Fennec Returns

Drash had napped. She figured she'd earned it after that run; she was never one to stay cooped up, but there was no way she was heading right out into the street that had just seen her streak. She could barely face Skad without flushing.

So she filled time by distracting herself, and then getting up in the evening. It wasn't like she had a hugely consistent sleep schedule as it was; binary star systems rarely had regular day and night cycles.

Still, she managed to get downstairs to find a couple more friends had returned. She nodded to them, and shot a glare at Skad to make sure he knew _not _to share a certain story. Skad winked back.

And then there was a rap at the door, followed by it opening without any of them nearing. Fennec Shand stood there.

"Er. Ma'am?" Skad said.

Drash glowered. Fennec looked at her, face betraying no self-consciousness or guilt; she simply lifted a hand to gesture.

"Drash," she said. "With me."

"Er, is this business?" Skad said.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't in a professional capacity," Fennec said.

She looked a little distastefully around the cramped room. Drash almost snarked, but bit her tongue, suddenly very aware of what happened when she disagreed too blatantly with Fennec.

Still, she noticed the pack Fennec had on her back. It was the right size for an arm; slowly, keeping an eye on Fennec, Drash stood up.

They went into one of the smaller side-rooms, namely Drash's own. There, Fennec sat down, taking off her pack and opening it, to reveal Drash's red, metal arm. Quickly, gladly, Drash snatched it up.

"I heard a few stories on my way here," Fennec said.

"Yeah. Thanks for that," Drash said, eyes narrow.

"Saw the palace too. Improvizing a way off the roof, and climbing down the rope - especially doing so with one arm. I've known professionals that wouldn't choose that," Fennec said.

Drash blinked. Okay, somehow the conversation wasn't going quite how she'd thought. She'd expected Fennec to come in and dress her down, if hopefully figuratively this time.

"And running over the rooftops," Fennec said. "Nicely handled."

"Er. That sounds like a compliment," Drash said, confused.

"It is," Fennec said flatly. Her expression still didn't change, though there was a slight smile on her face. "Making it as far in as you did without being seen, in a city like Mos Espa, that's an achievement. I misjudged you."

Drash blinked. Huh. Okay. She hadn't expected a proud look from Fennec.

Carefully, Drash finished re-attaching her arm, looking back to the mercenary, confused.

"Um. Thanks?" Drash said.

"You're welcome," Fennec said. She paused. "Nudity seems to bring out the best in you."

Drash blinked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Drash said.

"Nothing," Fennec said. Still, there was a disconcertingly thoughtful look in her eyes. "Nicely executed, today. Inventive, practical, and mostly successful. I like it. Look forward to seeing what you can do on duty in future."

Unnerved, Drash stared at her.

"Right..." Drash said slowly. "What was that about nudity?"

"Don't get distracted," Fennec said. "See you tomorrow morning. You've an early day, I expect to see you at the palace."

Fennec stood up, walking out without even a goodbye. Suddenly rather worried about what was going to happen tomorrow, Drash stared after her.