"Are you serious?" Mako turned back to face Ky, who was stretched out on one of the beds in the crew quarters. "Torian asked you out on a date?"
Ky looked up from the imaginary trail map she was drawing on the sheet with her fingernail. "It's not a date, Mako," she said. Having rested for an hour after returning to the Mantis with Mako, the dizzy spells and fatigue were all but gone, replaced by her usual feisty stubbornness. "He asked me if I've ever tried Mandalorian food, then offered to fix me some."
"Uh-huh. That sounds suspiciously like a date to me," Mako replied. "And if it's not, I'm a Twi'lek dancing girl."
"If that's the case, I'll be happy to find a Hutt to sell you to," Ky responded dryly. She stood up slowly, stretching her limbs. "Because your calling it a 'date' doesn't make it one."
"Oh, come off it, Ky," Mako retorted. "You can deny it all you want, but one would have to be blind to have not seen the way you two interact. Gault remarked to me the other day the two of you were practically giving him cavities, you were so sweet together. And between you and me, I've seen the looks he gives you when you aren't paying attention. He's interested in you, Ky, though I doubt he has the courage to come out and say it."
"All right, all right! You've made your point. I'll call it a date if it makes you happy," Ky resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Damn, she had forgotten how persistent Mako could be! "Sorry, the term just feels a bit odd to me. When Mother was trying to arrange a match for me a few years back, she called our little meetings 'dates'. Kinda ruins the term, y'know?"
"Makes sense. So, what are you wearing tonight?"
"Wearing?" Ky raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to dress differently from how I usually dress? This is Torian we're talking about, not some Alderaanian noble. I highly doubt he's going to notice."
"For frag's sake, Kybrina. He's a man, he's going to notice. Even I know that," Mako shot back, slightly frustrated by her friend's stubbornness. The only time she slipped and used Ky's full first name was when the other hunter was being particularly grating. Like right at that very moment. "Luckily for you, I know just the place in the city to help with that."
Ky sighed, Mako just wasn't going to give up until she agreed. "All right, I'll play along," she said. "Should I be worried about this place?"
Mako shook her head. "Not at all. You might find it fun."
As the two young women left the crew quarters, they spotted Gault leaning against the opposite wall. "So...preparing for a date with the kid, huh Ky?" he asked.
Ky blushed, knowing the Devaronian had overheard everything. "Yeah. Want to come with?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
"Nah. While I do love the finer things, I find picking them out to be a tedious process. I'll just stay here and help the kid out when he gets back." Gault reached into his pocket, producing a credit chit. He tossed it to Ky, who caught it easily. He laughed as she scanned the chit, eyes widening upon seeing the amount contained on it. "Go pick something nice out. My treat. It's the least I can do to thank you for letting me tag along."
"Uh, okay. Thanks." Ky was a bit uncomfortable, but she slid the chit into her pocket and turned toward the door.
"Oh, and Ky?" Gault's voice stopped her as her hand rested on the metal of the door. "I think dark green would be the perfect color for you. Just a suggestion."
She was infinitely glad her back was to him at that moment. No need to show him the intense blush that now colored her face. "I...I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."
Once they exited the ship, Ky gave Mako a look that clearly said I'm not sure whether to be amused or horrified by that. Mako laughed gently, patting her friend's shoulder.
"I don't know how to respond to that, either. Trust me. Anyway, come on, let's not let that gift of his go to waste."