Private Where the Engines Dream

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

The sounds of the carnival faded with every step. Music dissolved into little more than distant echoes carried on the cool Dantooine breeze, replaced instead by the quieter rhythm of the spaceport after dark. Landing lights blinked across the duracrete, cargo loaders moved lazily between freighters, and the occasional ship lifted into the stars with a low, thunderous rumble.

Nyra walked a half step ahead, still riding the high of the evening. Every so often she caught herself bouncing slightly before forcing herself to slow down, only for the excitement to creep back moments later. The Matsu Ike plushie was tucked under one arm while her other hand held Saul's, fingers loosely intertwined.

"So..." She glanced back over her shoulder, a grin already forming. "I may have oversold this a little." The grin immediately widened. "...Actually, no. I definitely oversold it."

A soft laugh escaped her. "The Drift's fast—really fast—and I've customized her a lot. She might not stand up to military-grade ships, but she's impressive." She hesitated just a fraction, her smile turning a touch sheepish. "My actual engineering knowledge, though... that might be the part I oversold. But only because I really, really like showing people ships."

She stopped beside one of the larger landing pads where her freighter rested beneath the floodlights. The Kairo Drift looked every bit like a ship that spent far more time crossing the galaxy than sitting in pristine hangars. The hull bore the scars of years of travel beneath its distinctive white, magenta, and bronze paint scheme, the panels broken up by sponsor logos and Nyra's unmistakable branding. Powerful engines dominated the stern, oversized for a freighter of its class, while upgraded sensors, communications arrays, and countless custom modifications had gradually transformed what had once been an ordinary light freighter into something uniquely hers.

From the outside it wasn't sleek. It wasn't luxurious. It certainly wasn't subtle. It was practical, fast, comfortable, and impossible to mistake for anyone else's. Nyra's expression softened into unmistakable pride. "There she is." For a moment she simply admired the ship herself. "I've filmed aboard hundreds of ships over the years." Her eyes lingered on the familiar hull. "Some prettier than this one. Some newer. Some that probably cost more than entire cities." She smiled to herself. "But this one..."

She looked back toward Saul. "This one's home." She started up the boarding ramp, pausing near the entrance rather than disappearing inside immediately. "I should probably warn you now." One finger lifted dramatically. "I can talk about engines for... probably an unhealthy amount of time." Another finger joined it. "I have opinions about reactor tuning." A third. "And thrust-vector geometry."

She lowered her hand with an embarrassed laugh. "I mean—you're the engineer, so you probably know way more than I do." Her cheeks pinked slightly. "I just... really love this stuff." A brief pause. "So you definitely don't have to pretend to be impressed."

She smiled, a little sheepish. "...Though I might still be a little disappointed if you're not interested." The teasing smile returned before she stepped into the warmly lit interior.

The ship immediately felt lived in rather than merely occupied. The common area balanced comfort with function. A compact galley sat opposite a cozy lounge where camera gear and recording equipment were neatly stowed in custom-built compartments. Shelves displayed travel souvenirs collected from worlds across the galaxy, while soft magenta accent lighting gave the space a welcoming warmth that contrasted with the utilitarian bulkheads. It was equal parts home, office, studio, and transport.

Nyra gently set the Matsu Ike plushie onto one of the lounge seats. "You stay here." She pointed at it with mock seriousness. "No trying to steal the ship."

After giving the plushie a satisfied nod, she looked back toward Saul with a quiet laugh. "I suppose the grand tour should probably start where my priorities clearly are." She gestured toward the corridor leading aft. "The engines." There wasn't even the slightest hesitation. "They're my favorite part."

 

[Saul Whesai]

This woman really didn't tire out. The Cyborg tried his best to keep up while admiring his exictable new partner. Saul was happy that she was this excited, though. It meant that he hadn't disappointed her yet.

When she tried to apologize, Saul held his hand up to stop her as he smiled that big grin of his. "It's okay, I don't mind having any excited tour guide who loves her work, especially a smoking hot one I can kiss at any time". And Nyra was right; her ship certainly was impressive. His eyes couldn't help but look at the massive engines that gave the ship thrust, only wondering what kind of speed they could put out. And his guess was a lot. Everything about this ship seemed to represent her, the colors and logos. Even the engines seemed to match her energy.

Maybe the ship wasn't luxurious, but it certainly knew what it was and what it wasn't. That was something Saul could admire. It was a hot rod that could outrun anything. What caught Saul's attention more was his date saying that she had filmed hundreds of ships. At 22, he wondered how she could have been aboard so many in such a short time. Had she owned all of them? The Cyborg knew this streaming stuff must be profitable for her to be out on her own like this, but not buy a new ship every week profitable. Still, it seemed like their stories were similar in more ways than one.

As Nyra stopped on the ramp, Saul's arms laced around her as she apologized and jabbered on about how they didn't have to share the same interests. Finally, Saul just put a finger to her lips and said, "I love that you're interested in your ship, and I want to hear every rant you can give just because I get to spend time with you. So yes, I'll be interested in your ship's engine output as much as you are." Only after the Cyborg made sure she understood he was happy just to be here with her did he let her go. Saul had to show her the love the Streamer needed after all.

If this was his ship, this is how he would set it up. Except without all the camera equipment and a different shade of mood lighting. "Comfy..." Saul couldn't help but grin as he looked on as she put her plushie in her place. He gently put his Zeltron plush next to it to hers to give it some company. "Have fun you two." As Nyra gestured her way to the engines like a little kid wanting to show offher new toy, the Cybrog just shook his head, chuckling as he let her pull him along. Right now, Saul couldn't think of anything better.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra's cheeks immediately warmed at Saul's casual mention of kissing her. A bright giggle escaped before she could stop it. "Oh? So that's how I'll know the tour is getting boring?" She looked back over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. "You'll just interrupt me so we can make out for a little while?" Another laugh followed, light and musical, as she gave his hand a playful squeeze. "I'll have to keep an eye out for that."

She barely had time to recover before Saul's arms settled comfortably around her. The embrace drew an instinctive smile from her lips. It was surprising how quickly it had begun to feel... natural. Comfortable. Like she'd known exactly where she belonged the moment he slipped his arm around her. Then his finger rested gently against her lips. Nyra stopped speaking immediately.

She blinked up at him with wide, innocent brown eyes, patiently listening as he assured her that he genuinely wanted to hear every rambling thought she had about her ship simply because it meant spending more time with her. By the time he finished, her smile had softened into something warmer than before. She nodded once.

"Okay." The single word came quietly, but there was unmistakable happiness behind it. "Then I won't hold back." The grin returned almost immediately. "You might regret saying that after the first twenty minutes."

Inside the ship, she watched Saul carefully place his Zeltron plush beside the Matsu Ike plush. Nyra clasped both hands together against her chest. "Aww..." She giggled. "I hope they don't start conspiring against us." She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the pair. "They've got that look."

With one final amused glance at the stuffed duo, she happily led Saul deeper into the ship. The corridor gradually narrowed as the ambient lighting shifted from the warm comfort of the living space to the cleaner illumination of the engineering section. The steady heartbeat of the engines became more noticeable here—a deep, reassuring hum that resonated gently through the deck plating.

Nyra visibly brightened the moment the engine room came into view. Unlike the rest of the ship, engineering bore the unmistakable signs of constant tinkering. Access panels had been opened and resealed countless times, labels had been neatly replaced with handwritten notes, and several maintenance tools sat organized on a nearby workbench. The massive hyperdrive assembly occupied the center of the compartment while the paired sublight engines stretched aft, surrounded by an intricate web of conduits, cooling manifolds, and power regulators.

She spread her arms dramatically. "My favorite room." There was genuine affection in her voice. "So, officially..." she began, stepping toward one of the engine housings, "...the Drift uses a custom twin-engine configuration built around heavily modified NX-77 drives."

She glanced back at Saul. "They're not the biggest engines you can buy, and they're definitely not military surplus." Her smile widened. "But they're ridiculously efficient." She rested a hand against the polished housing. "I commissioned them from a little engineering company on Brentaal. Tiny operation. They mostly built racing components and experimental civilian engines."

Nyra chuckled. "They thought I was completely insane when I walked in asking for 'the fastest thing that'll still let me haul camera equipment.'" She shrugged innocently. "They did it anyway."

Her fingers lightly traced one of the coolant lines. "They completely redesigned the thrust-vector assemblies, upgraded the cooling systems, and helped rebalance the power distribution so the hyperdrive wouldn't throw a tantrum every time I pushed the sublights."

She looked back toward Saul, smiling with unmistakable pride. "She's still just a freighter." Her hand gave the engine housing a gentle pat. "But she can surprise a lot of ships that think they're faster."

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul couldn't help but like this girl more and more. "Or maybe I just can't help thinking about these wonderful lips of yours. Enough that I can't resist." A mischievous grin spread to his face as he absentmindedly traced her luscious lips with his finger. It would take him a while to get used to having someone else who wanted to be around him, but he really wanted her to open up to him, and what better way than to talk about something they both loved.

The Cyborg just smirked at her as the streamer said that he would regret letting her go on and on about what she loved. "Ehh, I don't think so. Now if you keep me in a crawl space for twenty minutes, showing me where every individual powerline goes to. That's when I might regret it." And so, he let her go inside, the only part he was regretting right now being letting her go.

Well, the pulshies did look cute together; that was true. His mind went back to Nyra's relieved face when he had chosen the Zeltron. IT was a bad time to tell her he was bi, right? "Hey, you never know, maybe it's for a good cause." But with those blank stares... Nyra was right to be afraid.

As happy as being in the engine room made Nyra, the cyborg was surprised she didn't keep her bedroom back here. But the handwritten notes, the handwritten notes... Saul thought they were cuter than the plushies. They showed how much care the chocolate gal had put into the bird. Putting his hand on the hyperdrive's shell, he felt it happily pulse only as something that was well taken care of could do. "You keeping these things happy is way more impressive than the engines themselves." It took an insane amount of effort to keep a ship like this running, and he couldn't help but admire her for the sweat she had put into this system. Who knows, maybe he could help her get it even faster.

Saul had a hard time shoving an image of her in just workers' overalls out of his head when Nyra said the line about the fastest thing that could still haul camera equipment. That made him chuckle a bit. "Hey, if it works, it works. And I can't wait to get to know this girl more as you introduce me to your marriage." Those probably weren't the right words, but Nyra certainly talked like she was married to this ship. He was just the stranger she potentially wanted to share her treasure with.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra's breath caught for just a moment as Saul's finger lightly traced her lips. She gave a helpless little shrug, as though there simply wasn't anything she could do about the situation. A teasing smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I don't know..." Her eyes met his. "There really does seem to be some mysterious force pulling our mouths together."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "It might not be boredom after all." A quiet giggle escaped her. "Maybe it's just... nature's forces acting." Her smile lingered for another heartbeat before she finally turned back toward the engine compartment.

"Oh, don't worry." She waved a dismissive hand toward the maze of conduits and cable bundles disappearing behind access panels. "I'm not going to start explaining every power conduit and signal relay."

She looked back at him over her shoulder. "Hopefully you'll be the one making sense of all that if something decides to stop working." A grin spread across her face. "That's what engineers are for, right?"

When Saul defended the plushies, Nyra narrowed her eyes suspiciously toward the pair sitting together back in the lounge, as though they might somehow overhear them from several compartments away. "A good cause?" She folded her arms dramatically. "No cause is good enough to steal my ship." She paused. "...Especially not my ship." The dramatic expression only lasted another second before it dissolved into another laugh.

Watching Saul inspect the engine room made her smile in a quieter way. His appreciation wasn't focused solely on the performance figures or custom hardware. He noticed the care. The handwritten notes. The little reminders she'd left herself over the years. The fact that everything was clean—not showroom clean, but maintained by someone who genuinely loved keeping it running. His compliment earned a surprisingly bashful smile. "Thanks."

Her fingertips brushed across one of the annotated maintenance panels. "I don't actually do everything myself." She chuckled. "I know enough to keep her healthy between inspections, swap components, run diagnostics, and handle the basic maintenance." She gave the engine housing an affectionate pat. "But when something gets really complicated..."

Nyra feigned being ashamed not to know it all. "...that's where I'd probably end up calling a maintenance droid." Another thought struck her. "Although..." She looked back toward Saul. "I might cut back on the maintenance droids if it'll keep you around to help me make any adjustments that are required." The innocent expression she wore made it abundantly clear she knew exactly how that sounded. "...Strictly for engineering purposes, of course."

The word marriage earned an immediate laugh. "What?" Nyra shook her head, curls bouncing. "Oh no, no, no." She rested both hands on the engine housing as though reassuring it. "The Drift and I are definitely not married."

She looked at the ship for a moment before grinning back at Saul. "We're more like..." She hummed thoughtfully. "...BFFs. There isn't even the slightest bit of romance there."

Her grin grew mischievous. "I don't think she'd appreciate me bringing dates aboard if we were." She tapped the hull twice with her knuckles. "She's very supportive." Her laughter echoed softly through the compartment before she finally pushed herself away from the engines.

"So..." She rocked lightly back onto her heels. "We can keep nerding out over the mechanical bits if you'd like." She gestured toward the corridor leading forward through the ship. "Or I can show you the less technical parts." A playful smile returned to her face. "The choice is yours."

 

[Saul Whesai]

Whatever this mysterious force was, thank the ones who created it because Saul didn't think he could go without it now. At the talk about it not being boring just made him chuckle and shake his head. "I didn't think it was that boring. You are acting as if you're enjoying it so much that you don't want me to stop." And she kept looking at him with that smirk; maybe he wouldn't.

It wasn't that Saul wasn't interested in finding out what made this ship tick, but he could figure that out without Nyra being beside him later on (with her permission). But right now, he was focused on getting to know her, and what he was figuring out was that this woman was even sillier, sassier, and more teasing than the Cyborg was, and that was saying something. Even Saul didn't think he could have thought up those jokes about the dolls even if he tried. He could add to them, though. "And yet we are probably putting them on a shelf in your bedroom, aren't we?" Because having them hatch plots while watching her (and hopefully them) sleep was so much better.

He smiled back as he let her lead her into the ship's engineering space. "I guess that's one of the reasons you should keep me around, yes." He was sure they could find plenty of other ones together if they wanted. Like the way it was cute when she smiled, and her little dimples poked out. "Anytime. Just doing my job of keeping that smile on your face." And it was the best career move he had ever made.

The Cyborg had guessed that she hadn't done everything by herself. Just that she knew enough to do the ship's basic maintenance was a credit to her. And here he thought that Nyra just knew enough about technology to turn her camera to stream on and off. Okay, not really, but you could see where Saul was going with this train of thought. Most people not in the starship field didn't know a thing about them, but here she was, keeping her own bird flying.

Saul contuined to glance around as he talked. "I might have to give my resume to that company one day." Because they sure built things to last. And that was all he was about to say till she started to tease him about making any adjustments, making him raise an eyebrow. It took him "I don't know, depends what you are going to pay me with." If it was kisses and affection, the Cyborg might just sign on the bottom line for that.

Nyra's laugh was quickly joined by his own as she corrected the record. BFF's... that made sense. They both seemed to support each other like friends atleast. Saul tried to let her see his way of thinking. "I mostly just said that so I could say to your friends you swiped right on me because my eyes remind you of the color of the insides of "The Drifts" hyperdrive." The thought would certainly make her friends laugh, espessially if they had close his sense of humor.

When Nyra came off the wall of the engine room and stepped forward, saying what the tour options were, all Saul could think was "Oh you aren't getting off that easily". Without a hesitation, Saul came forward and interrupted her by gently pushing her back against the wall. Before she knew it, one of his hands was holding the taller women's arms by the wrists above her head and the other hand planted on her hip, whispering as soft as a breeze in her ear. "I don't know... Maybe I should get some zipties from your workstation and cuff you to one of the pipes. Then I could see just how this ship ticks while you are helpless to do anything but watch..." His hand traveled up her side before resting on her cheek, saying as a promise, "Every single inch..." before leaning in to give her a ghost of kiss, one she would have trouble figuring out if it happened or not. After that, Saul had pulled away like he didn't just set a bomb off. But hey, if Nyra was going to try tease him, she must know he was going to give it back ten times harder. Besides, most women like strong male leads like in Lady Velvet, didn't they? And Saul was certainly going to try to sweep her off her feet.

Grinning from ear to ear like the naughty imp he was, Saul tried to keep a straight face as he said. "The less technical parts sound interesting. I don't know if your bedrooms going to be a mess or if youre a clean freak." Now that was going to a fun scientific question to answer. Saul was betting she was one to have all her pulses in exact order but he was just going to have to wait and see.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra rolled her eyes in exaggerated defeat before a laugh bubbled free. "If you keep distracting me..." She pointed accusingly at him. "...the tour is definitely not happening." Despite the warning, she couldn't stop smiling. "Which, admittedly, might not be the worst outcome." Her cheeks flushed just enough to betray how much she enjoyed his attention.

His theory about the plushies lurking on a shelf in her bedroom earned another amused snort. "They'd need my passwords first." She folded her arms with mock confidence. "The Drift is very secure." Then she paused. "...Well, mostly." Her grin widened. "As long as they stay out of the cockpit, I think we're safe."

When Saul so casually volunteered to keep the Drift running, Nyra's expression softened. She hadn't really expected anything less. He loved ships. She loved ships. Of course he'd be happy to tinker with one he already seemed to admire. "I had a feeling you'd say that." She smiled warmly. "I appreciate it."

At the mention of payment, however, her smile turned decidedly more mischievous. "Oh?" She gave him a slow wink. "I somehow doubt I'd be spending very many credits."

Then came his explanation about her swiping right because his eyes reminded her of the Drift's hyperdrive. For half a second she simply stared. Then she burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter. She leaned sideways into his shoulder, unable to stay upright as she laughed harder than she had all evening. "Oh..." She wiped at the corner of one eye. "That is terrible." Another giggle escaped. "...and honestly, my friends would probably believe it."

She finally looked up at him, still smiling. "But..." Her voice softened. "Believe it or not..." She reached up and gently touched his cheek. "...your eyes are prettier." Before she could overthink it, she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss against his cheek.

She had only just gathered herself enough to continue the tour. "So, next up—" A surprised little huff escaped her as the world suddenly shifted. Her back met the bulkhead. Her wrists were gently—but firmly—held above her head. Nyra blinked. Her heart skipped. Then started beating noticeably faster.

She looked down at Saul with wide, innocent eyes as he leaned close enough for his voice to brush against her ear. The whisper alone sent a shiver down her spine. She had expected teasing. She had not expected...

...this. The thought of being helpless while he calmly inspected every inch of the ship should have sounded ridiculous. Instead...Her breathing grew just a little heavier. Stars. Why was that...

...so attractive? She swallowed as his hand slowly traced its way upward before resting against her cheek. When he leaned in, Nyra honestly couldn't tell if their lips had touched. She wanted to think they had. She wasn't entirely sure. And before she could decide...

He stepped away. A disappointed groan escaped her before she could stop it. "...You're evil." She exhaled slowly, trying—and mostly failing—to steady her breathing.

Saul, meanwhile, looked entirely too pleased with himself. Nyra narrowed her eyes. "You absolutely planned that." Her voice was playful, but there was no hiding the warmth in her face. She quietly wondered if he'd realized just how much she'd enjoyed his little demonstration. If he had...She wasn't ready to let him know. Not yet.

When he mentioned seeing whether her bedroom was spotless or chaotic, Nyra laughed nervously. "Actually..." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I think maybe..." She glanced toward the corridor leading to the crew quarters before very deliberately looking somewhere else. "...my bedroom can wait." Her smile became a touch sheepish.

"I'm somewhere comfortably between clean freak and total slob." She shrugged. "I'd have absolutely no problem showing it to company." A beat passed. "But..."

Her stomach chose that exact moment to remind her she'd spent the evening on carnival food and adrenaline. "...I think I want a snack first." She pointed toward the forward corridor. "C'mon. I'll show you the galley."

She smiled over her shoulder as she started walking. "Besides…If I'm going to survive any more of your distractions..." She shot him another knowing glance. "...I'm going to need something to eat first."

 

[Saul Whesai]

At the mention of being distracting, Saul only wiggled his eyebrows as the biggest grin spread over his face. He willingly took the blame for them not being able to start the tour. "Hey, I'm only just standing here. You are just finding it too hard not to look at and reply to me." The Cyborg left it at that, grinning like a man in love as he watched the redness in her cheeks only grow as they kept on rolling, something not even evil plushies could stop.

Nyra was right; she would not be spending credits if she used Saul for her ship work. She would be paying in... other ways... And apparently one of those was almost dying of laughter as Saul watched her self-destruct into laughter, wondering if his jokes were going to make her throw her back out. His arm wrapped around her as he tried to keep her upright, smirking to himself. "I would believe it, knowing what I know about you." When those chocolate eyes looked back up at him, his heart started to race in a way he had never expected. And as she kissed his cheek, the only thought that crossed his mind was that he wanted more. More kisses, more embraces, and bringing of more special moments with Nyra. Now that Saul had experienced them, the Cyborg would have a hard time living without them

Saul didn't know how Nyra was going to take being restrained on the first date, but her reaction was promising. Saul could only laugh his ass off as hard as she did when she groaned in disappointment. "Sounds to me like you were expecting me to do something naughty. Why would I do that on a first date? But at least I know more about you than you wanted me to know." At the mention of his being evil, he only shook his head, leaning against the other wall for support as he tried to keep his balance and get the words out. "Did I say I was innocent in my profile? Or I had a halo? No, I can be an imp sometimes, and it looks like you love every time I show it as much as you want to deny it."

After a couple of minutes, the Cyborg came up to her, holding her stomach to make sure she was breathing right. "That's it, in and out. Take as much time as you need." Avoiding the entire fact that he was the cause of her heavy breathing in the first place. "And no, I didn't plan that. I just gave you what your deepest desires are. In fact, I bet you were telling your chat yesterday while you were streaming..." In between the giggles, Saul tried to mimic her high-pitched voice, acting like she was talking to an audience. "Well, chat, I have a date with this cute cyberboy with blue eyes that look into my soul and purple hair tomorrow that I met on Zinder. I wonder how it's going to go. I hope he makes me laugh and we have a great time." He pretended to play with his imaginary curly hair as he admitted. Hopefully he's a good kisser... I can't help but imagine him pushes me against the wall and lays a hot one on me. I also hope he has that bad boy energy, you know, when he just gives you the smolder, and you melt inside. Stepping forward while looking her straight in the eyes, he continued to monologue, whispering hot and heavy with their faces inches apart. "Yeah, I want a bad boy from the books I read that knows what he wants." And the way he laid a kiss on her mouth, this time making her feel it, she would definitely feel that the Cyborg wanted him with all of his heart.

By the time they parted, and the temperature between them had come down from "so hot I'm a puddle on the floor" to a manageable level, his stomach suddenly remembered that it hadn't eaten anything today expet the small snack baggies provided on the shuttle ride. The rumble that resulted filled the chamber was like that of an earthquake. Saul couldn't help but look at his stomach (or lack of it) like it was a traitor before giving in. "Yeah, I guess I could go for something too..." And so he let Nyra lead him away with her knowing glances, hoping she was an okay cook and wasn't planning on become a black widow by food posioning. Now wouldn't that be a way to go.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra's face warmed all over. He noticed. Stars, of course he noticed. Her eyes darted away for a second as she tried—and failed—to hide the growing blush spreading across her cheeks. The image of being pinned against the bulkhead lingered far longer than she wanted to admit. She had expected him to do something naughty. Worse...She'd wanted him to.

"...Maybe." Her answer came out far quieter than the teasing confidence she normally carried. "But it is a first date." She looked back up at him with a sheepish smile. "So... way too fast." Even if her heart disagreed. Even if every instinct she'd had in that moment had wanted him to keep going.

She tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "I..." A small laugh escaped her. "I like when you push the limits." Her dimples appeared as she smiled. "Just... maybe not all the way over them."

His claim about knowing her deepest desires earned an exaggerated scoff. "Oh really?" Her grin slowly became positively mischievous. "And you think you've figured me out already?" She folded her arms. "There are a lot of deepest desires left for you to discover, mister." The playful confidence returned to her voice. "I wouldn't get too comfortable."

Then came his dramatic reenactment of her supposedly talking to chat. Nyra stared. Completely stone-faced. For nearly three whole seconds. "...Absolutely not."

She shook her head with complete conviction. "I would never discuss my dating life." Another shake. "And I most certainly would never admit to having a Zinder profile on some holochat." She pointed a finger squarely at him. "So whatever fictional streamer you've been watching..." She gave her head a dramatic shake. "...wasn't me." The corners of her mouth twitched. "...Probably." She couldn't quite suppress the smile. His impression had been annoyingly entertaining.

Then another thought occurred to her. "Wait!" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How is it you think you know what kind of books I read?" She tilted her head. "Is there something you're trying to tell me?"

His kiss lingered just long enough afterward to leave her smiling like an idiot as they continued toward the galley. Compared to the rest of the Drift, the space was... underwhelming. Functional. Compact. A small table folded neatly into one wall. Storage cabinets occupied most of the remaining space, and the autocook was easily the largest appliance in the room.

Nyra spread her arms dramatically. "I know…So glamorous." She laughed. "I don't really cook. There isn't much point when it's usually just me aboard." She tapped a control on the autocook. "One bowl of buttered puff kernels." The machine chirped cheerfully before beginning its work.

A few moments later it produced a warm bowl filled with fluffy, lightly seasoned popped grain that smelled pleasantly buttery with just a hint of spice. Nyra stole the first handful before hopping up onto the edge of the counter. She swung one leg idly while munching contentedly. "Mmm." She held the bowl toward Saul. "Come here, you have to help me finish it."

She waited until he was beside her before offering another handful. After another bite, she looked over at him. "So..." She hesitated just a minute. The risque joking that had gone on all date made her wonder if she should really be asking. But…"Do you actually have somewhere to stay tonight?"

She gave a small shrug. "I've got a spare guest room." A few of the rooms were designed to be guest rooms, but one was set up as her filming studio and another was her office for editing and such. The last was a closet for the samples and marketing items that sponsors sent her that she didn’t use regularly, and it had a bed. "My sponsors keep sending me men's clothing samples for promotions." She rolled her eyes affectionately. "I guess they assume male guests are more common than they actually are." She gave a shrug. "They're mostly oversized shirts and athletic shorts with logos all over them."

She smiled. "If you want, you can borrow some, get comfortable..." Her tone remained casual, though there was a hopeful warmth behind it. "...and we could just watch a holo or something until we're both tired." She popped another piece into her mouth before adding with a grin, "It'd be a shame to end the night already. And I’d love to see you again in the morning."

 

[Saul Whesai]

It was hard not to notice whenever Nyra blushed. Then again, it was hard for Saul not to notice and enjoy every little sign she presented. Her voice turning softer told him just how embarrassed she was that she actually enjoyed his intentions. Even if she said otherwise.

When she said that he was going a little bit too fast, Saul only playfully sighed. "Fine, the pink fuzzy cuffs will stay in my bag." He was joking, of course. He was lucky Nyra even let him on the ship, let alone tolerated him. And he wasn't going to risk losing her if he pressed his luck.

The smirk on his face only grew as he walked up to her. "Yes, really. Or at least a little bit. I know you want someone..." His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her in so their bodies fit together like puzzle pieces, his neon eyes looking directly into hers. "who is bold. Who makes life worth living. Who makes your blood boil but you can't live without. So yes, I know a little about your type." He couldn't help but grin as he pulled away. It was so much fun, stringing each other along. "But I can't wait for you to show me every one." Now that he was sure about.

Seeing her face go from smiling to a wall of stone, Saul worried that he had gone too far. Till he saw her mouth turn up mid-rant; that was always a good sign. She was right, of course. Giving away your personal information like that probably wasn't the best. "Yeah, wrong example. I should have said your diary. But... if there is a video out there, I hope you know I expect royalties." And by the way the Cyborg said it, they weren't the monetary kind. Who knows if he meant in snuggles or something else.

When she asked how he knew what books she read, he only shrugged. "Just a guess based on what I think your type is." She probably was the type of woman to swoon over the dark, broody types. Or maybe he was making it all up in his head for fun. Yeah, probably the second one.

Unlike Nyra, as they entered the kitchen, there was not a smile on Saul's face when he saw the conditions. Staring at the Autocooker like it was his worst enemy, the Cyborg wondered if there would be any pots or pans in this kitchen he could cook with or would have to take apart the autocooker to make some. As the Autocooker popped out the bowl of kernels, Saul couldn't help but think, "How is she in this good of shape while eating this junk?". Still, he decided to be a polite guest and take a handful as he leaned against the counter. Throwing a couple back into his mouth and giving him a taste, he decided that it wasn't that bad a taste... just... industrial. At least it was better than the stuff that he put in his mouth from dumpsters of Denon.

Thankfully, Nyra's voice brought him back to the present. Her asking him if he wanted to stay overnight actually surprised him. Sure, they had got on well but... "I have a motel room where I stored my overnight bags. It's somewhere to sleep at least." It wasn't anywhere as nice as the living quarters of her starship, but it would have done if the date went south. Which it still might if she got fed up with him and his antics.

Saul listened as she said her piece, taking in the hope on her face as she said she would love to see him in the morning. The Cyborg was still unconvinced it was the best move, though. "Sure you don't want your own space after dealing with the evil machine man all day?" It was an honest question. He sure wouldn't so freely invite a stranger into his home. Then again, he was wary of most people.

Well, you couldn't really blame the companies, could you? Nyra would have a line of suitors and partners out the door if thats the path she had chosen. Being successful had the effect of bringing all the cockroaches out. Still, Mr. Glowing Eyes managed to crack a smile as he asked her, "And how do I know those clothes aren't from all of your Ex-Lovers? You probably stripped them down while they were sleeping and tossed them out the airlock. You probably even sniff them afterwards to remember your kills." Was he right? Of course not, but it was fun to play hard to get. He would probably cave if Nyra started to use her charms and if he got to use the refresher to get the man stink from today off. Who knows, maybe he would even enjoy the holo the woman picked out to watch.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Carnival outfit
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra laughed, shaking her head as she looked him up and down. "The pink fuzzy kind?" She folded her arms with an amused grin. "I really didn't picture you going for those." Her smile widened. "I was imagining something... considerably less fluffy."

The thought lingered for another second before her curiosity got the better of her. She tilted her head. "Now I'm wondering..." Her chocolate eyes searched his glowing blue ones. "Were you describing yourself back there because you were hoping that would work on me..." She stepped just a little closer. "...or is that genuinely what you think I want?"

She hummed thoughtfully. "The funny thing is..." Her voice softened. "I'm not entirely sure what I want." She looked at him for a long moment before smiling. "I am sure I want to find out where this goes with you."

Her fingers absently played with the edge of the snack bowl. "And..." She shrugged. "There's a part of me that thinks having someone soft and sensitive wouldn't be so bad either." Her eyes drifted back to his. "So maybe my type isn't as simple as you think."

She paused, remembering the way he'd held her against the bulkhead only moments before. "...Though I will admit..." A pleasant shiver ran subtly down her spine. "What you said did make my spine tingle." Her grin returned.

"A lady never reveals all of her secret desires." She gave him a playful wink. "And I'm fairly certain spending time around you is going to create a few new ones."

His guess about a diary made her blink. "...Maybe." She tried very hard to look casual. "There... might be a video diary hidden somewhere on the Drift." Her shoulders lifted innocently. "Beneath several layers of encryption." She smiled sweetly. "It's just for me. Not for views. Not for sponsors. Not for credits." She held his gaze just long enough for the meaning behind her innocent expression to become unmistakable. Please don't go looking for it.

As they wandered through the galley, Nyra found herself watching Saul more than the room. He was looking around. Really looking. At the autocook. The cupboards. The lack of... well... anything resembling an actual cook's kitchen. She couldn't quite tell what he was thinking. Was he disappointed? The question quietly lodged itself in the back of her mind. I'll ask him later.

Hearing that he already had a motel room waiting gave her a surprisingly strong feeling of disappointment. "Oh." The single syllable escaped before she could dress it up. She recovered quickly enough, smiling again. "Well..."

She rubbed her legs nervously. "That is a perfectly reasonable backup plan." Then she noticed his hesitation. His concern about overstaying. About imposing. Her smile softened. "You know..."

She pointed at him with one finger. "My offer still stands." She emphasized the next two words dramatically. "The guest room." Her grin betrayed just how much she hoped he'd accept anyway. "I promise I'm not trying to kidnap you."

His ridiculous accusation about collecting former lovers' clothes earned another burst of laughter. She looked down at the outfit he was still wearing. "I mean..." She gestured toward his dusty work clothes. "Considering you've spent the whole day walking around in those..." She wrinkled her nose dramatically. "...you're actually kind of lucky."

Before he could protest, she tucked the bowl of puffed kernels beneath one arm, reached over with her free hand, and intertwined her fingers with his. "C'mon." With an enthusiastic tug, she led him back through the central lounge before stopping outside a compact guest cabin.

The room was simple but comfortable. A neatly made bed occupied one wall while several stacked crates labeled with various sponsor logos filled another corner, each containing promotional clothing, accessories, and unopened sample products waiting for future campaigns.

Nyra pointed toward the closet. "Help yourself. Whatever fits is yours to wear tonight." She nodded toward a second door. "'Fresher's through there." She took a small step backward toward the lounge. "I'm gonna go change myself, then I’ll meet you on the couch." She smiled warmly. "And..."

Her tone became reassuring. "You're free to leave whenever you want. I won't be offended." A mischievous sparkle returned to her eyes. "You're safe for now." She paused just long enough to let him wonder. "I never vent a guy until the third date. When I get what I want"

Unable to keep a straight face, she dissolved into another laugh before disappearing back toward the lounge with the bowl tucked under her arm. There she placed the bowl down and went off to her own room to get more comfy for the night as well.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Now the thought of her imagining something else made Saul raise an eyebrow while the smirk grew even wider. "Oh...? What did you imagine exactly?" Not that he thought she was going to tell him. It probably was one of those things she shut into her diary, never to see the light of day.

When Nyra asked what his intentions were with stating her type, the Cyborg just shrugged as he let her step in closer to study him. "Mostly just having fun with what I think you want." Her not knowing what she wanted made sense. Hell, he didn't even know what he wanted. "I'm the same. This is my first real chance at love, and all I know is that I want to give it a try. You being physically attractive is just a coincidence."

The man couldn't help but smirk as he stole a handful from her bowl, trying his best to think up a response to what she had just said. "We all have different bottles we want filled at different times. That's what makes us sentient creatures. As for soft and sensitive..." Soft he could be maybe, but sensitivity... Knowing his previous lapses, that was something Saul needed to work on. "What I can say is that I'll do myself to be worthy of your attention." It was probably the best and most true promise Nyra was going to get.

At the mention of making her spine tingle, he leaned in, leaving a trail of kisses along her jaw while they were close in height, whispering. "Glad to know my ability to seduce isn't just in my head and that I haven't been led wrong by the romance books and shows on the holoweb I sometimes browse through." Was it embarrassing that he had just spoken that he had watched romance shows out loud? Yes, absolutely, and Nyra would notice a redness in his cheeks as soon as he realized what he had just said. Maybe being drunk on love was a real thing. Either way, Saul put on a smile as he tried to save himself. "All I can hope is that those desires are fun for both of us." And if he had his way, surely they would be.

He really had a good sense of guessing, didn't he? Maybe he should be doing crosswords more often. Her halfway admitting that she did have a diary while she squirmed out of the question made him chuckle. "Well, if there was a video diary on board, I might just crack it for fun. And only see the parts where I'm mentioned, of course. But because I actually want to keep you happy, I guess I'll have to settle for you actually tell me instead of knowing what bounces around inside your head." She was right, of course; everyone had to have their own private place. His was whatever work he could put himself into that made him forget all of his troubles, and hers was that diary to never be seen by human eyes other than hers.

He didn't mind the setup of the kitchen that much. At least it was just more than one camp stove. Still, if the Cyborg was going to stay on this ship 24/7, he certainly was going to have to make this kitchen more lived in. Which was apparently what Nyra wanted if she had her way. And it was clear to him that she was going to get her way, whatever Saul thought about staying aside. And so, he went with the flow, trying not to imagine the waterfall at the end. That was what having positivity was all about, right?

While at least until Nyra's snarky remarks about his outfit brought him back down to Earth. Saul tried his best to look annoyed at her pointing out he should be glad to have an outfit change. "Not everyone needs to be a fashion model, and the last time I checked, you never messaged me with any dress code. But if dressing me up gets me another date, I'll allow it." He was almost too busy in his mock anger to feel her fingers slip into his before she led him away, into the unknown.

When they got to the guestroom, Saul took a second to breathe and look around while she gave him a mini grand tour. The bed looked comfy at least. And less bug-infested than the hotels. When Nyra finished talking and went to leave, Saul was about to tell her thanks when she said, "I never vent a guy until the third date. When I get what I want," in a type of way that made his toes curl. The Cyborg couldn't tell you if it was a good or bad feeling, but it certainly made his heart pound.

And so, that's how he found himself sitting on the couch waiting for her in an athletic T-Shirt that felt more like a dress and shorts he had to pull up ever so often to look like they fit. Because apparently, the company's on her sponsor list thought Nyra was more attracted to tall, strong men than little shrimpy people so thin with ribs sticking out that they looked like they came out of a POW camp. But at least he was clothed with his day clothes in the wash to wear tomorrow. And he had a woman who he liked very much about to come back out to watch a movie with him. Or at least he would be when she stopped watching footage of him showering from the hidden camera she had in the guest bathroom. A serial killer had to fuel their fantasies after all.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Comfy PJs
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra's eyes danced with amusement as Saul raised his eyebrow. "Oh?" She giggled. "You were the one who mentioned zip ties earlier." She folded her arms with mock confidence. "But now..."

She pointed at him. "I'm holding you to the pink fuzzy ones." A mischievous smile spread across her face. "No changing your story now."

His admission that he was mostly just guessing at what she wanted drew another soft laugh. "I figured." She nudged him lightly with her shoulder. "But if we're making guesses..."

Her grin became knowing. "I know exactly what you want." She tapped her chin dramatically before looking him up and down. "Someone adventurous." She counted off on her fingers. "Chocolate skin." Another finger. "A great body." She gave him a playful wink.

"I think we're doing just a little projecting there."

When he stumbled ever so slightly over the words soft and sensitive, Nyra couldn't help but notice. She wondered which part had tripped him up. The soft? Or the sensitive? It was oddly...cute.

Then he looked her in the eyes and promised he would do his best to be worthy of her attention. The sincerity behind it melted her teasing smile into something gentler. She leaned comfortably against him. "Don't worry." Her voice was quiet. "You've already got my attention." She smiled up at him. "I just can't promise these eyes won't wander a little bit too." She shrugged innocently. "I expect nothing less from you, either."

The trail of kisses along her jaw stole the next breath from her lungs. She instinctively held it for just a heartbeat, savoring the warmth of each one before slowly letting it out again. Stars...He really was good at this.

Far better than she'd expected someone on a first date to be. She was going to have to be careful. Because if he kept looking at her like that...
...and kissing her like that...
...they were both going to find themselves getting carried away.

His embarrassed admission about romance holos only made her smile wider. "So that's your secret." She teased gently. "I was wondering where all this confidence came from." She gave him a wink. "I've got a feeling..." Her breath caught again for just a moment. "...our collective desires are going to lead to plenty of fun."

When he joked about cracking the encryption on her diary, Nyra scrunched her nose at him. "You just want to see what I say about you." She gave his upper arm a playful slap. "Nope. You'll survive not knowing." Her smile softened. "And honestly..."

"I don't think I'd want to know what you've been thinking about me either." She tilted her head. "The mystery is half the fun."

As Saul looked around the galley, Nyra quietly watched him in return. She still couldn't quite read his expression. Later, she reminded herself. Ask him later.[/i]

His complaint about not being a fashion model immediately sent her scrambling to explain. "No!" She laughed, waving both hands. "I didn't mean that!" Had she dug her self into a hole? "I just meant..." Her eyes drifted toward his dusty work clothes. "...those don't exactly look comfortable to sleep in."

Then another possibility wandered into her mind. "Unless..." Her sentence stopped halfway. Heat flooded into her cheeks. She suddenly became very interested in the bowl of puffed kernels she was holding. "...Never mind."

A little while later, the sound of the refresher door closing echoed through the Drift. Nyra stepped out of her own cabin wearing what she usually slept in: an oversized sponsor T-shirt that slipped lazily from one shoulder and hung just high enough to reveal a strip of toned midriff, paired with comfortable sleep shorts that were decidedly too short to wear outside the privacy of her ship.

Barefoot, she wandered back into the common area. Her eyes immediately found Saul. She couldn't help smiling. The oversized sponsor clothes looked adorably oversized on him too, just in different ways than she'd expected. "I knew you'd find something." She laughed softly. "They actually fit better than I thought."

Without another word, she crossed the room. Instead of taking the open spot beside him, she carefully settled onto his lap, facing him with her knees resting on either side of him against the couch cushions. She looked into his glowing blue eyes for a long moment. Then leaned forward. A brief, affectionate kiss met his lips. No teasing. No clever remark. Just a quiet kiss.

When she pulled away, she rolled off his lap onto the cushion beside him before either of them could overthink it. The holoprojector flickered to life, casting soft blue light throughout the lounge. She began scrolling through the available programs. "I hope you like lighter stuff." She glanced over with an easy smile. "I don't like anything too heavy before bed." Another few menus disappeared as she searched. "I'd rather fall asleep smiling than worrying about the fate of the galaxy for a couple of hours."

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul just sighed and shook his head, letting her win the fuzzy handcuffs argument. Looks like he was going into some shop with items not for the normal consumer sometime soon to get them. And so he listened to her laugh without a word, smiling as he let her go on with her own guessing. And while she wasn't wrong per se, she wasn't right either. Rubbing the back of his head, he couldn't help but let an embarrassed chuckle out as he corrected her. "Not especially... I mean... Not saying those features about you aren't attractive, but they don't get me going alone. My type is someone who shows they want to pursue me. Little things that show they care about me. Making surprises that make things exciting. If you were a Hutt and still did those things, I would still give you a chance. Not saying it wouldn't be awkward at times, but doing that would turn me on more than anything else." Maybe this was the soft, sensitive side coming out of his usual hard exterior. At least he had nailed down what he was attracted to for her, so she knew what the Cyborg liked. "You can change your hair, nails, even your skin if you really wanted to. But you can't change a soul. And yours is what attracts me to you."

At Nyra's insistence that he had her attention, Saul just smiled softly as he listened, then whispered playfully in her ear, "Does the same go for hands and lips?" His hand rested over her heart, listening to it speed up as he planted those kisses on her jaw. It was fun to feel her heart speed up at his affections. It told him just how much of an effect he had on her and reassured him that she actually was speaking from the heart.

As she teased him about romance holos, he didn't let it bother him as he chuckled along with her. "Thought that was how all young people learned. And that's not where the confidence comes from." He looked her in the eyes with that mischievous energy they shared, smirking at her wink. "The confidence comes from you wanting my affections. So even if I mess up, you'll forgive me... probably..." Though she would probably make up for it by teasing him about it for a lifetime. "All I know is that I definitely desire you, and that's enough for me to want to keep this going."

The face Saul made looked like he had been caught doing a crime as she accused him of wanting to see what she wrote. "Of course I do, wouldn't you?" But apparently he was wrong. When she said that the mystery was half the fun, Saul knew she was right, or at least half right. Maybe he was wrong about wanting to see the result. Whenever you built an engine, you actually wanted to see that it worked to prove that you had actually done a good job. Maybe he was wrong, though; it was something to think about.

The Cyborg thought about this and more as he looked around the Galley, but soon, he came back to what his new main purpose was. Which was making Nyra cartwheel backwards to try to defend herself while he could only laugh, his hands gripping his metal knees as he tried to stay upright."Mhm... Sure... You totally aren't imagining me walking a runway in that head of yours right now." She wasn't wrong, though. The clothes he had on weren't exactly comfortable. Saul had just been having too much fun that he had forgotten the itchiness.

Air came back in his lungs just in time to hear her say "Unless" before stopping as the redness came over her face. He could imagine what she was thinking, and she was right. Most of the time, he did just in his underwear and nothing else if he had the luxury of privacy. But if he confirmed her thoughts, she would just hide in her room for the rest of the night out of embarrassment. They couldn't have that now, could they?

And so that's how they both found themselves staring at each other in their PJs. The face Saul made as he looked over her made it seem like he was trying to solve a math equation in his head. "How... How can you be sexy while not even trying..." That thought was stopped when she plopped onto his lap, leaving him to blush just as hard as Nyra had not too long ago. He couldn't even kiss back in time, watching her roll off his lap and start to scroll through the movies and programs on the screen.

The Cyborg was still trying to unbooble his mind as she talked about what programs she liked to watch before bed. Slowly the gaze went away, and he realized what she was saying. "That's... That's fine..." It was all his mind would let him say. When she finally picked a channel and started to watch, he let her be for a few moments before sliding his arm around her and guiding her down so her head was on his lap. Gently massaging her curve, they stayed that way till exhaustion from the long day caught up with one of them.

If Nyra won the race and started snoring, Saul would gently pick her up and carry her to her bed. Hitting the button to open the door to her room with his elbow, he gently walked her inside and laid her sleeping form down on the bed, casually glancing around her room before tucking her in and kissing her forehead, whispering, "Sweet Dreams, Nyra..." before letting her sleep. As much as the metal man wanted to slide under the covers with her, he knew that would probably get him kicked off the ship and out of her life when she woke up. And so guest room it was. Now to the main challenge that always cropped up, actually sleeping.

In the morning, when she crawled out of bed and came into the common room, she would notice two things different. One, a large duffle bag, and another that looked like it was for Saul's tools sitting on the couch. The other was a wonderful smell coming from the kitchen. When she investigated, she saw something that would probably blow her mind. Saul was there cooking what seemed to be pancakes, humming along with the radio while wearing a black NK-branded crop top that showed more skin than Nyra was probably ready to see. If she looked down, she would see he was only wearing a pair of branded black boxer briefs that definitely showed more than she was ready to see. Saul only hoped if Nyra did see him like this, she wouldn't get a nosebleed.

The Cyborg had actually gotten a decent amount of sleep despite the nightgown of a shirt that he had chosen to wear. At least more than usual. Guess love really does help in more ways than one. Still, Saul had gotten up early to check out of the room he had taken but not actually needed and grab his stuff out of it. When he came back to the ship and had to take the time to hack her ship's security system (he should have asked her to give him the key code...), the young man decided the best way to pay Nyra back for letting him stay was filling her stomach. Besides, he had already gotten the ingredients for breakfast yesterday before their date, so he might as well use them. Best case, he could make breakfast and get his clothes out of the dryer in time before she got up. Worst... well, given Nyra's reaction to the thoughts of him sleeping in his underwear, Saul didn't think she would hate seeing him like this. He couldn't help but wonder, though, if she would actually like his cooking.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Comfy PJs
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra couldn't help but burst into another fit of giggles. "A Hutt?" She pressed a hand against her forehead. "You know they're hermaphrodites, right?" She tried to keep a straight face. She failed almost immediately.

"So your standards are officially, 'Has a nice soul.'" She nodded approvingly. "I can respect that." Her laughter softened into an affectionate smile. "...Though I'm very happy I wasn't born a Hutt."

His whispered question about whether he had the attention of her hands and lips made her lips curl into a slow smile. "Very much so." Her answer came without hesitation. "A bit dangerously, I might add." She looked away for just a second before meeting his eyes again. "I'm fighting my urges." The playful tone disguised just how true the statement really was.

Nyra shrugged lightly when he mentioned romance holos. "I suppose that's where most people start." She smiled. "Books, holos... everyone has to learn somewhere."

When Saul admitted he thought she'd forgive him if he stumbled, she gave a thoughtful hum. "I think..." She rested her chin on one hand. "...you'd have to mess up pretty badly at this point." Her smile became warm. "The lines are already pretty blurred." She gave him a little nudge with her shoulder. "So don't use that as permission to become insufferable."

His honest admission about wanting to know what she'd written about him made her smirk. "I mean..." She considered it. "If I knew there was a free look into your thoughts about me..." She laughed quietly. "I probably wouldn't be able to pass it up."

She held up a finger. "But. I also wouldn't go actively trying to break into something you were keeping private." She looked him squarely in the eyes. "I'd hope you respect me enough to do the same."

The rest of the evening slipped by with surprising ease. One lighthearted holo became another. The bowl of puffed kernels gradually emptied between them. Occasionally they commented on something ridiculous happening on screen, occasionally one of them laughed, and more often than not they simply enjoyed the comfortable silence that had already begun to settle naturally between them.

At some point Nyra found herself curled comfortably against Saul. She meant to stay awake. She really did. Instead, the warmth of his arm, the steady rise and fall of his breathing, and the gentle feeling of his fingers in her curls slowly won the battle. Without even realizing it...She fell asleep.

Morning came and Nyra blinked sleepily at the familiar ceiling for a moment before realizing exactly where she was. "...Huh?" She sat up. She didn’t remembered falling asleep on the couch. A smile slowly spread across her face. Saul. He must have carried her.

She almost pouted. She wished she'd been awake enough to remember what that felt like. The thought alone warmed her heart. Without bothering to look in a mirror, she climbed out of bed and padded barefoot into the hallway, still wearing the oversized sleep shirt she'd fallen asleep in.

She was halfway through the common room when she noticed Saul's duffel bag resting neatly beside the couch. Her eyebrows lifted. "When did..." She shrugged. Apparently he'd gone back for it. The thought barely lingered before another sensation claimed her attention. Something smelled...Wonderful. Not the autocook. Real food.

She followed the aroma toward the galley. The quiet clatter of cookware reached her ears just before she stepped into the doorway. Then she stopped. Saul stood with his back to her, quietly working over the stove while humming along with the music playing softly through the ship. Sometime during the night he'd traded the oversized shirt from last night for another sponsor shirt that fit him... differently. Shorter. Clearly cut with Nyra in mind rather than him. Below that...

Just a pair of fitted boxer briefs. Nyra's eyes drifted downward entirely on their own. She caught herself admiring the curve of his backside. Her lower lip disappeared briefly between her teeth. Stars… She forced herself to stop staring. Eventually.

As quietly as she could, she crossed the galley. Her arms slipped around his waist from behind. Without thinking, her hands slid beneath the hem of his shirt, finding the warm skin of his stomach and chest. She rested her cheek lightly against the middle of his back. "I didn't know you cooked..." Her voice came out as little more than a sleepy whisper beside his ear. ”Is this why you seemed a bit disappointed in my kitchen?”

There was something undeniably comforting about the moment. The smell of breakfast. The warmth beneath her fingertips. And the simple realization that waking up to this...

...felt surprisingly natural.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul elicited a groan as Nyra pulled his analogy apart. "No, I didn't. Just like I didn't know you have a xenology degree on top of being a successful streamer." He squeezed her playfully, though, as she acknowledged his point. "And I'm glad you aren't either." The thought of kissing her as a Hutt... let's say it made him want to run back to the refresher and make retching sounds that would be carried all the way back to the living room.

When the chocolate woman said she was fighting her urges, he had to admit to himself that he was doing the same. If she hadn't already said nothing was going to happen tonight, he might as already picked her up and taken her to her bedroom to see if they could break the bed together. Saying softly, "Trust me, I know that feeling all too well..." he hoped he could hold off just a little bit longer.

Given he had a woman basically in his lap, the romance holos didn't steer him too wrong. Hearing her confirm it didn't hurt either. Though her ask for it not to make him unsufferable did make him laugh. "I'll try my best not to be. I'll just tease you the right amount." Just like she would tease him if she knew just how much he adored her. How much he wanted to let her know how much he was thankful for her taking a chance on him and how much he hoped he could pay her back. "And trust me, all my thoughts about you, besides the horny ones, are good. And right now, all he could think about was how cute she was while resting her head against his lap. Trying to reassure her, Saul made sure he wasn't going to be hunting through her stuff. And yes, I'll keep my slicer skills to myself. You deserve your private space, no matter how much I want to invade it."

And so the night went on, with both seeming to enjoy their time together. Spending time with someone else like this, just doing a movie night, was something new to Saul. It was the first time he had any relationship, romantic or otherwise, that had gone this far. Who knew spending time with someone could be this much fun.

After he had taken Nyra to bed, the Cyborg cleaned up the mess the popcorn had left behind before heading to bed himself. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and he needed to get what sleep he could before having to get up to get his bags. That and make Nyra a thank-you breakfast... Pancakes... Yeah, pancakes sounded good.

And so that's how Nyra found him muttering about whether the recipe for cream cheese frosting was right or not as he whisked away, occasionally glancing over the oven top to make sure his flapjacks weren't burning. At least until he felt Nyra's arms wrap around her and an immediate blush came to his cheeks as he realized what he was wearing. As she asked in her cute, sleepy voice if he didn't like the kitchen, he chuckled nervously as he responded. "No, your kitchen is fine. I was merely channeling the envy of the galaxy's women that you can stay thin while eating the high-carb junk this horrid thing pumps out." Saul tried his best to focus on his cooking, even as her touching his chest made him melt. Coughing, trying to keep his mind on the meal he was making. "But yeah... I dabble... I learned early that it was either learn how to cook or go hungry, so I learned how to cook..."

The Cyborg wondered how much he should tell Nyra about his past. On one hand, it might help her understand more about him. On the other, knowing she might be starting to date a killer joytoy might push her away... And so he decided to keep it to himself for now. Instead, he changed the topic as he pried the pancake out of the pan and plated it. "Hope you don't mind me dressed like this... I usually like less fabric around me when I sleep. More than this makes me feel like I'm in a straitjacket. And given how you were blushing last night while thinking about it, I didn't think you would mind." Saul turned so he could smile at her. "If you want to take a seat, you can. I'm going to be a while yet. Feel free to change the music." It would give him a chance to know what kind of music she liked. And give him another reason to playfully make fun of her.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Comfy PJs
Tag: Saul Whesai

"Then I guess all your thoughts must be good." Nyra gave Saul an entirely too-innocent smile. She was willing to conveniently ignore the qualification he'd added about horny thoughts. Those thoughts didn't exactly sound bad either.

His next admission, however, caught her attention. "Slicer skills?" Her brows rose. "I didn't know I brought a slicer and an engineer aboard." She gave him a suspicious little squint. "I'm going to have to be careful around you." There was no genuine concern behind the words. His promise to respect her privacy mattered far more than the revelation that he potentially possessed the skills to get around it.

The next morning, Nyra remained happily attached to Saul's back as he continued preparing breakfast. She tried not to get in his way. Really. She shifted whenever he needed to reach something and leaned aside when he moved between the stove and counter. But actually surrendering her position? Absolutely not. Her palms remained comfortably against his bare chest beneath the borrowed shirt.

A soft giggle vibrated against his back when he blamed his earlier expression on the autocook rather than her kitchen. "Oh, that's what you were thinking?" She squeezed him gently.

"I eat at restaurants a lot." She wasn't exactly ashamed of it. "And I have a pretty good morning workout routine." Her cheek rested against his shoulder blade. "You can join me after breakfast if you want." A pause. "Work off all those horrible carbs you're feeding me."

The aroma coming from the stove made that accusation particularly difficult to maintain. "Those pancakes smell tremendous, by the way." She peeked around his shoulder. "Actually..."

An idea immediately brightened her expression. "We could stream this sometime." She adopted an imaginary introduction for an audience. "Professional engineer attempts to teach Nyra Kairo how to survive her own kitchen." A giggle escaped. "You teach me a thing or two so I don't have to keep eating autocook-produced 'junk.'" She emphasized the final word in imitation of him.

The joke faded slightly as she remembered why Saul had learned to cook. Learn or go hungry. There was obviously more behind those words than he was telling her. Nyra didn't ask. Instead, her arms tightened around him. She held him against herself for several quiet seconds, offering comfort without demanding an explanation.

His concern about what he was wearing quickly brought her smile back. "Oh, I don't mind." There wasn't even a second of hesitation. Her eyes wandered appreciatively down his body before returning to his face. "I am very amiable to the current wardrobe situation."

Then he mentioned feeling like he was in a straitjacket. One eyebrow slowly rose. A curious thought took shape. "Aw." Her head tilted. "No straitjacket?" Her fingers idly shifted against his chest. "You don't like being restrained?"

It was an odd question. Or perhaps not, considering last night. Ever since Saul had caught her wrists and pinned them over her head against the engineering-room bulkhead, she'd found herself unexpectedly fascinated by the possibilities involved. Apparently pink fuzzy restraints weren't the only new thought he'd planted in her head. She really hadn't been joking when she'd said being around him might create new desires.

When Saul finally suggested she sit somewhere so he could actually finish breakfast, Nyra gave a quiet, exaggerated joking grumble. "Fine." Reluctantly, her hands slipped from beneath his shirt.

She stepped away before hopping onto an empty stretch of counter. One leg crossed comfortably over the other as she settled in, still looking decidedly sleepy and entirely unconcerned about the state of her hair.

She watched him work with open intrigue. There was something unexpectedly captivating about it. Yesterday she'd watched him inspect her engines. Now she was watching him make pancakes in his underwear. It had been a surprisingly successful first date.

At his offer to change the music, Nyra shrugged. "Whatever you like is fine." She lightly swung one foot. "I'm curious what you listen to anyway."

For a few moments she simply watched him cook. Then, as casually as she could manage: "So..." Her fingers drummed lightly against the counter. "What are your plans today?" The question sounded innocent enough. Nyra hoped the answer was nothing. Or, more accurately...Nothing that required him to leave.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Yes, his thoughts were well-intentioned. Saul wasn't going to blow it up over a cheap thrill. Her suspicious squint, though, earned a laugh over the noise of the movie. "You do know every ship has a computer, right? And sometimes that computer breaks? So yes, I have to be a slicer too." The cyborg gently patted her head as the night grew long. "Be cautious all you want. As long as I get to talk to you, I'm happy."

---

Apparently, Nyra had thrown being careful to the wind as she clung onto him like a Baby Ewok. Saul didn't mind as he experienced a new feeling welling up inside him. Was this what love was like? The smile that tugged at her lips told him that it was. Still, it didn't stop him from harmlessly teasing her. "Really should have put a clingy warning in your profile." Though for a split second, he stopped cooking to put his hands over hers for a minute, warming her hands up as the pancake's sizzling filled the air. The Cyborg could put up with a little clinginess if it made Nyra happy.

Her explanation made sense. She was probably at the stage where credits didn't mean a lot to her after having so much success in the virtual world. So why not blow it on a restaurant bill? But a morning workout did sound fun; it would be fun to show off his skills some in front of his potential partner. Saul couldn't help but chuckle as he looked back at how cute Nyra was being. "Yeah, it's my fault for wanting to do something kind for you as a thank you for letting me stay. Let me throw this away..." Reaching out with his foot to hit the pedal for the waste bin, he took the pan and faked throwing the delicious Jogan Pancake out. The evil, maniacal grin on his face as he looked straight back into Nyra's eyes told her that the woman didn't know half of what she was getting into.

Thankfully, if Nyra didn't stop him in the first place, the Cyborg would use his reflexes to catch the pancake in mid-air before returning the pan to the stove. Couldn't be wasting good food now, right? Smiling like the good innocent he was, capable of no evil, he replied to her as she looked around his body at the cooking. "Thanks, they got pieces of Jogan fruit in them. The fruits used in other baked goods, so it should be fine here in these pancakes."

For her streaming idea, though, that reply took a little bit longer to formulate. It would be his first time on camera, and when his conduct would affect her career... Saul couldn't help but be a little nervous. "I don't know... I might need some media training before that happens... My mouth isn't meant for public consumption a lot of the time." He couldn't deny it would be fun to do something with Nyra that meant so much to his Chocolate Queen's heart. Who knows, maybe her support could help him deal with the thought of thousands of eyes watching him, waiting for him to mess up.

When Nyra gripped him tightly, Saul leaned back against her, loving that she wanted to comfort him. The past was the past, but it had left its mark on him whether the Cyborg wanted to admit it or not. It was nice to have Nyra's support, and he tried to give it back however he could, like making carb-filled pancakes for her taste buds.

At her saying that she didn't mind his cheeks out, he only shook his head. Of course she didn't mind. Hell, she probably would encourage it. Saul couldn't help but think she probably was imagining him spinning around a pole like a twi'lek dancer right now. But when she asked curiously (maybe too curiously) if he liked being restrained or not. The implications made him have an unpleasant shiver travel down his spine hard enough that Nyra could feel it. The Cyborg was quiet for a while, pressing some demons down before turning to her with a nervous smile. "Only with people I trust enough. I think that makes a group of one, meaning you." He didn't know how comfortable he would be when faced with her new experiments, but... Saul trusted her enough not to go overboard. Besides, she was a lot cuter than his previous guards. How he would actually feel, though, when Nyra actually tried her evil plan...? Guess they would both have to see.

Saul couldn't help but chuckle while he watched Nyra be petulant as she walked away. Despite what she probably thought, he liked having her close. It proved that she actually cared. "Don't worry, breakfast is almost done. Then you can sit in my lap to eat if you really want to. You look really cute when you are being contrarian though." Yes, even with hair poofed up and curls everywhere, she still looked beautiful, no matter what anyone else thought.

As Nyra said that he could choose whatever music he wanted and that she was curious about what he listened to, Saul only shrugged as a Quenk jazz came through the speaker. The Cyborg looked to see if there was any disappointment on her face but instead found himself smirking as Nyra asked what his plans were with all the nervousness of a teen asking their crush out. He tried to answer offhandly like it wasn't a big deal. "Well, I have a day or two of vacation left from work. How we spend them is up to you." He was sure that Nyra had some ideas floating around in that head of hers about what to do with him.

After the last pancake was stacked and he was piping the cream cheese frosting on in a spiral pattern, he turned to her with that same nervous energy. "So... are we going to use the B and G words for each other now that we've survived a night together?" Because he wanted that. He wanted to say she was his to everyone they met, show everyone how proud he was of her. But if she wasn't ready to take that leap, then Saul wasn't going to force it.

Nyra Kairo

 

[Nyra Kairo]

Objective: Show of the Drift
Location: Spaceport, Dantooine
Outfit: Comfy PJs
Tag: Saul Whesai

Nyra giggled at the accusation. "Clingy?" Her arms remained happily wrapped around Saul as though she had absolutely no intention of disproving him. "I don't think anyone has ever accused me of being clingy before."

She considered the situation with exaggerated seriousness. "Must be that magnetic attraction between our bodies again." Apparently that mysterious force from last night was still going strong. When Saul put his hands over hers, she smiled against his back and enjoyed the warmth for the brief moment before breakfast demanded his attention again.

Then he threatened the pancake. Nyra's eyes widened. She actually held her breath when the waste bin opened, watching the pan with an expression that made it clear Saul had finally discovered something that would make her release him. Almost. "Don't you dare!"

She leaned around him, ready to rescue breakfast herself if necessary. The pancake survived, of course. Saul's perfectly innocent expression afterward earned a playful growl from her. "You're terrible." She squeezed him again. "And I am very grateful you're making me breakfast."

Her eyes shifted toward the growing stack. "I love fruit in pancakes, too, so you're doing exceptionally well." She nodded decisively. "But I'm buying lunch." There was no negotiation in her tone. Partly because Saul had cooked breakfast. Mostly because Nyra already knew there was absolutely no chance she could produce anything remotely competitive with what he was making.

His hesitation over appearing on one of her streams didn't escape her notice. It would be fun. She could already imagine the audience enjoying the two of them trying to navigate a kitchen together while Saul desperately attempted to keep her from ruining whatever he was teaching her to make.

But she wasn't going to push him into her world before he was comfortable. Nyra laughed at his concern about his mouth. "If you actually want to do it, we can rehearse first." She rested her chin against his shoulder. "And it doesn't have to be live. I can edit anything out if your mouth gets ahead of you." Her grin became teasing. "Which I'm beginning to suspect happens frequently." She gave him another squeeze. "But only if you want to. Streaming is my thing. It doesn't have to become yours just because you're around me."

The explanation about why he'd learned to cook still lingered in the back of her thoughts. There were questions there, but questions could wait until Saul wanted to provide answers. For now, she simply held him.

His reaction to her question about restraints was considerably different. Nyra felt the shiver. The playfulness disappeared from her expression as she listened. Only with someone he trusted. And apparently that group currently contained exactly one person. Her. A faint blush immediately returned. "Oh." She hadn't expected that answer. Something about being trusted that completely after such a short time warmed her even more than the implications of the answer itself.

She smiled softly. "I'll remember that." The possibilities that immediately followed were kept entirely to herself. For now.

Nyra reluctantly surrendered her place against his back, only for Saul to suggest she could sit in his lap once breakfast was finished. That immediately earned another giggle. "I'm a messy eater." She hopped onto the counter instead. "Maybe hip-to-hip would be safer." Her eyes wandered over his current lack of clothing. "For both of us." The last few words carried enough amusement to suggest that the pancakes weren't the only reason sitting in his lap might prove distracting.

Quenk jazz began drifting through the galley. Nyra wasn't much of a music critic. Her tastes were broad enough that the most important qualification was simple: Could she move to it? Apparently she could.

When she caught Saul glancing toward her as though waiting for a verdict, she didn't give him one. Instead, still seated on the counter, she started moving subtly with the rhythm. Her shoulders swayed, her head bobbed slightly, and one bare foot moved gently to the beat. There. Review delivered.

Then Saul told her he potentially had another couple days free. Nyra couldn't hide her reaction if she'd tried. Her entire expression brightened. "Really?" She straightened immediately. "Okay. Then we should do something."

She was already mentally planning. "We can spend most of today here on Dantooine. There's plenty around here besides the carnival." Her enthusiasm grew with every word. "And tonight we can figure out somewhere nearby to go tomorrow." She paused. "Nothing huge. Just somewhere neither of us has been, maybe." Another adventure. Together. She liked that thought far too much.

Then came the question. The B and G words. Nyra stared at him blankly. "The... B and G...?" Her brow furrowed. What in the galaxy was he—

Survived a night together. "Oh." Boyfriend. Girlfriend. Understanding replaced confusion, followed quickly by a warm smile. That was...Actually a much bigger question than his casual delivery made it sound.

Nyra looked down for a moment, thinking. "We've had one date." She held up a finger. "A really, really good date." Her smile widened. "And apparently we're about to spend another two days together."

She lifted two more fingers. "So..." She looked back at him. "After the next two days, we'll have completed three dates." A little mischievous sparkle appeared in her eyes. "And according to certain rules established last night, apparently third dates are important."

She laughed softly before growing a touch more sincere. "Let's see where the next two days take us. Then I think we'll have a much better idea what we want to call each other." She leaned slightly toward him. "But..." Her smile softened. "Things are looking pretty promising."

When the pancakes finally appeared in front of her, Nyra slid down from the counter and claimed the seat beside Saul she'd suggested. Hip-to-hip. Close enough that their legs comfortably touched beneath the table.

She took her first bite. Her eyes immediately widened. "Oh." Another bite followed almost immediately. "Okay." Apparently she wasn't going to need to pretend to like Saul's cooking. "This is really good."

Despite her warning, she wasn't particularly messy either. She ate happily beside him, occasionally stealing glances in his direction while the jazz continued quietly in the background. A few bites later, Nyra was already thinking ahead. "I'll show you my rides after breakfast." She pointed her fork toward him. "I've got a landspeeder and my swoop here." A grin appeared. "You get to choose."

She took another bite. "Something comfortable..." Her eyebrows bounced. "...or something fast." Knowing herself, Nyra was already hoping he'd choose fast. Though the landspeeder wasn’t really slow to be fair.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul only shook his head, his chuckling mixing with her giggles. "Guess you've never found somebody you've liked sticking to more than me then. Not like I'm complaining since I like clingy you." And he really did love feeling her against his back like this. Enough that he hoped he didn't get addicted before they finally had to part, best case, only for a while before they met up again on some other distant world.

Apparently, using food as a hostage gets you the desired effect, only making Saul look more maniacal as his laughter bounced off the walls. The Cyborg didn't know she could growl like that either. Nice knowing he could bring out something deep inside her. Maybe the same thing would go for love as it did for aggression. "Yes, I am, and it's my pleasure. I might make it every day for you if you keep putting your hands on me like this." That seemed like a very good trade to him.

When she said that she was buying lunch, Saul gave an affirmative hum. It wasn't like he could complain about a beautiful woman wanting to buy him lunch. Saul also didn't complain about her ideas to put him on a stream. He thought it would be fun to, to have this banter in front of thousands of people; it would make for a good program. And her idea about it just being a video, not a live recording, was enough to shift the scales in his head. After a minute or two of comfortable silence with the pancake sizzling in the background, Saul let out a breath as he decided for himself before nodding to his final decision. "Let's give it a try. Worst case, we are just having fun with each other, with me teaching you something new. Best case, your viewers actually halfway like me." Even though it was hard to believe in the Cyborg's head, who knows. Crazier things had happened in this galaxy.

It wasn't like Saul didn't want to answer Nyra's questions. He probably would with enough coaxing and her directly asking what she wanted to know. But she wasn't going to get pleasant answers. This line of thinking also made her wonder what her family life was like. If she had parents or siblings in her life. He also doubted that she could get the start-up money for all of this by herself. But there was also every possibility that, even with her passion, she had been able to persevere by herself. Guess he would find out during their Q and A.

Trusting Nyra was another educated guess. If she was some crazy serial killer or a scavenger for his parts, she probably would have taken her chance at him last night when she had him alone inside the ship. But she was a genuine person who genuinely liked him despite his disbelief. Saul couldn't help but look back at her with his grin in full swing. "Well, given the state of your kitchen, it's not like you have a meat locker on the ship. And I think you like the view of my rear too much to get rid of me, so I think I'm pretty safe." The line that she would remember that statement, though... The cyborg would lie if he said the same thoughts they both were thinking made him more nervous than facing any camera.

It was hard to imagine Nyra chowing down enough to classify as messy, but her reasoning why she couldn't sit in his lap... Now that he could imagine. Feeling her eyes wandering over him was enough to make redness bleed back onto his cheeks. "Yeah... You are probably right about that..." Coughing, he tried to finish up with their plates without stopping to stare at her bopping around on the counter. Even if that task was becoming increasingly difficult. Nyra would catch him muttering to himself while sprinkling some bites of Jogan on top of each plate. "If this woman isn't the cutest thing alive... I don't know what is..."

Seeing Nyra brighten up like this, it told the Cyborg how much she really did like him. A lot. Ones, this hope she was giving him was going to kick him in the rear. The Gods must just be drawing it out for some reason. Still, as long as Nyra was here, he would smile at the sunshine she was putting out. "Sounds like a plan. And if all goes well, maybe you can fly me close back to where I work. Buy us a little more time." More time to test out her crazy ideas.

Saul couldn't help but chuckle as Nyra figured out what he meant. He didn't think it would be that hard to figure out, but here the chocolate woman was trying to figure out a math equation. The smile that sprouted on her face was enough to tell him when she had finally figured it out. The Cyborg nodded along as she explained her criteria of what would earn that title. "That's completely fair. Just don't want anyone else to claim you before I can. And it gets you even more tempted than you already are. You can ask me whatever you want, good or bad, after those two days." The Cyborg knew she was probably chomping at the bit to ask him questions about his past. And she deserved a chance to have them answered. Even if it destroyed how promising this relationship could be.

Seeing her eyes blow out like they were balloons, Saul couldn't keep the chuckles down. "Glad to know that my cooking tastes good to someone other than just me." He was only just starting to settle down and eat despite feeling her eyes on him. If he didn't know the intent behind those looks, the Cyborg might have started to get nervous. Hearing her plans for the morning mid-bite, the affirmative noises coming from his mouth as he tried to swallow his bite. His throat finally clear, he cheekily fed upon her ideas. "Guess it depends who is driving. I don't mind going fast, but if I'm behind you on a swoop bike, you might get really distracted." Though with how they were as a couple, Saul didn't think they could be anything but distracted.

Nyra Kairo