Re: [Pre-Phase: Mission 2] Elevator Capacity
ON, Ready Room
Meanwhile, in further from the entrance and the showers, a group consisting of the two mechanists attached to Bahram Wing's mobile operations and two runners had slipped into the room without garnering the Marranr's notice and seemed to be lazily passing the time until they would have to leave. The mechanist with the black half-gear patterns on her cheeks and a red honeycomb on her horns tossed what appeared to be a playing card onto the bench between herself and the older, more experienced woman of her trade and let out a quiet sigh.
"Aaah! I guess you beat me, Alia. " Khiyai said in a defeated tone, as she began to reshuffle the deck and slammed it unhappily onto the bench again. "Savitar, Zus. Either of you want to try taking on this monster?"
Alia chuckled egotistically at the younger mechanic. "It'll be lightyears before you can beat me at this!" She said with a shady smirk. Funny enough, she was wearing her engineer goggles during the game, which meant Khiyai could see her hand and the younger player STILL lost.
Savitar blinked from where he was half asleep and shook himself awake, fully dressed and ready to go except for a couple buttons at the top of the shirt and yawned a bit. "I'll pass on that Khiyai, you got yourself into this." He said. "I'm just disappointed at the fact we're stuck guarding some... singer when we could be doing so much more." He sighed, still leaning against the wall.
"I've never learned that game, so I'd say no. Perhaps next time. What game IS it, anyway?" she asked, looking over the cards from a distance, her linksuit already completely on; it had been before she'd gotten out of the shower, Chaste as the woman was.
Malik walked around the corner, heading to his locker to put on his linksuit after exiting the shower wearing only a towel around his waist, only to find Khiyai, Alia, and Savitar. "Hey, Khiyai, I might take you up on that offer. Someone here should be able to beat Alia." The orange-haired runner smiled, and looked around for a seat, apparently totally oblivious to his state of dress.
Savitar sighed and slunk off to grab a shower now that most of the people had filed OUT of there and disappeared for a moment to grab a quick one. "Yeah you'll lose Mal, she's good" he called as he vanished.
"More? You mean more patrol?" Alia asked, while adjusting her goggles, which is to say, sliding them up onto her fore head. "And you, beat me? HA!" Alia barked at Malik.
"One more thing." She muttered, noticing his state of non-dress. "Put on some pants."
"Idiot! You'll catch a cold running around a place like this dressed like that!" Khiyai chided Malik, tossing another dry towel at his face for him to cover himself up a little better. She glanced at Savitar and made a quiet sigh. "She's right. Not that a wrecked VANDR is good news for your Mechanists, but patrols without any combat mean we don't have any creative maintenance to do."
"Boring as all hell, it is." Alia muttered, while dealing out a hand again between her and her underling.
Savitar would simply keep going away from them and gave them a bit of a dismissive wave. "I agree with ya, I'd SO much rather do patrol than this mission." He said, pausing for a moment.
Malik smiled, catching the towel so kindly tossed to him by Khiyai, heading over to his locker and pulling out his linksuit. "You all might wanna look away for a bit." He turned away and stepped out of the towel before shacking out the suit, and began to slip into it, getting it above his waist before he turned back around, pulling the rest of the suit up and around him.
"Geez..." Savitar quipped and continued on his way toward the showers on the other side of the room.
"Aren't there courtesy stall around here?" Alia muttered after she slid her goggles up again after covering her eyes from Malik.
Reovan emerged from her shower and walked up beside Zus. Similar to her roommate, the Sund Wakir had taken her pre-mission shower in her linksuit. She had a warming towel wrapped around her massive head of hair. "Still excited about the concert?" the orange-eyed girl asked her Eyr Ranr friend.
"OK Khiy, this is the last hand, all in or bust." Alia said.
"The concert looks fun" Zus said, smiling to her friend. "I still hope nothing bad happens, I really don't need another bad day" The girl continued.
"As long as we're out there, we'll keep everyone safe," the dark-skinned girl said confidently, placing her hand on the Eyr Ranr's arm. "If anything happens," Reovan added with a small grin, "You just might get to enjoy the concert after all."
Zalus walked out from the shower with no towel on and drying his arms. "Well I hope the Freespacers are good on the eyes. not like big mechanical squids or something! That would be not to pleasant..." Zalus put his arm around revoan shoulder. "Unless you like robo-sea-beasts that happen to sing my dear!."
"I fold. I don't think we have enough time to play another, Senshirin." Khiyai replied, making an uneasy chuckle. "Geez. Did I tell you about my date with Malik?"
Malil leaned up against the lockers, smiling inwardly to himself as he listened in to everyone's conversation. Until Sav got out of the shower, there was almost nothing he could do while he waited.
"I think I'll be concentrating on patrolling while you can have the robo-squids all to yourself, Zal," Reovan replied with a laugh. "Besides, aren't the Freespacers supposed to look a lot like us? Maybe they're just an ancient offshoot of Iroma?"
"Well, that's a forfeit, so the bet's mine." Alia said with a smile. "Oh, I have the cutest little outfit in mind for you to wear all week Khi." Alia muttered, with a playful, if sinister smile on her lips.
Malik perked up, looking at Reovan. "Well, Reo, that does seem unlikely. If they were, there would be some records of them somewhere. More likely, they are either descendants from another group of Saal, or a whole other race entirely."
"You would know this how, Malik?" Alia muttered as she looked over her shoulder to him while cleaning up the cards.
Malik smiled stupidly at Alia. "I like to read the nice pictures on OGNEIR.NET."
"Like that's a reliable source." She snorted in reply.
The other mechanist blushed furiously, her expression forming into a frown as lightly tanned cheeks puffed out. It was unfair that she had to accept the loss because of time constraints! "If I catch a cold, I'll make you both take care of me!" She did a quick doubletake, and patted herself on the head nervously. "Erm... I meant you'll have to work my shifts until I get better. Malik can do as he pleases."
After a few minutes, Savitar would come back out; having changed into the linksuit in the shower after just washing down some and stretched. He'd come out with the suit pulled up around his waist; his body more chiseled and muscled than Malik was. "Hmm that felt good, I miss much?" he asked as he approached them.
Alia reaches over the table and pinches one of Khiyai's cheeks. "Oh, you're adorable when you're flustered and angry." Alia said playfully. "I could just eat you up, just like last time." she added, making sure Khiyai knew Alia remembered their fun.
"Don't worry Khi. If you got sick, i'd atleast try to look out for you." Mal smiled at Khi, giving Alia a glare. "And what cute outfit would that b- What do you mean last time?"
"That's a lady's secret Malik. Don't pry. It's rude."
"You can do whatever you want as long as you're clothed, Zal "Zus said, looking away blushing a little. At least most of the other men had the sense to cover themselves. Hell, even Savitar did.
Ignoring the know-it-all, Reovan's eyes were drawn to Savitar's bare chest. She elbowed Zus gently and grinned at her roommate.
"Seriously Rashidan, nobody wants to see that." Savitar taunted his wingmate without noticing Reovan's eyes for the moment as he grinned mischievously.
Zus glanced at her Grinning friend and asked "What? I've seen that grin before this cannot be good"
Zus glanced at her grinning friend and asked "What?" before realizing the expression and finishing "I've seen that grin before, this cannot be good."
"Isn't he just the sexiest?" Reovan whispered to Zus. "I mean, Mu's more manly and rugged, but Savi just has that sexy aura about him." She grinned at Zalus, "You should take notes."
"You're pathetic" Zus muttered, punching Reo in the arm "What makes a man attractive is his mind, not his body, and Savitar over there is a Min/max of the worst type" The Eyr Ranr explained, rolling her eyes and finding a portion of the room that DIDN'T annoy her.
Zalus tilted his head and rubbed his chin. "Eh, I'd do him. Once." Zalus patted Reovan's butt then walked wide around Zus' striking range towards Alia. "So we are playing games are we?" He said as he started to put on his link suit.
"Yes. Since it's deathly boring." Alia muttered as she organized the card deck. "What, you want in?"
Savitar glanced over to Zus, as if he'd heard the entire conversation and perked a brow up as his wicked grin grew a bit more. "I heard that Zus. And you don't have too much room to speak, I've heard rumors about how you fawn over Mu'Tasim." he said and glanced to Reovan and winked at her. But his irises tensed noticeably as Zalus swatted her but let it go...for now.
The Sund Wakir rubbed her arm and chased after Zus, removing the warming towel from her head. Reovan's wavy dark brown hair was frizzy from the heat as she tied it back into a ponytail. "Hey, his mind's sexy too," she protested. "He knows how to fly, how to ride, and he--" she closed up as Savitar approached. "Divine presence," she greeted, looking anywhere but at him.
"I will admit he is much more attractive than you are, the only things in your skull are spiders and hormones" Zus retorted, Glaring at Savitar as if she could burn a hole through him. the man really was annoying to her. most of the men were, with the exception of Mu'Tasim and possibly Shokhi, but she didn't know enough about the purple Ivuori to really form an opinion.
Malik sccoted away from his wingmates, smiling. "You guys, You put too much value on physical relationships. Back on the colonies, we take time to learn about our lovers."
"Hmm but I have something he doesn't Zus..." Savitar said, his amethyst eyes luminescing for a moment as he walked toward Reovan and looked her in the eyes, gently caressing his fingers over her jawline and pulled her gently into a rather sweet kiss. Just a moment of affection that would be nice and warm, the mere thought of her brightened his outlook immensely. "Oh Malik. I know precisely what she likes." He grinned.
The dark-skinned girl swooned at the kiss, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. The public display of affection was a bit embaressing for Reovan, but Savitar's bold action was just another thing that attracted her to the swarthy Curdatl.
Malik smiled at Savitar, giving him a thumbs up in support.
Alia watched Malik's actions. "Don't you hate him?" She asked after watching Malik give Savitar a thumbs up.
Malik smiled at Savitar, giving his Curdatl friend a thumbs up
Zalus paused with his leg half in the link suit and smiled. "I sure would my dear! Just give me two seconds to... you know... get dressed!" Zalus finished getting dress quickly and sat down and held out his hand for his cards. "Maybe latter we can play with clothes instead of currency?"
Zalus whispered so Savitar couldn't hear him. "I can't stand him. Coming from a man who thinks with his groin more often than not... that man does some weird shit...."
"Aaah! I see, he has that kind of charm." Khiyai exclaimed, having a small epiphany as she observed Savitar make such an aggressive movement. She almost wished to have that kind of casual, but romantically aggressive relationship, but realized that that in and of itself would likely be an impossibility because of her character. And that of the kind of person she was involved with. "It's a shame he shaves his horns down, though. I keep on thinking he still has a child's parts whenever I see him."
Savitar would glance at Khiyai for a moment and chuckled a bit and straightened again and waited or a moment. "I actually do that because my horns increase my air drag while I'm racing." he explained calmly. "And I wouldn't want to wreck and break them off, it'd hurt like hell." he said, rubbing the horn on his right as if remembering it happening.
"Is my voice that quiet?" Mal shrugged, and poked Khiyai on her shoulder, trying to get her attention. "Err, Khiyai, what does she mean by cute outfit?"
Letting out a small huff, Khiyai veered around to glance at Malik and sighed. "Just a bet. I have to wear some fetish outfit of her choosing for the rest of the Commonwealth week."
Alia just smiled at Khiyai's explanation. "Now now, don't be so judgmental, it's not that BAD an outfit."
Malik smiled at Khiyai. "If you tell me about what she means by 'last time', I'll try to play her so you don't have to wear it?"
"I said you'd look cute in it after all, so it's nothing obscene." Alia assured her, "that's for later." she said with a tight grin and wink.
"I can also hear you Malik."
"Then that means I don't have to ask you again."
"So Reovan." Savitar said, directing his attention to her again. "Have you ever thought of getting bound up nice and warm and going riding over Mazerinii? The snow really is just like the sand in a way, just slicker." He pointed out.
"It's a no regardless. Khiyai lost the bet fair and square, even if it wasn't by her own hand. Your input isn't going to change anything."
"No way am I going out there in anything less than a pranja-filled cockpit," Reovan asserted, a touch of humor in her voice. "I'm enough of a popsicle as it is inside the fort."
"Then why don't we make a separate bet?" Malik grinned at Alia and moved his hands to the cards.
"That being?" Alia asked as she crossed her arms and gave Malik a stern look.
"Mmm so that little heat lamp you got isn't helping much?" Savitar chuckled in response. "And I've been thinking about doing it, at least once but you're probably right. I'd more than likely freeze my horns off if I tried that." he agreed, nodding sagely. "Maybe you and I can race again when we get back to the homeworld." he grinned at her challengingly.
Mal sighed and steped back, scracthing at his head. "You know, nevermind."
"No, I didn't get it," Reovan admitted, the disapointment clear in her voice. "Apparently they count as a 'religious item.' Can you believe that?"
"Coward." Alia muttered as she turned her gaze away.
"Are you serious? Man that sucks, I still have a spare fur-lined coat if you want it." Savitar said and eyed her up and down for a moment. "you do look rather good in them."
Khiyai reached out and awkwardly grabbed a hold of both Alia and Malik's shoulders, sighing in frustration. "Both of you, stop that!" She made a small pinch before letting go, just enough to catch their attention without reddening the skin or leaving bruises. "This is counter-intuitive to any kind of rivalry over m- We're comrades, and this is no way to act right before a career-shaping mission!"
Alia gave Khiyai a semi-adorable look. "You're SO CUTE when your flustered. I need to remember to embarrass you more often Khi."
"You should'nt tease Khiyai, I don't think she likes it." Mal leaned back against the locker, knowing that Alia won't listen to him.
Alia shoots Malik a smile with a winked eye. "I know, I just like how adorable she looks while flustered."
"She looks adorable all the time."
"She's more so when she's flustered, the slight rosey tint of her skin when she blushes, the dower look in her eyes, matched by the sudden sparkle that covers it, and the soft, yet stern tone." Alia sighs dreamily. "It's beautiful."
"I would have to concur with that!" Zalus smiled. "Maybe we can all have a little celebration when we get back if it was a good mission. What do you say madam 'I can hold down a crap load of booze?'"
Malik sighed again, scooting away from Khiyai, obviously not in high spirits. "I guess I'm not really wanted here."
"I wouldn't mind. I know there'll be a lot of stress in this one." Alia said, becoming a little more serious. "I hate that kind of music, so I know I'll have a headache."
Savitar glanced over at Alia, having been passively listening to the conversion but stayed out of it. "I agree with you Alia. Best thing you can do is filter it out from inside your Prajna." He said with a sigh.
"Aaah! What are you two doing?!?" Khiyai said, swatting Alia's hands away gently before grabbing Malik's wrist. Her expression seemed to have become much more serious now, and she stared at him angrily. "Listen to what I have to say."
Alia propped her head in both hands and stared at Khiyai from her side of the table with a dreamy look.
Malik didn't resist when Khiyai grabbed his wrist, his expression still gloomy, his violet eyes seemingly less vibrant. "I am listening. I just think Alia is listening a lot more."
Savitar looked at Malik. "Hey dude, cheer up some." he said, walking over and put a hand on his shoulder in a friendly fashion. "Don't let yourself get so down before a mission."
"Malik Ibn Rashidan. Either you become a man and define your character as something stronger and more reliable, or remain that moody boy and watch the Senshirin tease me for all eternity." The girl said angrily, her eyes welling with small tears. After the date and all that she had seen of him, this angry, moody and sulking personality Malik had was something intolerable. Something that would make her kill the feelings she had for the young man, as seeing those things had already become unbearable. "So consider what kind of person you want to be. Don't follow me." She let go and walked away to the bathrooms, hoping to go soak her head in some cold water and take a few sip to wash some of the bitterness in her mouth away and out of her thoughts.
Mal stood there, frozen over with despair. The way that Alia had treated Khiyai had pissed him off, straight and simple. But he had tempered it, and all it managed to do was to make him depressed and ineffectual. And now Khiyai was angry at him, visibly upset at him for being such a coward. A small spark lit itself in Mal's heart, quickly using the fuel of his emotions to become a roaring flame.
While Mal was still not the smartest guy on Mazerin, he had enough damn sense to chase after Khi, and to hell with the consequences of this action, there is nothing worse then being responsible for making a cute girl cry. Malik Ibn Rashidan, Frame Runner of Shamshir began to walk swiftly with purpose, following Khiyai.
"Hmhmhm." Savitar chuckled and looked at Alia. "You know by that gesture you probably just pushed the two of them together more." he chuckled. "nice going."
Alia leaned back. "Eh, if they hook, it's OK. If not, I can catch her on the rebound." She said, her hands extended like a scale. "If they do patch it, I hope they allow wiggle room, I like having more then one person."
Savitar laughed a bi tat that. "Party girl." he said and shook his head. "At least you know how to have fun."
"We all do." She said with a knowing smile and nod, looking over at Zalus out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh ho?" Savitar chuckled. "Way to go Zalus." he said, giving his comrade a thumbs up, having caught the eye motion.
Khiyai passed a stream of cold water over head, taking gulps whenever enough of it was passing near her lips, her chest puffing in and out as she panted desperately. The wash of cold helped stifle the heat of her cheeks, and keep her from thinking that she was crying as tears mingled with tap water. Even if she knew she had to say it, it felt like a horrid thing to say to Malik!
The aforementioned Malik stood in the doorway, ashamed at what he had lead Khiyai to do. Every word she had said was true, each one a stiletto to his heart. The made a testing stop towards her, still cautious because of her emotional state. "I'm a horrible person for this, Khiyai. I made such a beautiful girl cry. It's even more horrible in my mind, because I know that my own childish behavior made you cry."
"I'm an idiot Khiyai, a straight up selfish idiot, who hurt you with his callousness. I, I want to say that I was inwardly screaming, wanting the Senshirin to stop, but what I wanted to do and what I did do are two different things. Seeing Alia treat you like that, and keep on teasing you, it made me so angry. But I though, what could I do? So I sulked, and tried to run away, tried to run away from something I could."
The Runner took a deep breath, and stepped closer to the mechanist. "I was wrong, so wrong. All I did was let Jyotsna tease you. Even when I had the opportunity to stop it, I didn't do anything." Malik gently rested his hand on Khiyai's shoulder. "It seems archaic and sexist, but I want to protect you Khiyai. I want to hug you close, and protect you, tell you that nothing will hurt you because I'm here to protect yo
"When I see you happy, I am unable to feel the cold of Mazerin, I'm so happy. When you're sad, like this, it's as if I've been dumped into the cold vacuum of space, without anything to protect me. Khiyai, I don't have a word to describe it, but I want to at least try to act on it."