A Bus Full of Problems.

[Brianna Saxon]

"Sure, maybe walk down to the beach? Maybe of we're lucky it'll just be the two of us down there..." Brianna suggested, as she danced with Ray, smirking as she had lifted the woman out of her funk. She was surprised that Ray knew how to dance so formally, and even more so at the fact she had a beautiful singing voice. To say she was entranced by the voice was putting it lightly. With the warmth of the sun upon them, and the closeness of their bodies on the moment, Brianna felt a sense of pure peace for the first time in months. She dug her hand into Ray's back, and clung to her as they moved about the firing range. A chuckle slipped from her lips at Rayne's comment. Bri pulled her head back to look Ray in the face and grinned. "I bet you say that to every girl who hijacks a ship with you." She'd put her lips against Ray's for a moment lightly biting down with her teeth before pulling back and continuing their little dance.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

As they danced Rayne was actually quite please the topic of the beach had come back up, Bri had seemed reluctant about it earlier and Rayne wasn't sure they'd make it there. Definitely.. Rayne said happily.

Laughing at Bri, Rayne said, I'm not sure I've ever taken anyone on a hijacking date before.. Rayne said with an awkward smile as she looked sideways thinking about it, that wasn't exactly a romantic outing, but somehow it worked perfectly for the pair of them, peas in a pod and what not.

Rayne continued to lead Bri in their dance for a few more moments before breaking it off, telling her crew to take it easy for the rest of the day, and then leading Bri by the hand toward the beach, she didn't exactly have beach front property, but it was within a mile to the closest beachfront, making the walk a decently short one before they'd arrive.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

With their dance concluded, Brianna took a step back from Rayne and smiled ear to ear. She wasn't sure how exactly Mandalorians were supposed to date, but she could only assume that just came down to the Mandalorians involved. "I had no clue you had such a wonderful singing voice," Brianna commented, taking a step closer to Rayne. "You should try singing next time we go to one of your clan outings." She knew Rayne wouldn't agree to it, and that was fine, if anything she just enjoyed making the blonde blush every now and then. Taking Ray's hand in hers, the two would begin to walk down to the beach, and though it was a decent distance away, she thought they could pass the time with small talk. The weather was pleasant as well, with the small amount of sun shining down on them, and the cool wind blowing across the planes; all in all, it was a wonderful day to be outside. "Ray, I don't think I ever asked but, how old are you?" She asked curiously, giving the other woman's hand a tight and brief squeeze. "I mean, you don't look much older than me. But I don't think I've ever directly asked." Brianna commented, trying to think if the topic had ever been brought up. She supposed not.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne shook her head, Yea, no way I'm doing that.. she said laughing, no way would she ever draw that much attention to herself. Rayne sighed contentedly at the weather while they walked, happiness had seemed to set in in full.. That was until Bri asked how old she was..

Rayne was in a tight spot, nearly no one knew she was not in fact human, and even less knew what she truly was.. How to respond? Rayne asked herself silently as Bri squeezed her hand.

This moment was about to alter her entire life, Rayne could play it off with the old, You never ask a girl her age.. but something told her it just wasn't right, plus she didn't want to lie to Bri.. One hundred and fifty four.. Rayne said plainly, not yet offering much in the form of clarification..

You? Rayne asked simply, as if her own answer was not shocking.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

At first Brianna hadn't acknowledged what was said, as she smiled and nodded along. "One hundred and fifty four huh? Wait...." Brianna blinked, looking at Rayne with a great deal of confusion. Brianna snickered, oh, so Ray wanted to mess around now? Well alright then. "Oh, me? I'm coming up on three thousand years old next month. It's a big deal let me tell you." She joked, not seeming to understand Ray was being serious in her response. After chuckling about the matter, she gave Ray a real response. "I'm twenty one, I know I'm so young and don't know what the hell I'm doing right? Seems to be the running thread with most people now." She shrugged her shoulders. Part of her was concerned that Ray might dislike her youth, maybe she favored an older more experienced partner. There was nothing Bri could do about that though. "But, you look good for your age, being over a century old and all." Brianna winked, leaning against Rayne as they continued their walk.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne could have let it go.. The conversation was already over, and Bri had accepted it as sarcasm, in theory, Rayne could have moved on letting the whole thing disappear behind her.. But this was Rayne.. and she couldn't live with herself if she didn't kriff everything up all the time..

Bri.. Rayne said, as she stopped walking and pulled on Bri's hand so she would stop walking as well, Bri.. Rayne said again as they faced each other. Don't do it, you fool this is stupid, she doesn't need to know... Rayne thought to herself. I think it's time we discussed something important.. Rayne said slowly, You idiot don't do this!! Rayne thought. I wasn't kidding when I said one hundred and fifty four.. Rayne said, NOOOooooo!!! Her brain said, I've got a pretty serious secret I think it's time I told you.. Rayne continued, This secret could very well get me ostracized from the community... she added. Rayne kept hold of Bri's hand, and took the other one in her left and placed it on Rayne's chest and said, Do not freak out, and I need you to keep my secret.. Rayne said. Rayne had grown incredibly fond of this girl, and if Bri decided she couldn't keep Rayne's secret, Rayne would have to run.. far, far away..

Rayne's skin began to move about her body as if it had a mind of it's own, and it began to change color, she kept a strong hold on Bri's hands as she did so, her no doubt terrified face would shame Rayne, she was a monster after all. Finally Rayne's skin stopped shifting as she was now wearing the face of a Rodian, but only for a moment as she then began shifting her skin around once more landing on a Twi'lek form.. again only for a moment as she once again shifted, hitting multiple different species faces before shifting to Bri's own face for a moment and then back to her own normal form. I.. I.. I don't really have words to explain myself with.. I am a monster, and I'll need you to forgive me, I wont be showing you my true form as it is not nearly as beautiful as yours... It's..... Rayne said, a terrible sadness creeping into her voice, Rayne had always thought of her true form as appalling, which is why she over compensated so heavily on her human form to make it perfect, beautiful, and everything the true form of a Shi'ido was not.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

When Ray stopped the pair from going any further, Brianna had a second of concern within her. Then it only grew worse when Ray became increasingly nervous. A look of worry came across her face, as she looked at the woman opposite of her. "Ray, what's wrong?" She asked, having not seen her partner get like this before. The revelation of her age then followed, and Brianna only grew more confused.

"Ray, just take it easy alright? You're starting to worry me." Bri said, feeling a bit of anxiety well up within her chest. Now there was a secret coming into play, and Brianna didn't like where this was going at all. "Ray, hold on, what are you getting-" She began to say, feeling frustrated at the back and forth responses she was being given. Then she saw it, Rayne's skin began to morph and form into different figures, different aliens. Rather than fear, Brianna seemed more confused than anything. Ray was a shapeshifter? Was that what this was all about? As the familiar face of Rayne returned, Brianna saw the sadness that began to overtake her expressions and stain her tone.

Rayne genuinely believed herself to be a monster, but that wasn't what Brianna saw. She saw someone who constantly had to hide, trying desperately to fit in, trying to just be themselves by concealing everything they didn't like. Was it vain, perhaps. But she couldn't bring herself to view Rayne any differently. She might have been able to change her appearance at a whim, but what was on the inside didn't change in the slightest. Bri looked at Rayne for a long moment, before wrapping the woman up tightly, linking her arms around the small of her back. "You are not a monster. You're just yourself. And there is nothing monstrous about that." Maybe it was her naivete at work, but Brianna didn't see an issue with Rayne's....condition. As much as she wished to see her real form, she didn't want to push Rayne along; this must have been difficult for her as is. "I'd...like to see the real you someday, when you're ready...if you even want that." Brianna said, not wanting to try and push the issue. Rayne would need time, and Brianna would give it to her. Some might say it was weakness, but that didn't matter to Brianna at this moment.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne was glad Bri reacted this way, it certainly wasn't a typical response, but then Bri wasn't typical.. I'm glad you took it so well.. I really didn't want to have to kill you.. Rayne said, a sly smile crossing her face. Well... Since you know now.. I want this to be the time where you ask any questions you have.. Rayne continued.

She hadn't been looking forward to this moment, but she was glad it was happening, now she make full use of her abilities while on missions with Bri.

Rayne had heard Bri ask to see her true form, but Rayne herself hadn't even seen it in dozens of years, and wasn't looking forward to seeing it again herself, so at least for now, she left that statement unaddressed.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

Brianna could only roll her eyes as Ray attempted to brush off the emotional episode she had just had. "We both know that wouldn't work out in your favor." Brianna smirked, her hands now resting on Rayne's hips. The young Mandalorian had several questions, but none of them seemed to be good right now. Her eyes lingered on Ray longer than they normally would have, as a lingering look of curiosity seemed to be in the Mandalorian's eyes. "I would ask why you didn't tell me sooner, but given how we met well, I can't really say anything." Brianna shook her head, still trying to get a grip on all of this. "Sorry, still processing the whole....I can turn into anything I want idea." She decided to sit down, her head spinning as the questions piled on. "Who else knows?" Brianna asked first, before following it up with another. "And what made you want to join us? My people? You could have done anything, been anyone, and yet you chose to come here and live among us. Why?"
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne kept a grasp on the girl, and helped her to sit down, Oh Kad she's gonna faint.. Rayne thought as the girl went a little loopy and started firing questions off like crazy..

It's not that I didn't trust you, I did.. it's just this isn't something as small as stealing some candy when I was little.. this is a big deal.. Rayne explained.

No one.. Rayne said, though that wasn't entirely true, a few in the Mandalorian hierarchy knew, but no one that the pair both knew together knew, and obviously everyone she grew up with knew, but Rayne figured Bri had meant out of the people they both knew.

They're more my people than they are yours... Rayne said, then explained how she had been living the mandalorian lifestyle longer than Bri had been alive. Different aliases and what not, but still, she figured this didn't really answer Bri's question so she elaborated, The Mandalorian culture fit me more than anything else I'd ever seen throughout the Galaxy.. she finished.

Bri.. keep calm, everything is fine.. I'm still me.. I'm still Rayne, same person you've known all this time.. Rayne added.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

"I know, if you didn't have trust me you never would have told me." Maybe she was getting a little out of head, but this seemed like alot to take in. She took in a deep breath and exhaled. "I know you are Ray, just...well this is alot." Listening to Rayne explain her past, the decades she spent moving on from life to life, the young Mandalorian could only wonder at all the identities she held, lovers she had, changes she underwent. It seemed immense, and perhaps could stir up bad memories, so Brianna let it go for now. She chuckled and laid back, then looked back to Ray with a grin. "So, your saying you can turn into anything you've seen?" She asked, her voice dripping with curiosity. Though, it was just a curiosity and nothing more at the moment. "I'm not sure what else there is to say," She muttered, moving to rest her head on Rayne's shoulder. "You're still my Rayne, just with some bonus features." She chuckled, looking up at the woman now, but there was one last question Bri just needed to know. "Is...Rayne your real name? Your original name?" She asked, hoping it wasn't too much to pry about.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

It was a lot to lay on someone, and Rayne was begining to feel guilty for just shoveling it onto the poor girl. She'd be here to help her carry the load, but Rayne hoped Bri was strong enough to handle this.

I can turn into anyone I've seen.. yes.. Rayne answered, that was a common question for people of her species, or so Rayne assumed, she hadn't shared it with anyone this intimately..

No... it's not.. Rayne answered the question about her real name, My real name... Rayne megan slowly, Bri's head on her shoulder as Rayne held her. Rayne pulled Bri's chin upward so she was looking Rayne in the face, which was now in the form of Bri's own face, Rayne had skin shifted it to match Bri, and had done her best to match Bri's vocal chords so when she was about to speak it would sound exactly like her, Is Brianna Saxon... Rayne joked, but had a seriously sinister on her face, well.. on Bri's face..

Rayne waited a weirdly long time before busting out laughing, her face snapping back to her own relatively quickly on an effort to not get shot by Bri. Rayne laughed, but there were stories of people of her species who killed others and then assumed their lives, in fact Rayne had done it, not in major, but for moments of time to bypass security or other things. She'd never remained in a previously owned face for more than a day or two, all of her normal faces, especially the Mandalorian one she wore the most, were original.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

Brianna had been waiting for Rayne to say her real name, only for the woman to take on Brianna's own appearance and voice. To say it was unsettling was putting it lightly, as the face soon turned back into that of Rayne, Brianna was only a little annoyed at the display. Still, it was nice to see Rayne not so down anymore, which prompted Brianna to grin. "You want something to laugh about?" Brianna asked, as she grabbed Rayne's wrists and wrestled her to the ground. "Yea, go ahead and laugh it up!" She snickered, as Brianna attempted to attack Rayne's ribs to protest the theft of her appearance. She thought it was a fair punishment, as the two would begin to tussle once more on the ground. If Rayne wasn't comfortable disclosing everything about her past, that was fine. Brianna hadn't done that either, though she certainly wasn't looking forward to it. But for right now, either of their pasts didn't matter.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne laughed as her ribs were tickled, somehow this woman always got the unfair upper hand with her surprise attacks, but Rayne managed to successfully grasp Bri's right hand with her own left and hold it at bay, still pinned to the ground, Bri's left hand conducting an endless relentless assault on her rib cage, bringing tears to Rayne's eyes, all the while laughing, and begging her to stop.

You're truly evil.. Rayne yelled in protest to the attack she was receiving. With her right hand, Rayne gave up on Bri's left, and instead hooked the girls neck, bringing it down so their faces touched, and Rayne pressed her lips to Bri's for a moment, before biting her lower lip.

 

[Brianna Saxon]

Brianna truly enjoyed the new advantage she had gained over her lover, and was holding out hope that Ray would not think to attempt a similar strategy against her in kind. She much preferred this sort of fighting with Rayne, pinning her down and making her laugh her head off. Maybe Brianna was twisted, but she loved it. As Ray cursed her and her vile ways, Brianna grinned down at her helpless victim. "Maybe, but we both know you love it." She laughed, halting her attack once Rayne had started to beg for the assault on her ribs to cease. "Aw, has the big bad Ray had-" Bri was cut off in her teasing, as she was pulled in for a lip lock. Shutting her eyes, she gave into the moment, as the swells of the ocean filled the air behind them. She could distantly hear the cries of sea birds in the distance now, as the two shared a moment that Brianna could only describe as heavenly.
@Mad Dog

 

[Rayne Kelborn]

Rayne gripped Bri closely as the two kissed, before finally letting go a minute later. When ever you're done attacking my ribs, I think theres an ocean with our names on it.. Rayne said, she was pretty excited to walk the beach with Bri, just a moment to relax, this whole day had been amazing, she hadn't had to fight off a saber wielding psychopath, and while they had robbed a starliner, there hadn't really been any resistance, well, not really, so the day had gone quite nice. Some hijacking, some shooting, some wrestling, some love, this was The Perfect Day.

The sea birds in the distance called, and Rayne looked upward, well sideways as she was pinned to the ground by her attacker, and tried to spot them, they were still too far to see them, but she tried anyway. Maybe we could get lucky and catch a bird? Rayne said, her intent was so she could pet it, but the way she had said it may have sounded like she wanted it eat it a bit, but as she hadn't meant it this way she didn't notice the difference between what she meant and why she said.

@Algarus @Brianna Saxon