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Post by Logan on Apr 12, 2006 15:50:07 GMT -6
Logan watched a flustered Bronze with a big grin on her face reenter the ladies' room, not very gracefully as she stumbled through the doorway, but Logan couldn't blame her. Brik seemed to be completely enamored and quite charming in the process regardless of his own gaffe.
Bronze was just standing there, still clenching the top and gazing through her own reflection, lost in her own little world.
Logan didn't say anything right away. It was one thing to give Brik a hard time. It was expected as they had been friends and fellow Warriors for a long time. But Logan didn't want to scare Bronze away or give her the wrong impression. She liked Bronze...hmmm, Ally. I don't think I'll ever get used to calling her that though.
Seeing that Bronze and Brik's conversation outside the door had taken place merely four feet away from where Logan stood cleaning up, she hadn't been able to help but overhear. She knew Brik was embarrassed, but would never admit that to Logan. As for Bronze, Logan could understand where she was coming from. She, herself, was 'one of the guys' in Gold Squadron and knew how it felt to be overlooked as such. She couldn't count the number of late night Pyramid games in the O Club over fumarellos and ambrosia, joking with the guys and even though she enjoyed every micron of her time with her friends, it just wasn't the same as being noticed by someone for something other than her piloting skills or sim ratings.
Logan realized that she was standing in front of the mirror staring at her reflection in much the same way that Bronze was and decided it was time to break the spell. "Hey, Bronze. You told him a micron. Are you going to put your top back on or give in to impropriety and just go back out like that?"
She gave the girl a friendly smile to show her she was kidding.
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Post by Amy81 on Apr 13, 2006 7:39:16 GMT -6
Ally smiled as she ran some water, splashing her face with it, smoothing her hair back. She stood there, staring at herself.
"Who am I kidding?" she said to her reflection. She looked at Logan. "After today I'm back in my squadron, Brik in his. Our paths won't even cross. Am I a complete idiot, putting myself through this?"
She picked up her top. "Still smells like fracking barf" she muttered, shaking her head. She pulled the top over her head, and noticed her picture of Skyler sitting on the counter...
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Apr 13, 2006 9:39:46 GMT -6
Okay...he had promised the beautiful warrior-woman that he would remain right here until she returned and wait he would. Kobol itself couldn't move him from this spot!
But he truly hoped that the Lords of Kobol would gift him with not saying or doing anything stupid. Well, anything else stupid.
So far he had been running on the glee of meeting someone new mixed in with sharing a life-threatening adventure with that same person...and the absolute joy at finding this new person to be someone of substance, merit and courage.
The fact that he found her stunning (despite the barf) was also a very good thing and added to the sense of adventure of it all.
He had realized, over time, that he treasured the idea of adventure as much as he prized a sense of duty. Combine the two and things couldn't help but be interesting! His great friends in Gold Squadron might not use the same words as he, but they were hearty and adventurous souls as well and he felt that it added to the depth of their closeness.
And now a brand new adventure seemed to be beginning and he was eager to see where the path would lead. He hoped that it lead to a large and happy place and felt confident...and he felt hopeful. And...she had a beautiful voice! His late mother had always told him "Pick someone that you like to listen to because the years will bring lots of talk!" He smiled as he thought of her words...and remembered to take the fumerello out of his mouth and put it in his pocket as he contentedly waited for Bronze...Ally...to return.
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Post by Logan on Apr 13, 2006 11:52:34 GMT -6
"Who am I kidding?" she said to her reflection. She looked at Logan. "After today I'm back in my squadron, Brik in his. Our paths won't even cross. Am I a complete idiot, putting myself through this?"
Ally moved to put her top back on, her nose wrinkled in distaste at the prospect. Logan went to the far side of the washroom and opened a secondary locker where a few uniforms were stored and took two fresh tops off the hangers. She walked back over to Ally and handed her one while she slipped the other one over her own head. Ally looked surprised, but Logan merely shrugged. "Experience. I talked to the Quartermaster about keeping these in here for emergencies. I'd say this counts."
She noticed Ally's gaze on the pic of Skyler on the counter. She seemed a bit nervous about the fact that Logan obviously knew her secret. "Oh, don't worry about that. I have one of Starbuck in mine, but the guys don't know that. It'll be our little secret," she could see Ally visibly relax as she spoke and even heard her laugh at Logan's admission. "Although you have no idea how tempting it is to rib Skyler about it...mercilessly. As is, I'll have an evil smile on my face for a while whenver he mentions Triad."
"Thanks," Ally said. She seemed to be getting a grip on herself, more relaxed. The girl had been through a lot in the battle and now with Brik waiting in the wings.
Ally took some time getting herself in order, changing out of the stained uniform and into the new one. Logan took a micron to peek out the door and saw Brik silently standing a few feet away with a completely smitten smile on his face, obviously lost in thought. She turned back to Ally and said, "And no, Bronze, you're not an idiot. One thing I'm sure of in this crazy life we lead is that chances at true happiness are few and far between. You can't deny yourself the opportunity to find out, no matter the obstacles."
Ally looked a bit surprised at Logan's candor, but that was how she was. Sometimes her bluntness got her in trouble, but she just didn't like to mince words. They were in a constant struggle for survival, whether against the Cylons, low fuel reserves, problems with the Agro Ship supply line, even their own people. The fiasco with Pierce and his followers were a prime example of that. Logan thanked the Lords every day that she was capable of helping her people. She didn't want anymore regrets. She had enough of them already.
"The squadron you're in is a secondary concern. Its the person you are that counts. Thats what Brik has seen. I could tell out there, during the battle, you've got good instincts. Stick with that and you'll be fine." Logan meant what she said, but internally she was chastizing herself. Sagan! I sound like the idiot here. What do I know about relationships?
"Look, what I'm trying to say, badly I might add, is that you didn't give up out there and the odds were stacked against you. Don't let odds stop you in this case, before anything has even started. Give yourself, give Brik a chance."
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Post by Amy81 on Apr 14, 2006 5:05:01 GMT -6
"It's a lot different out there" Ally said. "It's all instincts and ability, and I have that down cold." She didn't mean to brag, but didn't care if it came out that way. She did have the skills; she was just stuck in that 'third squadron'...
"But now" she went on, "meeting someone like Brik face to face, I'm turning into nothing but nerves. I've never felt this way before. I've never had a reason to."
She looked at herself in the mirror. A clean uniform! Now I'm the one going through great lengths! At least I don't have to shave... She looked closer at her face. It looked pale, colorless to her. But then it always did. Bronze my foot!
"You know?" Ally said suddenly. "I know you don't mean anything by it, but my name is Ally. 'Bronze' just sounds demeaning somehow coming from a member of Gold."
Now you've done it. Took that bronze foot and stuck it right in your mouth! This was a topic better saved for after too much grog in the O-club... What were you thinking? Obviously not at all. Idiot! She's being nice to you for sagan's sake!
"I didn't mean it like that" she quickly added. "Maybe I did. I don't know. It's just not easy being in 'that third squadron'. Forget I said it." She tried to change the subject. "Do I look okay? I'd better get going..."
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Post by Logan on Apr 14, 2006 11:51:59 GMT -6
Logan stood watching Ally through the mirror as she finished combing her hair. Her arms were crossed as she leaned her hip against the counter, studying the Bronze Squadron member.
"You know?" Ally said suddenly. "I know you don't mean anything by it, but my name is Ally. 'Bronze' just sounds demeaning somehow coming from a member of Gold."
"I didn't mean it like that" she quickly added. "Maybe I did. I don't know. It's just not easy being in 'that third squadron'. Forget I said it." She tried to change the subject. "Do I look okay? I'd better get going..."
Logan smiled inwardly at the girl's words. Wow, she is a lot like me. Speak first, think later. Most people thought Logan got herself in trouble by saying exactly what was on her mind, but she thought of it as a good trait. No beating around the bush. At least people know where I stand and don't have to guess what I'm thinking.
Logan didn't say anything for a micron and finally Ally turned to look at her, thinking maybe she had gone too far and insulted the Gold Warrior.
"Look, Bronze," Logan said, not missing a beat. "I'm not patronizing you by calling you that and no matter what squadron you're in, you're still a Colonial Warrior on the best Battlestar of the Fleet. Gold may be get more missions, but thats mainly because of Brie. We're all in this together. Just because I'm in Gold does not make me a better pilot or Warrior than you or anybody else, in any squadron."
Ally seemed to be uncomfortable, so Logan softened her expression before she continued and laid her hand on Ally's arm. "I'm not lecturing you. I know Gold's reputation and I'm proud to play a part in that. We've worked hard for it. And if it were up to me, after the way you handled yourself today, I'd transfer you to Gold in a centon."
Logan realized that she should shut up so Ally could go to Brik, who was probably wondering how long it could take to change into a uniform. She wasn't sure why it was so important to her to get her point across to Bronze. But she liked her and Ally really did remind her of Kel. If her hair was shorter, she'd even look a little like her too, thought Logan.
But there was more to it than that. Being in a squadron full of males left Logan without another female to relate to. There was Brie, but she was her CO so that was different. Most of the other female Warriors found Logan too straightforward and brash. I'm not going to apologize for the way I am, she thought. Suddenly she found herself wishing that Ally could transfer to Gold...Maybe if I talked to Skyler? She laughed at the thought of his response, 'Sure, thats what I really need. Two of YOU to deal with.'
"What are you smiling about?" Bronze was asking her.
"Nothing. But if you don't hurry up and get out there, Brik might start getting paranoid that I'm in here regalling you with all sorts of embarrassing stories about him, which is very tempting, but can wait for another time. Don't know when we'll get called back into action and you don't want to spend all your time in the ladies' room talking to me when you could be getting to know him."
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Post by Amy81 on Apr 17, 2006 5:20:54 GMT -6
Ally took one last look at herself in the mirror, not too satisfied but deciding it wasn't going to get any better.
"Okay... Gold" she said to Logan. "Maybe see you in the ready room?"
She sighed, turned, and walked outside the washroom. Brik had his back to her, looking out at the landing bay activity off in the distance.
"Still here" she said, stating the obvious. He turned around. She extended a hand. "Let's try that again, huh? I'm Ally." She smiled. "And if you call me anything other than that, I might have to break your fingers."
She knew none of these warriors knew her, and didn't know why she hated nicknames so deeply. Maybe an explanation...?
Before he could respond, she added: "Long story. If you've got a secton sometime maybe I'll tell it to you. Care to hit the ready room? I'd kill for some coffee..." Smooth, Ally. That was two violent references in a split-micron! Maybe go back and try this a third time...?
She tried to act calmly, but her heart was pounding. She couldn't help it. It had never happened to her before around anyone else, but there was just something about this warrior...
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Apr 18, 2006 0:12:27 GMT -6
"Let's try that again, huh? I'm Ally." She smiled. "And if you call me anything other than that, I might have to break your fingers." Hmmn...he wasn't expecting that...Dear Lords! Had he been unknowingly insulting her for the last several centars?!?! Just great Brik, what a way to impress a woman. Aw, frack! Although, he wondered, what could possibly be the reason that "Bronze", the name of her own squadron, could be an insult? He was sure that that would be a.. "Long story. If you've got a secton sometime maybe I'll tell it to you. Care to hit the ready room? I'd kill for some coffee..." After so much time in the hotseat of a fighter-craft, having to sum up the tide of a battle in a moment, Brik had learned to be observant. But he was painfully aware that, in his life, his skills often stopped just shy of being useful in the arena of male/female relations. He also knew, deep down, that if that didn't change nothing in his private life would change and that was truly not an option. And she seemed to be worth making a change. So...taking just a portion of a moment, Brik truly tried to pay attention to what Bron...Ally was truly saying instead of focusing on the "diversion" on the surface. What he glimpsed was very interesting... "Ally it is, and I can't wait to hear that long story, whenever you feel like telling it!" He tried to smile in a way that was reassuring. This was one of the only times that he could feel his smile reach the rest of his face and that felt very good. There was something about her that made him strive to be gallant. He had taken a chance on bowing to her and that seemed to be a correct decision. Now he found that he really wanted to impress her again and he had an idea of what that might be...but it might draw a lot of flack from the other warriors. Thinking of his friend Logan...beautiful, brave, loyal and courageous. She tended to speak plainly and follow her own counsel, attributes that he admired deeply and always sought to emulate. Well, no time like the present... "Ally...if I may speak plainly..." She looked up at him and seemed mildly alarmed, so he continued, hopefully to relieve her possible sense of alarm. "It would be my great pleasure, as a warrior and as a man, to have coffee with you. As a man, I would love to offer you my arm as we walk." He became a bit more nervous in the midst of his newest courage and his speech grew faster: "I know that we just met and that it may be a little forward but..." He stopped and took a breath, returned to a normal talking speed. "But I would be honored. But you have earned my deepest respect as a warrior and my gratitude for saving my life more than once. Therefore, if you would rather not walk arm-in-arm before our fellow warriors I would understand. I just want to talk to you." Speaking plainly had seemed to last about two cycles and was very draining. He had no idea how Logan pulled it off so often and he gained a deeper respect for her.
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Post by Amy81 on Apr 19, 2006 8:37:44 GMT -6
"You're a real throwback" Ally said, taking Brik's offered arm. "I didn't think there were any of your kind left anymore. Being treated by a man with respect, I'm not quite sure how to handle it."
She laughed, enjoying the stroll to the ready room. There was activity all around them in the bay, but Ally didn't pay much attention to it. As a warrior, moments of true enjoyment were rather fleeting, and she was going to enjoy this moment for as long as it lasted.
"And I want to talk to you too" she went on. "Where you are from, and how I'd never come across you sooner." She laughed again. "And I wouldn't really have broken your fingers, but I did hand out a broken nose once over nicknames..."
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BRIK
Viper Pilot
Posts: 227
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Post by BRIK on Apr 19, 2006 12:05:43 GMT -6
"And I want to talk to you too" she went on. "Where you are from, and how I'd never come across you sooner." She laughed again. "And I wouldn't really have broken your fingers, but I did hand out a broken nose once over nicknames..." Ah, now we're heading in the direction of the 'nickname secret', that should be QUITE interesting! In the meantime... WooHoo!!!! She actually did it! She actually gave me her arm and we're walking the halls of a battlestar together! He, BRIK of all people, was walking with a beautiful and strong warrior in public...and she hadn't lost a bet or Pyramid game to him, or anything like it! Hmmn, of her own free will...this was new...and he found that he thoroughly enjoyed it! Although answering her comments might be a good idea... "As for where I'm from. Aside from this Fleet, of course, my family has... had...always lived on Tauron, and I remember more than some." Being forced into living as a 'star-faring' race had been difficult for the Colonials, particularly at the beginning. Life was a bit easier for the younger refugees for they had less to remember, less to miss. But some memories held on strong... "Believe it or not, we were from a fairly wealthy family and had a daggit named Asher. Now he was my best friend in the world and that daggit I swear, would do..." And Brik found himself beginning to open up a bit which was surreal. Surreal but nice. Mostly he was enjoying the feeling of just talking to Ally and sharing pleasant company. After being so very nervous he actually felt very at ease and had an inspiration to find out about the nickname story. Finishing another story of the daggit named Asher, he began "By the way...If were ever going to have the 'nickname' conversation, I should tell you that my name is not actually Brik." He paused to see if the look on her face would truly be priceless...
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