(D0EM,Repair Bay, Open) Hammer Time

[Garen Saxon]

"You are." Garen agreed. "With that in mind, why don't you hand me that hydrospanner?" He waved at the toolbox next to where she sat. "And I'm glad, too. I think it suits you, here."

"No." Garen's expression was thoughtful. "Well, not exactly. Bittersweet, I suppose." His gaze went distant. "I actually did teach a bit of responsible weapon-use to a preteen girl, some years back. Mostly safe handling and maintenance and the like. She was a stray that ended up getting adopted by my unit..." He cleared his throat, "-and me especially, I suppose."

[Fé Kelborn]

"Oh, yup. Sure," she grabbed it and leaned onto her side to get close enough to hand it over.

"Ahh... Bittersweet and she's not wish you now... Did something happen to her, or...?" It could have been far enough back that she simply grew up and left home.

[Garen Saxon]

Garen accepted it with a grunt and a nod. "Thanks, Pyro." He said.

Reaching down, he began another adjustment on his hammer, twisting near the head. Gently, his eyes on his work, he shook his head. "Something happened to me, actually. I was injured, very badly, and in a bacta tank for a while. When I got out, my unit was gone, and so was she. I haven't seen her since."

He stopped twisting the hydrospanner. "I looked, of course. But I couldn't find her."

[Fé Kelborn]

She didn't sit up, but adjusted so she was more comfortable half-laying on the box. "They just left you behind?"

[Garen Saxon]

Garen hesitated a moment. "Not exactly. It..." His brow furrowed as he considered how best to explain.

"A mission went badly." He finally said, speaking slowly for clarity, not with any more emotion than usual. "Almost everyone died. There were just a handful left, me and two others. I heard they stuck around for a few days, but then just... left." He made a spread-finger pattern with his left hand. "It's not like Mandalorians. They're not family. Without the unit structure, there's nothing keeping them together."

He smiled, just a little. "Well, except for me and Valeria of course. I hope she's doing okay, wherever she is."

[Fé Kelborn]

She shifted and slid off the box, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing gently. "Ah... I apologize for assuming. That's rough. I hope she's doing well, too."

[Garen Saxon]

Garen took a deep breath. And then, smiling gently, he reached up to put his hand over his. The contact wasn't as much as it might have been, gauntleted and clad in Mandalorian armor as he was, but nevertheless. He didn't say anything, but something flickered in his grey eyes as they met her gaze.

Then he chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, look at me going on and on. Usually you'd need to get a few drinks in me before I talk that much. Or just one drink of the Forgemaster's Tihaar." He chuckled again, deep and rumbly. "If I don't read the labels, I can't tell the difference between the Forgemaster's Tihaar and the Forgemaster's firestarting fuel."

[Fé Kelborn]

She laughed and leaned against the crate again. "I hear I'm good at getting people talking. I'd consider testing it out, but a flamer would be a waste of good tihaar. We'll have to hang out and have a drink again some time... Though I think last time I made a fool of myself."

[Garen Saxon]

Garen chuckled, leaning over the table to make a few more adjustments with the hydrospanner. "I suppose that makes sense. It'd be a neat trick, but I don't think even Mandalore himself would try to take the Forgemaster's tihaar."

He glanced up, eyes crinkling with amusement. "I'd like that. And you remember, do you? If you can remember it, surely it can't have been that foolish." His eyebrows went up as he looked at her, inviting comment.

[Fé Kelborn]

"Yeah... I'd rather not join the Manda for the sake of fuel experimentation either," she joked with a grin. At the question, she looked to the side. "Well, I'm admittedly going on what I've been told. Apparently I am an emotional drunk."

[Garen Saxon]

"Oh?" Smiling, Garen set aside the hydrospanner, crossing his arms over his chest again. "And just what were you told happened, Pyro?"

Reaching up, he scratched lightly at his jaw with armored fingers. "I actually haven't been drunk in so long I don't remember what I'm like, myself."

[Fé Kelborn]

"Well... Have you ever caught feelings about someone, even though you know it's never going to happen?" She finally said, then rolled her eyes. "Apparently I got whiny about it. It's embarrassing to even think about."

[Garen Saxon]

"Oh no." Garen said, half-smiling, half-wincing. "I can't say I've ever been in that position. Oh, my head's been turned by a pretty and definitely unattainable lady from time to time, but it never got to the point of catching feelings. Like when my unit teamed up with a clone unit led by this Jedi..." He shook his head.

He looked at Fé. "So, uh..." His eyebrows went significantly. "Who was it?" His deep voice was quiet but amused, like sharing a fun bit of gossip.

[Fé Kelborn]

"Oh yeah? You know, I've met a few Jedi. Mostly during the Clone Wars and when I was a kid, being a handmaiden."

She turned a brilliant red. "Well... It's uh... ongoing, so..." It was rate to see her get so flustered.

[Garen Saxon]

"Oh." Garen considered that for a few moments, frowning thoughtfully. "Well... I suppose wishing you good luck is appropriate either way."

Then he smiled, teeth even flashing briefly. "But we should have that drink later. I'll make sure to bring the strong stuff." He teased gently.

[Fé Kelborn]

She smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate the luck."

"Definitely should. I'll try not to be too embarrassing," she replied, sliding off the box.

"I should probably get going. Lots to do."

[Garen Saxon]

"Don't worry. If you are, I'll just be embarrassing right back." Garen said.

Smiling, he gave her another nod. "Right. Back to work. Drop by anytime, Pyro."

He'd watch her walk away before turning back to his hammer.

[Fé Kelborn]

She laughed. "I appreciate it."

With that, she waved and left.

/scene?

[Garen Saxon]

(/scene, and thank you!)