ANGEL'S MORTALITY

vi

KOBOH
PYLOON'S SALOON

Cal wasn't really sure how he felt as the angel led him downstairs.

"BD tells me you've been up to no good," Diane said.

"Yeah? What else did he tell you?"

"Apparently, you snore."

Cal gave the BD unit a betrayed look, and the small droid playfully bobbed his head up and down, clutching Diane's shirt.

"Just to let you know, I'm a light sleeper. So at least try not to sound like a Bantha."

"Wow. Already assuming, are we?"

When they reached the room, Diane gave Cal some space to look around.

"The bottom bed with the orange pillows is yours. The top bunk is mine."

"I thought angels didn't need sleep?"

Diane bit the inside of her cheek.

"We don't. But for Greez's sake, sometimes I like to lie there and think."

He nodded his head and walked toward the bed.

"We'll be upstairs," Diane told him.

Cal turned to look at her, but she had already made a run for the stairs. He sighed, knowing that they would have to have a talk soon. But for the moment, all he wanted to do was rest.

Diane quietly walked back down the stairs and found a seat to sit on. She took a moment to look at him properly.

All those years, she wanted nothing more than to go back to him and the Mantis. She missed her friend.

"They've got a task force after you."

She sighed. Heaven wanted them dead, and so did the Empire. The only 'peace' she had at the moment was right here, watching her friend's chest rise up and down as he slept.

She smiled as he mumbled in his sleep. After a while, Greez came downstairs and saw Diane had fallen asleep on a chair.

"Crazy kids," he uttered to himself.

He heard mumbles from Cal and leaned over the ginger, only to wake him up.

"Still talking in your sleep, huh?"

"Guess some things never change," Cal responded groggily.

"Weirdo."

"Hairball."

Cal stood up, and Greez hopped on the bed to sit beside him. To the Latero's surprise, the angel was nowhere to be seen.

"Thanks for letting me crash here."

"Course. Why do you think I've kept your stuff around all these years? I was hoping you'd stop by and maybe take a break."

"We both know what happens when I stay in one place too long." Cal finally stood up and began looking around like a man on a mission. "You said there's a spare gyro around here somewhere?"

"We've got plenty of time to fix the Mantis; you are what I wanna talk about."

"I'm fine. The sooner we get moving, the better."

"And then what, you're gonna go find some trouble with Saw Gerrera?"

"Maybe. Yeah, one of us has to keep fighting."

"That's funny. That's the exact same thing you said the day we all split up."

"Yeah! Because I—" Cal refrained from getting worked up, knowing he might say something he'd regret. He sighed and sat down beside the Latero.