Sagitta exhaled as she entered into the hangar. “Well. At least I know where I am..” She smiled while looking around. “This is big. Why can’t I leave my animals here…” Though Sagitta knows the truth. Even if she could, she wouldn’t. She doesn’t think that animals should spend the rest of their lives on a ship.
They should be out with nature. Where they would be happier.
Besides, this was for ships. And from the look of things, maybe good storage areas.
Zuza had returned to the Voidbreaker II once already since… everything. She was still tired but she was far from the situation she’d been in on her first return to the ship. She smiled slightly to herself, finishing up the final checks. Everything was alright with her frieghter, but it was best to check still even if mechanics weren’t her forte.
The small Human soon enough made her way out of the ship, stepping into the hangar. It was a familiar place, despite how much it changed. Zig’s speeder was on board, which drew a wider smile from Zuza, though she was distracted by footsteps elsewhere in the hangar, walking over to investgate and then grinning upon seeing the source.
“Sagitta!!”
She broke into a light jog toward the Mirilan.
‘Sagitta!’
“I didn’t do it!” Sagitta yelped as she turned to where she heard the voice. But she was relieved when she saw Zuza. “Zuza!”
Met with her jog, she pulled the short woman into ahug and lifted her off the ground, swinging her slightly before setting her down. “How are you? I am exploring! I thought I should get to know the lay out of my new home you know. Sadly I haven’t seen that many people but it makes sense I guess, you guys have lives and all! Though I did get to spar with Cole a bit last night! He got me pretty good! He’s helping me realizing my weakness so I can work on it some more. Did you just get here? Are you leaving? Wait, are you a pilot? That’s so cool!”
Zuza laughed, holding on tight as she got swung around before taking a slightly unsteady step backwards once her feet were back on the floor.
“I’m ok. That smart!” Zuza nodded, and though her expression dimmed slightly at the mention of Cole it quickly brightened again. He was actually talking to someone and Sagitta was having fun. Good. Good. “That sounds like fun, glad you’re getting along with people. I just got here, and yeah I fly. That’s my ship.”
Zuza turned and gestured to the Freighter that she called her own. It wasn’t the best ship in the galaxy, but it was good enough for what she used it for. The Human turned back to Sagitta with a smile, “So explorin’? How is that going for you? Anywhere you wanna find but don’t know where it is? I know this place pretty good.”
Sagitta squinted at Zuza, “Wait, wait back up. Do you and Cole have history?” Oh, frack. Her heart was dropping and speeding up at the same time. Oh no. What if he’s been lying to her? Are they together!?
IS SHE A BLOODY HOMEWRECKER!?
Zuza blinked, holding up her hands, “Uhm. Long past history, but yeah? Did he actually.. talk about that?”
She frowned, the confusion clear on her face. Not at being asked, but more so at Cole talking? About things?
Sagitta shakes her head and laughed softly. “Him? Talk?” But then she frowned softly. Wondering what happened between the two of them. Cole and Zuza would be a good match, someone needed to brighten that man up.
“I asked because I noticed you got a little,” she squeezed her two fingers together a little bit. “Different when I brought up his name.”
She wanted to press more. Ask more. Surely Zuza would say more than Cole ever will!
But she wanted to respect Cole. She had developed some… odd relationship the two of them have. The No-Strings pinky promise relationship.
Sagitta quickly smiled as she waved her hand in the air, “No matter! Wait, waht did you say earlier… OH! Exploring! It’s going great! I’m not lost. Nope. Was wondering where this Hangar was!” Which was both a truth and a lie.
“Yeah uh..” Zuza rubbed at her collarbone, “Yeah. We.. used to be friends.”
She happily went with the topic change. Guilt was.. a funny thing in how it clawed at someone in a way different to most of anything else emotive.
“Well, you’re in the hangar. Was this the only place you wanted to reach, or are you not lost in the wrong place?”
Her usual smile popped back up as she spoke.
“Friends?” Sagitta sighed softly. She knows all the pain of losing someone you thought you could trust. Asani and her were still sisters and close but they have not been the same since that incident and things had been difficult and different.
Damn it. She wanted to know more. After all, if she has a building relationship shouldn’t she help Cole?
No. Everything has it’s time and place.
“Yes! No. Yes! … Okay. You got me.” She threw her hands up in surrender and laugh. “I wouldn’t worry though! I’m sure the longer I live here, the more of the layout I’ll remember.” She grinned, “And no, I’m off today so I figure I would use for a mini Voidbreaker II adventure!”
“Well, I’ll wander with you then, if you wanna. I’m visiting for a few days so I’m in no rush.” Zuza gave Sagitta a soft nudge to the sarm, noting the sigh.
“And if you have questions, I’ll answer what I can. Though.. I think I have some of my own too.” She smiled, brown eyes meeting pink, “First-”
Zuza whistled, turning just before she did, and a soft whine came from the ship.
“Frond.”
A soft bark responded.
“Frond!”
Another bark came back, but the clattered of claws against metal was with it as the crimson Cythraul made his way out of Zuza’s ship and made his way beside Zu. She patted him on the head, though gave space for Sagitta to have the reaction she was thoroughly expecting.
Sagitta smiled and nodded, “That sounds great! We can do that.” She liked the idea of asking questions but she was still torn between respecting Cole’s space and finding out what’s going on. At least she might have some times since Zuza was going to ask the question first.
She misunderstood.
Her brows furrowed. Frond? Then a bark. The pink eyes of hers lit up. “AHHHH OH MY GOSH HELLO THERE!” she gushed over Frond, was happily on her knees and petting him and giving him scratchies and rubs, and whatever the boi wants to have, Sagitta provides!
“You are sooooooo cute! Yes you are. Yesssssss you aarrrrrreeee! Such a cute cute boooooiiiiiii!”
Frond sat down, raising his head for chin scritches, his tail wagging back and forth happily.
Zuza grinned as she watched, shaking her head.
“You are so spoiled Fron.”
Frond chuffed and flooped over onto his side for belly rubs.
“And you deserved to be spoiled, yes you do.” She happily gave him rubbies and belly scritches.
“Okay!” She got up, “If I don’t stop now, I’ll never will.” She chuckled softly. “Let’s go exploring! You can ask the first question!”
Frond whined, but Zuza gave him a look and he got up to his feet to wander over. He bumped against her hip, standing at her heel as the Human gestured toward the exit, ensuring Sagitta was walking the right way before following along herself.
“Okay, easy one first. How are you finding the Voidbreaker? Everyone being nice, any incidents..?”
“Don’t worry,” Sagitta whispered towards Frond, “I’ll sneak in some pets.” She smiled as she gave him random chin scratchies before walking ahead at the exit. When Zuza walked along side with her, Sagitta smiled.
“Yep! I’ve only met three now so far. Doon, I met him long ago at the academy and-” She stopped before coughing and cleared her throat. “We met few more times.” Her cheeks were becoming slightly muddy red.
“Same for Cole. Met him few times. And now you!”
A random head scratches for Frond.
“How long you worked for Voidbreaker?”
Zuza looked at Sagitta as the Mirilan’s face turned reddish. Well, that was an obvious answer to how she knows Doon.
“I’m amazed you’ve only met so few. I thought L'ara was.. well you must’ve met L'ara? And we’d met before-” Zuza gave her a soft prod with her fist to Sagitta’s arm, “You’ll meet everyone else before long, it’s been.. a busy few weeks for everyone.”
Frond made sure to do pass bys of Sagitta regularly to ensure he got a good share of scritches.
The Mercenary inhaled, considering it and having to mull the time over. “Two… nearly.. Well. I worked on here for about 2 years? Maybe a year and a half, before I moved into leadership. You can’t really work here when you’re off on Selen for most of your time.” She chuckled, letting Sagitta lead but making sure to keep an awareness of where they were. It’d be easy to steer away from anywhere they shouldn’t be.
“You and Doon hm?”
Sagitta groaned, “L'ara! Yes! She’s my roommate but I haven’t seen her yet since I’ve moved in. I think she’s been busy and laying low at the moment.”
Sagitta paused for a moment before nodding. “Yea. It’s been… busy.” She was still so angry about that. How did she get captured? It was the one thing she hasn’t figured out yet.
Sagitta laughed softly as she noticed Frond. “Smart boy.” She whispered at him as she gave him some side head scratches this time.
“That is true! Regardless, I’m glad you are here right now! I can understand things on Selen can keep you busy.”
Sagitta smiled as she nodded. Her face becoming muddy red again. “Yes. And Cole as well. N-n-not them at the same time! I- I meant oh frack.”
Quick! Change the topic!
“Any lucky partner in your life?”
Zuza accepted she could not prevent the spoiling of Frond.
“Well I’d guess not at the same time. Doon isn’t the best at sharing.” She commented, leaving that little treat of a comment there for Sagitta to get flustered over before chuckling at the quick return of return of question.
“Yeah, actually. Zig, first mate of the ship. She’s.. great. We’ve been together about a year now.”
Sagitta grimaced, “Yea I wouldn’t imagine that he would be okay with sharing like that.”
“Aw! I hope I get to meet her soon! Maybe we will! I’m not even sure who is on the ship sometimes to be honest.”
Wait.
She paused and froze in her footsteps while looking at Zuza.
“H-h-h-how did you know that about Doon?”
Zuza only walked a few steps further, with a massive grin across her face.
“Not your turn to ask!” She waggled a finger, before laughing and trying to think of a question quickly. To free Sagitta of not being able to ask, “Cole as well?”
Her expression didn’t shift, still quite amused at the topic at hand.
Sagitta pouted before quickly catching up to Zuza.
She smiled softly, it didn’t help that last night was -
She cleared her throat.
“Yes. Cole as well.” Good gods. Is her entire face red now? Even her bloody shoulders?
“So did you and Doon!?” She quickly jumped on the question.
“Mhm. It..” Zuza coughed, a small flush on her own cheeks now but she grinned anyway, “Well he was made to share that night. Four of us together. Not that it didn’ happen again after that, but that was the first.”
She laughed, shaking her head at how red Sagitta was and deciding to make it worse, “Did he mark you?”
Sagitta coughed. “Four!? What was that experience like?! Oh frack. It’s not my turn for questions.” She pouted as she sighed.
Then a yelp. “Oh my gods,” The redness was now everywhere. “Yes.” She removed a piece of jacket and the bite scar can be seen on her shoulder. “Of course Doon would leave marks.” She laughed softly as she pulled her jacket back up.
“SO! What is it like to have a… four-some?”
“Uh. We took turns, so it wasn’t all like…” Zuza meshed her fingers together, “Just paired off. It was uh. Yeah.” She cleared her throat, “So, normal, but switching partners and keeping going despite how long it can go for, and.. rather intense.”
“Good, though.”
She ran her hand through her hair, “Anywaaaaay, uhm.” What else to ask? That wouldn’t dip the mood massively.
“You mentioned training, how’s that going?”
Sagitta nodded. “That makes sense and would make things easier I’m sure. And more exhausting I imagine.”
She gave Frond scratches on the other side.
It seemed when they dipped away, her face was slowly returning back to her normal color. She nodded, “Yes! I’m used to doing something every day. Running, swimming, climbing, even sparring. I like to keep moving! But since moving here, I’m a bit weary about leaving because I really don’t want to call any of you for help to get back to the ship… heh. Got lost in the woods. That’s how Doon and I-”
She stopped right there as she laughed sheepishly while scratching at her cheek and looking around. “Training is going great! Getting some close combat in and as well shooting.” Then she sighed.
“Though…” She glanced at her hands. “I haven’t used the Force since-”
Sagitta grimaced, remembering the jolts down her body. Cleared her throat, “Training is going well!”
Now it was her turn.
“Where did you find this cuuuutttiie, I am considering a friend big enough for me to have on the ship!”
“Maybe call us for help before you get lost.” Zuza commented, with a small laugh but.. it faded as Sagitta herself grimaced. But it was good to hear that she was doing well in that. The better prepared she was the.. better.
“I didn’t find him! He’s.. Well he’s a bit of an odd one. He’s a Cythraul, kinda like an Arx wolf but a specific.. sub.. type? Species? I dunno exactly, but we have a pack of them. Or Arcona does, at least. Most of them, if not all, are already bonded, its kept pretty quiet, but apparently I flew by fairly close and Frond chose me.” She smiled down at the pup. He’d already grown so much from the fluffy bundle she’d recieved, “Atty, Marick’s wife if you know of him, she gave him to me. In.. the middle of the night on the Voidbreaker while heavily pregnant and not previously having been on the Voidbreaker. Kriff that was a weird night.”
Zuza laughed again, “Weird, but worth it. He acts all soft, but he’s training well. When he’s older, I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. He’s stll a puppy, if you could believe it.”
Frond was already the size of a small Arx wolf.
“Now how can I do that if I don’t know I was going to get lost?” Sagitta protested, laughing softly.
She hears the story and smiled with a nod, “Yes! Marick trained me with my Arcanist abilities.” Then Zuza continued while she smiled and gave Frond so many more scratches.
“Whoa! No way, he’s still a puppy!? That’s so hard to believe! Awww. Are you going to be a big boy? Yes you are, you’re going to be a good big boyyyyyyy.”
She frowned, “Wait, I lost track, whose turn is it?” She asked, laughing softly.
“Uh-” Zuza blinked.. “Uhm mine I think?”
She thought for a moment, and then as they turned toward a lower deck of the ship, decided to finally breach the topic, “So… how is Cole?”
Sagitta frowned as she thought about it. “I don’t know. He’s pretty private. Was in a bit of bad mood last night when we sparred.” Then she smiled softly, “but got him to smile a bit at the end of it. And I also made him to do a pinky promise!” She smiled brighter. “Cant tell you.” She winked at Zuza playfully.
She wanted to ask more questions but Cole was a private person.
With a soft exhale, she decided to leave it be. If she doesn’t know, then she doesn’t.
“If you could change your job, what would you rather be doing or do you love where you are right now?” Sagitta scratched between Frond’s shoulders.
“Well that’s.. better.”
Zuza had been doing her best to try and make sure he wasn’t spiralling. Kriff, she knew all too well what was going on and couldn’t do a damn thing but watch. It was nice to know that Sagitta at least had him smiling and-
“Pinkie promise?! Sorry- I know.” She raised her hands. Pinkie promises were sacred, but that was an image she could never have pictured happening. “If I could change…”
Zuza shrugged, “Uh, I dunno really. I enjoy my job, depsite everything. I don’t know what else I would do. The.. typical mercenary route worked for a bit but it’s not really… Well. No. I enjoy that, but Arcona’s my home. So.. complicated, I think would the answer.” She chuckled, “What about you? If you could be anywhere in galaxy, where would you be?”
Sagitta felt a bit relieved that she somehow seems to be helping? Making a mental note, she needed to see if she can offer more sparring. Maybe reading a book to him every night would help.
Sagitta smiled, “I knooooow. It’s silly but it felt right! So yes, a pinkie promise!”
“Ooooh you were a mercenary before all this? The freedom must’ve been a bit nice.” She pushed the elevator door button, “let’s see if I remember where the pool is!”
Sagitta heard Zuza’s question, “Oh! Um. Wow, that one is hard actually…” The Mirialan puzzled for a moment. “On a land! Full of creatures! And close to everything I love to do. Lakes, cliffs, you name it, I’m there!” Sagitta smiled.
“Okay, how do I become a good member of Voidbreaker II for everyone? And a good friend? I figured you would have the insider secrets! Please don’t say cook…I can’t do that.”
“That sounds wonderful. True freedom.” She chuckled, imaging it and quite enjoying the view there was.
“Well, only for a year or two. Before that I travelled with my dad, he did odd jobs. Not quite mercenary. He used to be, but he had to stop the.. less permitted stuff with me at his hip.” Zuza shrugged, following Sagitta onto the elevator and letting her lead. The button she pressed was not the one for the pool, but Zuza was sure she’d work it out eventualy. She considered the question before shrugging, “Don’t be a dick, is all I’d say. You aren’t a mean person, certainly not disrespectful. I.. can’t think of anyone you’d cause problems with without you trying to which.. you wouldn’t. Well. There was one but you’ve handled him already.”
“Hmmm, I’m… kinda out of questions.” She admitted, rubbing the back of her neck, “Other than l ittle ones like what your favourite creature is.”
Sagitta paused for a moment, “Oh wow! Yea, you’re right. I didn’t think about settling for such a land would be true freedom, but I can see that now!”
Sagitta smiled, “We have that in common. Buir changed quite a bit when he adopted my sisters and me.”
Sagitta was honestly surprised when Cole was supposedly the difficult person.
Though she had a point. That man almost aimed the blaster at her. Or did he? She wasn’t sure, it was dark and took her a bit to adjust to figure out what he had in his hand.
The doors opened as she stepped out and frowned. Looked around. “This doesn’t look familiar. Let’s try again!” She smiled as she stepped back in and gave Frond’s ear massage while pushing another button. “Oh frack. Favorite creature? You might as well ask me what my favorite book is! I have no answer!” She laughed softly before the doors opened. “Okay! This looks more familiar, I think we’re on the right track. I hope. Right? Left. Hmm. LEFT!” With that, she went to the left.
“You really care about him. Is there any way for you two to rebuild? Or is it… the last chapters for you two?”
Zuza laughed, “Okay okay, fair enough. I couldn’t pick that either. I don’t think just saying Frond would be a fair choice.”
She looked around with Sagitta, knowing the pool was off to the right but it was on this floor. They were just taking the long way round to it. She smiled, following along.
And then it faded to a grimace.
“Probably. We.. we met as kids. My dad took up jobs from a few areas in his family’s territory and.. it happened.” She rubbed the back of her neck, “I.. almost joined them. But I couldn’t. Some of the things you had to be able to do were- anyway, I freaked out durin’ my final test, just ran for it. Cole didn’t follow me but his brother did.”
Zuza cast her gaze toward the ground, biting the inside of her cheek. Just say it. It wasn’t like half the bloody ship didn’t know already.
“I killed Graham. I-” She took a breath, steadying herself a little but it didn’t last, “He was trying to kill me, but… he didn’t know I wouldn’t- I didn’t check how I swung and- yeah final chapters.” She cut herself off there, suddenly, trying to swallow away the sudden lump in her throat but struggling to.
Sagitta stopped walking so she could give Zuza her full attention. Something like this… you can’t just casually keep walking like it was nothing.
Because it wasn’t.
“Zuza.” She said before a warm smile as she pulled her into a tight hug. “Here!” She gently pulled away.
She smirked, holding out her pinky. “Well. It may be the final chapter for you two. Ours hasn’t! I can tell you still care for him and I do too. I’ll do everything I am able to help Cole.”
‘And you too.’
Zuza returned the hug, tension making it stiffer than the usual hugs she gave, but she did let out a soft, albiet lackluster, laugh at seeing the pinkie. She took it in her own.
“You don’t need to promise that to me, but I do appreciate that. The fact he’s here isn’t.. a good thing.” She stopped there, that was more than enough on that topic specifically. Zuza knew exactly what must have happened for Cole to end up in Arcona. But that was not even vaguely her story to tell. Though she doubted it’d be one he told either.
“You’re great, you know that right?”
Sagitta nodded. She agreed that Cole not being here at the moment was a good thing. It would suck so much for them to try to rebuild what has fallen.
Then she laughed at hearing that and shook her head. “I am not.”
Then she looked around. “I think we’re almost there! Race you! Come on Frond, you too!” She laughed before running towards the pool area.
“You don’t get to deny that! I was asking if you knew, not if you were!” Zuza called, as Sagitta ran ahead.
She could race ahead, she’d probably win too, but she just jogged to give herself a few seconds to recover. Frond hesistated, he’d been at her hip once the topic came up and was worried, but she gestured and he happily sped off after Sagitta. Zuza ran quick enough she wouldn’t be too far, but used the seconds to let the smile drop and breathe, before putting it back on and letting herself enjoy the pool.
Frond quickly caught up to Sagitta, not rushing ahead of her, but happily barking.
Zuza realised that Frond was going to jump straight into the pool.
“Oh kriff.”
Sagitta laughed as she shouted back, “I can deny what I disagree with!”
The smell of the pool hit her nose as she smirked. Took off her jacket while running, and she could hear Frond barking. “Let’s go!” She laughed before dropping the jacket by the pool and jumped in with a splash, pants and all.
Frond followed with absolute enthusiasm, barking excitedly the whole way and leaping into the pool so close he almost landed on Sagitta. He surfaced and began barking again, paddling around and licking Sagitta’s arms when she was close.
“Nope!” Zuza called back, slipping her shirt off and thanking the stars that her arms had finally healed up. She was a bit thinner than she should be, but she didn’t hesistate to toss the shirt aside to at least save a dry piece of clothing for later before diving in after the pair, curling as she jumped-
“CANNONBALL!”
Sagitta laughed as she pet Frond and made sure he was okay with swimming around.
‘CANNONBALL’
Sagitta squealed as she covered her face from the incoming splash. With a laugh, she pulled herself out of the pool and removed her pants. She has boyshorts, so that can’t be a problem. Right? She tossed it over a railing so it could drip dry as much as possible before running to the pool.
“MY TURN!”
Sagitta shouted as she also cannonballed into the water. With a laugh and a relieved sigh, she loved swimming. The way the water feels, it almost felt like freedom to her. Just there.
“Another question,” She smiled, looking at Zuza. “Would you rather be able to breath underwater or fly?”
She had laughed as Sagitta made a rather large splash, covering her eyes for a moment through it before taking a moment to properly catch her breath. Although upon hearing the question…
“Fly.” Zuza spoke without any hesistation, dipping back under for a moment before resurfacing with a giggle, “I know the sky, and I’d love to be able to be like one of the birds. A leaf on the wind…”
Her voice trailed off, before she glanced to Sagitta, splashing some water at her friend, “You?”
Sagitta laughed before splashing back. “Swimming! I want to explore more in the depths. Imagine what adventures the ocean holds! The tunnels. It would be an adventure!”
Then she paused and thought about it. “Though, if having the ability and means to fly through space without, you know, dying, that would be pretty cool too!”
“I mean, just put on a suit.” Zuza shrugged, “So long as you’re not going way too fast through the atmosphere, it shouldn’t hurt you. So long as you have air to breathe and places to stop and eat, it could be great fun. Though I suppose it depends how fast you can fly too…” She laughed, “I dunno-”
She splashed Sagitta again.
Sagitta laughed when splashing back. “But that’s what I mean! I want to be…” She thinks about it before coming up with an answer. “I guess unlimited is the right word? No worry about having to check everything so I wouldn’t die. And besides, it’s me. I would probably forget something important…. I don’t want to be known as "That one Mirialan who forgot to check if her suit was on properly.” Sagitta laughed as she sighed contently and leaned back into the water, now floating.
With a slow exhale, “Moments like this though, makes everything so much easier!”
“They do.” Zuza agreed.
Even if the burdens she bore currently stood starkly still on her arms, treading water and spending time with friends was a relief.
“Yknow… to the question earlier. If I could do a different job, I’d probably pick to not. To just be free. I’d still choose to stay here hut.. no responsibilities sounds nice. I’ve missed that. I don’t think I realised I had it for a while.”
Sagitta paused for a moment. This is why she never wanted to be a leader. It’s more work. More burdens. More everything.
“And this is why I disagreed.” She smiled as she kicked her legs back down and looked at Zuza, “You’re more awesome than I. I would never taken the job. I’m a follower, not a leader.”
“Just because I took it doesn’t mean I’m doing a good job of it. Under my watch half of you got taken as well as getting kidnapped myself. I had no idea it was going to happen, nor anything else.”
She knew.. logically Socorra had been being careful. But it still stung that such important information was concealed from her. Was she not competent enough? She didn’t feel it.
Sagitta frowned and paused for a moment. Her heart ached for Zuza. She had to do something. Or say something.
“It happened fast, Zuza. You’re right. You had no idea it was going to happen. You can’t see the future. But you know what I heard? I heard you sprang into action as soon as possible. Instead of resting from your injuries, you went to find us. You did everything and beyond. And not too long after, all of us were found.”
She swam closer and stood on the water while grasping Zuza’s arms gently as a friend.
“And we’re alive. Not just because of our upbringing but because of you. A true leader who went to find their followers. Many leaders would just… chalk it up as a number loss and call it a day. You didn’t. You fought for all of us and you succeeded.”
“..I don’t think you’d do any different. But I dunno. A true leader would have had some idea that the kriffin’ Collective were back i-” she exhaled sharply, frustrated bht then shaking her head and smiling once more. She couldn’t share the ongoing investigation, especially not with those already once taken.
“Thank you. I.. its definitely hard. I think you underestimate yourself, but then you think the same of me so, who knows.” She chuckled softly, giving Sagitta’s arm a gentle squeeze. “And either way, yeah I went fighting with injuries, but I don’t think even I could manage to annoy the enemies into leaving me alone for that long.”
“What I understand, no one knew?” She frowned softly. If it was known they were back, why wasn’t they were informed?
Sagitta smiled softly at Zuza’s gentle squeeze. “We don’t back down. I would walk into their base for any of you and my family.” Sagitta promised. It was obvious she would too.
Sagitta laughed weakly. She did get the least physical injuries but the electricity sucked. “Let’s be real here. If they knew I was confirmed a Force User, it would been a lot worse. I wouldn’t had the chance to annoy.” Sagitta gently remove her hands from Zuza’s arm. “Honestly, I’m glad I had that chance.”
“I am too. It definitely worked in your favour.” Zuza grinned a bit sheepishly, smiling to hide the internal curling up into a ball to scream she suddenly wanted to do, “I had a tough crowd.”
She splashed Sagitta, with a teasing glare “Lucky schutta.”
Sagitta noticed the quick change of topic. She laughed softly as she was splashed before splashing back.
Made her way over to the edge she lifted herself out of the water and sat down with a soft exhale. “Yea, I think I’ll like it here.” She smiled.
Frond was out of the pool, panting and walked over to Sagitta with mischievous purpose.
“oh frOND NO- SAGITTA HE’S GONNA-”
Frond shook.
Right next to the Mirilan. It was like a mini wave was expelled from the Cythraul’s coat, a caucophany of droplets slung into the air and landing feet away if it wasn’t intercepted by Sagitta’s form.
Sagitta blinked at Zuza. She turned her head and squealed as well laughing when Frond shook. “Hey! That’s unfair boy!”
Frond shook off his legs and then chuffed. He then laid down, tail wagging a mile a dozen. If he hadn’t have plopped down, it probably would have dried rather quickly.
Zuza had laughed, albiet sympathetically, as Sagitta got the offspray of the shaking beast that was Frond. “Dammit, you goof.” She shook her head, “At least it’s just water. And it’s not like the pool filters don’t have anti-fur upgrades out the ass. So.. you.. might be ok? Hopefully not too covered in anything. He shouldn’t be shedding right now, still growning and all, but tell them that my white shoes.”
Sagitta laughed while leaning over and giving him more pets and scratches.
She shook her head, “I’m okay! Really! And yes, at least it’s just water. Wait… what do you mean? Anti-fur upgrades? Why?” She frowned. “I mean I know about Doon but that’s about it?”
Sagitta laughed and grimaced, “Maybe it’s time to try shoes that matches his fur! Would be more styling maybe? Course I’m not the one to talk, I’ve been roasted about my fashion before.”
“Well we had like.. 2 Shistavanens an’ a half on board for a while. The half one, he still visits though he doesn’t live here anymore, and there is another one who visits regularly cause his sibling lives here. There’s also Mex, they’re a Verpine. Aaaand Druzk who’s a Barabel. Obviously no fur there, but y'know. Plus Sully visits every so often and he’s a Togorion. So much fur…”
Zuza trailed off before shrugging, “You’ll have to tell me who, cause I haven’ cared about fashion my whole life. I’d rather not have someone have a go at me over somethin’ that doesn’t even matter.”
Sagitta tried to remember all the names. Mex. Wait. Verpine. That’s not fur? Druzk.. what the frack is a Barabel? Oh. No fur. Then why was Zuza sending her on a merry-go-round ride? Sully. Togorion. So much fur? Oh man. Sagitta was going to have to figure out a way to remember all the names. There was a reason why she remembers Doon and Cole very well as well Zuza now.
Sagitta laughed at hearing her, “Not… roast as in hurting my feelings. It was a good laugh. I’m not going to send you after my entier family. I don’t care to be honest, I still wear comfortable clothes, match or not. I have a secret.” She winked at Zuza, “I do have a bit of fashion but I pretend not to just so my family and I can have something to laugh at.” She smiled softly. “Small sacrifices.”
Zuza snorted, “Well, that’s good then.”
She made way to get out of the pool. While she was healed, the wounds no longer even scabbed thanks to heavy use of bacta, even just treading water as she was… it was still tiring her quicker than usual. But then again, two weeks ago hell was let loose and things hadn’t stopped since. She was probably just tired.
The Human made way to sit down beside Sagitta, leaning back on her hands, “Maybe you’ll have to show off to them at point. Make a big scene out of it y'know? Really shock ‘em.”
Sagitta smiled as she leaned back as well.
“Hmm. Wow them huh? Maybe I will one day.” She had an idea but she had been scared. Though she had noticed that her confidence has been waning a bit since the kidnapping. Maybe a bit of a wow moment for one day might just be enough for Sagitta. “You know what. You’re right. I have an outfit in mind so I think I’ll go buy it, get my hair done in a certain way, and surprise everyone for a day.” She smirked.
“That would be a lovely chapter. Maybe I should get a droid for the day too to record everyone’s reactions!” She laughed at the thought and then sighed softly before leaning back and laying down. Her eyes gazed over at the ceiling as she stretched back.
Then she realized something. “ OH my gosh!” She sat up, frantically looking at Zuza, “I’m so sorry! Didn’t you say Z… Zag? Zig? Fig? Zig. It’s Zig! The um, first mate of the ship? Weren’t you going to see her? I’m so sorry!”
“Zig.” Zuza confirmed, chuckling, “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have offered to walk with you if I was on a time limit. I saw her a few days ago, just coming back so she stops worrying. Or at least worries less. I.. may have disappeared for a few days after I got Sivall out. Business… stuff. Can’t really talk about it but uhm..”
The Human shrugged, “Yeah, I’m doing my best to make up for it, but she’s not gonna be mad or anything. She’ll know I’m on board already, if she was pressed about it she’d already be down here with some Blue noodles and an extraction plan.” Zuza chuckled at the thought, clearly not worried.
“Oh. That’s true.” Then she grimaced, “Yea. I know some members of my family that would not be okay with that. The disappearing I mean. Got to check in now and then. I’m glad that she won’t be mad or anything!” She smiled softly and blinked. “B-Blue noodles? Extraction plan?”
“Well.. She has a tracker on my data pad. Cause I just.. I dunno. Sometimes I wanna do things, and it takes longer than I think or I didn’t have any stuff planned in the mean time anyway so I just.. go.” She rubbed the back of her neck, “She’s fine with it as long as she knows where I am. That.. probably came in handy for finding me, honestly. Cause it.. well. Hard to notice someone’s missing when they don’t announce it normally..”
Zuza trailed off, pulling at her fingers as she smiled sheepishly, “She has it.. currently that I need to eat and sleep more. I’m recovering fine, but she worries. I don’t mind it, but it’s what’d happen. If she did that. I don’t think she actually would.”
Zuza suddenly looked rather concerned. But no, there wasn’t any beskar clad hot ladies running at her with a bowl of noodles.
She was conflicted on whether or not that was actually a bad thing.
Sagitta smiled softly. “Yea. After the kidnapping, my family convinced us to have a tracker of some sort with us. We agreed.” If she had never met Marick, she wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to be found. Then again she was fine when she was found. Sort of.
Sagitta paused. Her stomach growled. Giving Zuza a guilty look, “I’m also guilty of those things… I just get distracted!” She smiled. And maybe lost. … Most likely the latter vs the former.
“Worrying is part of everyone, I think. It’s what you do. I’ve heard… stories of people becoming too controlling by worrying too much. It sounds like Zig found that perfect balance that a lot of people lack. Myself included.” Sagitta got up as she stretched. “Okay. I think I should get food while I still remember that I need to eat.” Wait. When was the last time she ate?
Oh, kark.
“I’m just not hungry.” Zuza sbrugged, but then chuckled, “Come on then, I can get you to the cafeteria. It’ll be open.”
She shifted up to her feet and started squeezing water out of her shorts.
Sagitta smiled as she tried to squeeze some water as well and laughed softly, looking around for towels. Finding a pair, she handed Zuza one as she started to dry herself off. “You don’t have to! I don’t mind working on my uh, sense of direction even though I lack it.” She smiled at Zuza.
Zuza took it, focusing mainly on her hair and wandering to where she abandoned her shirt. Drying off her torso, she quickly slipped it back on and reconcealed the efforts of.. well. Concealed the scars.
“I feel like its best if you have someone who knows the ship with you at least. Yknow? You can lead, but I just wanna make sure you don’t end up in the bridge or somethin’” Zuza laughed.
Sagitta sighed softly.
Battles were always nasty. If she could, she would grab everyone she cares for and make sure they don’t have to go through that extreme pain.
THen she heard a certain voice in her head, ‘Pain is what makes us.’
Sagitta fought hard not to roll her eyes right there and then. Then she laughed followed by a, “Hey! What’s wrong with me ending up on the bridge? That might be pretty cool actually!”
“Well there isn’t any food there.” Zuza emphasised, giving her a grin, “No one will stop you so long as you dont press any buttons. I can fly small ships but the Voidbreaker? Nooope.”
“Well,” She paused slightly pouting. “Noooo. I mean, that’s true. There’s no food there but that doesn’t mean I can’t wait a bit longer.”
Sagitta laughed softly as she sighed. Maybe skipping the bridge would be good for now. It’s no fun not being able to push any buttons.
Maybe she should stay away after all.
“Why not? I mean, why not learn how to fly Voidbreaker? I Didn’t know there was that much difference in between flying a small ship and a big one, just more… buttons? Consoles? Ugh. One of my sister is a pilot, I should know this.” She grumbled softly.
Zuza shrugged, “It’s more.. that one person is controlling the engines, and someone else will control the thrusters. Another will be in charge of the steering itself. Never mind all of the guns, shield systems, the hyper drive.”
She trailed off, shaking her head, “I’m happy just driving my little ship.”
Sagitta frowned and started to count on her fingers when Zuza brought up very few things. When Zuza stopped, her eyes gazed over at her hand and she already had lost count.
Ah well. Not important!
Then she chuckled. “I would be too honestly… it sounds like a lot.” She gave Frond some scratches, laughing softly. Maybe she should get a pet after all. It’s something she’ll have to discuss with L'ara, they are sharing a room.
“Okay! Mess hall it is! Down the hall up the elevator take a…. left?”
“Down the hall, go one floor up in the elevator, straight ahead.” Zuza corrected with a smile, “You’ll get it. I spent well over a year on here, I got lost at first too.” The Human smiled, clicking her fingers so Frond came to heel before starting to head towards the elevator with Sagitta.
“Kriff. So close.” She laughed softly. Though hearing Zuza used to get lost actually helped her feel a bit better.
Sagitta beamed towards Frond and Zuza. “Another race?” She asked with a bit of a smirk.
“HEY!” Sagitta shouted after her. “Cheater!” She laughed while running.
When they got to the elevator, Sagitta did not have the means to stop. “Oh- WAH!” She slid but her training finally kicked in as she tighten her abs and leg muscles, having a successful and beautiful slide as her hand touched the wall. “AW YEA.” Then she frowned when she looked over and Zuza was already there. “When did you get here before me…”
Zuza was panting softly, a wide grin across her face.
“A few seconds ago. Don’t underestimate the little legs.”
She pressed the button for floor 5.
Sagitta pouted playfully while her eyes squinted at Zuza. “Well, I know that! Don’t you remember Asani? Ya know,” She tilted over to her side, her hand stopping somewhere at her knee, “Well wait..” She muttered while raising it up to mid-thigh. She still looked unsure. “Anyways point is, I know that! But even sometimes I’m faster than Asani whenshe'snotcheatingbyusingvents-”
“I remember Asani.” Zuza laughed, “She’s still with me back on Selen.”
The vent notion caused more laughter, “Yeah I’m not that small.”
Sagitta smiled softly as she nodded. Maybe she should text Asani and see how she was faring. Not to mention, the Mirialan was rather curious as to where Asani would like to go when she was ready.
Sagitta laughed as she glanced up to the ceiling and wondered if the vents here were bigger than the small ship they grew up in. The elevator dinged as Sagitta jumped. “GAH! I was distracted,” chuckled Sagitta as she hopped onto the elevator and scratched Frond’s ears gently. “There was this one time, Buri completely forgot about the damage the fur would do to the vent. So he tried to make Asani, which I’m sure you know, she’s very spunky, learn how to clean the vents and change out the filter at a very young age. Needless to say, that did not go well so Buir just changes the filters himself.” Sagitta grimaced, “I’m sorry.” She murmured to Zuza. She had been working on trying to be less annoying. No one wanted to hear silly stories.
Zuza had laughed, “By the stars our filters are-”
She paused, tilting her head as she stepped off the elevator with Sagitta, “Why are you sorry? It’s a funny story, and probably one several people on this ship has dealt with. That pool back there? I saw the filters once when Nathan, one of the engineers, was switching them and kriff. They’re huge.”
Sagitta’s smiled when Zuza laugh. Okay. Maybe it wasn’t so bad! “Wait, what about your filters?” Then it clicked. “Oh geez, if pool filters were that bad how bad is the air….” She grimaced. “Yikes. So from what I’m hearing from you I should meet everyone else on the ship! I think it would be a good idea! I think I need to find this Nathan and offer my help around here if I can! Sometimes I get a bit bored.”
“I’d go to.. almost any of engineer. He’s not mean but he’s.. When I say he’s shy, I mean I think he set up to sleep down there once because a party got too close to where the crew sleeps, level of shy.” Zuza rubbed the back of her neck, “He’s a good kid. Well. Not a kid- He’s good. Zig says he’s super smart, just doesn’t do people.”
She chuckled, “Though if you want help meeting folk, I am so down to help. Plenty of folk on here, all of them are cool. Just.. a lot are also rather fluffy.”
Sagitta nodded. “Okay! That’s okay. Can’t always meet everyone. But yes, meeting the other engineers sounds pretty fun!”
Her eyes lit up when Zuza offered to help her. “That would work very well! You know everyone or most of everyone on here. Might be for the best! I don’t want to accidentally overwhelm anyone or step on any toes.”
“Most of ‘em will tell ya. Nathan’s the only I know who doesn’t.” Zuza chuckled, “And if they don’t, I will. Though, really, don’t worry. If you’ve made it past Doon and Cole without doing either of those things, everyone else will be easy. We’re all operatives, so sparring is always a decent go to. Really fun.”
She grinned for a few moments before narrowing her eyes and adding on, “And.. you learn how each other fight, which is also important.”
Sagitta grinned for a bit. Zuza and her have a lot in common. Sparring. “Whenever we can, I would love to spar against you! Not now of course. I’m hungry and you just got back.” With the mess hall in view, she wasn’t sure if Zuza would part ways here or join her. “Ah, because being able to learn each other weakness? So that way we can help cover the bases?”
“Yeah, stuff like that.”
After a pause she added, “Maybe we should tomorrow, I’m here for a couple days.” Zuza chuckled, opening her arms for another hug.
Sagitta practically beamed. No one has ever requested a hug from her first. She quickly picked up Zuza and squeezed her gently. Almost a bear hug. “Sounds like a plan!” She set her down before giving her a wave and entering into the mess hall to get some food.
Zuza squeezed her back, glad that despite her fuck ups Sagitta was okay.
The Human returned the wave, letting Sagitta get out of sight before heading back to the elevators. She was excited to see Zig, though it was going to be to explain why she was absolutely soaked.
Ah well. It was a nice beat of joy in an otherwise exhausting period of time.