Angelina get yourself over here

Literally rubbing her hands together in eager anticipation, Adira practically skipped off the ship onto the planet. "Mmmkay. Where are the gladiators? I want to learn their fighting style and the best way to completely obliterate their as- I mean defeat 'em!"
Maverick sidled up to P.J and Adira. Before either shoved him off the edge of the planet, he held his hands up in a peace offering. "I know this is going to sound incredibly foreign to you guys but I just don't want to die. You too seem like the most capable here since he," a gesture toward a still whooping Sherry, "isn't really…"
Adira coolly made a circle around Maverick, analyzing him to the point where he felt invisible. Out of the blue, she shoved his knees until they buckled under him, twisted his arm, and gave his face a nice, heartfelt punch. "Payback." That wasn't the only vengeance she was getting today. Innocently strolling behind P.J, an effective trip. good timing, and fast reflexes got her gun back in her hands. "Toldja to watch your back."

Desi opened her dark-chocolate eyes to meet Quill's.

P.J growled in the back of her throat a little, but didn't make a move to retaliate, instead, she switched into shadow form, her shadow walking itself along the plain to the city. "I would suggest you hide yourself. Gladiators don't take kindly to foreign visitors."

Sherry closed the airlock behind them, running up to P.J's shadow and punching it affectionately. "P.J, dear, you know I don't hide myself. I'll be fine, especially with all the powers you all have, and guns -" He looked back at Adira- "Besides, I have some powers of my own."

Quill smiled gently at Desi, taking his hands from her shoulders. "Good to see you've woken up," He noted softly, leaning away from her again. "They all decided to leave real quick for a rest stop or something, but I thought I would stay."

"Eh… I'll manage." Adira swaggered away, confident now that she had her gun. "How long do you think we'll be staying here?"
Maverick skirted to stand beside Sherry and furthest away from the girls. He nodded along, not daring to say a word after what had played out earlier.

"Wow. You look really good from this angle," Desi blurted out, unable to stop herself. She wasn't one to normally hide her emotions, so why would she ever need to worry about saying the thoughts floating pass her mind? Her cheeks stained red as she realized what she'd said.
Propping herself up she once again was in awe of the 'beauty' this craft possessed. And it was all to themselves, now, wasn't it? The pilot's seat was maybe a meter away and there were so many colorful buttons. Some were innocent-looking enough but the one's that caught her attention were the bright red ones with words in a bold, capitalized font.

P.J shrugged. "Sherry wants to snap some pictures for their alblum, and then we can leave." She kept walking - er, her shadow walked - across the plain towards the city, Sherry holding up a camera as they followed her.

Quill blushed a little bit and scratched the back of his neck, glancing away and then back as Desi. "It's nothing." He noticed her glance to the self-destruct button hidden in the top right corner. "That's self-destruct, you know. Probably shouldn't press that one."

istg if she presses it imma

"Oh, alright," she was slightly disappointed.
Maverick caught her look and claimed, "We could probably cause a big enough commotion to draw a few gladiators to us…" he speculated.
At Adira's hopeful glance, Maverick grinned. "That's the only good idea you've every had."
"Hmm… what would cause a big commotion. Something bigger than"
"your ego? Sherry, could your ship, say, self-implode?"

Desi's finger hovered over the button. "It'd be terrible to ruin this beautiful work of art. But then we could piece it back together!" A light emerged from behind her eyes. "Then it'd be even better! It'd be hard but when we finish- imagine how satisfying that would be! I'd love remaking a ship. That's SUCH A GOOD IDEA!" she finished it all in one breath, panting but smiling by the end. Her palm began descending on the button.
XD

P.J melted back into human form out of surprise, and Sherry turned around with an astonished look on their face. "Are you kidding? Absolutely not. You've already tried to ruin The Late Arrival at least once, you're not doing it again," They commanded, grabbing P.J and turning back around towards the city. "Quill is in there, anyway. Nothing will happen to it."

Quill pulled her away from the button, sitting her back down on the couch. "It's really…not. Stay away from that button, okay, Desi? Like, literally any other button would be okay."

"Quill. He seems like the softie of the group," Adira observed, glancing between Sherry and P.J. A smirk played on her lips as she imagined Desi waking up and pressing the self-destruct button. Oh, that would make such a good story to have to explain.
"I don't like that expression," Maverick managed to get out.

His hands were on her and the warmth seemed to burn Desi. She stared up at him, wanting to argue but immediately got lost in his eyes. A small voice inside her admitted that he was probably right; but she didn't want to be logical right now!
Another small voice drew her attention to the fact that his looked really, really good in those-
A strand of hair fell into her vision as she shook herself. "Any… other button..? Any?"

"He kind of is," P.J's voice flew back towards them. "Although he made the Latey what it is today, and he can build the best machine's you've ever seen." She decided. Sherry nodded in agreement and shapped a photo as they neared the giant colesseum.

"Yeah. Mhm. You know what, yeah." Quill tilted his head at her and nodded. "I don't really think Sherry cares what you do as long as you don't mess up his ship. Yeah, press whatever." He sucked in a breath, for one knowing there was great flaw in what he'd just said and because Desi managed to look really pretty with her hair hanging over her face like that.

"Fascinating, great, how are we going to get those gladiators?"
"The fact that we're not allowed to blow up a spaceship really limits our possibilities," Maverick mused. "Do you think acting like idiots would draw them closer of repel them? Or maybe we could just trash their planet…"
Whistling, Adira advised to put that idea on the very, very bottom of their meager list.

Her eyes trailed over all the possibilities. They could literally tumble in circles over the universe, even… even go hyperspeed again, an option to transform the spacecraft into a boat, automobile, and even a missile - holy gods this spaceship had cannons on board.
"You made most of this, right?" Desi gazed at all the options in wonder. She chewed her lip as a battle occurred - currently debating between changing the floor to a pool, or opening a file saved on her Sherry's computer titled Selfies of Yours Truly.

"Well…" P.J considered. "We could just, you know, throw you in the ring. That would certainly attract their attention." Sherry let out a laugh beside her as they strolled through the archway, a din of cheering suddenly surrounding them.

"Yeah, I did." Quill admitted, scratching the back of his neck again. "I can control most of it, too, so even if you do take this thing back to Fareafica, explode a multiverse, or make it compatible for water, I can probably turn it back." He reassured her, following Desi around as she studied all the controls.

"Holy shit."
"Fuck yes."

Desi studied Quill for a moment, eyes full of praise. "Thank you thank you thank you!" she flounced around before happily turning the ship into a pool. The ground rolled back - a smooth, controlled mechanism she noticed - chairs folded themselves, the important buttons had a sheen of plastic to protect it from water. Floats were released as Desi dunked in.

P.J stopped, melting into view as she turned back to Maverick. "Would you do it? For real?"
Meanwhile, Sherry was snapping pictures all around the arena, walking through the rows to some open seats. "Here, fellas! Over here!" They called, waving to the other three.

"It's no problem," Quill admitted, sitting on the edge of the pool, watching Desi with a small smile. It had been a while since he'd ever had a chance to really admire his own handiwork on the ship - it was very fine, he thought.

Adira shoved nudged Maverick with an elbow toward the arena. His face a healthy shade of ghost, he numbly took a few steps forward before running to Sherry in defense.
"Coward." Adira cursed him. "What to do, what to do," her sing-song voice held hints of loathing and hatred.

"Oh. Come. On." Desi coaxed Quill. "Just get in!" She splashed the water a bit, flicking some on him in annoyance. Her arms were propped at his feet as she stared up at him. "Party pooper."
On a whim, Desiree stood up - dripping water all over the spaceship floor - pulled Quill along, and shoved him in; her falling right beside him. "That's more like it," she gasped when they resurfaced, a soft smile replacing her previous pout.

P.J looked down at all of them rather disapprovingly, then standing up and heading to the top of the arena, where the commanding box was silently. She was going to get Maverick in that pit, alright.
Meanwhile, Sherry looked over at Maverick. "You could probably charm your way out," He pointed out, snapping a picture of the gladiators below.

"Alright, fine," Quill admitted, laughing and shaking his hair. "You win. They didn't name me after a bird for nothing."

Adira watched P.J approvingly. Yes, it was sometimes useful to get on somewhat good terms with another being just as fiery as yourself. Sometimes. She glanced down at the gun in her hands with pride and irony.
Maverick's eyes widened as P.J made a beeline for him. Shit shit shit. As she approached closer, Maverick used his one and only talent: "Wow, you really had your sights set on me, huh? You went through this entire audience to come sit next - or on - me?" You'd think he would learn He faked a gasp, pretending to be honored, before his gasp quickly turned to a desperate apology. P.J snarled, and he knew he was done for.

Desi had planned to dramatically eye-roll at the cringey pun, but Quill with wet, floppy hair sent her insides turning to mush before she even realized what was happening. The water only served to plaster his shirt to his… quite fit… she gulped, turning away. Bashfully looking away, she immediately regretted choosing to turn this into a swimming pool of all places. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"C'mere, you Carulean scum," She growling, reaching for his shoulder and teleporting both of them down to the ring. She let go of his shoulder with a little finger wave before teleporting herself back up to where the rest were sitting.
"Nice one, P.J," Sherry mumbled, the click-click of his camera insistent as he focused it on Maverick.

"You good?" Quill tilted his head with a lopsided grin. "Or has the hyperspeed got to you finally?"

Adira was halfway to the chairs Sherry had saved before seeing Maverick's helpless, pitiful form in the ring. She started back toward him and watched as his face morphed to gratitude. Rolling her eyes, she walked up, flipped him off, then turned away. It wasn't necessary to feel guilty after every single flirty remark, and she laughed evilly when she reached P.J.

Oh my god that grin should be sinful, Desiree remarked to herself. "I-I'm fine." Stuttering. "J-just a… erm, a bit cold." She couldn't tell who she was trying to convince, and a glance at the water helpfully informed her that she had officially morphed into a tomato. Oh gods, I wish I could just drown.

P.J elbowed her affectionately, nodding her head towards Maverick. "Teleportation, comes in handy sometimes, dont'cha think?"
Sherry had put down their camera and was resting their chin in their hands, grinning out towards the arena. "Yes, P.J, yes it is."

"Cold? Well, hang on." Quill swam over a little bit and pressed a couple buttons and the water started to heat up. "Is that better?" He asked, swimming back towards her.

Adira shrugged, but a real smile had super glued itself onto her face as she examined Maverick fidgeting. Some could say that if you gave kindness you would receive it… bullshit. Revenge was much sweeter. When the announcer came on to declare the first match, and both contestants had nearly ripped out the others' throat… ahh. Revenge was much, much sweeter.

No, no it was not better. Was Quill absolutely blind? "Y-yes, thank you," she breathed. Desi didn't dare to meet his eyes. She didn't dare acknowledge the butterflies that decided to warp her stomach when Quill came back closer than before, nor how her heart had fluttered when he considered to turn up the temperature. Mortified with herself, she quickly dove underwater to hide.

P.J giggled a little, looking over to Sherry, who had to begun to video the whole thing. "This should be fun."

"Waaaait a minute." Quill looked down at Desi, going underwater after her and pulling her back up so that he could speak and she would hear him. "Do you like me? Is that what this is?"

HOLD THE FRIG UP EVEN AS SOMEONE WHO'S NOT DESI I AM FLUSTERED AF SLOW DOWN YOUNG MAN WHY ARE YOU CONFRONTING MY CINNAMON ROLL LIKE THIS LSDKJFAW;OGN

Indeed, Adira thought to P.J. See, it was now Round #7, and Maverick Pave, the randomly thrown in contestant was now up. He shot a confident wink to the camera and to Sherry but faced his gladiator with fear. A wobbly, not-Maverick voice could be heard calling out, "Wow, your armor looks rather… erm, dashing, prince." Evidently the opponent appeared confused and startled for a few seconds.
The commentator could be heard roaring over the crowd: "Our random contestant attacks straight off the bat- an offensive move used to distract his rival! Does Flirting TM work? Only time will tell." owen
Adira applauded whatever genius was chosen to do the lines, P.J was dying, and Sherry was just trying to keep the camera straight.

Desi burned. Her mouth struggled much like that of a fish, opening and closing with no sound. She tried to escape his hands but his firm grip refused to let go. I've never liked someone before, and somehow I've already messed up.

Yes, P.J was dying. She was resting her elbows on her knees, her head hung between them, cackling like a witch, glancing up from time to time. "Oh my god…oh my god…" Meanwhile, Sherry was laughing in loud borks, shaking the camera in his laughter.

"I may be a little soft, yeah, but I'm not stupid." A smile tugged at the corner of Quill's mouth and he raised an eyebrow. "You do, don't you?"

Maverick froze - partially in shock at the commentator, partially reeling from the laughter bouncing from his friends. Bad move, to freeze. But the commentator was right, he did have to take advantage of this. Closing his eyes, he mentally prepared for knocking his ego down several latches-
"It appears Flirting TM does have a set back. While stuns your opponent for 20 seconds, you are reduced to a blundering, idiotic de- I MEAN STUNNED FOR 15!" he corrected. Oh Maverick was angered.
But anger doesn't make anyone able to suddenly professionally fight, and so therefore the flimsy kick that Maverick made hit the gladiator in his armor. He didn't even budge an inch. Maverick swore.
"Also, the set back includes having very weak attacks for the remaining 5 seconds. Your choice; is it beneficial or not?"

Desi would've buried her face into his neck, if only so she didn't have to look at him. Oh he knows, and he's teasing you about it. "I…" she shook her head in humiliation. "Yes," she whimpered, so quietly he barely heard, if he did. Idiot. Once again, she tried to escape his grip but he was holding too tight, and… and… Desi was about to go hide herself under a boulder for the rest of enternity.

P.J turned to Adira. "As funny as this is, we should probably get him out of her before he dies. In the meantime, though, I was thinking." Raising her hands just the tiniest bit, she cast a small helio sheild and waved another hand to make it at least somewhat invisible.
"Nice one, P.J," Sherry mumbled to themselves, clicking a couple more pictures. "Don't want to lose a new crew member that easily."

"Hey, that's not…" Quill looked for the rights words in that giant brain of his. "Not a bad thing. Look up at me." He coaxed, speaking softly and gently. He wasn't going to lie to himself, Desi was pretty - and amusing, interesting, and a lot of other things he didn't have words for.

Adira sighed. "Fine, fine. You were thinking?"
Maverick was, predictably, not doing so hot. Every 'attack' he made barely reduced the gladiators advances and his 'defenses' could be dumbed down to flirting.

After a long moment of wearily looking anywhere besides him, she finally forced her eyes to meet his. She gasped at the sincerity she found there and she found she really, really liked him. He cared, actually cared, and never once had he ever shown annoyance or treated her like a burden.
Despite everything, I can't let him get close, the mantra repeated over and over in her mind as her eyes trailed over his face. I can't let him get close. She thought, staring at his lips. I can't… otherwise he'll leave me, like she did.

“I gave him a sheild. Can’t see it well, but it’s there.” P.J admitted, while Sherry nodded. “It’ll give the warrior a bit of a kickback and surprise so we can get him out of there.”

“It’s okay, you know. Not a…not a bad thing,” Quill said, shrugging a little, but not losing any of the sincerity in his eyes or voice. “If it’s any comfort, I, uh…” He looked away for a moment and then back at her. “I kinda like you too.”

A gleam entered Adira's eyes. "Alright! How are we doing this?" She looked at Maverick, who's whimpering self was pressed against the wall of the arena. The gladiator against him had entered a 'let's kill' mode though P.J's shield was holding up.

Oh. She echoed her thoughts out loud. Helpful Desi. She berated herself. Really contributive to the conversation. "What does this make…" she gestured between them, no longer struggling. "Us?"

“Um…you’re gonna wait here for a minute. Then we’re gonna get back.” P.J instructed, slipping invisible and running over the wall of the arena close to Maverick. “Don’t move,” She whispered into his ear.

“Depends. What do you want it to be?” Quill shrugged and looked down at her - he had noticed her looking at his lips earlier, but he didn’t want to push her.

"Excuse me?" Adira was offended as she watched P.J whiz off.
'Don't move'? Maverick was frozen already. Thankfully his friends would rather not have him die in a gladiator arena. That was reassuring to know. They had waited so long to save him though, he already had bruises forming all over and his lip was bleeding, too.

I don't know I don't know! Desi internally screamed. Was she suppose to place faith this person, place her love in his hands, be willing to give him a gun aimed at her heart and trust him not to shoot? Her past had shattered her heart into so many pieces, she didn't know which one to follow.

P.J grabbed his shoulder and teleported back up to the stands, while Sherry clicked some pictures of the very confused gladiator below.

“Hm.” Quill tilted his head and let her go gently. “I can give you some time,”