Thunderbolt [Vela]

[Corvus Dravere]

She was enjoying herself, and while he was frustrated by his own lack of knowledge, he at least didn’t mind having her company. Plus, he had a fresh engine to last until they finally bailed offworld. He couldn’t stay here until this was over, but there was another handful of months left on his contract.

He was still elbow deep in wires and grease when she went to get water, and he was about to say thanks when an unintelligible yell split the hangar. “Ah, poison.” He mutters, knowing Skral’s voice when he heard it.

“CORVUS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHO’S THAT?? WHATAREYOUDOINGTOMYSHIP.”

Corvus had never heard Skral so angry as to slur his words together, but he wasn’t surprised. He had, he realized, broken the unspoken line between pilot and crew chief. Sighing, Corvus pinched the bridge of his nose before replying.

“This is Vela. We replaced the engine.” Skral was coming up the scaffolding now, his bulbous eyes wide with anger.

“Can you trust her? Or do you just like the SIGHT OF HER TITS?!” Corvus scowled, and Skral immediately knew he’d crossed the line. Corvus dropped his voice to a whisper, and glared at the Duro.

“Skral. You’re a damn fine crew chief. You have a right to be angry. But if you ever intimate again that I’m so dumb as to let someone work on my ship just because they’ve got a pretty smile or large bust, I will personally dislocate both your shoulders and squeeze you down an exhaust port until you’re so black from soot you could be mistaken for a Jawa’s shadowed face.”

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela couldn't help but tense when the raised voice of the Duro reached them. It had been an instinctual reaction, she wasn't used to being around sudden noises. After being a soldier one became more sensitive to some situations, loud, unanticipated uproar being one of them. It didn't take her long to relax once her eyes caught sight of the famous Skrall, who approached the ship with a less than happy look on his face as he kept on berating Corvus.

She was simply listening to the angry exchange within them. When Corvus mentioned her she was going to take the initiative and introduce herself properly when the Duro decided to make a comment she didn't precisely like. With a very arched brow and not-the-good-type of surprise plastered in her face, the Vilosorian was once again bid to silence for a moment. She didn't feel offended, it took far more than that to get her annoyed and it certainly wouldn't be the last time it happened.

However, upon seeing that things were going sour between the pilot and his crew-chief, she decided to take a step forward, her eyes locked in the Duro. "Pleasure to meet you too, Skrall. I'm Vela Kryss." Her voice certainly did not hold the warmness that it had before. Still it was in no way angry, simply more neutral and still displaying that relaxed confidence. "You are welcome to examine the work. I'll personally stay here all night dismantling it if you don't approve." She said, and it was clear that she was being honest and not taunting him in any way. Vela rarely joked around when it came to her work. She took a step aside towards where Corvus was so that the Duro had plenty of space to check the new engine.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

Skral barely seemed to hear [member="Vela Kryss"], and immediately whistled sharply for a pair of droids that hovered down from their perch above. Both were disc shaped, and one snapped on a light for him to work by. He was grumbling, too, as he did so. "Fekkin' Corvus, and his damn pretty women. Makin' me look an idiot, will ya? Huh? Lucky I don't torch this damn TIE, old piece of crap it is."

Corvus either didn't hear, or didn't care to hear, what Skral was saying, and he opened up his bottle of water to take a sip. "He'll want to be left alone." He explains, giving an apologetic look to the woman, lips pulling into a frown that wasn't quite a grimace.

"DAMN RIGHT I DO." Corvus raised his brows as if to say 'I told you so,' and then made to climb down the scaffolding, talking as he went. "I need to go shower - I haven't been able to in two days. I'll meet you at the cantina in an hour, if you want. That way we're close by if he finds anything he doesn't like."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela kept her eyes on the working Duro for a moment, her expression still a little bit surprised. Once Corvus spoke up her gaze shifted onto him, a faint smile on her lips. The situation wasn't funny, not in the very least. She was just somewhat humored by the upset Skral, not something she would share with him of course. Like the pilot, she didn't quite get what the mechanic was mumbling except for some words. She was about to take another sip of water when another sudden outburst of the alien caught her unaware. Her grip on the water bottle tensed, luckily not enough to spill any of it, before she relaxed again.

"A ray of sunshine, isn't he?" She said to Corvus, once she was finished climbing down the scaffolding. The bright smile declared her words a mere joke. Contrary to what most people would believe, she had taken a good first impression of the Duro. Not because of his words, no. But as far as grease monkeys went, general experience had thought her that the grumpier the better.

"Sounds good to me. I could also use a good shower, as you can see." She had been covered in dirt and grease before meeting Corvus. After working on the engine of the TIE the situation was not exactly better. With their plan decided, Vela went and picked up some of her things from her usual working area before walking back to Corvus. "Well then, see you later. And lets hope Skral doesn't kill me when I return." And with that she started walking the other way, a heavy bag slung on one of her shoulders. Her crew and her were staying in a building not too far away. She was sure she'd be back on time to meet Corvus in the cantina.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He gave her a nod, and disappeared out of the hangar and through the crowd. The shower reinvigorated him, and with his hair combed back and his beard not matted to his face, he looked a sight more respectable and less worn down. As ever, though, he got to the cantina early, and he settled into a booth near the back, a bottle of whiskey set on the table and a measure of the amber liquid in his glass. He'd opted for the quintessential pilot look, with a brown leather jacket, dark undershirt and dirty-looking work pants.

Sipping at the whiskey, he worried his lower lip with his teeth, staring at a holographic projection of a TIE fighter with laser-like focus.

A hand came up, turning the fighter slightly so that he could get a look at the ball cockpit from above. With a sigh, he settled back into the booth, taking a second sip and frowning deeply. At the very least, he hadn't heard from Skral.

That bode well.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

It didn't take long for her to get to the apartment she had been renting since her arrival here. She discarded her dirty clothes and jumped into the shower. A few moments later she was clean and in a fresh set of clothes. The feeling after a much needed shower would always be one of the best. Knowing she ran the risk of Skrall disapproving her work and having her make good on her promise, she chose to wear a simple white tank top, working pants and a pair of dark brown combat boots. She had grown used to them during her time in the Vilosorian military corps and they had become a favorite whenever she got to do hands-on work.

After getting her hair back up in its usual bun and putting on a dark jacket she left her apartment once again. She was a different sight when not covered up in dirt and oil. The walk back to the cantina didn't take long and she arrived a few minutes early. Vela quickly scanned through the place and was surprised to find Corvus already there. Walking up to the table he had chosen, she offered a sweet smile and a greeting, "Hello, again." She said, sitting across from him as she looked at the holocron of the TIE he had been watching. "Nice fighter." She commented.

Then her right hand went to the pocket of her jacket and she retrieved a pack of cigarettes, "Do you mind?" There where many people that disliked the smell of cigarettes or even the general idea of someone smoking near them. Vela understood that perfectly and was very respectful of it, so she developed the habit of asking beforehand.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He was pleased to find her joining him at the appointed hour, he slid an empty glass over to her. A brow rose at her comment, and he turned the hologram off as he answered, "Thanks. Just a representation. Sometimes I just like to study it, even if I know them like the back of my hand." For a coffin jockey to live as long as he did, he had to know what he was doing.

Were this the Empire, he'd likely have been upgraded to an Interceptor, then Defender many years ago. But the life of a mercenary meant he didn't have a ton of credits with which to purchase such luxurious craft. There was a brief hint of tension to those broad shoulders of his as she reached into her jacket, and he nearly went for a pistol before he remembered - friend. Or, at the very least, trustworthy acquaintance.

"Go ahead." He says, relaxing a bit once he realized she was just looking around for a smoke. "It's a cantina - weird if you aren't smoking or drinking."

A slow smile crept onto his face, but it was gone as swiftly as a spring breeze. "Told you I'd get you a bottle. You don't have to drink any, though. I'll get drunk enough for both of us." He wasn't much of a drinker, but a few months of war and you found solace where you could.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

She offered a smile before drawing one cigarette and guiding it to her lips before lighting it. Most didn't picture her as a smoker. It was a habit she had picked up a couple of years back. Still, she never let herself become too endorsed in it and smoked once a day at most, knowing the habit was not the healthiest of them all. Vela allowed the box to remain on top of the table, slightly turned towards Corvus. A silent sign that he was welcome to take one too should he want to.

"Practice makes perfect, wasn't that what you told me?" She said with a bright smile, while reaching for the bottle and pouring herself a drink. She did agree that alcohol was something you get used to only by exposing yourself to it. There were the unlucky ones that never really got used to it regardless of experience. Over time she started to convince herself that she sadly might belong to that group too.

"Any news from Skrall? I feel a little bit bad about it, wouldn't have helped if I knew it'd bother him that much." She still held a small smile on her lips, but in truth she did feel a little bit guilty. Vela never enjoyed upsetting people, rightfully or not.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

She appeared to be a social smoker - there was a calmness to her movements that said it wasn't a need in so much as it was an acquired habit. That spoke well to her self control, at the very least. Some people just couldn't help themselves, period. With the jacket and her mechanic's attire, however, the cigarette only added to the image she was cultivating of a woman who wasn't afraid to dirty her hands. In this case, literally, rather than the metaphorical 'dirty' that came from fighting and violence.

"It does." He agrees, raising his glass to her as he settled into the cushioned booth. His eyes roamed the dimly lit cantina, the music a background to the buzz of low conversation and the haze of smoke that hung over everything like fog.

Sighing at the mention of his crew chief, he simply shook his head. "I've heard nothing. But.... I'm hoping no news is good news. I've been wondering why he's so quiet, but I don't have the balls to check on him." There was an undeniable tension to his shoulders, and his tired eyes had a few more lines around them than usual, it seemed. This was gnawing at him, quietly.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela lifted her glass, drinking its content before quietly placing it back on the table. Taking a final draw from the already consumed cigarette, she proceeded to put it out by pressing it against the ashtray. She had to admit she felt a bit tired but in a good way. She was grateful for enjoying what she did for a living, very few people had that luck. Her blue-green eyes then settled back on Corvus, remaining there as he spoke.

She could tell, or so she believed, that he was even more tired than her. The previous dissension with his crew chief maybe weighting him down. "I'd be willing to go with you as moral support, but I'm not sure if the sight of me would help make things better right now." Her words were honest, something about her tone displaying that she genuinely cared. Fixing up the TIE had been her idea after all. Vela tended to connect easily with others, even if it was a one-sided event. She couldn't help but place the responsibility of all of it on her shoulders.

"Maybe a peace offering? Is there anything we could use to appease him?" She inquired, referring to the Duro. That slight tone of concern still mixed into her smooth, warm voice and her features crossed in hopeful concentration.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He shook his head slowly at that, pouring another measure of whiskey. "No, the only thing that will appease him is to make sure everything is good with his own two hands. That's likely why it's taking so long. He's probably triple-checking the work before even stopping to think over the quality of work we did."

Well, mostly her. He'd lent a hand but he didn't know engines like she did; or Skral for that matter. Perhaps he had fallen for a pretty smile.

That made him frown, and he took another long gulp of whiskey. "Just a matter of waiting it out."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela gave a slight sigh upon hearing his answer. There were people who simply needed the time alone to get over things. Be it either reflecting, fuming, going blank or finding some other source of discharge, it was the way in which they worked. She knew she was far from being like that. She'd much rather find someone to talk to, even if she got angry. Otherwise she never felt like she truly moved past whatever was bothering her.

"Well, if our only choice is to wait it out might as well enjoy the wait." She said, shrugging a bit and putting a smile on her face. She poured and downed another drink. Her face still scrunched up in discomfort but it was indeed easier once she started getting used to the dry heat that raised down her chest. "So, you've been a pilot for a long time. I'm sure you have many interesting stories to tell." She asked with a cheeky smile while guiding her eyes back to his.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He nodded in agreement. "I've plenty of stories." He remarks, shaking his head at the thought. "I don't normally share them though." It wasn't said as a 'I won't tell you stories,' but rather, it was something he felt was informative. Perhaps some insight into his character, or personality. He wasn't sure. Maybe it was just a modifier, so he didn't just end on 'yeah, you're right.'

Frowning for a moment, he drained his glass, studying that almost childish amusement as it curled her lips. Slowly, he dragged his eyes up to her, and thanks to the alcohol, he let his eyes linger longer than he otherwise would when sober.

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

She knew very well that some of her confidence had to be attributed to the effects of the drinks. Every thought was still clear in her head, but the ease of conversation was definitely aided by it. Vela leaned slightly forward, her elbows placed on top of the table to offer support. The tip of her fingers was gently placed against the border of the glass, which still had some of the golden liquid dancing within it.

"The start is a good outset." she answered, her eyes briefly dancing from her glass and back to Corvus. "Why did you became a pilot?" It was a simple but good question. Her expression showed her curiosity and interest. She could think of many possible reasons, some more creative than others. "I wanted to become one, when I was little. Then I discovered I am much better at fixing them than flying them." She shared, a slight chuckle following her admission. In the very slight haze provoked by the alcohol she allowed herself to take a better look at the man. She had to admit he was certainly good-looking but her curiosity in his upcoming answer kept her thoughts from going down that path.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

He chuckled, leaning forward and shifting himself to the edge of the cushion. Pouring another glass, he settled in, one forearm resting on the table while the other held his glass. "Well, the start..." he worries his lower lip with his teeth, thinking it over. "The start I guess is a bit interesting." Inhaling deep, he shakes his head as she chuckles.

"I grew up on Balmorra, within sight of the great factories that churn out droids and tanks. Used to see shuttles coming and going, and they'd regularly test droid fighters. Dad always told me they were piloted, but as I got older he confessed they were just droids. He thought that by telling me they were piloted, I'd be more interested in watching them - kids love imagining, and it was easy to imagine a pilot, strapped in, throwing himself into loops, rolls and dives that seemed to defy gravity."

His smile broadened, and then he snorted. "So I wanted to be a pilot, and I never lost that itch - even after his confession."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

Vela couldn't help but laugh shortly, his story bringing memories of some of her own. She finished the contents in her glass before pouring another, but leaving it to rest for the time being. She knew better than to drink in a fast pace. Speed was a major factor in determining exactly how much it affected you. At least for the time being, she wasn't looking to get that drunk.

"Yeah, my father was also like that. It made my childhood a lot more fun, though." She added, a sweet look in her eyes at the memory of her father. Vela was very attached to her family. To what was left of it at least. "Balmorra, then. Never been there myself." She had heard about the planet, her brother did have the luck of having visited it.

"Its really rare to meet pilots who've been flying for as long as you have. Actually, you are the first I meet. Must be incredibly good at what you do." Piloting wasn't precisely a long-lived carrier, that accounting to many reasons. She felt genuinely intrigued by Corvus and found herself wanting to learn more.

 

[Corvus Dravere]

"Most TIE pilots don't last near as long as I have. Part of that has to do with the caliber of opposition. I'm a mercenary, working the Outer Rim. A TIE out here is still more advanced than what you'll come across." Clearing his throat for a moment, he settled in, that frown near as his mind almost drifted back to Skral. It was hard to forget the ornery old mechanic, really.

His eyes flickered to the door, where a pair of Rodians walked in, one appearing to be ribbing the other over something or another. "I wouldn't say good. I'm just experienced enough to know how to survive." That's all it came down to, really.

Most people assumed that if you lived, you won. In reality, it was as simple as playing percentages so you didn't die.

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

"I've always believed experience is the key to being good at something." She responded after downing her drink, a lazy smile playing at her lips. "Back in Vilosoria, when I was still a teenager, my mentor told me that no matter how naturally talented someone appeared to be, he'd always take a seasoned mechanic over an inexperienced one with promise." Her eyes shone a bit, as if showing how her thoughts rearranged themselves to bring forward that specific memory.

It had been a concept she had found hard to fully grasp. If someone was better at something, regardless of experience, why not chose that person? As with many things in life, the answer came in due time. "You see, someone could be the best at something just because they have a knack for it. But only those who have spent time learning their trade develop this...weird ability to solve problems that would ruin anyone else. Surviving, in your case." Her smile widened. She clearly had a much more relaxed posture now than she did when she arrived. "So, according to that, I wouldn't doubt to say you are good."

[member="Corvus Dravere"]

 

[Corvus Dravere]

"Experience also makes you complacent, and thick in the head." He smiled at that, draining the last of his glass and setting it aside for the moment. His datapad chimed, and he pulled it out, afraid of what he might read. Steeling himself, he took a deep breath, and opened the message.

"Skral says it looks fine." That was as good as they were going to get. "Experience, luck, and a touch of skill are what make anyone good, and all three can fail you when you need them most."

 

[Cyern Aarseth]

She nodded slightly, the fleeting expression in her features showing she agreed with his theory, at least for the most part. She knew she had a strange way of judging ability and thus her way of analyzing was often not shared by others. It was undeniably true that many people fell victims to routine and habit caused by experience. In her opinion, this people never made a good use of that experience in the first place for they have taken up the worst traits of it.

Vela was about to comment on something else when his datapad made the characteristic sound of an incoming message. Knowing it could be Skrall, her curiosity -and slight nervousness- were quick to bloom. She leaned slightly more forward, by no means trying to see the message but instead softly settling her concerned eyes on Corvus. A fleecy haze swirling in them, probably due to the consumed beverage.

The reason for her concern was slight guilt. She knew that if the Duro was discontent with their work, it would potentially spike up a quarrel between pilot and crew chief. The idea had been hers, which would also make her the culprit behind the hypothetical argument. A wide, relieved grin sprouted in her lips as soon as Corvus announced the Duro had approved. It wasn't very expressive, but she would take what she got. "That's great to know! I was beginning to get worried about it." She admitted, a slight chuckle following her statement.

[member="Corvus Dravere"]