chapter twenty one - act one FREEDOM'S FINAL OFFER
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The sensation of cool metal brushes against the fabric worn upon Eden's back, yet, somehow, it feels like home. She sits comfortably upon the floor within the Razor Crest's cockpit, one leg sprawled leisurely out, while the other is drawn to her chest. Her left arm rests upon her raised knee, the other grasping onto a hand of cards, positioned to perfection within her slender fingers. Opposite to her is Din, every mannerism within his body mirroring her position.
The tip of Eden's tongue just barely peeps out from the corner of her lips, the action unconscious as her focus lays entirely upon the cards within her hands. Her eyes scrutinise their every aspect, the cogs within her mind churning as she works tirelessly to decipher her next move. Triumph blossoms within her as she believes to have found the card that could carry her to victory, and a smug grin dances gleefully across her mouth. Her eyes meeting Din's with a confident stare, she places her card down for him to see. "Your move, Buckethead."
A beguiling chuckle meanders through the modulator of his helmet; mellifluous laughter that brought forth a sense of peace within the war-torn heart of Eden. With his movements slowed down to an agonising pace, gleefully drawing out every last moment, Din plucks one of the wrinkled cards from his hand. And, as he places it down for Eden to see, she throws her remaining cards to the floor, her reaction emphasised with dramatics. Her voice drowning with incredulity, words rush by her upturned lips. "There's no way you're playing fairly. You've won three times."
"Pay up, sweetheart." Din's voice is light with amusement, his lips twitching upwards with a smirk as he speaks the teasing nickname, turning her methods against her. A feigned pout is worn upon her features - which Din couldn't help but notice appeared softer than he'd ever seen before, - she retrieves a small pouch of credits from her jacket. Her aim precise, she throws the pouch to Din, who catches it with ease. Allowing not for his opportunity to jest with her to fade, he sends a playful remark her way. "Have you considered you could be the reason you keep losing?"
A scoff of disagreement echoes throughout the cockpit, but the amused shake of her head betrays her portrayal of annoyance. She tears her gaze away from her opponent, shifting her attention toward the child. He stands within the middle of the two, playing amongst the pile of played cards they'd discarded throughout their game. A grin is plastered upon his lips, but instead of meeting her gaze, he coos at Din, who grins with a silent victory. A dramatic huff bypassing her lips, Eden speaks toward the innocent creature. "Come on, Greg. You're supposed to be on my side."
"We're still not calling him Greg."
"How about we make a deal? If I win the next round, he will officially be named Greg. But I'm dealing, I don't want you interfering with this one."
