🐺 ~PROJECT SAC-1~ ⚔️

Chapter 22 -🪵 Sticks and Stones 🪨

After that disaster for a first date, Skylar suggested brainstorming things the new couple could do together once he returned. Obviously, Wrecker was unable to think of ideas this time around, but maybe Skylar had! But he did try thinking on the fly while him and Talla took a speeder from the Marauder and through the districts leading to the Parlor. Skylar didn't mind his last spontaneous idea, so perhaps another would prove exciting and definitely end on brighter terms! It was their second unspecified chunk of time together, and he wanted it to be spent wisely but memorably. To create plenty of pleasant memories to sustain them both until the next time.

GEEZ though, it kinda almost still felt too good to be true for Wrecker - "I have a sweetheart, Talla!" Wrecker loudly marveled down at Talla, who briefly looked away from her flying to throw him a relieved smile over her shoulder at hearing him be something other than bereaved. "I have somethin' to look forward to after a mission, and it doesn't involve explosives!"

Many thought they'd never see the day.

Yet after parking, there was a moment Wrecker had to pause and draw in a huge breath, to give the needed strength to gather himself from the slouch up to his full height - this was reg-infested territory after all. Needed to show no weakness.

Wrecker felt Talla touch his arm. "You gonna be okay?"

He nodded once. The pause before the chaos, her constant compassion, the excitement at seeing Skylar, it gave him the needed strength to face reality. There'd no doubt be questions of concern from Skylar because Wrecker's special lady was just that compassionate too. And sweet. And thoughtful. The fact she wasn't mad after he ruined that first date proved this.

Stepping through the automatic doors, both soldier's eyes widened at seeing the Parlor was slammed today. It was hard enough as it was for the gentle giant to not bump into people or objects, so Wrecker suffered many toe-stepping, elbow blows to the stomach, and mean names before finally stumbling upon the back counter where Nik and Blair were checking people in and out of appointments, taking payments, and tersely offering discounts to angry customers.

Right away one thing was plainly obvious: there was no Skylar.

Catching sight of Talla, Nik's hands slammed against the counter and he exclaimed 'Oh thank the Maker you're here!' And he didn't take note of Wrecker asking where Skylar was, instead, the soldiers were beckoned to join the owners behind the counter to be protected from the mob.

Nik had to accept a chunk o' change from an impatient green-skinned twi'lek, the owner supplying an insincere 'Have a GREAT rest of the day,' before answering Wrecker taking a reluctant seat on a supply crate. "Sky didn't feel good this morning so she's at home in bed -"

Alarmed Wrecker shot up from the crate. "Wait what?! What's wrong with her?!"

A Pantoran with a big bundle of clothing stepped up and Nik had to raise a dismissive hand. "I will answer that question after the morning rush." And he pulled a nervous but determined Talla forward, "Now, you read that work manual I sent, right?"

"Three times over, yes." At that, she shakily accepted the small badge Nik gave her, bearing her name in a fun font.

So with no other choice, anxious Wrecker was forced to wait and skim through gossip columns and news articles on the provided datapad until the couple were done with the morning rush while simultaneously breaking Talla into the wonderful world of the part-time job she'd volunteered for.

Well, so far things were not starting as ideal as he'd envisioned.

'Force, please let Sky be okay... I can't lose someone else.'

🔅🔹🖤🔸💀🔸🖤🔹🔅

It seemed Nik and Blair had rescheduled half of their tattoo and hair appointments for the day, but with their thrift shop still open many of their clients happily took advantage of the HUGE clothing sale provided for the HUGE inconvenience. As a result, the couple were running around like headless porgs in between checking clients in and doing little jobs at their stations with newly hired Talla dealing with the shopping patrons the best she could.