The Girl and The Robot

[Kaili Talith]

“You did.” Kaili smirked at her friend’s success as Bait extended his arm to turn on the fusion torch in a thumbs up. “I think he liked it.”

“Actually, come to think of it-”

[ What did you want, Kaili? ] Henry sounded ashamed.

“Bait has gotten his new arm installed.” Kaili smiled as she knelt down and swept her hand against the smooth top of Henry’s chassis. “I figured, maybe the two of you wanted to help me and Allyson? See if it works?”

Henry looked at Bait and then Kaili before nodding eagerly.

“Good.” Kaili smiled as she rose from the floor. After which the smile faded. Fast. “Clean up after yourselves. I need to see Bait’s fine motoring skills at work before I can stamp him as a successful repair. This is as good of a test as any.”

.[ You got it! ] Henry chimed, eager for redemption.

“Meanwhile you,” Kaili turned to Allyson and withdrew a small cube. A toy kept together by electromagnetic pulses. A form of advanced play-dough, if you would. “Are going to play with this.”

“Build me a rectangle, would you?”

Kaili nodded at Allyson to go at it.

“No hands. No tools. Just focus on what keeps the pieces together.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson looked towards the cube. It didn’t feel like just a cube, it felt like a machine. She frowned slightly, this felt like a lesson and reminded her of when Ember tried to teach her about the Force. She remembered the failed attempts of a Force Push and other telekinetic skills. They were discouraging and now she wondered if this was going to turn out to be the same. Still, having Kaili there helped somewhat. She was someone like her of course.

“Alright. Just shape it into a rectangle?” Sounded easy enough. Focusing on the cube she attempted to move it, nothing happened. Staring at it hard she continued to try and move the cube with the Force to flatten it at least. Looking over towards Bait she remembered how she felt when she was attaching his arm, which he was using to chase Henry as they cleaned up and organized the parts. “Internal structures.” She mumbled quietly to herself. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her hand and didn’t touch the cube. Slowly but surely, she started to adjust the electromagnetic pulse around the cube that allowed it to keep its shape.

After a few moments, Allyson opened her eyes and she looked down at what she had made. Which wasn’t a rectangle, instead it was a triangle. “Oops...” [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

“Now, that’s a triangle.” Kaili chuckled. “But, it was good enough.”

Work needed to be applied in the area of object manipulation then. Being able to fix a droid with her mind, if you were to simplify the force as much as possible, was one thing. Managing the structure of things came later, and while Allyson hadn’t created a rectangle, she had still managed to create something new out of the tool she was provided. Kaili considered what else she had that Allyson could practice on. There wasn’t much, but there was bound to be something sooner or later. When Allyson had a bit more practice under her belt.

For now though...

“You can keep it.” Kaili passed the magnetic toy closer to Allyson. “I want you to take some time out of your schedule every now and then to get to know how this toy works.”

Very masterly. Kaili was a real role model for all teachers.

Except not.

“It’s a slow process, but I think it could prove rewarding for you. Just, you know, at your own pace.” Kaili shrugged. “And I mean, I could always-”

Neck scratch.

“Look, Allyson. I like you, okay?” Kaili just laid it out flat on the table. “You are a great person, and I...” Want to see you for a while, you know, as friends. “I want you to know that, as a friend, I want to help you become as good as m-” No, that’s self-loving and rich-snob attitude-ish. “I can show you how to do what I do, in case you ever want to open up a droid shop of your own someday.”

“No, what I meant was-” Phrasing, Kaili. Think of a good way to phrase this. “I want to help-”

“I teach-”

“You can-”

“I am-”

“I-”

Hands thrown in the air before smacking against her thigh. “I can’t phrase this in any way without feeling like a complete ass.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

While Kaili was trying to phrase whatever she was saying to Allyson, the girl was in her own little world with the gift of the putty and the words she chose to listen to when Kai was talking. Blinking several times, she listened to the entire attempted and then replayed in her mind as she tried to figure out in so many ways if Kaili was at the same point she was at. First, she liked her, which internally made Ally’s chest tighten and her heart skip a few beats now and then. Though she did categorize her as a friend, which made her heart feel as it fell into her stomach and threatened to come out of her butt. Being so focused on those two parts of the conversation she really didn’t pick up much of the rest of it.

The thigh slap made her blink and she looked towards Kaili. “Oh uh, thank you for the toy – it should help I think.” She looked at it and then continued to think about the rest of the conversation she didn’t focus hard on. She understood the dynamic of teacher and student within the Force. It was like with any trade there was always someone to learn from. She had turned away slightly and held the toy like a precious animal then looked at Kaili from the corner of her eye. There was a tug at the corner of her lip as she smirked.

“So what you’re saying is…you want to teach me the ways of uh Techonomancy right?” The smirk grew wider as she turned to face Kaili fully. “You want me to call you Master” Shrugging, she took it as an opportunity to stick around and spend time with Kaili – it meant she would have to stay planet side for a bit, but that was okay. She liked [member="Kaili Talith"] well enough…possible too well. “Sounds good, there’s not many people out there that understand how I work…well work with in the Force. Ember tried and failed miserably.” Tilting her head slightly, she nodded. “I like you too Kaili.”

 

[Kaili Talith]

“Yes!” Kaili exclaimed happily before stopping herself. Finger raised for the skies she gave Allyson a semi-stern look. “Uh, no. Don’t call me master. Call me Kaili.”

And she liked Kaili too! Her heart skipped in joy for a second for reasons she wasn’t quite sure of.

“But this is great! I get to keep you close,” Did you just say that? “And you get to learn!” Way to go, that didn’t sound horrible at all, Kaili. “The toy is a great start, that’s how I started out when I was far younger, but it helped with understanding the very basics of the skill.”

Kaili stepped onto her workbench and began rooting around in a box on top of a small cabinet. One item was tossed to the ground before another until eventually...

“A-ha!” Kaili exclaimed as she jumped down. “A lock mechanism.” She announced proudly as she smacked it against the surface of the counter. “Because lockpicks aren’t the only things that get doors open.”

Promoting illegal activities? Kaili would never!

“Take it as a motivator.” Kaili picked the lock up and held it between her thumb and index finger. “Once you know your way around that toy, I will show you the way around a lock.”

But that was quite a bit into the future. Hardly something they would do right now.

“I may, or may not have used this particular skill around vending machines.” Kaili shifty eyed. “Just don’t tell my parents.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Kaili’s excitement was all over the place, Allyson sat there and smiled as she tried to contain the urge to kiss her. Last night seemed so far away and yet it was still freshly etched into her mind. Though she continued to remind herself that the girl was just being competitive and wasn’t fully aware of what was happening. That reminder calmed Allyson down, though Kaili’s comments didn’t really help. Keeping you close, do you tell friends that? The mixed signals were all over the place and Allyson couldn’t pinpoint where she stood with Kaili, was she potential lover material or just a friend? Her head started to spin for a minute, but was refocused as Kaili mentioned lock picking

Illegal activities? Sign Ally up, the smuggler was all for stealing from the rich and give to the poor especially if the rich were dirty Sith lords. The lock picking would come handy. Stepping forward, her mind continued to try and work through what Kaili had said, too many signals there was only one way to figure this out. There was no competition, there was no sleepy eyes in the girl and there was no alcohol in Allyson’s system. This was as sober as sober got. Closing the distance between them behind the work bench Allyson grabbed the hand that held the lock and held it for a second.

She worked up the courage and took a deep breath. “Thank you Kaili.” Leaning in, she thought about everything, she could mess this up, she could actually solidify any doubt or confusion that the girl had. Still, there was so much on the line as she leaned in. The tip of her nose brushed lightly against the tip of Kaili’s nose, there was a pause and then arms wrapped around Kaili’s waist and Allyson just pulled her into a tight hug. She remained quiet as she beat herself up mentally. Coward. [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

And Allyson got closer, and closer. The air grew thicker, but Kaili didn’t seem to mind. It was like a flashback to the night before. Kaili merely allowed the woman to come closer. No fighting, no preparation, no real anything at all. She closed her eyes and not long after that her head settled softly against Allyson’s shoulder in an embrace that went anywhere but where Kaili had half-expected, half-wanted. Or at least so her subconscious told her.

Her eyes opened and slowly widened at the realisation. A wave of panic started to creep up from her stomach to weigh itself heavy on her mind. This wasn’t happening, was it? They had known each other for a day, this wasn’t how these things went, was it?

“It’s only early afternoon.” Kaili whispered as her voice betrayed her current emotional state. She let go of Allyson and stared into her eyes. Those hazel orbs that caused Kaili’s heart to beat. “The beach is right outside, and...” She cleared her throat, shook her head and put on a grin. Anything to shake herself out of the emotions, that were washing over her. “I am looking pretty, pretty... Pretty pale.”

External half snicker and half smirk. Full internal panic and confusion.

“I mean, I got the tools right here, if Bait needs to be cleaned out again afterwards.” Awkward chuckle. “Henry probably wouldn’t mind getting out of cleaning duty either.”

[ No, sir! I would not, sir! ] Henry chimed up from behind Allyson. [ We got 78% of all parts sorted. B-Boy’s arm is working as optimal as optimal can be. ... Sir. ]

“Well then, what do you say?” Kaili laughed as she wrestled the feeling in her stomach.

Something told her she wouldn’t like where this was going.

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

The mention of time wasn’t what she expected, though with how things were with Kaili she should have expected it. Things had played out differently in Allyson’s mind, but when it came to the Droid Maker, nothing ever followed what Allyson assumed would happen. The hug was broken and there was a silent pause as they looked into each other’s eyes, the unique burning sensation the girl’s orange eyes forced Ally to catch her breath. It was subtle enough that no one made notice of it, which was a good thing.

Mentioning of the beach was something that also caught her off guard, also the thought of Kaili sunbathing made Allyson bite her lower lip as she continued to ponder the situation. The case on the droids was something she didn’t worry about, Bait would be fine he survived in sand for some time and a little more won’t hurt him. Maybe having the bots around was a safety net, it meant that they wouldn’t get too involved within themselves, because of having to keep an eye on the mischievous pair. Allyson did have a swim suit in her pack, she had brought it along after realizing there were beaches on this planet.

A soft smile and a nod. “I think it’s a great idea, I’ve been wanting to check out the beaches since I had arrived.” Working her way around Kaili, she headed towards the living quarters of the girl. “I brought a suit just in case, its been awhile since I’ve been on a beach…I’m looking pale too and yeah…uh yeah.” She began to pull out the bikini she had brought and scampered into the bathroom to change quickly. As she changed she wondered if this was a good idea, if running around half naked was good for her mental state when it came to Kaili. Shaking her head, she figured the girl knew nothing about how she felt and she didn’t feel anything like that.

They were just two friends about to go tan on the beach in the early afternoon till sunset. [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

At that moment Kaili hadn’t considered the half naked aspect of the beach as much as the part where she just wanted to get outside and get some of that fresh air she kept on hearing about. Allyson pulled the bikini out of her pack, and only then did it dawn upon the young Talith what she had signed herself up for. Walking over to her closet to root around for where she kept her seldom used bathing outfits, Kaili couldn’t help let her eyes linger. Soak in all that she could of Allyson before her friend ventured into the bathroom to change. The door closed and Kaili shook herself awake only to curse her name in an unspoken hiss.

After grabbing the first outfit that she found Kaili made way for her bed. All things considered, sleeping in a bed that pierced the wall had its benefits. Such as the ability to close that one panel to allow herself further privacy. In case the total lack of any visitors, other than family, wasn’t enough. Pants off, shirt off, everything went off and soon was replaced by...

Kaili perked her brow. An off-white bikini that still seemed to fit her. Had she gained her weight back? All things considered she hadn’t considered it, but she had most certainly eaten better lately. Taken her morning jogs just like everyone else in the neighbourhood. So, maybe?

Turning back around on her stomach she reached to open the hatch to her little ‘sleeping tube.’ She stepped outside and...

There Allyson was.

“Hi.” Kaili let on a lopsided smirk. “I, uh, got changed.”

Kaili dragged a hand alongside her slightly toned body and ended with a mocked diva pose, proving once again that playing an idiot made troubled feelings easier to handle.

Though not by a lot.

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Ally stared for a moment at her friend as she showed off her diva pose. A smile spread across her face as her hands suddenly came up and she laughed. The girl had a sense of humor and there wasn't a sign of the girl that she had met at McYoda's the other day. She was happy and smiling, Allyson hoped that it was because of her, but she figured it was more so the prospect of the beach.

Standing from where she was sitting, Allyson showed off her black and white striped bikini. She wasn't skinny or overweight, but it was obvious she worked out. There was muscle tone, but her features were still feminine. Hands on her hip she proudly posed as well. "Looks like we're both ready for the sun!" Remembering the dangers of sun damage, Allyson dug through her bag and sighed.

"Uh, do you have any sun screen ? I seemed to have forgotten mine." She blushed softly as she knew she was going to need help getting that one little spot on her back. She decided to stare at the girl as she waited for her answer. [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

Kaili should have been used to it by now; the sun damage. Yet here she was, a shut-in that existed seemingly solely within the walls of her quarters. She was safe there. Safe but incredibly lonely. There was no telling how she would have been if her brother hadn’t visited every now and then to restore her sanity. Or rather to keep it intact.

Kaili eyed Allyson once more as she too struck a pose. She resisted the urge to bite her lip, but it was there. Her hand pinched at her waist in an effort to focus her attention elsewhere but it was hard. There was no denying anymore that something was there. There was no denying that something held Kaili back as well from outright pouncing Allyson where she stood either. It wasn’t the fact that it was the wrong thing for all the right reasons, it was because of something else. Something much more personal. The same thing that kept her away from many other things. The same thing that destroyed the young girl’s life.

Her head nodded up and down at Allyson. Sun screen was vital to survival on Borleias.

“Sure, yeah.” Kaili decided to not ponder the backrub much further. She had better things to keep her mind on. Such as not thinking about the upcoming backrub. “I’ll go get it.”

There was a small box in the corner by the door. Kaili opened it up and began rooting around before withdrawing an oblong container that she tossed towards Allyson.

“Don’t know if it’s your factor, but it’s better than nothing.” Factor fifty-plus. Hey, it was better to be safe than sorry. In all honesty Kaili was surprised she had the bottle in the first place. “Unopened, might say something about how often I utilize the nearby beach.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson caught the lotion as it was tossed to her, it was brand new and she quickly checked the expiration date. It was good for another few months luckily. Quickly unwrapping it, she shook it and tossed it into a small knapsack she had pulled from her backpack for such occasions as this. “Want to grab some towels and we can head out.” Allyson just wanted to get out of the living quarters; there were too many temptations, which led to too many thoughts that would go unfulfilled. Fresh air sounded the best for the both of them.

Deciding to take the lead for a second, Ally searched for the droids and nodded her head towards Bait. He was able to pick up on her subtle movements – the perks of having that unvocal connection or whatever they liked to call it now a days. She pondered taking the toy that Kai had just given her, but decided that would be something she messed around with before bed or when she was bored. Though, being here she highly doubted she’d be bored, so it would be so she could take her mind off other things or people. Heading through the shop, she moved towards the outside. She would have continued on, but she was still a stranger to the island.

So she was stuck waiting for Kaili, Allyson needed a moment, a breath just to collect her thoughts. She would possible get that at the beach – hopefully. There was water and it was usually cold right? Cold water had a calming and cooling effect on the mind and body…right? Either way, the break from being cooped up would do them both good – hopefully Kaili wouldn’t turn into a lobster while they were out. When Kai eventually made her way outside, Allyson looked over her shoulder and pouted. “Hey since I’m going to be sticking around so you could teach me and stuff…you think you could get a new couch or something a bit more comfortable? Master.” A sly smirk and she shrugged; hopefully she’d be able to help pick it out. [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

Towels were good, for drying up, for lying on. For lying flat on your stomach and placing your head in the sand like an emu without getting actual sand in your face. Which was just in case soaking your head in water, very nice water, wasn’t enough. With Henry in tow Kaili proceeded to put what few items she could think of in her own bag and made her way out the door. Everyone gathered outside. Kaili locked the door and sealed the keycard away in her bag and started to make way towards the beach.

Allyson talked to her, Called her ‘Master.’ Horrible shiver down Kaili’s spine.

“Kaili.” She said most unamused. “And yeah, sure, couche shopping at the Valhallan Furniture Emporium sound great.” And the DIY with instructions approach helped in putting their prices far below that of the average furniture store. “I’m thinking sharp, cerise pink with yellow details...”

The kid snickered to show her insincerity. There was no way in hell she would allow a pink couch in her grayscale-and-brown home. It messed with the bright neon-colored screens spread throughout. Had to worry about her feng shui and all.

By the time they reached the beach they would find it somewhat occupied. There were people scattered throughout the length of the beach, but there was enough space to have a measure of privacy. A perfect start, if you wanted privacy.

Kaili turned set her eyes on Allyson again. Nope. Still not biting her lip. She turned back around.

“Well, at least we have some space to ourselves.” Kaili grinned. “Have your pick.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

At the mention of the pink couch, Allyson stuck her tongue out at the other girl and they were off towards the beach. The walk wasn’t that long and Allyson focused more on the fresh air and the warm sand. She hadn’t been to a beach in a long while, so she was going to enjoy the time that she had on it. Also, having company was also fun and exciting, not that Bait wasn’t good company… Ally had her own reasons for thinking Kaili was a bit better company.

There were people also on the beach, they weren’t going to be completely alone. There was some disappointment, but also a whole lot of relief. Too many factors, too much temptation if they were going to be alone. Still, as Allyson surveyed the area – she did try and find a spot that was secluded enough where they weren’t going to attract any prying eyes. Pointing towards a place that was their own corner of the beach Allyson smiled. “There, I think we’ll be far enough from everyone else, but not too far where we’d be alone.” Moving quickly, her and Bait made their way towards the corner of the beach.

Receiving a towel from Kaili, she shook it a bit and laid it on the warm sand. Remembering the lotion, she pulled at the hairband around her wrist and quickly ran her fingers through her brunette hair and tossed it up, exposing her neck. If she was going to get some color, she was going to make sure she was even. Going to remove the string of her top, she stopped and decided string lines wasn’t too bad. She began to rub the lotion all over her arms and places she could reach, like her chest, legs and lower back, upper back. Yet there was this spot…right in the middle that she couldn’t reach for the life of her. Frowning she looked towards Bait who was enjoying his new arm, by digging into the sand with it. Nope.

Rubbing the back of her neck she looked towards Kaili, “Hey you think you could help me get my back…you help me I help you?” Ally shrugged and did her best not to choke on her words. [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

Seclusion worked well for Kaili. They were within reach from the shop yet far enough for Kaili to not feel like she was at home. There was a place with shadow nearby and if things got too warm, or if she needed to soak herself for whatever reason, the water was right there. Their towels were put place and they took their respective spots on the beach for the day. Allyson got the first dibs on the lotion, as was pretty much expected. Kaili merely sat next to her and stared idly at the beach. The water, the sands, the other couples around the beach. No kids, which was good, for Kaili’s sake.

Kaili hugged her legs and looked at Allyson as she started to rub at her neck, turned towards the young Talith and pouted.

Help.

She needed help.

Applying the sunscreen to the spots on her back that were hard to reach. Kaili’s heart began beating harder and harder again. She nodded for Allyson to see, grabbed the little tube and squeezed out a small dose, enough to cover the areas that needed to be covered. She took a silent deep breath in preparation. Hands rubbed together and extended themselves towards Allyson’s back. Her fingers touched her friend’s delicate skin and with it, Kaili lost herself.

She began rubbing at the base of her friend’s back and worked her way up to between the shoulders. Smooth transition to the top, the application of sunscreen was forfeited and changed into a neck rub. The neck rub caused Allyson to relax, lean back, and Kaili did nothing to prevent it. Hand traced along the woman’s chin and she drew her closer until eventually their lips met once more.

Deep gasp, a headshake to get herself out of it. Kaili found herself still merely touching Allyson’s back with the lotion that she was supposed to apply. It was just a daydream, nothing else. She proceeded rubbing the rest of the lotion in, just as she had promised before she in turn switched over to let Allyson pay the same tribute.

“Sorry, I remembered something.” Kaili outright lied to cover her tracks. “That should do it. A nice cover to ensure you don’t burn yourself.”

She’s not interested in you. Not in that way, Kaili. Stop it. Don’t fool yourself. Friends, that’s what you are.

The kid wrapped her arms around her knees again. The beach was a horrible idea.

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson had to fight every urge to mmm from the rubbing on her back. Kaili’s hands rubbed firm enough, yet had a softness to them. Her eyes closed as she began to imagine what could happen and what she wanted to happen. The rubbing of the lotion from her back would stop as Kaili’s hands wrapped around Allyson’s bare waist. She would look over her shoulder trying to see what the other girl was doing. Reaching back a single finger would slide under Kaili’s chin drawing her closer until lips met and their bodies pressed together tightly.

As Kaili’s daydream ended, so did Allyson’s as her voice broke the brunette’s focus and now her face slightly red from the sun and from her daydream. The lotion rubbed into her back and Kaili’s closeness retreated from her. Allyson held her breath for a moment trying to collect her thoughts again. There was no way that Kaili was remotely interested in her like that, why would she be? Allyson remembered how put off she was when they first met and that was a good enough reminder to keep her hands to herself. Looking towards her, she saw that it was her turn to rub Kai’s back.

Sitting behind the girl, she squirted the lotion into her palms and rubbed them together. She hesitated for a second, admiring the girl’s pale back for a bit. The sudden urge to kiss her along her neck and shoulders drove Allyson crazy. No no no no no no, just put the lotion on her. Stop it! Closing her eyes, Allyson listened to the little voice in the back of her head and began to rub the lotion along Kai’s back. She pressed a little firmly into the girl and was met with some resistance, “You’re tense…I uh can give you a little bit of a massage to rela…relax you a bit…?” Massaging the girl’s shoulders, a little she was just doing what a friend would do to another friend right? After the short massage, she ran her hands down Kaili’s back and make sure to coat it all with the lotion. Fingertips moved under the ties of the bikini top as she wanted to cover every inch of the girl’s skin.

Finishing up, she wiped the lotion from her hands and once again pondered making a move. How would she react? Shaking her head, Allyson snapped out of it and tried to focus and be normal at the beach. Kaili wanted to catch some sunshine and that’s what they were going to do. Keeping her hair up, she laid on her stomach and reached back to untie the strings. No string lines, she had decided. So with her back bare, Allyson laid on her stomach exposed to the sun. “If I lived on the beach like you do…I’d be out here every day…” [member="Kaili Talith"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

Massage on her shoulder, hands running down her back and behind the strings of her top. If there ever was a time that Kaili would start freaking out, now was it. The tickle at the lower back, the way Kaili’s mind kept wanting to just turn around, give Allyson what it was that she thought her friend wanted. But no, that could destroy things. Everything. In this moment, as weird as it felt, the reality of seeing Allyson die clouded more and more of the young girl’s mind. In just the brief moment they had known each other they had surpassed friendship, or so Kaili would like to have her think. The last time Kaili merely got to befriend someone she found them dying in her arms. The idea of seeing the same happen to Allyson, though illogical, felt real.

Kaili planted herself flat on her stomach and turned to look at Allyson. There was no need to worry about tanlines. Helped measure the amounts of sun the skin can soak up, she once joked. It stuck around.

“Pretty sure that’s not what I’d be paying you for...” Kaili smiled and stared at the nose bridge of her friend. It faked eye contact, the last thing she’d want at this point. “But, I could make time for it, perhaps. In between letting machinery gather dust and isolating myself within my home.”

A moment passed. Kaili pondered that. In just two days she had made a friend who stole her heart and moved in with her. It sounded like the kind of things parents had nightmares about. Yet what was it for? For Kaili to torment herself? The kid’s smile faded away and she let her eyes stare deep into the hazel eyes before her.

“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this, Allyson?” Kaili sounded almost worried. “I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret, or feel forced into anything.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson chuckled softly as Kaili mentioned something about pay. “Oh so I would be getting paid, probably better than what Rekali can offer.” Credits made the world go round and with Allyson like any smuggler it bought her loyalty. Though, Kaili didn’t need to buy her loyalty. Even if the girl didn’t pay Allyson, she was stuck – there was something more to the blonde when it came to Allyson. Credits meant nothing compared to her. Slowly opening one of her eyes she caught the gaze of her friend. The stare that they shared for that moment knocked the wind out of Allyson. She had to break slightly quick to catch her breath.

Then came the question out of nowhere. Blinking quickly, Allyson was caught off guard and didn’t know how to answer right away. The question was vague and could have meant so many things, but that was her imagination at work. She knew exactly what Kaili was referring to and she just smiled. She loved being here, the place was already feeling like home – something she really didn’t have anymore. Sighing softly, Allyson smiled and shook her head.

“Yes. I’m completely absolutely sure of it. I wanted to stay here after day one with you.” Allyson bit her lip as she regretted saying the ‘with you’ part of the sentence. Still, hopefully Kaili wouldn’t pick up on it. “You’re like me, you get me and uh can show me things to help me.” Keep it professional and friendly Allyson… “I’m not being forced, I’m just happy that I get to see you and be near you beyond the three days you promised with Bait’s repair.” If she could, moreso if she felt comfortable enough, she would have reached out and ran her hand down Kaili’s back as she spoke. She wanted to touch her, to feel her soft skin against her fingertips, but Allyson knew that it wasn’t something Kaili was interested in. So she remained smiling, staring into the vibrate orange eyes that belonged to [member="Kaili Talith"] and wishing the girl could read her mind.

“Are you alright with the arrangement? I mean I don’t want you to feel forced to take me in, you’ve done a lot or me in the past two days…I don’t want you to do something that you don’t want to do. I want…I want you to do what you want and not feel obligated for some reason…”

 

[Kaili Talith]

“Good.” Kaili said and sat up in order to break eye contact. “Forcing things? Too pre-tech for my tastes.”

Jokes. Those worked. Kaili stared at the waters as the waves swept up to shore. It always did have a calming on her nerves. It was one of those benefits to having always lived by a beach her entire life. She closed her eyes and counted to ten as the waves crashed to shore. All things considered, from this day onward she was going to be what would come as close to a ‘master’ as Kaili would be comfortable with calling herself. Did it call for professionalism? Did she toss her own feelings aside for the greater good of teaching someone else what she knew, did she act on it?

Allyson was the most interesting thing that had happened to Kaili. Someone who was there, that she connected with and cared for. Someone she was willing to teach simply because of those reasons. Yet the inappropriate thoughts that she kept playing with would without a doubt prove distracting.

She opened her eyes and looked at Allyson again only to feel it all come back.

“I am.” Kaili reassured her friend. “I don’t often meet people, not that I like anyway. Most people within the Jedi Order that reach my level of expertise take on an apprentice of their own.”

“But you’re more than that. You’re a friend, and as one friend to another I want to help you.” Kaili leant back, kept herself at an angle using her arms for support, and stared at the sky. “I don’t... Have many friends to begin with. It’s the least I can do.”

[member="Allyson Locke"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Allyson nodded, it was the reassurance that she needed from Kaili for the most part. She was excited to actually learn to control and master the skill she had an affinity to. It was like being able to play a sport naturally, but without knowing the rules and such you weren’t considered good at it. Remembering the toy, she made a silent vow to master it to show Kaili that her time isn’t wasted. Her approval meant the world to the Smuggler which was odd since not even Ember’s approval mattered this much to her.

The sun was starting to beat down on her back and it was almost time to flop over. She would do so in a moment, but there would be a few things that needed to happen first. Allyson needed to somehow manage to pull her eyes away from Kaili, who was what it seemed more focus on the sky than on anything else. This allowed Allyson to stare without worrying about the girl catching her. Secondly, she would need to tie her bikini back on, the last thing that was needed was her flashing her friend. Awkward.

“I…” Allyson tried to think of people she knew, people that she would consider friends. There weren’t many and she wondered if any of them felt the same way about her. “Mmm, I think I have like two friends besides you. Ember of course, but then there’s Elijah Rekali.” Allyson recalled the eventful elevator ride where she realized Ember’s warning about the man. “Ember I know would be there for me in a heartbeat but yeah besides you Kaili – I don’t have many either. So I’d like to keep you…close if that’s alright” Smiling, Allyson hoped Kaili would take it the way she meant it, but she figured she would ignore the flirtation as usual.

It was time to switch sides and Allyson reached back to tie her bikini back up. Her fingers fumbled over the strings and after a few moments she gave up. Looking towards her friend, she nervously asked, “Hey Kaili? Can you retie my bikini so I can roll over…?” The request was followed by a little sheepish grin as she shook the strings the best she could from the angle she was at. [member="Kaili Talith"]