Word Count: 1273

Hunt Log: Side Notes and Journals
Sighting: Port Nowhere

I've never been the damsel in distress type. If I get myself into trouble, then I damn well will get myself out. Rogun's goons had us pretty well pinned down, and I'll be the first to admit that it didn't look good. Tables were strewn everywhere, people clearing out as fast as their hyperdrives would let them. Then, the doors blew open and I saw the most beautiful man alive rush in behind a cloud of flash grenades.

Torian wielded his electrostaff with a skill unlike any I had ever seen. It took me a few minutes to remember where my trigger finger was. At least, until that bastard tried to knife Torian in the back. I took him out, then broke cover to help. The relief in Torian's eyes when I put my back to his made me feel…I can't even write it. It's still too soon for such talk.

Anyway, when Torian followed me back to the ship, I thought we were in for some celebratory shenanigans. But no, he wanted to teach me how to fight properly, as if I couldn't handle myself. Damn boy wouldn't take no for an answer. Couldn't even be bribed…

"Come on, Blondie," Sadio crooned. "I could think up a lot more ways to pass the time than sparring." Her smile weakened Torian's resolve until her bangs shifted to show him the black eye she'd sport in the morning. A black eye she might have avoided had that sucker punch not gotten past her guard. Not even her advances would make him second guess this choice. Torian wouldn't sleep until he knew that his woman could defend herself against everything.

"This is important." Sure, they could be wrapped in Sadio's sheets, enjoying the seven-hour flight to meet up with Wanda, but Torian couldn't shake his dread. The image of what might have been if he hadn't chosen that particular time to visit had branded itself in his mind. Torian would never be able to live with himself if something happened to Sadio, and proper training could have prevented it.

An unfamiliar pair of boots caught Torian's attention. Glancing over, Torian caught sight of Corse and Bowdaar chatting with a female Zabrak. He'd met Akaavi in passing, but the woman made it known that she had no interest in Torian or the fact that they were both Mandalorian. Not that he blamed her. Clan Spar had been betrayed, slaughtered. Still, it angered him that the woman didn't see the need in ensuring her captain could adequately protect herself.

Turning back to Sadio, Torian hooked his thumb at the trio. "I'm surprised none of them have taught you."

"The cranky Zabrak?" Sadio puffed a laugh. "For the time being, we leave her alone. Well, Risha and I do. Bowdaar's in love, maybe Corso too."

Torian glanced at Sadio's feet. "She where you got the cetare?" He smirked when Sadio leaned forward to see her boots. While they hadn't seen one another for three weeks, Torian made sure to contact Sadio whenever the chance arose. He'd never had someone to call before; not even Corridan was interested in a simple chat. The young Ordo never slowed down, ready to pursue the next big hunt. It was different with Sadio. Sometimes they didn't even talk, simply soaked in each other's presence from parsecs away. As such, Torian memorized everything about her. The beskar boots were definitely new.

Sadio grinned, golden eyes shining through black makeup. "Nah, I played Sabacc with some Mandos after they'd had too much tiharr." Torian frowned, and Sadio held up a finger. "Now, hold on. I gave back the rest of their clothes, but these fit too perfect to give up."

"Worried people are going to shoot your toes off?" What good would the boots do Sadio if she insisted on wearing that thinly lined vest as her only protection? When Torian assured her that they could make her armor with more pockets than she could find things to stuff in them, the woman refused to be moved. It made his gut draw tight when he considered the ambush they narrowly escaped on Port Nowhere.

Sadio's light chuckle softened Torian's mood. "With the group I run with, you never know." She lifted a boot and pointed inside. "This thing has two holsters. Two! And the heavy toes will aid me in haggling."

Torian raised both hands. "Fine. I concede." He started towards the cargo hold and waved for Sadio to follow. "Take those off before we start."

Sadio huffed as she clomped behind Torian. "Why do we have to do this again?"

"Because you need to know how to fight." Before Sadio could argue, he turned to pin her against the wall. "You're a hell of a scrapper, but can you fight?"

Sadio tried to shove Torian away, but he set his stance. "My boots would come in handy here," she groused while Torian shook his head.

"You need to know how to win against a larger opponent even if you're naked," Torian answered, keeping his tone calm. He bent his knees to look Sadio in the eyes. "Do this for me."

Letting out a sigh, Sadio nodded. "Fine." Her expression turned playful as she walked two fingers up Torian's forearm. "We doing this naked then?"

Torian matched her smile. "Maybe later. For now, removing any armor should be enough."

Torian didn't pretend to be immune to Sadio's attempts at distraction. He watched openly as she unbuttoned her vest and let it slide to the floor, even chuckled when a simple shake of her ample hips dislodged the belt and holsters. Sadio kicked the items away, leaving her in a pair of leggings and undershirt.

"Now what?' When Torian took a step closer, Sadio held up a hand. "No, I know that undershirt is armored. Off with it."

Torian smirked and pulled the kute off. When Sadio's eyes traveled lower, he snapped his fingers to pull her attention back to his face. "If I take those off, I will be fighting naked." The grin that split her face was almost enough to make him consider it. "Focus now, play later."

Sadio was not a willing student, and thus each move had to be explained multiple times. She swung limply, laughed often, and groped more than anything. Torian decided to pin her again to see what she remembered, but her instincts kicked in too early.

Sadio cursed when she dodged into Torian's fist and stumbled back with both hands folded over her mouth. Torian moved forward to get a better look at when he'd done when white-hot pain shot through both legs. His knees locked, and Torian staggered back. A heavy, crushing force slammed into his calves a second before the Mandalorian landed on his ass with an undignified grunt.

Standing at his side, looking as smug as a small, annoying droid could, was Phil. The miniature defender clicked clawed hands while chirping in a shrill voice that made the back of Torian's teeth ache.

"Spunky," Torian observed, not for the first time, while rubbing his still spasming calves. An arc of electricity shot between Phil's claws, and Torian understood. Turning a stern look on Sadio, he tried to hide his amusement. "You electrified him?"

When Sadio lowered her hand, it revealed a thin line of blood on her upper lip. Nothing bad enough for Torian to worry about, but the outcome of a misplaced parry and sharp teeth. When she grinned, the split widened. "You're the one who called me a scrapper." Squatting, Sadio patted Phil on the head. "Scrappers fight dirty."