Private Some Nights

[Drifter]

[ For now. If we start getting pings of a trash heap of an airspeeder after us, then we will know. ] he joked, but there was an edge to his modulated voice that said he wasn't entirely kidding. Squibs would be the sort to try and chase them down on a salvaged scrapheap of a ship and then use those powerful tractor beams to hold them down.

[ Alex will monitor the sensors, ] he added, opening the freezer to go searching for what he could find. A few frozen packets of what appeared to be some sort of flank steak were tossed to the counter. He shut the freezer to then move towards another cupboard, opening it to search for packets of polystarch.

[ Where exactly do you gotta be to turn in your gem there, Pittin?] she hadn't told him that part yet. A few more opening of drawers and he had a collection of processed dairy slices, condiments, a plate and one bowl.

 

[Rhea]

She paused, all other details for their tasked had been held off from him on a need to know basis. It was a precedent she ran off of with anyone, and it was one she almost regurgitated without thought. She considered him, lips pursing. "...I'll send you the coordinates." She murmured chewing through her last bite and pulling over an old run down alliance data pad. In a few quick motions, the data was sent up to the cloud for Alex to collect. She didn't linger on it, unconscious in her resolve to not think that far ahead. It was a rare mindset for her, but here she was.

"I'll need to use some of your tools to repair my blaster before we land." And get some sleep too.

Did he have anywhere to be? She didn't ask. chugging back a class of water as she watched him. "....You can cook?"

 

[Drifter]

Alex's voice would resonate throughout the galley on the overhead speakers, [ Coordinates received, adjusting course.] rare of her to not be snarky, but perhaps she was trying her best to be nice. As long as Rhea wasn't a high risk to Drifter, Alex could be reasonable with others. Not so much with Drifter, she was made to antagonize him, but she was rather pleasant with others.

[ Wow, look at that. Not one snarky remark. You must be growing on Alex. ] Drifter would comment with notable wry amusement, ripping the frozen packages open to place the slices of flank steak on the plate. [ Keep it up and you'll regret it. ] Alex was quick to say, prompting a, [ Alright, alright! ] if he didn't odds were that Alex would reveal far more embarrassing bits of information than Drifter would like.

[ I am a man of many, talents Pippin. And yes, you can use my workbench down by cargohold.] He replied, giving a wide sweep of his arm as if to encapsulate everything around him. A talent for many things but certainly not humbleness.

[ I had to learn out of necessity. ] he gave her this bit of freebie information [ My mother,is an avid baker. Can bake the best cookies you ever had. ] he explained, searching for seasonings sprinkle over the flank steak.

[ However, we all learned fairly quickly that she could not cook to save her life. She tried -- it resulted in several burnt posts, over-salted meals, or undercooked eggs. Needless to say, my father saved us from turning into early diabetics by taking care of the cooking. We all learned from him. I'm not the best, but I can do what I can. My sister is better. I'll hunt she'll cook.]

He turned to her then, head cocked to the side in query, [ Can you? ]

 

[Rhea]

For Rhea It was a beautiful recount. Even the bit of banter between drifter and droid earned a small grin, satsfication found in someone else managing to get him on his back leg.

She hadn't realized when she had cross from being a victim to his sass, to attempting to give it back, but she enjoyed it never the less to watch him call a truce after just one threat from the AI.

She watched. She listened. She sat attentive into the piece of himself he shared. She might have thought it was just a sign of friendliness, but she heard the boasts enter his tone. It earned another knowing grin, the stranger before her starting to make a little sense.

He turned to her then, head cocked to the side in query, [ Can you? ]

She stilled, her expression catching. The answer was simple, but it was the explanation behind it that left her ...embarrassed. Or perhaps pained. She cleared her throat, looking down to the nutter jar and screwing the lid back on.

"No," she answered softly.

"Can't say there was ever the chance. Thirsty?" She offered, grabbing an empty class and moving towards teh water picter.

 

[Drifter]

[Oh, well, guess that means you're on permanent dishwashing duty for the rest of this trip.] Rhea had sealed her fate. Bait, set, match! A grin would cross Drifter's lips and he happily went back to putting items away as soon as he was done. It was a small tell of the type of person he was. He only used what he needed at the time and then ensured it was properly put away once it was done. He kept a clean station, organized. Was it a habit or something else?

There had been something more there than just not knowing how to cook. It was a pressure point. Drifter wasn't sure with what exactly, but it seemed a sore spot of some sort of embarrassment. Maybe a story to tell. Even more interesting.

Turning towards her, he gave a gesture of his head, indicating an affirmative, [ There should be some drinks on that pantry. Get me a bottle of the Fizzade, will you? ]

[So, just used to the ration packs and protein bars. Pity. You should learn. Far tastier. ] he told her, opening a packet of the polystarch and pouring it into the bowl. He tossed the empty package in the rubbish bin then went back to grab some water to pour into the starch.

 

[Rhea]

"Pretty much," she confirmed, far less bite to unhelpful responses she gave him. Unlike when they first met, there was no mistrust or hostility to the lack of clarity she gave him. It was just... all she had. Even in a casual situration, Rhea was not well practiced in the art of talking about herself. And next to his colorful stories of home and family? Nah. There were better things to waste breath on.

She puttered into the pantry, her arms full of good she had dragged out for her feast.

After a minute she returned, two drinks in hand. She opened the first and handed it over, grabbing the starch packet and throwing it away for him on the way back to the chair.

She paused, staring at him.

"Oh. Do you need..." A straw. Curiosity burned in the gaze that tried to act indifferent. Like putty in his hands, god dammit, the unknown was starting to get to her.

 

[Drifter]

Oh, there it was again. The curiosity. Bingo! The reason why he put on his desert helm, just to see her wiggle in her avid curiosity. It was another laser pointer for a pitten to be curious about.

[ Oh, I've a straw in here -- no worries. I'm always prepared. ] he told her, taking the plate of flank steak and moving towards a small multiuse cooking console. Pressing a button, he swung open the door, set the plate inside, and then quickly entered the conditions for a grilled steak. It wouldn't be as great as doing it on an actual grill, but it would do.

In the bowl, the polystarch was already starting to puff up into bread. Not homemade, again, but good enough. One perhaps couldn't really call it cooking as much as preparing and letting what cooking appliances he had to do what he wanted to make. In this case, a cheesy flank steak burger.

[ So what exactly do we need to do to turn your sparkly gem over? ] Asking the hard questions. [ Are you supposed to meet someone or are these coordinates just a drop off? ]

 

[Rhea]

A brow raised, lips twitching at his subtle dodge.

Well lets see it then. This straw.

Her attention didn't leave him as she sat down, tiny sips taken of her drink as she paced herself for yet more food. There was no such thing as too much. Except for, well, those moments after she had encounter 'big gun'. Then everything had been too much. She sipped harder at the reminder, washing the echo of the memory away. Horrid stuff, that.

One could only the hope the sith never learn of that tactic themselves.

"Oh, it's a handover alright. With their... 'king'. ....Queen?" Her brows furrowed. "...I have an audience with their highness tomorrow at noon." And they were coming back with almost no time to spare. It could not be understated how much he had helped her here. Not that she'd admit it.

"You can just drop me off at the space pad. I can make my way there," came the polite words, her eyes sparkling as he finally reached for his drink...

 

[Drifter]

[ You sure? ] There was doubt in his voice regarding just leaving her at the space-pad. Whatever situation she got herself in that required her to steal a fist-sized Corseca gem for someone else likely meant that it wasn't your standard nice affair.

He took the fully puffed bread and then went searching for a knife, before slicing it in half. Two buns. [ Seems rather risky to be dealing with whoever sent you to do what you needed to do on your own. ] He was just making a casual observation. How she took it was up to her.

He took the two buns and then went back to the appliance presently crisping the flank steak to his specifications. A smaller appliance was on top. Opening it up, he set the bread inside and then applied selections to slightly toast the bread.

Now as for his drink, well. He came back, ambling over towards where Rhea set it. Taking the fizzade, he popped up the lid with a rather blatent use of the Force - again one arm and one hand - and then brought it up to his mouth. Much like before, he did it in slow, casual steps that would belie the mischief presently twinkling in his eyes.

Much like the previous helm, a small straw would unclip along his jaw, extending out. Alas, once again, not a sliver of flesh to be seen.

 

[Rhea]

Well she wasn't sure now. His words left her considering, a clear lack of confidence to the situration that that she openly acknowledge was more crazy than not.

She should very likely be dead right now.

She was not.

Still, before she could come to any conclusion over that predicament, he approached her with his drink. ... And popped out another straw.

"Oh come on!" She exploded, exasperation pouring from her. He was very clearly toying with her, a fact which provided to be reliable in plying out a response. "Why don't you just take it off?" She made a noise of frustration, rolling her eyes.

"I know you're not a sith, okay? I'm sorry I said it. You've been nothing but helpful--" and annoying. "But this is getting out of hand!" She complained, slapping her palm on the counter.

 

[Drifter]

Her outburst would prompt a sudden surge of amusement from Drifter, unable to take a drink because he was laughing so hard at her exasperation. Like a little boy enjoying a practical joke, he gave a hoot, leaning against the counter and laughing, shoulders shaking and his chest rising and falling with every chortle.

[ Hahaha... ahhh... what I tell you Pittin? High standards. I don't kiss and tell on the first date! ] He said with sardonic wryness, chuckling to himself. There was equal parts truth to the line as there were exaggerations. He could remove his helm at any time, but her reactions were just too funny and he was curious how far she'd take her frustrations.

Bending at the waist, he'd lean over toward her, those polarized goggles reflecting her scrunched up face, the line of freckles over her nose, and that delightful ire that colored her cheeks a rosy hue. Her annoyance at him became her.

[You sure this doesn't have anything to do with your eye fetish? ] he'd tease, even the modulator couldn't quite hide the devilry in the tenor of his voice.

[ I'll take your apology and accept it.] pause, then a push, [ But you gotta admit you can use the Force.]

 

[Rhea]

Her whole face puckered and pinched, his laughter only riling her further. In one quick moment they descended across manners.... pleasantries... formalities. He leaned into her space, finding pleasure in accepting her reach out and prodding her further. Well if they were on those kinda terms then.

Her body coiled, the only hint decision as ... she tackled him, hands going to rip off that blasted, fecking helm.

"You son of a-!"

 

[Drifter]

He only had that brief tension that ran through Rhea's body as a warning. He should have known the woman would have her limits, and just like his sisters, were prone to violent acts of physical abuse!

[ Holy -- ] his curse was abruptly cut off as Rhea's hands came up to grab at his helm, the sudden surge of her body crashing against his. Unbalanced, they went falling to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. He fell on his back, the thud winding him some but not enough to prevent the man from doing his best to slap and wrestle Rhea's grip on her helm free.

[ Would you quit!! Hey! Hey!! ] Another hard yank, Drifter trying to keep his head away to prevent her from finding the latches that would seal it. [ Whatever happened to personal space!? ] he cried in mock affront, still unable to help a chuckle, eyes flashing a bright citrine under those goggles.

[ Look are you... always this insistent on removing clothing? ] An upward blocking swing would snake under her right searching hand to try and deflect it off to the right. Course, that only seemed to increase her determination. Stubbornness? Violence?

Alright, she wanted to play this game. Let's play!

 

[Rhea]

Oh it was on.

That final remarked earned him a shake, her legs coiling around his in an attempt control them and keep him below her. The position soon proved tedious, her hands snaking pointlessly against his, struggling to get the to seals that would pull the damn thing off.

"Why do you have to be so-" grunt. "Difficult!"

She reached for his wrist, trying to pin him down so she could slide her knees up him and sit on his chest.

"Just take it off!"

 

[Drifter]

Why did he have to be so difficult?

[ It's in my nature! ] he sang, that modulated voice deliberately baiting Rhea.

Just take it off?

[ Whoa, there. I'm a pure soul. I can't just take it off for anyone! ] He told her, feeling her wiggle and grunt as she made her way on top of him. One knee went left, the other went right, effectively managing to straddle him just above his hips.

She managed to pin down his right wrist, but that was a short-lived victory. After all, this wasn't his first rodeo with wrestling a woman apt to beat his head in. He spent a lifetime dealing with Nohei's dirty tricks to pound his head in the sand or twist his arm in an arm lock. Then there was Khayri, who was more apt to bite his ear off, far more predatory in her actions than the rest. Finally, there was Aela, who simply used her vast knowledge of martial arts to beat him into submission. All of his sisters had managed to harness the Force and their abilities faster than he. In response, he had to work twice as hard to get better. It had been an area of self-consciousness in the past that he did his best to work through.

So, now that he had Rhea just where he wanted, he reacted. Setting his feet flat on the ground for leverage, he suddenly shot his hips straight up, intending to unbalance Rhea by the sudden upward surge of her body as he'd thrust her up in the air. The motion allowed for his hand to break free, prompting just enough time to take advantage if she didn't recover quick enough, every intention of grabbing hold of her core and twisting her to the left.

 

[Rhea]

"Bah!" His wrist was release as his buck forced her reach out and catch herself. Her legs were already tightening, trying to keep hold of the control that his twist quickly dashed. She fell hard to his side, unfazed as they remained entangled and struggling to be the first to get their body weight above the other.

"I'm not trying to date you!" She exclaimed, trying to grab ahold of one wrist while the other felt wildly for the seal. It skimmed it, her finger tips struggling to understand the unseen design and make it break.

"I'm trying to see you!" It sounded ridiculous spoken out loud, BUT HE KNEW WHAT SHE MEANT. "Just take the bloody, blasted thing off-- how are you going to eat?!" It was a very serious concern. Or rather-- a very convenient excuse.

 

[Drifter]

[ You're trying to stip me down, woman! ] he quipped back, giving a half grunt, the man trying to twist further to manage to get his body on top of hers. Unfortunately, the attempt also allowed Rhea to skim the length along under his neck where the seal was. They found the latches. He felt her search, looking to unlock them.

Oh shit!

Deciding it was better to let her have the upper hand and not follow through with trying to climb on top, his focus went towards jerking his head back to remove Rhea's fingers from the latches while continuing to bat and avoid her grabbing his wrist. It was a give and take, laying on their sides as they were, bodies slipping and sliding on the floor, they were like two wrestling monkey lizards attempting to gain the upper hand.

[ It stays on! You're not ready to see my pretty face! ] he cried, equally attempting to bait her as getting her riled up. Perhaps she'd make a mistake he could take advantage of, right now, he was trying to make sure she didn't jerk his head off.

 

[Rhea]

"YES I AM!" She cried back, childish in nature. But after 24 hours of the taunts and the button pushing, it felt hella freeing to fight back.

Literally.

There was always a thrill to the fight.

He yanked back from her. She surged forward, a bit of that thrill hitting her lips as she shifted her weight back over him... her right arm stuck under his shoulder. She grunted, forgoing the seals as she tried to establish herself over him. The rust to the movements began to chip away, right leg hitching up to establish balance at his chest.

"Get off me!"

 

[Drifter]

[ Nuhuh!] He immediately cried out, like a little boy defending his toy, unwilling to let it go. Now that her arm was stuck under his shoulder, he did his best to try and make a grab for her remaining wrist.

[ Keep at it and you'll pay! ] he warned her. Sure, she had her knee sliding over his chest, but... maybe he could make this work. Pressed against him as she was, it was -- ahh- hard not to notice that Esme's clothing was rather tight over Rhea's chest. Again, good thing he had his helm, otherwise the lingering of his eyes would have prompted an even more aggressive reaction from Rhea. Yet, any more strain made one wonder if that bodice would rip.

Now that would be hilarious.

None the less, now was the time to act! Using his weight to pin her arm down meant she was close. Never mind that her hair was spilling all over the place, grazing over his helm, neck, and chest. Aware that he was every bit a cheat he used the Force to send out telekinetic tendrils and snap right at her free hand, bringing it over to him with every intention to catch it.

 

[Rhea]

Her left knee came up too, her center stabilizing as she found herself pinned against his chest. Her trapped arm was disregarded-- the effort it would take to remove it would mess up her leg position, and a voice in the back of her mind said it was only fair. He only had one arm. One might say she was holding back, but in the heat of an easy going scrap to make him eat with her , she didn't think twice on it.

Entangled as they were, her control over him felt secure enough. She leaned down harder, her hand going up to skim the seals- She gasped, an invisible force stealing her wrist and jerking it away. She felt his hand encircle the limb, keeping her to him... neutralizing them both into a entangled pile of bodies.

She pulled her head back, pure indignation dropped on the helm. "That's cheating!" And in a bout of rashness that she would quickly regret, she smacked her forehead into his.

Well.

Into his visor, that was.