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

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."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"I ain't all that interested in trying to label it."

And love is a scary word and prospect for some.

Han doesn't try to change for the sake of someone else very often. It's also pretty well established that he tends to make better decisions when he has a good woman in his corner, guiding him to the light - though a little sad that he can't come to as much on his own. At any rate, it makes it all the more surprising and special when he does. (Worthy of hair dying, even!)

Though, she does have to be careful with those deep observations of hers. She knows how he gets. He hasn't changed that much ...

Han takes a sip of his beer.

"A puppy, huh?" Han says as he rededicates his efforts to Bobbi. He got all busy with thinking and practically ignored the floof that brought them together. Have some more calloused hand pets, little fuzzy. "This one of them types that stays small or gets bigger?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mm-hmm." She won't argue, but... he knows she's the sort who wants to call a spade a spade. Whatever he thought he felt for Ver, the feelings he's trying so hard not to admit to this time seem different. More real. Maybe it's because she can see it from the outside.

Verity is the last person to lecture about light and dark and where one stands therein. And not having met the pretty little goddess, Ver's also unable to say much about whether she's a good influence in her own right. (She actually thinks rather badly of Frea after that cookie stunt.) But if Han finds himself wanting to improve, that's a point in everyone's favor.

"Mm, I think she'll stay pretty small. Hope so, my apartment isn't big enough for a big dog." Bobbi's just thrilled to be getting pets. She was just starting to think about whether she should do something cute to get more attention or go explore. Either way, Han's probably happier not knowing what shenanigans she'd get up to left on her own. "You should see her and Lucky. They're so cute together."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

At the end of the day, if he's trying to be a more stand-up guy, then it's probably a good influence? She thinks he's different with the lady of spring. Maybe he is. He does care about her. He'd even admit that he's probably happier too, than he was a few months ago. All of those things are good.

Heavy pets. The kind that make the doggie's ears pull back and the kind of head scratching that makes Bobbi's little neck need to yield under the hand of the scoundrel.

"Really? The two of them hit off right away?"

[brave_heart_verity]

It wouldn't exactly be a surprise to find out someone who's such a good influence on Han annoys Verity to know end. They're like oil and water--they go well together, but no matter how hard they try, they don't mix. Han being happy, having someone to care about who cares about him, makes Verity happy. She'll just do it from a distance, which is probably what she should have done from the start.

In her defense, she's still learning about this whole 'polite social interaction' thing. Nobody's got perfect manners from birth.

Bobbi rumbles a bit and flops down again, letting Han's heavy hand scritch and pet without protest. She can take it!

"Oh yeah. Bobbi's always following him around, trying to copy him. And I think he likes the canine company."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Also in her defense, everyone seems to love the way Verity treats her friends except for scruffy. Why should she think that the same thing that seems to endear everyone else would backfire with him?

And speaking of the way Verity tends to treat her friends and loved ones ...

"I'm pretty sure this little dog is going to end up the most spoiled in all of the Nexus. Even with another dog around to socialize with."

[brave_heart_verity]

There is also that. She's not bad, she's just drawn that way inexperienced. Some people would find that charming.

"Yeah," she admits after a moment. "It's not a bad thing to have someone to spoil." Besides all her friends. They keep wanting to be annoyingly independent. Bobbi's always going to love the spoiling, unreservedly and unabashedly. "Pampered might be a better word for it. She'll have to behave if she wants good things."

Would love to see Ver as Jessica Rabbit, just saying ...

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Not a bad thing to have someone to spoil. He hasn't had extensive experience doing that (more upcoming, perhaps), but from what observations he's been able to compile, he would agree.

Bobbi, already limp on the durasteel, is in a very vulnerable position. Is she the kind of dog who does or doesn't like belly rubs? Han is about to find out. Besides, he figures she could bite through his callouses even if she was inclined to dissuade him.

"Affection and discipline. Seems sound in theory." He says. "So what made you want to get a dog all of a sudden?"

She *is* naturally a redhead... http://bit.ly/28Wv5Sv

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity would suggest he start with himself. It's excellent practice for when the right somebody comes along. And he knows Frea would agree. Lucky for him they're not likely to gang up on him, isn't it?

Bobbi loves belly rubs! They are so fantastic! She is the picture of doggie bliss when Han starts in on her tummy. Her tail keeps thumping the ramp and sometimes one of her little paws twitches. And of course, her tongue is lolling out.

"I'm sure if I analyzed the urges it'd be about a need for affection or familial connections or something like that, but really, it was just puppy love at first sight." Verity strokes Bobbi's ears gently while Han gives the belly rubs, rubbing the velvety skin between her fingers. "Blame the stripes."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He's pretty sure he doesn't have the fortitude to refute both of them at once. He might be a handsome and talented man, but he is only a man. His reserves are not boundless and he suspects the two of them together would make a formidable pair.

"Fair enough." It's the tongue flopping out that's just the right amount of too much. Besides the stripes, this dog seems to have a flamboyant personality. That probably makes for a good pet, right? Maybe? Eh. What does he know?

"She is something."

[brave_heart_verity]

When it comes to arguing, Bobbi is clearly the winner. She didn't even have to say a word and she's getting everything she wanted! It's hard to argue with results like that.

"Yeah, she is. I'm lucky to have met her." There isn't a drop of sarcasm in her when it comes to Bobbi. She's not ashamed to be seen doting over an adorable bundle of fluff. Her 'tough chick' image doesn't seem so in need of protecting anymore.

For a moment, it looks like she's going to ask him something, but then she thinks better of it and clears her throat instead to buy time. "Do people have pets in space?"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

If she has to wonder if something she might potentially ask could rub him the wrong way, it's probably best that she doesn't. Not right now, anyway. If they can string together a series of consecutive interactions without feelings getting hurt or someone storming off, then maybe one of them can get daring at that point.

"Depends on what you mean by 'in space'." And at this point, he has to pull his hand away and give it a little rest, miss fuzzy. He shakes out his hand slightly to combat the numbness. "People in my galaxy have pets, but not many people will keep a pet on a space ship. A lot of them get sick or miserable on the long trips."

[brave_heart_verity]

Which is, remarkably, why she didn't end up saying it. If she keeps this up, she might have people thinking she's not as dumb as she looks.

"Oh, that's sad." Bobbi thinks the loss of the pets is sad, and she's giving Han some very skilled sad puppydog eyes now. At least, she is until Ver takes up the cause. "I guess I can understand it. It's not like they understand what's happening or why."

That's not to say the writer wasn't curious of what she was thinking about asking ...

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He wouldn't suggest that it's all on her that they're not the best of friends. Matter of fact, if blame was being assigned, he'd volunteer to have 100% of it. He cares enough to spare her from that, even now. And he's just difficult to deal with sometimes. Even he knows that.

He nods his agreement.

There are a few things that live in deep space, where he comes from, but by and large it's mostly a vacuum. The atmosphere of space, even if your blunted from it by being in a top of the line starship, is not meant for most of life to thrive in. Even people on the really long trips in space don't come out of it without their health impacted - besides the chance of developing bloodburn.

And let's face it, Han probably wouldn't be a great pet owner anyway ...

"Not everything is meant to traverse though space like I am."

If he ever had any. His was not a childhood that made pets likely.

[brave_heart_verity]

She'll take her share of the blame, but she doesn't really see why any has to be assigned. Things didn't work the way they wanted. It happens. Better to move on and make what they can of what they have, in her opinion.

"I think, if that were the case, you'd be the rebel by settling down," she teases. "You'd have whole planets to yourself." And he still probably wouldn't be happy. Sometimes, she wonders if he's just determined to be miserable.

Not really. If you count his son and granddaughters animals as 'family pets' then yes, later.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"That statement says all kinds of things about what you think about me."

He could spend half an hour thinking about the possible interpretations of what that was supposed to mean and still might not even get exactly what she meant by it. He takes another swig of his drink and then sets it down to resume petting the little fuzzy between them. Can't let the little one get restless, after all. He doesn't feel all that keen about chasing after her.

"Or maybe that was a challenge." His non-conformist tendencies do make him susceptible to reverse psychology. "I might try if I had the right reason."

No, and no, and boy does that explain a lot about Ben. :P

[brave_heart_verity]

He could spend the rest of the day trying to puzzle it out, thinking himself in circles, trying to decide if she's as clever and as mean as would be required for one interpretation or if she's as absent-minded and sweet as needed for another... it could be endless. Or he could ask her.

Nah. Better to pet the pup before she runs inside the ship to explore.

"Yes," she agrees with a smirk. "I do think all kinds of things about you, after all. Just be happy most of them are nice."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

There comes a point where you have to ask yourself if you really want to know the answers to those kinds of questions. He doesn't think her comment came from a cruel place and her follow up comment seems to confirm as much. She is here of her own volition, spending time with him, when she could have easily collected her dog and left. That paints enough of a picture for him.

"Verity, there was no doubt in my mind that you think about me." He says with self satisfied smile. "Everybody does."

[brave_heart_verity]

Bobbi doesn't bother with such deep philosophical questions. She knows her value. And when she's getting pettings who could doubt that she's a good dog?

Ver laughs at that and gives a shrug. "What can I say? I've never nursed anyone back to life before. They say you never forget your first. I guess we're stuck with each other."

There are worse ways to be, she's almost sure. Worse things than her friendship.