Shattered Expectatons.

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity could only blink in response for a good long moment. Could such a thing actually exist? It didn't seem possible. People only existed to use each other, right? It seemed that way to her. It was all she was used to. Playing politics. Making nice with lord or lady so-and-so. Being pretty. Being polite. Being perfect. Because if you were anything but perfect, you were nothing. You had no future.

"That sounds... impossible," she said finally, "But fun. Could you, err... maybe take me to one? Some day?"

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He blinked at her, before laughing. "Uh...you do know that going to a cantina together is what is commonly labelled as a 'date' right?" he pointed out, shaking his head. "Most girls tend to go with their friends, the whole safety in numbers mentality," Owain added. "But...uhm...sure? If you think you're up for it. Though i'll warn you, it can get a bit...rough..."

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

"A 'date' then. Fine. I've never been on a... date before."

She smiled, keeping it intentionally unclear weather she actually understood what a 'date' was. For all he knew, she was truly that naive. She was okay with that.

"I don't have any friends. Well, I mean, none that I can trust. Just you," she was blushing a little bit. Only a little. He might not even notice, if he wasn't paying attention. She hoped he wasn't paying attention. Besides, now that she knew what was out there, she really wanted to go.

"Just don't worry, okay? I can take care of myself," she added, pushing blond away from her ear, "Remember? I'm a survivor now."

[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Owain choked on his words before finding his compusre. Oh she was toying with him now. It took him a moment to regian his composure. "Sure, alright then. Naboo should be perfectly fine for a little cantina jaunt then. He cocked an eyebrow as she said she trusted him. Huh, he hadn't expected that. "Hmm...can you handle yourself without a weapon though?" he asked, leaning down to look her in the eye.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

The fact that he was so flustered made her slight blush, turn into a full one. He wouldn't be getting so frazzled if he didn't like her, right? At least, she was pretty sure that was how this went. But what kind of like? There were too many different kinds to know! Boys were confusing. She was going to have to be very careful.

"I bit a womans fingers off," she responded flatly, holding up three of her own fingers, "These ones. At least, I'm pretty sure these ones. Couldn't really see. But I definitely bit them off."

...It was only after saying it that she realized that it was kind of a weird thing to talk about while she was trying to flirt for the first time.

"Err... I mean... Uncle B taught me. And Daddy showed me how to, well, what's the phrase he used? 'Fight dirty'."


[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He grinned somewhat. "Alright, that'll do," he admitted. The girl would be fine. Besides, Naboo was ahrdly a lawless backwater. He doubted they had more than a proper brawl more often than once a year anyway. "So when would you like to go on this...ah, date?" What in the Force was he doing? Taking a friendly enemy out for drinks? Actually, his uncle would approve. He often spoke how combat shouldn't be personal. It should be just something you did. Elliot saw no problem going drinking with men he would be obligated to try and kill the following day. It was his way.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

"Date!?"

The voice of Celeste squeaked from behind the door where she had been listening. So typical. The doors here were far too thin...

"Celeste!" The blond screeched, as only a big sister could, "Go away! Stop spying on me!"

Were she not injured, she would have thrown open the door and ran after her. Fortunately for Celeste, Felicity was in no position to punish her today.

The girl, realizing this, laughed, shouting "I'm telling Uncle B!" before running off, her little footsteps fading down the hall.


[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

Owain stood frozen still before shaking off his surprise. He laughed slightly with a shake of his head. "Well...now what?" he asked idly, somewhat at a loss as to what to do next. He'd get ready for that Naboo trip within the week. Best to be ready in case of anything. Even though he was sure it would be a month or so before they actually went. Until then...well, it'd be a tad awkward he imagined.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity groaned out loud and fell back onto her bed,.

"...Go away now. I'm tired."

Tired and absolutely humiliated. This entire day. But still, at least he had put her in a better mood. Almost back to her old self. Almost. As close as she could possibly get.

"Oh, Owain?" she hesitated for a moment. She had a lot to say, but only one word seemed right at the moment. "Thanks."


[member="Owain"]

 

[Owain]

He snorted at her casual dismissal, but didn't argue it. Oh he'd get her back for that soon enough. Shaking his head, he turned his back on her and headed out the room, pausing by the door as she actually thanked him. He scoffed and shook his head. "Get your rest. You'll need it," he said as he left her alone.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

She was alone now. But for the first time since the invasion, she wasn't feeling overwhelmed or entirely dead inside. She pulled a fluffy white blanket over herself, smiling. He'd brought something new to her. Something close to an actual friendship. She'd never had real friends. She'd had people who called themselves friends. She knew people who were nice to her to get closer to her family. She knew people who did nice things for her when she told them too.

But Owain didn't. He wasn't even that nice to her. But he was honest. That was better than just nice.

She reached behind her, pulling her extra pillow to her chest. Yes. He was honest with her. He held nothing back when he insulted her. No fake respect. No forced smiles.

And now they had a date lined up for... sometime in the future. Her first one. With the first boy to capture her interest for more than a few hours.


[member="Owain"]