Ask Working Up A Sweat

[Jonathen Baize]

Jonathen took in a breath as the pressure released. His head rested on the floor for a moment. Kalique lingered for a second, joking as she straightened. “Not before you at least buy me dinner or something” he joked backed back.

She stood and helped pull him to his feet. He walked over to his staff, grabbing his water bottle and took a drink before offering it to Kalique. He then would sit down on the side of the ring, feet hanging over the edge.

“So you get better quarters now that you are a fancy Knight Captain?” He asked as he leaned back on his hands.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

By now, Jonathen wasn't the only one sweating and breathing heavier, Kalique was just good at suppressing her body's reactions. "Mhh, progressive, I see", she continued the teasing, using their playful banter to forget her symptoms for a little longer.

She welcomed the little break as well and immediately sat down crossed leg, but only after she had gratefully accepted the drink he had offered. Facing him on the rings edge, she leaned back on her arms that she had placed on the floor behind her.

"Oh they're definitely more spacious. I don't mind these things too much and I'm also fine with pilling into the barracks with a whole platoon, but I do have to admit the newly won privacy has its advantages..". She cocked her head to side, inhaling deeply to slow her heartbeat before curiously asking him, "how is it going for you? You're opting for Commander soon?".


@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

”I don’t know what platoon barracks you were sleeping in but I’ll take officer quarters any day.” He said with a snort. He had his own quarters in the barracks but was still close to his soldiers. Most of the time they were deployed anyway. Maybe you had a tent, but more often than not it was sleeping on the ground.

“I don’t know.” He said truthfully. He was a soldier through and through. This is what he meant to do, who he was meant to be. He liked where he was at now. It was a good mix of field work and responsibility. Going further would..complicate things.

“Besides, I hear the power starts to go to your head.” He said turning towards Kalique “Look at you, you attacked a poor innocent soldier just minding his own business earlier” he said, shaking his head. “You’re a menace and you have just been promoted. Why would I want that!?” He joked.

“But seriously? Maybe someday when I’m ready.” He answered more sincerely.

“So where’s home? He asked, ready to change the subject.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

It was fairly obvious that the Officer quarters were better, yet Kalique had really not gotten used to that 'luxury' yet. She didn't needed much and had learnt to sleep wherever, but obviously her new quarters were much better. "Fair enough. If you want you can come check mind out later" she didn't mind showing him around, although she was maybe a little concerned he'd find it hard to leave again.

As he started his sarcastic, humorous tirade, which only made her sit up straighter again and cross her arms in front of her chest."You've just met me on a good day. Trust me, you've gotten lucky". Somehow, even if it was nothing more than a joke, she saw it as yet another challenge posed by him and thus extended one hand before she slowly pushed him backwards, however still holding his weight and thus preventing a fall backwards.

His answer was surely an acceptable one, even though she had viewed him as a little more ambitious at first. If he still needed time, that was obviously fine though and she couldn't blame him for wanting to stay where he was. It was surely a more convenient position. "Home? Raxus is probably the closest place I'd consider calling home as I'm often stationed here, but if you meant where I was born, the answer is Serenno. I'm checking in every now and then, but not as often. How about yourself?". It was perhaps a little bitter, but Kalique couldn't define the word home for herself as she was often just on the run and deployed somewhere else.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

”I heard all of you Knights have it pretty cushy up in that castle of yours.” He said with a shrug. The Imperial Knights were more and more common as they were integrated into the larger Imperial Army but there was still a bit rivalry between the divisions.

She extended her hand and pushed him back slightly; he slid a few inches before stopping again. “Oh? A good day huh? It’s alright. I know how to handle you if you ever got out of control. I know you can thanks your Ewok drugs.” He joked.

Kalique seem to shy away from the topic of home. He didn’t press it. Some soldiers joined the army to get away from home, he got it. “Spintir.” He responded with his home world. “Grew up on a small fam. Hated it at the time, but now it doesn’t seem all that bad.” He said as his thoughts turned toward his home. “Been too long since I have visited my folks. Haven’t seen them since I graduated boot camp.” He admitted. There was some shame there. “The food was definitely better that the ration packs we eat out in the field!” He said, turning the conversation back to a lighter topic.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

"I usually don't spend much time there as I'm always busy somewhere else". Traveling back to the castle when she got some time off was usually not that clever as she was just losing time then. Just like today, she often stayed where she was.

As he mentioned the Ewok drugs again, she just threw him a dangerous glare before her lips curled back into a smirk. "Hm...actually you sound way too confident right now. If you're that dauntless I'd love to try that out" she teased back challengingly before he shared where he was from. "Oh wow...that's also a long time then. It sounds...very peaceful though". She wondered why he didn't visit them but decided not to push, maybe he'd willingly share this information one day.

She still noticed how some curiosity remained and thus she didn't mind sharing another detail that might interest him, especially after he made it seem like he wasn't familiar with her name. "Would you believe me when I told you Demici is one of Serenno's noble houses? I don't boast with it...or I don't even put emphasis on my name in general, but I just thought I had to put you in your right place, peasant". The faked disdain in her voice immediately made her chuckle herself before she let him back up.

"So...another round or what would you say about we do get back to that dinner idea?". Some would surely call it shamelessly direct but Kalique didn't mind that confidence. She had no idea how he'd take her suggestion, but she wasn't necessarily asking him out, but simply suggesting spending a bit of free time together.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"If by peaceful, you mean boring, then yes, it was very peaceful,"

he said warmly. The truth was, he didn't think he'd mind being a bit more bored some days. He always thought he would end up back there whenever he moved on from the military.

"Ohhh. That explains everything," he said at her revelation. He could see it now; she carried herself like a noble. "Well, my lady," he said with a sitting bowing motion. "Consider me thoroughly put in my place. Is there anything I can get for you? A glass of room-temperature water, perhaps? Maybe a hot towel?" he said, trying to immediately a fancy sound accent and doing it poorly. In reality, she was not stuck up like he perceived nobility to be.

Her next question made him pause a second. "Well, food sounds way better than getting tossed around like a ragdoll. Let's do that!" he pushed himself to stand. If he noticed the forwardness of it all, he didn't let on. "I'm gonna shower and change. Meet you out front in a few minutes?" he said before making his way to the locker room.

He spun on his heels a few yards away. "So, just so we are clear..." he said gesturing with his hands. "I won this little training fight thing? Right?" he said chucking.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

Whether something was boring or actually peaceful was surely debatable, but she knew that she'd probably be indeed bored after a few days. Thus, his answer was fair enough. He seemed content here and that was what mattered.

She couldn't stiffle a laugh as he started to imitate a posh accent which resulted in a headshake. "I can't believe how quickly you've changed from a determined killer machine to a full dork" she laughed, pushing herself of the ground again.

"You claim this explains everything? Pff...consider me pissed" she added jokingly, demonstratively turning her head away. "I now know whom I'll never invite to me fancy ass dinner parties". Her sarcastic tone already implied that it was just another joke, but for the theatrics she gave him a disdainful sideways glance before their conversation proceeded.

"Sounds good" she agreed before grabbing her stuff and heading towards the women's lockers. He wouldn't have to wait long before she'd already make her reappearance by joining him outside.

While she didn't have a target in mind, she just nodded their left to indicate any direction for now. They'd see what they'd find on their way home. "If it helps your ego, then yes. Tell everyone you've bruised my ribs" she replied teasingly, however being reminded of all the pain she still carried.

The warm water had already helped with soothing some muscles already, but obviously she'd remember this for a few days. "Do you regularly beat up innocent woman though?" she jokingly added, glancing back up at him.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He held a hand over his heart in feigned pain. "Not the dinner parties?!" he said, laughing as he left.

He had showered and changed into jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket. He flipped through his phone while he waited. A moment later, he was re-joined by Kalique, and they picked up the conversation right where we left off.

"Good," he said approvingly. "My ego thanks you," he said, letting out a laugh.

"Innocent women? No. Only those with space witch powers." he replied. Maybe one day, he would ask her about the Force and what it actually was. He didn't really understand any of it, to be honest. He just knew that the Sith and Jedi were evil, and somehow the Imperial Knights weren't.

They walked down the street; it was pleasant outside. Pain aside, this was turning out to be one of his more enjoyable days off in a while. "So, where would the esteemed Lady De'Maci like to dine this fine day?" he said.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Space witch powers?! Excuse me, now you're even calling me a witch...you're tiptoeing on a veeery thin line, Lieutenant. We can very well continue what we've started in the ring". Despite the sly smirk on her lips, there was a hint of danger in her glare as she met his gaze again. Obviously, that was also part of thr show.

As he asked for her culinary preference, she directed her gaze towards the little shops and restaurants that were up ahead and tried to figure out what she actually felt like today. "As a lady of style, I obviously only dine in restaurants where they don't even put the prices on the menu" again, she joked as she replied, but she had indeed found something that piqued her interest.

"This place on the right looks lovely". It seemed rather unspectacular and was definitely rather small, but Kalique had learnt how such places were something just amazing. "I haven't been there before, but it could be one of those secret spots that are actually perfect". Obviously, it could also be really bad, but she wondered whether he was brave enough to try. Was this a date though? It surely began to seem like one...

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He shrugged. "Thin lines are where I live," he said. "I thought we already decided I won that fight, no need to continue it," he said. Maybe he was starting to see through her feigned coldness, or maybe he was growing accustomed to it.

"The mess hall at the barracks doesn't have prices on its menu board, and its the least stylish place in the Galaxy." He put his hands in his pockets as they continued to walk, entering a more populated street. There were shops, cafes, and restaurants all over. Kalique picked one seemingly at random and suggested it. It certainly wasn't the type of place he frequented, but he agreed it might be fun, and they ducked inside. "Though it could mean they killed all of their customers by food poisoning..." he added to the joke.

The room appeared outdated but had a certain charm to it. A shorter, green-skinned humanoid approached them. "AhHH! Welcomeee!" he replied happily. "This way! This Way!" he said as he gathered menus and ushered them to a small table on one side of the room. The waiter brought out water and left abruptly.

Jonathen cracked a menu. It was in a language he didn't speak or even recognize as a langue. He assumed she didn't know the language either. "Hey, we should just pick random meals for each other. No asking questions," he suggested. He looked away, moved his hand around the menu, and pointed at a random collection of symbols. "Pretty sure you're gonna love this dish," he said.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Alright there you dare-devil...careful or you might one day find yourself in an Ewok's cage again". Looking back, it was kinda funny that they had gone through a lot of kriff on Endor, but she had to admit that she liked this day best so far.

"Oh...hmm come on, it does have its own charm". She knew that he knew what she had meant, hence she had just continued in a different direction. They were also entering the little place as suggested and despite the interior being very interesting, it did surprise her that there were not many other guests around. It was no usual meal time, but still. "We're about to find out".

While she tried to decipher the language somehow, an idea came to her mind and as she looked back up with a smirk, it suddenly was as if he had just gained a new ability. "Are you reading my mind now? Like seriously, I was just about to say this right here looks like something you have to order". It was a little strange how he had just suggested the same idea, but it was even more funny actually.

"It is a terrible idea", she still had to point out, "but I love it". She wasn't necessarily afraid of trying new things, but this all seemed a little too out of hand. Still, she agreed to the deal and as the waiter walked back to them, she pointed at the chosen item.

"Also, this as a drink please". Obviously, they wouldn't go for water, so she ordered him a beverage as well. She let him order her food as well, but as the waiter walked off while mumbling something to himself in a foreign language, she needed something to distract her from this anticipation about the random dish selection.

"I didn't thought this day would become this fun..." she warmly smiled, lowering her head on the palm of the arm she had on the table. "Let's just hope the food won't ruin it". She had another thing in mind but wondered whether he was in the mood for such conversations, but Kalique had never been one to hold back. "This playfulness...don't get me wrong, I appreciate it, just like your constant humor, but I was just wondering whether that's...a regular thing".

She didn't intend to drop a bomb on him, yet she knew that it was often a coping mechanism. Maybe that was his way of keeping an emotional distance. "What is your opinion on us Force users, if you don't mind sharing it. I'm receiving all kinds of emotions from Imperials, but I thought we could just openly talk about that as well as I was quite curious". While it did seem like he was having plenty of fun as well, she still had a feeling he was being cautious somehow.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"Maybe I am some powers of my own." he said with a shrug as the waiter was coming back out. He let Kalique order food first, looking over the menu as if it studying more would help his decision. He thought for a moment. "I'll have this!" he said, pointing to an item on the left page. "And I'll have this to drink. Thanks!" he said before the waiter darted away.

"Yeah, I have had a good time today." he agreed. He found he enjoyed her company. He waved off her concern. "How could randomly picking food at a random restaurant where we don't understand the menu possibly backfire on us? It will be fine!" he said with a smile. Though he knew where a nearby hospital was, if it ended up not being fine, he would hold on to that knowledge for now though.

He squirmed slightly as her questions turned more personal. "Not really.." he answered honestly. "I rarely get a chance to joke around and cut loose. It just felt...natural with you. It's..comfortable." he said. He was terrible at this shit. He felt self-conscious at that moment. "That probably sounds pretty dumb..." he laughed, tones of nervousness mixing in.

The next question made him squirm more, but he wasn't one to shade the truth. "They scare the shit out of me..." he answered honestly. There was an implied "you scare the shit out of me" in there that was left unsaid. "No one should have that much power over someone else.." he said. He tried to find the right words. "...Its like..." he said, pausing in thought. "...Its like this..." he said, pulling out his phone. "Let's see if I can find....here." he said, finding the article from the same day and sliding it across the table. "Thousands dead after a fight with a handful of people with these powers fought. Thousands." he said. He tapped his leg nervously. "I...I don't know..." he said, trailing off.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

Kalique tried to calculate the actual chance for food poisoning but it was hard to do without the parameters. She couldn't tell what items they were about to receive on their exotic dishes and even the pictures didn't help, so when Jonathen finished his order for her, she forced herself to a smile. "FYI, I'll blame everything that happens on you". While she had had the same idea, he had voiced it first and so she was joking about holding him responsible because of that.

His follow up comment made her laugh again, even though she couldn't help but add: "Sure...it's fine, but if it isn't, we have a lot of explaining to do". She didn't want to imagine getting sick and getting deployed tomorrow...maybe this wasn't such a good idea. If it weren't for his humor, maybe Kalique would have indeed been a little tense, but as he kept making her laugh she just decided to take it easy.

She was a little surprised by how quickly the personal question seemed to make him very nervous. As it hadn't been her intention to make him feel uncomfortable, she felt bad after having posed this question so directly, but once he began explaining, it seemed like it was getting slightly getting easier for him to open up. "Don't worry, that wasn't meant as criticism. I was just wondering, but I feel very honored then. I'm not that open all the time either so that's definitely mutual". With him, she wasn't all focused on her duties and all prim and proper either. She waved of his concerns, softly adding, "It doesn't. I can relate".

As for the Force sensitivity issue, she couldn't blame him at all either. It was a common notion and hard to understand for those who couldn't grasp it. She could not only see but sense how he was getting much more nervous again as he tried to emphasize his point and maybe it even hit her a little. She didn't consider herself an uncontrollable monster, but she was still drawing her powers from the dark side and yes, Ilthor had proven how devastating those powers could become...

She reached out and softly but a hand on his, meeting his gaze once again. "It's okay, don't worry. I understand. I mean...you already gained some first hand experience and I'm sorry that I was indeed insensitive about it earlier..." she herself trailed off here, realizing that her actions might have not helped that frail trust they had started to build. She didn't want to watch him struggle for words though, so she chose to elaborate some more.

"If it would help, I can explain whatever you want to know. I don't mind sharing my understanding of it, yet you've got a point" she shifted in her seat, letting out a short sigh. "I view my powers as a gift as I can support our shared cause with it and I try not to abuse them, yet you're right about one thing. It's dangerous, knowing that you're capable of simply overpowering a sentient being regardless of its constitution". It wasn't just that they had those powers, but many before had simply snapped and Imperials had died at their hands in the past...not just Jedi due to the religious conflicts.

"I really don't blame you. Most Imperials share those views...I see it often. There's just this mistrust in their eyes that originated in our past with the Sith. I still view it as my mission to help building that trust back up again". Her lips curled into a soft smile again, hoping that she was at least a little sucessful with soothing him.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

He sighed. “I don’t mean you…” he said but that was only partially true. There had been a handful of moments when something darker had shown through Kalique. Glimpses into the same thing that had driven those others to commit horrific acts.

He didn’t think she was evil or atleast hoped she wasn’t. She had risked her life to save him and his soldiers. “It can’t all be on you…that’s unfair.” He said. He looked down at the table. He opened his mouth to say further but there were no words.

Luckily, he was saved when the waiter came back bringing two plates of food. He set down a plate that had some sort of frog creature that had been wraped in giant leaves. It’s tongue hung out of its mouth as eyeless sockets looked up at her. The drink was a bit more normal looking, it was an orangish-pinkish color with chunks for fruit in it.

“That looks incredible…” he said, letting his earlier smile appear. He then waited for the second plate.

 

[Kalique Baize]

"Are you sure you don't? I'm sorry, I wasn't very considerate when we got more...playful". On Endor, she had been more careful with what she did, but after they had gotten to know each other better, she had even teased him with it, which really didn't help.

Again, he struggled with words and she had no interest and keeping him feeling more uncomfortable now. "No you're fine, really. Given all the history, no wonder you find me unpredictable. Not everyone is in control like I try to be". Still, even she could become angry. She had never turned against her own men and had also never just slaughtered anyone, but there was obviously always that pull from the darkness within her mind. It was tempting, but it was part of her job to resist it. They were not the Sith, yet she had also seen Knights who weren't in control of what they did. Suspicions would remain.

There slightly philosophical discussion was interrupted by the waiter who brought the first dish. Her mouth just flapped open as she stared at the frog like creature that was just staring back..."Oh...kriff" she breathed, not louder than a faint whisper before the waiter set the second plate down.

Kalique couldn't even tell which one was hers, but the second dish wasn't better either. It was a weird, green-brownish gelee with yellow chunks of whatsoever and the drink that was then set down was thick, slimey and blue-purplish. She waited for the waiter to disappear out of politeness before she buried her head under her arms, dramatically sighting. "No...no no no. I-". Her head dame back up, facing him with an extremely desperate look.

"I'm sorry...I'm not sure whether I can even try it". Wading through muck in sewers? No problem. Fighting Sith? No biggie at all. Trying this?! No...Simply now. She poked the forg with a fork which resulted in a little eruption of goo running out and that was when she actively had to repress a gag.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

The look on her face when the dishes were brought out was priceless. He had to look away to keep from laughing while the waiter was still there. He turned back around as he left, face practically beaming with happiness. "Oh, come on!" he said as she buried her own head. "I am sure its good! You can't tell me after everything we have been through that a little frog scares you?!" he said.

He turned his attention to his own food. It didn't smell great, and he couldn't imagine the gelatin consistency was going to do it any favors. He picked up a fork and poked it twice. "Interesting color choices..." he said, trying not to sound intimidated by his own plate. He scraped off a piece and took a tentative bite. It was not great, but honestly, he had eaten worse. He decided it had a meaty taste, which was not a great pair with gelatin.

The drink, however, was disgusting. It was like a pond water milkshake. His face soured considerably, though he tried his best to maintain a composed look. It would be pretty obvious that it was not good. "Refreshing..." he said painfully.

Grateful now for the glass of water that had been brought out earlier, he took a sip, trying to erase the taste of the earlier drink as he looked expectantly at his dining partner.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

She fought with herself internally, trying hard to come up with any train of thoughts that would keep her distracted enough to get some bites down without immediate having to throw up.

"You really want to try it, do you?", she asked to reinsure herself, hoping he'd just want to leave as well, but as he confidentially started digging in and didn't even grimace that bad, she simply shook her head in resignation.

"You're absolutely hard-core, you know that, right?". Reluctantly, she decided to give it a try, wanting to prove that she could also overcome this complete reluctance and figure out whether it was maybe simply looking that bad.

"I swear...this is absolutely hard for me". Still, mustering all her courage she sliced off a little dice of meat and hesitantly took a bite. The greenish meat was tough and tenacious, yet after thoroughly chewing, she realized that it was plain enough taste-wise in order not to make her gag.

"Mhm...delicious" she lied, obviously fighting against appearing completely grossed out. "I know this restaurant was my idea...but staying? Yours. I'll put that in your file. Lieutenant Baize has terrible culinary preferences and should never be in charge of providing food for his platoon. She added jokingly, keep using another opportunity for a playful exchange to distract herself from the food.

It was all about self-discipline when she reached for the drink and took a sip, but despite the weird texture, the taste was..acceptable. The flavors didn't match at all, but it helped washing out the frog meat. "I'm not a fan of wasting food so I'll let them...wrap it and see whether anyone is interested at the barracks" she was serious about that, not really wanting to test her luck in trying to eat more of it.

"Don't worry. I'll wait for you to finish your plate though". Letting her head rest atop of her palms, she threw him an expectant glance mixed with an amused smirk.

@Raydo

 

[Jonathen Baize]

"And take your food..." he paused "....I couldn't!" he said as he took another bite. You know, it was starting to grow on him a little bit.

"Almost everything is edible after you learn to survive on 100-year-old ration packs," he said truthfully. He watched in glee as she took a bite, chewing for a long moment before swallowing. "Sooo?" he asked. Her answer made him chuckle. She didn't look like she was having fun, but this was a blast for him.

"I don't know what you are talking about; I am a great cook," he said truthfully. He had grown up cooking and had continued it as a hobby when he could. "You should have suggested that..." he said with a shrug. "A shame, really..." he paused. "Maybe next time," he said with a shrug, glancing up at her to gauge her response.

"I can't imagine that will keep well," he said, laughing. It was already starting to smell odd, well odder than it had already smelled. He was going to leave his there. He had eaten most of it anyway.

The waiter brought out the check, eyeing Kalique's mostly full plate. "I'll get this." he laughed. "Your face earlier was worth at least triple the bill." he joked. He added credits to the table.

He looked at the time on his phone. He was going on duty in an hour. "Well, The Empire calls," he said with a sigh. "I had a great time, though! Maybe next time you want to work out you could just text instead of attacking me," he said, joking at the end as he stood.

@LadyRen

 

[Kalique Baize]

She really couldn't understand how to kriff he managed to gulp his meal down and so after forcing herself to give another bite of her own food a change, she stole herself a bit of his dish. It was maybe slightly better, but she'd rather stay hungry than finish hers, so that she really asked the waiter to wrap it once he reappeared.

"It is edible, that's not the point...I just-" why bother answering? He was just toying with her anyway so she refrained from justifying her behavior and simply laughed. "A great cook? Okay you definitely have to convince me of that" she teased as though it was so unbelievable even if it could be just a regular hobby.

After she asked the waiter to transfer the food into a box, she watched Jonathen grab the bill before she could even object which frustrated her a little. Still, also remembered what he had said earlier and dramatically clicked her tongue because of it. "Does that still count as taking you out for dinner?" she jokingly asked, hoping he remembered the terms he had stated earlier and began to chuckle once again.

Once outside, she realized how her stomach was indeed empty but she was actually looking forward to a good old protein ration. "Thank you for the lovely food then I guess" she warmly smiled up at him, actually thankful for the invitation regardless of how bad the food had been - it had still been an interesting experience.

"Me too...this was fun. And yeah, I promise" she then added amusedly, "And if we ever go out, we'll take a restaurant that is less adventurous". She was indeed grateful for the fun time and would surely remember this meal, but she definitely found the training better. "I'll see you around, Jonathen". With that, she gave him one last sweet smile before she turned to leave.

@Raydo

/end thread