Chatter with the scruffy one?

[twelve_not_fourteen]

The Nexus' resident scoundrel is never particularly happy when things are stagnant. Han's been hustling in some capacity, since he was old enough to walk and talk, so it's not as if he's used to having copious amounts of 'spare time'. He's not sure he would describe his existence in the Nexus as that, but it was far more like it than what he was used to.  And in general a life on terra firma, all the time, isn't to his taste.

There's been good in his time.  He wouldn't try to deny as much.  But there's also been bad and even some ugly.

Somehow, he manages to endure.  Even when the odds where against him to do just that, there were friends to help him along.  

What has become clear is that trying to assemble a lot of money at once and by his supplies en mass hasn't been going all that well.  Rather than continuing the same approach again that didn't work before, it seemed like the better course to try something else for a while.  Damn if he knew what it was that he should do, though.  Perhaps study up on the local machinery and put his steady hands to work fixing things in exchange for a wage.  Kryff.  Maybe he should go back to stealing.

For now, those are the thoughts that tend to shuffle through his head - man, I've been here for a 'long time' and how am I gonna ever get the money I need to fix this ship.  Occasionally they're broken up with the stray thoughts of an attraction that seemed pretty unlikely at first.  Those thoughts make him smile when he has them, despite his nature ...

The body of Han Solo is much more defined than the mind.  It can be seen sitting on the lowered ramp of a YT-1300.  He is nursing a pale ale from a glass bottle and watching the sunset disappear behind buildings in the forum.  

If you should find yourself drawn to him for a conversation he'll ask you this, "do you think you'll ever have it all figured out?  Is it possible to have all of you 'ducks in a row' as the saying goes?"  Then he'll flash a lopsided grin, and shake his head.  "Forget all of that.  How bout a beer instead?"

Comments

The Puppening!

[brave_heart_verity]

((I am determined that they're going to have a cute thread, so. :P))

Han is a man with a greater intellect than he likes to let on about and many philosophical questions. He has good questions and steady hands. It's only that last item that the adorable bundle of fluff headed his way is interested in. There is a tall one who has not given her pets yet and this must be remedied! Bobbi is full speed go, trailing her leash behind her as she runs toward Han.

Verity isn't far behind. It should be no surprise she's a little flustered by this turn of events, or that the collar and leash match the stripes in her skirt. "Bobbi! Come back here!"

Picturing the puppy running like this: http://gph.is/1HDnKCw

[twelve_not_fourteen]

[[I have a good feeling about this one. Starting off with a puppy sets a certain tone.]]

You wouldn't necessarily figure Han to be all that deep by the way he acts. He does end up sitting in space for long periods with his thoughts to keep him company, though, so he ends up asking himself all kinds of things. To feign a level of simplicity puts him in a place that he's comfortable - where people don't think all that much of him and then, he's in a position to surprise.

Still, of all the things that he expected while he was looking out into Nexus and trying to mull things over, a puppy was not one of them. Look at the little floof go ...

... Look at the little floof come up the ramp faster than it's short little legs rightfully ought to try to be carrying it. Especially on durasteel that offers the little lady no ability to grip her paws into. She skitters around and ends up sliding right into Han's leg. Sheesh. Puppies. You have to appreciate the boundless enthusiasm they have, though. Even Han does.

"Sorry pal." He murmurs to the dog, offering out his hand for the cautious sniff. He's been bitten often enough by things that look friendly to know better than go right for the petting. He doesn't hesitate long though. This animal seems on the level.

"I don't serve minors and you look under age."

100% accurate!

[brave_heart_verity]

((And they're not going to fight in front of innocent ears, surely!))

They say that still waters run deep as if that's the only kind. The turbulence of the ocean's surface hides massive depths and a great deal of danger--just like Ver's favorite smuggler. To assume anything about him is perilous, which she's learned the hard way. But surely some things are safe to assume? Like that he's not immune to Bobbi's many stripey charms. Verity relaxes visibly when she sees Han and Bobbi getting along--and that Bobbi's stopped running. Han even gets a smile, grateful and a little breathless.

"She's not much for beer. Or conversation. Hard to find a better cuddler, though." Once she's close enough she catches the end of the leash and wraps it more securely around her hand this time. "Her name's Bobbi."

Bobbi's too busy to try and get away again. Han's hand gets sniffed and found acceptable, so she presses her muzzle under it to try and scoop his hand up onto her head. C'mon, tall one, this is how you do it! She's very helpful.

"I don't think we can ever get all our ducks in a row, no. Life's what happens when we're busy making plans, after all." This is admitted with a certain amount of exasperation. She's a born planner and life keeps getting in the way. "What ducks are you trying to line up this time?"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

[[We can only hope.]]

"You seem to seem to need a lot of attention." He murmurs to the little fuzzball. He will comply to the petting, though. Have no fear, Bobbi. No doubt Han and his spaceship are full of all kinds of things to smell that the tiny adventurer has never smelt before. "What about you, Ver? Do you want a drink or I'm I having this beer ... alone."

The obvious pun avoided for now because it seems too cheesy, even for him.

"Parts for my girl." Han says tip his head towards the inside of the ship to punctuate the thought. "Starting to think that trying to do this quickly ain't gonna work out."

[brave_heart_verity]

Bobbi deserves pets. It's a simple equation that's at the heart of her furry little existence. A spaceship full of new and exciting sniffs will be a wonder and a delight. Later. After pets. But right now there are pets to be had and she's on her best behavior. Look at her, sitting down like a good girl, tail thumping the ramp to announce her pleasure with the situation.

"A drink would be nice, thanks." She'll also take that as an invitation to sit, and does so so that Bobbi's between them. The better to pet her. There's just enough puppy to go around. "Sometimes doing things well is more important than doing them quickly. And that'll give you more time with that pretty blond you were so friendly with at the bonfire."

Yes, she noticed; no, she's not upset. Quite the opposite.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

You gotta appreciate a girl with simple tastes. Bobbi likes being petted and that is what she's there to enjoy. There are worse places for a puppy to be than between two people who seem content to pet her, incredible smells aside.

In terms of the drink, Han will provide it without hesitation. He procures the beverage, twists off the cap and passes her a chilled glass bottle. She'll find the taste of it on the bitter side and comparable to a hop forward tasting Pale Ale of earth, though, it isn't. Come to think of it, it's not from his galaxy either. He just knows he likes it.

The advice she offers seems pretty standard. At least until she personalizes it with talk about the May Queen. Thoughts of her make him smile out of reflex, which, if you know Han ... probably says more than anything he could say with words. "More than just a pretty face, that one." Han murmurs quietly. "She's a good person too."

But.

He was really hoping she wouldn't bring up party and if she had to ... not so damn soon. He was not so keen on how their last dialogue went - the way that it ended more than anything - and she was not the only person able to observe someone getting friendly with someone else. Not that he felt like Verity didn't deserve someone who was making her as happy as Matt was, but he certainly felt like there was some misleading happening and a lack of upfrontness about the fact that she was with someone.

He shakes the thoughts out of his head. Whatever her reasons, he doesn't actually want to hear them. He trusts that they're going to seem kind of shitty to him no matter what they are.

[brave_heart_verity]

Bobbi is pretty much in puppy heaven. Pets now and sniffs later, and probably more pets after that. Bliss. Once both the tall ones are settled and understand their jobs she rolls over and sprawls. Somehow she's still trying to wag her tail. But! Tummy rubs are a good reason to tail-wag.

"Thank you." The beer's more bitter than the kind she usually drinks, but not unpalatable. After a sip, she turns the bottle to check the label. And maybe to give him some privacy with the nice thoughts about the pretty lady he favors. She knows how it can be.

"So I've heard. I'm happy for you. You deserve someone who makes you smile like that." She hopes drawing attention to it doesn't chase the smile away. As for her advice, she's already given him her advice on the subject. She is not so mercurial that it's changed much since then.

There is literally no winning with him for her, because she isn't the person he wants her to be. The sooner he gets over the fantasy of her he's built up in his mind, the happier they'll both be. It's not like there was a particularly good time to tell him. Not between his being hurt by the initial rejection, his almost dying, and his being wrapped up with someone new. And also the fact that Ver has been being held back because other threads were supposed to have happened.

"You ever think of selling her and getting something newer?"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He's not gonna have it out with her anymore. It just seemed like, to him, it would have circumvented a lot of the problems they had if she had mentioned being with someone else to begin with - or when she could have. He wouldn't have let himself get so attached. Boundaries would have been clearer. But legitimately, it was nice to see the way she lit up around Matt.

And he's got his own interest to pursue. An interest that, by the way, he feels particularly fortunate to be in the good favor of. "I don't deserve her, but I'm trying to be better ...".

In regards to his ship, it seems unfathomable that he could sell the Falcon. Perhaps someday the years would change him enough to make feel differently, but right now, he can't forsee his stance ever being different.

"Never." He murmurs. "I love my ship. I'll be flying her until she breaks down so bad I can't fix her anymore."

[brave_heart_verity]

Well, color her surprised. (Seriously, if that was a hair dye color, she'd get it just for this.) Han... trying to change for someone? This must be serious. She couldn't be happier about it. "I dunno, sounds pretty worthwhile to me. People say that's one of the signs you're really in love."

He'll even get one of her big smiles of approval for this new philosophy.

"No? Well then." Won't bring that up again. "You know I'll help however I can."

[losthunter]

It was the sight of the YT-1300 that first drew the attention of Hunter. The tattoo-covered artist approached with interest, his eyes carefully studying the different angles of the spaceship.

And there is something very interesting about the silhouette of Han sitting on the lowered ramp.

Hunter is a pretty easy person to draw into a conversation. Spending time in the Nexus has been a good experience for him. Hunter doesn't even hide his features when he is out and about anymore.

"I have found that usually when you think things are figure out... life throws you an unexpected curveball."

Hunter grins slightly. "But a beer also sounds good."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

While Hunter may have the look of someone that may be unsettling to the average earth-bound human, Han's experience has him sitting in cantinas with aliens that look like this and this. So the appearance doesn't upset Captain Solo at all, honestly. All it serves to do is make him wonder if perhaps the other man is some kind of sentient that he hasn't met before.

"A fair point." He says with a bob of his head. One that Han himself noticed long before now, but life has that way of lulling you into thinking you can predict it reliably. Then you get surprised when you remember, 'oh yeah, I can't'. At least, that's how it seems to go for Han.

Out of a six-pack of glass bottles with strange looking characters printed on the labels, he produces refreshment. Han takes a second to remove the cap effortlessly with a calloused palm and then, offers the beverage over to his tatted companion.

"Ever seen a ship like this before?" He murmurs, making conversation. He presumes, rightly or wrongly, that Hunter has not and that's why his Millenium Falcon has drawn the man's attention.

[losthunter]

One of the nice things about the Nexus is that there so many different species and cultures, that Hunter has not had to deal with someone frightened of his appearance. It is why he is so comfortable these days.

Hunter takes the glass bottle with a nod of thanks.

"No. Never. It is amazing."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"It is." Han confirms. So often, at home, his beloved starship gets accused of being a 'piece of junk' or compared to 'garbage'. So in that regard, the Nexus has been kind to the Millennium Falcon - because it's either the first spaceship people around here have ever seen or they're somehow intuitive enough to respect it.

"No better combination of ship and pilot where I come from." Han pats the more than half century old metal of the ship fondly with his free hand while he makes his assertion. If it sounds like a bold claim, it is, but it's one Han stands behind.

[losthunter]

"Both of you did present a very inspiring image," Hunter agrees.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Flattery will get you everywhere with this spaceman. Though, the cynic in him can't just accept it for the what it is ... he's a little too scruffy and unaccomplished at this stage in life to feel like he could be inspiring.

"Well I ought to be able to change your mind about that by the time you finish your drink." He murmurs offering the guy his hand for a shake. As far as he can tell, that's a pretty standard greeting. "I'm Han Solo. The ship is the Millennium Falcon."

[losthunter]

Hunter looks up at the ship again, doubtful that it could be anything but impressive in his mind.

His eyes return to Han just in time to accept the offered hand. Hunter's hands are long and slightly calloused (he has been working on marble this last month).

"I'm Hunter. Nice to meet you."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Well, the ship will remain the picture of speed and versatility that it is. It's Han that will end up seeming like a glorious trainwreck of a human being after ten minutes or so and Hunter did (wisely) compliment them both.

When it comes to callouses, there's nothing slight about Solo's. Even now, still a few cycles before hitting thirty, they're beat up and hard like you'd expect out of an old mechanic.

"Likewise." He says smoothly.

[damn_yourself_early]

Who is this child in green and black? And how much could you get if you swiped his little crown and sold it? "Getting ducks in a row is like competing in a freestyle dance-off during an earthquake. You may know what steps you want to take, but other people and even the ground have their own ideas, so you have to just move with the music and try to stay a few steps ahead."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Well, is it real gold? He's noticed that people in the Nexus, especially the ones with ties to earth in some way, seem to love that shiny yellowish stuff. He could probably hawk it for a few credits.

"That is far more wisdom than anyone your age has a right to give." Han murmurs as he regards the young man. "I can't give you a beer, kid. Sorry."

[damn_yourself_early]

"Seriously?" Loki scoffs. "There's a drinking age in space? I'm from Asgard, where the mead flows like mead--it's outpaced water by that much!"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"It violates my highly developed moral code to give alcohol to a minor." Han manages to say with a straight face. Isn't that impressive?

"It's only in space if you bring it to space. Not is if there's fly through breweries."

[damn_yourself_early]

Han Solo has a highly developed moral code? Loki's giving him a look he may possibly have learned by copying Verity.

"Uh huh."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

So maybe highly developed is a bit of a stretch, but there are some lines he won't cross. He'll never hunt a sentient for a bounty, for instance. He'll never be involved in deals that involve slaves. He doesn't like to see kids getting hurt, though he's not especially from fond of them when they're real young ...

"You can believe what you want to believe, I'm not gonna give you a beer."

[damn_yourself_early]

"Some smuggler you turned out to be," Loki sighs.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Ah. A smart ass. Funny, how he thinks this shit is so amusing when he's saying it and how annoying it is when someone else is serving it back to him.

"What does that got to ..." Wait, how does he know so much about him? That seems way more important to figure out, much as he wants to defend himself from baseless judgements.

"How do you know who I am?"