Face's Faces (Kell/Tyria, Face Loran)

7 ABY, Coruscant

It was a rare opportunity that Wraith Squadron had any sort of down time between missions. And while most pilots would take that time to catch up on their sleep or raise a glass to those who didn't come back, Kell Tainer was spending his time catching up on missed workouts.

His feet pounded against the treadmill, his breathing becoming more and more labored. He looked to his left where his squadron-mate and girlfriend, Tyria Sarkin, was keeping pace with him. She smiled at him and increased her speed. Kell noted the hint of a challenge behind that smile and boosted his own speed to match hers.

"Having trouble keeping pace?" she laughed.

It annoyed him slightly that she was barely panting, but what else could one expect from an Antarian Ranger?

"I'm fine," he said. He watched her for a moment, admiring the way her clothes clung to the curves of her body, the way her long blonde hair swung back and forth with every step she took, the fine sheen of sweat that formed along her brow. Eventually he shook his head and looked away; thoughts like that would lead his mind to other places and while he didn't mind thinking about such things, it could lead to a rather embarrassing situation if dwelt upon for too long.

Seeking a distraction, his eyes bounced around the small gym. There were a handful of pilots working out on several of the machines scattered around the room, most of which were unfamiliar to Kell. Luckily there was one all too recognizable face in the crowd.

Garik "Face" Loran stood on the opposite side of the room, wrapping his hands with tape as he prepared to lift some weights. Kell watched as he dialed the weight on that dumbbell up to 20 kilos and lifted it almost effortlessly. After a few sets, Face replaced the dumbbell, dialed up the weight to 30 kilos, and started again.

Kell was impressed. Face didn't even look like he was straining to lift the weight, just bobbing his head to the music pumping from his ear buds. He seemed as perfectly poised as always.

Until you looked at his face.

Kell had to work very hard to not laugh out loud as he watched the muscles in Face's face twitch and move. His eyes were twice their normal size and focused intently on the mirror in front of him. The faces Loran was making could only be described as astronomically comical. At one point he cocked his right eyebrow and leered at his own reflection making "come hither" eyes.

It was all too much for Kell who stumbled slightly when he hit the point where his laughter could no longer be contained.

"What's wrong?" Tyria asked.

Kell shook his head. "Watch Face," he nodded discreetly toward their friend.

Tyria turned her head and watched Loran closely. She was about to ask Kell what she was looking for when Face's lips curled back, his teeth grinding together. His eyebrows knit together over harsh looking eyes and a guttural sound erupted from low in his throat.

"Did he just growl?" she whispered, but Kell was laughing too hard to answer her. Tyria slowed her speed to a jog so she wouldn't fall off the treadmill as the giggles overcame her. Beside her Kell slowed and eventually climbed off his machine, wiping the tears from his eyes. Tyria followed suit. The pair quickly slipped out of the gym and headed back toward their rooms.

"I can't believe he was growling," she laughed.

"You missed the expression before that," Kell told her. "I think he was hitting on himself in the mirror."

Tyria's laughter echoed around the corridor. Had anyone else been in that particular hallway, they would surely be questioning her sanity. Tyria grabbed Kell's hand as they rounded the corner toward their quarters and pulled him toward her own door. "C'mon Tainer."

"I really need a shower," he said.

"Me too," she purred. "We'll share. I bet I can get you to make a few faces too."