Will You Go To Dance with Me

[Judah Lesan]

When Aden felt Mesh'la wrap her arms around him he started the engine. He loved how it purred, and the fact it would the sound of his wincing. He never where he was grazed, just that he had been. He took the bolt to his side and the area was tender. When Mesh'la gripped him and squeezed it without knowing. Still, he was a verd, he would deal with it.

Aden threw the clutch into gear, and sped off. The sensation of Mesh'la's chest against his back was something which made him giddy with excitent of something that he would not be experiencing or even asking for. At his age he just couldn't help but his mind going there. The best he could do was promise to not vocalize it, or try to act on it. He knew Mesh'la was traditional, and she did not have to tell him her desires in that area.

When they go to the Garon homestead, Aden parked the bike. He'd gotten them there pretty fast, whizzing around trees and other objects. He couldn't take the easy way after all. They had to have fun, which is what they had.

"So is this good night, or do you have time to look at the ship? I can make it a quick tour and give you a better one tomorrow. I really want to play in the games at the festival, so your opinion on the wound would be helpful. I think I really got a chance at the wrestling for my age division."

[member="Mesh'la Hokan"]

 

[Alleycat]

The ride was very enjoyable, not only because it was fast and furious as Mesh'la liked it, but because she was snuggling with Aden on the speeder bike. If she was honest with herself, it felt more enjoyable than it should be.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, ner vod'ika. I have time for a quick tour before heading home… Plus, I bet you have a medbay aboard the ship, right?. Perfect place to check your wound over. Hopefully your medic won't mind too much using their turf. Would hate to stir any trouble for you."

Mesh'la slipped off the bike so Aden could get off as well. She followed him over to Stri'buir's unique ship. The blonde Mando had never seen one quite like it before. Well to be honest, she'd not seen many ships up close. Her aliit had a stock one for emergency purposes, but Mesh had not flown on it yet. She'd never been off Mandalore. It was something that was on her bucket list to do.

"Wrestling, huh… Don't they go by weight divisions too?"


[member="Aden Dral"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Nah, Strider owns the ship so the Doc won't be too bothered. I think as long as you don't mess up his organization system. You know how doctors can be particular about that."

Aden punched in his personal code on the consol for loading ramp for the ship. He took a step back, grabbing Mesh'la's hand as he walked them back a couple more steps so the ramp could lower. Once the ramp had descended he walked Mesh'la on board pretty sure no one was there. They were planet side for a while, so most of the crew were taking advantage of real showers, nicer beds, and good food. Aden was one of the few who prefrred life on the ship than off it. His only caviat to that would be if his life kept him planetside. He simply saw staying in the ship as practical, and the only time he had it to himself was when the crew was on Mandalore.

"Well here she is. She's as unique on the inside as she is out. Crew quarters are that way, and my bunk is in there. I'm not the first mate so I have to share. The galley is off this way, the Medbay is off the other way," Aden said as he headed toward it.

The sound of his boots echoed as he walks down the empty corridor. No one was on board which was a good thing. If Mesh'la wanted to see the wound it would be better if they were alone. Too many things would be said if they got while his shirt was off. Being a "privateer" wasn't exactly a job that out one around a crew with wholesome thoughts. The door slid open with a swoosh, and the lights flickered on as they were motion sensored.

"Age and weight classes, yes. I'm stronger than most in my class, but if this wound doesn't heal in time I can't compete. I have my reasons for wanting to win."

Aden flipped the light over the exam table on, then hopped onto it. He slipped his shirt off where it appeared his ribs were wrapped. The graze was on his right side, and a small leak of the bandage gave away its location. He couldn't help but wince as his arms lifted and over extended the skin and muscle near the wound. It wasn't doing as well as he thought, but what did Aden know.

[member="Mesh'la Hokan"]

 

[Alleycat]

"Elek… Some baar'ure can be that way," Mesh quipped lightly. What?! She didn't like peeps to mess with her stuff. Her buir'ika had shown the aspiring young Mando medic the best way to package her medkit for ease when the going gets tough. Fiddling for something could cost a life.

Mesh'la didn't let go of Aden's hand until they got to the medbay. It was the first time they'd held hands longer than just a few moments. Their hands fit perfectly together… That thought made her insides squirm just a bit.

"Wow… This is quite the set up. Stri'buir went with the best medical equipment. That is either a good thing or a bad sign of what he thinks may come to be," the blonde commented quirking up a blondish-brown brow at her patient-to-be, then walked over to the sink and washed her hands thoroughly.

When she turned around, Aden was sitting on the exam table with his shirt off. Mesh'la immediately picked up on that the wound was much more involved than just a mere grazing of a blaster bolt to the ribs from the drainage seeping through on the bandage and his grimacing when moving his arm on the affect side. She didn't say anything. Instead Mesh just silently donned a pair of latex gloves and carefully removed the wrapped bandage.

After examining the wound, she took off the soiled gloves and went to the cabinet to get supplies. Mesh'la rummaged around a few moments to get what she needed, then returned this time putting on sterile gloves after opening the packages.

"This is quite infected. I'm going have to clean it up real good, then redress it. You'll also need a shot of antibiotic too, which will be my pleasure," she giggled, then went to work, keeping her focus on Aden's wound and not the fact that his toned chest was bare. He did appear to be strong.

[member="Aden Dral"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Yeah, yeah, doc said he treated it right. I must have pulled it open or something. Never thought it was infected though," he said wincing at the touch.

Aden tried to be tough, but the infection hurt. He was in pain, and it showed in his eyes. It was a good thing Mesh'la was focused on the wound and not his eyes. He held still as she cleaned it, and delivered the shot, but the pain was still stinging though his side. It was his first real battle wound, and at this rate he knew it would scar. That was fine. A verd needed some scars, and since he had to wrestle topless during the games, he knew the scar would help make him look more intimidating.

"So what do you think vod'ika? Will it heal by the weekend so I can wrestle?"

Yes, his eyes were still on the games. He wanted to impress Mesh'la, and her buire. A lot of young men were going to posture themselves for the right to court her, and while it was ultimately here choice, Graad also had a say. The vhett could sway her mind to another man, but Aden was certain that would not happen. Graad wasn't unobservant. He would see the two cared for each other, and one year was long enough for things to develop.

"I know Stri'buir thinks the ship needs to be ready for the dangerous stuff. After the last job we took, I think he was right. The more the One Sith and the Galactic Republic fight, the more we see pirates out to add to all the confusion. Anyone of those groups can make it hard to make a living, and work is harder to come by. That means we are having to take riskier jobs. There is going to be more fire fights."

[member="Mesh'la Hokan"]

 

[Alleycat]

Mesh'la knew that what she was doing was giving Aden pain. He was trying to be Mando tough though it was visible in those hazel orbs of his; well hidden to those who didn't know him as well as she did though.

"N'eparavu takisit, Aden'ika. I will give you an OTC pain med when I'm finished here, which should take the edge off so you can sleep tonight," Mesh offered with compassion in her sweet voice as she placed a bacta patch and ABD pad on the cleaned wound. The blonde moved in closer to wrap a gauze around Aden's ribcage. She smiled softly up at him.

"I would like nothing better than to cheer you on at that wrestling competition, but can't guarantee your wound will be healed enough by the festival. I'll check it again tomorrow and the day after… I'm looking forward to going with you even if you don't compete. Just remind me to give you my favor either way."

[member="Aden Dral"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Aden winced at Mesh'la's apology. He didn't need it. The wound wasn't her fault, and the pain came from what needed to be done. He nodded at words though. If it had been anyone else he might find it an insult, but he knew Mesh'la said it from her caring heart. Aden placed a hand on the wrap to hold it for her as he knew it had to stay taught. When she tied it off, Aden took her hand.

"You don't need to apologize for the pain. I'll just avoid getting shot. Maybe it's time for me to see Kad about getting some beskar'gam"

The young mandalorian didn't wear it often. Strider had retired after all, but things were tense. Aden supposed it wouldn't hurt. He also picked up on the fact Mesh'la had used the affectionate with him twice now. That had not happened befor he left. The use told him how she felt about what they had decided to explore, and told him more about what she felt for him in general. Their courtship was not official otherwise he would have kissed her in the moment. Instead he put his forehead to hers.

"I want to wrestle for you, your buire. Call me a stubborn Mando'ad, but my father is the Hound of Keldabe."

He removed his forehead.

"I will carry your favor regardless though. Whether I wrestle or not we are still going to the festival, and at least I'll be able to win you that stuffed Nexu."

Aden's wrist chrono beeped indicating the new hour. It was beginning to get late, and he was hoping Mesh'la didn't have to rush out. He hadn't shown her the bridge yet.

[member="Mesh'la Hokan"]

 

[Alleycat]

Aden touched his forehead to hers. It was something Gra'buir did to Buir'ika - an endearment called a Keldebe Kiss, usually done buy'ce to buy'ce. The move could also be done with force to an enemy like a headbutt, but in this case the young Mando was just letting Mesh'la know he cared with his gentleness.

The blonde just smiled after Aden pulled back and nodded at his cute offer of winning her a stuffed next, then his wrist chrono went off and the moment was over. It was time for her to go home otherwise Mesh's buire would be upset.

"I really need to go… You can show me the rest of the ship tomorrow when we get together," she said, then cleaned up the used supplies and grabbed the pain med promised.

"Ret'urcye mhi, Aden'ika."

[member="Aden Dral"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Aden had one week until the games, and Mesh'la had promised to check the wound the morning of to make sure he could compete. There were plenty of activites to do, but his ego as a sixteen year old male was imparing his judgement in that regard. At least he had a good friend, more than, to keep his head attached straight ahead. They were still spending near every afternoon or evening together when possible. The wound was checked once a day, and it seemed to be healing well. Aden was in no pain at all, but that didn't mean it was strong enough to handle the exertion the games would put on the repaired tissue.

The pair had agreed to meet at the main entrance for the festival as they had always done as friends. There was no need to make the buire of either of them to think there was more to the relationship at this point. It was almost comical how the two had mentioned the age of sixteen in some of their conversations. Aden couldn't wait for that celebration.

Aden arrived dressed in street clothes as the festival was not the type where beskar'gam was worn. The games had a different attire, one which participants wore clothing which reflected the colors of the clan to which they belonged. Those clothes were in a bag slung over Aden's shoulder. If Mesh'la told him his wound was ready to participate then he would. Then again, he was having second thoughts as he stood their waiting. They were doing this to spend time together. If Aden wrestled, they may not have a lot of time. The games took place during daylight, there would be other things to do when the sun set. The festival also lasted all weeked, and Aden and Mesh'la never missed a day.

The young verd had a pin his hand, one representing his clan. Aden had brought it so Mesh'la could wear it. If he were going to be able to compete, he wanted her to be able to proudly display who she was cheering for. She had mentioned bringing him a favor, so he brought one for her as well. Whatever was about to happen during the day, Aden kept telling himself everything was going to work out the way it should.

[member="Mesh'la Hokan"]