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The crew of the Tempest was made up of some of the galaxy's brightest, most talented, and capable people. The things that they experienced on a daily basis, the average person could not even dream of. However, this did not mean that they were above partaking in things as petty as gossiping. Sara told them her opinion once, during dinner, when they were talking about the relationship supposedly blossoming between Tann and the secretary who was always standing at the entrance of his office.
You guys remind me of the old women on Earth sometimes, with the way you gossip so enthusiastically.
This is what everyone at the station is talking about, Ryder.
So what, Suvi? Why should we care about what everyone is talking about?
Information is power, Ryder. And, of course, money.
True but that also depends on the information. As our dear copilot said, Vetra, this is apparently what everyone is talking about, which means it is no blackmail material. The most we could do with this info is annoying Tann, probably, and that is something we already do without even trying. So, this piece of 'information' is nothing but petty gossip. I really don't mind if you guys choose to partake in such things, I can see how it might be a source of entertainment. But I'd really rather if you didn't involve me somehow.
After that evening, the crew made sure not to talk about such things whenever they knew Ryder was in earshot. Sara herself was quite happy with this arrangement until she realized that she was starting to become the topic of their gossip. Sure, they never spoke of it when she was in the room, but that didn't mean she never heard them. Unfortunately, they significantly underestimated her hearing ability, and SAM actually decided she should hear what people were saying about her. By the time she thought to tell SAM that he should stop, explaining this was a violation of the crew's privacy, she had heard enough.
Jaal was also quite happy to join in the fun once mutual trust was gained, and since he actually joined after that one particular conversation, Jaal took it upon himself to bring Sara what he deemed was the newest and juiciest gossip from the Tempest, the Hyperion or even Aya. This was, however, not what was surprising. It was the fact that Sara made no comment unless he said something factually incorrect. Even then, she did nothing but gently correct him. With the others, she always stopped them and politely told them she had other business to attend to, whenever they tried to tell her something remotely gossip-like. And because of that, her relationship with Jaal has been their favorite topic as of late.
Did you know that, apparently, Addison fancies the angaran ambassador, Sara?
I highly doubt that is true, Jaal.
Why not? Our ambassador is quite fetching, don’t you think?
That’s not the problem. She is surely attractive, but as far as I know, Addison is not into women.
Ah. I see.
Sara had not realized this pattern before. It was simply the fact that she enjoyed hearing or watching Jaal talk. He was always so expressive with his face and gestures, probably because he couldn't get some things across to them with his bioelectric field like he could with the other Angara.
Sara realized she didn’t mind in the end. Her crew could speak about her love life all they wanted if it kept them happy and hopeful. She thought, however, that once she and Jaal openly established their romantic relationship, the gossiping would cease. She was wrong. The only change was their content. And Sara would be happy to keep ignoring them if she hadn’t heard a particular conversation.
She had just woken up in the early hours of the ship. Quite earlier than she was supposed to be awake, to be honest, but she didn’t really need a lot of sleep. She quietly made her way to the kitchen but stopped just shy of opening the door when she heard the voices coming from the other side. Or, more accurately, the things they were saying.
Don’t you think it’s kinda weird, though?
Why would it be weird, kid?
Are you really asking that, old man? They’re like black and white. Hot and cold. Prude and prostitute!
So? I saw a relationship between a krogan and a salarian work.
Yeah, but they were probably compatible with each other, which feels kinda weird to say about a pair like that, but you understand!
And you think Ryder and the angaran are not compatible?
No? Obviously not. I mean, Jaal’s like if rainbows and sunshine had a baby. And Ryder’s… Not.
Eloquent.
Seriously?! She’s the most emotionless person I’ve ever met. Resting bitch face is a thing, but it doesn’t apply when that’s your only expression.
How about you mind your own business, and they mind theirs?
I just never saw a relationship like theirs work in the long term, and a heartbroken crewmate is not the most ideal thing to have.
They’re fucking adults. They can handle it.
I suppose…
That got Sara thinking. Was her relationship really doomed from the start? She did not want that to happen. She could definitely live without it, but she would rather not. So, she decided to do the adult thing and talk to Jaal about this to see how he feels about it. His reaction came as a surprise to her.
Tell me who dared speak about my darling like that at once, and I will speak to them immediately!
There’s no need for that, Jaal. I know how other people perceive me, and I don’t mind.
But I mind! It is unacceptable to speak about anyone this way, let alone a superior! How insulting!
It’s… not an insult?
Oh. I apologize. Calling someone emotionless is quite insulting to angara.
But they call Evfra emotionless all the time. You called it to his face once.
That’s because we’re close, and it is the truth.
But it’s not true about me?
It is not true about you.
Hearing Jaal’s opinion on the matter eased her anxiety, quite effectively, even though she didn’t share his sentiments about her emotional intelligence. After a while, she even started to think it was actually romantic. Jaal would feel everything with enough intensity for both of them, he wasn’t afraid to fall apart in front of others. He cried for her losses and rejoiced for her victories, while she remained as the unbreakable wall that supported the weight of his feelings. She offered him comfort in the form of a shoulder to cry on or words of affirmation as needed. She made it known she would be at his back as a wall or in front of him as a shield. In her eyes, their match was as perfect as can be.
The next time they were on the Nexus, the crew decided to go karaoke. Sara knew exactly which song she was going to sing.
We're like night and day, white and black.
But what we have is a perfect match.
When I say this, you say that.
But love comes easy 'cause opposites attract.
I know we'll beat the odds together.
We'll keep our love intact,
And prove that opposites attract!
Jaal’s bright smile was worth the many wide-eyed stares that she got that night.