Private Strangers in the Hangar

[Ivy Maro]

Michael Angellus

​

Crisp air and bright sunlight filtered through the open bay hangar of the Jedi Temple on Naboo.

Ivy stood precariously on the ledge, gazing at the countryside below. The slightest breeze could have sent her plummeting to her death, but a Jedi with impeccable Force balance such as herself needn't fear something so trivial as the wind.

Eventually, after a moment of basking in the sun and taking a few deep, meditative breaths, she finally took a step back away from the ledge and turned her head, letting her gaze wander. Her legs followed shortly after, walking around.

The hangar wasn't too crowded. The space felt quite similar to the murmuring, reverent halls of the Temple when Ivy had to use the refresher inside earlier. But exploring the Temple was a little too much, too soon right now. Or if anything, one place at a time. She hadn't fully absorbed the hangar yet.

She paused, cracking a small smile at a BB droid that seemed to have a sassy personality of its own. Her eyes drifted to the young man the droid was hovering around, connecting the dots between the two.

"Cute droid." Ivy approached, smiling politely at him. She tilted her head at the astromech. "He yours? ...Or she?"

She hadn't changed clothes yet, still in the same navy blue jumpsuit she had on when she arrived at the Temple, a mere hour or two ago. Likewise, she didn't think the young man was a local Temple resident either.
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry #05072026
Location: – Naboo Temple Starport
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Annoyed
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

Okay, so I am already annoyed that Connel asked me to come back here. Nobody likes me here, and the feeling isn’t entirely one sided to be honest. However I did owe him a favor, and this is the first class he’s ever taught so I wanted to help him out.

“Weep-booo.” [Translation: You’re not kidding. The droids here are pretentious jerks.]

Anyway, I just landed when Diva ball here…

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: What?]

Your audio receptor not working? Anyway, this dude is complaining left and right.

“Beeep-boop-Beep.” [Translation: Tell them the whole story! Tell them how you came barreling in and almost caused that transport to crash!]

They’re the ones who didn’t have their collision alert on!

“Auuuugha.” [Translation: That’s not an excuse and you know it!]

Anyway. We were settling in when this… I guess she’s a blonde? I don’t know, anyway she’s walking up to me.

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: … and she noticed me. Don’t worry. I’m your wingman.]

I told you…

“Wooooooo.” [Translation: Not that “dream girl” again… your fantasy girl that shows up when no one else is around.]

She still shows up! The gym, my quarters!

“Weee-booop.” [Translation: As you humans say “Whatever…”.]

So, back to this blonde. HAHA! She called you a girl! What? Nothing to say? Fine, I’ll move on…

He’s an annoying Schutta.

“Chrrp.” [Translation: Rood. Accurate, but rood.]

He goes by “BRED” not…

“AWWUUUHHHH.” [Translation: YOU KNOW NOT TO CALL ME “BRAD”!]

– Michael A.
It’s hilarious how even Droids can have sibling rivalry

TAG:

This is where he is speaking

 

[Ivy Maro]

By no means was she fluid in Droidspeak, but the mild irritation between pilot and his astromech was noticeable. The friendly argument kind that Ivy needn't concern over.

"Bread?" Ivy tilted her head curiously when Michael Angellus pronounced the droid's name. "Like 'bread' the food?"

She couldn't get the image out of her head... "He does look like a little bread roll," she teased. Her eyes sparkled playfully at the droid. "I should call you Bun-Bun! B-B, for BB astromech." She chuckled.

"Yours or he's just assigned to you?" She turned to Michael, crouching down to give BRED a little adoring pat on the head.
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry #05072026
Location: – Naboo Temple Starport
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Annoyed
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

Okay, so this girl is either really bubbly and outgoing, or she’s flirting with me. I can never tell.

“Weep-booo.” [Translation: You never will at this rate..]


Oh shut up.

BB-430

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You’re just jealous because she liiiiiiked me…]


You were all over her. Leaning on her and loving her up being all ridiculous.


“Beeep-boop-Beep.” [Translation: Your jealousy is showing!]


Oh whatever. So anyway, she was all loving up on this little hussie when she asked me if he was mine.


“Auuuugha.” [Translation: I’m not property!]


Will you let me tell the story!

When he was built and commissioned, it was with a program that gave him autonomy in many respects. So while I hold the “note”, he’s his own droid.

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: Yeah, that’s what you said. I can respect that.]


I told you…


“Wooooooo.” [Translation: Oh shut up.]


Wow. Stealing my lines!


“Weee-booop.” [Translation: … and your potential girlfriend too.]


Oh Kark you… DANK FERRIK!... UGH! This stupid journal machine records everything!

I think I’ll start calling him “Bun Bun” too now… thanks for the idea. .

“Chrrp.” [Translation: You call me that once and I promise you I will…]


– Michael A.
My droid is a flirt!

TAG: Ivy Maro

This is where he is speaking

 

[Ivy Maro]

"Well, if you ever get tired of him, let me know; I'll take him off your hands." Ivy chuckled at Michael Angellus , though the first half might've been directed at BRED with a wink.

Right! She'd gotten too distracted by the droid...

"Anyway, hi! I'm Ivy, nice to meet you," she chirped. Rising to her feet again, Ivy extended her hand towards Michael for a customary handshake among the Human-like races, assuming Michael was Human and not some shape-shifter (cough).

"Are you a Jedi?" She asked, eyes instinctively searching for a lightsaber to confirm that theory. "What brings you here?"
​

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry #05072026
Location: – Naboo Temple Starport
Assigned Craft: My X-wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Annoyed
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

You’re so ridiculous!

“Weep-booo.” [Translation: Once you go droid… you won’t be annoyed!]

Seriously?

“Beep-boop.” [Translation: You’re ugly when you’re jealous.]

You want him? CHEAP!

“AAAWooo” [Translation: RUDE!]

You whore!

“Beeep-boop-Beep.” [Translation: Prude!]

Oh whatever.

“Auuuugha.” [Translation: I’m not property, but she can do whatever she wants…]

Oh SHUT UP!

“Chitter Chitter Chitter.” [Translation: LOL Jealous idiot.]

Tried to be… sucked at it. No one liked me. Probably my fault. Better pilot so I stayed that way. Trained though

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You LOOOOOVE showing your “lightsaber”.]

Well yeah, it’s long and the grip i… WAIT A MINUTE!

“Wooooooo.” [Translation: Almost….]

Not this time you karker… DANG IT! STUPID RECORDER!

“Weee-booop.” [Translation: There it is!]

Ugh

I’m related to a Jedi… he thought I should come…

“Chrrp.” [Translation: You didn't namedrop?]

Connel doesn’t need that.

– Michael A.
My droid is a flirt!

TAG:

This is where he is speaking

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy blinked in surprise at Michael Angellus ' immediate offer.

“Really?” She laughed, glancing between him and BRED as though waiting for someone to admit it was a joke. Then her expression shifted when Michael didn’t immediately take it back.

“Wait, seriously? But he’s yours!” She backtracked quickly, raising both hands in surrender before smirking again. “Naw, I can’t do that. Well...” Her eyes flicked mischievously at the spherical droid as it chirped smugly. “Not right now anyways. I’ll think about it.”

Honestly, she couldn’t tell if BRED was flirting with her, insulting Michael, or both simultaneously.

Probably both.

Ivy tilted her head slightly as Michael summarized his history in what had to be the shortest explanation of a life she’d ever heard.

"Tried to be… sucked at it. No one liked me. Better pilot so I stayed that way."

That felt like a much heavier sentence than he was letting on.

Ivy’s grin softened just a little. The past seemed like a sensitive subject for now, so she didn’t pry further into that.

“Trained?” She repeated curiously. “As in, fully trained, like a Jedi Knight?”

Her eyes widened a fraction at the mention of a relative in the Jedi Order.

“Ooo.” Ivy leaned forward slightly, interest returning in full force. “Is he a brother? Cousin?” Was she being too nosy? Ivy waited a moment before prying gingerly, “Why did he ask you to come?...If I may ask.”
​

 

[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-beeep.” [Translation: She took you seriously! I’m not your prostitute! Apologize!]

Michael laughed heartily at her misunderstanding, not her fault at all. I’m sorry, he’s not for sale, that is just to get under his metal skin.

CUTTO SCENE - Later in the day in front of Michael’s X-wing, Michael and BRED doing “pre-flight”. I think I kind of freaked her out with that.
“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You still haven’t apologized!

Realizing that she is concerned about his comment on his training, Michael just shook his head. He did not understand the issue at the time, but very much does now. It’s very much in the past, not a big deal at all. Naw, I had my head so far up my tail. I guess I’m still a “Padawan” but I stuck to piloting… like if Skywalker didn’t go to Dagobah I guess...

“Beep-wooop.” [Translation: You are NOT Luke Skywalker.]

I know I’m not… chill Laughing at her sudden curiosity at his mention of Connel. He’s a cousin, but more like an older brother. He’s actually the one teaching this class I’m going to. Probably wants me to learn to be social… Shrugs

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing and BRED looks up at him. “Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: Did you seriously miss her flirting with you? You are SO oblivious..]

I am NOT!

TAG:

CUTTO SCENE - This is where he is speaking in a different setting, as if recapping what he had just seen on a holovid
“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: .]

 

[Ivy Maro]

“Skywalker?” Ivy echoed, blinking at Michael Angellus like he’d just referenced some obscure holodrama character. “Who’s that?”

She laughed softly at Michael's explanation. Something about the way he shrugged off what sounded like years of complicated history made him seem strangely easy to talk to.

“What do you mean, you’re doing fine!” Ivy said lightly. “You’ve managed to hold a full conversation with me for at least...” She counted in her head. "Three whole minutes. That’s basically an expert-level socializing. Breadroll here's at least doing half the work for you," she teased with a glance at BRED.

“Oh, when’s the class? I hope I’m not making you late.” She then did a little tiptoe bounce as though fawning over something cute, at the good luck she had found. “Aw, that’s so exciting, I’m so glad I get to meet another Padawan.” She paused, then corrected herself with a sheepish laugh. “Well, actually I’m not even a Padawan yet. Maybe. Hopefully. I’m supposed to be meeting one of the Jedi from the Temple here, but I’m a few hours early, I think.” She tapped the dimly lit wrist comm strapped to her arm, squinting at the time suspiciously.

“So now I’m just... awkwardly existing until somebody tells me whether I’m allowed to stay.”
​

 

[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 just shrugged at her lack of knowledge of the infamous farmboy. He only knew because of his uncle. Don’t worry about it. He was a farmboy who was an insanely good pilot and became a Jedi… he’s me without the good looks and boyish charm. He said that giving a silly grin clearly meant none of it.

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

I did not…

Weep-boop

SHUT UP! You microwave!

AUUUUUU

Michael lunged for him.

Having fun with her picking on him, he played it up. 4 minutes? More than double my last record..

When she brought up how “BREDroll” was doing the majority of the work, of course the droid chimed in. Beep-Beep-Boop

That’s not true, I alw.. Wait “Charity work”?! Holding back a laugh and looking up at Ivy again as she mentioned she “was not even a Padawan” with surprise. I wouldn’t worry about it. Everyone learns at their own pace… if you want, come to the class. We’ll won’t be late.

He shrugged again. Besides… even if we are… what is he gonna do? Get a droid to punch me in the face or something? Michael then looked off in the distance at almost nothing and smirked.

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael’s face and flightsuit bore burnmarks evident from an astromech’s shockstick and BRED looks up at him. Beep-Boop-Beep

What?!

Boop-Beep-Boop

No one’ll know what you’re talking about… I sure don’t…

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
“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: .]

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy laughed again, relieved when Michael Angellus took the teasing in stride instead of shrinking away from it. A lot of people either got defensive or awkward when being joked about, but Michael seemed perfectly willing to poke fun at himself too. It was nice to be around someone who didn't take himself too seriously, like her.

When Michael said everyone learned at their own pace, the knot of anxiety Ivy felt she had been carrying around since arriving at the Temple loosened a little. “Oh, really? That sounds like fun! Here, at the Temple?” She asked in surprise when he invited her to come along. Her eyes lit up eagerly. The idea of attending a Jedi class sounded infinitely more interesting than awkwardly haunting the Temple hallways pretending that she totally belonged there.

She chuckled at his comments about what would happen to the two of them if they were late. “That sounds oddly specific,” she pointed out with playful suspicion, narrowing her eyes at him like she was trying to determine whether this mysterious cousin of his had, in fact, arranged some droid-related violence towards Michael before.

“Oh, you will,” Ivy warned teasingly after Michael's flattery that no one would know she wasn't a Padawan. She appreciated his encouragement though.

Then she hesitated for a beat. “You’re sure I’m allowed?” She asked cautiously, double-checking that Michael wasn't joking this time. “Do I need a special guest pass or something? Wait—” Ivy looked down at herself dramatically before looking back up at Michael with mock alarm, “I don’t know if I’m dressed for this!”

A laugh escaped her as she gestured vaguely at her outfit, wondering if her flight suit would look sorely out of place in a room full of properly robed Jedi. “Are you going to change first?"
​

 

[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 just shrugged. Yeah, it’s not gonna be like the old Jedi here who tried to kill you. He said it with a clear joke, but the eyes told the story about his fears about their forms of training. Nothing wrong at all with the old ways of the Shiraya Sanctuary but still freaked him out.

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

Shut up!

Weep-boop

I didn’t say that!

AUUUUUU

When she mentioned his quip about being late being “oddly specific, Connel shrugged. He’ll probably set something up just to annoy me. He shrugged with a boyish grin.

Beep-Beep-Boop

Oh, I don’t care… I was freaking out half the time I was here. Yeah, they were bad memories, but he had just lost his father, Rear Admiral Liram Angellus literally only days before and felt abandoned by his mother there. He hadn’t addressed his feelings at that point so he was lashing out, feeling no one even tried to understand. They were good shaping memories though, made him stronger, find who he really was inside. They have good people here. @Ala Quin… she’s the bosslady around here but she’s really cool, like family. Lorn Reingard, be careful of the guy when he walks around barefoot… he can scare the CRAP out of you… trust me on that… but he’s a great teacher… really tries to talk you up.


Beep-Beep-Boop


He looked down at BRED ready to go off. Man… Shut… yeah… I rambled didn’t I? He shrugged again. It’ll be good. Walk with me. Don’t worry about the clothes. I’m doing this in my flightsuit.

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael’s face and flightsuit bore burnmarks evident from an astromech’s shockstick and BRED looks up at him. Beep-Boop-Beep

At what?!

Bwoop-Beep



No, what?

Boop-Boop-Boop

No, what?

Beep-Beep-Boop

Dude! You think so?

Chitter-Chitter-Chitter

Dude! You are such a jerk!

TAG:

CUTTO SCENE - This is where he is speaking in a different setting, as if recapping what he had just seen on a holovid
“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: .]

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy snorted at Michael Angellus ’s comment about the “old Jedi” trying to kill her, pretty sure he was joking. Probably. Still, every legend had to come from somewhere, right? “What, did they sacrifice people or something?” She shot back with an amused grin, falling easily into the banter. Because that felt like important information to give the new girl before inviting her into mysterious Temple classes.

Honestly, she wouldn’t even be surprised. Every secretive order in the galaxy seemed to come with at least a little buried horror story attached to it. If the Temple library let visitors in, maybe she’d go digging around later just to see what sort of dramatic historical disasters the Jedi had managed to accumulate over the centuries.

Though beneath Michael’s joking tone, Ivy could sense something else there too. A kind of old hurt wrapped carefully in humor and shrugs, dulled down enough to laugh about but not entirely gone. That part felt familiar in a way she didn’t entirely like admitting. Humor had always been her favorite method of dodging uncomfortable truths too, easier to make people laugh than let them see the uglier parts underneath. So instead of poking at it, she simply listened.

The more Michael talked about the people at the Temple, the more Ivy became curious, mild awe flickering across her face. Ala Quin sounded like an important enough name for her to remember later on, though she’d likely forget about it in two seconds, faces being more of her strong suit. “Wow, you know the ‘big bosses’ around here.?” She said, sounding impressed. Already it felt like she was talking to a celebrity with his big web of VIP contacts.

And then there was Lorn Reingard. Ivy blinked. “Barefoot?” She repeated, immediately distracted by the far more important detail. “What, does he sleepwalk or something?” Why specifically barefoot? Why did that make him scary? That somehow raised more questions than answers…

Still, despite all the uncertainty, Ivy found herself smiling when Michael told her to walk with him. “Okay,” she answered immediately in an absurdly agreeable tone, falling into step beside him without hesitation, following along with the eager obedience of either an excited puppy or someone being very politely volun-told into a situation. Maybe both.

Either way, newbie curiosity and excitement carried her forward easily enough. At least she didn’t have to worry about looking too out of place, if Michael was also keeping his flight suit on. Her gaze dropped toward the astromech as it beeped alongside them.

“Is BRED coming too?” Ivy asked brightly. “Are droids allowed inside the Temple?”
​

 

[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 just chuckled, nudging BRED with his foot.

AAAUUUUUUU


It’s a tough training regimen they put you through, I was overwhelmed at the time… though I gotta be honest… if you ever meet @Briana Sal-Soren… I think she has that look in her eye. Clearly still kidding, Connel remembered those training classes that were “survival if we let you” or so them seemed.

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

I did not! Talk about the training!

Weep-boop

What if I did?

AUUUUUU

When she asked about him knowing “big bosses, Michael shrugged, not really seeing it like that. Well, my mom and dad always said to meet people in the eye and say their name to remember it. My late uncle… obviously my cousin’s father, he and Grandmaster Quin were like brother and sister. I don’t really bother her too much… she does so much now, I don’t want to burden her with anything. He shrugged, not really thinking about it. .

Beep-Beep-Boop

Anyway… She asked about Reingard and Michael laughed. I don’t know if he does now, but I was meeting some new youngling… She was like 8 years old… no wait Looks around. She’s thirteen.. But that is like 25 to you and I, you’re just regular human, right? Anyway she got SO mad at me about that, wanted to chase me… I think she still is… and he walked up behind, I couldn’t hear him and didn’t know I could sense him… he put his hand on my shoulder and I could have jumped to the market from where I was standing and that’s a couple of miles away.


Beep-Beep-Boop


He looked down at BRED. [COLOR=rgb(97, 189, 109]Shut up.[/COLOR] When they started walking, it was a quiet walk, and really a relaxed one. Weird that really he was reminiscing. When Ivy asked about BRED, he had a devilish grin, knowing the droid had little interest in it, and would probably get an oil bath. [COLOR=rgb(97, 189, 109]I’ll stuff him in a brook closet.[/COLOR]

CUTTO SCENE - Still later in the day, Michael and BRED are standing in front of his X-wing, Michael was chuckling as BRED had the shockstick out again. Beep-Boop-Beep

Whaaaaat?!

Bwoop-Beep


Oh come on, you know I wasn’t.

Boop-Boop-Boop

Oh get over yourself, it was funny

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
“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: .]

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy chuckled warmly through most of Michael Angellus ' stories, filing away every strange name and bizarre little warning with growing amusement. Ala Quin, Briana Sal-Soren, the terrifying barefoot Jedi lurking behind people like some kind of stealth cryptid… This Temple was sounding far more entertaining than she had expected. She'd definitely be keeping an eye, or rather an ear, out for all of them during her short stay here.

At least Michael seemed willing to explain things without making her feel stupid for asking. She nodded a little when he explained about not wanting to burden Grandmaster Quin. "Yeah...I get that," Ivy said softly, shrugging. "Important people have a lot of things to do." There was something sweet about the way Michael talked about Ala though, respectful without sounding intimidated.

Then came the "regular Human" comment. Ivy stopped mid-step with an exaggerated gasp, placing a hand dramatically against her chest in mock offense. "Excuse you, sir," she declared, pointing accusingly toward her slightly pointed ears, "I'll have you know I am only...ninety percent Human," she guestimated. Then grinned immediately afterward, unable to keep up the act for long. "My dad's got some Sephi-Arkanian-ish blood in him, but yeah—mostly Human."

The conversation dissolved back into easy laughter as they walked, BRED beep-booping nearby like a grumpy little third party trapped in the conversation against his will.

Then Michael casually threatened to stuff the poor droid into a broom closet. Ivy gasped again. "No! He should come with us!" She protested excitedly. "That'd be fun!" Assuming there was no rule against bringing droids to class..? Ivy would definitely try, though.

BRED gave an unenthusiastic beep in response. "C'mon, BRED," Ivy encouraged brightly, already leaning down toward him. "You're coming with us!" And before the astromech could object further—not that it stopped him from trying—Ivy scooped him up into her arms with surprising ease. "Resistance is futile!" She informed him cheerfully, as together Ivy and Michael left the hangar behind and entered deeper into the Temple proper.

Maybe she just needed something to do with all the nervous excitement buzzing through her system. Carrying the droid gave her hands somewhere to put all that restless energy instead of fidgeting herself into orbit.

Ivy had technically peeked inside earlier while searching for the refresher after a long hyperspace ride over here, enough to recognize one of the long corridors they passed through now, but moving on into uncharted territory for her, Ivy's gaze wandered everywhere at once as they walked. The Temple felt alive in a quiet sort of way. Distant footsteps echoing against polished floors, muted voices somewhere far off, strange architecture mixed with the faint hum of machinery and something older she couldn't quite place.

After a moment, she glanced up at Michael. "How long are you staying here?" She asked curiously, still carrying the mildly suffering astromech.
​