Not to worry. We’re still flying half a ship

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus enjoyed talking about her friend and took the good-natured ribbing about being impatient in her stride.

Staying would be good but Connor had already been delayed and she ought to see if the medical supplies were in one piece and could still be delivered. “As enjoyable as its been to crash my ship here – I really ought to get going. Those supplies are still needed.”

She thanked the droid that brought her salad and took a large gulp of water. “Blue milk eh? It takes all sorts I guess.” Giving no hint if she was being playful or not, she started to eat. Listening to him speak, it sounded to her like the sort of thing you read on a prospectus. Had he prodded she could have listed a couple of dozen names that would have her back and half of those she’d gladly take a blaster bolt for. OK, being a Jedi, strictly speaking all of them – but she knew the point she was making in her mind.

“Well you’re never alone if you ever just want to talk. We have com-links too you know.” She smiled. “I do have call filtering though. Just sayin’.” She gave him a conspiratorial wink.

“So, will you head off as soon as I do?” The conversation was becoming more difficult the closer to her departure time it got.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Through Corvus eating and talking, and Connor drinking and agreeing or rolling his eyes, it was a nice change from the usual strict code of business. He forgot they were working in different Orders however.

Taking a big mouthful of his blue milk and holding it in his mouth for a second, thinking, and then swallowing.

"Don't knock blue milk, salad girl."

However, she was ready to go. Which in turn meant he would soon have to go. And they would part.

"Of course, I've not been told of any cargo damage, but I can't vouch for anything as the techies wouldn't have ventured into the ship itself really."

Connor swirled the glass in his hand, creating a wave up of blue milk.

"I don't suppose there's a need for contact in the future once you leave, really...unless you, unless you want to?"

He couldn't read her, and didn't know if she was itching to get on with her work and leave the planet and the Silver Jedi behind, or if she didn't want to leave the temple, or him. Corvus took another mouthful and he took a sip.

"If you go, when, you go, then there's nothing else for me. I guess, give it a few minutes, I'll be out of here and off to Rhen Var. You're the only person who knows I'm going right now."

He raised his eyes slightly and sucked in his bottom lip as he looked at her, signalling the impending journey to come.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Covus wasnt sure how to react. She had worked with a fellow Jedi to start to allow her to share emotions in the way others did. As a rule she shut them all down - none in and none out. She'd been working on a sort of filter that allowed them in and out in a controlled manner but when under any type of stressful situation she simply shut up shop and kept things cool.

So she couldn't really read Connor. She liked his company. And she thanked he liked hers. Plus she'd help him out if he ever needed someone to speak to - but just like Johnny D and...well others, she was oblivious to his genuine interest. Plus, she was an old-fashioned Jedi and the Code was clear on such matters.

Of course, this entire thought process could be spurious as Connor might be itching for her to leave. So, either way she'd probably offend him. But that seemed to be par for the course for her.

"Listen, the next chance I get, I'll try some blue milk. And if you ever need to talk - about anything - you know where to find me. I've really appreciated your company and hospitality. And who knows when our paths might cross again. Take care on Rhen Var - and I'm sure you'll find the right path - I have faith in you."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor automatically stopped drinking for a second when she started to sign off from the conversation and the company.

"Mm!"

He put the glass down, forcing a swallow and wiping his lips, nodding, playing for time. The ship would be ready, her cargo would be set - there was nothing left for her to stay for. Peaches aplenty, it wouldn't be enough.

"Of course. Come, I'll, er, see you out to the hangar."

Standing, he signalled to the astromech droid who started to beep and whizz over to the table as the Jedi left, making their way around to the spiral stairs that led down past the water feature and to the entrance of the temple, held aloft by two large statures in robes.

Their conversation was absent, but Connor didn't know what was happening - or what had happened. As if his emotion wasn't high enough, Corvus had only made it more. And he hated himself for it.

Cracking a couple of witty observations about the Silver Jedi décor as they left into the afternoon sun, the two Jedi once more walked around to the hangar, full of noise and ships and sparks and chimes. Did they never sleep?

"Well, Corvus. I guess this it is."

He stood in the shadow of the blast doors, eyeing her ship in the back and looking to her with a small smile.

"Thank you for crashing at my temple. If you're ever passing by again...just pull up, ok?"

Don't do it.

Offering his hand, he held it out for her.

"I wish you well. And...may the Force be with you."

Don't let her go. She could save you.


[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus fell into step with Connor. They were bound by their duties to be on different pages of the same book. Maybe one day in the future there might be something - but not today.

As he prepared to say goodbye, she smiled. This might be awkward and the upward turn of the mouth was simply camouflage. "Your temple?". The humour was a welcome relief from the situation. So she shook his hand and then bowed. "Thank you Knight Harrison for your hospitality and honesty - in equal measures. If I'm ever in the neighbourhood again, I'll be sure to drop in. And may the Force be with you always."

And then she turned and walked on to her ship - not daring to look back.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He inclined his head as she turned and walked through the hanger towards her ship. Robes billowing behind her, she conversed with the engineers and in minutes she was able to get into her ship without ever looking back – no hint of that witty observation or humorous gesture.

The engines roared into life and the ship shook slightly as it began to rise, guided by the techies on the floor to navigate of the rear blast doors, breaking into the dusk sky and with a final kick of power it began to rise and streak up into the atmosphere with a satisfying roar of power.

Up, and out away from Voss and the Silver Jedi.

Connor stood with his hands folded and watched Corvus successfully navigate out and away, a much more successful departure than landing. And then it was quiet, save a few bangs and muted conversation form the hangar.

Catching the eye of a couple of techies, Connor saluted and turned to the right and walked over to the Northern landing pad where his ship still waited. It was now time to depart for Rhen Var, with a head full of thoughts and a sense that one day; he would see Corvus again in totally different circumstances.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

The End ​