A Spa Story
Chopper at the Spa
(by: reulte)
"A spa." Chopper's voice was unnaturally flat.
"Strictly a voluntary mission," said Fives. "Rooting out seppies spies isn't really GAR jurisdiction, but this spa caters to clones."
"It'll be fun," enthused Echo, "getting massages, having calluses smoothed out, just a bit of pampering and relaxing afterward in a hot tub."
Chopper flinched.
Fives sighed and Echo bowed his head in regret. "You don't have to go just because Boomer is a di'kut."
He wouldn't have gone except for Boomer's accusation that he wouldn't go because he had Seppie sympathies; after all that had happened on Christophsis. Not that Boomer knew everything. There was simply too much doubt and room for rumor. Boomer hadn't finished his sentence before Chopper had stepped forward with the rest of the volunteers – all far more eager than him. He'd been proud to be called into the meeting and seen Rex's best men, knowing the captain included him in that elite group. Until he heard the mission.
He disrobed in a small anteroom. The towel they'd given him was barely large enough to cover his… well, barely large enough. He could have rear dignity or frontal coverage but not both.
She had strong fingers that dug into his body, but she was a civilian and a woman and someone unknown and every time she touched his skin, Chopper flinched and his muscles tightened, defeating the entire purpose of the massage.
She took a step back and Chopper let go of a heavy sigh as he push up from the table and sat his legs dangling and that small towel that covered so little on his lap. "I guess I'm not…" he began but she waved a hand then lifted it to her chin. Her face was deep in thought.
"You don't like being touched." she began slowly, "I think I know what you would like best." She gave a determined nod. "It will sting at first but after a short while the endorphins kick in and you'll relax."
Chopper gave an accepting tilt of his head. He didn't believe her, but it was worth a try.
Fives and Echo waited somewhat anxiously for Chopper, Echo chewing on the edge of his thumb.
"Stop that, Echo," said Fives as he looked toward the door, "or you'll ruin your Manly Mani."
Echo dropped his hand to his side. "You don't think," he began but saw Chopper leaving at that moment.
Chopper came out with a look of relaxed satisfaction and his skin, roped with scars, looked smoother, somehow softer. He looked pink; not scarred pink but new pink like one of the younger cadets who'd been running, fresh and healthy pink. His skin seemed almost shiny, like he'd been buffed and polished.
He saw them and lifted an eyebrow; rather he would have lifted an eyebrow if they hadn't been gone. "She got a little carried away when the Wookiee chased Kix and Hardcase through the room," explained Chopper with the small curl of a grin at the corner of his lips as he touched above one eye with a finger. "They'll grow back."
"What treatment did you get?"
"Full body waxing."
