Private Strangers in the Hangar

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy shook her head in amused disbelief as Michael Angellus and BRED continued their bickering like an old married couple.

"Ooo, I wonder what they look like," she said mostly to herself, picturing it. Did Jedi decorate their rooms? Were they all identical? Did Masters have larger suites? Did Padawans put up posters? Did Jedi even own enough belongings to personalize anything?

She chuckled playfully at Michael when he once again assured her that he wasn't secretly involved in anything illegal. Ivy had absolutely no idea when this class Michael's cousin was teaching actually started, but Michael didn't seem worried, and Ivy found herself content to simply drift along with the current. When he agreed to food, Ivy's face lit up. "Yay, lunchtime!" She cheered quietly.

Following alongside Michael down the hallway, Ivy's sudden awareness of food activated an uncomfortable hollowness in her stomach. Breakfast seemed like ages ago. Michael was right to recommend a bite beforehand, Ivy realized. The thought of sitting through a classroom lecture while it growled loudly enough for everyone to hear made her want to disappear into the floor. How embarrassing...

She noticed the flow of foot traffic steadily increasing around them. Jedi who had previously been scattered throughout the Temple now seemed to be converging on the same destination. Conversations drifted through the corridor in low, friendly murmurs. Robes swished past. A pair of young teens hurried by in the opposite direction before correcting themselves and doubling back with sheepish expressions. A cluster of younglings traveled together in a loose pack, one enthusiastically talking about what was on Ivy's mind, what was hopefully being served for lunch.

By the time she and Michael reached the entrance, Ivy found herself mentally bracing for unforeseen obstacles lurking beyond the cafeteria doors. "Is the food free?" She asked Michael, hesitating just outside the entrance. Still carrying BRED in her arms, Ivy mentally slipped a Force-hand into her pocket long enough to reassure herself that her Credcard was still there, just in case.
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

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EPISODE – Entry # 2 (NO IT IS NOT THE CLONE WARS!)
Location: – Naboo Hangar
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Chill
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

Wooo-beep


Michael was confused.

You’re not my wingman!
AAAUUUUUUU


When she was theorizing about something and what they look like, it only made sense she was talking about dorm rooms. They’re like regular Academy dorms, but yeah, you should be able to decorate them, most do. At least that is what he remembered from the few friends he made here.

CUTTO SCENE - Later in the day in front of Michael’s X-wing, Michael and BRED doing “pre-flight”. Wooo-beep
[COLOR=rgb(97, 189, 109)What did I do NOW?[/COLOR]

Weep-boop

What?! Grins.

AUUUUUU

When she lit up about lunch, Michael wanted to laugh.


I almost want to race you there. Michael was softening in his stance around her, she was silly when she wanted to be and just a fun person to be around. Now, don’t be alarmed if I look like I eat alot..

Chitter-Chitter-Chitter

Michael continued to ignore BRED’s pointed comments, as he led her into the cafeteria. The congestion was already increasing. Some things never change. Huh? I hope it’s still free! He just laughed at this own bad joke.


Beep-Beep-Boop


He looked down at BRED. Go get your oil bath! Getting serious…ly nonchalant. If there’s a charge, don’t worry about it. My mom’s rich.

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael was chuckling as BRED just looked at him. Beep-Boop-Beep

I never said she was….

Bwoop-Beep

I did not!, did I?

Boop-Boop-Boop

Stang…

Getting in line, Michael pulled a plated of griddle cakes, some sausage, some eggs, some cereal, and then went to the omelette station. Then he saw… OOO! Nerf Burgers!

TAG: Ivy Maro

CUTTO SCENE - This is where he is speaking in a different setting, as if recapping what he had just seen on a holovid
Boop-Boop-Boop

 

[Ivy Maro]

"No I'm gonna fall and trip over BRED," Ivy giggled as Michael Angellus suggested racing, briefly breaking into a light jog for several steps before easing back into a brisk walk beside him.

Michael was funny. She liked that.

"You're a dude, of course you eat a lot," she replied with playful certainty. She doubted his food portions would surprise her. If anything, Ivy thought he must be exaggerating. Michael looked Human enough to her, else she'd chalk it up to metabolism differences between species.

When he casually offered to pay if the cafeteria somehow wasn't free, the corners of Ivy's mouth curved upward in appreciation. Heh, talk about paying on the first date, eh?

"Your mom?" She asked curiously. "Is she a billionaire?"

She set BRED carefully onto the ground, allowing the astromech the freedom to roll off in search of his oil bath, then stepped fully into the cafeteria.

It was enormous. The Temple cafeteria buzzed with the comfortable chaos of dozens of lives overlapping. Jedi of all ages occupied long tables and smaller ones tucked into corners. Younglings laughed loudly over lunches while older Padawans attempted—and mostly failed—to maintain some semblance of dignity. Knights and Masters conversed in low voices between bites of food. The clatter of trays and utensils blended with snippets of conversation until the entire room became its own sort of music.

Sunlight poured through expansive windows lining one side of the hall. Beyond them, outdoor balcony seating overlooked Naboo's breathtaking scenery. Ivy found herself staring past the diners toward the distant waterfalls cascading through the landscape outside the Temple grounds.

"...Wow," she breathed softly.

Then her attention shifted toward the buffet lines. Ivy wandered slowly at first, examining her options.

Then she saw it. Her eyes bulged, acquiring their target. "I know what I want to eat today..." she announced with quiet reverence. Without another word, she performed a zombie-like beeline toward a completely different buffet station.

Eventually, she returned to Michael just in time to hear him say, "OOO! Nerf Burgers!"

Her gaze drifted downward. "Wow, you weren't kidding," she chuckled. Michael's food tray had become a monument to appetite.

She held up her own tray for comparison. It contained exactly two things. A generously sized slice of rich chocolate cake. And a bowl overflowing with completely plain vegetables and greens.

"I want cake but I also need health," she explained with a comically serious expression and perfectly flat tone, as though presenting a carefully calculated nutritional strategy. "So... yeah." She said possessively, "No judge me. I'm a sugarholic." Her eyes twinkled playfully.
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

EPISODE – Entry # 2 (NO IT IS NOT THE CLONE WARS!)
Location: – Naboo Hangar
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Chill
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

Wooo-beep


Michael was confused again.

Wait, what?

AAAUUUUUUU

CUTTO SCENE - Later in the day in front of Michael’s X-wing, Michael and BRED doing “pre-flight”. Wooo-beep
[COLOR=rgb(97, 189, 109)We weren’t playing cards.[/COLOR]

Weep-boop

Yeah, about cards. Grins.

AUUUUUU

When she laughed about racing to lunch, Michael wanted to laugh but waved her off.


You’d probably beat me anyway, even with BRAD.

Chitter-Chitter-Chitter

Michael laughed hard. Relax I did it on purpose… Really you have to get over that jealousy over Connel’s droid. Then when she asked about his mom, he shrugged and smiled.

Beep-Beep-Boop


He looked down at BRED as the droid rolled off. Enjoy! Getting serious…ly nonchalant again. It’s a long story, almost like some idiot behind a laptop at home in a galaxy far far away wrote a story and just piled up things that he thought made a story cool at the time…


Shaking his head as if coming to his senses. What was I saying? Oh yeah… almost.

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael was chuckling as BRED just looked at him. Beep-Boop-Beep

I don’t know, ask the writer..

Bwoop-Beep

Who is this writer?????

Boop-Boop-Boop

Who knows?

Watching her enjoy the scenery, somehow made him want to hang around some more. It made him remember how beautiful this place really was. Maybe he wouldn’t be wearing these ugly tunics… he couldn’t help but laugh, thinking what he would look like. It really is cool, isn’t it?

When she turned around, with cake and salad, it made him want to giggle, but he didn’t just a mischievous grin. “Typical girl” he thought playfully. He just gestured to his tray and all that was on it. I couldn’t judge if I wanted to. Let’s grab a table.

TAG: Ivy Maro

CUTTO SCENE - This is where he is speaking in a different setting, as if recapping what he had just seen on a holovid
Boop-Boop-Boop

 

[Ivy Maro]

"What?" Ivy blinked in amused confusion, a plastered smile already forming in anticipation as Michael Angellus launched into some kind of bizarre commentary about his life being written by "some idiot behind a laptop in a galaxy far, far away." She stared at him for a second. "...Okay," she said finally, a laugh slipping out despite herself. Whatever that meant. She decided not to poke at it too much. Jedi met all sorts of eccentric people. Maybe Michael just had a very dramatic way of describing complicated family stories.

Remembering at the last second that actual nutrition involved hydration too, Ivy veered toward the drink station and dispensed herself a glass of water before carefully balancing it on her tray.

Making her way into the dining area, Ivy slowed her pace. "Grrr..." she groaned aloud, wrinkling her nose as she looked around. "I can't decide." She turned to Michael with exaggerated frustration. "Either a window table inside... Or a table outside." She stood there for several seconds, mentally bouncing back and forth between the options.

Inside meant soaking in the full Temple experience, while outside would probably be quieter and better for conversation.

But when it came down to choosing between places or people... People came first.

"Outside!" She declared suddenly. Before she could second-guess herself, Ivy pivoted and strode briskly toward the balcony seating.

The outdoor dining area was cooler than inside, kissed by Naboo's gentle breeze. After a quick scan, she spotted a quieter table positioned near the railing, tucked just far enough away from the other diners that they could talk freely without worrying about interrupting anyone—or being interrupted themselves.

"Perfect," she announced.

Ivy slid into her seat and carefully set down her tray. Without hesitation, she picked up her fork and took a bite of chocolate cake first. "...Mmm." Then, with all the solemn responsibility of someone fulfilling an unavoidable duty, she speared a piece of broccoli, determined to finish her vegetables first before wolfing down the rest of her cake.

Between bites, her attention wandered beyond the balcony. Naboo's plains stretched endlessly before them in shades of green and gold. Waterfalls shimmered in the sunlight. Birds drifted through the sky on invisible currents of air.

"Oh hey, animals." Her eyes brightened. She leaned forward in her seat and pointed toward a nearby river below. "Over there." A small herd of shaaks had gathered at the water's edge, drinking peacefully. "What're those things called again?" Ivy asked, squinting thoughtfully. "They look familiar. . . Can't remember the name." The galaxy's encyclopedia of creatures was simply too enormous to keep straight all at once.

Ivy turned back toward Michael, resting her elbow lightly against the table.

"Did you have any pets growing up?" She asked curiously.
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

EPISODE – Entry # 2 (NO IT IS NOT THE CLONE WARS!)
Location: – Naboo Hangar
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Chill
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

CUTTO SCENE - Later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael was chuckling as BRED just looked at him. Man shut up!

Boop-Boop-Boop

Man, I still wanna know who this writer is!

Boop-Boop-Boop

Looked at me like I had three heads and said “Okay” like I had 4 and laughed.

Boop-Boop-Boop

She did indeed laugh and it was a relief to know she didn’t think he was COMPLETELY insane, though the look she gave him was one of pure bewilderment. Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair as he laughed himself and that was that.

Michael was smirking as it seemed to be the ultimate debate in Ivy’s head as to the proper eating atmosphere was decided.

”Outside” it is. Tally ho!

CUTTO SCENE - Later in the day in front of Michael’s X-wing, Michael and BRED doing “pre-flight”. Wooo-beep

[COLOR=rgb(97, 189, 109)Yeah? So? She’s a pilot, she’d get it.[/COLOR]

Weep-boop

What? Why? Grins.

AUUUUUU

It was actually a nice day, not too hot, not too cold, and the flightsuit wasn’t uncomfortable or chafing like it usually was. The sun glinted off the water and slipped through the trees, dappling the tarmac in shifting patterns of light and shadow. Michael took a deep breath, savoring the griddle cakes while the nerf burger rested.

Of course Ivy went for the cake first. It almost made Michael choke. He swallowed hard, trying to keep the food down while holding back a laugh. He wiped his mouth with the back of his napkin. He caught her eye, or at least where she was looking and followed her line of sight to some animals grazing. MAN! They have big butts!

Michael laughed hard. I think they’re call “sacs” or “Hacks” or something like that. Taking a bite of his burger, he grabbed some pepper and sprinkled it.

When Ivy turned and rested her elbow on the table, she looked, at least to Michael, like she was about to ask him “the question”. Maybe that’s just because he has no idea how to talk to women, and misreads more often than not. She asked a question. Huh?Shaking the cobwebs loose, he Sorry, “animals”? Yeah, I had a lizardmonkey for a while, his name was ‘Alisdair’. Dude was a Schutta. He laughed nostalgically.

Always wanted an Aak-Dog, but mom was scared of them. Connel, my cousin has one… Buster. He’s a great dog.

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael was chuckling as BRED just looked at him. Beep-Boop-Beep

I know, I can’t. No time for them.

Bwoop-Beep

Oh shut up!

You’d like him.

TAG: Ivy Maro

CUTTO SCENE - This is where he is speaking in a different setting, as if recapping what he had just seen on a holovid
Boop-Boop-Boop

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy chuckled at Michael Angellus 's observation, nearly inhaling a crumb of chocolate cake in the process. She glanced back toward the herd by the river, chewing thoughtfully. "Mm-hm," she agreed, eyes lingering on the creatures. Their enormous rounded bodies balanced atop those little spindly legs looked comically disproportionate. A faint smile tugged at her lips before it softened into sympathy. "Aw... feel kinda bad for them." She tilted her head. "I wonder if they get arthritis, carrying all that weight all the time."

When Michael mentioned his pet Alisdair, Ivy's eyebrows shot upward. "Wow. How'd you get a lizardmonkey?" She asked, genuinely impressed. She narrowed her eyes at him with exaggerated suspicion, one corner of her mouth curling upward. "Are you sure you're not a pirate?" Lizardmonkeys weren't exactly the sort of pet people just stumbled into owning. As far as Ivy knew, they mostly belonged in zoos—or perched dramatically on the shoulders of pirates, crime lords, and wealthy collectors with far too many credits and questionable hobbies.

"Aww, doggies..." She cooed instinctively at Michael's mention of wanting an aak-dog, before pausing. "Wait, you mean the reptile-y looking ones or the furry ones?" If it was the armored, sharp-toothed reptilian variety, she honestly couldn't blame his mother for being nervous. Those things looked like someone had crossed a hunting hound with a small armored tank.

She smiled to herself. "I always thought it'd be cool to have a dog, but I grew up with cats, so I'm more comfortable around cats than dogs." Another bite of broccoli disappeared from her fork before she continued, "I had a few tookas growing up. They're all dead now, though." There was no sadness in her voice, just the simple fact that death was a part of life. "My parents didn't really care for animals, but my sister and I wanted pets, so that's how we got our tookas: Sweemy, Quee-Quee, and Wucho." Ivy shook her head, letting out an embarrassed little laugh. "I don't know how we came up with those."
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