‘Fleet Council’ sounded equally suspicious in her head, especially since Wesseq was in charge of ‘special missions’. Special missions seemed a bit of a broad definition. So far it seemed everything from making sure someone was picking up parts to overseeing assignments on observing weapons deals. Odder that the Fleet would ‘pay’ for someone to grab parts. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Wasn’t everyone supposed to pull their weight? Isn’t that what the pair had told her? The more she knew, the more her brain was trying to figure out where the knowledge all fit. Additionally with each piece of information the more skeptical she became. If she had enough pull, Dells would love to have the Fleet raided once they entered FWC space. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Wasn’t going to happen.As it was their ship was coming back into view, new piece of durasteel where the other was dented gleaming in place, looking odd compared to the duller color of metal. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You’ll be alright. I’ve got confidence in you.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

“Dat means a lot,” he said quietly, almost as if ashamed to have the words heard. He couldn't think of the last time someone had said anything so encouraging. Or even told him he had done a good job.

As they rounded the corner a pair of goggles appeared from behind the dish. It wasn't the human who had appraised the job earlier but he looked around the same age. He gave a thumbs up to the pair and then out his head back down to the work.

With the offer he has accepted he was putting himself in a position where he could fail her misplaced trust quite spectacularly. Xin tried not to think about that. He tried to enjoy some company without blaster fires lancing past his headtails.

“Dey said a little while to finish de repairs…” his voice trailed off as his hand moved from the small of her back to rest upon her hip. His fingers flexed as they encroached on the line of her shirt. Some physical cues were different, others were quite telling across the species divide.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]“One track mind. What are you proposing, an alleyway? I'm not that kind of girl Squidly.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Delila couldn't help but to tease Xin. She wasn't sure where one would find a touch of quiet on the station, it seemed Xin had been here more than once. Mind was already drifting to another idea ; the possibility of scrubbing some of the blood out of her hair. Dells had wanted to on their small ship but it wasn't as if water grew on trees on space. On a station however such a thing would be a selling feature. Sleep and shower after crawling out of a tin can of a vessel.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Gaze fell to Xin once again. Elbow lightly found his side, a smile playing on her features.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What did you have in mind? There something, uh… somewhere around here? Seems you bring all your girls here pretty often , considering the way you're navigating.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

“We have a sonic and a room on de ship,” he said. He turned back towards the station and gave a exaggerated shudder. “I tink dis de kind ah place where rooms are charged by de hour.”

The station was safe. That didn't mean it was an upmarket location.

“But, don't really want dat guy peeling off de inner hull over our heads. Tell yuh what: we can luk fah somewhere dat doesn't need a black light check.”

He chuckled and returned the elbow nudge. “Just know fah all intentions am gonna probably gonna pass out on yuh.” They still hadn't snatched enough sleep to really catch up with what they had been out through. The climb up those slippery cliffs had been exhausting. It must have been worse for Dells having taken the first night shift.

There had been a few encounters in the months since he has been released from prison, but he didn't like to think he had a habit of playing around. He just had a habit of shying away from making long term connections. Yet here he was making arrangements that would keep him connected to Delila for sometime. But he did enjoy her company. Quite a lot. And so they both tentatively reached for the fire, waiting to get burned.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]Delila wasn’t too interested in a black light special, she worked too hard for her credits for such a thing. Ripping a hull out over their heads wasn’t an ideal situation either but she endeavored on a solution : earplugs and a bit of liquor. At the very least the sheets would be clean and despite the narrow bunk, more comfortable. Beggars couldn’t be choosers was her argument. Of course she had won - even after making a point that the earplugs could fit in species without ‘standard’ ears. Besides, Delila didn’t want to oversleep and tempt Brak leaving them behind. Both were exhausted to begin with. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]One sonic shower later (complete with her daydreams about a real hot water shower but the sonic had the upside of not wetting the bacta bandages), she emerged wearing the button down spacer shirt bought on the station and little else. Yawn was barely stifled as she had the earplugs in one hand and pain pills in the other. Shoulder was beginning to throb again and since they didn’t go far she felt comfortable enough to take another dose. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“See? Infinitely better solution.” Pills were swallowed and Dells found her small space on the bunk. Bit tight quarters but it would do. “You can sing my praises once we are less exhausted.”[/SIZE]

 

[Xin Boa]

Xin didn't have his earplugs in yet. Whilst she had been in the sonic he'd tried fitting them in. It wasn't actually unpleasant, as he had expected. The open ocean was quiet and calm. Just the noises of distant creatures that could carry for kilometres. Not unlike the peace humans sought in the countryside to get away from their city lives. Having the earplugs in almost reminded him of that.

A sudden vibration of someone burning into the hull was a reminder why she had made the suggestion. The thought of oversleeping and having Brak leave or - even worse - come knocking on doors for them had been what won him over. Assuming they had even been able to find somewhere that had been a depraved hole - far from certain.

Xin didn't even have a shirt. From lying on his back he shuffled so that she could find a place that kept her weight off her wounded shoulder. She she did his hand found her knee and coaxed her leg slightly across him. Then that hand explored up her smooth thigh before coming to rest on her hip.

She was a reassuring, warm weight against him. Her head resting against his shoulder. Despite the lack of space they fit together quite well, he reflected. Xin gave a slow sigh of contentment. Or perhaps relief.

 

[Delila Castillon]

[SIZE=9pt]Nautolans were a bit odd in terms of internal anatomy, her hand feeling more than one heart beating underneath the expanse of smooth muscle. Thumb rubbed across a small patch of skin, contentment beginning to seep in her bones. Earplugs had been put into place and much like Xin she found the experience akin to being underwater, much was muffled to a light background noise. Considering the lack of sleep and pain medicine that was bound to kick in shortly Delila could probably sleep anywhere at this point, sans earplugs. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Eyes drifted shut and mind wandered despite the haze. Concerned gnawed at the back of her thoughts, worried how quickly she was coming comfortable with Xin. Sex was one thing, that was easy to separate for her. Somehow she found their current state, shoved together on a tiny bunk, more intimate. Looking out for her. Making sure their positioning didn’t bother the current injury. Delila wasn’t used to it. Not that the actions were not nice or welcome, she was certainly appreciating the attention. The logical (or perhaps fight-or-flight) part of her brain knew it wasn’t going to last, attempting to protect herself from harsh reality. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Thoughts circled, attempting to evaluate the situation. Yet it didn’t last. Pain medicine sought to that, drifting her off into a drug and exhaustion fueled sleep.[/SIZE]