Ask Unexpected Layover

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin grinned across at Hailee.

"Barrel rolls are somewhat useful yes, but it's also pretty useful to be able to fly straight to get the places you need to get to first. Then you can do all the barrel rolls you like on your way there"

Brin sat back and took his hands obviously off the controls as Hailee began to steer. He laughed again as Hailee mentioned being tired of life...

"Hey...Don't worry about that. I'm going to make sure we get to Onderon in one piece, I need to get paid for this job!" he chuckled

Brin raised his eyebrows, looking slightly impressed, his eyes flicking between the cockpit windows and the radar on the panel in front of him as Hailee took control of the vessel. As the ship manoeuvred out of the traffic and slipped back into the trade route he nodded slowly, approvingly.

He met Hailee's eyes with a sideways glance of his own and smirked before leaning back in the chair, resting his feet on the console and fixing his gaze back out of the forward window...

"So...never played sabacc before...and never piloted a ship before...and yet madame Jedi seems expertly skilled in both" He implied, crossing his hands across his chest, smiling.

"I've got a hyperdrive that needs looking at if you are equally good at starship mechanics too?" Brin said jokingly...

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She honestly couldn't believe her luck...or her skills...or how much the Force seemed to be with her today or whatever it was. She still kept focused on the flying, but she was also laughing. How was that even possible? "Well I told you I was a fast learner, right?" she teased him amusedly, before the tilted her head to the side.

She couldn't let his comment about the payment slide. "Hmm well about the payment. Seems like I don't need a pilot anymore. I'd say I'll just rent this ship and you'll get half" she then added jokingly while she had an overconfident smug grin on her lips which was just as fake as her statement.

She immediately started chuckling again, before she wanted to ensure that this was coming across as a joke. "No honestly, don't worry, you'll get paid! I'm appreciating your flying lesson and your trust though!". Her tone was underlined by an honest gratitude and she gave him another genuine smile. "But I swear I don't have prior experience!" she then reassured him with anrather innocent smile.

She noticed that he was still joking but due to her recent successes, she felt indeed confident right now. "Well I've fixed a few parts from speeders and starships. I could try! I mean like looking at it. I wouldn't mess with a flying ship. I'm afraid we won't make it to Onderon after all" she explained while chuckling yet again.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

"A fast learner..." he grinned again

"It's probably a good job the Jedi didn't recruit you when you were younger...you'd probably be running the place by now!" Brin joked. And he carried on laughing out loud as Hailee offered to rent the ship.

"I guess you're right! I'm feeling pretty redundant at the moment. At least I managed to make your bed and serve you drinks, right? If you do take my ship I could at least go into hospitality work?

Brin rose from the chair and straightened his clothes out. He walked over to the astronav computer and began making some computations. Hes stopped for a moment and put his hand on the back of Hailee's seat and leaned closer...

"You had better make sure you pay Madam Jedi...I know where you live remember..." and he turned away towards the computer giggling to himself.

After a few seconds he returned to his seat and put his feet back up.

"I think you're probably right though, lets leave the engines alone for now...especially while they're running and actually working. We probably need to extend the journey to three weeks rather than three days." He leaned over the console in front of him and flipped a couple of switches...

"The course is plotted back in for hyperspace. We can carry on flying...sorry...YOU can carry on flying if you want, or you can take us into the hyperspace lane?"

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She shrugged slightly as he repeated her own words before grinning at him again. She couldn't deny that it felt great to maneuver such a huge ship without difficulties. But admittedly, he had made it fairly easy for her to learn and so she was indeed very grateful for this opportunity. It was probably very helpful to be able to steer one in case of an unexpected emergency, but before she could drift into deeper thoughts, she immediately starting to laughing again. "Oh yes. I'd be the grandmaster for sure...".

When he talked about his redundancy she was still laughing and struggling to stay focused as she was just passing by another huge freighter. "Yup that sounds like a deal. However, if you're not flying i feel like we need to find more work for you. My shoulders are always so tense...perhaps you're good at massaging?" she then teased him amusedly as he was close behind her. "And that's an empty threat! You know where the temple is but may the Force be with you when you try to find my room" she shrugged again, an amused smirk on her lips as she quickly shot him a challenging look.

She then nodded approvingly in regard to his comment with the running engines before she was quickly considering his remark. "No hyperspace is fine. I do need to sleep any time and also, I'll get into trouble if this journey takes way longer than expected" she then replied, grinning again. As fun as this was, this was still a mission."So feel free to switch into boring autopilot hyperspace mode again", she added while chuckling.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin's cheeks flushed bright red when Hailee mentioned massaging. He mumbled something about not being very good and not having done it before and then quickly changed the subject back to the hyperdrive...

"Yes! So...the erm shoulders..no hyperdrive! Feel free to lock her in. You just ease the controls so that they are centered and there is no power applied to any of the directional thrusters..." He motioned with his own control set

"And then just slide these two levers up to the top..." He pointed to the hyperdrive controls at the top left of the console, on Hailee's side

"...and slide them all the way to the top. And the rest Hailee...is as easy as sitting back and letting the ship take us to Onderon. Feel free to drop us out at any time if you want to do some more flying. It shouldn't put too much extra time on our arrival if its just half an hour, here and there" He smiled...

"Maybe we can do some manoeuvres that make barrel rolls look like kids stuff!" He said, standing up and stretching his arms upwards, making a peculiar noise as he cracked his back in several places.

"I think those drinks have gone to my head. It's probably time to get some sleep. Feel free to stop up here for a while if you want, when you leave K-T will take over watch anyway. Otherwise I will see you in the morning? Did you have everything you needed in your room by the way? Do you need any more blankets, lamps, pillows?" He asked, seemingly genuinely concerned suddenly...

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She did notice that her remark made him blush a little and she couldn't help but to chuckle slightly while he through in the word 'shoulders' again. She was honestly not trying to mess with him or flustered the pilot, but she was rather...open for such jokes and teases.

The time on Corellia had toughened her up and even if he would actually massage her or vice versa, she wouldn't have had a problem with that. After all, it would just be an innocent massage, wouldn't it? So there was no need to worry.

She nodded approvingly to signal her understanding while she was already maneuvering the ship into the lane. She was then carrying out his instructions while she was still rather concentrated again until she leaned herself back again.

His remark immediately made her chuckle whole-heartedly again and she nodded excitingly. "That's sounds perfect! Thank you very much for the opportunity! I want you to teach my something that looks extremely cool and dangerous next" she then replied jokingly before she was getting up herself.

"This was all exciting! So sleep sounds great. I'll gladly join you...i mean in my own cabin. I'll come back to that flying offer though. And thanks, everything was fine! I've hot everything I need so don't worry about that. I'll grab a water for the night but that should be it" she answered him with an honest, warm smile before she would flung her arms around his neck again. "Thank you very much! Honestly! I appreciate your company. I was quite excited since this is my first solo mission, but I've been having an easy-going, pleasant time so far!" she threw him another smile after she had taken a step back. "Sweet dreams! I'll see you tomorrow".

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin stood awkwardly near the door to the cockpit, still with a childish grin on his face.

"In that case tomorrow, we can try out the 'Screaming Wookie', it's definitely more exciting than a barrel roll and it's when..." he trailed off slightly...

"I'll save that for tomorrow actually. Don't want to get you too excited before bedtime. You might want to tie your hair up a bit better than today, that's all I say" he finished with a nod at Hailee.

He turned to leave and tripped over the lip of the doorway as Hailee said "I'll gladly join you", and spun around quickly, pointing down at the floor and shaking his head...

"That...that ledge...always gets me ya know..." he spluttered, his face returning to its previous reddy blushed colour.

"Good to hear you have everything you need. I wanted to make sure you would be comfortable ya know...as a guest! Comfortable for sleeping...in the cabin."

Brin gratefully accepted the hug, bidding Hailee a good night also, but then stood stock still for several seconds before blurting out...

"The water bottles are in the fridge, help yourself!"

Brin turned almost on the spot, and caught the edge of the sofa, tripping him slightly. He turned briefly, feigning a laugh and pointing at the sofa as he shrugged, before making a beeline for his cabin.

He stopped again at his cabin door, before making his way fully inside, and not wanting to appear even more awkward, or even impolite, turned with a genuine smile to the Jedi...

"Goodnight Hailee"

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

"The Screaming Wookie?!", she immediately repeated, her voice higher and excited. "That sounds super awesome. I can't wait!", she then added with a big, genuine grin on her lips and his hair remark made it even better. She literally couldn't wait but he had been right. It was getting late and perhaps they should be completely sober before trying something that dangerous.

Again, what she had said made him and she felt slightly guilty. As she was quite emotional, she was never someone who considered words before just blurting them out and so she had made him slightly flustered yet another time, which was why she felt a little awkward. "Yes, everything is fine. Thank you very much and I'll fetch water myself", she then replied softly, this time a little more cautious before she had to keep herself from chuckling again.

"Good night!", she finally called after him before she was headed to the fridge to take out a bottle of chilled water and afterwards she was also headed to her own quarters, still shaking her head amusedly. Once inside her cabin she closed the door but didn't lock in as she was definitely trusting him and she had learned not to lock doors when it's not fully necessary. It would only slow her in a case of an emergency, even if it seemed unlikely that anything would happen at all. She quickly changed her robes with something comfortable for the night and slipped beneath the sheets before she drifted off in a deep, dreamless sleep.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin settled down for the night, feeling happier than usual. He was pleased that his current guest was certainly more pleasant than some of his more recent ones, and even after a short time felt that they were becoming friends rather than customer and pilot.

He woke in the morning refreshed as K-T entered his cabin to give him an overnight report.

"Nothing interesting Sir, lanes remain free flowing and we are on schedule to arrive at Onderon early tomorrow morning".

Brin stretched as he swung his legs out of bed and began to get dressed and called to the droid as it left his cabin...

"Hey K-T...can you dig the plasma stove out of the storage bay please? It's not often I cook breakfast, but I think I will today."

K-T responded with a small nod of its head and continued into the corridor. Ten minutes later Brin was busying himself in the galley frying several eggs over the ancient looking plasma stove, and turning over several pancakes on the other burner. He poured two large plastic cups half full with blue milk and set them on the table, where they had played cards the previous night. He stood looking, pondering the table, adjusting the cutlery and the napkins, waiting for Hailee to awaken.

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

When she woke up in the morning she realized that some sounds from the kitchen had interrupted her dreamless, but restful sleep. Her first impulse was to jump to her feet and ready her lightsaber, but she quickly reminded herself that she was in a fairly save place. She had kept herself from jumping up and so she was only in an upright, seated position right now, but she was definitely right awake.

She stretched on the bed for a little while until she got up and changed her clothes again. She was wondering what Brin was up to, but she knew that she would find that out soon. Another yawn escaped her before she was headed for the galley. Right when her door hissed open, she could already smell food and that was rather odd since those normal rations were never smelling. She curiosly raised an eyebrow while she was starting to perceive the sizzling sound of anything frying and that was when a smile immediately came to her lips.

She was in a fairly good mood anyway, but it seemed like the pilot was truly versed in hospitality. "Good morning", she greeted him warmly while she leaner in the doorframe, realizing that he was busy making breakfast. The table was already set up and it seemed like he had put lots of effort in it. "Oh...what are you doing? I mean thank you very much...that's so nice of you. But I wasn't expecting such a service on a cargo flight", she added delightfully surprised. That was truly much more than she had expected and she was extraordinarily grateful for such a nice gesture.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin looked up as Hailee entered the doorway into the galley. He waved a spatula covered in scrambled egg and smiled over at her.

"Good morning Hailee. I just thought it might be nice to...make a proper breakfast?" He said, pointing to the plasma stove...

"And it was already out as I tend to use it fairly often anyway..."

K-T, who was stood around the central nav computer interrupted the captain...

"But Sir, by my estimations you haven't used that stove for approximately 127 days, 16 hours, 49 minu..."

"Yes! Yes thank you K-T." Brin chimed in, giggling nervously...

"I just thought it might be nice seeing as we arrive in port tomorrow to have something other than rations for a change? And I have to admit, it's also nice to have a guest that's fun to have on board. Unlike some of my previous 'tennants' who used the ship like their own private pet day care" He motioned to a second sofa in the corner of the common room, that they hadn't used, that had several large claw marks torn through the fabric and one of the legs chewed almost in two, so that the entire thing leaned precariously to the left.

"And it also makes sure we have all our energy for pulling off that screaming wookie later on..." he grinned

"You do like pancakes, right?" He suddenly asked worriedly...

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She really didn't want to be rude, but it was hard not to chuckle at their little disagreement. It was honestly sooo nice of him to show so much effort and she really appreciated it. She had never experienced much hospitality in her life apart from the time she had been with the Jedi and so this was really something very special for her. She entered the galley with a warm, genuine smile while she could already smell that something very tasty awaited her.

"No honestly. I really appreciate it! That's extraordinarily kind of you!", she thankfully pulled him into another hug again before she was trying to find out whether she could still make herself useful, but unfortunately it seemed like he was already done, so all she could do was to take a seat.

"I'm sorry about that pet incident...is that why you're not allowing pets anymore?", she curiously asked even though it felt like she already knew the answer. She had briefly directed her gaze at the claw marks, her browser slightly furrowed until she gave him another smile.

"Right! The maneuver! Oh I can't wait! This is going to be awesome!" she then replied enthusiastically, before she quickly gave him a serious look. "If I like pancakes?! Are you kidding me!?" she began quite convincingly, before she immediately started laughing. "I love them!" she added with a sweet, genuine smile.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin gave Hailee a small bow as he began to serve up the food onto two shiny metallic plates.

"It is all part of the service here on Castalli Spaceways, Madam Jedi. And its better than another day of solid processed protein bars" He told her.

Brin nodded over to the half destroyed sofa...

"That is exactly why I am no longer admitting them. Can you believe that she just let that stupid animal trash my common room, and then had the audacity to blame me for when it threw up upholstery foam all over the deck...which I had to clean up anyway!!!" Brin exclaimed, still waving the spatula around excitedly, splattering bits of egg all over the counter.

"Anyway...I kept her deposit, and she stormed off the ship when we landed on Yavin. Good riddance if you ask me..." he continued shaking his head. He laid down the spatula and bought the two plates over to the table and set them down next to the napkins.

"Pleasant eating" he said to Hailee as he began to eat and scroll through a datapad that K-T had just bought over to him.

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She immediately started questioning whether this was his normal service. It was not just the droid's remark that made her doubt his statement, but she could somehow tell that he was lying...or maybe slightly manipulating the truth. However, she was truly thankful and more than happy that so she simply chuckled amusedly. "I will definitely keep that in mind. I'll even recommend your services all across the galaxy", she replied honestly while he was already busy serving the two of them.

When he spoke about the sofa incident again, her face became more serious again and she frowned at his story, a hint of resentment in her glare. "Kark...I'm truly sorry that you have made such experiences...I can only imagine what it must be like to have such audacious customers on board. I can only promise you that I'm not in the possession of any feral beasts and the only thing you have to fear from me is that I will defeat you in another round of Sabacc" she then teased him jokingly, hoping to distract him from the memories of this unpleasant animalistic accident while her eyes followed the splattering egg scrambles.

"Definitely a good riddance. I guess she wasn't a Jedi, but I still hope she won't cross your path again" she then agreed before she would warmly smile again. "Thank you very much again! It smells delicious and this is definitely better than the usual, plain rations". Her voice was genuinely grateful and she gave him another smile before she grabbed a fork and a knife and started to cut off an edge of one of the pancakes. After trying the first bite, her smile immediately widened. "Oh...that's really good! But not I'm curious. Who taught you to cook?".

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin looked up from his breakfast and nodded and Hailee

"That would be extremely kind. I've only been flying out here for a year or so, and any work is good work. Even better if a Jedi has said I'm reliable...or at least safe. And it's OK...that sofa was on here when I bought the ship, so its probably about 50 years old anyway." He chuckled.

He looked her straight in the eyes...

"Beat me again... hmm? Well, we'll just see about that. Maybe we play again this evening? Maybe I win, and get those defence lessons you promised?" He started laughing...

"Or maybe you do beat me again and I have to think up another prize for you" He said shrugging and grinning at her.

Brin was nearly done with his food when Hailee enquired as to his skills.

"My Dad taught me pretty much everything. He used to cook for my mom, who would be working late at the embassy nearly every day. And then when he...lost interest, I kinda took over. And out here, especially when I don't have any guests on board, I sometimes like making things."

He looked up at Hailee for a moment and set his fork down onto the table. Thinking to himself that he had talked an awful lot about what he had done on Corellia, but hadn't asked his guest the same.

"What was it you used to do on Corellia, Hailee? Before you were contacted by the Jedi?"

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She was not lying. The food was extremely good, extremely good even if one 2ould consider that they were on a ship and she was still very grateful for all the effort he had put in it."Definitely! I will definitely do that! The Jedi would be pleased to have a reliable go-to pilot and I can even say that your company is very pleasant!" she replied with a genuine smile before she took another bite of her pancakes.

His remark concerning the return match just immediately made her chuckle again before she gave him a rather serious, smug grin."Deal! I'm already curious to see the new prize", she then teased him amusedly before she started laughing again. Actually, she had an idea in mind, but she wouldn't tell him yet. However, it was already showing in her face as she was not able to suppress suppress excited grin.

She then listened to him attentively, her excited grin turning into a sensitive, empathetic glance. "It's great that he taught you! That's definitely a useful skill, but I'm sorry that he...that you had to take over" she replied softly with her mood definitely changed. The lightheartedness was gone within a second and his own question was just as serious. She swallowed and emptied her mouth before she took another sip of the milk. She then let out a slight sigh, before she started to elaborate. "Well, the story is not the happiest. Right before the Jedi found me, I had established my own business. I was working on technical parts, but before that, I consider my past as rather dark...My parents had left me in the hands of a criminal boss when I was still a child and I kind of had to work myself out of this situation". Their was definitely a certain amount of sincerity in her voice.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87[/COLOR]

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin smiled widely...

"A pilot for the Jedi...now that would be cool" he said, almost dreamily.

His smile changed to a playful frown as Hailee talked about winning again...

"Well its not for certain is it? I'm not even going to think of a new prize until it happens...that's how confident I am that I will win this time" Brin nodded assertively and smiled at Hailee.

As Hailee explained her younger years, Brin began shifting awkwardly in his chair. He wasn't great at talking about this kind of thing, and having spent only two days with Hailee, felt that he certainly didn't want to say anything that might offend her or upset her.

He collected his cutlery up and stacked them onto his plate.

"You must have had a hard time Hailee." He said, trying to sound sympathetic...

"Some of the places on Corellia aren't great places at the best of times, but I can imagine being in that situation made it even less great." He continued...

"But it seems that you have made it out alive, and made it to a pretty exciting life as a Jedi now? I suppose that's something to be thankful for?" He finished standing up...

He hoped that he had appeared genuinely sympathetic, and took his plate over to the galley.

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

Seeing him smile this way genuinely made her happy. Yes, she would definitely put in a good word for him and she would ensure that they would stay in touch. She was truly thankful that her old pilot had vanished..she doubted he had been as pleasant as Brin's company. However, when it came back to her game she just chuckled softly, confidently shaking her head. "Nooo way. We'll see about that. You better have something prepared!", she then laughed amusedly while the new idea in her head still had her genuinely excited.

However, before the fun could begin, they were still engaged in a rather serious conversation, but it wasn't uncomfortable at all or anything. No, she felt quite confident even with opening up to him. "It was a hard time. But it made me stronger. I'm so thankful for everything the Order had done for me and yes, my life is completely exciting but now in a much more positive way", she then concluded seriously, but with a faint, hopeful smile on her lips. She was over her past. It was all good now and so it wasn't really weighting her down anymore. There was much more to look forward to now and why would you ever want to look back anyway?

She then cleared the table in front of her as well, bringing the dirty dishes back to the counter before she couldn't hold back her broad grin anymore. Clearing her throat, she tried to keep serious for another few seconds before she would walk off hastily:"Damn it. I've got to check on something". She was dearly hoping he would buy it for now, but that's why she hurried back to her quarters to gather her stuff as planned. She was extremely excited to see his reaction, but she assumed that he would be quite confused right now.

@Kubby87 @Brinnon Castalli

 

[Brinnon Castalli]

Brin began placing the breakfast items into the automatic washer set into the bulkhead and laughed back at Hailee.

"No...absolutely not! I refuse to accept that I will be beaten this time!"

He stopped what he was doing for a few moments as he looked kindly at Hailee.

"That is very good to hear. Life is too short for it to be filled with bad experiences." He said honestly, shaking his head.

"Especially when it's the fault of other people that we have those experiences." He continued, closing the washer and setting it on the cleaning cycle.

He wiped his hands off on a cloth hanging on the galley worktop and watched Hailee hurriedly exit the common room.

"Erm...OK?" he said, smiling and shrugging.

"I'll be in the cockpit getting ready for flying lesson number two whenever you come back" Brin shouted after Hailee, making his way to the front of the ship.

@LadyRen @Hailee Lightwood

 

[Hailee Lightwood]

She wanted to add a feisty, challenging 'oh yeah? Well see about that!', but she kept quiet for now as it would have only messed with her plans and so she had only chuckled amusedly. The remark that followed was definitely true, since she had made that experience a few weeks ago. There was still so much beauty in the galaxy and so one shouldn't dwell on the past. She felt a little bad for having him tidy up the kitchen on his own, but she was hoping to make it up to him anyway soon.

Once inside her cabin, she would fetch her two small vibro-knives and her lightsaber, clicking all weapons back on her best before she made her way back to him in the cockpit. She approached him with an excited smile, simply grinning at him all geared up. "Leave that ship in hyperspace for now. We've got work ahead of us!", she then proclaimed excitedly, offering him her hand. She assumed he was still completely clueless, but once they would make their way back into the galley, she would fill him in.

@Brinnon Castalli @Kubby87