Dead Nerves

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Two blazing suns and a world full of sand.

He had once told himself that he would never come back here, that he would stay away at all costs and not return lest it was in chains. Now it seemed that he was coming back not only of his own free will, but with no small amount of joy in his heart. It was odd how time changed things, how it shifted priorities and altered thoughts. There was a part of him that even remembered this place with a pinch of warmth, a part of him that yearned for the few days of absolute simplicity he had had here.

How odd that was.

Pin pricks fell over his back, a thousand small needles stabbing into his back over and over again as memories of the past came over him. His eyes folded closed, and he began to focus on something else as the phantom pains once again spiked across the dead nerves that still scattered throughout his back. His head shook from side to side, dispelling the pain until it slowly fell away.

That happened from time to time, when memories or thoughts of the past crept up on him, specifically those of this place, of Tatooine. Perhaps it was a mental link to the hurt he had sustained here long ago, or perhaps it was simply his mind playing tricks on him. Alric didn't really know, nor did he really care. He had long ago come to terms with the unfeeling nature of his back, feeling it only at random times.

His shoulders rolled almost reflexively, his eyes casting out the viewport.

The desert sands shifted and fell up all around them, caught in the wake of the ships repulsor lifts.

Alric smiled slightly as he caught glimpse of a far off mirage, a small speckling of a rising gray structure. He knew it was his mind playing tricks on him, he knew it was simply an image of the past, but it brought him back to those simple days, when his heart wasn't so heavy and his mind wasn't so full.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

T A T O O I N E
M O S E I S L E Y

Not much would have changed upon first inspection of the hive of scum and villainy. It was hot as the Nine hells and the sand simply got everywhere, blocking sight, restricting breathing, and make ones skin feel as if it would peel right off. Typical of Tatooine -- At least, until the sand would settle. That's when squinting eyes would grow wide a the vast amount of industrial pourstone buildings rising up towards the sky in stark defiance of the winds.

Twenty years was more than enough to bring some change.

Mos Eisley was the headquarters of Arceneau Trade, and under Danger's watchful gaze the Outer Rim town grew -- boy did it ever. The result was while cities coreworld crawled into the backseat with any filthy factory or foundry that flashed a little credit, Mos Eisley became the pampered mistress of Trade. Granted, she didn't grow like her industrious sister cities in the Core Worlds, but she didn't age like them either.

Buyers, sellers, and traders from all over the 'verse came to do a little business, bringing their money with them. By the turn of a few decades, you couldn't skip a rock without hitting a white pourstoned adobe building. Moisture farmers, docking bay workers, and merchants the like had warehouses nicer than anything a Coruscanti factory worker reared his children in.

And while the token crime came now and then, there was no denying that this old girl had cleaned up a little. What cash flow came had made the locals prosperous, and it showed.

The space port was nearly five times it's original size, and Alric Kuhn would be quick to see the increase in travelers and spacers throughout the bays. Inspection had grown a bit more stringent with the increase in population, but that was just how Danger liked it. Come in and out as you like, but a transponder code and name was always going in the books. Rare it was that anything happened on Mos Eisley that would not get to Danger's ear.

Which is what would happen, once the former Titan made his presence known. For the now, Danger was at her office, sans the black dress he'd seen her last and in gear dressed for the desert. Her hair was wild, her face scrubbed clean, and skin just a little bit pinker due to the sun. With how hot the twin suns baked the day in, this was normal for her here. And since she wasn't expecting company, wasn't no matter to her.

Flynn, bless his heart, was going over the daily report as Danger readied her bag.

"Ain't heard word yet from the Exchange," his low voice would tersely draw out the information. "But they be keen on opening up those casinos down south; offered to clean up the mess Vaweks made, settle things right."

"What sort of percentage we talking about?" Danger asked, grabbing a datapad to look over the figures.

"Offering thirty-five, along with a portion of those phrik mines they done found."

"Hmm..."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Sunglasses slipped onto his face and a hand wrapped around the back of his neck as Alric stepped into the hot sun.

There was no suit upon his shoulders this time, no heavy cotton linens or thick black jacket. No, he had learned his lesson, and it was a lesson that had stuck with him over the years. Tatooine wasn't a place for a suit, it was a place to be safe, careful, and most importantly dressed for the situation. So instead of his usual formal get up, Alric wore tailor made desert clothing that seemed to cling perfectly to him.

A pair of loose fitting pants hung around his waist, a light shirt around his torso and a hat on his head. That was the extent of his outfit, and quite honestly is suited him just fine.

The Former Titan wasn't here to impress anyone, he wasn't here to show how wealthy he was or how wronging him would have consequences. He was here to see his friend, and that was all. A small smile touched his face as he bent the edges of his cap, shifting it so that the suns of Tatooine wouldn't shine directly into his face. The Heads Up Display in his glasses pointed him with a simple map towards the exit of the spaceport, and without a second thought he headed off in that direction.

It didn't take him long to notice the growth, how big everything had gotten.

The last time he had come here this place had been tiny, it still was in a way, compared to Coruscant or Nar Shaddaa. Yet there was a certain quality to Mos Eisley, something that larger cities seemed to be missing. The Street vendors here and the cantinas seemed to line every corner, peddling their wares and enticing people with music, dancers, and whatever else they could afford.

Alric ignored them all, heading instead towards the one place that mattered.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Make the deal." Danger said, setting the datapad down as she reached for her cup of stimcaf. Here on Tatooine, there was no need for pretense. Not with Flynn. Not with Alisha. Not with those who saw Danger for who she was, having grown round these parts from the time she dropped out of her mother's womb.

"Y'sm," Flynn acknowledged, tipping his head. A large weathered hand went to grab for his wide brimmed hat, tucking it snugly over the top of his head.

"Tell Alviera that I best see results," there was a glint in Danger's eyes that told it was no less a threat as it was a promise.

"That I will, Miz Arceneau."

Danger would give an incline of her head, "Thank you Flynn," she responded. Flynn was just shy of knocking on the pearly gates, but the man weathered each sand storm with a defiance of a man in his prime. No-nonsense and loyal, Flynn Darkstar was more than worth his weight in Hutt peggats and corseca gems. If there was anyone she could trust with the security of Arceneau Trade, it was Flynn.

Left alone in her office once Darkstar stepped out, Danger sat back in her chair, contemplating for a moment on the coming and goings. Her attention went drifting towards the wide window archways of her office. With the storm panels drawn up, nothing but the bright rays of the twin suns shined through. Gusts of winds came and went, lifting the white near translucent curtains, bringing with it the kiss of arid heat and the briefest of a cool breeze.

After a second she rose to her feet, taking with her the stimcaf. That slow amble took her just to the side of one of the arches pillars, both hands curling round her mug. Ain't no better view than that from her balcony. From here Mos Eisley spanned out like a woman draping herself upon the bed for her lover. There wasn't arch, nook, nor cranny that Danger did not map out, having lived and breathed this city the entirety of her life.

Most wouldn't dare consider Tatooine a home and a sanctuary, but the Danger, that was exactly what it was. More so back at the stronghold, where there was nothing between her and the desert but the shifting of dune seas.

Bringing the caf to her mouth, Danger would breathe deeply. With the low murmur of the bazaar floating into her ears, she was content.

It was a good day.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Everything seemed so disorganized here. The streets weren't placed in mass patterns, the buildings seemed to be thrown in at random, and everything was just sort of cobbled together. That wasn't to say the city wasn't a city, it was more to say that there was an odd sort of disorganization to the way it had all come together. It gave Mos Eisley and odd little charm, though it also made it rather difficult to navigate. Eventually however Alric found his way.

He passed through what could only be described as a marketplace, there were vendors on each side, dozens of humans, aliens, and all kinds of wares. Alric stopped and some of them, perusing the things they had. He smiled and made conversation, talked about the past and the future of Mos Eisley, about ATC and Danger Arceneau.

From one stall her purchased two small bracelets, junk really, but the Jawa skittered about in such excitement that Alric found him quite amusing.

They would be presents for Lily and Rose. Small gestures, useless, but at least it was something.

Slowly the former Titan moved through the streets of Mos Eisley, watching as dust was kicked up by speeders and things generally got more busy. The ATC tower was just over head, and quickly Alric made his way towards the building. He still looked rather unlike himself, but he suspected that that aided him as he wandered into the buildings front lobby.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

“Arceneau Trade Company, would you please hold?” a pause and then another click of a holographic keyboard.

“-- the next Expo is due at the end of the year, Sir.” another comm switch would be flipped. The front desk employees of the Trade conglomerate were anything but efficient. The front office opened up into a wide area, with the trend of pale white adobe walls with smooth archways and paraphernalia of the desert upon the walls. Being where it was, there was no way to completely avoid the fine layer of sand that would settle everywhere, but the hum of the air purifiers told a tale that they were giving it all they got.

It’s the thought that counts surely? Air conditioners were also not lacking. Nor was the help yourself drink bar down the far right - with ice. All the comforts one could ask for while at the desert, along with that cordial pleasantness.

It was that same welcoming environment that Alric Kuhn would find himself subject to. An Arceneau employee by the name of Delila Vao, a willowy Theelin with a shock of bright pink hair, shone a smile as a greeting to the former Titan.

“Welcome to Arceneau Trade, may I help you with anything?”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric smiled at the woman.

Perhaps he was not as recognizable as he had once been, perhaps the age he had put on and the clothes were too much for him to be identified. He made a mental note of that, perhaps it would be useful later, maybe he could actually take a vacation for once and do something other than business. The thought made him smile, though it was quickly banished by the more pressing concerns that sat before him. He leaned on the womans desk and gave her a charming smile.

"Yes." She certainly could help him. "My name is Alric Kuhn."

That should at least mean something, hopefully anyway. "Could you please contact Miss Arceneau and tell her I'm here, or her assistant. I assume that she's rather busy."

Alric wasn't thrilled about being on Tatooine, but he wanted to see his friend. Hopefully he wouldn't have to jump through a thousand hoops simply to see Danger, though quite honestly he hadn't expected everything to go this well. Unconsciously he patted the pocket that contained the bracelets he had purchased.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

The name had the desired effect.

It was almost comical really, that awareness that went washing over Delila’s face. You could see the confusion, shock, then surprise bloom. Maybe even a bit of embarrassment? Ain’t no one who hadn’t heard the E! True Coreworld Story about the former CEO of Titan Industries coming back from the grave. To see him here, in casual attire, a bit worn for wear with the peppered beard, slight crinkles to the corners of his eyes, and in Tatooine of all places, was a surprise indeed.

“Oh! Mistah Kuhn,” the Diva went flushing a shade as pink as her hair. She was a bit flustered. How was she to handle this? One one hand, one must follow protocol. On the other it was Alric Kuhn. Was Miz Arceneau expecting him? Aeri wasn’t here. She was taking to business for the boss out by Techno Union Territory.

Delila would shine a wide smile at him, “Of course…” enter a pause, then an expectant look came to her then, meeting the bright blue eyes of the handsome man and asked what would likely be taken with a mild bit of amusing surprise.

“Do you have an appointment?”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"I do not." Alric said quite simply.

There was really no point in lying here, and from the expression on the girls face it was more than clear to him that she in fact knew exactly who he was, though he doubted she knew what he was to Danger. Perhaps that would have made things more complicated, or perhaps he would already have been able to see her, either way his current problem wouldn't be solved by simply standing there and looking pretty. He instead leaned in closer to the girl and smiled.

"I don't think thats a problem though, is it?" It probably was. "I'm sure Miss Arceneau would want to know I'm here."

That was certainly true.

Even if they didn't have their friendship, Alric Kuhn walking into the headquarters was something of note on any day.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"O-of course." Delila pasted a winning smile on her face. Low murmurs were already filling the reception area along with other curious glances from the other employees and clients.

"Right this way." she would beckon, one hand moving quickly towards the small ear bud she wore. Adjusting the tiny micro comm, the words that would shake the foundation of Danger Arceneau were relayed to one of Danger's assistants. Who in turn, would give Danger the news.

"Mistah Alric Kuhn is here to see Miz. Arceneau."


*****

You could have heard a pin drop.

"What did you say?!" the exclamation came with a double take, almost comical in fact with the expression of utter shock that fixated itself on Danger's face. She stood by the archway, having enjoyed the little quiet interlude when the incoming beep of a message drew her from her reverie. The name that came drifting from the speaker gave her enough to almost drop her cup of stimcaf with.


You could push her over with a feather, perplexed and baffled was she at the news that Alric was here. The man held no love for Tatooine. Not in decades. Not since that fool's errand that had him foolishly walk into the kind of trouble that spurned the start of their unusual friendship. That is to say, since he almost died here at the lash of a Tusken Raider's whip. Since...

The blood had drained from her face, and no certain memories went drifting in her mind. Stark were the scattering of freckles over her tanned skin, and unconsciously one free hand went up to fluff her hair. Heart thundering in the sudden rush of adrenaline, it took her a few seconds before registering her assistant's request for permission to let him in.

A knot rose in her throat, and in six strong strides she crossed over to her desk. Setting her caf down with a slight slosh, her forefinger depressed the comm.

"Send him in."

She abruptly would straighten, as if the comm were a snake ready to strike. He did it again; caught her unaware. Why was he here? Did something happen to Rose? To Lily?

Even when they were on the best of terms, he never, ever came to Tatooine. Refused to. That he was here was enough to send her heart a titter in wariness as much as anticipation. Part of her delighted at the thought of seeing him, having wondered since their last interaction if that was all that there will be.

Having him come here...

Well, then, shook her to the core. If he wanted to catch her unawares he did. Boy did he ever score high on that.


********

"Miz Arceneau will see you now," Delilia would say cheerfully, with no hidden expression of relief. She had not done wrong, and looked like the boss was okay with it. Good, there was one worry down the fresher.

Security was pretty tight around Headquarters; enough to have Force user detectors and ample Hegeomonic Droids and Darkwater Security teams. This was only what was visible, an intricate security system would ensure the protection of the employees and even the city. Three powerful generators would provide a shield that would make any planatary one be put to shame. Danger clearly invested in the protection of the would be sandball.

Up a lift and down a few corridors, the twin doors flanked by two Herglic guards would be the last barrier for Alric to Danger.

"This way."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric followed the young lady without a second thought. He wasn't intimidated by the guards or even weary of them, in fact Alric hardly even seemed to notice the security that lay all around the ATC headquarters. It seemed that his mind was simply somewhere else. His thoughts traveled to the past, to the last time he had been on Tatooine and to the last time he had felt so out of his element. I twas odd, how one world made him feel like that. Perhaps it was the memories he had of this place, the searing pain, both emotional and physical.

He frowned slightly s the turbo-lift reached the correct floor, his eyes folding open as the girl lead him ever forward.

As they moved Alric could have sworn that some of the Herglic guards looked familiar.

Titan had used Darkwater security in the protection of some of it's executives, though by the time he had left the company most of them had been replaced by Titan's A3 legionnaire droids designed by Hegemonic Automaton. Those droids were one of the only things he missed about Titan Industries, it had been good to have his own army. A small smirk played across his face as the young woman reached between the two herglic guards and pushed open the doors to Danger's office.

An inviting smile and a wave saw Alric saunter passed her, giving her one last warm smile before walking into Danger's office.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Danger leaned against the arch of the pourstone window, watching him come in. Her cheeks were flushed from the crisp holler air and her auburn unruly hair whipped around her face. She wore desert gear; dusty tanned boots, beige breeches more for comfort than show, with a muslin blouse button up with rolled up sleeves. Her gaiter scarf hung round her neck, as if it had been haphazardly tugged down.

There was no amount of curious and wary surprise that would shine in those green eyes of hers. Having her stand there in her natural habitat just made it all that much more startlingly clear. Him showing up unannounced certainly threw her off, and despite being in her territory, Danger felt as if she wasn’t on familiar ground to cover.

That was twice now he’d come looking for her, that he’d done so on Tatooine with that lingering warm smile meant for Delilia struck Danger with a quickened heartbeat. There it was, some level of familiarity. A ghost of the past. Brief, but cherished none the less.

“Grateful, Delila,” that honeyed rasp would float over to the Diva, much to the joy of the Theelin. That shock of bright pink gave a slight incline of her head, shooting a faint smile over at Alric in adieu, then disappeared as the heavy doors would shut behind her.

With only he and she now in her office, the next few seconds were rather interesting. Danger would stare at Alric as if he’d grown two heads, and perhaps, her shock to see his weathered visage was the catalyst that would ensure no sense of awkwardness would linger between them.

After all, the heart had reasons of which reason knew nothing.

“Alric?” she sang his name with as much apprehension as anticipation, half expecting him to disappear on sight as much as she deeply desired that he wouldn’t.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"They stare at me you know." Alric said quietly as the doors closed behind the woman, his head turning away from that and back towards his friend. "I don't think they even notice it, but I do. Once I say my name, once they realize who, what, I am they all take a very disconcerting amount of interest. I guess thats what you get for being a ghost."

His tone made it difficult to discern if that fact actually bothered him, but the weird look on his face told that it did, at least somewhat.

Without another word however he wandered towards Danger's desk. He didn't have the presumption to sit down, not yet anyway. Instead he simply stopped in front of her, looking her up and down.

She wasn't dressed in her usual get up. Here on Tatooine Danger wasn't trying to hide herself or impress anyone, she was simply trying to get her business done. Part of him supposed that she always did that, she just needed to employ different means depending on where she was. That was an odd difference between the two of them, one that Alric had noted so long ago at that auction. He smiled at the memory, though perhaps she would take it as a smile for another reason.

His knuckles loosely tapped against the edge of her desk, and finally he spoke. "How are you, Danger?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

“Reckon most folk don’t walk with ghosts,” Danger would reply with a reflective tone. She did not move from her perch, perhaps to fight the chance that he would go up in smoke.

“See one come to life tends to send the magpies a titter.” her head went tilting back as she caught the breadth of him. His scent mixed in with that of her stifcaf, earthy and male. Her expression would slowly shutter into one of cautious query. “Most I figure don’t look half as good.” Honest of a compliment as he’d get.

“Well as one can be I suppose,” she would answer his question, a slight furrow of her brows drawing under the waves of her side parted hair. “Business as usual.” One would figure she’d go take her own seat, but still she stayed standing.

Her gaze went sweeping over him, and she drank him in. From the top of his hat, over the lightweight shirt and breeches, down to the comfortable boots. Wry amusement soon would replace the tentative aura as she spoke, “No suit?” she’d jest, unable to help the right corner of her mouth perking up in that flash of humor.

“Color me surprised.”

Before one could run, they had to walk. Before one could walk, one had to crawl. Every interaction now was a cautious step into the future. Perhaps they could never be as close as they once were, only time would tell. But the desire was there. It shone with every second that passed that did not dissolve into requesting him to go.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

He smiled back at her, a small smile born of amusement and memories passed. His hands came up and he peeled the hat off his head, revealing hair slick with sweat. Next he pulled the sunglasses from his face, folding them and hanging them off the collar of his shirt, he made a motion to one of the chairs in front of her desk and with a nod of permission from Danger took a seat.

"Let's just say I learned my lesson from the last time." There was no bitterness in his voice, though perhaps there should have been.

Tatooine had not been kind to him, though it hadn't exactly been undeserved. He would likely never not shake at the sight of a Tusken Raider, he would likely never not get goosebumps at the sound of their guttural language, but he was strong enough to come back here. Strong enough to visit his friend on one of the few planets that he actually feared. Slowly Alric placed his hat onto her desk, closing his eyes and leaning back into the chair with a sigh of exhaustion.

Bright blue revealed itself again, and slowly Alric looked around the room.

He had never been here before, not in this office. A few times he had visited the Headquarters of ATC on some world, he even knew that Danger had built a few new ones, but he had never been to the one on Tatooine, funny that. "I think I'm getting old."

Alric said the words with no despair or amusement, as though it were a simple observation.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Both brows rose in mild sardonic amusement, “Think?” she began, as if that was a bit of news he was late on the receiving end. Her lips would twist with increasing wry humor, “What made you think that?” she’d give a slight half chuckle, finally pushing herself off her perch to meander on over.

“Was it the gray hair, I reckon?” she’d tease, turning her attention to move towards the bar. It was strange to have him here. Strange as it was familiar. Unlike the rest of the offices which were a bit more posh, her Arceneau Headquarters office held more of her character than any other. The far right wall was covered with a collection of slug throwers and ancient laser weapons that would make any antique collector weep. Even the The Lassiter, a valuable, antique laser pistol which was the forerunner of modern blasters, was perched as a prized collectable.

There were other far more familiar paraphernalia; a set of five Krayt pearls sat under the half of a mounted head of a Krayt dragon, hung on it’s side. There were also Tusken Raider gear; a few decorative rugs, woven baskets, and pottery. What would strike Alric would likely be the fully geared Tusken Raider suit that stood at the far end of the room, complete with gaderffii stick. Those were collected during August Arceneau’s time with the Tusken Raider tribe that he had been accepted into. The same one that had revealed the miracle drug that was Aspa mold and where exactly to locate it.

It would likely not be Alric’s favorite collectable, but the Sand People were as much a part of Tatooine as the dune seas.

To the left, alongside the five arched windows of adobe, lay a long slender table. Upon it were more interesting knickknacks, not to mention a few snacks and fresh fruit left upon a plate. Closer towards Danger’s desk, onto the left, was a fully stocked bar, along with a carved bodywood humidifier to sate both of her vices. One could not escape the fine sand, and with the windows open, the heat of the day would pour in along with that faint breeze.

And a touch of sand every now and then; not that Danger would mind.

“Or are your knees starting to ache right before it rains?” again, she’d toss over her shoulder, heading towards the bar. Light conversation and movement made the next few minutes easy. Knowing full well Alric’s intolerance for Alcohol, she didn’t go for the whiskey.

Time to see if she still had it right. With the weather being as it was, she went instead for the small refrigerator. In there, classic lightly sweetened iced tea.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

He didn't say anything for a time, and very pointedly looked away from the Tusken Raider outfit planted in the corner. He only smiled slightly, his eyes falling on the desk in front of him, watching the odd hat that he had purchased just for this trip. It struck him that the last time he had come here he hadn't even seen this tower, or perhaps he couldn't even remember. It was such a long time ago, and he had spent hardly any time at all in Mos Eisley, less than a few hours in fact.

His hand came up to meet his face, his fingers scratching at the thick of his beard and his hand running through his hair. It was so odd, how long ago that had been and how he still vividly remembered almost all of it. His head shook slightly as his chin came to rest upon his fingers, his index and middle finger stretching his cheek slightly.

"It's the mornings." He finally answered.

There was an odd melancholy to his tone.

"I still have a big bed." Alric said, knowing that wouldn't seem very odd. "I used to wake up, and my first inclination was to do something. It didn't matter what. When I was a kid it would be to go play in the gardens, enjoy the sun. When I got a little older it was to go be with my mate's, smoke, drink, enjoy life while I could. When I became an adult, it was all about getting things done. Always, my entire life, every morning I've wanted, felt like I needed, to get up."

His eyes shifted again, looking around the room and them turning to fall on Danger. "I don't feel like I need to anymore."

Of course that wasn't to say he had given up, no, thats not what he meant at all. He still had things to do, he still had things that needed to be done. Lily and Rose were still there, the company was still there, everything was still there, but what he said was oddly true.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

One tall glass of iced tea would be presented to him, the glass extended out by Danger as she mosied on back. "Time slows. " she said, turning to her desk to circle her palm around her stifcaf. "It's the body's natural inclination to ensure its not all go. " least, that's what she'd figured. She could understand a bit of where he was coming from. She felt the same way. Maybe it was age. Or maybe it was a need for something more. Something missing. She'd been Arceneau for the entirety of her life; every waking moment spent on building the trade empire she swore it would be.

"When your entire life is a constant podrace, there comes a time when the inclination to take those pit stops rises. Can't continue at break neck speed all the time." She'd say, moving to sit across from him on the acceleration couch. Right leg swung over right as she made herself comfortable.

Bright green eyes came to rest upon the scruffy visage with the sapphire eyes. Old he may feel, but age had treated him well. Granted, his troubles had taken a toil on him, but he was looking better than he did before. In that she was pleased.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric took the glass, smiling slightly.

"Well listen..." He started, his tone more playful than before. "That's great and all, but I didn't really come here to talk philosophy or anatomy. I was just wondering if you'd let me borrow Six."

His tone of voice conveyed amusement, his eyes were playful, and the melancholy had dropped from his face. "She was really great at getting me up in the morning."

Alric grinned at her, it was the first grin that he had managed in weeks, the first real one anyway. Silara's death had been hard on him, perhaps harder than Tatooine. It wasn't always easy to smile, it was impossible to laugh, but the nostalgia of his joke, the idea of irking Danger in that way that only he could, it made him grin.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

The stimcaf almost went spitting out of her nose.

"WHAT?!" She would sputter in exclamation, eyes wide and nostrils half stinging as blue mountain grown Belsavis vine coffee practically engulfed the back of her throat. Well that's one way to break the ice. She began to cough, much to the avid amusement of the buffoon who was at the root of it. Hand to get mouth she attempted to swallow the liquid threatening to spill -- or more aptly, prevent the rest from it following the first.

Did he just.. Did he really just--?!!

Wiping what bit of caf had dribbled on her chin with the back of her hand, her face carved into a ferocious scowl.

"NO!" She would snap out at him,instinctively tossing a handy decorative pillow at his head for his gorram gaul!