(no subject)

[aimedforthemoon]

Here is the simulator room, the dimensions of which are hazy and containing a number of simulators that only the narration can count.

Still, this is where Esfir spends most of her time, and she opens the door for him.

"After you."

Comments

[almosthonorable]

"Why, thank you, Lieutenant."

With a nod, he steps inside.

"So this is what you and Solo keep goin' on about."

[aimedforthemoon]

"No. We go on about flying."

[almosthonorable]

"But this is right close to it, ain't it?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"Close as riding a wooden pony is to a real horse."

[almosthonorable]

"Well."

Chuckling, "Even if this place kinda pales in comparison, why don't you go 'bout impressin' me?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"If you want." She heads over to the one she thinks of as hers, the one loaded with the information that Han had given her. These things are never easy getting into, but if she's awkward getting in, once she's there she looks...

Right.

Comfortable.

"Han ever take you flying?"

[almosthonorable]

Ben folds his arms, content to watch Esfir, and a slow smile spreads across his mouth.

"Matter'a fact, he did. Falcon's a piece of work."

[aimedforthemoon]

An utterly delighted smile.

"Isn't she?"

Then she shakes her head.

"This is not so impressive, but-"

She turns it on, and there is the screen where the window should be. Put it into gear, pretend to coast out and then into the air, and as she works the gears and instruments, dials and numbers change.

"It's just...pretend."

[almosthonorable]

"But it's still good practice."

That's clear approval in Ben's voice.

Practice makes perfect, whether it's with a gun or a gunship.

[aimedforthemoon]

She snorts.

"True. I no longer die as much."

Like now. An alarm beeps and yes, it's just practice, but she's too well-trained to ignore it. Without thinking, her eyes dart from one monitor to another, only the ones she needs and, also without really thinking about it, her hands change gears and steer as if it's real.

[almosthonorable]

"Can see how that might be awful handy," Ben says lightly, but his eyes are on Esfir — how simultaneously comfortable and alert she is in the chair, the grace and economy of her movements.

He's quiet a minute, just watching.

Then, quietly, "You been spendin' much time up here?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"A fair amount," she answers in a free moment. "We put in twelve hour days, when I was training before."

[almosthonorable]

"Long days."

A beat.

Another.

"You miss 'em?"

[aimedforthemoon]

The pretend enemy fighter is in her sights, and she hits the pretend button to send a pretend blast their way and the explosion fills her screen.






"Yes."

[almosthonorable]

His eyes map the imaginary fireworks.

"Got this, at least."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Yes," she says, but this time it's easier.

"Impressed?"

[almosthonorable]

"Always impressed with you, Lieutenant."

[aimedforthemoon]

A faint smile.

"Good to hear."

[almosthonorable]

"You lookin' forward to Solo's revolution?"

[aimedforthemoon]

"Yes, I am." For her own reasons.

"Are you?"

[almosthonorable]

"Think so."

For his own reasons.

(Namely, blowing shit up.)

[aimedforthemoon]

"I take it that you're not flying."

[almosthonorable]

"No, ma'am," he says, lips twitching. "Part of the ground crew, where I can do some good."

[aimedforthemoon]

"What's going on the ground?"

[almosthonorable]

"Settin' charges."

A flat-out grin.

"We're gonna blow the place to kingdom come."

[aimedforthemoon]

She grins back.

"Sounds fun."

[almosthonorable]

"Gonna be quite a time, Lieutenant."

He nods toward the simulator.

"Think you might be havin' the same amount of fun with this, though."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Oh, more," she says with a straight face. "Nothing is better than flying."

[almosthonorable]

"Now, Lieutenant, we've talked 'bout this. I think I know a thing or two that comes mighty close."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Close. Sometimes."

[almosthonorable]

"Only sometimes?"

A slight head-shake.

"'Fraid somebody ain't quite givin' you the attention you deserve, then."

[aimedforthemoon]

"That's second time some man say that. Maybe your pride just can't take that there are better things."

[almosthonorable]

"Ain't pride. Just a matter of skill."

[aimedforthemoon]

"So, that's what they call it."

[almosthonorable]

"Only one way to find out for sure."

Smirk.

[aimedforthemoon]

"Very well." She turns everything off and climbs out of the sim.

"Try and convince me."

[almosthonorable]

That earns a slow-spreading grin and a not-so-subtle once-over.

"Think we might need a little more privacy than this room provides, Lieutenant."

[aimedforthemoon]

"Not to mention, beds are comfortable."

Esfir would never be amused, no.

[almosthonorable]

"Certainly are."

He gestures toward the door, keeping his grin in check.

"After you, darlin'."