Private It's not my fault

[Elian Abrantes]

Shiraya Sanctuary
Eveningtime
Sophelia Ardemark
​

Elian by far, was not an ignorant person, sure he had some other traits that were probably annoying to people. Like his ridiculous incredible charm, his appetite to get into trouble, while some of that had been evened out as he grew up and was nearing early graduation from the Academy, with top honors and top of his class. Still as he stood here, near the generator for the Sanctuary, and was listening to a 'personnel' whom had no idea what he was doing. At least it seemed that way to Elian. The Sanctuary had been dealing with various maintenance issues over the past few months, and Elian was finally tasked with coming in and cleaning up the mess of these idndividuals, who in his opinion.

Morons....

"It's very simple, you just need to...." The technician spoke as he manuevered switches, replacing, and testing various things. "I'm listening...." Elian spoke, in a rather boorish tone, as he watched him do whatever he was doing. Whatever it was, he was doing it wrong, and he was making more of a mess of things.

"Find the right combination of....." And as soon as he said that, the generator gave a loud crackle and the power shut down. The entire Sanctuary was now in darkness...

"Oh dear..." The technician whisphered as he gathered his tools and then ran off out the door.

Elian watched him run off, shaking his head. He utilized his communication device to hail those that needed, about the situation. Then he would get his tools from his speeder in the hangar and get to work.

"Gods, its kinda spooky in here." Elian muttered as he reached to his side and grabbed a glow stick snapping it to life as he moved up the stairs back to ground level.

​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Sophelia was in the middle of an utmost necessary sanisteam. An utmost delicious sanisteam. She'd just pulled a 12-hour shift at the clinic. And while she could turn off that teeny-tiny part of her mind that liked things to be orderly and clean during her shifts. When she was working in the field.

Afterward?

That was an entirely different story. And one she was awful at. As her roommate Jen teased her, she was a blur from her shiftwork and straight into the refresher to clean all the questionable things off her hair and skin from the shift before.

She was just in the middle of rinsing out the suds from her shampoo when everything went dark.

Not mildy dark.

Dark-DARK. The suffocating and complete kind. The kind where she still wished she had the nightlight from her childhood bedroom on Pelagia.

"Jen!" She called and managed to fumble her way to the towel-rack, wrapping it around her slick and sudsy form. "Hello?"

Her roommate was gone. Wrapping the towel more tightly around her frame, her slender legs took her to the doorway. Then beyond as she stumbled her way out into the corridor. Not even any emergency lights? Stars, what had she signed up for when joining the jedi and the High Republic? How low the mighty have fallen.

Striding confidently, yet blindly, she thought she saw a light ahead when - SMACK - she ran straight into someone with a glowstick at the top of the stone steps. "Umphh," her body exhaled as her arms went to wrap around whoever it was to keep from falling.

Elian Abrantes

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"No one ever listens to me." Elian grumbled as he walked up the steps, although he couldn't blame them. His track record for being reckless prior to his changed behavior, was something most took into account. He heard various voices that echoe down the stairwall, that looked to be coming from the top. Elian heard a 'Jen', and a 'Hello'

Elian's name wasn't Jen, nor did he know anyone with that, so he assumed it was someone perhaps lost into the dark, he didn't pay it no mind as the voice dispersed and it was just him going up the last flight of stairs as he made his way past the automatic door.

Thus came the 'smack' ......

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry....." Elian voiced apologeticly, then her arms wrapped around him to keep from falling. "Hello, I'm Elian...and you are....." Elian glanced around with a small chuckled as he glanced around nervously, doing his best to keep his eyes on hers, and not the fact that she was naked, wrapped in a towel.

"All things considered, this is probably the most precarious situation I've ever been in. Are you okay....?"

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Slick bare feet found footing. Arms remained firmly wrapped around Elian’s shoulders until she was sure. He introduced himself.

“Embarrassed,” a low chuckle as one hand released him when she was confident she wouldn’t slip. Other hand remained firmly entwined with his. A quick tug of her towel upward. And now it was fixed. It definitely had…slipped a little. Satisfied that she wouldn’t end up on the next issue of Padawan’s Gone Wild, she untangled herself from him completely.

“I’m Sophelia.” Eyes adjusted to the green glow of his light. Thankful to finally be able to see, she noticed the tools he had. “Thank. The. Stars. Are you here to fix this?”

And by this, of course the blackout apocalypse. The soap residue in her hair was starting to irritate her. “Or maybe you know a place I could rinse my hair? I’m new here.”

New to Naboo. New to the temple.

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"Sophelia, that's a nice name." Unique, he wanted to say, and the more rougish side of him wanted to say more. Yet he wasn't here for that, he had to stay on task. And with the personnel that abandoned him and ran off, it was all up to him.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Elian." He said with a smile as he cleared his throat. "Well, I was, then the person that came before me, did work that will take an hour or two to get undone. Because he was doing it wrong. But didn't want to listen to me. Then he broke the drive and generator and ran off. Alas, that is my life it seems."

Elian glanced around, as he only knew a few locations in this place. He didn't live, and he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to.

"Well, I'm going back to my ship, there's a bathroom and such aboard that you can use. Im heading back that way to grab my tools and equipment." Elian wouldn't be upset if she said no, she barely knew him. Just trying to offer a friendly lane to someone. "Don't worry, I'm no murderer. Just a half man half machine." He said with a chuckle as he showed his arm, fully replaced now.

He cleared his throat once more, trying to clear away his attempt to joke. "Well, I'm on my way, you coming? Or you can stay here with your soapy hair!?" Elian chuckled lightly as he began to walk towards the hangar.

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

"Hm. Superiors too prideful to listen to the people beneath them sounds like a common problem. What was his name so I can lodge a formal complaint?" Bright blue eyes twinkled, though it was hard to tell if she was truly joking. There was something about the name Elian that sounded familiar. Perhaps her brother had mentioned him at some point? She chased after the thought until abandoning it completely as he began walking away.

Bare-feet quickly padded after him. Fingers of one hand kept a firm grip to keep her towel from slipping down her figure. "I am definitely coming. I need to address my hair before it becomes a matter of national interest."

Was it unwise to follow a stranger back to their ship on a new planet? What would her brother have to say about that? Good thing he'd never know. She didn't sense any ill will through the ripples of the force. Good enough for her.

The sanctuary looked different in the dark. She was thankful for the soft glow of that glowstick as they walked together. A few other students were using their comm lights to look around. Poking their heads out of their rooms or scurrying through the halls. She got more than one rather pointed glance.

Soph held her head high, like a true noble. And ignored their stares. "I would like to recommend to refrain from saying you're a murderer in the future, Elian, because that is exactly what a murderer would say." This time a full smile briefly lit up her face. That twinkle in her blues even deeper. "If it's none of my business just say so but have you had that a long time?" Chin tipped toward his cybernetic arm. Curiosity replacing her mirth.

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"No,no,no. Let's not do that. No need for a formal complaint. I'd rather just make quick of the repairs and be the hero." Elian said with a laugh as he heard her, at his side. "It's hard for some to admit to their mistakes, they'd rather run from them. It's much easier just to fess up, and admit it." Elian shrugged his shoulders lightly. While he wasn't in the best place to sound like he was full of knowledge and experience, just learning from his own mistakes.

"I am definitely coming. I need to address my hair before it becomes a matter of national interest."

Elian looked to his side, looking at her her for a brief moment as they neared the hangar bay, lighting still guiding their way. Luckily since it was dark, there wasn't to much questions as to why she was walking around in just a towel.

"I agree, I didn't want to bring it up...." Elian said, in a teasing tone, trailing off. A sming lingered on his face as they moved along.

"I would like to recommend to refrain from saying you're a murderer in the future, Elian, because that is exactly what a murderer would say." This time a full smile briefly lit up her face. That twinkle in her blues even deeper. "If it's none of my business just say so but have you had that a long time?"

Elian looked over to her, noting the twinkle in the blues of her eyes, before he smiled and gave a small nod. "I'll keep that in mind. And how would you know what a murderer thinks?" Elian inquired narrowing his eyes at her for a moment before smiling. "It's not a problem. I've had it for a little under a month. I was trying to prove myself, and be reckless as well, and before I knew it, my arm was lost."

The hangar bay was now in view as they approached, and his ship was seen. Ramp was already down, as they approached. "Ignore the guards that are at the front, they have to accomany me everywhere, well for the most part. Once you reach the base, around the corner and first door on the left. I'll get you another towel as well."

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

It was one thing to walk only towel-clad along the dark corridors with only some flickers of emergency lighting of the temple. It was another thing entirely to come upon the fully-lit hangar bay with lots of ships and folks buzzing about. Not to mention guards.

Something she'd learned at a young age being of a noble family was to 'fake it til' you make it.'

Stuffing her instincts down to turn around and high-tail it back to the safety of he room, she decided to square her shoulders and hold her head higher as the stares of those around them snagged on the odd pair. The engineer with the nearly naked blonde. A sideways glance at her chauffeur.

"Guards...seems like you are more than an engineer Elian? What family are you from?"

Oh stars. Had she run into one of the head masters' sons? Or was he a brother to the King of Naboo?! Her throat suddenly became dry as she passed those guards. She swore one of them muttered and shook his head, pitching the bridge of his nose. At least she was out of immediate view as they entered the ship.

Sophelia could only imagine the tabloids that would be generating after this. Hopefully no one snagged a picture or she'd have some explaining to do to her brother. And her family.

Elian Abrantes

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"Guards...seems like you are more than an engineer Elian? What family are you from?"

"Well, primarily an engineer, tech specialist, and starship savant." Elian replied as they passed the Abrantes Guards, giving them a small nod. His attention drifted for a moment before he finally relented and admitted which family he belonged to.

"House Abrantes. I'm the youngest. Not really important in any way."

"Give me one second!" Elian called as he disappeared down the hallway leading deeper into the ship. "But yes, House Abrantes. Small in stature. Not an important house at all." His voice echoed back down the corridor as he searched for what he needed. "I'm sure you've heard of far more interesting houses than that!"

A few moments later, he returned carrying two towels, along with a change of clothes. His clothes, though they would have to do. "Here you go," he said, handing her the towels before setting the clothes beside her. "I wasn't sure if you, uh..."

He caught himself. Clearly, she hadn't brought anything with her.

"I'll be outside. Just yell if you need any help..." Elian said with a warm smile as he walked past her. The color suddenly drained from his face. He stopped midstep and slowly looked back at her. "I didn't mean it like that! I just meant if, like..."

His words failed him completely. Reaching for his tool bag, he slung it over his shoulder and tightened the utility belt around his waist. His nerves were completely shot. Oh, gods. He could already hear how that must have sounded.

"I'll be outside!" he blurted before quickly hurrying down the ramp.

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

She followed him up the ramp of that ship as quickly as possible even as she stumbled at the name. Abrantas?! While she was still new to Naboo and learning about all the noble houses, senators, parliament, the King...she knew enough to know Abrantas was a big name.

"I don't think a bunch of guards equates to not really important," she called out, even though her tone was light. And now nervous as he disappeared into the bowels of his ship. At least the guards weren't trying not to look at her anymore. And those stares she got from a few others in the hangar.

She swallowed.

Relief as he returned. Clutching the towel to her form, she took the offered towels and clothes. Her pale cheeks blushing a rosy-hue as she realized her mistake. OF NOT BRINGING ANYTHING.

Around her nerves, her heart warmed toward Elian Abrantes at his thoughtfulness and...care. "Thank you," she said quietly even as his words made her blush even more. She quickly stepped into the refresher and closed the door. Carefully setting the clothes and towels on the counter and pinching the bridge of her nose lightly.

ohboyshewasintrouble

Quickly rinsing off her sudsy hair, she dried herself off, and stepped into his clothes. Smells of a sweet smoke, stone, and cedar met her nose. Of course his clothes dwarfed her but they were better than nothing and certainly better than a towel. Tucking his shirt into the pants, she rolled up the sleeves of the shirt and cinched his pants around her waist with a belt. Next, she rolled up the pant legs and finally emerged.

Clean hair. THANKTHESTARSCLEANAGAIN.

"Elian? All finished. And clothed," she said the last part a little too firmly. "Where do you want me to put the dirty towels? And isn't your sister married to the King?"

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"Oh stop it." Elian voiced, waving off the small question of who she was by one of his House Abrantes guards. "It's not what it looks like." Elian voiced before he was sure he was about to get lecture, before he heard her voice coming down the ramp. The young Abrantes moved up the ramp, find his way to her, catching sight of her.

"Elian? All finished. And clothed," she said the last part a little too firmly. "Where do you want me to put the dirty towels? And isn't your sister married to the King?"

"Hey!" Elian voiced with a smile. He laughed lightly at the sight of her in his clothes. "Yeah, sorry about that. Oh, um, the towels, you can just leave them there." Indicating the small chair nearest to her.

Elian laughed again, a bit too much, before he answered the last part of her question. "No, she's not married to the King. They are, um... involved? Dating, not dating. Unofficially together, whatever term you want to use."

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

She set the used towels carefully aside in the place he indicated. Fingers absently ran through damp strands of hair that fell over one shoulder. She felt self-conscious as he laughed. Then looked down at herself.

"What? I mean I know they're a little big."

Hands smoothed down the front of the tunic, landing on the belt that slung around her hips to keep his pants up.

A delicate clearing of her throat, azure eyes finding his again. Single-blonde brow lofted. "Oh a situationship. I guess that makes sense since they're both high up. How long have they...you know?" Then a burn in her cheeks as she realized how that sounded.

"I didn't mean it like that," she quickly muttered, hand lifting to rub at the back of her neck.

"Do you need any help? With fixing the power? I'm actually pretty good with a hydrospanner."

She knew it didn't look that way.

Part of the pros of illegally swoop-racing that no one knew about. She could handle herself with tools just fine.

Elian Abrantes

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark

​

"What? I mean I know they're a little big."

"No, stop you you look great." Elian said with a laugh. "I mean it!" Although she may have thought he wasn't being truthful with the laugh. But he totally was, the overal situation was just...funny. She asked her next question, as they walked from his vessel. "Ummm....." Elian began to say, and then he racked his brain for a few second. "Gods, I'm honestly not sure, but if I were to put a number on it, maybe a year?" Elian shrugged his shoulders.

"Situationships are tough!" Elian said totally agreeing with her, not taking any sort of offense if she though she may have. "Sometimes you gotta call it how it is. They really should just like, date already. They are taking it slow, like Jabba the hut slow. You've heard about him right?" Elian inquired, before he started speaking again. "So they will probably be well into their sixties before a proposal even happens. But to each their own."

"Do you need any help? With fixing the power? I'm actually pretty good with a hydrospanner."

"Oh yea?!" Elian inquired, probably a little more excited than he wanted to admit, the fact that she could fix things as well, was also really cool. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was cute looking in his clothes. But that was neither here nor there.

"I'd love the help! Thanks!" He voiced, as he led them back in. "So, how long have you been, in the Jedi business?"

​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Sophelia's golden brows raised as he went on about his sister and the King's situationship. When it came down to it, though, she agreed with him. Even though she was reaching to be more diplomatic about it. Perhaps before Tapani, she would've tried to see Sibylla's side of things. The caution there. Necessity to be cautious with so many eyes on them both. The politics involved.

But now?

Soph knew how short life really was.

She'd never see the boy with the bright red hair again.

No one knew how many days they had left. Why let fear of others opinion stop the experience of what two consenting adults truly wanted?

"It's not my place to judge," she said instead. Quietly. She followed after him. Trying not to let her cheeks color as they passed his guards and their curious and lingering gazes.

Oh stars.

She hoped this never got back to Helios. It was perfectly explainable - BUT STILL.

"Not long," she answered his question as they wound their way from the hangar back into the dark sanctuary. She stuck close to Elian Abrantes and the light he held. "I'm Sophelia Ardemark from House Pelagia. We fled from Tapani not too long ago. You might know my brother, he leads the house and the diaspora of our people. Helios. He's more in the public eye than I am."

A cast of her eyes downward as they walked.

"My family didn't want me to study the ways of the force for the longest time so it's only now that I"m getting started. And...I"m pretty far behind the others." Shoulders squared. "But I'm determined to learn." It was clear she felt the weight of more than just herself on her shoulders. That of her people, too.

As they got back to the central power intake, Soph glanced around. "Hmm, looks like the circuitry on panel A needs to be replaced. Do you have a spare hydrospanner or want me to get my tools?"

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"It's not my place to judge," she said instead. Quietly. She followed after him. Trying not to let her cheeks color as they passed his guards and their curious and lingering gazes.

​

"Nah, you can judge, I sure as hell do." Elian said with a light chuckle, that soon turned into a laugh the more he thought about it. They truly were something else entirely, he had honestly never seen anything like it before.

"It's nice to meet you, officialy, Sophelia." The young Abrantes said with a smile. She mentioned Tapani, and he had heard, well enough what happened. "I'm sorry about Tapani, I know that, apologies can't change anything, but just glad that you and your brother made it out okay." While Elian didn't know them personally, or well enough. The genuine interest in anothers well being, and just the goodwill that they were still here and alive was well enough for Elian to speak.

"You shouldn't be too far behind." Elian said as they approached the door to the service corridor, leading down to the basement. "Things usually tend to happen for a reason. I mean look at me with my arm. If this hadn't of happened, I'd still be the cocky, arrogant, dashing young man I was. I mean I'm still dashing, but not so cocky and arrogant." He laughed, as he led the way down the stairs.

. "Hmm, looks like the circuitry on panel A needs to be replaced. Do you have a spare hydrospanner or want me to get my tools?"

​

"I absolutely do." Elian said as he reached into his bag, giving her the secondary one he had. "Thanks for the help by the way. "I'll give Panel B a look real quick, just to make sure nothing got fried on this side.", He removed the panel, carefully setting it aside. His fingers traced along the wiring, just hovering over them as followed them to the terminal.

"Not bad, everything looks good on this side, it's probably just that side, thankfully. What do you see so far?"

​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

"It's nice to meet you, officialy, Sophelia." The young Abrantes said with a smile. She mentioned Tapani, and he had heard, well enough what happened. "I'm sorry about Tapani, I know that, apologies can't change anything, but just glad that you and your brother made it out okay."

"You, too." She was quiet for a moment. She could hear the sincerity behind his words. And they gave her a spark of hope for something that was lost that could be again. She was still finding her way here. Finding more friends. After she'd lost all of hers. She'd met Cerys. Perhaps Elian could be one, too. She found herself enjoying his affable attitude and candor.

Which gave her another idea.

"You shouldn't be too far behind." Elian said as they approached the door to the service corridor, leading down to the basement. "Things usually tend to happen for a reason. I mean look at me with my arm. If this hadn't of happened, I'd still be the cocky, arrogant, dashing young man I was. I mean I'm still dashing, but not so cocky and arrogant." He laughed, as he led the way down the stairs.

A rare bubble of laughter escaped her throat. Azure eyes swept sideways at the young Abrantes. A subtle shake of her head. "Hm. It appears so." She took the offered hydrospanner and opened that panel. Then got to work. "Definitely a burnout on this side. Something was overloaded here." She scooted over, offering him room if he wanted to slide up next to her to work on the configurations she wasn't already tackling.

"I'd love to get your opinion on something after this. I"m working on building a memorial for Pelagon. For my people who are also refugees here. I've gotten permission to put it up just outside the Sanctuary but I'd love your take on some of the circuitry. Maybe I can show you - after?"

She took a breath and continued, eyes flickering over to his. "I know we just met but are you going to the upcoming ball? I have a friend who is looking for a date." Soph planned on going with Cerys or alone. She had an upcoming mission to Nar Shadda soon and it was all the could do to concentrate on that.

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

"That doesn't surprise me, these things get built and they have second hand individuals come and keep up maitenenace. When it should be done by someone who knows what they are doing, and aren't just looking for quick credits. Its a matter of integrity at times." Elian voiced, which kinda frustrated him that there were those that did that. But they didn't live in a perfect galaxy, these things happened.

"I'd love to get your opinion on something after this. I"m working on building a memorial for Pelagon. For my people who are also refugees here. I've gotten permission to put it up just outside the Sanctuary but I'd love your take on some of the circuitry. Maybe I can show you - after?"

"Did you say build?" Elian said, popping his head out from behind his side of the generator, so he could look at her. "That would be great! I love building things! All matter of things actually, its really the craft itself that is amazing. One circuit goes here, one layer of durasteel goes here, how everything comes together. Not just in homes, but ships, structures, security systems, relays......." Elian's voiced trailed off as he dissappead back behind the panel. It was always funny, how Elian got so worked up about construction, in all forms. So much that he rememberd that he needed to quit talking so much.

"A memorial sounds amazing." Elian voiced, popping his head back out from behind the panel once more. "I think the people, your people, would love and appreciate that. It's almost like a piece of home, or remembrance that can never be taken from them."

Elian thought back to the academy, and the memorial that was created for all the students that lost their lives that day. He raised his hand to his cheek and gave it a gentle rub.

"I know we just met but are you going to the upcoming ball? I have a friend who is looking for a date."

"A ball? That sounds like its gonna be a lot of fun. I should look to attend, should be good fun. I'm not sure about the date part, I'd be willing to meet up with you guys there, or your friend....or whomever." Elian said with a small chuckle, as finished the necessary steps on his side, placing the panel back. "Good stuff...." Elian voiced, coming around the generator, back to where Sophelia. The burnt circuity, left a rather smelly, burnt vapor in the air.

"Gods, I've been doing this a long time, and I still can't get used to that burnt smell."

​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Elian Abrantes

"Her name is Cerys Dyn . But yes, feel free to meet up with us there. It will be nice to just have a night off. No missions. No classes. No assignments and overdue papers," Soph groaned witih a smile playing on her lips as she fixed another circuit with the hydrospanner. Then she switched for the hydrowrench. Tightening a screw.

A glance at Elian.

"I'll be right back." Standing, she quickly disappeared and made it back to her room. Opening a drawer, she snatched up the blueprints to the memorial. In no time, her feet were padding back down those steps to where she'd last left the Abrantes. Sitting down beside him, knee brushing against his own, she slowly unfolded the plans. "You sounded so interested in building and...not to pressure you to help or anything but if you wanted to..."

She shared the plans between them.

"What do you think? I was thinking something like this."

 

[Elian Abrantes]

Sophelia Ardemark
​

The more she spoke the more everything that was fun came back to him in all the right ways. "That does sound like a good, fun time. I'll be glad to meet you guys there."

​

"I'll be right back."

"Umm, okay!" Elian voiced as he watched her disappear, and while she was gone, he moved to where she was standing and began finishing up the last of things.

"Almost there...." Elian voiced, his mouth half open as he snapped the console into place and finished the last detail before letting out a happy sigh. He heard her coming back down, and he turned to see her. She had the plans and his eyes lit up.

"Whoa! This is incredible." Elian's face turned from surprise to awe as he looked over the plans. And from that point, he was utterly, ridiculously gone. His finger traced along the foundation.

"The foundation works perfectly. Put a water filtration system right here. It won't disturb anything and is easily accessible, so the water doesn't get all....bleh." Elian voiced, speaking in a much quicker manner. "Oh, and right here!" Elian pointed at the actual station of the memorial points. There were six of them. "The lighting around here. There are lights that can last for decades. Just a quick clean every six months, that's all that's needed."

Elian pointed to the actual slab where the names would be. "This will be amazing too. Translucent almost, or it looks that way to me. Names on either side, as you walk around, its great....." Elian giggled lightly as he glanced at Sophelia. He cleared his throat.

"Sorry...." His smile grew slightly sheepish. "You put blueprints in front of an engineer and expect him to behave normally, that doesn't happen much with me. This is what I was meant to do."

His attention immediately returned to the plans.

"And you're not pressuring me." Elian tapped the blueprint gently. "I'd love to help build it."

​

 

[Sophelia Ardemark]

Knees propped on her legs. Fingers curled into fists as her chin rested atop those. She leaned close, enjoying how his face lit up as he looked over the blueprints and drawings she'd one. Even in the dim lighting of the emergency power. She nodded along as he got everything she'd been going for.

"You don't need to apologize, Elian. Your passion for this is refreshing." She offered him a warm smile. Reaching across him, she pointed at a post on the plans. "And that's what I was thinking with the filtration and water. Oh and I didn't know about the cleaning. Glad you're already on my side."

Head turned, bright blue eyes catching on his own in the semi-darkness.

"Perfect. You're hired. I got the permits, too. So we should be good to go. You want to keep those? I have a copy on my datapad. And here, we should exchange comms so we can chat how things are going."

How it might've sounded was lost on her with the excitement of getting the project in some capable hands.