First Reply Treat Who Fixes What You Broke Well

[Saul Whesai]

Location: Respite's Hangers

The sounds of grinding and sparks hitting the floor of the hanger as Saul finished wielding a replacement armor plate to the Flyswatter's hull. Working on fighters wasn't the first thing he had in mind when coming here but his name was on the duty roster for maintencing the military ships and atleast he knew the Flyswatter's design from his time at Si Tech. Thankfully, this one wasn't too bad off. It had just been shinged by ground fire when it had attacked a closeby pirate base. And it was a good thing too. From what he knew, these ships were only good if you could get the drop on someone. If someone gets the drop on you... well the Flyswatter wasn't one of Si Tech's more heavily armored designs. You either eat or get eatten in this thing.

Saul was guts deep in the machine by the time Lunch came, maintencing the ships distortion projector. Given this is what helped the pilot avoid an opponents tracking, losing it mid fight wasn't an option. And so he might as well check on it while he had this Lady opened up and repair what was needed. And the cyborg was good at repairing electronics. Atleast until a stray spark from the saudering iron got into his welding gloves and he pulled out from the compartment, swearing like a nerf herder. Running a hand over his eyes, he couldn't help but groan as he mumbled to himself. "Guess its time to take a break before I break myself." And a ronto burger sounded good right now.

 

[Braze]

Braze was perched by the hangar entrance, watching what Saul Whesai was doing from several steps away, like a curious loth-cat.

He stood there with a box balanced on his hip when he saw Saul retreat from where he had been working.

"You okay?" he asked lightly, presuming Saul had hurt himself somehow.

He moved to set the box down on top of a workbench and padded closer.

"Want me to take a look at the burn?"

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul shuttered alittle bit as they heard the voice, not realizing who it was for a couple of seconds as he suppessered the urge to through a wrench at whoever had just stepped into his place of worship. And then the cyborg realized who that voice belonged too and knew what that result of that would be. Several bruises on his body as he laid there sprawled on the floor.

The sigh that came out of his mouth told Braze all he needed to know about where Saul's head was at. The Cyborg didn't hate him exactly but after their last interaction... he now knew just how unprectable Braze's temper could be. And not answering the Jedi and pretending he wasn't there wasn't the answer either. And so he sucked it up and said in a voice that showed just how tired he was. "I'm alright... Not the the first time this has happened. You get used to dealing with the pain that come with this work after a while..." He took off the glove off and winced at the burn holes in the synth flesh, showing Braze he really was metal underneath after all.

The only thought when he saw the damage was muttered in a tone of any workman who made more work for himself. "Guess I'm gonna have to get the sewing kit out again..." Braze could already see the other times he had to do just that by looking at how many stitches he had across his hand and lower arm from accidents. Which by the looks of things meant he had alot of accidents. "So... Do I want to know why you been staring at me for how long...? He eyed the box on Braze's hip like it was an explosive Braze was about to chuck at him. Saul just hoped whatever was in there was a gift and not a tool for Braze's revenge.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Saul Whesai

​

Braze looked the damage over with quiet curiosity. He was somewhat surprised to see synth-skin, however.

"You get pretty banged up quite a bit, huh?" he asked in an empathetic tone.

"Do repairs to the skin cost a lot?" he asked, uncertain how much of Saul was flesh and blood, and how much of him was hardware.

At the question that followed, he offered him a smile and moved toward the workbench.

"I wanted to bring you some fruit from the farms back home," he stated simply. "Not sure if you've ever had lychee or loquats before… but there's a fair few of them. Some peaches, cherries, blueberries, and strawberries, too."

He was not certain to what degree Saul could eat food, nor whether he could experience taste, but he presumed the answer was yes from watching how he had added some kind of seasoning to the soup when they first sat down to eat. Sweet fruits were abundant presently, and he did not mind bringing extra to other folks.

"I hope my presence here isn't being a bother," he offered gently, as he picked up the box and balanced it on his hip under one arm. He reached in and took out a pinkish-red, spiked little fruit, offering the lychee up to Saul as if inviting him to try it.

"Have you ever had a lychee before?" he asked gently, seeming very slow and careful with his motions, though his pale jade-green eyes remained entirely on Saul, watching him closely.

 

[Saul Whesai]

The cyborg shrugged as he pulled the glove back on. "Part of the job, you just learn how to live with it. About before you ask, yes, I feel pain, just like anyone else. As for the skin, a full set can be a bit pricey, but I make do with what I have when I can." If the set was so ripped up that it couldn't be salavaged, then yes, Saul would haggle for another pair in whatever blackmarket he stopped at. But for now, just a needle and some thread would be fine.

Saul knew better than to fully trust that smile that Braze had on his face and that the Jedi didn't decide to answer the full question of how long he had been standing there made him raise an eyebrow. And yet he followed Braze over to the workbench because he didn't think the Jedi had fallen so low to want to kill him by whatever was in that box.

Well, whatever he expected to be in there, fruit wasn't one of them. Guess this was Braze's peace offering...? And as much as he wanted to say he didn't want a snapping turtle in his hanger and as much as those angry jade eyes were still in his nightmares, the cyborg decided to synch his mental mask down tight and accept the offering.

Saul reached out and took one the rough lychees out, feeling its spiny skin. "Not yet... I usually just stick to Jogan Fruit and some other things I can find in local markets." He took a pocket knife from his belt and started to peel the skin off, taking a bite out of it. The sweet tart flavor coated over his tastebuds and managed to give him a smile. "Not bad, bet you could use this as an ingredent in something." Something to keep in his mind for later.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Saul Whesai

​

He shook his head gently. Having seen how Saul reacted to the welding spark, Braze had sort of figured he could feel pain, or at least had pain receptors built in. He decided not to draw further attention to it, figuring Saul might have been touchy about it himself, and that the subject was very personal.

Cybernetics and prosthetics had always unsettled Braze in some deep-seated, instinctive way. He didn't think less of the people who needed them, however; he understood that they served a real purpose, and in many cases, a necessary one. It was the thought of metal where flesh should be, nerves replaced by wiring, pain translated through something artificial, that made something small in him recoil with unease.

"People on Veridia ferment lychee juice with rice to make a sort of wine they call sake or soju, usually with sweet flavorings," Braze offered simply. "They have a pit in the center, kind of like a cherry, but you shouldn't try to eat that part," he advised.

"I wanted to come by and see if you were okay… and apologize for what happened last time we met. I may have overreacted. I spent some time thinking about it, and I figure you meant no harm. I think you were just trying to show off your impressive skills. And… I am sorry if I scared you badly enough that you felt you had to run off." His expression softened a little. "I don't hold it against you."

He let that settle for a moment before his tone turned a touch more careful.

"But I do need to be clear about something. Please don't touch my weapons without asking me first. Especially my lightsaber. I don't mind curiosity, and I don't mind questions, but that sort of thing can get dangerous very quickly." Braze's gaze stayed on him, calm rather than accusatory. "Just... Ask me next time, alright?"

 

[Saul Whesai]

"Noted..." Saul couldn't help but wonder if Braze had didn't think he had ate a fruit before. He knew what a pit was atleast. The cyborg didn't totally grow up in the underhive of Coruscant, derived of all fresh fruit and having to make do with holographic treats. "I'm not usually an alcohol person but I'll keep it in mind." Usually his drink of choice was fizzy plug or something along that nature. Alcohol weakened the mind, something that would cost him in a bustling urban environment full of lurking eyes. Being robbed with inebrehated wouldn't be a fun experience.

The Android stayed quiet as Braze apologized, only arching an eyebrow at the "I may have overreacted" in a way that said ironically "No nerfing way, you think so...?". Now where was he to start with this. It took acouple seconds to Saul to spit out what he thought. "I mean... I don't blame you... If someone fleeced my lightsaber right out from under my nose while having zero sleep, I'd be pretty orenry too. I wasn't really trying to show off either. Honestly I was just trying to do something that would move the conversation along." He rubbed the back of his head as he admitted. "We don't have alot in common and I can't exactly talk in depth on things like Jedi politics like you can. And so... party tricks." Party tricks that almost got him detained. The thought of him denying everything as Brase's crew let him towards the brig holding onto both arms did make him let out a small chuckle.

When asked not to touch his lightsaber again without asking, Saul only put his hands up. "Don't worry, I won't. Last thing I need is more of those eyes haunting me in my sleep." Saul considered saying just saying thanks for the fruit and leaving it there but... "Would... you like to get lunch with me...?" It would be nice to have the company in this new place since he was still to meet alot of people. Who knows, maybe if Saul kept to himself, spending time with the Jedi wouldn't be so bad.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Saul Whesai

​

Braze shook his head gently.

"Jedi politics are dry and full of big egos with bigger feelings… not exactly riveting to be a part of, especially when most of the Jedi seem to lack compassion towards one anouther." His mouth tucked faintly at one corner. "I like droids, and I have a minor slicing and programming hobby… does that count as something in common?" he asked lightly.

"I'd consider myself more of a script kitty with enough knowledge to get in trouble," Braze added in a softer note.

"I think I would like that," he agreed.

He wasn't entirely sure what to say about his eyes haunting Saul, so he let that part rest for now.

"What were you thinking of getting?" Braze asked curiously.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul didn't comment on the Jedi politics, even though Braze could see the wheels turning in his head. Great power came with great responsibility, and the title of Jedi was just that, a title. A very convenient title anyone could hide behind, whether or not they had the right intentions.

Braze's being knowledgeable about droids and circuitry made his eyebrow raise. Not seeing it firsthand made Saul think he was making up his liking for mechanical things. You never would have guessed it by looking at him. But then again, not every hacker was a cyborg. Guess he would just have to see for himself.

When Braze asked what they wanted, Saul pointed to a crock pot plugged in the corner of the hanger. "That was going to be my lunch. I got plently." Inside was a large portion of his signature "everything in the pot" gumbo. It would have alittle bit of spice to it but the great Jedi Knight Braze could handle it right?

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Saul Whesai

​

"If you'd like to share, that would be very kind of you." Braze offered gently, presuming it may have been something like a roast, stew, or some kind of soup.

"Would you like my help in any way?" he asked gently. "Oh… here's my assistant, Gidgit. Though sometimes he's more of a nuisance than any help at all, really…"

He reached into a larger pocket and pulled out a small droid, shaking it gently to activate it from sleep mode.

[Gidgit]
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"Hello~ Ohhhhhh~~~ Is this the man with the glowing eyes, boss?"

"Gidgit." Braze warned softly, though there was no real bite in it.

The little droid hovered a fraction higher from Braze’s palm, optic narrowing with a faint mechanical whirr.

[Gidgit]
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"Ohhh. I understand now… you woke me up because you wanted emotional support near the pretty mechanic."

"Gidgit; what did I tell you about private entries?" Braze asked, his voice dropping into something very careful.

The little droid gave a bright, innocent chirp.

[Gidgit]
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"That your journal is private, your crushes are classified, and I am not allowed to create backup copies labeled ‘Evidence.’"

Braze went very still.

"Gidgit."

[Gidgit]
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"Correction: I am not allowed to admit to backup copies labeled ‘Evidence.’"

"That is not better." Braze murmured, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

Gidgit sank a little lower in his hand, though its optic stayed fixed with shameless cheer.

[Gidgit]
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"I am respecting your privacy. I have not mentioned the adjective list."

"Please stop helping." Braze said, a little too quickly.

 

[Saul Whesai]

"Sure, I already made it this morning, but you can help serve it up if you want." Inside the remade crockpot sat a boiling stew filled with romba sausage, Nuna meat in homemade stock, along with all the veggies the Cyborg could stuff in the pot. It was the first time he had tried making the recipe, so hopefully it turned out as good as he thought it would.

Maybe Braze wasn't lying when he said he said he tinkered with electronics. Saul was certainly surprised when he pulled the small disk out of his pocket, and it started to hover on its own in front of him. And he was really surprised when it knew him by appearance. What had Braze really told it?

When "Gidgit" called him pretty, he couldn't help but look around to see if there was someone else in the hangar with them. But no, it was just the three of them. Everyone else was already off taking their lunch. "I don't think I fit that word..." was all he said through the Braze's and his little droids' conversation, utterly bewildered by what he was hearing. Crushes...? When did that come about...?

As Gidgit mentioned that Braze used an adjective list to describe him, Saul didn't know what to do. The only answer was to laugh into his hand at this ridiculousness. "You might as well give me the full story, Gidgit. I usually don't have tea with my meal, but one cup isn't going to kill me. And did Braze design you to dig holes, because you are so spectacular at it? You amaze me." As much as the Android was floored by these new findings, adding fuel to the fire wouldn't hurt. In fact, it would be very entertaining for everyone except the Jedi.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Saul Whesai

​

Braze moved to find bowls and spoons, fetching one for each of them before trying to make sure they both got a good mix. He carried them carefully, searching for a table, or at least some decent place where they could sit and enjoy the meal without balancing everything in their laps.

"Hey—don't answer that," Braze squeaked, his head snapping up the moment he heard what Saul was asking Gidgit.

[Gidgit]
═ ✦ ═══ ✦ ═

"Clarification: I was not designed to dig holes. I was designed to organize data~The holes are a side effect of accuracy~~ Your compliment has been accepted~~~ Good news, Pretty Mechanic: you have been upgraded from 'possible threat' to 'emotionally complicated lunch guest.' I have been instructed not to reveal classified emotional data. Fortunately, no one said anything about heavily implying it.
Boss has mentioned your eyes three times, your hands twice, and your hair twelve times. I believe this is what organics call priorities."

 

[Saul Whesai]

Well, this was a can of worms that was now opened. And Saul kinda wished he had kept it shut as he got more and more uncomfortable, listening to how much Braze had talked about him behind his back. The Cyborg also thought about how easy it was to flip Braze's switch and make the Knight bare his teeth. It was then he needed to end this now for both their sakes.

Rubbing his temples, the Cyborg let out a deep sigh. "Braze... I'm flattered and I find you ascetically pleasing too but I don't think we could work out. Atleast not right now as we are. We are completely different in almost every way. In values, in personalities, in the way we express ourselves. I wouldn't give it a week before we are found straggling each other and tearing each other's hair out. And you saying this as my boss even indirectly behind my back can't help but make me a little uncomfortable... There are just too many red flags between us to ignore. And that's how he truly felt. Who knows, maybe Braze could convince him otherwise someday but for now, it was better that the Android state his position now than experience calamity later.

Saul tried to push past it like it never had happened. "There is a fold-out table in the ready room; I'll go get it." And with that, he went and got it, coming back to set it up in silence, not sure what else there was to say. If Braze decided to stay, this would be the most awkward lunch in existence.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Saul Whesai
Braze’s expression stilled. His gaze lowered for a moment as he gathered himself, then he offered a small nod.

“Oh… okay, then. If I make you uncomfortable, I’ll leave you to it. I’m sorry for interrupting.”

He collected his things without further comment, before picking up the small droid and powering him down.

“You can be assured I won’t trouble you again.”

Braze departed without lingering, leaving Saul to arrange the table in peace and leaving the meal completely un touched.