Private Fast Track to Creds

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder
​

An ache registered in his arms; he'd lost track of the clock entirely. Nothing more than a pilot’s instinct.. logging data. Devin didn’t mind though, having carved out their own little world here under the neon and haze.. just breath and the weight of Shania against him. Calm came into focus next. And the scent that lingered on him was indefinitely hers.

For one who basically lived on adrenaline at the redline, there was warmth in his chest, a means of being grounded, as though a hand was against the sternum. Oxytocin, maybe. Endorphins.. definitely. Chemistry doing what chemistry did best. Whatever cocktail his brain had decided to dump into his system.. it left him clear headed. There was no awkwardness or second guessing. Zero emotional static desperately searching for an exit strategy. A clear signal was always nice..

Carefully, Devin shifted his stance and began to lower the woman. Her nails sparked another bright sensation. His plans remained at the curve of Shania’s hips as words landed. Leaning in, his lips skimmed hers, so that reassurance could settle between them. A warm amber gaze searched hers, an effortless smile appearing.. one that didn’t need to prove anything. “We will, Red.” Another promise, offered like he hadn't already given several others tonight, an idea he knew would return sooner rather than later.

While turning away, his attention snagged on the small spill of credits. He crouched, gathering the bag and scooping up the strays. When he straightened, the bag rested at his side.. and that smile hadn’t gone anywhere.

“I wouldn’t mind that drink to go.” There was a playful note woven through the calm. "For both of us."

Weight shifted toward the mouth of the alley. There was plenty of lightness lingering on the tongue, though he found himself unsure whether to break the mood or not. That never happened.

“Feels like a good night to keep going. I’m ready whenever you are.”

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

Shanti's feet finally touch the ground again when Devin stopped monopolizing her all to himself. A soft purr preceded their lips brushing once more. Certainly didn't mind his mutual interest in a little more time together. Her hands pawed at his chest as her eyes tracked with his own in the moment they shared together.

When he turned away to collect the credits, Shani took the opportunity to tidy up. They might be two adrenaline crazed fools, but that was no excuse not to be presentable. If they were going to attract notice it'd be for something people would cheer for, not something they'd snicker about. Devin certainly had spirit, no doubt.

Her hands rose to check on her hair to make sure it wasn't a complete mess by the time Devin straightened up.

An arm threw itself around Devin's shoulders as he called for a drink on the go. Shani saddled up along side him with a smile. "Eager. I like it." Her russet eyes roamed down toward his chest as curious thoughts lazily wandered by. It'd be hard to top the excitement they'd just shared, but they could find other creative ways to express themselves somewhere more... comfortable.

"Oh, Devin," she reached around with her other hand to caress his cheek, "I'm always ready."

A light rock forward and allowing her weight to rock against the backs of his shoulders should help encourage forward momentum. "Let's find somewhere nice. Just the two of us, and discuss what the future holds for both of us." And Shani had just the place in mind. She'd already decided before their tryst. Nothing had changed for her just because they had a little time alone already. Nice to see he felt the same way, and wasn't trying to run away.

"So?" she prompted as walked. There was a pregnant pause that begged curiosity what question would follow. "What's your favorite drink?" Sometimes it did well not to lead with the obvious. And shouldn't he have something delicious in his hand while they contemplated the future together?

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Devin’s heart rate was slowing.. but it hadn’t dulled. No loss of altitude. That itch was there, ready for the next spike just so that he might feel normal again. Places like this had a way of encouraging it too. Still, the pilot’s breathing deepened.. fuller even. If not for the narrow alley washed in neon, that next surge would've been her, claimed again before any thought had a chance of catching up.

Her calm hit him a little harder than expected. Was that how she always landed after? There wasn’t much time to sit with the question before an arm located his shoulder; it dipped instinctively, accepting her presence. One hand found her side, resting there lightly. “Be careful. That’s how people always end up thinking I planned something.”

His jaw loosened and Devin found himself leaning into her palm, a faint smile settling while his gaze locked on hers. “Good. I’m quite terrible with half measures.”

Somehow, her words landed like a throttle did when easing forward, smooth and controlled. The term future was often registered as a trap, one that would’ve had him sprinting in the past. With her it came off as more of a direction.. something he'd never really known outside of the X-Wings cockpit. His fingers gave a little poke at her side in punctuation. "You’re dangerously reasonable. You do realize this is how more trouble starts, right?” A gentle tug closed the few inches of space between them, to remind her she was welcome there. “Good thing I’ve already decided I’m in.”

They moved together through Nar Shaddaa's grime.. filth pressed close on all sides. Another breath eased out of him. “Red, I’m about to give you the most predictable answer possible.”

First, a self aware glance sideways. “Corellian whisky.” The shrug that followed was unapologetic. “I know. Pilot cliche, right? But that has just always been familiar to me.”

His tone dropped a notch. “I’d like to think I’m not that complicated.”

There hadn’t been room in his life for alternatives. The bag of credits alone was proof of that.. more than he’d ever carried in one place, a fact his mind was currently turning over.

One corner of his mouth hitched upward. “Tell me what you drink so I don’t embarrass myself by guessing." Devin tipped his head toward her.. curiosity already steering. Brown eyes were bright with mischief. “So.. where are we wandering to now?" Left, right, or straight into trouble.. somehow it all felt the same with her.

 

[Shani Ryder]

Attire:
Red & Black Leather Jacket, Black Pants with Red Race Stripe, White Cotton Shirt, & Black Boots​

"Of course. If I were crazy I wouldn't have had half the opportunities. Certainly wouldn't have met you," Shani replied to Devin's accusation of her being reasonable. Besides, if she were insane she wouldn't appreciate all the excitement. They'd just be colors and disassociated objects or thoughts. Strange, waking dreams. Shani didn't want to dream. "I want to live. And I want you to live too."

"Corellian whiskey." Nothing wrong with familiar. Sure, it wasn't full of anticipation and mystery, but not everything could be. Getting a suite, for example, wasn't that mysterious. Four walls, a ceiling, and a bed. They were practically all the same. "Things can be the same. It's what you do with them that matter."

Devin thought himself uncomplicated. Maybe. Maybe she wasn't either. Shani knew better, but why would she volunteer to talk about such things? That wasn't interesting. It was tedious. Long as they kept moving all of that wouldn't catch up with her and things would be fine.

"Me?" A laugh followed Devin asking for her own favorite. "Spaced Spicer. Deepest red you've ever seen with a bite going down. Some places find it hard to get hold of it; or their customers simply hate how punishing it is. Corellian Whiskey is good; long as it isn't watered down."

Shani pointed at a multi-level joint ahead buffeted on both sides by towering statues and a red carpet that lined its steps. "There. It's older, but hasn't forgotten its old charm. Rougher crowd, but moneyed. Good place to find a room and lay low for how ever long we need. I'll handle the negotiations. Second they see a new face they'll try to bump the prices." Another chuckle interrupted her thoughts. "Not that we'll be staying long."

"Once we get to my ship, we'll be free to go anywhere. Do anything. Like reclaiming lost property, or finding new property. I'm dying to see if you can handle a starfighter the way you handled me."

Devin Virell

 

[Devin Virell]

Shani Ryder​

Music from somewhere above bled down the street, mixed with speeders hissing past on repulsors. Somewhere nearby, laughter burst and died. Nar Shaddaa never really stopped reminding you that life was.. cheap?

The next breath was almost a laugh as his head tipped back just enough to take in the glow. Neon reflected off the curve of his cheekbone. “The cockpit’s the same every time. Same switches, same damn harness biting into my shoulders.. and the same stars on the other side if you ask me. I guess there’s something honest about that, with knowing exactly what it’s going to do. I need at least one thing in the room that won’t surprise me. Besides, that leaves more room for everything to, right?”

His brow lifted a tiny fraction at the name. Spaced Spicer? “Yeah, that tracks. I’m not surprised your favorite drink sounds like it comes with a warning label. Guess it's time to confess something that might ruin my reputation as a pilot.” Another teasing glance sideways. “I’ve never actually tried it. But it does sound like it'd have someone rethinking life choices."

Another pause, another little curious smile. The pilot’s voice lowered. “So, is that what you’re considering then? Watching a Corellian whiskey loyalist get humbled by something angry and red?” His head tipped, studying Shania. “Because if you are.. I’d rather not have my first time being with the waters down stuff either.”

Devin followed the line of her finger. Older joints always had character. They creaked a little and tested you if you didn’t respect him. That much he learned back on Coruscant. “I can work with that.” The idea of her handling the negotiations was most welcomed. His version always came with a throttle and terrible ideas. They probably should play it smart for just a moment. “I think you're right.. we won’t stay long. I get restless, Red.”

Then she said it. Something warm flickered behind chestnut eyes. “Oh, is that the metric now?”

A soft breath released through his nose. He couldn’t recall ever needing a flight manual. “I suppose I should warn you, I fly the same way I do with everything else. I like to listen first, see how she responds."

His thumb pressed once at her side. “If your starfighter talks back, then I’ll take that as encouragement. If she doesn’t.. well, I’m very good at finding the sweet spot.”

Handling implied control; that didn’t sound so bad. Shania was a problem, and to his.. mild concern, he was enjoying every second of trying to solve her. "The real question is whether my navigator is planning to just supervise, or if she’s going to distract the pilot mid flight.”

Drawing closer to the entrance, he slowed, holding out her bag that'd been riding easy at his side. "Hey, our winnings."