Private Cuppa | Alex

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Alex Locke

"Oi. Alex. We're getting a cuppa. Let's go."​

It was a cute shop; half the size of anything else on this megablock and half the price. Coruscant's upper levels weren't known for being cheap. As much as she might complain about the small space, sharing a bunk, and a dozen other little things, she was grateful for the steady living space afforded to her by the Academy.

Only, that time was almost over. Assignments had just come in. She had a squad. A job. Commanding officer, wingmen, the whole burrito -- and it just so happened that the whole class was coming with. That was good. She liked some of these people.

Alex happened to be someone she was undecided on. Good pilot, but a little weird. Qell, though, Qell liked Alex, and Tay liked Qell, so there was something there worth checking out, right?

And she had enough money to buy her own caf.

So, Reunion Moon Coffee it was. The table they sat at was small, round, made of wroshyr. Good investment, basically indestructible. Tay watched the ships float across the mid-morning sky. Caf, espresso, double sugar sat in her hand. Not that she needed more energy. If she did she'd probably be eating. No, don't think about that. Can't be hungry. Not now.

"So," she started, her eyes wandering over to the girl across the table, "Why'd you join up? Just curious."

 

[Alex Locke]

Taysonyl Callenid

"A cuppa?"​

Alex didn't understand the phrase, but she soon found herself dragged from the inside of her X-Wing, cleaned up, and now sitting at a small table. The time that led up to her sitting across from Tay was an unknown. Blue eyes blinked as she looked around at the little cafe and tried to piece together her life and not panic. The vacancy of not having Qell with her was well felt as the girl rarely went anywhere without the K'paur. She did her best to not show the usual nervousness that the others seemed to have picked up on her already. ​

She brought the cup of cocoa to her lips and blew lightly. It was fortunate that the place that Tay had chosen had other options beyond caf. Alex never was fond of the bitter taste that came with the beverage; sweet was the way to the Corellian's heart. The chocolate finally met her lips as she cooled it down enough. The sweet liquid warmed her little soul, and she sighed softly, showing her delight in the beverage. ​

Taysonyl started to speak, reminding Alex that she wasn't alone at this table in this bliss of her chocolate. A soft noise slipped from the blonde's lips as she heard the question and gave the two-toned brunette her full attention. ​

"Why did I join?" The question was one she had never really thought about or had really been asked. She hid slightly behind the large cup of chocolate as she felt her gaze pull away from the other girl and thought quietly. The answer was relatively easy to come up with. ​

The blonde chuckled lightly as she tilted her head to the side, a hand delicately brushing back some of the loose strands of her hair from her face. "Ah, it's kind of silly." Her blue eyes stared back at her chocolate and shrugged. "Qell wanted to go to the Academy, and I joined with her." Seeing how that sounded, Alex looked back at Tay finally as she tried to look anywhere else.​

"Oh, my brother and my cousin are pretty good pilots too - uh kind of runs in the family. I think Allyson still flies with the GADF - I don't remember." Alex chuckled again and felt the tips of her ears start to turn red from embarrassment; this was probably the most she had ever said to Tay throughout their time in the academy till now. "W-what about you, Tay?" ​

 

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Alex Locke
​

Tay took a good long sip of her caf. With a deadpan stare she said, "That's pretty lame, Alex."

She leaned back in her seat, balancing it on its back legs. "Like, okay, I get that you vibe with Qell, and she's cool. Sure. Okay. But other people, that's not like, a reason for you to do something, y'know? Should have your own reasons for doing things," she said, raising the mug back to her lips before pausing a moment and grinning. "That's probably why I'm so shit at taking orders, yeah? Don't listen very well."

As for her own reasons... anyone else might've spent time contemplating their words, as to not have as 'lame' an answer as the other girl. After another sip she launched into her explanation.

"I want to shoot shit. I wanna fly, see the galaxy, do something crazy. I mean, I'm poor as kark. No way I'd be able to afford my own ship, or even reliably pay to get around. Not on shockboxing wages, anyways, if I'm not pro," she said, grunting. Could've done pro. "Though, didn't think I'd end up here. Enlisted in GADF basic, then they told me I might better in a starfighter."

Tay glanced back at Alex and raised an eyebrow. "You nervous, or somethin'?"

 

[Alex Locke]

Taysonyl Callenid

That’s pretty lame, Alex.​

​

A pair of big baby blue eyes stared back at Taysonyl as the girl ripped through the Corellian’s reasons for joining the GADF. She didn’t blink until she felt the tears start to well up in her eyes. For someone who rarely spoke to share something quite personal, it hurt. Knowing that someone she was meant to work with and risk her life with felt this way about her choices hurt. ​

​

Not only did Tay poke and rip at her reasons for joining, but she also began to prod her about being nervous, which was the Corellian’s standard emotion. Alex shifted in her seat as she took another sip of her chocolate. Tay had lived an exciting life, even Qell had a thrilling experience before the finishing school they had met at. Alex, on the other hand, spent more time than she should have at her brother John Locke ’s labs. Not very exciting, nor did she find herself interacting with much of anyone. ​

​

Social situations caused anxieties, but having Qell was comforting since the girl spoke for her most of the time. Alex fought back the tears, letting her blonde hair fall in front of her face. A couple of tears fell from her eyes as she looked at her chocolate. A hand-pulled at her sleeve, bringing the fabric over her palm as she wiped at her eyes as quietly as she could. Hopefully, Tay wasn’t paying that much attention to her. Alex cleared her throat and spoke again. ​

​

“Sometimes. I-I don’t talk much in general, and we…” She trailed off as her fingers brushed back some of her blonde hair while she looked away. “We never really talked much.” Her nose wrinkled as she wanted to try and explain herself more. “Qell and I have known each other for a long time. I think my reasons for joining the GADF are just as good as yours.” Getting a little courage, she bit back, “Yours is a bit shallow, aren’t they? I-I mean, th-there’s more to life, th-than money and shooting stuff.” Alex didn’t curse and cringed every time Tay did.​

 

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Alex Locke
​

Okay, that was pretty mean. What was she doing here again? Right, trying to... be friendly. Get to know her classmate. Squadmate, now, which meant it was probably more important. One look into those baby-blue eyes and Tay was shifting in discomfort. Oh, jeez, and tears. Was Alex really that fragile? No, no. Just be nicer. Tay started to panic. "Hey- hey, it's okay, I mean..."

Nope; seemed like Alex did have a bit of grit and confidence buried away in there. Tay breathed a sigh of relief. She took another sip of her caf and gave Alex a few more moments to recover.

"Never said my reason was good," she said. "Probably isn't. Not like I'm a great pilot, or that I dream big, or that I've got ideals. Or people who want me to stick around.

"Still working on that part." Another sip, and a glance at Alex.

"Just... y'know. You're a better pilot than I am. Everyone's got potential, and the chance to live a life worth living. You shouldn't..." She waved her hand at the blonde, not bothering to elaborate. "Whenever somebody tells you something you don't like. I mean, I'm a dumbass. Don't listen to me. Do what you want, 'cos I'm sure you're able."

Unhelpful, as usual. Tay sighed. "You know what I'm talking about."

 

[Alex Locke]

Taysonyl Callenid

The tears had started to dry up, and she listened to Tay speak. The girl really enjoyed the sound of her own voice, but it wasn’t like Alex was adding anything to the conversation. She wondered if that was her fault. Maybe if she spoke more and filled in that awkward silence, if people would be more comfortable around her. ​

Looking into her cup, she realized she was running out of the hot cocoa. It was a pity, since when it was gone - she wouldn’t have anything to hide with. The more that Tay continued, Alex felt more lost in the conversation. What was the point of all this? Was Tay doing this because Qell put her up to it? A forced smile spread on her face as she tried to be friendlier. If she was friendly, maybe Tay would be lovely and stop feeling the way she did. ​

Nervously, Alex spoke, “I want you to stick around.” She paused and realized that she was quiet, “I want you to stick around, Tay.” A finger scratched at her cheek as she kept her gaze away from the other girl. Despite how brash she was, Alex was fond of having her around, even if they didn’t speak often, and just now, Tay had made her cry.​

Sighing softly, Alex shrugged. “As much as I want to do what I want - there are things that are bigger than me. So I want to help, and I want to be with my friends. Vanguard is my home, and I want all of us to stay together.” ​

With another shy shrug, Alex bit her lower lip and took in a deep breath. She wanted to try and make Tay feel better because she assumed the rambling meant something was wrong. The Corellian lacked people skills, but she tried. “I don’t really know what you’re talking about, but I think you’re an essential part of the team.”​

 

[Taysonyl Callenid]

Alex Locke
​

There were a long few moments where Tay stared at Alex. Her eyes became unfocused; wistful, maybe, or maybe just thinking. She gripped the mug a little tighter. The silence hung a while longer before she gathered herself enough for a laugh. It was a wry one, unnatural; a twang of nervousness plaguing every chuckle. "Yeah- yeah. I mean, there's gotta be a worst pilot in the squad, right?"

Essential part of the team. Without a doubt, an essential part of the team. She looked away and shook her head. There were a flurry of reactions, things she searched to process. Was Alex trying to say that they were friends? That she cared, even in a small way, about Tay? The thought confused her. She took a deep breath, her gaze crawling up to focus on the girl across from her.

"What do- why do you want me to stick around?" She cleared her throat. A frown crossed her face. "Look, I- I don't want your pity. So don't look at me like that. I just- I don't-"

She growled to herself in frustration. "Karkin'- I don't know what I'm doing."