Star Wars: The Xenobiologist and the Exiled

Chapter 3

A Jealous Attitude

“You misspelled that,” Chesmi said, pointing at the screen.
“Did I?” Lovande squinted at the screen. “Oh, I suppose I did. I guess I’m still working through writing things in Aurebesh.”
Chesmi laughed lightly. “Don’t worry, even I still make mistakes, and I’ve been writing in it since I was a child. No one will ever be perfect.”
Lovande smiled at her reassurance.
“You are right. There were times I’d misspell something in my home tongue of Cheunh.”
“Is that the native tongue of all Chiss?”
“It is. Sy Bisti is what we typically use with outsiders. At least those from nearby systems. Although, it was taught less and less the more we isolated ourselves, but I wanted to learn it regardless. How did you know it?”
Chesmi laughed. “It was taught as an elective in university. I know quite a few other languages.”
He turned and stared at her. She’d chosen to learn Sy Bisti for fun? He couldn’t help but grin. She was certainly something.
“So you took it for fun?”
“Sure did. I knew in my field I’d need to know multiple languages. Do you think you could teach me Cheunh?”
“You’d like to learn?”
“It’d be another language to add to my repertoire. Besides, if there’s any other uncharted planets in the Chaos, I may need it. I shouldn’t put the burden of translating solely on you. That wouldn't be fair.”
Lovande opened his mouth to respond, but the office door opening halted him. Chesmi turned, wondering who couldn’t be bothered to knock. Kaeya was striding in, a data stick in her hand.
“I brought something from Gavdan. He said to put all the information relating to mammals on this stick.” She turned to Lovande and gave a sickly sweet smile. “Hello, Lovande. Have you thought about my offer of spending time together?”
Chesmi looked at Kaeya, a raised eyebrow. She then turned back to Lovande, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.
“I must pass, Kaeya. But thank you.”
“Oh come on. I can just come over to your place and we can chill. I can show you how much fun I can be.”
Chesmi wanted to puke from Kaeya’s tones. And did Kaeya forget that Lovande lived with her? Chesmi had also noticed Kaeya had positioned herself in between Lovande and her. 
“Kaeya, he lives with me. Have you forgotten that?”
“Pfft, just because he lives there doesn’t mean you two are a thing. You’re clearly not. And Chesmi, you can leave the apartment for a little while when I’m over.”
Lovande lightly facepalmed, wondering where Kaeya got the audacity. She was practically inviting herself over.
“Kaeya, I am declining your offer. Please, put your interests elsewhere.”
“You’ll change your mind.” She brushed her hand along his shoulder as she left. “Come find me when you do.”
The door shut behind her. Lovande turned to Chesmi.
“Do all humans have that much audacity? And why do I get the feeling she’s not giving up?”
“Not all humans, and no, she’s not giving up. We can try to avoid her as much as we can, but that may prove difficult, given we all work here.”
“Eventually, she’ll take a hint. Where were we?”
“Finishing the omnivores, I think. I need some tea. Care for some?”
“Please, that would be great.”
Chesmi stood up and walked over to her little kettle and heat plate. She filled it with water and turned on the plate. She pulled two mugs from the cabinet along with tea bags and sugar. The water was boiling within a few minutes. She poured the water into the mugs, beginning the steeping process. She then added a little sugar and brought the mugs over to the desk.
“Your tea, good sir.”
“Why, thank you, madam.”
They both laughed. Lovande watched Chesmi, the little crinkle in her nose she got when she laughed making its appearance. He sipped his tea; somehow she managed to make it so perfectly every time. The only thing that could add to the experience would be a pastry.
Lovande passed the new data stick to Chesmi, who plugged it right into her computer terminal. They began work on classifying the mammals. Hopefully this wouldn’t take too long. Once they completed it, she removed the data stick from the computer.
“I should probably run this to Gavdan right away. The sooner we do that, the better. I’ll be back, Lovande.”
He smiled and nodded to her as she left. She made her way to the turbolift, pressing the button to call it. She heard heeled footsteps behind her and sighed.
“Well, hello Chesmi. Taking the data stick up so soon? How come Lovande isn’t with you?”
“He’s beginning work on the reptiles. He and I are a team.”
“Whatever happened to Zavir?”
“Signal five on the expedition. Large predatory animal caught us by surprise.”
Kaeya raised a cocky eyebrow. “Is that really what happened? We all know you didn’t like him as your partner.”
Chesmi whirled on her heels, anger flashing in her eyes.
“Are you insinuating I killed him? Kaeya, he may have been a bad partner, but that would not be a reason for me to do something so awful. How dare you insinuate something like that.”
“I’m just saying.”
Kaeya turned and walked away as the lift arrived. Gavdan would definitely hear about this. Chesmi felt the lift halt and the doors open. She stepped out and knocked on Gavdan’s office door.
“Come on in!”
She opened it. “Data stick with the categorized mammals, sir.”
“Wonderful, thank you, Chesmi.” He looked at her. “I know that look. What’s wrong?”
“Kaeya had the audacity to insinuate Zavir wasn’t killed by a predatory creature.”
“She implied you did?”
“Yes. Why in the galaxy would I have? Yes, he was an awful partner, but to do something like that? I would never.”
Gavdan shook his head.
“Kaeya’s always causing drama. I’ll speak to her. Head on back to your office, and try not to worry yourself about this.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lovande mixed another cup of tea, waiting for Chesmi to come back. He stood by the large window and watched the busy traffic above. He heard the door open.
“All alone, are we?”
“Kaeya, isn't it rude not to knock?”
“Maybe where you’re from. Where are you from? You’re so intriguing.”
Lovande felt so uncomfortable with the way she was not only staring at him, but the way she was slowly closing the space between them.
“I’m from the Chaos region of space. It’s pretty far from here. Is there a reason you are standing so close to me?”
“I just wanted a better look. How do you not have every woman in this building busting down your door? I think you’d benefit from a night with me. I think I’d make a good girlfriend. I’ll even introduce you to my parents.”
Lovande wanted to run, but Kaeya had placed her hand against the wall, blocking his path with her arm.
“Look, Kaeya, I’m not interested in you. If anything, I’m admittedly interested in Chesmi.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. Are you sure a smart, sciency girl like her is even interested in you? No offense, you’re just kind of a stray she picked up on an expedition.”
Lovande’s jaw almost hit the floor from her insult. A stray? What did she even mean by that? Before he could ask, the door opened again.
“Kaeya, why in the galaxy are you in my office? Scram!”
Kaeya gave one last look to Lovande before walking out and giving Chesmi a dirty look. Chesmi rolled her eyes and turned to Lovande, who looked mildly confused and angry.
“What’d she say to you?”
“What did she mean when she called me a ‘stray’ you picked up? I don’t understand what she meant, but it feels like an insult.”
“Oh she definitely insulted you. It means you were kind of there and needed a home, and she assumes I did because… you know, I have no idea what her assumption is here. I brought you with me because we worked well together and you had a great knowledge of the planet.”
“I also think your feelings may have had a pull as well,” Lovande said with a coy smile.
Chesmi blushed, her face almost turning the color of her hair.
“I-I mean, well, that-that probably was a s-small factor in… uh, my decision making. You were… nice, and… smart… and I w-won’t lie, you are v-very attractive.”
He laughed lightly as he came towards her, gently pulling her into an embrace.
“You are adorable when you get flustered. Your cheeks turn the same color as your hair.”
“I’m not f-flustered. You’re crazy.”
“Am I?”
Chesmi’s reaction reminded Lovande a lot of Ya’taju. She was the same way whenever she got flustered around him. But she was gone, and all he had left were memories. They had their weight, yes, but they didn’t feel nearly as heavy as they had previously.
Chesmi was the key to easing his burdens. For the longest time, he’d told himself they were his alone to bear. But she was persistent in showing she cared and wanted to help him. All he had to do was let her in. And by the Chaos, it was certainly the best decision he could’ve made.
“We should probably get back to work.”
Lovande didn’t want to let go of her, but resigned himself to do so, but only on the thought he could hold her close when they got home.