Ginger Gears

Monster-in-the-Middle Attack

"Seeing you so pissed off this early in the morning is unusual," said Tarc and sat down next to her with a food tray.

"It's that obvious, huh?"

"How many times have I told you that you're a terrible Sabacc player? Come on, your face is like an open book."

Rose massaged her temples. She really was in a bad mood. Ever since Hux had turned out to be the fanatic moron everybody told her he was, she was on edge. She was disappointed, angry. What the kriff was she supposed to do? She couldn't pretend to agree with him, but returning to the casual banter they had established over the past weeks seemed impossible now. Perhaps it would help to talk about it?

"I had a row with the technician last night."

"You did?" asked Tarc with a little too much enthusiasm.

"I mean, I knew that these Order types actually believe their own propaganda. But yesterday he actually held a speech about their great ideology and how crappy everybody else is – it just made me so mad! Uh, what a jerk!"

Tarc patted her shoulder. "You're not the first one. We're cooped up with them and eventually we get to know them," she flashed a knowing smile, "sometimes we even 'work on projects' with them. But sooner or later you need to decide if it's worth it."

"You lost me – what are you talking about?"

"You need to decide if the pros weight out the contras. For example: Do you like talking to him?"

Rose shifted in her chair. "Well, yes. If he's not-"

"Is he nice to you?"

"Uh, I guess- I-"

"Does he respect you?"

"Yeah."

"Is he good in the sack?"

Rose felt heat crawl up her cheeks. "Uh..."

"I would be a yes I assume. Does he make you laugh?"

Her face still felt hot, Rose only nodded.

"Does he annoy you regularly?"

"No."

"There you have it! You two are still good to go." Tarc leaned forward. "You still aren't going to tell me his name, are you?"

"No, I'm not! And I already told you, there is nothing going on between us!" By the stars! Why ever had she thought it would be a good idea to tell Tarc what was going on?

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, okay."

Rose sighed. Perhaps she had been too harsh. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. It's just ... my family is really taking an issue with me being here – working for the people who raided our planet. I figured it was okay to take their money to look out for my family. I want to keep this strictly business."

"You didn't expect that you would meet people you would eventually like, huh?" Tarc's voice had a surprisingly serious undertone in it.

Rose scanned her face. She had never thought that Tarc was shallow, but the way she said it ... it didn't fit, there was a deeper understanding behind it. But she was right. "I'm supposed to dislike, even hate them. But I don't."

"There is nothing bad about liking people. The point is that you don't forget who you are and why you are here." Tarc gave her a loop-sided grin. "Life is shitty, there is no point in making it harder for yourself. My advice: enjoy it as long it lasts – everything is going to shit sooner or later. Why not have a good time while you can? Forget about what people think about you! You just have to care about yourself."