(no subject)

[iprotectyou]

After the translation magic seems to have reestablished itself, Baze has settled his armored bulk on a barstool, leaning his staff against the counter. An empty plate with a smear of guacamole rests by his right elbow--the remains of a steak fajita with grilled onions and bell peppers.

He's intending to write a note today, but because he reads slow and writes even slower--and the fact that paper was painfully precious on Jedha--there have been plenty of false starts. He learned how to write from transcribing texts as punishment in the temple when he was a small child, and always resented the act of writing. Using a datapad to type in the Aurebesh characters is much easier, and while he's tempted to just use one of those, paper is a more personal touch.

So he writes, his unhurried scrawl painstaking and careful, each stroke precise and exact.

Dear X,
I would like to be a member of apply for a position on the Security team. I feel I would be a good great good member of Security because I am strong and good at breaking up fights conflict management. Please take me on let me know what you think.

-Baze Malbus

P.S. Do you know who I would talk to contact about being hired to mop floors?

Note finished and delivered, he drinks his surprise tea--Chocolate Mint Peach, mmm--and swings his feet, waiting for a response.

(OOC: Open to all!)

Comments

[i_ship_it]

Dodger doesn’t see what Baze is writing when she appraoches the bar. She’s so sick of fish. Even fresh food gets incredibly old after a while if it’s the same thing every single day.

She wants something a little more processed and comfort-foody today. Something she hasn’t had in a long time. Like some of that neon orange Kraft mac and cheese. Nothing special done to it; no veggies or bits of hot dog or beef added. Not even any crackers crushed up and sprinkled on top. Just orange noodles in extra fake cheese sauce that’s too salty to be anything real.

It’s been so long since she’s had it, the first bite hits her like a punch in the mouth. It’s kinda gross, in the sort of way that can get super addicting before too long. She has to pause after the first bite, just to give her mouth some time to adjust to the explosion of artificial flavour.

[iprotectyou]

Baze remembers her. The pool noodle throne girl, who didn't give her name and punched Mark. Baze vaguely wonders if her knuckles hurt after throwing that punch; she's scrawny, and doesn't seem remotely combat trained. He sips his tea, giving her a wide berth.

[i_ship_it]

For a while, Dodger is perfectly happy to busy herself with her macaroni.

“Holy crap. This is really bad,” she says eventually, to anyone who cares to listen. Right before she takes another bite.

She can’t believe this stuff ever used to be comfort food. Now it’s a challenge.

[iprotectyou]

Baze doesn't care to listen. But she's sitting near him, and it would be impolite not to answer. He sighs.

"Then why are you eating it?"

[i_ship_it]

“Because I ordered it.” And not eating it would be a waste. And also she’s had worse, so backing down would just be weak.

“You should try some.”

[iprotectyou]

Baze almost says, "no, thanks," but her words sound like a challenge. Plus, he's never rarely turned down new experiences.

"What is it?"

[i_ship_it]

“Mac and Cheese. Of the Kraft variety,” Dodger says, forcing down another bite. “Not that crap store brand stuff.”

The crap store brand stuff might actually be more palatable right now, all things considered.

[iprotectyou]

Hmm. It... sounds okay.

"Bar, a small bowl of this Mac and Cheese of the Kraft variety, if you please," Baze says, and is rewarded for his politeness with a very small bowl filled to the brim with the artificial food.

He takes a bite. Chews. Swallows.

Never in his life has he regretted eating before now.

"What the kriffing hell. This is kriffing terrible. How can you eat this?"

He can't waste it. He ordered it. Shavit. He takes another bite, wincing as the noodles slide down his throat.

[i_ship_it]

Dodger cackles. Now he knows her connundrum.

“I know, right! It’s awful!”

But she ordered it. She’s going to eat it, because wasting food means death.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi comes down to the bar, carrying a tray of cheeses and jars of herbs. He gives them to the bar, the cost of them coming off his tab.

He spots Baze and gives him a small nod. He seems... off-kilter.

[iprotectyou]

Bodhi always seems off-kilter, so that's nothing new. Baze raises his hand in a wave.

"Hello, Bohdi!" Baze says, smiling. "May the Force of others be with you. How are you doing?"

[imthepilot]

"Hello Baze." Bodhi answer distractedly. "Do you want some cheese?"

[iprotectyou]

"Sure, I'll take some cheese. Your cheeses are always good," Baze says, beaming at him.

"What's eatin' ya?"

[imthepilot]

He puts together a plate, his movements a little jerky. "I- I don't think you want to know. It's not- not something you'd like."

[iprotectyou]

Baze draws a breath through his nose, and expels it out his mouth. He holds a hand out towards Bodhi.

"I don't mind. If you're willing to share, I'm willing to listen."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks up at him. "Galen and I are going to get married."

[iprotectyou]

"Oh, congratulations," Baze says genuinely, patting his shoulder.

"And this bothers you? Why?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X would leave him a note in return, but there he is hanging out at the far side of Bar, so --

She appears on a barstool next to him, instead.

"Baze. Hello."

Beat.

"I got your note."

[iprotectyou]

Whoa, holy shavit, surprise X! After Baze's heart sinks down out of his throat, he beams at her.

"X! Hello! As you saw, I'd like to apply for a Security position. What do you think?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying Baze for a long moment.

"I do not think you would be terrible."

Beat.

"But I have questions. First."

[iprotectyou]

"Of course," Baze says, schooling his expression into a more sober one, befitting a job interview. He wipes his sweaty hands on the thighs of his jumpsuit.

"Ask away."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I know your world has people that are bad."

Every world has those, really.

"I know you want to hurt them. When you find them here."

The Galen incident was memorable.

"If you join Security, you cannot. If you do, you will no longer be on Security."

Beat.

"It is something you can do?"

[iprotectyou]

"I know I can," Baze says, nodding exactly once.

"I'm counting Milliways as my new home. I'd like to protect my home, and keep the people here safe. I can't do that if I'm not neutral."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X's voice is fierce, though her expression remains calm.

"Factionalism is a problem. Here. We do not want people to try to take control so that they can feel safe. We do it, instead. It is important."

[iprotectyou]

"I agree," Baze says, nodding once more.

"This is a safe space, a neutral space. Chirrut and I have violated the peace agreement, as you know, and have served time in the cells for that, whenever it has happened. I think that's an appropriate punishment. I'd like to do better."