Private Your Uber will arrive shortly (Cali)

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali's pink head rotated a bit to the side as she stared at the Captain. "You need to visit Zeltros more often." There was no need to 'creep' on Zeltros. Unless, you know, you weren't friendly. Why would anyone be unfriendly on Zeltros, Cali never knew. All you had to do was ask. They were all very friendly people. It was their whole reputation. Sometimes exaggerated by outsiders, but deserved in its fashion.

Then the Zeltron straightened up with a big grin as he said he was kidding. "Strange joke, but that's good!" Otherwise the guy was going to get himself into trouble and was probably freaking people out -- which was bad. Everyone should feel happy or at least be content in her estimation! If people were happy, Zeltrons were happy, and who didn't like being happy?

"Holofilms, huh? Yeah those can be nice. Especially with the right company. Just sitting back, cuddling. 'Course, alone, you can munch on popcorn and maybe curl up with a warm blanket. What kind do you like? I like comedic or romantic adventures. Nothing dour and brooding. Maybe a good drama now and then with a happy ending." She liked her holos like she liked her men (and women): upbeat.

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

Perhaps my joke was “strange”, but it was tailored to get the humor out of it that I wanted. I wanted to see exactly what her level of this was.I was curious to see if she would pick up on the subtle nuances of my humor, and whether she would find it amusing or confusing. It was a test of sorts, to gauge her level of understanding and appreciation for my particular brand of wit. Nothing out of disrespect, but out of curiosity.

They are a good distraction from the constant rigors and responsibilities of “duty”. I have been in some form of service for over one hundred years after all... I will not pretend to know whether or not, or even presume whether this woman was making a pass at me, or simply trying to do the same. ... and unfortunately the price for that service is being away from my family to the point where they no longer truly recognize me.

It was not my desire to make this about myself, so I answered her question.

Popcorn, a nice couch, and a good movie, any kind other than a horror, or “adult” film would do.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

"A hundred years of service?" Cali blinked. "That's commitment for you. I'd say the same, except it hasn't been a hundred, and it would only be a technicality. All I can say is flying too close to a spatial anomaly or blackhole plays havoc with your sense of time." She smiled with her head bopping for a second. There was a slight shift in her eyes for a fraction of a second that separated that smile from the warm, jovial one from before.

"Sorry to hear about your family not recognizing you though. Ever thought about returning? I understand if you don't want to talk about it though. I hope you've made some friends out here though -- it can be nice catching a holo with friends with similar tastes." It could be rough spending so much time away from those you cared about, or at least knew. Cali understood.

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

It was not my intention to stir any emotions out of the woman, I will have to make sure to apologize to her for this when the time is right. however she seemed interested in small talk, so doing so would not be respectable.

I was not always in service, but had met Admiral Angellus, the father of my last CO in the Galactic Alliance, and co-founder of Guardian Authority Ltd. He is the one who had gotten me out of my “chosen life path”. It was Liram who had gotten me interested in flying, before then I was happy to be ground and deck crew to that point. I will again not pretend to know whether or not she was going somewhere with this, I simply continued to converse. While I am grateful to a lifetime of service, I have held this form so long, it was the form I had held when the elder Admiral Angellus found me, I do not remember what my original form is… or in this case… was. So I am afraid that returning to them is out of the question. We have spoken over comms a few times, but voice only. The conversations were happy, but they have moved on, as they should.

A somber note, but a true one.

... as for “friends”, I have made some yes. I hold true to the belief that you can hold many acquaintances, but only a few true friends, so….

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali nodded. "I get that. There are a lot of people and you don't have time to get to truly know them all. I've met tons of people at sales demos and parties. Lots probably remember me -- being pink and all -- but few of them can say they know my favorite song or what I do when not surrounded by crowds of people." Like, the two of them weren't friends yet. Not, like, true friends. Though Cali was certainly trying because she was just a never-ending chatter box.

The Zeltron giggled. "Though what you see is what I do, really. It takes a long time to build some of this stuff, and most of them don't make it to mass-production so it's all by hand. I like to think my cool stuff is better because I spend so much time fussing over it." She blinked. "Oh, but not saying anything against factory-made stuff, you know? Like, if everything were by hand it'd take forever to get anything built."

Rojuhr Pouihl ​

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

While my duty comes first, and she is clearly important to the Republic if I had specific orders to ferry her to her destination, she is trying to be friendly, so I would be remiss if I did not willingly reciprocate. Perhaps she did not notice, but our walk had made it to the R&R deck. The crew, and officer’s mess, the rec room, full of various games and activities, and the holovid room. Based on our conversation, it was an easy choice where to go to.

I personally enjoy a good “Binary Sunset” ditty every now and then… as for what else I do, we are still getting to know each other aboard here so there is still the “feeling out period”. Sure, there are some staff who came with me from the Alliance, but many of the crew are born and bred in the Naboo Republic. Not a negative reflection, just getting to know my people and then letting them get to know me. It is a method I learned from Soren Angellus, Liram’s father.

The theater was not empty, there were two crew members, one looked to be weapons specialist on the flight deck, and the other a crew of Engineering. They were “enjoying each other’s company” in close proximity, you might say. Understandably embarrassed, they went to leave amid rapid apologies. Not at all necessary. Don’t worry. They were welcome to stay, but were clearly too skittish to.

We don’t have any popcorn, but have several different vids.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

"Ooh, I see. Yeah there are some differences. Despite what some in the Core, say Nabooians can be just as hard working as any other, but culturally they are more laid back. Uh, less tightly wound. The Core's so full of people and limited space everyone's always in a hurry. But out there there's more space. Still a sense of duty to get things done, but also a desire to enjoy downtime, you know? Interact with people." Cali beamed. "I lived on Naboo for a while back during the Confederacy of Independent Systems."

Her bright eyes swept over the recreational area of the ship. If there were crew present they'd get a cheerful Zeltron wave as they passed. "Sometimes I think ships like these could do with a good Zeltron Morale Officer. But then I think with all the power struggles that might exhaust the cuties."

Rojuhr Pouihl led the way to the theater, which had the Pink One peek inside. The Captain tried to reassure two people they ran across. Cali gave them a warm smile and a little wave. She straightened up a bit from leaning around the man, and whispered, "Maybe we should go somewhere else." The Zeltron stared at him meaningfully, though she wasn't sure if he'd get the unspoken message.

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

As the crew members all but ran out of sight, I pondered her question. I had my thoughts on the reasoning behind it, but I did not want to pose a response until I was certain. That depends on you and what you are looking for?

Stepping into the empty theater was ironically the most private place to ask. Are you looking to continue the tour? Something to eat? Drink? Or an activity? Or perhaps private time? I ask this, though she was not interested in seeing her quarters.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali's lips bunched up in one corner as the crew members fled. She shook her pink head as she started to smile again. Crazy people. They didn't need to run away like that, the Captain and her could totally have gone elsewhere. And the Captain didn't exactly look like he got where she'd been going with that either; probably because the crew ran so quickly.

"Oh, no," the Zeltron giggled, "we don't have to go anywhere. Was just thinking they-- Well, it's okay." She gave the Captain a wink. "What do you want to do? This Cali knows how to entertain herself, so you don't need to worry about me. What about you? Let's do something you enjoy."

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

We still had some time before reaching Naboo, and my shift was almost over at this point (though in truth, I am never off duty, of course). I would ask at this point if my suspicions were true, however it would be inappropriate. Well, as I said, I do like holovids, but there is a place I go if I like some time alone and for reflection.

Stepping away and waving for her to follow me down the hall, I showed her “The Bow”, a relaxation station, not a “bar” perse (though there is one) but a place to go and unwind located in the nose of the ship. The look of hyperspace never gets old here? The windows are structurally reinforced, but line around the entire Forward section creating an immersive feeling. Grabbing a couch in the front, I made myself comfortable.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Alone and reflection? Cali blinked and stared at the Captain. "Okay!" Maybe it wasn't the ship that needed a good maintenance check. Maybe it was the Captain. Though people were a little harder to maintenance than ships. This Cali knew because she'd helped that Jedi Master so long ago... and it had taken learning the Jedi ways to do it. Hadn't exactly been on her bucket list.

"Ooh, this is nice." It wasn't as reclusive as she'd feared. Though, the crew probably didn't cozy up next to him on the couch either. He had said 'alone.' Which had her curious if he locked the door, or just lurked outside making sure the room was empty before he entered. Either way, she wondered how to break him out of his shell. Like, maybe engage in a recreational spot with others or something.

The Zeltron followed Rojuhr Pouihl into the room and admired the scenery until they got to the couch. Her bright eyes watched as he got comfortable. With a smile on her lips, she gently sat herself down alongside the Captain. She didn't lean into him or try to touch him with her hand. She was kind of curious what he'd do -- though she feared already knowing. "It's beautiful," she breathed softly. It was quite the sight, after all. No consoles or whatever demanding attention or cluttering the view.

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

They happened to walk in when the spot was still “closed” but as the bartenders were walking out and setting up, one of them caught eye of the two of us sitting on the couch and letting out an “ooooOOOOoooo” until us and was mortified. Until of course when I looked back, smirked and simply just reminded them where they were. Oh grow up.

The staff here were not military, and were good people. I was also “off shift” as of now, though I was still on official duty to escort our guest. Thus I was able to relax a little more as I sat and enjoyed the surroundings. It was interesting as I could not quite tell for sure, but it looked like the woman was trying to “move”. When we get you to Naboo, we will be in port a few days. I am personally looking forward to it. I do not get much “off time”.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali turned to stare wide-eyed at the ooo-ers. The Zeltron didn't look the least bit embarrassed, in truth. She looked over at the Captain next and cheerily remarked, "If they think this is sexy they definitely haven't been to Zeltros." Walking into the room with a cutie like her was about the least sexy thing you could do with a Zeltron. Aside from just not saying hello, anyway. And what was wrong with visiting Zeltros? Nothing at all.

Once they settled in, Cali was slightly disappointed the Captain hadn't given her a reason to collapse against his side and snuggle. Who didn't like a good snuggle? "Really?" she turned to look over at him with a smile. "Naboo's a great place to relax. It's got the right balance between busy with amenities and people, and being able to just go out into the country far from all the bustle. Just tons of natural space. Beautiful place. Great people. I really loved living there. Been meaning to see if I could get the old place back. I had such a large wardrobe back then." The Pink One giggled as she swayed side to side for a moment.

"What do you plan to do while you're there, Captain?"

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

Coming here apparently made her uncomfortable. Perhaps my attempts to make her relax either went unnoticed, or unappreciated. It happens. This will be my first “leave” since coming over to Naboo. We were put to work immediately, and with new people to work with, I had to make them comfortable around me, and myself comfortable with them.

Unbuttoning the top button of my jacket and letting out a small stretch as one of the bartenders walked out with a couple of drinks for us. Then saying that they would close off the area for the two of us to be “alone” was inappropriate, but I see what she was doing. I look forward mostly to get this command stick out of my butt for awhile and actually let myself live. Looking her way with a bit of a perhaps suggestive smirk was probably inappropriate, but she did ask. Maybe it was where my hand was resting on the couch now that might make it that way.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

"That was a good idea. Though they don't really get a chance to know you as a person. More of a symbol, which I guess naval commanders usually prefer. Is that true?" Cali asked, curious since she had the opportunity to do so.

Cali looked up at the bartender to take one of the drinks with a smile. She immediately went to sipping on it even as they made a comment about being left alone with the Captain. "This is pretty good." She looked over at the Captain with a smile.

The Pink One wiggled back into the seat and leaned in a bit toward the Captain with the drink held between her hands. "You deserve it, you know? Living. Finding something you enjoy you can do in your free time, or when in port. I like meeting new people on all kinds of planets. Some amazing things out there you only see by chance." It looked like he was relaxing, which was good. Take a little time off. Not be so stiff, like he said.

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Mission Log: .

I will admit it’s not the best approach to developing a symmetry aboard a vessel. The thing is, I come from a system where we had the luxury of knowing everyone aboard. I don’t have that here, so… when I do I will go back to the leader I was, but until then I will unfortunately have to continue this approach. It is slowly getting to the end of this though. I look forward to that day, but until then they need to respect my station above liking the person sitting in it.

I had the inclination that what I was doing was the right thing as she slowly moved closer to me. There is nothing that I can do about that right now, perhaps if we run into each other on Naboo, if this is anything more than a “Hi, how do you do?”(Some cultures do operate in this manner). Thank you for the compliment. I am looking forward to it. I might check in on my (godson) Michael, but other than that I am wide open and plan to just “veg”.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali smiled over at the Captain. "Checking in with family's a great idea. But then, if you're not planning anything, maybe I could come over and show you around. Lots to see on Naboo. Very chill place, you know? I even helped rebuild a good deal of its capital after the prior Mandalorian government invaded. And then the new Confederacy got spicy." The Zeltron huffed. "Don't know why everyone has to blow things up all the time. I mean, I get to build things, but those were perfectly good generators they were trying to ruin."

"What do you like to do when you aren't just vegging or working though?"

Rojuhr Pouihl

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Personal Entry: .

I switched over to my personal log, all information non-mission related has been transferred over. I am using this log so that I can speak my mind and not try to be diplomatic. This little pink cadillac (why did I just say that? What is a “cadillac”?) She is cute, and I am flattered, and not about to turn her down, but I do not move fast. I hope my actions have not bored her. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but… are you asking me out?

I figured I would let the words hang in the air for a minute. Then a smirk that would have made Liram jealous. Not to mention leaning in just a little closer.

Because you know… that’s the guy’s job… Would you show me around Naboo?

 

[Cali Ziiva]

​

Cali blinked as she stared at him after he asked his question, a smile fixed on her lips. "Is it?" she suddenly asked excitedly when Rojuhr Pouihl mentioned it was the guy's job to ask someone out. Of course she knew a lot of people thought that, but Zeltron weren't a lot of people. "I dunno. I think if there's a chance to hang out with a cutie then you gotta ask; otherwise they might not notice. People get distracted all the time out here. Busy galaxy an' all."

The Zeltron giggled as she leaned up against Rojuhr's shoulder. "I'd love to show you around Naboo. It's just a great place to just, you know, vibe and stuff. They even have some amazing beaches where you can just sit and watch the sunrise or set without anyone else around." She liked people, obviously, but some moments needed a little privacy. Just the soft lapping of water, the gentle rush of air, and the warmth of a sun.

 

[Rojuhr Pouihl]

​

Personal Entry: .

So, I was actually beginning to let myself enjoy the exchange. She was indeed quite the flirt, even if she did not want to take things further than that. I could play along.

... you're going to ditch me before you go watch the sunset? That must be some sunset! A smirk and a sip later, I expected nothing out of this, but she was a good person, and persistent to say the least.

The familiar shift of colors and we were out of hyperspace. Naboo was off in the distance as we were moving at sub-light.

Captain to the Bridge!

Buttoning the top button of my jacket and brushing myself flat, I stood then and looked her way. Never fully off duty, this is only to pull into docks. Want to come with?