Impact

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]His breath was tickling the side of her face when he spoke. Honestly, the entire bed felt as if she was slowly being eaten by a sarlaac. It was too soft. Too big. Part of her didn’t know quite how to handle it. Not that it mattered, Asmus took to distracting as he was wont to do but with a mere affectionate graze of his hand and the whimsical tone of this voice. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Much like a child, the pilot drew close to Kaile, legs intertwining as he snuggled her close. Much like an affectionate Kathhound pup, the Wraith took to minor wiggling and scooting until Kaile’s chest was flush to his own, her head resting close enough for his breath to fan her hair. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The question was laden heavy with fantasy. A touch of whimsy too. There in her mind the Lorrdian entertained the possibility for a moment, before her own free hand came up in turn. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Shuusshh[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]..” came her breathy coo, fingertips gently brushing down his face as if to coax him to sleep. Just a little bit. A little while. Forefinger went sliding up along his jawline and feeling the scruff. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Get some rest now.” she coaxed. Yet all the while her own body was fighting a measure of weariness. And holding him close was so darn nice. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Alright…” he replied, his lips widening in a grin. It was possibly the silliest way Kaile had deflected one of his questions yet. He would have snatched that hand and pretended to steal it away had his left arm not been tied. Instead he was limited to turning towards it and planting a noisy kiss on the nearest fingers.

Asmus sighed, his chest deflated. Perhaps the idea would be planted in her mind as it was his. For now, however, there was still work to be done. They weren't out of the woods yet. The metaphorical woods. The literal ones they had left that morning. He wondered if they'd found the buried equipment yet. He doubted it. Pute’s chaos would actually cover their exit quite well.

“I left my device in the wardrobe, set an alarm for six hours. Probably best we get on with quick repairs when we land.” At least, he thought, if it was in the wardrobe it would force them to get up to turn it off. The bed seemed to have enveloped them.

The hand at her back came to rest. Just his thumb sliding up and down now. He gave a gentle squeeze. Asmus clearly had no intention of letting her go.

“Kaile, I'm glad you're here,” he said quietly. His thoughts were slowly winding down for the night, leaving him stripped back to the base feelings that slipped through his mind. Right now, he was remarkably glad just to have her warmth beside him, to know she cares. It was becoming a familiar thing all too quickly. For now he could pretend he didn't know she would be weighing up staying or leaving when they got back to Alliance space.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


[SIZE=9pt]That little phrase. That half murmur spoken against the flesh of her temple sent a shiver down Kaile’s spine unlike any before. It ran with a bubbly feeling, straight down to her toes where they curled tight only to wiggle free. It made her smile despite everything, her leg shifting to slide in between his. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sleep was already relaxing Asmus’ limbs, his breathing becoming heavier with each passing second. Even the trace of his thumb that had wound lazy circles had slowed. In and out, they both were close enough to breath the same air. Such an odd thing, yet so familiar. Sweet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kaile gave a small tuck of her chin, head ducking as her shoulders rose with a deep breath. Asmus gave a wiggle, pausing to settle against her again, holding her tight. Close. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her thumb gave a lazy graze along the stubble of his jaw, arm tucked in. Every passing second only made her body sink into further relaxation, tightly wound within that large bed as if they were still in his tiny cot. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kaile, I’m glad you’re here. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That small echo resonated within her mind again, and she closed her eyes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Me too.” [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

He slowly woke to the sound of the alarm. It took a few seconds to fully rouse him having been left in the wardrobe and not next to the bed. Asmus grumbled softly before twisting his face from the mess of Kaile's hair it was in.

He had a vague recollection of waking himself several times attempting to roll onto his left shoulder. Now he was on his right shoulder, his left arm between them. Kaile was lying half on her front away from him, left knee hitched up. His left leg was across her right. Even in the enormous bed they hadn't strayed far from each other.

Asmus leaned his left shoulder back, grimacing at the raw throbbing pain. That biogel had started changing into all the different kind of cells his body would need, but the nerves binding together was quite unpleasant. His right hand was a little numb from being beneath her head. Brilliant, two useless arms.

He yawned and ran his tongue around the inside of his dry mouth. “Morning,” he whispered. Would need to actually get up and flick off that beeping. But it was comfortable and warm here.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]A low, insistent tone would slowly prompt the Lorrdian brunette from her slumber. Her hair had fallen over her face like a shroud, veiling her sight along with muffling her small sound of protest. Legs gave a slight shift, at least attempted to only to pause under the weight of another leg. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Hrrnnng[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt].” she breathed out, strands of hair fanning away from her lips. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Just what time --[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Oh good. You are awake! ] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jay Four’s voice suddenly cut through Asmus’ ‘Good Morning’ and abruptly awoke Kaile from her half slumbering state. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Wait what?” her head popped up, face still covered with hair, confusion darkening her features. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ I was wondering just how long you two would be sleeping. I was half considering playing an alarm myself. ][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]So much for a cuddly wake up call. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Ohgoodness.”

Asmus’ eyes shot wide open at the call from the intercom behind them. He slid his leg from hers, half aware of the warm, smooth friction.

“Jay is something wrong?” Asmus called, his voice laced with concern. After the first second of silence he started to suspect there wasn't.

[No.] Came the initial, slightly guilty reply. [All systems are functioning as expected, we're making good time. Three hours to our destination… would you like a full report?]

Asmus sighed and rolled his eyes. He couldn't help but think that another time Jay might not have been listening in on silence.

“I'll be glad to hear it when I come up Jay. Do you think you could buzz before listening in in future?”

[I could put the intercoms in the rooms back on push to talk?]

“That sounds sensible, be up in a few Jay.” He brought up his hand and combed it back through his messy hair.

[Done.] A little light on the intercom went from green to yellow.

“Well…” he said, rolling back onto his side to face Kaile. “Good morning again.” Asmus was aware of the faint beeping from the wardrobe door, but needed a moment to settle his mind. Though his body was waking up rather abruptly now and he'd need to visit the refresher soon. “Now I'm awake.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]


[SIZE=9pt]Of all the ways to end up wide awake, this was not the kind of wake up call Kaile had expected. By now she had snapped herself up in a half sitting position, her hair a hot mess flung left and right. The baggy sleeping shirt had shifted, baring a half shoulder and ended up tangling around her middle. One bare knee rose from the blankets, the Lorrdian giving a slight groan and a sigh. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“...boundries.” she added, rubbing her face with the palms of her hands. “Jay Four needs boundaries.” which to be fair, it was likely that Jay Four was just starved for interaction. While a droid served a purpose, those with protocols for being of assistance felt rather restless when unable to perform a duty. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Wait, when did I fall asleep? [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Confusion arose along with the realization that she had spent the hours sleeping by Asmus’s side. Not exactly what she intended but to be honest, a part of her didn’t regret it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Fingers went sweeping through the dark strands, sliding the sticky tresses away from her slightly puffy face. Tiny little crusties that had piled up at the corners of her eyes were rubbed away, prompting Kaile to blink rapidly as the rest of the suite came into view. All the while, that insistent tone of Asmus’ alarm went droning on.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]“I’ll get it.” she added, frowning slightly as she attempted to slide off the bed. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“Yeah. It's almost, erm, sweet that he wants to join in and talk. But yeah, boundaries,” he replied. His voice trailed off a little as he drearily watched her pert rump slide off the bed before the night shirt flopped back down.

Back on the Subversion soon, he told himself. For a few days they could go back to pretending to watch sci-fi shows. He wasn't as quick as Kaile to get up and off the bed. The awkwardness of being wrapped in several layers of blankets and having one arm tied meant he had to shuffle on over to the edge.

As he stood he naturally started to stretch out. “Unnf,” he grunted. He closed his eyes and grimaced for a moment. “Need to remember to keep that still,” he said out loud.

As Kaile went for the wardrobe, he went for the refresher to relieve himself.

“Pleasant change to have a bed actually big enough for us both,” he remarked.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Kaile wasn’t sure if it was much of a pleasent change as, well, honestly she wasn’t sure what to make of it. The agent was well used to tight cots and close compartments. Perhaps, to a degree, that felt a little bit safer than having such a large bed. Nevermind the whole bit that Kaile had fallen asleep beside him again. It was becoming, well, a bit too much of habit.

[SIZE=9pt]One that she had a hard time teling herself she minded it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Umm, reckon so.” her voice came floating a bit muffled, the woman searching for Asmus’ datapad to turn off the alarm. Finding it perched upon a shelf, the woman took it in hand and quickly deactivated it. Standing there for a moment, the half dressed Lorrdian gave the rather large walk in closet a good look around. Her eyes grew wider at the sight. Asmus hadn’t been joking, there was an overabundance of clothing, shoes, hats, scarfs. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Oh stars, in all sorts of colors and fabrics. By far it was the most she’d seen outside a store, the closest she’d ever been was at that small shop at Cloud 9 a few years back with Kurt.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Gracious…” [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“I know!” Asmus called over the sound of a running water. “If only he was my size,” he said as he rounded the corner and stepped into the wardrobe. There was room for both of them to stand within and spare.

“Shame it's all so large really. Though I suppose it wouldn't matter on the coats,” he said, pretending to consider that. His fingers trailed down the arm of a rather fancy, midnight blue coat. Time to take another pill, he thought. Then again if he took one now, he might be no good up on the cockpit as they approached the world. He thought the oversized shirt suited Kaile very well however, in a very sweet way.

“I wonder what size he is for shoes…” he grinned, nodding at a rack of at least six pairs. “And this was just his travelling clothes! But can you see a damn thing I could get away with wearing on Kayri? It's been pretty lawless since the Fringe and Protectorate fought her years back.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]He was like a child at the candy store. Kaile wasn’t sure what to make of it save release a small snerk. Biting her lower lip, she shook her head. Well, one can understand why he’d be all excitable; it was all rather lovely. Wrong size, but rather lovely.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Dunno. Reckon you can find out about the shoe size if you try it out.” she replied, handing him his datapad by his chest. “And it’s been a while since I’ve been at Kayhri; that battle had been hard fought.” she’d hadn’t been there, but she’d heard stories. The world had been on a section of the ‘verse the Lorrdian hadn’t traveled to in a long while. Who knew how it would be. However, Asmus was right. There was a greater chance of it turning towards lawlessness and local warlords to keep some measure of stability.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Let me go get you your shirt,” she added, brushing her hair away from her sleepy face with a rake of her fingers. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]“Figure you’d be needing your pills about now right?” [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

“I'll take them in a bit,” he replied. “And yes...I suppose that is the easiest way to check shoes…” he admitted with a grin. “I supposed even with a blast mark I can just wear my jacket over it and shouldn't look too out of place. I'd rather not have a pack of pickpockets trailing us the whole time.”

He put the datapad down on a shelf and moved up to the rack of shoes. The sounds of leather and rubber slapping together followed Kaile out of the wardrobe. As well as a sideways glance at the smooth legs barely hidden by one of the noble’s shirts. He could have suggested that he wanted the shirt she’d worn through the night and gone to unbutton it, but any chance of that mood building had been thoroughly dispelled already this morning.

His own boots still had a hint of damp in the cushions of the soles. He found a pair of mid-ankled leather boots that looked relatively practical and slipped them on. They had a little too much room in the heel but they would do. Asmus out them back on the shelf and went looking for some underwear and socks.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]Another ruffle of her hair and kaile went padding her way back into the refresher. She had to use a sonic on her teeth and also relieve herself. Yet even half asleep, seeing everything again and realizing all the fancy items and decorations were there was still a bit overwhelming. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Shutting the door behind her, Kaile quietly mulled about the ship, Jay Four, and Asmus. Plopping on top of the pot, the Lorrdian gave a sigh, resting her chin on the shell of her hand. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]SIS standards meant that Jay Four would have to be wiped. It make her belly twist a bit. Then Asmus… another sigh and a rub of her face. Okay, Kaile girl, best to think about what needs to get done. You are still not out of this yet. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Although in the back of her mind, she couldn't ignore the voice that said it had been nice to spend the night with him in that large bed. Even if they really didn't stray far from a set distance anyways. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Washing up, Kaile splashed water on her face and perked herself up. Alright. Time to get dressed and get a move on. Kayhri was going to need them all to be sharp. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=9pt]Moving towards the refresher, Kaile took her clean clothing and began to change. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Asmus’ voice would grow as he rounded the corner into the suite. “He has his monogram on his underwear. Who even… oh who cares. Nobles.” An entire history of Eriadu class war enabled Asmus to believe that no act was too self centred for a noble.

Regardless of the initials embroidered on the front, Asmus was wearing nothing but a pair of Atheron’s shorts. “Did you…” he started, “...oh yeah.” There was the sound of the door to the sonic opening and a brief grunt as he took down the clothes that had been through a clean the night before. The stains hadn’t come out of the shirt.

“I want to bring us out of hyperspace a few milliparsecs away from Kayri. I want to try one of those probes just in case we have an imperial cruisers ahead of us. Chances are low but I don’t think it will cost us much.” His voice would trail off as he returned to the main room. Asmus could carry quite a cavalier attitude into his piloting, but this wasn’t a time for taking unnecessary risks.

When Kaile emerged Asmus would still be in shorts. The most plain shirt, in a dusty cream, was over his shoulders, but without the buttons done up. Asmus gave her a slightly abashed look with a cant of his head and glance down at the shirt.

“Sorry.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

Kaile shook her head softly, the corner of her mouth perking upward. “It’s okay,” she replied, grabbing hold of his pants to offer them to him.

“I reckon you might need those as well. Might get rather chilly on Kayhri.” it was a tease, the distance closing between them with her slow saunter. Trading his pants for his shirt, Kaile gave it a little fluff.

“Alright, let’s get this on you.” it was a bit of work, and for certain there were a few times Asmus’ lips twisted into a grimace, but it was as much as what they were able to do with what they had.

“Jay Four might know more about what the food situation is.” her lids had fallen low, focused on getting a sleeve in as gently as she could.

“Maybe find your cake.”

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

“I would be amazed if there wasn’t some dessert on the ship somewhere, but something a bit more substantial might be good,” he replied.

He found watching her slowly doing up the buttons of the shirt both embarrassing and endearing in equal measure. He turned his eyes upwards, watching her lips as she spoke. As she reached the last button he brought up his right hand and wrapped it around both of hers. Her task was halted for a moment as he gave them a brief squeeze, then let his hand fall back to his side.

“I’ll managed with the pants,” he chuckled. He could just about reach the button hole with his left hand to do them up himself. “But I might need a hand with my laces.”

Before slipping into his pants slightly awkwardly he went to the intercom and flicked it on. “Jay, what’s the food situation?”

[Oh, I had not realised I was expected to cook now. I will…]

“No Jay it’s fine, no one expected that. I was just wondering what the ship had in stock?”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]



[ Oh, I see.]

The matter of fact tone made Kaile give a slight chuckle, drawing her from the fluttery sensation she felt when Asmus had taken his hand over her own. Even that light squeeze made her heart skip a beat. Once again, she told herself she was a silly ninny.

[ We have a Food Processor that is able to replicate any known food product you desire.] Jay Four would state, his voice resonating within the cabin.

[ My former master had restocked the Solaris to include fresh slabs of organic meat. ] Jay Four did not seemed to be amused by this.

[ He had an unhealthy appetite for it. ]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“I could go for a fried fresh slab of organic meat?” Asmus asked Kaile, there was a twinkle in his eyes. “Thanks Jay, we'll be up in a moment.”

[Very well. Your Colonel has not emerged from his room yet. I do not know if he is still sleeping.]

“Alright,” Asmus replied as he wiggled into the plain looking pants he'd picked up at the store the day before. Was Jay angling to have the intercom restriction lifted? Probably just being literal. Asmus flicked theirs back off.

He perched on the edge of the bed and started to flick out his socks with one hand. He started to pull them on with one hand, which was something of a struggle. The laces however were an obstacle he could not overcome alone. The gel couldn't heal him up quickly enough. He wondered how long he would be grounded for.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]“Slabs of meat?” Kaile gave a rather befuddled expression, bemusement following shortly as she met the gold-flecked green eyes. Her eyes went wide for a moment, then they fell down to catch Asmus struggling with the laces. He was right. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Here,” the woman gave his hand a light bat, moving them to the side. “You’ll strain your shoulder if you go on like that.” in a fluid moment, she came down to a quick knee in front of the Wraith. And yes, began to tie his shoe.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“How they fit?” Kaile inquired, head ducked low a bit. The fringe of her bangs kept the bulk of her face cast in shadow. It would likely be rather silly to catch the pair so, Kaile crouching down to tie Asmus’ shoe. However, it was an expression to the depths of the Lorrdian’s heart of gold and compassion. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

“They slip a bit around the heel, but not enough to put the others back on,” he replied. Asmus opened his mouth as if to apologise again, but he knew it would have been silly to do so. She knew he was very grateful and knowing Kaile she likely would have carried on even if he wasn't. Looking down, she wouldn't catch the smile on his face.

The ship was smaller than the Quintessence. It had more space for the crew which made it seem similar in size to him. Certainly, the situation seemed to draw his time on the Quin closer. All the campaigns he had been through sometimes made those long, boring days seem a distant memory. But never those four days. They had lost some of their colour perhaps, the ordering of events sometimes became hard to put into place, but they were always there. Now more vivid than they had been for a long time.

Kaile placed one hand on the edge of the bed to push herself back to her feet, but his hand came out to stop her half way. His fingers gently cradling the back of her neck, she was pulled in close as he tilted his lips up to meet her. There was more than one way to show gratitude, he decided.