Shin was about to press the cabin's bell when the door went up on its own, Elsbeth's voice trailing out in a cold velvety tone.
"Come in. I'll be with you presently."
Shin shrugged and stepped inside Morgan Elsbeth's cabin, looking around with a curious gaze. She had been summoned minutes ago by Elsbeth's aide to meet the Dathomiri. The witch's quarters, as it was too spacious to be called a cabin anymore, felt lived-in and even kind of warm, but ominous. A desk stood in the middle of the space, crowded with datapads and even books, some of them old-looking. A cup of a strange dark fluid was fuming on a coffee table in the corner, deep green leaves infusing it. Everything was bathed in a dark orange dim light, a baton of incense thickening the air with small volutes of smoke. Shin even spotted a small dressing table on the side of the room, crowded with polish bottles, brushes, and powders. She looked up, as she heard some clattering in the back, from across what she guessed to be a separate bedroom door.
Sure enough, Lady Elsbeth came through the door, and went straight to her desk, sitting.
"We're waiting for Baylan." She stated, shooting a busy look at Shin before returning her gaze to a datapad she just picked up. Shin didn't respond, her eyes wandering the room lazily. A few seconds later, Baylan Skoll entered, lead-footed. Shin moved to the side to make room for him, retreating against the small dressing table.
"Lady Elsbeth." Said Baylan, in a respectful tone. "I believed you called for us. What would be the matter ?"
"The matter is." Said Elsbeth coldly, darting her dark emerald eyes at Shin. "That this one has started to cut down my men for fun. And gives orders of her own to those she doesn't kill, apparently."
Baylan eyes opened wide in surprise, as he turned to Shin, cocking his head on the side, prying.
"Well, you've got to admit it's a boring cruise." Mocked Shin. "One has to find a way to kill time. Or… men."
The heavy silence from Elsbeth and Baylan did everything to convey how unreceptive they were at her shot at humor. The witch was shaking her head in disbelief, furious. Shin sighed, meeting her Master's eyes.
"That pig was just about to rape the girl when I walked in on him. You insisted nobody hurt the prisoner, Master. I just live to enforce." She declared, loftily.
Baylan nodded slowly then looked to Elsbeth, clasping his harm in his back.
"Well, I wager you already perused the holorecordings and confirmed what happened, Lady Elsbeth?" Said Baylan in a calming tone. "I know my apprentice. Whilst cheeky and incapable of reading the room before a joke, she isn't lying."
"She is not," Admitted Elsbeth. "But I don't tolerate my mercenaries just slaughtering my soldiers for sport, do you see how that would be a problem ?"
"Surely you tolerate even less such behavior from your men?" Suggested Baylan. "She was expeditive in punishment, but in the right. We can't have rogue soldiers of the sort on such an important mission. So I suggest we put the matter to rest."
Elsbeth stood up, went around her desk, and shoved a finger in Shin's breast, pushing her back against the small dressing table. Shin tripped against the table, losing her balance and knocking over a couple of nail polish bottles. Reflexively, she caught one falling, but the others went clattering on the ground.
"I suggest your protégé learns her place and doesn't render justice as she whims fit." Exploded Elsbeth, poking at shin angrily. Bewildered, Shinn kept quiet, looking to her Master with round eyes for help. Baylan came between them, gesturing Elsbeth to calm down, but wary of not actually touching or pushing her. His countenance did the trick as she retreated to her desk, still furious.
"I'm sorry for my apprentice's swift sense of… justice. I did instruct her to interrogate the prisoner and keep my word to her. I doubt there was much of a better ending to the matter, we probably would have had to kill the guard as an example anyway." Explained Baylan, keeping his voice low.
"You brought the Jedi girl, Baylan. Said she would be of use. So far the use is I'm down one soldier. I'm not wasting more resources on this, and since it's what your apprentice asked, you deal with Sabine Wren now. If she causes more trouble, I'll get us out of hyperspace myself just to throw her out the airlock." Said Elsbeth angrily. "That will be all."
Taking the cue, Baylan bowed slightly in acceptance and gestured Shin to follow him, as he walked out of the witch's quarters
"I'm sorry for the trouble Master." Apologized Shin, trailing behind him. "I got carried away".
"You didn't act wisely." Said Baylan, stopping his pace and turning to face her, inscrutable. "You acted impulsively and savagely."
Shin braced herself for yet another harsh admonition. Two in a day now, great job Shin, the groveling back is going fantastic.
"But you did not act incorrectly." Said Baylan, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up to meet his eyes, stunned, as he continued.
"It was the right thing to do, for one thing. And though accidental, your choice of action might serve us still. Lady Elsbeth will get over this. She doesn't like you much anyway, so no love is lost there. But she still respects me, and she needs us both. On the other end, that incident might just earn you the trust of Miss Wren."
"You're right, Master. That is much accidental." Groaned Shin. "Any chance you'd relieve me of the task, please ?"
"I'm afraid that ship has sailed." Shrugged Baylan, retaining a smile. "You made sure to cut your escape out of it, albeit with good reason."
"I did what now ?" Winced Shin.
"Well." Explained Baylan, "I understand you've prohibited Elbeth's men from tending to her. And that's a good idea since the next guard could be tempted by revenge. So I guess that has to be your task now. And since you'll be seeing her daily, I do expect you to complete your interrogation of Miss Wren." He shrugged again with a smile and strolled away.
"That's not what…! I… I can still repel that policy…? There's gotta be someone else we can…"
Baylan Shrugged again, taking a turn out of her sight.
"...trust." She moaned, to the empty corridor.
She stood there, bewildered. Squeezing her fist in despair, she felt a small object resisting her grasp. She'd been so absorbed and tensed by the argument, that she didn't realize she'd been holding onto the thing.
Hesitating to go and give it back, she shrugged and walked on instead. War spoils. She decided, gritting her teeth.
As the door of her cell opened once more, Sabine barely had the time to look up and see Shin before being hit in the head by a soft plump projectile. She grabbed and put the pillow aside, a bit surprised, and barely caught in time a second heavier projectile.
"Pillow and sani-kit." Grumbled Shin, trying not to look directly at her. "That enough ?"
Sabine kept quiet, opening the kit, looking at a pack of body wipes and dry shampoo with a miserable look. She nodded, looking down.
"Oh… Hum. Yeah. Thanks." Sighed Sabine, weakly.
Shin raised an eyebrow in surprise, noticing the girl didn't shoot her habitual stream of snarky remarks. She seemed down and weary. This morning incident on top of the long lone captivity had manifestly strained her morale. The fine features of her face, relaxed from anger and fight, had a different fragile charm, thought Shin. Her short hair now ruffled and dirty, seemed less severe and accidentally childish.
"Look. I don't love the situation either. You made a deal with my Master to find that Ezra guy, and I understand talking about him isn't part of the deal." Said Shin, calmly. "What don't we make a deal of our own? I make sure you make the trip safely and in the realm of… decency. And you start talking."
Sabine looked up, the fire in her eyes lighting back up just enough to trigger that pinch again in Shin's guts.
"I'm going along to save him. I won't help you hurt him, you understand that ?" Sabine said, sharply.
"And I know he won't be pleased to see us coming. My Master will keep his word, if he's alive, you'll be free to find him. We just want to be sure he won't come to find us." Replied Shin, impatiently.
"Then I will make sure he won't." Said Sabine, snorting with irritation. "I just want to get him back, ok? Just fuck off our way when I find him, I can't beg you enough to."
Sabine sighed again and went back to inventory the sanitary kit. Shin gazed at her intensely, trying to read the girl. But Sabine's resigned look was eloquent enough, there was very little reading to do. Shin sighed in turn. This is going nowhere again, she almost got raped and I'm offering crumbs, I'm an idiot. She took a deep breath and opened the cell door, ushering Sabine out with an exaggerated wave.
Sabine shot her a suspicious look, not moving, seemingly unsure about what was happening. Shin rolled her eyes and gestured again for her to get out.
"Don't stand like that. Get up, get out. Slowly." Gumbled Shin.
Sabine gaped at her, puzzled, but shrugged and stood up, walking to the door warily. Shin shoved her forward to the brig's door, firmly but gently enough.
"You walk in front, you go where I tell you, you don't touch things, you don't talk to people and you keep quiet. Got it?" Demanded Shin, not waiting for an answer. "Out the door, we turn to the left then right to the turbolift. Go."
Sabine complied, marching out and toward the lift.
"Uh, I'm happy for the fresh air and all, but you mind telling me where we are going ?" She said, awkwardly. She shot Shin a look over her shoulder, slowing down.
"We can talk about where we're going, or you can shut up and see for yourself faster. Move." Said Shin, in an authoritative tone, snapping her fingers to stress her last word.
Sabine rolled her eyes but eventually resumed her pace, reaching the turbolift with Shin. The blond apprentice pressed one of the upper deck's buttons and they both stood in silence, side by side, as they went up. They both looked at the closed doors, avoiding their respective gaze. The lift was excruciatingly slow, and the silence grew awkward.
"So. What are you guys anyway? Sith?" Asked Sabine, lightly.
"No." Said Shin.
"Mercenaries then? Or something?" Pressed Sabine.
"Or something, yeah." Replied Shin, ostensibly looking right in front of herself.
"Cool. Cool." Said Sabine, blasé. "Cool." She paused for a moment but talked again, to Shin's despair. "So how's that paying? Insurance's good? Like, good dental coverage and all?"
Shin didn't respond, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. She caught Sabine smirking from the corner of her eye. The lift was really slow.
"So basically you're transferring me to another holding cell ?" Asked Sabine, in an awkward tone, as she took a look at the small cabin. A small bunk bed took most of the room's place, everything else neatly packed inside a rugged dark backpack. The lights were dim, casting sharp shadows on the bare metallic walls. The place felt new, with only a faint smell of blueberry betraying a recent human presence.
Shin, who had just shoved her inside, closed the door hastily and shot her a dead look.
"I'm not transferring you anywhere, you're going back to your cell after that. And this is my cabin, dumbass." Grumped Shin.
"Well, no shade to your tastes but it's as alive and decorated as my cell." Grimaced Shin. "Are you okay ?"
Shin, instead of replying, threw a towel at her head angrily.
"You can keep bratting about, and go back to your cell, or you can shut up and use my shower."
Sabine gaped at Shin, her eyes opening wide in surprise. She had been expecting more muscled interrogation or something of the sort, but certainly not an actual nice thing. Stunned, she seemed not to know what to answer.
"Is that finally the way to shut you up ?" Said Shin, rolling her eyes. "Finally I've found it. Someone makes this a galactic holiday !"
Sabine pouted, obviously dying to reply with a snarky comment, but too distraught at the wild turn of events. She shrugged, looking at her feet.
"Yeah, ok, I'll give you a rest I guess. If that's on the table". Sabine said.
Shin pressed a small remote in her pocket, and Sabine's cuff opened, falling on the floor heavily. The blond apprentice then opened the bathroom door, and posted herself in front of it, arms crossed, darting an impatient look at Sabine. The Mandalorian girl stepped inside the cramped bathroom, hesitantly. She started to unbutton her shirt but caught Shin's gaze. She was still posted outside the door, looking in, her dark-circled eyes scrutinizing her prisoner with curiosity.
Sabine winced at her, pinching close her now half-opened shirt. She moved to close the bathroom door, but Shin promptly caught the sliding door midway, pushing it back open with a firm gloved hand.
"Uh. Yeah, no. You're not looking at me while I do that. Close that door." Said Sabine.
"I'm not closing any door with you uncuffed on the other side." Declared Shin, her blue eyes not blinking as she gazed at her severely.
"Then turn around !" Demanded Sabine.
"That's not happening either." Replied Shin, not budging.
"Well you're cute and and all, but you're not getting a private show, thank you. So yes, either thing is happening, girl." Said Sabine, sharply.
Shin blushed at the remark. She was merely thinking about surveilling an unrestrained prisoner. And Sabine obviously knew that. But her remark, albeit for the sake of rattling her, actually made her think about the girl in a more carnal manner. She met Sabine's steely hazel eyes once more -oh not right now please-, and suddenly imagined the Mandalorian's naked body, as honed as her gaze, facing her both. Fuck. She felt slightly dizzy, a titillating warmth down her belly. Washed away by the thought, she actually lowered her eyes, turning away promptly. "Fine. Hurry up."
"Oh wow. Don't be so beat down about it, blondie." Chimed Sabine. "Gee, I guess you really wanted to look, uh…"
She could feel Sabine's smirk and winning look on her. Floppy sounds on the ground told her that the Mandalorian girl had tossed away her clothes. Shin had to take a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm and stiff. Sabine's voice echoed from the shower stall.
"Oh… Uh… I know you're just playing good cop here or whatever." Said the girl. "But I'll just ask… can I borrow that blueberry soap of yours? I have a feeling you've come equipped for a reason, the one from the dispenser looks… dangerous."
Shin blushed a tint of red further at the demand. The nerve on that pest… How did she notice that?" But the situation was already awkward far beyond her tolerance. She was not willing to drag it some more with an argument.
"Sink cabinet." Shin sighed. "Don't abuse it."
"Well, can you pass it?" Said Sabine over the sound of running water. "Sorry I've jumped the gun on the water, I'll drip all over the place if I step out."
Is she for real, thought Shin, strangling herself. She makes a show of kicking me out and now…?
She grumbled and started to walk backward into the bathroom, blindly searching the cabinet with one hand, trying not to look at Sabine behind. She finally grabbed it, and extended her hand behind her, in the general direction of Sabine. "Here."
"Thanks! Uh… little more to the left?" Said Sabine, playfully. "Nah the other left. Yeah no, you're too far just come cl…"
Sabine had tried to bend over and reach the soap bottle, but Shin had, in fact, been too far. Losing her balance, Sabine fell over as Shin was taking another step back. The Mandalorian girl fell on her captor's back, grabbing at her neck.
Blood rushed to Shin's head and cheeks, and to other parts she'd never admit. She could feel Sabine's arms clasped around her neck, the girl's naked chest pressing bouncily on her back. Her warm breath washed over her, her shoulder catching the Jedi's head. Sabine's wet cheek brushed her. She caught a glimpse of the girl's mouth, which opened in surprise.
"FUCK. Sorry !" Gasped Sabine, immediately jumping back into the shower. "Hum… Lost balance here for a second. Not an attack. Please don't retaliate okay !" She added, in an embarrassed and wary tone.
"Just fucking hurry and be done with it, ok ?" Said Shin, in a more high-pitched and strangled voice than she intended, stepping nervously back to her spot at the door. She swore she caught Sabine's satisfied smile in the mirror, on the way.
The water stopped running after a few minutes and she heard Sabine step out, a tide of blueberry smell washing out from her. She abused it, moaned Shin, internally. She had trouble keeping her nerves, the soapy smell from Sabine's skin overwhelming her. It was so curious how the same perfume on different skins would give something slightly unique. She's more… spicy. Thought Shin, absently.
"Thank you, blondie…" Whispered Sabine flirtily, at her ear.
Shin physically jumped, not having felt the girl come close to her. Sabine laughed at her reaction, but went on drying herself, without saying anything more.
Shaking her head, Shin retrieved standard crew clothes from her bag and tossed them in the bathroom, still not looking. "I'll get yours washed." Shin said, tersely. Her legs were shaking imperceptibly. Why is this happening? Can't we just kill prisoners like any respectable Empire would?
Sabine stepped out, smiling in bliss, visibly revitalized. She posted herself in front of Shin, smirking.
"So, why the spa trip? You've been instructed to be nice to me? Your Master got mad at your last… approach?" Sabine asked, playfully.
"That's a one-time thing, don't get over yourself Jedi-girl." Said Shin, between her teeth. "We're back to normal after that."
"Hum, yeah, your master's pissed." Grinned Sabine, still standing way too close to Shin's tastes. "I mean I know you're obsessed with me, but that would also entail you can have nice feelings and all..." Continued Sabine, teasing. "But no, I bet you got some groveling to do, you messed up and your Master wants to make a point, right?." She came a little closer to Shin.
"Situation… is fluid…" Mumbled Shin, picking up the cuffs from the floor.
Sabine came even closer, her face to Shin's face, her clean smell now much too intense. She bent over to Shin's ear.
"Oh, I bet it is…" She whispered mischievously.
Shin felt a shiver through her spine. The hair on her arms stood on end. She felt her breath skip a beat, and the sounds all around muffling. Her mind felt dizzy. She hadn't blinked for at least twenty seconds now, eyes locked on Sabine's neck.
A loud click echoed in the cabin as Shin closed the cuffs back on Sabine's hand and pushed her back firmly. The Mandalorian girl's mouth opened in surprise, half shocked, half amused as she glared at the cufflinks.
"Damn, that was smooth! I thought I had you captivated here… You've got moves, wolfcut." Laughed Sabine.
Shin let a long breath out, closing her eyes, and regaining her composure. It had taken every bit of willpower she had to react and cuff Sabine by surprise, as every cell in her body had just screamed to let the girl keep close like that.
"Back to your cell, Jedi-girl. Playtime's over." Declared Shin, ignoring the taunt and pushing her out of the cabin. Sabine bowed ironically and strolled away, retracing their steps, Shin trailing behind broodily.
Back at the brig, Sabine slumped on her bunk with a sad look, obviously disappointed to be back so soon from the trip.
"That was decent of you, wolfcut. I mean I did say 'thank you' but… Well. I mean it."
"Following orders. Nothing more." Pretended Shin, avoiding her gaze. She jumped, seeming to remember something suddenly. "Oh, I forgot."
Shin plunged a hand into her pocket, holding out a small vial of black nail polish. The one she had accidentally grabbed in Elsbeth's office and decided not to return. She tossed it to Sabine, who caught it clumsily with her cuffed hands.
"In case you get bored." Said Shin, trying to look as far away from Sabine as possible. "That's your color I think". She didn't wait for an answer and stormed out of the cell, closing the door shut. She was almost running in the corridor to the lift, her cheeks burning red.
Ok, my bad. Last time was adequate. This was one hell of a shitshow.
