It was already getting dark when they saw the silhouette of the enclave. With the sudden loss of sunlight the surroundings seemed to turn into a dull grey, making Mira feel as if she was back to Nar Shaddaa once more.
The wind had died to nothing and instead of the sound of rustling grass they were now greeted by a growing sound of insects doing whatever insects do. It was odd how much the world could change within a few minutes...
They had so far walked in silence and every time Mira tried to sense Atton's mood all she got was a ceaseless counting of cards, she remembered the exile having mentioned it at a time...Mira couldn't recall any details though.
At least he wasn't resisting any more, though the hostility was palpable. The way he walked, the way his chin was held high, how his jaw was clenched and even how he brushed away the tall grass...he was angry.
Not that Mira was overly worried, she had dealt with far more dangerous people before. Atton was just a friend after all, bit of a childish one, but still a friend. She felt herself relax, at times it was better to let the target feel safe instead of meeting anger with anger.
"You ever wonder why we still refer to her as 'the exile'? She had a name you know..."
Mira took a few steps before she realised Atton had spoken. "Um, well I actually thought about that. Maybe it's because she's more of a concept than a person, an event. Or maybe it's just to make things easier to deal with?" Ahead of them the yellow eyes of the droid glowed as it continued its work across the garden, it didn't seem to notice them.
"Maybe it's because we don't deserve to speak it." Atton muttered. "She was...beyond us."
"Hey! If I remember correctly you and me saved her in Goto's yacht! We were friends, remember that. Did she ever treat us as lesser than her?"
"No, but we were."
"You're starting to sound like Mical."
"Ugh, don't remind me of that goody-two-shoes." Atton grimaced. "He's been doing two things these couple of months you know. Either reading those stupid books or talking to the republic guys. He doesn't even seem to enjoy it, yet he keeps at it!"
"It's called owing up to your responsibilities, I thought you had learnt that by now."
"Yeah, yeah." Atton grumbled, pushing his hands into his pockets and kicking a random rock, much to the dismay of the still working droid by the enclave garden. Even the flowers seemed dull grey now, Mira noticed though that their smell had become stronger, it reminded her of the overeager flirters in the Nar Shaddaa clubs...
"Wow, and here I thought you had grown from meeting the exile, guess I was wrong. For being so old you sure do remind me of a cranky kid." Mira remarked as they headed for the gate, she could feel the others gathered somewhere ahead of them, her stomach growled in anticipation.
"Hey! Some respect please." Atton grumbled as pressed the keypad to open the gate.
Suddenly feeling her anger well up Mira pushed Atton into the wall, her fists closing around his collar. She was almost a head shorter then him, but Mira was used to staring down people taller then her and Atton didn't smile. "You earn respect! You hear that...deserter?" Atton's eyes widened. "Oh yes, we all know, it was a small ship after all..." She shook him when he tried to look away. "Yet we accepted you! We trusted you! And now I find you like this...the only way you could be more pathetic would be if you were drunk!"
"There's not much to drink around here." Atton muttered, averting his gaze. "Besides, you aren't exactly perfect yourself. Hypocrites are some of the worst sort aren't they?"
"Hypocrite!?"
"Yes, hypocrite." Atton shot her a far too amused smile. "Or didn't you kill one of those twi'lek bounty hunters?" Mira felt her grip slacken. "Or how about all those Vaklu soldiers? Or the Dantooine mercenaries? Or..."
"Okay! I get it!" Mira's relented, her hands now leaning against Atton's chest as she looked away. "You're a real jerk, you know that right?"
She felt him take a deep breath. "Erm....sorry." He actually seemed a little embarrassed. "I guess I've been a little cranky as of late, you know, being a kid without any fun to do and all."
"Don't make me laugh." Mira shook her head, suddenly realising she was a little tired, it had been a long day after all. "I really should hurt you...you're nothing but a bother."
"Well, how else would you know I was around? Everyone has their own technique to be noticed. I find my own quite charming..."
"Charming!?"
"Why yes, see for yourself, you're already clinging to me like a wookie to a tree." Atton chuckled at his 'wit' as Mira realised she hadn't stepped away from him. Grimacing she jumped away, wiping off invisible dirt from her jacket while shooting glares at the grinning scoundrel. Ugh, now she smelled like him too...did he ever wash himself!?
"Well I see you're still somewhat yourself, sleazy as that might be." She shook her head. "Now could we please just go and eat?"
"Sleazy charming you mean?"
"Don't make me do this..."
"Don't worry, I know I'm irresistible."
"That's it." Atton got no more warning as Mira's boot shot out, catching him between the legs.
With a groan that seemed to emanate from deep within his chest Atton dropped to the ground. "Oh son of a...shutta!"
"I warned you, but did you listen? Nooo..." Mira crossed her arms as she grinned at the prone figure. "Now get up, we have a dinner to attend."
"Get up!? Are you fracking kidding me!?"
"Wow, I didn't realise you were such a wuss." Mira shrugged, looking as if she didn't care even as she secretly enjoyed the situation. "Oh well, when you do get up please join us for dinner." Turning on the spot she smiled to herself as she felt Atton's eyes glaring at her back. She had forgotten how fun it was to bully him...