Remnants of the Earth
SPACE STATIONS => The Libra => Topic started by: ARAD V1.0 on October 21, 2016, 04:28:16 pm
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A soft humming came from Senna as she made her way to her colleague's place, glancing around as she did. Senna adjusted her collar and straightened out her skirt, before stopping at the door to Rhodes' residence. She knocked on the door softly, before taking a step back, waiting for him to open up. She had sent him a text, insisting to keep this evening free.
After all, it was a year now since their first mission together. And while they would head into the field soon again, both her and Avaster had some down time. She reserved a table in a friend's restaurant, it'd be the perfect occasion to just relax a little. The anniversary of their meeting, after all, deserved celebration.
The young adult was clad in her casual attire, one that wasn't outfitted with thermal regulators opposed to her combat suit. She found she could tolerate Libra's atmosphere long enough without getting ill. And it was far more comfortable aswell, felt more snug and warm aswell, despite the lack of regulators.
She tapped her foot against the floor idly while she waited.
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Truth be told he didn't really feel like going out tonight. He'd received Senna's text, but he didn't respond right away. He really didn't know what to say, it wasn't easy to feel like you were going no where in life and that nothing really mattered anymore. A week ago he was a pilot for the Libran Navy, and was a damned good one too. A week ago, he was happier - or as happy as he could pretend to be - but now something had happened that just made him feel confused and lost.
It didn't help that Senna was already outside the door of his apartment in Sector A52 on Libra Station. It was a little more upscale than the residences of other military folks, but the Commander said he'd earned it, and Avaster didn't have the will to fight him on it. Nevertheless, it didn't help to save him from the ire of other employees.
As he heard his apartment's AI announce Senna's arrival, he thanked it but remained inert on the sofa for about five minutes before deciding to get up. He could have instructed the computer to open it for him, but that was just lazy. He needed a reason to not be a lump.
"Hey Sen," he muttered, looking at Senna tiredly as he opened the door, pressing the access button the door sliding out into the wall. It slid back automatically as he side-stepped to let her through. "What brings ya by?"
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"Seems to be taking his sweet time," Senna mused after two minutes of no answer had passed. She believed he was getting ready to go out just like that. Just refining his outfit for a few seconds. It made the young cryomancer feel honoured that he'd want to look prim and proper for their celebration.
Though, another minute, she frowned softly. She did add an hour to the text, didn't she? The idea of flash freezing his door and kicking it in came to mind. Though she'd have to cover the expenses. Unlike Avaster, she wasn't doing all too well financially. It was easy for pureblood Librans to get promoted and get wages, but for a former Aedolian, a fugitive from TRIM and someone that looked like her. Well, discrimination tended to kick in, keeping her somewhere down in the lower wards, the less friendly and less clean sectors.
She smiled softly as the door slid open, yet he smile froze as she witnessed Avaster's current state, only to slowly turn to a frown. Having expected her colleague to be all dressed up for their night out. She stepped forward and patted the back of her hand against his chest, obviously displeased. "You know what brings me here," she answered. "Today's a special day, get dressed.. And gods, when was the last time you showered, Avvy?" She inquired with a soft giggle. Sure, she immediately knew there was something wrong, it wasn't hard to tell,m. Butbnow was just not the time to talk. They could, but later, now she had to get her dear colleague to their reservation in time.
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Gods sometimes the perkiness was hard to take in when it was offered in large spoonfuls. Even Avaster didn't want to be mean to such a sweet face though. If only other people felt that way, if only they saw what he saw. If only they would treat her with the respect a soldier like her deserved. That was a thought for another time, however. He had enough to process for now.
Avaster rolled his head over his shoulders, taking in a deep breath and spewing it out before he sat down on the sofa again, slumping so that his legs were over the armrest. "Why?" he asked with a melancholy look on his face. He stared up at the ceiling.
It was a special day. He didn't forget, but he didn't want her to know. It didn't hurt to tease the young woman too much. Besides his pajamas were more comfortable than the itchy clothes she wanted him to wear.
"Yesterday," he said. "That was the last time I showered."
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She walked in, graceful like she always did. Avaster, hoxever, knew that her way of walking did not betray her brash and clumsy attitude. She sat down next to him in the sofa."Because I made reservations," she answered, cheek puffing up slight, before she started to pout, slapping his shoulder. "It's been a year since, it deserves celebration," she added, before huffing and turning her head the other way, offended.
"It isn't exactly fine dining, I can't afford that, but I got us a nice spot at Kath's," she said after a brief moment of silence and after a petulant huff. "So get at least something on that isn't your jammies. And shower."
She pushed herself up, starting to circle the main hall, glancing around, before turning to his fridge and opening it, grabbing whatever juice or soda he kept in the fridge, taking a swig from the bottle. "And be quick about it," she stated after belching softly. "These clothes have no thermals."
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So her solution was to help herself to a drink in his fridge. Avaster laughed, watching her with idle amusement. Of course, why else would they be having this dinner if there wasn't such a trust between them that he would let her just take stuff from his fridge. He could possibly drink all those colas by himself.
"Where do you get the nerve in telling me what to do?" he chuckled with a laugh. He was just kidding, but he knew by her tone that she meant business.
"Fiiiine," he huffed and stood, walking to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Within fifteen minutes he was dressed and had his hair slicked back. He wore his flight jacket, while it wasn't exactly formal he never went anywhere without it.
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She pushed the door shut again, going to sit down in his sofa again. "Dunno, I texted you in time," she answered, still having the soda in her hand. "So, get going," she added with a cheeky smirk, before leaning back into his seat.
Even as he returned, she was still in his sofa, having gone through half the bottle already. She screwed the cap on and put it down, standing up straight and making her way to the door. "Let's go, then," she concluded.
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"At least have the guns to put it back in the fridge," Avaster deliberately whined. But he didn't wait for her to finish before he took the drink and put it back himself. That wasn't so hard, but he was doing his damnedest to avoid having to go to dinner. Geeze, did they have to make an event of it? Why couldn't they just watch some tube and eat chips like they did on weekends? That was worth doing.
But he didn't voice any further delay or protest. There wasn't any use. Not when Senna went out of her way for him. So instead he put his arm around her shoulders, grabbed his keys and called out for the apartment AI to close the door behind him. He squeezed Senna's shoulders. "Okay. Sorry. I'm not intentionally trying to be a sourpuss," he sniffed, shrugging.
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"It's your bottle in your house," she started with a mischievous smirk. "So it's your mess. I'm not cleaning up your mess," she concluded with a soft giggle, she glanced back towards the door and took several more steps before letting out a soft squeal of surprise when he got a hold around her shoulders.
"Not intentionally, no," she answered, before huffing petulantly. "But you've been acting like this for some time now," she shook her head, glancing up at him, those oddly colored eyes glancing at his. "We'll talk properly at Kath's, 'kay?"
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Avaster smiled for her sake. There wasn't any reason to be morose with her. She was well meaning, and he smiled at the thought that she went out of her way for him. The tram wasn't running that day, but at least Kath's wasn't too far of a trek from where they were.
The neon signs from the eateries on this level came into view and Avaster poked Senna. "What time was the reservation?"
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"Don't you poke a lady, you butt," she answered, driving two fingers against his ribcage in retaliation, followed by a content chuckle. "A quarter past seven," she answered, sliding her cell from her pocket. "So seven minutes ago," she added, voice sounding defeated.
But regardless, she pushed the door open, holding it for Avaster, before stepping in. It was a small place, the theme was rustic, lots of wooden ornaments and decorations here and there. Though it looked more like a bar with a kitchen, rather than a restaurant.
"Neon!" A young and enthusiastic, feminine voice resounded from behind the bar. While the woman looked a tad older than Senna herself, her eyes sparked with some of the same enthusiasm Senna's did. "Kath!" Senna immediately called out in kind, making her way over to the bar. "I didn't know you could get such good lookin' fellows here," Kath whispered, before glancing at Avaster, causing the young cryomancer to blush slightly. "It isn't like that," she hissed in response, before pushing herself up and coughing. "Anyhow, our reservation," she said primly.
Kath only chuckled and made her way from behind the bar, motioning for the couple to follow. Which Senna immediately did, too preoccupied with her friend to notice the other patrons, few in number in the calm bar, staring at her, distrustfully. Several snarks were made, several insults thrown, which Senna rather ignored than anything else.
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Avaster didn't say anything, he was content to let Senna do the talking. Avaster wasn't the kind of person that would talk to strangers all on his own if he didn't have something important to say. He was content to be Senna's silent companion after all. She seemed to like taking the lead as it were. So he followed the pair to the table, smiling nicely, and thanking the other woman with a bow of his head.
"You're sitting right over there in the corner," Kath said with a grin, winking at the pair and eying Avaster a while. He only smiled and followed them to their table just on the side of the rest. Kath too ignored the glances of others. While she wasn't on Level A standards of living, she did pretty well for herself with this place. And she was able to fit in pilots of all calibers.
Avaster helped Senna into her seat before taking his place in front of her and laying his head on the table, making a weird tired sound. Their waiter came by and stared at them. "This isn't a library, sir," he instructed. "If you would like to take a nap, it'll have to be there."
"Okay, whatever you say. Bring me a cola," he said, raising his head from the table. He laid his head on his hand, resting elbow on the edge. "With ice, please."
"And you miss?" the waiter smiled at Senna, looking her over, pleased.
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Senna smiled and nodded in thanks when Avaster offered her seat, sitting down and resting her arms on the table, leaning forward, glancing at her counterpart when he rested his head on the table. She wanted to make a witty retort, but the waiter beat her to it, causing her to lean back in her seat, folding her arms. She watched the interaction with a soft smile, before glancing at the waiter. "The same," she answered with a soft nod.
She sat forward, resting her elbows on the table and her chin on her folded hands.
"Lazy butt," she murmured with a soft snort, crossing her legs. "At least try to stay awake, would you?"
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Avaster laughed. "I'm only trying to make myself a spectacle for your benefit," he said. "I saw those looks people gave you. Like you don't belong. But they don't know you like I do."
He shrugged and smiled at the waiter when he brought their sodas. He took a long swig and tried to hold back the burp that was forming in his chest. He did so successfully and eyed her. "You know your eyes are awesome. Did anyone ever tell you that?"
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She arched an eyebrow momentarily, before nodding softly. "Thanks," she murmured softly. She relaxed again as the drinks were delivered, along with the menu. Which was rather limited, given the eatery was more a bar than an actual restaurant.
She frowned softly, before shaking her head. "Nope, no one ever told me," she mused, glancing at Avaster again. Her eyes slowly started to alternate colour, from red to violet, to yellow, to black and back to normal. She chuckled softly, shaking her head.
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"So it's really been a year huh?" Avaster was careful with his drink, making sure there weren't little floaties in it. He couldn't be sure the waiter didn't spit in it. But whatever the case, he figured there wasn't much use in complaining about it. So he took a drink, appreciating the sugary rush.
"I don't know how you put up with me, Senna. Because nobody wanted to be my partner until you came along. You must be a glutton for punishment."
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"Yup, the full three hundred and sixtyfive days," she chirped in response, giving him a soft smirk. At the same ime,t she handed him the menu since she had made her choice. "Or a year, yes, else I wouldn't take you out here and just mooch off of you at your place." A soft chuckle left her as she circled her finger over her glass, the icecubes reacting to it and stirring the drink. These icecubes also started to radiate a plethora lf colours, alternating slowly.
She frowned softly, shaking her head with a soft sigh. "Even if I didn't want to, I had no choice, Avvy. And you know that," she prodded his knee with hers. "And it all turned out juuuust fiiiine."
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"You always have the choice. So don't make yourself sound so stuck. But things turned out for the better. We can leave it at that, I'm satisfied. What about you?" he said with a chuckle. The soda was good. He didn't like beer even though that was something that was preferred in a place like Kath's. Everyone else was drinking and winding down for the evening, even some other pilots and military stooges.
Avaster relaxed and looked over their menus. "Whatcha gonna order? I'm feeling like a cheeseburger."
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"Hm. A former Aedolian and a TRIM refugee," she tutted her lips. "In Libra. I don't think I do," she answered with a soft chuckle. "But regardless. I'm looking forward to another year," she answered, giving him a sweet smile, hand retreating from the now colourfully radiant icecubes, taking the glass to sip from it, relishing the tingling feeling on her lips. She then took a swig, before putting the glass down, letting put a soft breath.
"I was going with the steak and fries," she answered with a soft nod. "Knowing Kath, I get a free fried egg ontop," she added with a giggle.
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"Why you!?" Avaster said, sitting up in his chair. His eyes narrowed, and he looked across to Kath who waved at the pair of them. Hrmm. It wasn't like he wasn't friends with her either, but he guessed people were more responsive to a bubbly nature than his quiet brooding one. Senna was the only one that ever saw him smile at any given time after all.
In any case he was too hungry to argue the matter. So when the waiter came by with his tablet, he jotted down their respective orders and he nodded to the pair once again. Avaster sighed, leaning on his elbows. He resisted the urge to lay on the table again, after all he was with his friend. And clearly the waiter didn't like people who used tables as pillows.
"I guess we're stuck with each other then for another year. I can clink glasses to that," he said, raising his cup and tapping it against Senna's. "Here's to a wonderful partnership."
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"Because I am amazing," Senna quipped with another soft giggle. "Me and Kath go way back, before I met you," she added with a soft sigh, following his glance and giving her girlfriend a soft smile in answer to the wave, before looking back at Avaster.
She raised her glass in return. "Wow. You have an amazing gift to turn an insult into a compliment," she said, with actual awe. "That's kind of awesome." Another soft giggle. "To another year of adventures," she finally concluded.
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Oh she was being completely serious. Despite him eying her funny, Avaster cracked a smile a snorted a little after their glasses clinked. He supposed it was nice to have some gift.
"You know the saying goes, 'Everyone's good at something,'" he shrugged, laughing a little. "But I guess, you've earned that part of me. I can't say I have a whole lot of friends. So it's nice to know when I need you, I've got ya," He flushed a little at the thought.
"I'm sorry I was...a stick in the mustard earlier. To be honest...I didn't really wanna go to dinner."
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"Don't sell yourself short, Avvy. You're a great pilot," she retorted, chuckling softly. She rested her chin on the back of her hands, leaning forward to lean her elbows on the table. "Always," she answered easily. "You can count on me. For what that's worth."
She shook her head, smirking softly. "Why do you think I tried to rouse your ass out? I know you didn't want to to this, so I did what I'm best at."
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"I'm just not up for these kinds of things. But beyond that..." Avaster fell silent for a long while and he saw their food was soon ready and being carried out to them. His tongue remained still. When the food was set down, he thanked the waiter but he still said nothing until he was gone.
"Before you came...my mother called me. My father died this morning," he said. "Weird..."
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She frowned as he fell silent, following his gaze momentarily. So he wanted to tell her something in confidence. She sighed out a breath she didn't realise she was holding in when the waiter left and when Avaster spoke up.
"I'm.. So sorry," she answered, pushing herself up from her seat. She had no better idea to comfort him by walking up to him and hugging him to her chest, sighing softly. "I.. Didn't know.."
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The next thing he knew he had his face pressed against boobs! And Avaste's face reddened like the tomatoes on his plate. He gently pulled his head back and pushed her away, so he could meet her gaze and he flushed furiously. "It's okay, Senna. I'm really not all that broken up about it. I hated him..."
He cleared his throat, taking a long sip of soda before clearing his throat.
"I'm not sorry he's dead. I just...feel nothing is all," he said and looked at his cheeseburger. He forced a laugh. "This became really awkard really fast."
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Her chest was relatively small, so it was not like he could be buried in it. But granted her light frame, she was easily pushed off, even if it was a gentle shove. Senna nodded slowly and took her own seat again, looking him in the eyes as he explained. Her eyes shifting to a deep blue, compassion clearly visible. "Well.. It did something," she started. "I'm here for you. And you damn well better remember." She frowned softly, shaking her head. "Even if you hated him, you still had those moments.. Those happy times, else you wouldn't react like this," she murmured softly. "He's still your father. And you still consider him like that," she smiled faintly. "That counts for something."
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[Sorry, I waited so long! I haven't been posting very quickly lately. Just life!]
"I know, I know," he said with a smile. "I know you're there when I need you and that's what I'm most grateful for. Not that bastard. He can rot in hell for all I care."
He just wanted to move on from the topic but it was worth admitting. And he had to tell someone, and he was glad it was her. "Thanks though, for being here. Those other pilots don't know what they're missing. You're a gem."
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[No problem ^^]
Her eyes alternated back to their respective colours after she blinked, nodding softly. "Good," she answered, feeling the atmosphere and deciding not to persue the topic here. It was obvious he wanted to move on.
"Well, they're missing a whole load of awesome, thats what they are," she quipped with a soft giggle, before startiçg to eat. After all, she was starving, the scent of freshly baked steak didn't really help. "But thanks."
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"You can dig in. The food is going to get cold if you don't eat it. And they'll just give it to some stray dogs if you don't. You know how that always goes. Can't be having urchins and dogs fighting over discarded steaks." He chuckled and took the knife into his cheeseburger to cut it in half. "Here, try this. This is really good."
He slipped it onto her plate and avoided the angry gaze of the waiter.
"I don't think we're allowed to share, but for you, you could have my jacket if you wanted."
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She snorted softly. "Now you're making me feel bad," she answered with an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of her head. She blinked at half of the meal being shoved on her plate, frowning. "Thanks.. But I can't eat all, this," she gestured at her own steak, fries and the fried egg.
She in turn, be it to spite the waiter or to share, sliced a piece of steak, complimented by egg and held the fork out to him. "Here, I'm not someone for cheese, but this is quite good aswell." She added with a smirk.
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"You don't have to. Let's go down to D Level and see if there are some stray dogs we can find. I'm sure they'd love a bite of this cheeseburger," he said with a chuckle.
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"Let's eat our fill first," Senna answered. "I'm paying after all," she mused with a softsoft chuckle. "I'd hate to see what I'm paying for eçding upp for some stray dogs." A soft chuckle. "God. I'm becoming our waiter now, aren't I?"
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"Just, enjoy. Or try to, Senna. How often do we get to eat like this? Maybe...maybe I just forgot what it was like to eat like this. or maybe I'm tired of it. I forget sometimes. I'm still that scrub you know. No apartment's changed me. I just hope you remember that too," Avaster muttered as he finished what he could and put the rest of it away.
"Why are you paying for it?"
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Senna shook her head. "Ofcourse I'm enjoying it. I'm having a free night to spend with ond of my few friend," she answered with a soft chuckle. "Even if he can be a scrub at times," she answered, still eating. Even after he had finished.
"Well.. I invited you out, it's only fair I pay."
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"Senna, no. I got it. Really it's okay and these credits gotta be good for something right?" He patted her hand gently with his.
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"Fifty fifty," Senna answered with a soft snort, having finished her own meal, she went on to half the cheeseburger Avaster had scooped on her plate. Despite saying she couldn't eat all of it.
As soon as she had finished everything, her plate completely empty now, she sat back with a soft huff, glancing around to find Kath, meeting her eyes. Kath nodded and started to get to work on making their bill.
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"Wow you could really put it away," he said with a laugh. "And you never seem any bigger than you were before. Which is a compliment I swear!"
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"I'll take it as one," she retorted with a cutesy smile. "But, it's... Well, yeah. TRIM," she answered with a soft sigh. They've known each other for some time now, and just the word TRIM was synonymous with 'I don't really feel like talking about it' for Senna. It was rather easy to pick up one when acquainted with her for longer than a week.
Kath approached and pulled up a chair, sitting down with her drink. "Here," she offered the bill. "Don't want coffee, a drink or dessert? It's on the house."
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Avaster was tempted to reach for the check, stopped only by the knowledge that Senna would also his hand so hard, he'd have to cast it all day tomorrow. He was a pilot, he needed his hands. Still he would provide the tip. Even if the service wasn't exactly spectacular.
"Coffee will be fine, Kath, thanks," he said and smiled up at the woman. "I always liked your brew, and I'll need my energy for whatever Senna has planned after this."
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Kath answered his smile with a soft nod. "Coming right up," she answered, before grinning smugly and glancing at Senna. "You had something planned this evening?" She asked, wrapping an arm around Senna's shoulder and pulling her closerhead, still grinning. "So, how long has it been, Neon?" Senna let out a mildly annoyed sigh at her friend's teasing.
"It ain't like that. And y'know it," she puffed her cheek and struggled against her friend's grip. All the while blushing softly. "Get us both a coffee and just.. Go watch some romcom flicks," she breathed. Kath, taking this as a victory, could only chuckle as she stood up, gesturing at the waiter to clean another table. She made her way to the bar and started to work on preparing the two drinks.
Senna took a deep breath and glanced at her pilot again, shaking her head. "She's a menace." With another soft sigh, she reclined in her chair. "I didn't have anything planned, Avvy. Just wanted.. A good time," she chuckled softly. "And a nice meal. But we can slouch around at your place when we get back." She glanced at the bill and took her wallet, flicking out a credit chit that would adjust to the according amount. At least it wasn't too expensive, considering on which ward she lived.
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To be scrutinized under Kath's glare was agonizing. Avaster was used to it under different circumstances, but to be leered at under the premise of being match-made just caused his skin to crawl. It was nothing personal, and certainly nothing to do with Senna. He just wasn't at that stage in his life yet where he was ready to be set up, and he certainly wasn't going to let the owner of a bar and grill like this be the one to do it.
He didn't say anything as she left, because it likely would have been scathing and he just shook his head. "You're not really going to make me watch those sill rom coms again are you?" he asked with a forced hissed. "Maybe we ought to just get that coffee to go." He chuckled and felt the blush on his face slowly fade away.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, let's just crash at my place. We'll have a proper bash there because there really isn't anything I can think I'd like better than to hang with my best bud. Unfortunately Jon Nash isn't available, so you're the runner up." It was a tease of course. No one really wanted to be his friend. Only Senna got stuck with him.
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"Gods no," Senna answered with a shudder crawling down her spine. Due to sheer abhorrence and her body temperature faltering slightly. It'd be a headache when they got at Avaster's place. She doubted he possessed any kind of thermal clothing of blankets or any of those. So it'd either be with an uncomfortably warms shower or bath. Or another's body temperature. Well, after a solid year, she was sure her pilot understood how important is was for her health. Crossing bridges once you reached them and all that. "There's some new horror flick, if you're in the mood for it," she suggested.
Senna glanced over her shoulder, gesturing at the woman. Who seemed to understand it, nodding. The discomfort she caused Avaster was obvious. So Senna felt obliged to stomp out that feeling. "Don't worry.. She savours these kind of things. Does it to everyone that she knows remotely well," Senna said with a faint smile. "I've known her for some time now. She just enjoys teasing."
Kath arrived at the table and placed the two cups down, wordlessly communicated by Senna they'd take it on the go. "Here y'are. Special brew just for you two," she beamed, pulling up the credit chit, before scanning it with her datapad. "And voila," she murmured, pocketing it. "Hope you two have a good evening," Kath stated with a sincere smile. No teasing or elbow prodding.
Senna got to her feet with a soft sigh and turned around to hug her taller friend. "Thanks Kath," she stated softly. "It's alright Neon, off you go," she stated, face contorting slightly in a scowl. "You should move out of that place," she mused. "I don't have money. And I don't want to take yours," Senna answered easily, taking a step back. She turned to Avaster and nodded at him. "Let's go?" Came her inquiry, picking up the cardboard cup.
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Kidding aside, Avaster did his best to brush off Kath's previous words and sentiments. It wasn't the worse thing that had happened all day. No, that had come earlier before Senna even showed up at his door. He was glad he could count on his Duo to make the day more interesting, and certainly better than it had started off. What more could he ask for in a friend?
Sentiments aside, he got up when they were ready to go and they headed out the door. Finally, he could breath out a massive gust of air and he carefully blew it against the current of his coffee. The small ripples reminded him of the trace routes left in star maps during training. "Okay so that was weird," he said gently. "I know she means well, but Kath always struck me as kind of...overprotective . I guess it comes with age. I dunno."
He shrugged and put a gentle arm around Senna's shoulder. "Come on, we've gotta catch up on that blood and gore you so eagerly suggested earlier. Because if there isn't some zombie-headsmashing, I don't want anything to do with it."
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"She's one of the few people who knows what happened," Senna answered. "Y'know.. Who I am and all that," she said with a soft sigh. "She wants to protect me at all time." Senna took a deep breath and pushed herself closer against Avaster's side, to seek out his warmth.
"Well.. Yeah. It's an awesome movie. I can promise you that the length, headsmashing ratio in minutes is roughly 5 to 1. So you'll see gore at least once every five minutes," she stated with a soft giggle, before shaking her head. "You'll enjoy it."
-
The walk back to the apartment was uneventful, for which Avaster was grateful. The door slid open before them and when he was back inside, he kicked off his shoes and flopped back on the couch like he lump he'd been before Senna had dragged him out of his cocoon.
"Come and flop down next to me, seeing as you're already radiating cold like a snapped nitrogen pipe," he said and pulled the blanket he'd tucked in from the back of the couch and flung it over him. "Senna, when I first met you...I'm not going to lie, I thought you were a little much. But, I'm glad we're friends. I just want to tell you that. You're really the only other person I have that I can trust."
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She walked in after Avaster, locking the door behind herself. A habit she developed from living in the ward she lived in. Immediately lock the door behind you, or you'll have some unwanted guests garantueed. Senna took her boots off as he talked, glancing up at him with a soft chuckle.
"Thanks. I'm glad I met you as well, Avvy," she replied with a soft smile, before making her way over, catching the blanket and stepping onto the couch from behind. She begun to wrap herself in the blanket, before resting as close to him as possible, trying to leech off his body heat. Head resting on his shoulder.
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The feeling of another body against his was rather startling, but one that Avaster could stand if it was Senna. Since leaving home, he didn't have much in the way of friends, and those he spoke with he became acquainted with on more congenial terms, but none he would let lounge on his sofa or steal a soda from his fridge without a complaint.
Others, however, could go suck eggs.
He was quiet for a while as the TV turned itself on and began scanning channels until it found the appropriate one in which he wanted to watch. "Stop," he said gently and laid his head against Senna's cool flesh. "You know, if you need some heating pads, I can let you borrow some, this way if I'm not around, you have something else to keep you warm. Whatever happened to that cat you were trying to lure into your apartment?"
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"Well, yeah, those would be handy," Senna answered, grabbing his hand with a soft sigh. "But not now," she chuckled softly. "I'm staying the night here, so to save your heating," she suggested with a soft huff, before looking up at him with a grin. "Or, unless, you'd want to be my body pillow," she said with a soft, teasing chuckle.
"I'm kidding, by the way," she added, before snuggling closer against him. "Just enjoy the gore.."
-
He laughed aloud, cackling and throwing his head back. "Actually I'm laughing because it's funny you mentioned it. I have a body pillow," he said with a chuckle. "And I hate it. Terribly. And I want you to have it."
He gestured to the corner of the living room where a large sack like object was propped up against the wall. "That thing. I call him Jeffrey. Not sure why I gave it a man's name, but it seemed fitting. But you can have it, and call it whatever you."
The movie began with a scream and an axe being ploughed through a woman's head as she stared at the screen. The body slumped and there was a gloved hand at the base of the axe, and just then the masked-killer was shown and stalked back into the trees, dragging the ankle of the dead woman behind him.
-
"Oh gods," she answered, breathing out softly. "I.. Don't want Jeffrey," she replied, shaking her head softly. "I don't wish to know what happened to him," came her chuckling and teasing reply.
Senna looked at the screen, the close-up of brains splattering everywhere caused her not to flinch or recoil, or be scared from the sudden jumpscare, but to grin only. "It's called The thirteenth, friday," she explained with a soft smirk. "And that's the main villain, Josan," she murmured softly, all giddy at the prospect of a night of jumpscares and gore.
-
"Well, don't narrate the whole film. You know how I hate that," he muttered with a snort. "OH! wow, that was a little more graphic than I realized. Buuut...not that I'm a wuss or anything."
-
"Just some necessary exposition," Senna chuckled in response, jumping at the same scene, before giggling. "Yes you are. You sissy."
-
"What!? Yeah, I'm a sissy! I'm a real big sissy because I was surprised by a jumpscare," he said, rolling his eyes. "You know I know you're teasing, but your words still wound me, Senna. You know I have the soul of a poet. And...the bladder of a kid."
And with that he jumped up from the sofa and headed right for the bathroom.
-
"Exactly." Senna quipped with a soft grin. She clapped her hands and let out a loud cackle. "You?! The soul of a poet? Classic!" She called out after him, leaning over the side of the sofa, with a quick gesture of her hands, pausing the movie.
"Take crisps when you get back!" She called out.
-
He came back soon enough and a bag of chips soon flew off the top of his fridge and was launched directly at her head. He soon plopped back onto the couch and reached for the bag.
"I hope you like cheddar cheese. Because that's all I have."
-
The bag crunched against her face, before dropping to the ground. She leaned over to pick up the bag with a softsoft grumble. Before she shook her head with a soft chuckle. "It's meh. Had worse. Had way better," she answered, opening the bag, pulling out a handful and crunching it down.
"Anyhow. Ready?" She inquired with a mouthful of chips.
-
"I was born ready, Send," he nodded. And the movie continued with another object being smashed into someone's head. Avaster cackled at how ridiculous it looked and carefully coaxed the chips away from her and managed to snag himself a handful. He might have been full from dinner, but in moments like these, he could manage a little extra room.
"So Senna, you have an evaluation coming up. Are you excited?"
-
Senna watched the ensuing gore and carnage with several soft giggles. Though, she herself was also a tad jumpy when the movie grew more intense and slowly built up to the most obvious, though by no means less scary, jumpscares.
She glanced at Avaster again. "Not much-" she swallowed the chips currently in her mouth. "Not as much as I'm nervous for it," she admitted with a soft breath.
-
"Nervous? You? Nawwww. You're as cool as an ice cube. No pun intended," he said. He got another handful of chips and munched slowly. "You'll ace it. There's nothing to worry about, I'm sure."
-
"Yeah, I'm nervous alright," she answered with a soft snort. "You'll get a dishonorable discharge if you fail a set amount," she glanced up at Avaster. "I fail once, I lose my livelihood and get deported," she let out a wry grin.
"And I have no idea where to go after that. I know TRIM wants my ass back," she added with a soft sigh, before shaking her head.
-
"And why are you so sure that you'll fail? You're a lot better than you think you are, Senna. I sure know you've saved my ass dozens of times. I wouldn't be where I am without you," Avaster said with a concerned tilt of his head.
-
"I know I'll pass, still," she murmured softly. "On the off chance I don't. This might be the last time we do this," she stated. Her own mind only now catching up with said realization. She'd lose everything here. Kath, her house.
She'd lose even her best friend. The only person she trusted enough to sleep at the same place, without half a dozen of locks on her door and a blaster underneath her pillow. "Shit. Now I'm even more nervous," she stated with a shaky little breath.
-
"So....what do you suggest we do about it?" Avaster said, turning to her and appearing concerned. He was though, nothing about this conversation could make him ungenuine.
"You're not suggesting you cheat do you?"
-
"Ofcourse not," she answered with a soft breath, sitting up slightly to meet his eyes. "We'll see what happens, right?" She let out a soft chuckle, though he was able to tell it was more because of nerves than anything else.
"It ain't the first time we improvised."
-
Senna's gaze sent a slight chill down his back and Avaster frowned at her doubt. This wasn't the best time for those, and it made him anxious to think he was going to lose his best friend. In most ways, his only friend. He tried to relax and held her closer against him.
"So yeah, I guess so improvise. We'll, uh, think of something. In the meantime, you're sleeping over. Because you're chillier than normal."
-
Senna could only frown, before nodding slowly. "I'll pass, it's just.. Routine," she murmured softly under her breath, settling against Avaster again, gripping one of his hands tightly.
And, while her grip was cold, Avaster could also fear the trembling in her hands.
-
Avaster tried to give as much body heat as he could. However when the coffee that Kath had served started to wear off, he could feel himself dozing off amidst the screams coming from the movie. It was entertaining but the whole day had been trying. First his dad, then this with Senna.
It was nice to just relax, hideaway in his apartment. He wish he could do that all the time, even if his job didn't let him. Soon he fell asleep, going limp against the shoulder of the couch.
-
As Avaster slumped down, Senna looked up at him and huffed, slowly freeing herself from his arm. Making sure not to wake him up. With a soft sigh, followed by a sad smile, she looked down at him. "You got into more than you bargained for with me, huh," she murmured under her breath, before gesturing at the TV, before it shut down.
She stood up, taking his arm, before slowly pulling him over her back. She was by no means exceptionally strong. But basic training allowed her to carry at least one wounded comrade. Or in her case, a sleeping one.
She made her way to his bedroom and placed him down, before peeling the sheet out from underneath him. And if Avaster by now hadn't woken up already, she'd let out an irritated sigh, starting to strip down to her shirt and panties, settling down on the bed to pull her kneesocks off. "You might have a heartattack in the morning," she breathed. "But I don't feel like freezing. And I have no idea where you leave those thermal pads," she explained in a hushed murmur, before crawling in next to him, settling between his arms, her back against his chest.
-
He stirred only slightly from the movement and would have never guessed that Senna was able to lift him from the sofa, or at least side-drag him, however it might have happend. He was in bed soon enough and relishing in it's warmth and felt her lean back against him. He was still drunk with sleep and only half murmured a 'good night'.
He wouldn't complain though. He was comfortable and buried his face into her shoulder in neck, even though she was continuously cool. He felt some traces of warmth and the heaters beneath the bed would equalize the temperature within the blankets to a comfortable level.
When morning came there was only a slight crick in his neck from the sleeping position, but he was otherwise fine. Avaster opened his eyes and blinked at the added weight in bed. "Senna...why do you never tell me you're just gonna be butt ass naked? I have spare sweats and shirts."
-
Oh. She didn't anticipate to feel what, to her, was extremely hot breath tickling her shoulder. Nor did she expect him to react the way he did. But it was nice. A comforting touch to calm her nerves. And, ofcourse, to warm her up.
She snorted awake as Avaster spoke, but didn't wake just yet, "you were sleeping," came her mumbled and sleepy retort. She rolled over to level her face with his. But she didn't realize this practically pressed hown own smaller frame completely against his. She was still too sleepy to realize that. "Comfy," she breathed, before falling asleep once again. Possibly too close for comfort.
-
Avaster grunted when she pressed her body against his. He didn't mean for him to sound grumpy but he was trying to hold in a bladder full of pee.
"Yeah, still...pajamas. And proper pants. Keep you warmer than just me," he muttered and shrugged, trying to turn but trapped under her body. "Did you fall asleep again?... Senna?" And the silence was proof enough of that.
"Senna.....?" He was growing more and more tired until he couldn't fight the tiredness all on his own. "Senn...you have an evaluation, remember?"
-
"You were sleeping," Senna murmured again, before taking up more place in bed as Avaster tried to roll over. It resulted in Senna hugging his chest, practically being on top of him in her quest for more body heat.
The last of his words were lost as she started to snore gently again, hugging Avaster tightly.
-
And with that, Avaster had to pry her off of him because he just couldn't hold it anymore. "I'm back sorry, Senna, I really REALLY have to go," he said and quickly got off the bed to sprint to the bathroom.
-
Senna murmured her sleepy reply. And as Avaster left, Senna wrapped herself up in all of his blankets, tucking up like a cloth worm in his bed, before completely curling up as well. The only thing visible by now were some brown and pink strands of hair from her head.
-
Avaster finished drying his hands on a towel and groggily dragged himself back beside the bed. He sat beside Senna and gently wiggled her arm. "Seeeeeennaaaaaaa," he groaned, sing-songily. "Seeeeeenaaaaaa.... You're hogging all the blankets!"
-
Senna made a murmured response, before pushing her head up from underneath the blankets, looking at Avaster. Right up in his eyes. And she blinked once, her eyes changed colour, from the usual brown and pink, to a dark and sorrowful maroon. And her hair followed suit.
She pushed herself up and sleepily hugged Avaster from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder, still being wrapped up in the blankets. She remained silent for just a moment, before taking a deep breath. "I'm scared," she admitted finally, glancing over to meet his eyes. "I.. Don't want to lose you," she murmured.
What a far cry it was from what she really wanted to admit to him. Why did she have to fall for this idiot?
-
This was a sudden change in emotion, but not completely unexpected. Avaster tiredly wrapped arms around her and kissed her forehead. "Senna. You're worried over nothing, The more you think about bad things, the more bad things will happen. My dad taught me that much. So, what is it that you're not going to do anymore? Worry, that is. Try not to worry."
He squished her harder and brushed her tears way. "Come on, I'll make you a big breakfast so you have the energy to concentrate. You'll be great! I guarantee it."
-
Oh yeah. That was why.
Senna nodded slowly. "Avaster.. I," why was it so difficult? Why couldn't she just say it and be done with it? What if he didn't feel the same way? What if he actually did, but she'd be expunged from the Libra? So many thoughts surfaced. And the positives started to outweigh the negatives.
"Nevermind," she said with a soft sigh, nodding slowly. "Thanks."
-
Avaster moved into the kitchen and fixed coffee and began to whip up some eggs. He whipped them swiftly in a bowl. "Help me, now. Chop up some spare chicken in the fridge. We'll have some eggs and chicken and...whatever's left over. I...wow, I have a lot of left overs."
He smiled at her and began to fry the concoction on the pan once it was ready.
-
Senna glanced up at him as he left in the kitchen. She took a deep breath and pushed herself up with a soft sigh. Why was she feeling so desperate now? She blinked again, eyes now a dark purple. Sadness and frustration.
Was it really the upcoming evaluation? Was it that that had her riled up like that. She tried to shake the thoughts off, but as she did, her hair also changed to the same dark purple.
She got to her feet and sauntered her way into the kitchen with a soft sigh. Once again, she started to weigh down the pros against the cons.
Friendzone. Unanswered feelings. Actually have them engage in a more romantic situation but being expunged from the station due to a failed assessment.
Or the risk of never getting the chance to tell him. She glanced at him as he spoke, pulling open the fridge. But halting momentarily. An idea ensued.
She was raised an Aedolian. She'd blame it on that in case things didn't go as she wanted. Senna closed the fridge again, without grabbing any of the leftovers. Instead, she moved back over to Avaster, hand hovering over the frying pan momentarily to freeze it in a solid chunk of ice. A feat to pull the attention to her.
Here goes nothing. With that thought, she leaned forward to peck a soft, hesitant kiss on his lips. Pressing her body against his as she did.
-
Somehow she got the result intended from freezing the eggs. The act startled Avaster. He blinked and would have protested if she hadn't kissed him first. He wasn't sure quite how to react, except to wrap arms around her and hug her close.
He didn't question what it was all about, and brief though it was, he turned his head to tuck it against her neck. He didn't know what came over her. And he wasn't going to embarrass her by asking. So instead he kissed her neck and murmured, "I'm not going to lose you senna. I promise."
What a strange promise to make after she froze his eggs. "By the way," came his next whisper. "You ruined the eggs."
-
The kiss in her neck may've been comforting or soothing. But it also had another effect. One that sent a tickling sensation creeping down her spine. She heard him, but it didn't really register. He could promise all he wanted. But it was still out of his power.
And she most certainly didn't care for the eggs now. She got this far, so she wanted to see it through. One hand grabbed his wrist, the other rested against his cheek. She slowly moved his arm down to have his hand rest on her rear, to coax him into touching her more intimately. At the same time shebl leaned back to meet his lips once more, this time, for a deeper and more passionate kiss.
She let go of his wrist and slid her hand under the hem of his shirt, hand slowly drifting upwards to halt and rest on his bare chest.
-
Avaster didn't protest, he couldn't. Maybe some part of him wanted this too, one that he hadn't discovered himself just yet. Or hadn't wanted to acknowledge because it was easier to be dead to the world, just go along with life because he had nothing to ground him.
He was still disappointed with the eggs though. His stomach growled loudly. But she just ignored it and tried to undress him.
"Senna," he paused, leaning his head away. "Senna. Why didn't you say anything before?"
-
"I..." Senna swallowed heavily, leaning back as well to leave him room to breathe. "I... Wanted to tell you. At my own rate. Relaxed. I wanted... Tl fall in love... Slowly."
It was at that moment a tear rolled down her cheek. Slowly shifting through the colour spectrum as it did. "But now... I... What if I fail? What if I..." She closed her mouth, shaking her head solemnly.
-
"Don't think like that. Stop. Just look at me. See me," Avaster said quickly and he reaffirmed his arms around her, one hand rove up to push away the tears from her eyes. "You think I don't love you? Senna, you're my best friend. My confidant and my companion. I don't think there's any greater love than that?"
He tried to smile, but it was pained and he leaned in to kiss her gently. "Don't think that you'll be gone. Please. I don't want to lose you."
-
"I... I know you do..." Senna murmured, hands moving up to cup his cheeks. "I'm sorry," she breathed softly. "For all of this shit." She pressed her lips against his again, before shaking his head. "I'm just scared.. Nervous. I don't want to lose you either."
-
"What makes you think that you will?" He frowned, pushing her hair away from her face. He shook his head. "You're so riddled with self-doubt."
Avaster embraced her tightly, anchoring her to his form.
-
"It's been getting more and more difficult," she mumbled against his shirt. "The evaluations are getting more dangerous each day." She didn't make a move to get away from him. "Hey... Avaster," she murmured softly, moving to look up at him.
"You... Me. I want us to be a thing.."
-
Wanted them to be a thing. He blinked at her innocently. "I thought we were? Oh I know you're my best friend. But that's not what everyone else saw," he murmured. "You know, you're worrying really kind of makes me worried. I thought we...didn't need any weird labels, Senna. We're just us, and that's all we need to be. I don't care what anyone else thinks. I never did."
-
"I know," she murmured softly, leaning against him. "But.. More than just best friends," she gave him a sad smile, hand traveling up to softly cup his cheek. "I don't want us to be labeled as anything," she shook her head momentarily.
"I just wanna be with you."
-
"Then we're together then. Isn't that what that means?" he murmured and reached across to wrap his arms around her. His embrace was tight, secure and he loved the smell of her hair as he turned his head in toward her neck. "Although I am curious. I mean...when did all this kind of start?"
-
She nodded softly, taking a deep breath, resting her forehead against his chest. "It does," she murmured softly, closing her eyes.
Her hand slowly gripped at his arm as she let out a soft chuckle. "Some months ago.. You always were a friend. But other friends always left me. You never did."
-
Avaster grinned and leaned his forehead against her shoulder, blowing raspberries against her skin. "Soooo, does this mean we finally have breakfast now?" he said, peeking his head up at her.
-
She was about to make a witty retort, before her stomach churned quite audibly. "... Yeah," she murmured slowly. She glanced over at the massive chunk of ice that was the frying pan and the eggs. And soon, it disappeared. Not even leaving any residual water. "I'm... Actually gonna take a shower. No thermal packs when sleeping and such," she said. With a deep breath and a stretch of her arms, she made her way to his bathroom.
"Those eggs should still be salvagable! Stasis ice," she explained, before sliding thethe door shut.
-
Avaster watched her vanish into the bathroom with a fading smile. Once it was gone, he sighed and buried his face against his hands, breathing out sharply. He had a feeling things were this way for some time, and truth be told, he didn't really know what to make of it. The last thing he wanted was for things to get weird between him and Senna. She really was the only person he had in his life, the one person he could rely on to take away the weight of every day.
But she loved him, she said. And Avaster closed his eyes, weighing what that meant. But truth be told, he didn't know what he wanted, only that he wanted to keep Senna in his life. So he quietly went about making the eggs as he wanted, although they were cold and took forever to heat back up.
Once breakfast was ready and bacon chopped up and scrambled in the batch, he set it up on the counter and poured hot coffee. "Senna! Senna, food's done!"