The odds of hitting your target go up when you aim at it.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

No matter how good you are at something, if you challenge yourself against enough people, you'll find someone who can best you. Even if you have all the talent in the galaxy, nobody is going to be successful one-hundred percent of the time. It's an unfortunate aspect of life that we fail.

You can label those thoughts as pessimism or realism if you like, but it doesn't change it's truth. And the good thing is that, in recognizing you can't be the best at everything all the time, you can come to realize that the whole rest of the human race is on that ship with you. What ends up making the difference is striving to be better and being well rounded in what you can do. There's no shortage of aspiration in Han. He's not the 'resting on his laurels' type.

Which brings us to the explanation of why he's been spending the last few nights in Nexus bars learning to play darts of all things. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy mentions being interested in bar games. Girl says darts seem like fun. Boy spends all his spare time over the next few days learning how to play darts, naturally.

It could have been fun to learn how to play together and, no doubt, that's the route a lot of people would take. Not Han, though. It's so deeply ingrained into him that he needs to prove his worth, that he couldn't very well go into this occasion without some practice. Even though it's just for fun. Just an excuse to get closer to somebody. He has to be the best that he can be in the few short days he has to learn the skill. Besides, he rationalizes to himself, it will be good if someone knows the rules to the games before they try to play.

Thock. Thock. Thock.

The sound of the metal tipped darts pelting the sisal fibre board is the same every time. In some ways, the game likens itself to other kinds of marksmanship. A lot of the work is done in adopting a good stance each time and being consistent.

The hours melt away faster that he realizes.

Unlike playing cards, which requires observation and thinking to play well, he can mostly zone out here. For him, it's kind of relaxing. He's not a champion dart player after two days and he's pretty sure Barton would handily outclass him in a game, but he's gotten pretty good. He tends to hit in the wedge that he's aiming for more often than he misses.

Although they never specifically agreed upon a time or even a specific place to reunite, he trusts the May Queen to find him. The morning was clear and no doubt a goddess has a lot to accomplish in a day, so he waits until the sky begins to turn dark before he heads to an establishment called 'The Pitch and Roll'.

It starts to rain just before he gets there, but it's one of those warm refreshing ones that you tend not to mind getting caught in too much. For now. It looks to him like it's going to really start pouring soon. A good evening to spend inside somewhere. He's glad he brought a good jacket; it's light brown in color and leather. If it's still raining when it's time to walk to the Falcon, he'll be glad to have it. The rest of what he's put on in terms of his clothing is the standard for him - black pants with a yellow decoration along the side seam and a white long sleave shirt.

He doesn't see Frea when he arrives and so, he'll walk up to the bar and order an ale for himself while he waits.

Comments

Han: 261, Frea: 301

[maydayqueen]

It's true that she's warm and mostly dry now, but she's so comfortable in his jacket and with what wearing it says about her. They're nice things and largely true. And their evening will likely go better when they're not interrupted. So, if he doesn't mind, she'll keep wearing it until it stops smelling like him to her and it starts smelling like her to him.

"Thank you." Hearing that he knows how she feels, at least a little, makes her smile grow. Her gaze meets his easily and she rests a hand on his arm. A comfortable, little way to make it clear he's with her as much as she's with him. There are answers in her eyes, but he has to ask the questions. Otherwise, how is she supposed to know which ones he's ready to hear?

Oh, but that would require talking, wouldn't it?

"Okay." Counting down exactly? They may end up waiting at the end to hit just the right thing. Ah, well, them's the rules. She steps back to wait by the table while he takes his turn, cheering softly when he hits his double, having a drink of lemonade before taking the darts and her turn.

"Thank you." She's tempted to give him a kiss every time he does something sweet like that, but they'd never finish the game if she did.

Her throws aren't so good. She can hit in or near the 20s, but she can't quite get that double the first round. When the last throw is done she shrugs; it doesn't bother her. "Ah, you see? You're much better at this."

She'll fetch the darts for him, twisting slightly before coming to a stop in front of him so her skirt flares out and brushes his leg. She never promised not to flirt.

Han: 202, Frea: 301

[twelve_not_fourteen]

It does require talking and far too often he is guilty of being a man who avoids his emotions and crime lords he owes money to. On the other hand, in the same way this bar is probably not the ideal place to get too lost in physical displays of affection, he doesn't believe that it's the best place to have a deeply personal discussion either.

He's banking on the fact that when the darts are over, they'll head off somewhere quiet together.

"I'm alright." He says casually. "I wouldn't put money on my skills yet." Leave it to Han to set the bar for success in such a way. He'd sooner put a stake in his accuracy with a blaster or in a sabacc tournament.

The turn and brushing of her skirt against his leg gets noticed, though. There is the game going on and the bar around them, but his attention is mainly on her. It's not as if he's tried to hide it. That distinctive grin of his spreads over his lips and Han finds himself settling his hand over her's and not the darts. For a moment. Touching, because he can.

After a moment or so, he'll take his darts and head back to the board. There's no need to aim for doubles anymore so he'll aim for the center of the board. He hits the single fifteen, the single nineteen and the single bullseye. And The Captain will mark his score and return the darts to the May Queen when he's finished.

Han: 202, Frea: 256

[maydayqueen]

True, there's a time and a place for things. So long as he makes the time to be in that place eventually, she won't bother him about it now. But she does hope they get to have that conversation someday.

"Is that when it's serious? When money's involved?" There's a hint of distaste in her voice. Money is so... well. Boring. Spending a lifetime chasing it sounds like a literal Hell to her. She doesn't entirely understand why or how it's become so important.

But there are better things to think about right now, like that grin and the touch of his hand. Knowing they can get away with these things, even in a place like this, has a special appeal. It's a moment worth savoring.

She returns the favor when he returns with the darts, letting her hand rest on his before taking the darts from him. He gets a smile before she turns her attention to the board. Her first throw is still off the mark, but the second hits the double twenty, and her third hits the five near the bullseye. It's unlikely she'll catch up at this point, but that's okay.

After she's marked down her score she brings back the darts with a question. "Have you decided how many you want when you win?"

Han: 139, Frea: 256

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Money is important to Han. It's unfortunate, perhaps, but it's true. He almost wants to be defensive about it too. To point out that most societies are driven by commerce and his is no different. Make an excuse that keeping a ship maintained, especially one as old as his, isn't free.

And yet, when she says those words, with tones of disdain in a voice that's otherwise been so sweet to him ... he just wants to crawl under a rock somewhere.

"I ..." He ends up ducking his head away to compose himself. "... sometimes."

However, the touching is good to follow up after that moment. He can touch her and know that her opinion hasn't been irreparably tarnished what's going on between them. It's not as if she ran off. She's even still smiling him. Still offering him touches in return.

"Hrm?" He says, so wraped up the preceeding thoughts he nearly missed her question. "Oh, you're so sure I'm gonna win, huh? I think in this case it might be fun to leave it up to the debtor to decide what's sufficently paid."

With that, Solo takes another turn and gets a score of 63 for the round. He makes tally of it and returns the darts to Frea when he's finished.

Han: 139, Frea: 190

[maydayqueen]

Money's important to most people, and for good reasons. But she's not most people and she doesn't understand. Nobody's explained it to her yet. She sees the horrible things some people do in the name of 'wealth' and 'the bottom line' and that, she disdains. Not Han. His reaction draws her up short. Her eyes widen in surprise and concern, and remorse when she realizes she's hurt his feelings.

"Hey... I'm sorry." His dislike of talking about feelings makes her wonder if he'll tell her what's wrong, but she needs to apologize anyway. If they get to talk about it later, even better; she'd rather know what she's apologizing for.

"Yeah, pretty sure." Frea glances at their scores before continuing. "That's generous. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into..."

He gets another smile when he brings back the darts, and this time she takes more than a moment to enjoy being close to him before taking her turn in the game. This round, she scores a 66, but she has a lot of catching up to do still. Well, she would if she were worried about winning. Being in charge of the debt sounds too appealing to worry about that.

Han: 66, Frea: 190

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He doesn't even realize that she might need to know more. Not at first. Not until he looks into those blue eyes and sees her seeking something. And she definitely seems concerned at his reaction. It's been a while, he thinks, since anyone cared that much about what he was feeling in a given moment.

"It's fine." He says. "Money. You're right about it, in a way. Wrong about it too. I trusted the wrong people and I have a lot of debt to pay off now. Plus, I grew up a have not, you know ... it effects the way you think of it."

That probably only helps her understand so much, but at least he's given her a glimpse. That's worth something and by now, she probably knows that it's not easy for him to self-disclose. "Sometimes you wonder if you're running after it too hard, but there ain't nobody handing things out to me. I have to get it how I can or I'm ..."

He doesn't finish the thought.

Still, if there's any retreating by Solo, it's into those gazes and the moments of being close together. It might be complete stupidity, but he trusts her to be fair and kind to him.

When it's his turn, he scores a 73 for the round. He takes note of his score on the board and brings Frea the darts.

Han: 66, Frea: 167

[maydayqueen]

It does make her green eyes blue when she makes people sad. People she likes, that is. Han is undoubtedly in that category. She listens to his explanation intently, though without fully understanding. But that's not so odd since he stopped so abruptly.

Still, it's enough to give her ideas. She always wants to be fair and kind to him. Kind more than fair, right at the moment. A kiss when she realizes he's not going to finish that thought is a good start to the kindness, and there will be other things later.

"I'm sorry I don't understand these things." For the first time in... well, possibly ever, she truly regrets not understanding this part of mortal life. It's not a pleasant feeling, having to choose between her morals and her affection for him. But it's also not his problem.

There are many things for her to think about, later. In the future, when she can focus on them.

"I don't want to hurt you by not understanding." She can admit this much without having to think about it more. "My life is... not like other people's. I know it makes things difficult sometimes. Please be patient with me?"

Patience is a big favor to ask, she knows. She doesn't press for an answer, letting him take his turn with the darts and not saying anything until he's ready to talk again. But her low score is a good sign of how distracted she is now.

Han: 66, Frea: 167

[twelve_not_fourteen]

[[Aww, sorries for mucking that up. I thought for sure her eyes were blue for some reason.]]

No, he doesn't really want to say any more on the subject of money. It's perceived importance made her balk on its own. If he kept talking he'd likely get to a point where he'd need to explain what he does with that spaceship of his and he's got the suspicion that revealing that he often ran drugs for a crime lord won't sit well with her either.

If he doesn't chase credits as hard as he can, some bounty hunter is going to drag his ass back to Jabba where he will be very lucky if he gets off with just torture.

He can't see himself enjoying that conversation.

Han takes another slug from his beer and watches Frea's round go badly. He's gotta wonder if playing darts, nice a distraction as it might be, is what the should be doing right now.

"Do you want to get out of here, sweetheart?"

Han: 66, Frea: 167

[maydayqueen]

((No worries. I forget half the time too.))

Understanding might mean she doesn't balk anymore. And the bounty hunters might be surprised if they tried to bother him while she's around. But it's a safe bet she wouldn't like that he does things that hurt people, no. Probably for the best he make sure she never find out about that.

The question is met with a surprised blink before Frea sets the darts down on the table and wraps her arms around him. "No, I'm sorry, I'm having fun. This is a fun game." The smile she turns up to him is far too sincere for her to be trying to put one over on him. "I mean. Not that I'm not looking forward to where we're going next, but. We don't have to rush."

Han: 66, Frea: 167

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Getting in with the Hutts was among the worst ideas he had. That much was pretty obvious now, a little less so at the time. If he could go back and do it all again, he would have made a few different choices.

"No reason to be sorry, Frea." He doesn't bother to hide the back that he's pleased to see that she still wants to throw her arms around him and smile. If she had felt more like abandoning the game in favor of, you know, talking about some of this stuff ...

He settles his hands on her hips. Following that up, Han goes in for a kiss. That's gotta be one of the top ways to reassure someone that everything's alright, right?

"Just didn't want you to feel like we had to stay if you didn't want to."

Han: 66, Frea: 167

[maydayqueen]

Hindsight is often a cruel tease in that regard. Making us all see what we could have done better, if only...

His relief fuels her own. It'd be so sad if a misunderstanding had been so irreconcilable that he didn't enjoy her affections anymore. As much as she does want to talk about it, a return to normalcy between them is welcome as well. And perhaps it's good for both of them to have a little time to sort out their thoughts on the matter first. She suspects some of her questions will be better saved to ask someone else, to avoid leaning too hard on anyone.

His hands and his lips are welcome visitors. Frea lifts herself up on her toes to meet the kiss with a pleased sigh. It's an extremely effective way to reassure her all is well.

"Mm. That's nice, thank you. So's the offer. But let's finish the game at least before we go?"

Han: 1, Frea: 167

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"It is a good thing to finish what you start."

And yet, he's the kind of man who lets things go unresolved. One of those things he does, perhaps, knowing that it's not really the way he should be behaving. Hardly the only thing that he does anyway, knowing he's better off not.

One more kiss for her cheek before he reaches for those darts. He gets his toe to the line and makes a few well placed throws at the board. A single five, a single ten and the double bullseye. This brings Han down to a score of one, which he'll mark on the board before bringing the darts back to the May Queen.

Han: 1, Frea: 122

[maydayqueen]

"So they say." His tendency to do the opposite hasn't really been noticed by her. Not yet, anyway. Nobody's perfect all the time, and it's likely something she'll forgive him for--so long as he can forgive her for making sure he finishes the important (to them) things.

Her smile only grows when he does sweet things like kiss her cheek. Does he realize how much she likes that? Because it's safe to say it's quite a lot. It could be said she's glowing afterward, if she didn't already do that most of the time.

His score gets a low whistle of appreciation. "Seems like someone's in a hurry to go."

Her own turn isn't so impressive. Two 20s and five. She was trying for the triple ring. If there was going to be a next time, she'd hope to hit it then. As it stands, she marks her new score and brings him the darts.

Han: 1, Frea: 122

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He has been known to be sweet on occasion. Mostly when there aren't a whole lot of people to observe him. Like plenty of people who play the cynic, underneath is all, Han is a person who does actually care. In fact, he's even got a bit of a romantic side to him, too. Only some people get certain looks at him, though, and her affection makes him inclined to allow her a different view than most everyone else gets.

"Mmm. What I did was make it challenging to win." He says, shooting a bemused look over to her. "Unless I hit a single one with the first dart, I'm gonna bust every time."

He doesn't seem to be all that perturbed by the fact. Especially as this different kind of smile seems to spread over her lips. She always looks radiant to him, but it feels like there's a little something extra in this one. He lingers in the moment of being handed the darts just to appreciate it.

"Nice jacket." He murmurs to her.

When he takes his next turn, he predictably busts, hitting the 18 instead of the 1 wedge. With no need to change the score, he brings the darts back to Frea.

Re: Han: 1, Frea: 62

[maydayqueen]

Cynics are romantics who've been hurt. Frea's a lucky woman to coax a little romance out of him despite the self-defenses he's erected. She'd love to be allowed a little more, but that takes time. Everything takes so much time...

"It has to be the first time? Oh." That's trickier, yeah. She glances at the board, then at their scores, and wonders how long she'll be stuck on something. Or would be if he didn't win first. Something to find out another time, perhaps, when there aren't more interesting things on offer. It's a thought that occupies her long enough for her to mostly miss his turn, but she's attentive when he approaches again.

"It is," she agrees with a cheeky grin. "You've got good taste."

This time, she can consistently hit the 20s. The gap is closing! She brings back the darts but only offers him one, at first, with a mischievous look like she's daring him to ask for the rest.

Han: 1, Frea: 62

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"Yeah, as soon as you go over, that's the end of your turn."

And since he's stuck at the score of 1, he isn't likely gonna need multiple darts. Unless he ends up hitting outside the scoring zone or missing the board entirely. Which is possible. Just ... not very likely.

Still, he wants to see where she's going with this ...

Drawing himself up to his full height, he looks down at her. It's something of a challenge not to smile at her when she's being mischievous like this, but he manages. "I might need the rest of those." He points out. "Are you gonna give them up, darling?"

Han: 1, Frea: 62

[maydayqueen]

His posturing and playing along makes her respond in kind, shifting her weight slightly so the clothes she's wearing drape and hang in more appealing ways. It's subtle but direct: he may be the big strong one, but he's very... distractable.

"Prove you need them and I will," she answers in a soft purr. It's a direct invitation to show off for her, and a challenge. She doubts he'll be able to resist. If it pricks his ego a bit, she'll kiss it better later; no doubt he'll have plenty of chances to tease her in kind.

Han: 0, Frea: 62

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Frea is the May Queen; Goddess of Spring, which, very likely is a title that comes with a tremendous amount of power. Power that he has only seen the briefest glimpses of. Power that he might not even understand when he finally gets around to talking to her about it.

She has come into some power lately that she's never had before, however. She has a terrible and wonderful power over a certain Corellian in the Nexus. Funny the way just a slight shift of her feet seems to suddenly highlight all those curves that were obviously present before, but ... not so overt. It's an obvious baiting of him, but damn if he doesn't run right for it anyway.

He doesn't bother to hide the way he's looking at her. Or the interest.

"Sure." He says after a long moment, slowly nodding his head. "I'll come back for them if I need them."

Han takes his one dart to the line and adopts his throwing posture. What makes this suddenly a much harder throw is that he's now got all this pressure that he didn't have before. Now he has the opportunity to look impressive to ... probably the most special person in all the nexus. He takes the time he needs to clear his head and then, he lifts his arm and makes his throw at the board.

He hits in one one wedge, smack in the middle of the single score zone near the bullseye. He exhales a big sigh of relief and then, with his back still to her, he makes a little bit of a fist pump with his left hand.

"Guess I don't need them." He says, as he turns back to her. He doesn't see the need to change the score on the chalkboard, but he'll fix it if they end up deciding to play another game. "Turns out you were right."

Aww that's cute. :D

[maydayqueen]

There's a fair bit of power involved in being who and what she is, that's true. Knowing when and how to wield it is most of the reason she got this job. Even she's surprised by how much power she wields over him. Somehow, she'd thought the combination of his familiarity with the view and his familiarity with these kinds of views in general would inoculate him.

Not that she's displeased by that look he's giving her. The color spreading over her cheeks is half blush and half anticipation.

Some people thrive under pressure. Han has seemed to be one of them, and this only confirms it for her. The easy-looking victory, winning not only the game but also the challenge, makes her laugh excitedly. He doesn't have a chance to turn all the way back to face her because she's already launched herself toward him to give him a hug. (Don't worry, she left the other darts on the table.) "That was amazing! I knew you just needed the proper motivation."

He can be kinda cute sometimes.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

if there's an antidote for his attraction to Frea, he does not want to take it.

Since this is only one of a handful of times they've seen each other, it's been a while since he's been able to really take in the view of her. They've had regular meetings, but it's not as if they're attached at the hip.

"Taking on the task of motivating me, huh?" He says, catching the missle of spring affection into his chest. She seems so perfectly happy to celebrate on his behalf. The fact that it could be seen as a victory at her expense, doesn't bother her at all. Because she's a good person and ... different then most of the people he knows.

"I'll tell you right now, that's quite a job."

[maydayqueen]

This is the only anti-vax policy anyone should try to defend.

She'll make sure he gets a good chance to appreciate the view later. He's certainly earned it, and she rather likes having him look at her. Being looked at, admiringly or otherwise, isn't usually something she cares about or thinks about much. With him, it's different.

"Mm-hmm. I think I'm up for it." She wraps her arms around his shoulders and lifts herself up to give him a kiss. The first of many victory kisses, longer and sweeter than the public displays they've been making tonight.

If he's of any mind to think, while enjoying that kiss, or maybe later when he thinks back on this, he might wonder if she really lost anything. Sure, she lost the game of darts, but it sure seems like she's ended up exactly where she wants to be. That too is a kind of victory.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"I'm glad for that."

For the first time this evening, he doesn't bother to censor himself for the sake of civility. Han just enjoys the kiss that he's 'earned' in winning their game of darts and appreciates the comfort in being in her favor. The kiss goes for as long as it goes ...

"So what you think?" He murmurs, his calloused thumb drags lightly over her cheek. "Another game or should we go somewhere else for a while?"

[maydayqueen]

Civility be damned. It's unlikely anyone in the room hasn't seen kissing before. So long as their hands remain (mostly) in polite places, the only reason Frea can think of that people would complain is jealousy. And she just can't be bothered with that right now. Not when there's such a kiss to enjoy.

"Mmm." Her head turns slightly so she can lean into the touch. "I don't think either of us has the patience for another game right now. Not darts, anyway."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He's not being too handsy. Just a sort of ... assertive. The kind of affection that tells everyone in the bar as well as the recipient that 'this one is mine.' Is it a bit on the possessive side? Maybe. Would a more secure individual not need to assert himself to everyone? Possibly.

It's kind of nice to possessed once in a while, though. He's hoping Frea, at least, won't be bothered by it.

"If it's still raining, maybe my place?" It's a suggestion or, perhaps, an offer. He might be wrong, but he suspects that she might still sleep outside even in the rain. Which, if he had to, he could make the best of (and there'd be a certain novelty in huddling together for a while, till they were both cold), but he'd prefer to be inside.

He could huddle against her inside the ship, too, after all.

Regardless of her response, he's gonna take the last swig of that beer and reach for her hand. Wherever the next place happens to be, he wants to be heading for it.

[maydayqueen]

Not too handsy works for her. So does assertiveness. Truth be told, she kinda likes it. There's an ironic sense of freedom in giving up control. Letting him make the decisions without having to stop and consult her because they both know that's what she prefers might be a relief for them both. She's certainly game for giving it a try.

"That'd be nice." There's no hesitation. Her curiosity about his starship has been growing, and it'll be dry and hopefully warmer there. The rain never bothered her, but the cold sure does. Huddling together wherever they go is assuredly part of the plan, but there's no need to be uncomfortable while they do.

Her hand finds its way into his easily and she laces their fingers together with a smile. Wherever he's taking her, she'll follow. "You want your jacket back? I'm pretty waterproof."