Disclaimer: Nope, don't own.

Placement: Any time before volume 9

Girl Talk: Just Looking by Nathan Yuen

Though Helen and Deneve were assigned to different regions of the continent, every once in a while they would happen across each other. A while ago they simply attributed this to good luck and the possibility that they were assigned neighboring regions. In any case, if neither of them were on assignment they would simply head over to the nearest cantina, grab a table and get a drink together.

On this particular occasion, Deneve was nursing a cup of water while Helen toyed with a glass of bourbon – though Helen always insisted ordering the finest alcohol in the house "just for the taste," Deneve always suspected it was so her friend could get drunk.

Indeed, Deneve thought her friend was defying the laws of biology when Helen asked her, "So, who do you think is the best-looking guy in the room?"

The quiet warrior set down her drink and stared at her compatriot. "What kind of question is that?"

Helen shrugged. "Oh, you know… just asking. Because any girls that look as young as we do would be out on the town right about now."

Deneve looked around. Most people avoided the gaze of the silver-eyed warrior, but she found two men who were casting surreptitious looks at them. Deneve turned back to her companion. "Those two?"

Helen nodded. "I don't think the dark-haired one's that bad looking, actually."

"You know he'd run away if he saw you with your clothes off."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Helen threw her a salacious grin. "So long as you don't take off that particular part of the armor…"

Somehow, Deneve kept her composure. "Don't tell me you've – " For some reason, she couldn't finish the sentence.

"I've had a few. Some good, some… not so much." Helen gave her a sour look. "Oh, come on! Don't tell me you haven't had a man before. With your looks? Plus you always managed to have that near naked 'I-just-got-into-a-yoma-fight-today' look just after you go into battle…"

"It's not on purpose," Deneve said stiffly.

"I know, I know. I'm just saying. Some guys go for that kind of look." Helen brought her glass up to her mouth, frowned when she discovered it empty. "Gods, I wish I could get drunk."

Deneve fought back the urge to roll her eyes. "I'm glad that you can't," She replied, "I can only imagine how many barfights I'd have to pull you away from."

Helen laughed loudly and slapped her friend on the back, making the armor clink together.

Unabashedly, Deneve looked over at the pair of men. "I suppose the blonde one looks nice."

"Ooooh, does that mean you're going to go for it?"

"No."

END.

Author's Note: All right, I have no idea where I was going with this. I guess after finals, I just needed to write something up, and this just popped into my head. Of course, at four in the morning, submitting anything sounds like a good idea…

Expect more as ideas come to me.