Mixed Signals, Restless Hands, and That Damn Cantina Band

[Kallum Romanoch]

Tatooine, it burned golden like a precious jewel against the lonely backdrop of space but Kallum knew better and regarded it with disdain from the cockpit of the Krayt Gunship Widowmaker. Reluctantly, he pushed the flight yoke away and the ship descended into the swelling yellow horizon. When the cloud parted, they saw a sprawling orange landscape scarred crimson with jagged canyons giving it the appearance of rusted metal, and it all looked too familiar. Soon enough, the domed apex of the palace rose from the dust and he gave his co-pilot a look of defeat.

"'ome," he said wearily, "A' least we 'ave some good news fer de boss."

[Kazia]

:: Kazia gave him an amused glance. They just returned from a smuggling run to Nar Shadaa, and got into a bit of a bloodbath with some gank killers. The gank were left behind with smoking blaster holes in them ::

"Good. The first thing I'm doing is hitting the fresher. then we can get something to eat, and meet up with Corvus and the boss tonight."

[Kallum Romanoch]

As the ship swept low over red rock it wailed, Kallum sympathised, and yanked the throttle so the ship banked violently towards a lively docking bay embedded in the cliff face. A maintainence crew of four scattered, dropping the cargo crate in their hands, at the sight of the approaching vessel. Kallum watched with a wicked grin, and waited, then flicked a switch. The powerful engines roared into reverse, effectively killing the gunship's speed and it gracefully docked in its usual spot. He gave Kazia a sideways glance.

"De fresher's waitin'. S'okay, I know 'ow 'ot an' boddered yer ge' around me."

[Kazia]

"You need a bath too, Kallum. You smell like gank."

:: She looked at him curiously a moment before giving him a dismissive muss of the hair as they disembarked ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Maybe we should share one. De boss'd be 'appy ter 'ear we're cuttin' down on energy costs."

He watched Kazia's shapely bum shift from side to side as she descended the boarding ramp then hopped down himself. The ramp hissed shut behind them. All around, the docking bay was filled with the buzz of machinery and the crackle and fizz of heavy duty maintenance.

"Smell dat air, Kaz," he said, inhaling deeply, "Smells like dren, doesn' it?"

[Kazia]

:: It was the most laughable excuse to see her naked she'd ever heard ::

"Oh, is that how it works now??? I suppose it would save you the trouble of drilling another peephole in the bath house :: :mneh

:: She laughed at the look on his face, as though he'd just been busted royally ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

He kept his eyes fixed forward and appeared uncharacteristically humourless. Inside he felt like his younger self had just materialised, ran naked around the hanger and whizzed on his boot. They were recognised by the security detail and passed completely unhindered through the thick plated doors which lead from the hanger to the bright underbelly of the palace. Kallum loved the sense of status that gave him but remained silent, his ego still a tender with bruising.

[Kazia]

:: They passed a few humans and aliens along the way, all giving Kazia a wide berth. Her reputation as one of the higher ranked enforcers was known throughout the ranks from Coruscant to Wild Space.

She reached the bath house, selecting an empty chamber, and stepped inside ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

For a moment, he stood frozen to the spot as he watched her disappear behind a veil of steam. The corner of his lips curled. Well, she didn't say 'No', he thought. And swaggered casually after her.

[Kazia]

:: Kazia stripped casually right in front of Kallum, leaving her leathers just outside the partition. She took some bath oils from the Xexto attendant and looked at Kallum ::

"Just don't stand there. Strip." :p

:: Then she went inside and turned the water on ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Kallum's eyes popped like champagne corks and he took a short, sharp intake of air. Kazia was perfect. He gazed at her as she ascended the steps with steam that seemed to drape itself elegantly over every flawless curve. His heart pounded. He was transfixed by that arse.

She was gone from his sight. His gaping mouth closed with a wet slap and we went about tearing off his clothes as fast and unceremoniously as possible. In his mad frothing desire to get naked, he'd forgotten about one of his boots and struggled to pull his trouser leg over it. He hopped around on the warm tiles for a moment, grunting and panting until finally he was free of every offensive article of clothing on his body.

The rushing of hot water had become a melodic trickle on the surface of a full aromatic bath. In a couple of bounds he had cleared the stairs and without hesitation he leapt high and allowed himself to happily plunge into deep heavenly bliss with a magnificent splash.

[Kazia]

:: Kazia sat near the shallow end, tilting her head back as the steam and swirling water rejuvenated her. She reached for one of the oils and poured it over herself, paying no mind to her gawking companion ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

The bath was huge. Kallum was like an overexcited nala frog swimming in its bowl, he bobbed happily around Kazia in a semi-circle. He looked like a boy in a toy shop, grinning uncontrollably.

"So," he said, "D'yeh feel clean enough teh ge' dirty?"

What a great line, he thought!

[Kazia]

:: She burst into laughter and looked at him in shock ::

"KALLUM!!!" :lol :lol :lol

:: He was getting closer, so she splashed him in self-defense ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

She was laughing. It had worked. Kallum grinned playfully, closing an eye when she splashed him with water and slicked his wet hair back with a brush of the hand. He drifted around to her side and sat on the smooth bench molded around the edge of the bath. She returned to the bath oils.

"'ere," he said, extending a hand, "Pass me dat. I'll do yer back."

[Kazia]

"Oh no you won't!" :lol

:: Kazia pressed her back against the wall to protect it, which left her front exposed. She decided to make an escape into the water before he caught her ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Kallum knew the invitation of a chase when he saw one and with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he diver at her from his seat.

"It's time we got dat pretty 'air wet!" he laughed, clamping his hands on her shoulders, he used his weight to drunk her beneath the foaming water.

[Kazia]

:: Her shriek became a gurgle as Kallum dunked her beneath the water. She broke the surface again with a gasp as he held her firmly ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

His large hands clasped her shoulders and upper arms, he wasn't forceful with his strength, he simply held her fast. He had won the chase and was laughing victoriously at the look of surprise on her face.

"You gotta be quicker dan dat!"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia took him by surpise, and got even by spurting water in his face ::

:lol:lol:lol

[Kallum Romanoch]

They laughed like they were ten year olds, and thrashed about in the water, the light dancing in the shimmering spray. Kallum grinned stupidly, feeling drunk with delight, and allowed his weight to sink them both. His hands slid to her smooth hips, their lips crashed together, and they disappeared into the water.

[Kazia]

:: Kazia thrashed violently under the water, and broke away. Her eyes were full of outrage as Kallum surfaced ::

"WHAT THE FRELL???"

[Kallum Romanoch]

The fury in Kazia's voice hadn't fully registered with Kallum, but he was nonetheless finding himself quickly plummeting from the dizzying heights of happiness he had reached. There was a puzzled smile on his dripping face.

"Wha'?"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia repeated herself, lips curling back into a feral display of perfect white teeth ::

"What The Frell Was That???" :verymad

:: She was visibly trembling, and the pain of betrayal was on her face ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Wha'? I thought..."

His voice was weak and despite the abundance of water, his throat was dry. The sinking feeling in his stomach was so strong he felt it would drag him down to a watery grave and he backed away from Kazia cautiously, lost for words.

"I thought... I thought..."

[Kazia]

"What??? You thought we were going to Frack???"

:: She fought back the urge to cry ::

"Do you have any idea what Corvus would do to you for touching me like that???"

:: She looked more frightened than terrified now ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Her words made him wince and the distraught on her face made him feel sick inside. For all the steam swirling around them, he felt a cold chill run down his spine. There was panic in his eyes.

"I didn't mean... I thought... dren!" he muttered to himself.

Beneath, he found his footing on the edge of the bath and turned away, clasping his head in his hands. He hissed angrily through clenched teeth.

"Dren!"

[Kazia]

"LOOK AT ME!!!" she roared.

[Kallum Romanoch]

It was something, he discovered, he couldn't do outright. Her anger worried him, the sight of her beautiful face racked with the pain of his treachery, the echo of her cry which rang in the still air. He glanced to the door leading to the main hall of the bath house. He was stiff with fear. Had she been heard?

He turned slowly, dragging wet palms and fingers over his face. His eyes met hers. She was enraged. He was disgusted and wanted to get away as fast as possible. He couldn't bare her gaze and looked down at the shimmering water rippling around his waist.

"I'm sorry..." he muttered feebly, "I'm sorry. I was stupid. I- I- I-"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia moved down into the water and lifted Kallum's face, holding it in her hands gently ::

"He can never know ..." she said softly. "... and this can never happen again. Not ever."

[Kallum Romanoch]

Her touched seemed to burn him and he tore away from her hands. Before her eyes, in the wake of her tenderness, he shrank, ashamed of himself. His arms wrapped around his torso nervously. The colour had drained from his skin. He became fully conscious of his nudity and sunk until the water was up to his neck.

"Corvus..." he said quietly, the fourteen year old that peeped through holes had surfaced from within and spoke on his behalf, "Yeh won' tell 'im?"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia did likewise, so he would understand she wasn't trying to lead him on ::

"No. I won't. He loves you like a nephew, Kallum. He'll never tell you that, but he does."

[Kallum Romanoch]

The pangs of guilt stabbed him hard in the gut. Some nephew. He was so angry with himself, he felt like there was filth on him now that no amount of bath house water would wash away. His eyes were still down but his voice regained some of its strength, tempered by his anger.

"Why are yeh bein' so cool wit dis?"

[Kazia]

"Because I love you too, like a Brother. We're a family, Kallum. We take care of eachother."

:: She smiled warmly, and her eyes were sincere ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"It would be easier if yeh were just angry wit me," he muttered.

[Kazia]

"Forget it."

:: Kazia pushed his head, then got out of the water to dry herself ::

"Let me buy you something. Anything you want."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"We'll see..."

He never said anything after that, instead he listened and waited for the soft slapping of wet feet to slip into the bustling ambience of the bath house. Alone at last, he climbed out of the bath and trudged over to his scattered garments.

Several hours later, Kallum was buried under his ship, a TL-1800 light freighter which he was yet to name. It had been a gift from Corvus for his eighteenth birthday. He was hard at work, making the preliminary adjustments the huge Corellian had suggested. There was a fizz and a crack, he dropped the hydrospanner and dug in with his bare hands, groping for a cable jammed somewhere behind a convoluted maze of charred parts. There was a flash of light, he yelped in pain and quickly retrieved his hand. His ship spat a thick cloud of ebon smoke at him for man-handling her, he spluttered and slid out from under it.

[Kazia]

"That doesn't look good."

:: The Zeltron crouched down to offer some help ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

When he heard her voice, he tensed all over and felt the pricking angry heat of his short temper crawl up the back of his neck. This was his space. He came here to get away from the...

"Wha' are yeh doin', Kaz?" he asked, rubbing the soot from his face.

[Kazia]

"I came to help you, if you want me to."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Okay," he said, at first understanding, then secondly, accepting, "Okay."

He pulled his hands away from his face, from his lying position he looked back at the underbelly of his ship, then he looked up at her, and there was some hint of a smile on his face.

"Care teh join me den?"

[Kazia]

:: She smiled back, and slid down next to him to have a look ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Together, they crawled under the ship. Kallum retrieved the hydrospanner and struck the exposed innards of the vessel causing the metal to ring.

"Dis," he said, poking the tool at it accusingly, "Dis is what's causin' me trouble! Wha' d'yeh know abour fuel injectors?"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia gave it closer inspection ::

"It looks to me like that one's frelled. Parasites maybe. We'll have to fetch another."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Dats another trip into Mos Eisley..." he groaned.

Suddenly irritable, he went about shoving the metal panel back into place and started sealing it shut, using the hydrospanner correctly for once. In the narrow space, he caught Kazia's scent, it was sweet and clean and... musky? He frowned, it was the unmistakeable smell of Corvus's cologne, the one he'd had his eye on for a while now.

"So... how's Corvus?"

[Kazia]

"He's fine ..."

:: The question seemed odd, and she nibbled on her thumb as she scrutinized Kallum ::

"... what about you?"

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Fiiiine an' dandyyy."

His answer contained a hint of bitterness but he disguised it as annoyance as he gave the panel a thump to check it was secure. They remained lying on their backs staring up at an unremarkable underside of a ship while the buzz of activity continued all around. He sighed and looked sideways at her wearing an expression of contentment.

"I'm gonna get rotten drunk!" he said, matter-of-factly, and scrambled out.

[Kazia]

:: His frustration level was broadcasting loud and clear, and it made her wince. Scrambling up to her feet, Kazia caught up with him ::

"Kallum?"

:: She looked a little pained as she followed him ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Don't gimme dat look," he said, immediately pulling his eyes away from her.

"I don't mean teh make yeh uncomfortable."

[Kazia]

:: She grabbed his hand to pull him around ::

"I care about you."

[Kallum Romanoch]

He pulled his hand away from hers, conscious of who might be watching.

"I know dat," he said, "An' I- look! Wha' do yeh want, Kaz? I'm no good at dis kinda thing!"

[Kazia]

:: She looked angry, but sighed instead of shouting ::

"I just want us to have fun, so stop being so serious about me."

:: Her crimson eyes pleaded with him ::

"I'll always love you, Kallum, and I'll always be your friend."

[Kallum Romanoch]

"'oo said dis is all abour you?" he asked, annoyed and incredulous. Then he turned away once again and continued across the hanger, muttering over his shoulder.

"An' enough o' de mushy stuff, alright? If yer me friend den let's talk abour speeder bikes an' dren..."

[Kazia]

:: Kazia nodded sincerely before mussing up his hair. It didn't matter he was a man now, she'd always do it to tease him ::

"Come on then. Let's get going!"

:: She broke into a playful run towards the nearest speeder ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Yeah, yeah, watch de do, pinky," he grunted as she ran ahead.

The vehicle she'd chosen wasn't much to look at although it sported a brand new body, it was full of scorch marks from recent work but what it lacked in paint and presentation, it made up for in what sat beneath the chasis. Its engines weren't even on the market yet, in fact, they hadn't even been legally cleared and consequently its upper speed limits hadn't been capped and to go hand in hand with this was the latest model repulsorlift generator to make the ride extra smooth. Kallum hopped in alongside her, the thought that they didn't have permission to use the speeder made it all the more fun, but his devilish grin was quickly replaced by a look of sudden confusion.

"'ang on a minute, where we going?"

[Kazia]

"I told you, I'm buying you dinner." ;)

:: The last glow of daylight was in the sky as they headed towards Mos Eisley ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Woooooooooo!"

The accelaration climbed with terrifying speed, sending rythmic tremors through their bones as they soared under the blood red sky. Kallum's heart raced, he stood and kept the pedal floored under his weight, the speeder cut through the hot rushing air with effortless momentum all along the length of a broad abandoned sandcrawler track.

"Hahaaa! 'old on, pinky, we're goin' off-road!" he cried out, and yanked the sterring wheel violently to the left.

A roar punctured the desert soundscape and the speeder careened over the crest of a dune, they took flight riding on the back of an uncaged beast, holding on for dear life. Columns of sand leapt skywards in their wake and without missing a beat, the mechanical monster beneath the hood howled again and launched them forward through the showering dust and over the salt flats. Mos Eisley swelled on the horizon before them. Kallum laughed wildly, feeling like he could take on the Empire and the Rebellion all at once.

[Kazia]

:: They arrived in Mos Eisley without incident, although Kazia did notice a few rifle slugs whiz by them on the trip. She had to laugh. Tusken Raiders had the worst aim in the galaxy ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

The engine gave a small satisfied whine as they rolled to a stop at their usual parking spot. Kallum took a swig from his hip flask then jumped out after Kazia. They walked in the shade of a narrow passge which lead them to a bustling plaza.

"So Kaz, it's yer call... will it be Chalmun's, Gep's, Shaolo's, are we goin' up market, de Krayt Lounge, or downmarket to de Methane Fix?"

His stomach growled as if to urge her towards a decision.

[Kazia]

:: The Zeltron looked alarmed at Kallum's options. Half the places were dives, except for Chalmun's and the Krayt ::

"What part of I'm buying didn't you understand? You can't eat that lizard dren all the time, Kallum. You'll turn green." :p

[Kallum Romanoch]

"Ey!" he shot, looking a little hurt, "I pride meself on a good diet, lemme tell yeh!"

They crossed the plaza, winding through the swarming masses, and cut away down Dune street and approached the Methane Fix, Kallum eyed it longingly as they passed by. They arrived at a street buzzing with traffic, they hesitated as a Dewback ripped itself away from its stable and went rampaging through the lanes, it had cleared a path for them and crossing the road, the finally arrived at Chalum's Cantina.

"Do yeh reckon dey still do dat double Bantha Burger Bonanza deal?" he said, rubbing his belly as they ventured inside.

[Kazia]

"Let's find out."

:: They were greeted by the upbeat sounds of synth jazz fusion from the band on stage, and the cautious stares from the patrons as they entered. Kazia picked up the usual mix of emotions whenever she came in. Hate, paranoia & lust. She paid it no mind as she claimed a vacant table, leaving Kallum to fetch the food ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Kallum planted their drinks on the table then crashed into the seat opposite Kazia, he was automatically slouching, his arms were folded. He looked quite indignant and scowled in the direction of the bar.

"So I orders our scran, yeh?" he blurted suddenly, then continued to ramble once he was satisfied he had Kazia's attention, "An' d'yeh know wha' dat pot-bellied bastard said? 'ee asked me teh wait while 'ee prepared de order! Wait! ...me!"

He shook his head and scoffed, "So I says to 'im, right, I says 'Yeh better sort yeh frackin' head out, la, before I pu' a 'ole in it.' I says 'Yeh know 'oo I am? This is my cantina, kid! My-" Okay, so I know it's yours bu', yeh know wha' I mean, it's principle, right?"

"Frackin' newbies, man..." he said bitterly, sinking into his pint of ale, and after a few large gulps he looked up, and added brightly, "So anyway, de food's on it's way!"

[Kazia]

:: The Zeltron laughed and shook her head at Kallum ::

"Don't hassle the proprietor."

:: She felt someone staring at her from behind and looked over her shoulder to scan the patrons ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Nestled in an alcove on the other side of the room sat a Kubaz, it was alone. On the table before it there was a drink, it was full and the alien made no move to touch it. Behind reflective red lenses its beady eyes roamed and this left Kazia unsettled. Kallum watched her with interest.

"Yeh can't be upset by someone lookin' at yeh, Kaz, yeh must be used teh it by now."

A new song sprung to life somewhere behind him and he twisted to find the source of the music, he grimmaced and reclined into his seat again.

"By Jabba, I swear de only know two blasted songs!"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia leaned close as the meal arrived ::

"Something's not right about him. Trust me, and get ready to move when I tell you."

:: She took a bite of food and relaxed again ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"It's Mos Eisley, Kaz," he said with a shrug, "Der's suttin no' right abour everyone 'ere."

He tore a bit out of his double bantha burger and chewed feverishly, anticipating the next mouthful. When he looked back up, he noticed the Kubaz had company. It was a tall human, at least he looked tall sat opposite the insectoid but with his back facing them, there was no way they could identify him. The alien made a series of quick gestures with his hands, Kallum shook his head.

"What's wrong wit words?" he asked through a mouthful of burger, he swallowed, "Sometimes I get de feelin' dese aliens gerroff on bein' difficult. No offense, like. 'ow's yer food?"

[Kazia]

:: Kazia took a large bite of burger herself, trying to shake the sense of impending dread inside. Something horrible was going to happen ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

"'ey Kaz, look a' me," he said, peering over the summit of his double bantha burger, "Don' worry. Yeh wi' Kallum now, Pinky, nottin's gonnarapp'n."

After flashing a smile of rare genuine warmth, Kallum chomped into his burger and made hearty nom-nom sounds, playful eyes watching Kazia for a lift in her mood. She was toying with her food, he stooped so that their eyes met, and pouted at her like an infant.

[Kazia]

:: Kazia looked up, and everything seemed to shift into slow motion as her mouth twisted in fright. Not at Kallum, but at the Trandoshans coming up behind him, weapons drawn.

She pushed his head down with her right hand, drawing and firing with her left. ::

[Kallum Romanoch]

Kallum looked up in disbelief as the wall beside Kazia errupted, showering them in wood, embers and stone. Blaster fire zoomed overhead and Kazia took cover. Out came his blaster pistol, he sat up, twisted and returned fire with a lettuce leaf clinging to his cheek. On the floor was a dead Trandoshan, Kazia's draw was impeccable and never off mark, Kallum's aim was good but he couldn't match her for accuracy and their attackers had taken cover. The exchange was fast and explosive.

There was a high-pitched squealing sound which pierced the orchestrations of violence, it rushed towards Kallum and engulfed his senses not once, but twice. His weapon slipped from his fingers and he slid heavily under the table and crumpled on the floor in a heap. Drowsy eyes gazed across the room and he saw the Kubaz standing behind his table, pistol in hand, still pointed at him. His body went numb.

"Dren..." he murmured, and passed out.

[Kazia]

:: Kazia was busy shooting like a wildcat, but looked over her shoulder as Kallum was dropped. It was enough of a distraction for her to get nailed too. She fell, her pistol clattering from her hand as she hit the floor ::

[Redik]

The shooting stopped as the small number of thugs began collecting their prey. Kallum was first - it was typical that they saw the male as the greater threat - and while they were distracted, Redik took his opportunity. Tentatively, he crawled out from a nearby table and checked on Kazia, propping her head up with one hand so he could take a close look. Her eyelids fluttered; she wasn't dead, but was she ever out cold. Even the potent smell of his cologne did not bring her back to consciousness.

"Human," a Trandoshan voice said above him. "Move away."

Raising his hands in a gesture of acquiescence, he stood up. The Trandoshan shoved him aside with the butt of his weapon as another of the gang took the unconscious Kazia over his shoulder. The other members of the small gang of thugs - about seven in total to Redik's count - took their prizes and headed out the door.

The Trandoshan turned away from Redik with a suddenness that surprised him. Although taking a look around the restaurant helped him rationalize the situation; there were still patrons in the establishment that were likely well-armed but not affilliated with the gang. They'd taken a risk under normal circumstances, but here where they held control it was easiest just to leave without drawing further attention to themselves.

Satisfied that he could now eat in peace, Redik finished his meal. After about five minutes, he dropped some credits onto the table to pay for the food and left.

Once outside, he pulled Kazia's weapon from his pocket and regarded it. After satisfying himself that it would do, he slid it back into his pocket and hopped into the speeder they'd drove up in. A minute and a half of hotwiring later, the vehicle tore off through the night.