Credit Where Credit's Due (Closed)

[Poprockz]

"I also slept well, thank you," she answered.

There was silence for a moment before she cleared her throat. "So... Did you get lost? Are you looking for the dining hall?" From behind her visor, she surveyed him. He was still as handsome as ever, especially with his air still slightly damp from the shower. Part of her wanted to reach out and run her fingers through it.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Well, yes, I was. I wanted to take the long route, to see the area. Guess I got lost," chuckling a bit. Looking her over again, my mind was trying to fill in the blanks about what she would look like under that armor. Bet she was toned. Had to be in this lifestyle. Then, when I looked at her helmet, that stoic helmet, I wondered what sort of hair did she have.

Can't be long or else it would stick out from underneath. If it was short then that would be nice. Short and fun to play with. I've liked short hair over long hair. Its easier to manage while still able to grab ahold of.

"Perhaps you can show me back to the dining area?" speaking in the form of a question. I really do hope that she did, that way I can walk behind her and take in the rest of her body.

 

[Poprockz]

"Oh, well in that case, yes. Follow me and I'll take you over there. I have already had breakfast, but I was thinking about getting another cup of coffee anyway." She nodded at him and turned, leading him down the hall and towards the dining room. Her stride caused her hips to move slightly back and forth, the shape of her ass very apparent through her armor.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

What a dirty mind I had. I couldn't resist. When she walked I slid behind and to the left. Walking directly behind her may make her feel uncomfortable. Things are going well. Her attitude was fair and she was kind enough to lead me. Keep this going, maybe nothing bad will happen.

Having slid to the left, that way she could see me out of the corner of her eye, I glanced over to see her figure walking. The armor didn't cover everything. Thankfully. I could see backside and it appeared different. Perhaps due to me being this much closer to her than usual. Maybe I was looking at it through a different lense. The curvature was there. A fine backside. Perhaps a little jiggle to it.

Going a little further and glancing at her again, this time my eyes went to the back of her head. No sign of hair potruding from underneath the rim of the helmet from back here. Maybe her hair was short. That made my mouth water a little more than the size and curvature to her backside. Now I just imagined touching her hair and feeling it run between my fingertips.

 

[Poprockz]

They soon reached the dining room, and Gra'tia nodded at him before going to get herself another coffee.

However, soon Redar was approached by Z'inter, the man taking his tray to get seconds. The man stood next to Redar as he got some eggs on his plate, his helmet turning towards him slightly as he said, "so, outsider. Have you enjoyed taking advantage of Gra'tia's trust? If I were you, I would get back on your ship and go back where you came from." He said it casually, his voice slightly taunting, but not aggressive at the moment.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

The aroma made my stomach growl. Good food. Hot food. I took a tray and waited my turn. Then that voice was beside me. Turning a little to see who it was, it was that guy, Z'inter. It felt as if he was trying to size me up. Testing my reaction with a simple taunt.

Not responding at first, I took a tray and slid into both of my hands. With the fingertips I gave it a little flex. Nice and solid.

"Is that a fact? Well, it's a good thing that I'm not you then, am I?" keeping my head slightly towards him. To show that my voice had meaning. Not mumbling something under my breath that he couldn't hear. Hopefully the others could hear me to.

I wasn't going to back down from this guy. For I have killed better men than this guy! "I don't walk away from my problems. For right now, I think I will stay put," even giving him a firm nod of approval. That's when I turned away and approached the cook who took a large spoon and dropped a hearty helping of eggs onto a plate and placed it onto the tray.

Sliding down I could still feel Z'inter's gaze boring into me. Yeah. He was sizing me up. Gra'tia was here. Probably trying to impress her by dealing with me. Wasn't going to work. Right now I wasn't looking for a fight. If one came for me, I wasn't going to back down. Does it have to be now, right before I eat? My stomach was now growling at me.

Oh, toast! Taking a couple of hot slices and placing them onto the plate I slid a little further. Every step I took Z'inter matched it to stay constant beside me, lightly touching my shoulder with his own.

 

[Poprockz]

Z’inter continued to move with him down the breakfast line. “I would challenge you to a duel, but unfortunately it is forbidden to challenge outsiders like that. Still… I bet you would be easy to beat. Maybe that’s why she likes you: she doesn’t have to worry about you challenging her authority, small as you are.” He sounded very condescending, still trying to provoke Redar. While he was forbidden to challenge him, it was only natural to defend oneself if Redar came at him first…

At this point they had attracted Gra’tia’s attention from across the room and she was watching them like a hawk. Regardless of what went on between herself and Redar, he was still in her care and she cared about what happened to him.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Small? Buddy, I know alot of people who would beg to differ on that!" chuckling while avoiding eye contact. I knew what he was doing. It was starting to work. Him hovering right at my shoulder, light bumping of his shoulder against me. That's why I tested the flexibility of the tray I was given. Might be good to bang him upside the head. With that helmet, might give him a good concussion.

I didn't want to look at Z'inter. That would only get my blood boiling. That also meant I couldn't see Gra'tia. It was hoped that, if Z'inter tried anything, she would be there. 'Not to protect me. But to protect Z'inter from me!' Hehe. False bravado I told myself.

The guy was trained as well as Gra'tia, judging by the looks of him. Only way I could have a chance was a surprise attack. Can't do that. Not without the right button pushing.

 

[Poprockz]

Z’inter scoffed, bumping Redar’s shoulder as he too reached for the toast to grab a couple slices.

“Yeah? And how many of those people did you have to pay? I bet you can’t name one person who didn’t sing your praises to the tune of a few credits.” The Mandalorian snickered maliciously,

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Hmm. I've never been good with names. If you give me a couple minutes, I'm sure I can remember your mother's name," I said with a glance to Z'inter. Oh, boy. Can't back peddle after that on. Reaching out for some of that oatmeal when I said that, my hand retracted and held onto the edge of the tray with both hands as hard as I couldn't.

 

[Poprockz]

With a clatter, Z’inter dropped his tray and grabbed Redar by the collar. His tray had only been an inch from the counter so it didn’t fall or splatter, but it did make a noise.

“You want to run that by me again, outsider?” It sounded like he was speaking through gritted teeth. “I think you should take a moment to think about what you’re going to say before I-“

It was then that a gloved hand rested upon each of their shoulders, Gra’tia having approached swiftly when she started to smell trouble over the enticing scent of breakfast sausage.

“Is there a problem here…?” she asked in a tone that indicated that there better not be.

“No problem,” Z’inter replied, irritated. “Well, not if the outsider can admit he’s a runt who clings to your boots so he can lick them when you go to sleep.”

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"No. No trouble. He was just asking if I remember who his mother was," I said with a chuckle and turned slightly to the left to pick up some of that oatmeal. Still couldn't change the feeling he would take a swing at me, even if Gra'tia was there to try and stop it. This try wasn't as hard as Beskar. If he did try to take a swing I could hopefully do some damage.

By now I wish he took a swing. Just so I could clock him up side the head and get him to shut up. His petty insults showed how much a shriveled up man he really is.

 

[Poprockz]

"YOU LITTLE RAT! I'LL-" Z'inter had started, absolutely furious at this point. He had lifted his arm to take a swing at Redar, but before he could start to bring it down toward the man, Gra'tia's hand had struck like a snake and grabbed him by the throat, her legs kicking his own out from under him. This caused him to fall right on his ass, a surprised grunt coming from under his helmet. He really shouldn't have been surprised, Gra'tia thought to herself as she swooped down with him to pin him to the ground.

Z'inter was bigger than her, but every time he tried to struggle out from under her, she would strike him in a tender spot. It wasn't difficult, seeing as he wasn't wearing as much beskar as she was. One only earned beskar by fighting and accomplishing missions, and she had far more under her belt than he did. By comparison, he was scantily dressed.

"Gra'tia! Let me-"

Thwack! A punch to his thigh where his armor wasn't as thick.

"Agh! Just get-"

Thwack!" A jab to his stomach near another soft patch.

"Ah! I was only-"

Thwack!" A swift wrap to upper side near his armpit.

"I yield! I yield!" He lay limp, not wanting for her to make him a mess of bruises and welts.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

'Well, would you look at that, breakfast and a show' chuckling to myself. Hot damn. Again, Gra'tia found a way to impress me. She would make a good wingman. I didn't go looking for trouble. It found me. Thankfully she was there to back me up. I might've gotten a couple solid hits on the guy. In the end, he probably could take me down. Strong and experienced as I was, I knew that I'm not invincible.

Around us the other Mandalorians stopped whatever they were doing and looked towards us. Silently standing there. Taking it all in. They heard Z'inters barking before hand. When the fists started to fly and down he went, they heard him cry. Some chuckled and shook their heads dismissively.

Looking down at him, seeing him groan and tense up, I didn't take delight in seeing the guy get hurt, but I did take delight in knowing that the message was clear to him. 'Keep your damn trap shut, if you know what's good for you, and Gra'tia was always nearby.'

Standing over the guy for a moment and looking him over, slowly shaking my head, as if dismissing the guy, I walked away and got my oatmeal. No final words. No quips or smartass remarks. Walking away from him showed that I was done with him.

 

[Poprockz]

Gra'tia waited a moment or two before releasing him. "I would have thought you would have known better than to try something like that after I defeated you yesterday evening as well," she said as she got up from the floor, looking down at him as he lay there.

"Your pride and your temper will be your undoing, Z'inter. Next time I won't simply give you a warning with a few bruises and welts- I'll actually break something." Now that he had been warned, she followed after Radar, picking up her coffee from a table she had left it at in anticipation of the fight.

"Are you alright?" She asked Redar, having seen the way he had been grabbed previously.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Yeah. I'm fine," nodding lightly to her. Stepping away from the other Mandalorians by going to the coffee, I set the tray down and poured myself a cup. "How about I pour you a cup?" speaking while performing the action then handing her the mug.

"Thanks for having my back. That could have gotten dicey," I said in a soft tone, truly grateful that she had my back despite everything happening to us thus far. If the roles had been reversed, I would have done the same for her.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Z'inter shuffling out of the cafeteria. Brushing past the other Mandalorians. Didn't feel truly safe until I saw him leave and the door closing behind him. Only then did I take a long sigh of relief, knowing he wasn't coming back.

 

[Poprockz]

She didn't have the heart to tell him that she already had a cup of coffee, so she accepted the mug he handed to her, now holding two mugs of coffee. Gra'tia wasn't about to waste coffee, so she figured if she didn't want to drink it all now, she could always reheat some later.

"You're welcome," the woman responded with a nod, her eyes not as discreetly following Z'inter out of the room to make sure he went somewhere else to cool off. When he was gone, her visor once more pointed toward her companion and she added, "you are a guest, not an outsider. Some do not know the distinction."

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Well, I'm glad that you know the distinction," chuckling once again. Looking away, we needed to find a seat. A place away from everyone else. Doesn't matter what corner of the area we sat in, all the eyes in the room would still be focused on us.

Found a place for the two of us. Walking over and turning back to face her before sitting down, first my gaze was on her visor, then I looked down to see that she was holding two mugs. Immediately my eyes closed and I cursed myself. Being that blind to not notice this before hand.

Perhaps I was so focused on 'rewarding' Gra'tia with a mug of coffee, or that excited about action that it blinded me to everything else around me. Either way, it happened and now I felt silly about it. Nothing else I could do except accept it. There I sat and looked over the tray of hot food these people have generously provided to their guest.

"I still have to thank you for your hospitality, Gra'tia. It's been comfortable staying here," I said warmly.

 

[Poprockz]

"That reminds me-" Gra'tia started, pouring some cream and sugar in her coffee. "I spoke with Jamari and she says that we will have pillows available tonight before we leave tomorrow. Apparently some of the apprentices stole the pillows and did unspeakable things with them." She put a metal straw into a coffee cup with a silicone tip and took a sip of the mug Redar had given her.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"The apprentices did?" I gasped, "What could they have done to a bunch pillows?" Taking my own mug of coffee to my lips. The touch of the scalding hot liquid sent a jolt of energy through my body.

Lowering the mug and looming at her, eyebrows buckled, "and why?!" asking with harsh whisper. Didn't want the others to hear what we are saying.

Picture if you will some young Mandalorians taking pillows and using them for target practice, stabbing trek as feathers filled the air. Shouting oaths and ripping them piece by piece. "Damn you and your lumps!" Brought a smile to my face.

Please tell me they didn't use them as body pillows.

 

[Poprockz]

There was a chuckle from under her helmet, “well… some of them strapped the pillows to themselves and tried to play a game where they ran into each other full-force, some of them tried to tie them to their hands and beat each other with them, and others… well, others used them in a more personal capacity. Those particular pillows will not be going back into circulation.”

Obviously, she meant that those poor pillows had become been used in a bed, but not for their intended purpose. Gra’tia didn’t want to think about how crusty those pillows were.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh. Acting like a bunch of teenagers. "What would possess them to do such sill things?" speaking between sips of coffee.

Now it was cemented in my mind that Mandalorians had more human emotions, and they are a horn bunch. Can't look at pillows the same way again.

If and when I get the Outlander back, first thing I'm going to do is wash the pillows on board. To hell with it, wash all the pillows and linen. Bleach them!

 

[Poprockz]

Gra'tia sounded more than a little amused as she answered, "I think we all have a bit of a mischievous streak at one point or another. I once took a sedative to make it look like I needed to rest from one of the toxins we were building resistances to, and when they moved me to my quarters to rest, I timed it so that I would wake up. Then I made my way down to the kitchen and ate seven fresh cinnamon rolls. Needless to say, I made myself sick, vomited, and had to clean everything up. From that day forward I have been banned from the kitchen."

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Haha!" Bursting into a fit if laughter, that my cup hit the table. Other hand drawn up to cover my mouth. Soon I was coughing.

*Cough! Hehehehaaaa Cough!*

Drawing a breath and letting it out calmed me, "Oh, that's rich," picturing her being in such a state of the munchies she would be wolfing down those snacks. "You must have been hungry!"

"What sort of sedative did you take?" taking a napkin and wiping my lips and letting out anither cough to fully purge my lungs of the laughing fit.

 

[Poprockz]

Though her reaction was hidden from her helmet, there was a little "Pff!" sound from her as he laughed and coughed, and she was grinning. She was glad that he found her story amusing, the woman enjoying sharing one of her past experiences with him.

"It wasn't that I was hungry per se, it's just that I loved those cinnamon rolls but could never get them warm and fresh due to training, so one day I just decided that I was going to get a hot, fresh cinnamon roll... And ended up eating more than I should have. I don't regret it though- they were every bit as delicious as I thought they would be."

There was a thoughtful pause before she added, "It was Antrinosis I believe, that venom that you get from giant sand spiders."