Quantum Entanglement: Howzer and Aurelia

8. Competition

Despite her shift ending late that night, Howzer had remained, passing the time by chatting with a variety of patrons and Aurelia herself when available. When the last of the duties had been checked off and they exited the building, she locked the door behind her before turning to face him. He opened his arms in an expansive gesture, and she almost went in for a hug before he spoke.

"Alright Reli, show me the world," he said with a playfully challenging tone.

She smiled, still wanting to get a full explanation of why he had turned the Kiffar woman down. Pushing it from her mind and trying to instead be fully present in this fortuitous situation, she led him down to the closest train stop. They walked shoulder to shoulder and occasionally would brush into each other. She tried not to think too much of it, but she had to admit, she liked it. A lot.

They boarded the train, which was relatively empty at this hour, and sat on a bench as it rolled out of the station. Their thighs rested against each other, warm pants against cold armor plates, and they talked about the passing sights. When the doors slid open at their stop, she took his hand and pulled him onto the platform, beginning to wonder if this place wasn't as impressive after all. She had talked a big game...

They were in a ritzy district of the planet, where the buildings were not all a standard rectangular shape but were full of elegant curves and artistic edges. Glowing lights bathed the entire area with a dreamy glow, and the few people who were still out and about were clearly well-to-do.

"We definitely fit right in around here," Howzer quipped, looking up at a tall statue of some rich politician.

"What, you didn't bring your black and white armor?" Aurelia answered, although she did feel self-conscious and couldn't believe she hadn't thought to bring a change of clothes to work. She had eight hours of sweat and drinks clinging to her clothing and body, and she was positive she didn't look or smell great. To avoid spiraling in self-judgment, she focused on the task at hand.

"I'll have to ask them where I can get some of those," Howzer mused, as she pulled him by the hand toward one of the glamorously curvaceous buildings. Slipping around the back, Aurelia opened an inconspicuous door that would otherwise be missed, and they entered a dark hallway. Still holding his hand, and trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach at the thought of it, she turned sharply to a narrow set of stairs that climbed into further darkness. There was rich orchestral music playing somewhere nearby, and it had shifted to a rather ominous sound.

"Listen, if you're mad about earlier, we can talk about it," Howzer began.

"What?" Aurelia was shocked, and stopped on her stair to look back at him.

"I mean, you don't have to bring me here and kill me."

"Ahhh, haha..." she laughed, more nervously than she would have liked. She didn't know if or how to talk about all of that, so roundabout humor was always a good place to start. She continued up the stairs, keeping her tone light, "Why would I be mad?"

"Cause you've got the hots for me," Howzer declared, without missing a beat.

Aurelia laughed again at his accusation, though it wasn't without merit. She just couldn't tell if he was toying with her or was legitimately trying to discern where they stood. They climbed another two flights, back and forth, then reached the top of the steps, which ended in another plain black door. The only light they could see was peeking around the edges of the door, a dim glow from whatever was on the other side.

"You do," he taunted, pulling on her hand to stop her before she could reach the door handle. "You've got it baaaaad."

She turned to face him, feigning confidence and dropping his hand, "Why would I, if I have to compete with every other female on Coruscant?" She tilted her head and crossed her arms, settling her weight to one side in an attempt at sass. "It seems like a silly idea."