milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Jaina and Zekk are sitting at their normal booth, random objects and items sprawled out on the table in front of them. Christmas gifts really are fun. So, Jaina continues to play her game of solitare with her new sabacc deck (starfighter suits are astral) from Wes while Zekk flips furtively through a book that Sam had given him.

Zekk's ignoring Jaina's glares and comments about moving on to a different book. Apparently someone's not happy with the train of thoughts flowing between them.

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A grim pilot slides into the booth next to his fiancee, setting a bundle (http://www.livejournal.com/~unique_moments/6835.html) down on the table.

The fact that he sat down with the two of them without being invited is remarkably out of character... but ever since the briefing, he has begun to feel much more comfortable around Zekk. Hurrah for small victories.

"Jaina," he says politely. "What in the hell is Christmas?"

Zekk laughs as Jaina blushes furiously when she looks up at Jag. Another glare from his mindmate, and Zekk finally closes the book, sliding it carefully under his dirty plate.

"Something like Fete Day, we think," Zekk answers.

"Earth people use it as an excuse to give each other presents," says Tahiri, sliding into the booth next to Zekk. Crazy how she just turns up and interrupts random conversations, huh?

Jaina peeks in to the bundle Jag placed on the table, giggling when she sees the button. She takes it out and pins it on to his flightsuit, careful not to meet his eyes. Kriffing book.

That's what it's for, Jay.

Stow it, Zekk!

"Who gave you this?"

Jag looks down at the button. It clashes nicely with his Milliways Squadron patch. Janson would be proud. Jag is just distressed.

"Your friend Samantha, via Bar."

Zekk smirks. "She gave us gifts too."

He's tempted to show the book to Jag, but a strong mental reprimand from Jaina stops him. Oh well, that's what later's for.

Zekk turns to grin at Tahiri. "Sandflea, don't you know interrupting conversations is considered rude on most worlds?"

"Good thing Milliways isn't most worlds, huh?" she says, smiling sweetly. "What's that under your plate?"

"Nothing," Jaina answers quickly, still glaring at Zekk. She leans back against Jag, careful not to get the pin tangled in her hair, and shakes her head. "Absolutely nothing."

"What did you get?" Jag asks Jaina, sliding an arm around her and adjusting until they're comfortable again.

"Wanna see, sandflea?" He eyes the book under his plate, beaming at Jaina's protests. This could be fun. "What about you, Fel?"

Tahiri reaches over Zekk and pulls the book out, frowning slightly as she reads the title. "Kama Sutra? I don't think I've heard of this one before. Is it an Earth story?"

"A necklace she wants us to wear at the wedding," Jaina whispers up to Jag before diverting her attention back to Zekk and Tahiri.

She didn't. She did. Vapin' kriffin' rodder of a book. Jaina bites her lip, shifting uncomfortably in Jag's arms. "Not quite a story, Tahiri."

Zekk griiiins. "It's better than that."

Jag half-smiles down at Jaina. "That was quite thoughtful of her. You should see the shirt she gave me."

He looks over at the other couple, notince Jaina's discomfort. "What is it?"

"The best book ever," Zekk responds, taking it back from Tahiri. He pushes it across the table to Jag, careful not to let Jaina grab it. "Take a look, Fel. Might find something in there you like."

Tahiri pouts at having the book taken away before she could get a good look at it.

"So what's is it, if it's not a story?"

"An instruction manual."

Jag takes the book with his free hand, setting it on the table so he can leaf through it without uncuddling Jaina.

It takes three or four pages before the pictures register... then his eyes widen ever so slightly and he closes the book.

"Ah. I see."

Zekk grins at Fel's reaction. It widens as a thought drifts from Jaina's head to his.

Just warn us ahead of time, he responds silently.

Zekk!

Tahiri sighs and rolls her eyes, exasperated. "So it's an instruction manual. What's so exciting about that?"

Jaina untangles herself from Jag's arms, moving closer to the corner of the booth. Between that book, Zekk, everything...it's really too much for her to be held by him right now. And her vapin' mind is being no help.

Shifting a little in her seat, Jaina shakes her head. Softly, "Cause it's an instruction manual to kriffing."

Jag pushes the book back toward Zekk. "So it is. I would ask why this is in your possession, Zekk, but I suspect the reason is somewhat... personal."

"It was a Christmas gift, Fel." He grins towards Jaina for a second before turning his attenion back to Jag. "Wanna borrow it?"

"You've got to be kidding," Tahiri says, taking the book again.

She flips through a few pages, and her jaw drops. "Wait a minute, are you sure this isn't a joke. This doesn't even look humanly possible!"

Jaina bites down hard on her lip, shaking her head. Stealign a brief glance up at Jag, "There's only one way to find out if it is."

Jag raises an eyebrow. "Field test?"