Private You Again?

[Phineas Karr]

PANTOLOMIN
​

Phineas had left the Galactic Alliance and Misfit Squadron.

Several things didn't sit right with him. First, they had to steal their own vessels with basically little to no funding. Then to be looked down upon by the Revenant Squadron constantly? Yeah, he could have stayed with the S-Corps if he wanted to feel that way. So, he had just simply left. Wasn't like he owned anyone anything. The one upside of being an orphan he supposed - no one would miss you.

He hadn't gone far, just a sector over to work the ritzy resort world of Pantolomin. He was staying on that rust bucket obtained from carting that blonde Jedi woman around, at least he didn't have to pay rent. Which all fed into his plan. Work casino security for awhile, stack up his credits, and figure out the next steps. Maybe build a reputation for himself and become a pilot for royals or celebrities. Bodyguard work? His military record was impeccable, so it was a possibility. Maybe coupled with casino security and a look into the more civilian security side of things he could branch out.

Either way, he was going to be stuck on the hot tropical planet for months until such a thing happened. Could be worse, at least he had Ferb to greet him and the casino buffet at his disposal. In a few weeks, the Galactic Alliance would be nothing but a nightmare and he could focus on the future. Whatever that was.

Naomi Carolina​

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Naomi was nervous. Maybe it was because she couldn't swim and being on an aquatic world. Maybe it was because she was so close to tracking down some information about her missing family. Maybe it was because the stress of being a squad-leader was getting to her.

She wasn't even eighteen.

It was hard enough to keep up with her own ship let alone all the political comings and goings of the Galactic Alliance that had more enemies than flees on a Barkesh hound's back. Frowning, she checked the wrist hollow of the pic of the twi'lek male again. Some information broker she was paying her next few month's wages for some intel. She would have to decide if she wanted to message Judah Dashiell for some more credits. She'd probably just skip a few meals instead. She was used to that - getting by on not much. Digging out her fake ID to the bouncers at the door to the casino, she plastered on a smile.

Naomi Carolina could dress up well. She had on kitten heels. A dress that had a way of making her look older. And she'd spent a good deal of time on her hair. Chit, looked almost as good as the zeltron females that frequented the Misfit base.

The bouncer squinted at her ID and her face but then shrugged and waved her through. Not like he was getting paid much to care who spent credits at the casino. But it was the Security person who stepped forward choosing her for a random weapons check.

"Seriously?" Naomi offered a full-lipped lower pout and batted her eyelashes that were extra long tonight.

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas was on door duty tonight. Not a big deal - wand those pulled to the side for weapons. It was just a simple hand held scanner and off most people went. A resort town, there wasn't much in the way of weapons coming in unless an idiot from organized crime tried something. They tended to be a little more subtle. Nope, it was drunk idiots, domestic fights, folks getting handsy with the workers - things of that nature. It was giving him a taste of dealing with the public.

In which he found the unwashed masses annoying. Either way, credits were decent.

Approaching the next sentient handed off for screening, Phineas did a double take that it was the one and only Naomi Carolina . Brows furrowed and he gave her a highly disapproving look. The redhead couldn't believe his eyes.

"Seriously?" Naomi offered a full-lipped lower pout and batted her eyelashes that were extra long tonight.

"Seriously?!" He scoffed and pulled out a handkerchief from his inner blazer pocket. Security was dressed up to look less intimidating to the high rollers that came in. "You look like a common jezebel! You shouldn't be out here."

Hand reached out with the handkerchief and tried to wipe off the lipstick.

"Don't you have a squadron to run and not get into casinos?"

 

[Naomi Carolina]

"Phin?"Naomi couldn't believe all the planets in all the verse. All the casinos in that matter. Like finding a dark speck of sand among the light dunes of Tatooine. And like the annoyance of sand in one's boot. So. Was. Karr.

For a moment, she thought that hand of his gripping that satin piece of cloth was going to cover her cleavage in that little black dress she wore. The one that was still long enough to hide the vibroblade she had strapped to her upper right thigh. The teen wasn't planning on using it but she didn't know the character of the information broker she was meeting.

Ma always taught her to be prepared.

And oh, how the tables had turned.

Mister swagger and strut more than a senator's peacock was serious for a change in his redheaded life. She'd snatch up the handkerchief before it could touch her face and raise it as if she was going to do as he said only to toss it over her thin-strapped shoulder.

"So this is where you ended up after deserting us? Traded out a flightsuit for a mook suit, hmm?" She let her eyes slowly travel up his form. Full intent on tryin' to make him squirm. And some flirting because she really needed to get this security part over with so she could go meet her contact.

"C'mon darlin', do I look like I'm packin'?"

A hip would cock to the side and a hand would rest on it. If one looked really closely, she still had a few grease stains from working on her ship just that morning. And while there was enough heat in her hazel eyes to give Mustafar a run for its credits, there was something deeper. A very real, sharp-edged desperation. Whatever Naomi was here for, it wasn't for fun and sabacc.

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas gave a deep sigh and rolled his eyes at the mention of 'deserting'. Technically, it was true. If he was to get in trouble with the law he could easily go to jail. If the Galactic Alliance wanted to persue such a thing. Phineas was keeping his head low and hoping that the Sith were keeping them far too busy. However, with Naomi Carolina being loud, it could derail his plans.

"Its complicated. I need credits. I ain't got a family to rely on."

Shoulders slumped. He saw a supervisor looking his way and he waved off the concern before turning back to the girl and flight commander. He was trying to exist without extra attention. For some reason Naomi wanted to get into the casino. Maybe she got a bonus she wanted to blow. Maybe it was her birthday. Who knew.

"Yeah, sure, go ahead. Enjoy your visit Miss."

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Kark it all.

Why did he have to go and be all honest and vulnerable with her?

All her bravado and flirtatiousness faltered. Naomi always thought why folk had rallied around her as squad-leader was because of her sharp talent with flying. But those closest to her would tell her it was because she was a good leader. She cared about building up the squad and being there for one another.

A frown quickly tugged on her cocky grin. High-heeled feet would go to click past him but paused at his side. Head cocked to the side as she looked at him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you," she whispered lowly. "But you're not alone. We saw some chit together and a squad is family." She hesitated before glancing over her shoulder not wanting to draw too much attention. Not wanting to draw it to him.

"Even if a member moves on."

Something snagged her attention as she saw her contact through the crowds ahead. It was that same shade of blue and head tails from the holo she'd been sent. Maybe she could find him when he got off. Catch up more. Sure, she was annoyed as all hells he'd just...left.

But she was kind of about to do the same. An extended leave of absence. And maybe that's what bothered her the most. It was like looking in a mirror.

Naomi moved forward, further into the casino. Weaving through crowds and drunken patrons. Ignoring those who eyed her like they were a jawa in a salvage shop. The teen moved forward with all the confidence and swagger of someone in her mid-twenties. Someone who knew how to command a room without really knowing they had that kind of power. And a sass in her heeled-clip that only fueled the red-head stereotype.

 

[Phineas Karr]

"Not lookin' for your charity."

Phineas was looking more to explain. He could see the disappointment but it was what he had chosen. Naomi Carolina would get over it and he figured by the end of the year he would just be a distant memory for her. By then he hoped to be away from the casino. He had been working his contacts hard and forging new ones. There was also word of opportunities for soldiers in the Tingel Arm. Something he had to follow up on more.

Working the door for another thirty minutes, he was finally able to take a break, his supervisor waving him off. Walking inside, Phin was going to get a drink - not the alcoholic one he needed either. He would have to save that for this evening when he got back to the spaceport. Instead he grabbed some water from the bartender and turned around.

He spotted Naomi on the casino floor and rolled his eyes. There was something more as to why she was here but it wasn't his place to intervene.

 

[Naomi Carolina]

"Not lookin' for your charity."

She paused as she walked away and rolled those kohl-rimmed green-blue eyes of hers. Phineas may not have any blood relations but Naomi had to wonder how many folk like her he actively pushed away. Oh, she was sure he couldn't see it. Those small choices and words made that set him up to be the way he felt most comfortable.

Alone.

Not her Kowakian monkey not her zoo.

Not long after she found herself sliding into an open seat at a sabaac table. Right next to that twi'lek. He proved to be a man of his word. There was an exchange of credits and a holochip passed to her beneath the table. A round of sabaac before he stood and left. Naomi held onto that holochip like it was a lifeline. And after another round, she also stood. Distraction rippling across her serious-set features. Lips pressed into a thin line on her freckled-face.

She was looking down at that holochip in her hand when she bumped against someone else.

He let out an oof as a drink was spilled in her direction, splashing across her exposed skin and the fabric of that black dress she wore. "Watch where you're going!" The male's voice rumbled in his chest. If Naomi had been paying attention, she would've seen that she hadn't run into him. He'd purposefully stepped into the young girl's path.

"I'm so sorry," her head finally looked up at his face. A human with a flash of bright blond hair and a smile that seemed a little too bright. Her hand tried to brush some of the alcohol off her dress.

The male motioned her to the side and even though there was something nagging at the back of her mind she followed him a few steps. "Looks like you took the brunt of it. I'm sure I can help you with that."

That blinding smile.

"Ain't nothing. I'll be okay," she took a step back into a body of another. Her head whipped to the side seeing a too-casual looking zeltron.

"No, no. I-we insist. A pretty thing like you? Out here all alone." Naomi's free hand balled into a fist at her side.

"Step back now or you ain't gonna like how this'll end."

That blond male had the balls to chuckle in her face as she suddenly felt a little fuzzier. Like her anger was being sucked away.

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas rolled his eyes from his position at the bar. How could Naomi Carolina be so naive? He expected someone who had seen dogfights and battles to have a little more common sense. Then again, perhaps common sense wasn't so common these days. He sighed, watching her slam into some guys. Even from afar it could tell it was intentional.

He set down his water glass and adjusted his blazer, thankful it didn't have any logos or emblems. Time to intervene before she got herself into a heap of trouble.

Soon enough, arm was around her shoulders and he leveled a look at the two men. A warning glare before plastering on a smile and giving the flight captain a little squeeze.

"There you are darlin'. Been waiting at the bar for you, how'd you go and get lost? You wanna introduce me to your two friends? Can't be stayin' long though, we gotta grab our drinks before hitting the slots. We're supposed to be meetin' my parents, remember? Can't keep mother waiting..."

 

[Naomi Carolina]

As Phineas came over, he'd note Naomi didn't look like herself. There was an alarmingly vacant look to her face. It was like the usual fight and grit the redhead had was smothered. Like a Krykna had spun its web in several layers over her.

The zeltron's concentration wavered a tick as Phineas butted in and wrapped his arm around the girl. Even the cocky blond gave a keen glance around the bustling casino. His gaze hardening on the new red head.

Her squadmate's squeeze was like peeling some of those webs away. As her head managed to resurface a moment. "Rii-ight," her voice felt so far off. Even that spike in anger at these feggers. It took most of her will power but she looked at Phin and flickered her eyes behind them. A silent plea for help.

They needed to get...distant. From that.

That Zeltron.

That momentary distraction and clarity in her head and emotions began to disappear again. It was like she was back on Barkesh, trying to keep that fine coal sand from slipping through her fingers. Any fight. Any sense of warning was just being snatched away.

She was okay. These guys weren't so bad. Everything was fine. Maybe she wanted to follow them.

"Just spilled a drink on her is all. My fault," the blond spoke up with words that didn't match the look in his eyes. A smile as sharp as a knife. A subtle shake at the zeltron behind Naomi. "Maybe we'll see you two around." He jammed his hands in his pockets and motioned his head for the Zeltron and him to take their leave.

 

[Phineas Karr]

"We can only hope to see you again, maybe after the slots, right dear?"

Phineas gave Naomi Carolina a convincing loving squeeze once again. He was certain the blonde man rolled his eyes as he was leaving. He was quite certain the two saw through his ruse but it didn't matter. Neither seemed foolish enough to try to challenge him. A good thing for them - he did work here after all and could call in the big guns. This wasn't somewhere alone where he would be scrapping two against one. Not to say his right hook was dusty. Far from it.

Either way, he turned her around and led her in the direction of the slots. Just in case they were watching. Arm was tight around her shoulders as they walked. His head was close to hers. He needed to speak lower volume and it was quite loud. It was a casino after all.

"I am extremely disappointed. What if I wasn't here?"

A shake of his head, annoyed.

"I'm going to call a speeder taxi for you. I'm going to make sure I talk to the driver. You're going to the spaceport. I'm docked there, space W-529 , and you'll get on my shithole of a ship and sit there til I get off. This is a quiet, respectful resort world and somehow you find the only trouble that is probably here right now."

A huff of his breath.

"Since you've made it my problem, why are you here?"

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Dear.

There was something irksome in his tone. Something that only Phineas Karr could do. And yet, Naomi felt like she was watching herself on a holovid - somewhere far away. She saw herself nod along and walk. The tickle of his warm breath along the sensitive shell of her ear and down her skin. His voice low, gruff, and annoyed.

It wanted to spark her own annoyance. Spread something quick, wild, and hot like the fire fields on mustafar.

But only the vast emptiness echoed back - like a picked over wreck on Jakku.

"But you were here," her voice sounded monotone. Compliant. Clearly whatever chit that zeltron had done was still sitting heavily over her. A zeltron-lightweight. "Everything was fine. They were fine. Weren't...no trouble."

That same tone of voice that might scare those who really knew Naomi. She sounded like a shadow of herself. A puppet being pulled on intricate strings. Kohl rimmed eyes flickered to Phinny's face. There was something she was holding. What was she holding?

Whatever it was, was nice.

Everything was so nice.

If anything else hadn't, the next line would really clue in her squadmate that she really wasn't fine.

"You know what Phinny? You're actually nice. Really nice. And look at this face," she reached over and brushed his jawline with her thumb. "Bet you could have any girl in the 'verse with that sharp chin. And...,"

She was tucked in tight to his side as she walked, enjoying the extra bit of height those kitten heels gave her.

"Those muscles."

Wait? Hadn't he asked a question. Whatever it was, she was sure it was nice.

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas looked at Naomi Carolina as if she had sprouted three different heads. Typically she would have been pushing him away and complaining loudly and often that he should mind his own business. That she was more than capable and to butt out of her business and head back to work. Naomi was saying none of that. There was no spark.

It scared him.

"Are you on drugs?!" He lead her out a side employee door and stopped short. Phineas turned the woman to face him and put a hand on each of her cheeks. He gently turned her head slightly in a few different directions, looking to see if her eyes responded to light. Looking for extreme dilation and if she was on something.

"Did you drink something? Swallow something? Don't you have any girlfriends? First rule of being a woman is not to take drinks from strange men. They don't teach that anymore?"

Phin still couldn't believe this. Hand went and gripped her shoulder, holding her in place. The other hand dug out his personal datapad and immediately started to order a speeder to pick her up. Naomi could sleep off whatever she ingested back at his place and hopefully by the time he got done with his shift she'd be sober enough to have sense.

"Think you can sit still for a few hours?"

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Inner Naomi was F U R I O U S.

Outer Naomi was having too much fun look at that graffiti on the way out of the employee side entrance. It was so nice. So lovely. She had to wonder if they hired a professional to come in. And that smell?

(it was pee)

She'd never smelled anything like that in her life. Maybe something with one of her younger brothers. But this was different. This was nice. Cheeks puffed against his hands as he put them on her face.

She wanted to swat him away, wait - no, his hands were nice and warm.

"You ask a lot of questions. Don't you have girlfriends? Probably nice ones." Her free hand managed to lift and jab at his chest. Two times.

"No, Phinny-Phin-Phin, today is too important for drinking. Today is," scarlet browns scrunched together on her face. Brightly painted lips frowned. Something important happened. That finger that jabbed against his chest, spread her palm flat as she patted against his bicep. The one that was trying to dial something on his comm.

"I'm fine." Pat. Pat. Pat. Then she tried to spin around but his other hand kept her in place and she looked just as confused before that same compliant look crossed her face. It was okay. Everything was fine. Freckled nose scrunched up before relaxing again. Then her hands reached up and cupped Phineas' face.

"Are you okay?"

There was a sound of a speeder pulling up front around the corner.

 

[Phineas Karr]

"You ask a lot of questions. Don't you have girlfriends? Probably nice ones."

"What....what does that have to do with asking questions if you've drank or not? This isn't very helpful."

Annoyed look crossed his face as he slid the datapad back into his pocket. Then he was caught off guard when she started touching him. Yep she was completely wasted. He would send a message to warn Ferb that Naomi Carolina was insane and she needed to sleep off whatever was going on with her. Phineas thought she needed a greasy meal and a strong cup of caf - that always helped him during this situations.

He didn't have time to take her to a run down diner for such a remedy. Perhaps when he ended his shift and if she was still acting like a wasted white girl.

"I'm fine."

Speeder pulled up and he opened the door, helping to guide her in. Wasn't the first time he had done such a thing - guests were always drunk at the bar and this speeder service was one they used frequently. Making sure she was situated in the backseat, Phin started to talk to the driver.

"Can you take her to the spaceport? Space W-529. Friend of mine, didn't anticipate how strong the alcohol is here. Going to let her sleep it off and maybe she can come back in time for the nightly shows."

"You got it." The driver was an elderly Selkath. "You know how these kids get when they come - think they can conquer the world."

Several credits were handed over, more than required to ensure Naomi was delivered safely.

"Behave. Get some sleep."

Then he shut the door on her.

 

[Naomi Carolina]

"No, I'm fine," her alarmingly sing-songy voice would call out from the back of the speeder before her wingmate closed the door. She caught the driver's look of concern in the rearview holo before they took off. She leaned against the back. Her muted emotions slowly stirring awake the further away she got from that casino and the more time that past.

"Here we are," the elderly Selkath spoke as he pulled up to Phineas Karr 's ship space. "I"ll wait until you get in, Miss."

Naomi ran a hand down her face. That compliant-fuzziness was finally starting to lift. "Thanks Mister."

"You've got a good friend."

"I reckon I owe him for this." Naomi said and got out of the speeder. "And I reckon he'll never let me live it down," she muttered beneath her breath as she made it inside his ship and gave a final salute to the driver. A hand dragged down her tired face as she was greeted by a familiar droid.

"Ferb. Ain't you a sight for sore eyes," Naomi carefully stepped into the tight, space. "I know, if I had my druthers Grits would be here, too." She sunk down into one of the hammocks. Green-blue eyes swept around the derelict space before settling back on the droid. Opening up her palm, she stared down at the holochip she'd been clutching so tightly.

"You reckon you can play this for me? And while we're at it. If you can tell me what's out there to counteract zeltrons." Palm rubbed at the back of her neck. "Right, not the piddlin' kind."

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas demanded constant updates from Ferb on what Naomi Carolina was doing. The droid was dutiful, sending helping updates such as << PILOT NAOMI IS SLEEPING >> or << PILOT NAOMI HAS BEGUN SNORING >> . Droids often took everything literally, so he couldn't fault the little droid for giving such updates. Emotions weren't something they typically dealt with.

The redhead took the public shuttle from the casino he worked at back to the spaceport, trying to reach his little unnamed rust bucket quickly. There wasnt much space : cockpit, the tiny hammock-slash-galley-slash-refresher area and then the pitiful excuse for a cargo hold. It was clear this was for hopping sectors, not long haul travel, but alas.

Clamoring up the ramp, of course he was immediately greeted with the sight of woman. How could he not? Wasn't many places for her to spread out and hide.

"You didn't run away. Surprising. You actually listened to my orders. I'm sure that was a fluke." He paused, removing his dark blazer and tie, hanging them up on a small hook in the corridor. " How are you feeling?"

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Naomi had found a spare pair of Phinny's socks and a spare jacket that dwarfed her smaller frame. She had it zipped on over her dress. Naomi always found it cold in spaceports and on ships. Fingers cradled a cup of tea Ferb had somehow managed to scrounge up for her.

Shocking that Karr had any at all.

The glow of a datapad cast her features in a soft light. But her green-blue eyes were sharp and focused and rolled at his tone. A small huff. He would find that the squadleader was back to her usual self. That self that wouldn't take any chit from anyone.

"Don't let it get to your head or anything but I reckon I owe you for what you did back there. No, kriff, don't give me that look. It wasn't drugs or drinking. It was that hells bells zeltron. I know it shouldn't but sometimes it still surprises me that we got fethers like that in Alliance space. Makes me wonder how many others weren't so lucky like me."

Her features were scrunched up and distressed. Like she had half a mind to march right back to that casino, find them, and teach them a mighty good lesson. Maybe she could one day. First step would be to try and get that anti-zeltron implant thingy-majig.

She refocused and shifted her eyes back to the redhead. "I reckon I should at least tell you why I was there. I got a tip on what might've happened to my family." The ones she's lost on Barkhesh. Her whole squad knew she'd been looking for them. "Met an info-broker there. And I got this," she waved the holochip at him.

 

[Phineas Karr]

Phineas nodded slowly. There was a small relief that at least Naomi Carolina was back on the mend. She was dressed as if she had jumped into a hamper and emerged wearing whatever clung to her frame and that was it. At least she had a good reason to get herself into some trouble, Naomi was always passionate about finding her family. She was determined to hunt them down one way or another.

"I assume your answers are on the holochip."

Obvious, but he had to say something to break the silence. He rubbed the back of his neck, a little worried she was going to get herself in trouble once again. She just looked far too innocent for her own good.

"You can stay here tonight. Tomorrow I assume you wanna go find your folks. Do me a favor and take Ferb. At the very least he can watch your back. He's a good droid, I've had him since I was sixteen. He won't be steering you wrong in any shape or fashion."

 

[Naomi Carolina]

Naomi blew across the top of the steaming cup of tea. It was a floral blend and the lavender scent tickled her nose. She watched Phineas in the small space that was his ship. Tweren't nothin' to make fun of in her mind, though. A ship was a ship. Right now she didn't have a ship of her own. She'd left her x-wing with the Misfits. Only seemed right considerin' how down vessels that volunteer group was.

Toes wriggled in those socks in front of her.

"I assume your answers are on the holochip."

"Ain't got all of them." She took a breath and it almost looked painful. Then a look glinted in her eyes. A spark like the first twinkle of star showin' up on a clear night on Hoth. The kind that meant the teen was hatchin' a plan. A plan that would involve roping more than just Ferb into.

"Phin, you still need a job? I need a ship and pilot. This holochip is pointin' to the Outer rim. And well, I kinda sorta put in a leave of absence with the squad. Reckon you might be interested in taggin' along?"

Naomi didn't know how she would pay for him. She reckoned she'd get odd jobs along the way. Maybe send a comm to Judah to see if he was feeling a might generous. 'Course Phinny hadn't said yes, yet. She thought about pouting her lip just so and giving him those wide-khol rimmed doe-eyes. But in the end, she decided against it. Didn't feel right trying to manipulate a friend like that.