|
Aphelion and the Friends Not Forgotten.
| |
| Aaron_Rawls | Date: Tuesday, 21 Jul 2015, 4:13 AM | Message # 31 |
 Ensign
Group: Users
Messages: 22
Status: Offline
| That this was a monumentally uncomfortable situation for everyone involved didn't seem to occur to Ransom, his mood having gone from murderous to, well, Ransom would never not enjoy a light-hearted murder, but his mood had brightened considerably at the prospect of confronting Rawls with the reality of his relationship with Mara. Rawls didn't believe him at first ("Mara?" "Yes, Mara." "Mara Antares?" "Mara Antares-Ransom," so the conversation had gone, much to his confusion), but eventually he accepted that Ransom was either telling the truth, or he was simply insane. And despite the spectacle of Ransom in the street a few moments ago, drenched in Rodian guts and laughing maniacally, Rawls didn't think he was insane. No more than he remembered, at least.
Resistance to Ransom's Gundark-like grip around his shoulder was futile, and Rawls had only to put one foot in front of the other as Ransom supplied all the forward-motion to his apartment. As soon as Rawls noticed Mara and Davon, however, even from a not-inconsiderable distance he could see that all was not right. It was apparent from their body language; Mara—one hand on her hip, a defiant look on her face. Davon—his arms crossed over his chest, a much-needed cigarette in his mouth, trying not to look at Mara's breasts because, well, Davon. They looked just like they always had after a fight on the Aphelion, and neither of them seemed favorably-disposed to Ransom's good spirits. Rawls had a feeling that this wouldn't go well, but still he was dragged, if not kicking-and-screaming, certainly unwillingly past Mara and Davon and into the Ransom household, leaving the duo to follow them back inside.
Once all four of them were inside, Rawls found himself deposited firmly onto his feet and facing Mara directly. She didn't look happy to see him. He'd seen that look before, when Mara had first used the shower on the Aphelion and Rawls had neglected to warn her that it had only three minutes of hot water before suddenly becoming as cold as space. It hadn't been the best start to their relationship, but Rawls had a feeling that this time was worse. So much worse.
"Mara," Rawls observed, anxiously. "So, you're—"
Aaron Rawls
Captain of the Aphelion, sort of
|
| |
|
|
| Mara_Antares | Date: Tuesday, 21 Jul 2015, 12:05 PM | Message # 32 |
 Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 39
Status: Offline
| Mara didn't say anything. Though, if she had known was Rawls was thinking, he would be correct in his assessment that this was much, much worse than the three minute shower warning. That and yes, she and Davon had something of a fight, and she wasn't sure if she was more unhappy about that, or about Rawls standing in her living room. Instead of worrying about it…
…She punched Rawls. A harsh right hook, taught to her by her loving spouse. Mara grimaced, when she pulled back, shaking her hand as she turned to Leroy. “His face is a lot harder than the punching bag you taught me on.” She murmured to him. Of course, she should have expected that Aaron Rawls was hard-headed.
As she got closer to Leroy, however, her expression went from grimace to disgust. “What…the hell is that smell?” She asked as she reached her left hand out and touched a shiny spot on his vest and retracted with a green ooze on her fingertips. “…And why are you sticky?” Her gaze darted around the apartment briefly. “Where's your ruck?”
It felt to Mara that a lot was happening all at once, and she was frustrated, confused, and very concerned.
Message edited by Mara_Antares - Tuesday, 21 Jul 2015, 9:50 PM |
| |
|
|
| Davon·Vanden | Date: Tuesday, 21 Jul 2015, 12:53 PM | Message # 33 |
 Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 41
Status: Offline
| Davon himself was equally perplexed, though he hid his tumult far better than Mara did. He had seen her winding up for the punch, and in a time past he would have either tried to warn the Captain or stop Mara before her fist could connect. Now, however, he kept his arms folded as he chewed on the butt of his cigarette; and when Mara lashed out the best the boy could muster was a halfhearted "No, don't..." and a brief smirk as the fist hit home. Okay, maybe he was still a tad bitter.
Ransom's greeting, while surprising, was far more favorable to being tossed out of the apartment on his ass. So he had absorbed the 'nightstand boy' comment with a forced smile and a nod. He followed Ransom's movement across the apartment, feeling the sudden urge to light his cigarette. "How're you doin' Cap'n Forehead?" He shot back almost immediately before unfolding his arms and pushing himself off the arm of the couch. "Your missus and I were just talkin' about how you were gonna kill the Cap'n, here."
Davon Vanden
Navigator of the Aphelion
|
| |
|
|
| Lafayette_Ransom | Date: Wednesday, 22 Jul 2015, 5:40 AM | Message # 34 |
 Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 27
Status: Offline
| He watched Mara haul off and slug Rawls.
And he was beaming with pride.
When Mara approahced him he could not help but smile. Leaving her in a state of confusion about his adventures and antics was a little past time of his, and frankly it was surprising it never lead to a divorce. She always asked questions, but seemed to accept most answers by tossing them up to exaggeration. He vaguely recalled the crew having a similar reaction to his criminal record until he showed them; and the resultant bounties on his head from the Empire and the CSA. The Hutts were now added to that list, and it was curious how that would play out.
"Well, turtle dove, to answer both of your questions... I had a Rodian blow up on me."
He shoot a smile to Davon's quick response to his jab. It was good to see that the boy was himself still, although it would be fair to start calling him a man by now.
Lafayette "Leroy" Ransom
Bounty Hunter, Mercenary
|
| |
|
|
| Aaron_Rawls | Date: Wednesday, 22 Jul 2015, 11:47 PM | Message # 35 |
|
Ensign
Group: Users
Messages: 22
Status: Offline
| Am I the only one who doesn't find this funny? Rawls wondered to himself. In that moment, he felt small indeed. It was one thing to be punched. It happened. But it was another thing to be punched and then ignored. Rawls had seen it coming the briefest of moments in advance, but couldn't believe that the demure Mara Antares was capable of such a thing, and had stood there with a stupefied look on his face as her fist connected with his jaw. He recoiled from the impact, lost his footing, and fell onto a conveniently-placed chair. Not so demure, then! he remembered thinking.
The next thing he knew, Mara was inquiring about Ransom's day, Davon and Ransom were catching up on old times, and Ransom was—for the first of undoubtedly many times to come--telling the story about the time he punched a Rodian and it exploded. Even the pungent odor of Rodian guts was a more welcome guest than Rawls at that moment. Things had indeed changed.
Even in a rancor pit, at least the rancor was glad you were there. Here, no one seemed happy to see him. And Rawls couldn't blame them. Mara having forcefully expressed her disinterest in anything he might have to say, Rawls remained quiet for the time being, a veritable Chevin in the room, trying not to let the pain from Mara's right-hook show on his face.
Aaron Rawls
Captain of the Aphelion, sort of
|
| |
|
|
| Mara_Antares | Date: Thursday, 23 Jul 2015, 0:11 AM | Message # 36 |
|
Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 39
Status: Offline
| ."...You punched a Rodian and it exploded?" She said, shaking her head in disbelief for a brief moment. "You should probably shower, then....because exploded Rodian is not the most attractive cologne on the planet. But, I'm still proud of you." Mara said before she pushed herself onto her toes and kissed his lips only briefly before she moved past him and into the kitchen. There was a reason she still wore heels, aside for her love of shoes, Leroy was tall.
She reached into the freezer and pulled out a bag of frozen vegetables and wrapped it around her sore hand, hoping nothing was broken in there. For a brief moment she glanced at Rawls, who almost looked like someone had kicked his puppy, and for a split second, she felt sympathy for the man. Instead of saying anything right away, she got another bag of frozen vegetables and threw it at him, and either he could catch it and ice his jaw, or let it hit the wall and then the floor. After several moments, she finally spoke.
"So you were about to ask me what, Rawls?" She leaned on the counter, still with the ice on her hand. As she leaned there, she pushed the bottle of whiskey to Davon in case he felt need for it.
Message edited by Mara_Antares - Thursday, 23 Jul 2015, 7:08 AM |
| |
|
|
| Davon·Vanden | Date: Thursday, 23 Jul 2015, 1:02 AM | Message # 37 |
|
Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 41
Status: Offline
| He was quick on his feet, something that served him well in that current conversation. Davon shuffled awkwardly away to a far corner of the living room, catching the slid whiskey as he went, and stood back against a wall as he chewed on the butt of his cigarette. Rawls iced his wound, and his pride, and the navigator could only offer an apologetic shrug for not warning him.
While husband and wife conversed, Davon slid his pistol from its holster and gave the weapon a once-over. He traded a disgusted look with Rawls when Mara and Ransom kissed, as the very notion of wedded bliss confused him beyond belief. At that moment, Vanden regarded the pair as a child might study an animal at the Coronet Zoo. No matter how happy he was that she was happy, the grisly image of Lafayette Ransom kissing a woman that Davon himself had expressed interest in, his neanderthal-like chin and forehead pressed up against her far softer features, made his stomach churn.
They're happy, you're not. Don't be an ass. His conscience, however annoying, was right as usual.
"Guess you two worked out your differences," the boy said to the Captain after a moment of silence, satisfied that his cherished blaster was in working order. "And here I thought he was gonna shove his boot so far up your ass you'd taste leather."
Davon Vanden
Navigator of the Aphelion
Message edited by Davon·Vanden - Friday, 24 Jul 2015, 1:20 PM |
| |
|
|
| Lafayette_Ransom | Date: Friday, 24 Jul 2015, 4:29 PM | Message # 38 |
|
Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 27
Status: Offline
| He walked off to the refresher to clean up. His lightheartedness about the situation slowly faded while he was cleaning himself up. Rawls and him really didn't have the discussion he had always envisioned. Hell, if he didn't kill him he at least expected to get in a couple of punches before 'discussing' things out. Instead, of all people, it was Mara to deliver a punch to the face of Aaron Rawls. As he started showering, it soon became just him and his thoughts.
Lafayette "Leroy" Ransom
Bounty Hunter, Mercenary
|
| |
|
|
| Aaron_Rawls | Date: Sunday, 26 Jul 2015, 2:22 AM | Message # 39 |
|
Ensign
Group: Users
Messages: 22
Status: Offline
| On the spot, Rawls opened his mouth to say, well, something. But nothing came. It had been a long day. His feet hurt. His face hurt. He'd just murdered a guy. He had a headache, and he was hungry. He was also emotionally spent, having explained himself to Davon and then to Ransom in fewer than twenty-four hours. He'd still not spoken to Ransom about the need to leave Nar Shaddaa, though he had probably figured that out himself. It was a conversation that Mara, obviously, needed to be included in, but as Ransom left the room to take a shower, Rawls decided that this simply wasn't the time or place. He'd barely even processed the fact that Ransom and Mara were married, after all. (He'd also had a disgusted look on his face when the two of them had kissed.)
"This is your home," he said after a moment—well-aware of the fact that it might not be their home for much longer, "It doesn't feel right doing this here. And I've had a hell of a day." He stood and collected the satchel he'd dropped when Mara had punched him, and a few of the items that had fallen out of it. Davon would recognize a few of them as his possessions, Rawls having retrieved them from his flat that morning. He'd been surprised at how well-appointed Davon's apartment was, or had been before Njon the Hutt's goons tossed the place. Then again, Rawls thought as he retrieved a small, plastic gizka that Davon had apparently bought to replace the real one he'd had on the Aphelion, Davon always had a habit of making a place his own.
And so, apparently, did Ransom and Mara, from a quick look around their apartment; there were pictures of their wedding on the wall, the faint smell of Mandalorian food in the air, a basket of half-folded—and unusually pink-hued--laundry on the floor, grenades on the table. This is what Rawls had wanted for himself and Sena, all those months ago. (Perhaps not the grenades.) And now, he was asking them to give it all up and live in a salon pod with only a half-meter of durasteel between them and the cold, uncaring expanse of space.
No, he wasn't asking them that. Not right now, at least. "Mara, will you have a talk with Ransom tonight and then come hear me out at the ship tomorrow morning?" By now he had gathered his things and moved near the door. Davon was welcome to come with him, or to stay if he chose. "It's all I ask," he said wearily, keeping a safe distance between himself and Mara just in case she still felt punchy.
Aaron Rawls
Captain of the Aphelion, sort of
|
| |
|
|
| Mara_Antares | Date: Sunday, 26 Jul 2015, 11:01 PM | Message # 40 |
|
Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 39
Status: Offline
| Mara gave him an incredulous look before she shook her head slowly. He was serious?! She wondered if Lerou knew what he wanted and what was going on. "I won't lie...I really want nothing to do with you or or ship, Rawls. But since Leroy didn't leave you in a gutter, you must have said something right to him." She said before she leaned against the counter causally. "He should be out of the shower in a minute, if you want to stay and maybe we could just the this over with?"
"Otherwise, I'll talk to him, but I wouldn't wager on us coming. We have a life here now...." Mara said, leaving it at that for the moment. Her gaze would then turn her gaze to Davon.
"You can crash here if you need to. The sofa is a pull out and if pretty comfortable." Mara offered, giving him a small smile.
Message edited by Mara_Antares - Sunday, 26 Jul 2015, 11:04 PM |
| |
|
|
| Davon·Vanden | Date: Sunday, 26 Jul 2015, 11:12 PM | Message # 41 |
|
Officer
Group: Users
Messages: 41
Status: Offline
| "Yeah..." Davon trailed off, biting his tongue. "Thanks, but no thanks. The man just murdered someone, and that gets your blood pumping. You two are in for a long night." He pushed away from the wall and made for the door after Rawls, fussing with the lapel of his blazer as he moved. As he neared the door, Davon reached into an interior pocket, procuring a lighter and sparking up the cigarette in his mouth. "Fancy a drink, Cap'n? Dunno about you, but I could use a shot. Or twenty."
He paused at the threshold, the apartment door sliding open. Already one foot out the door, Davon stopped himself and swung his weight back inside the apartment, smiling at Mara a final time. "Was good to see you, Antares. Whether y'come with us or not."
With a wave, Vanden exited the home and disappeared out of sight, a trail of smoke left in his wake.
Davon Vanden
Navigator of the Aphelion
|
| |
|
|
|
