Had one of the servants been around, Navi was sure they'd try to do it for her. And that would have been just as annoying. They wanted to do everything. Well, perhaps not wanted, but they certainly insisted on doing everything and it irked her. She was used to doing things for herself. She liked doing things for herself. Though right now, she was tempted to use the Force to fix her hair.
Exasperated, she gave up and just piled the hair into a mass and wrapped the tie around it. She considered it for a moment, and realized it looked fine. Checking the chronometer she found that not too much time had been wasted, it just felt long. Not that there was anything to be gained by being early. It was drinking night. People always wandered in late, started drinking, and the really fun conversations didn't start until everyone's inhibitions and common sense were galaxies away.
She had started going to the bar with Karlo some months ago. Navi was spending so much time taking care of Kalita that she was starting to feel a little stir-crazy, craving social interaction with other adults. Everyone she knew had moved on and were living their own lives, Navi figured it was about time she made new friends. It was also a good way to get closer to Karlo. Granted, they shared the same suite. But ever since he had proposed to her, things had been weird. Kalita's birth brought them closer together as parents, but Navi wanted more than that.
Karlo had some sort of late meeting, and Navi hadn't seen him since breakfast. She didn't know what type of meeting, that whole portion of his life was just a large mysterious blur to her. Navi felt a bit annoyed at not knowing what was going on, especially since it could potentially affect her. And it took up so much of his time. Karlo has also developed a habit of taking Kalita to most of these meetings, and Navi suspected that he paid little attention to what anyone said. She had seen him do it at a number of briefings and Jedi gatherings. He hadn't done it today, though, as attested by the quiet presence of Kalita in the other room. She slept soundly in her crib next to their bed, watched over by the one remaining servant, a middle-aged blonde woman named Lila. Lessat also lurked about somewhere, probably holed up in her quarters reading more ancient texts. But the girl was highly attuned, and would be by the crib in a second should anything go amiss. Navi felt comforted.
Navi put on a jacket, even though she would never really be outside. It just felt right. She checked herself briefly in the mirror once more, then walked back into her room. Kalita stirred a bit, possibly because she sensed her mother there. Navi smiled. "You have my comm, should anything go wrong." Lila nodded, then continued to scan the datapad she had been reading. Navi felt the weight of the comlink inside her jacket pocket. But she didn't need it. If something went amiss, she would just know. Navi bent down and kissed her daughter on the cheek, a warm smile lingering on her lips as she walked out of the suite.
The Kaminoans weren't much for partying, but the Hapans more than made up for it. An entire subculture was just transplanted into a sector of the city, bars and clubs opening within days of the move. Several levels were given over to pure hedonism, tucked away where they wouldn't bother anyone respectable who didn't want to be bothered. Not that there were many of those. Navi saw them all the time, but out of respect never acknowledged their presence. It was the way things worked.
She started walking down the corridors, of which there were many. Navi knew faster ways to get to this particular bar, but prefered the scenic route. The faster route was better for the return trip, when either Navi or Karlo was stumbling drunk. Usually Navi, since she didn't have the long history of boozing that the Hapan Prince had.
Navi slipped into the nearest lift and began the descent. Joining her in the car were two technicians she vaguely recognized. Perhaps she had seen them working with Dral at some point. She leaned back against the wall and tried to tune them out. They were talking tech, and the jargon was zipping over her head at light speed. Then it suddenly got quiet, and Navi realized she was alone in the car. The techs were several meters from the lift already, and Navi squeezed through the doors just before they shut.
She walked down a broad corridor, lined with what appeared to be shops and stalls. A few were closing up for the evening, but the restaurants and bars were just hitting full swing. She turned down a side corridor toward a small flickering image of an exploding Death Star. The sign always made her smile.
She walked up to the door and it opened automatically, allowing her to step into the shadowy inside. Everything had a warm orange glow, obscuring the details of the furniture and moving figures found inside. The bartender, a tall woman named Shorra Neal, glanced over at Navi, nodded her head once and promptly went back to serving customers. The Empress' Folly was a pilot's bar, and all other professions were strongly discouraged from trying to drink there. Navi was left alone simply through her connection to Karlo, who frequented the small watering hole on a regular basis. But Navi didn't even have to look to know he wasn't there yet. She couldn't sense his presence anywhere nearby. Resisting the temptation to look further, she surmised the meeting had run later than usual. Navi cast about for a place to sit and wait. She found herself a spot on the bench against the wall. She settled herself at a table and took off her jacket.
A drink appeared on the table before Navi could even signal for anything. Navi picked it up and brought it up to eye level. The lighting in the room made it hard to tell, but she thought it was two layers of yellow and orange, slowly dissolving into each other. She couldn't remember the name, but it did look familiar. Navi took an exploratory sip. Yes, it was quite familiar. She gulped it down, enjoying the coolness on her tongue and then the odd warmth traveling down her esophagus. It felt good. A little too good, she reminded herself.
She put down the glass and pulled a small chronometer out of her pocket. It was getting late. She walked, even took the long way around, and it still hadn't eliminated this awkward wait. She put the timepiece back in her pocket, looking up to discover that her drink had been refilled. She stared at it for a moment, then picked it up and began to sip it, each little gulp becoming bigger and bigger. No use in waiting. She finished the drink and walked up to the bar to order something heavier and strike up a conversation.
The room was starting to look a little fuzzy. This was no good. The technician Navi had been talking to was just called away on some emergency at the shipyards. Maybe that was why it seemed a little quiet tonight.
A loud giggle broke that conception as well as Navi's reverie. She looked across the room to the source. A group of pilots was clusted around a circular table in the far corner, their chattering a low but consistent drone. But one high, sultry voice sounded above their rumbling. It was happy, bemused at the attention being received. Navi couldn't make out the exact words or see the owner at all, but she knew who it was. She heard that voice every single day and despite all of her dispositions, absolutely adored it.
Navi moved to a spot at the bar from which she could get a better view of Gynda.
The Zeltronian sat in the middle, surrounded by a group of Hapan pilots. Five men and three women. Two of the men sat right next to her, one leaning in closer with her every word until he was practically lying in her lap. A third sat just a bit off, with one of the women sitting sideways on his legs, facing Gynda and responding to every word spoken with excited hand gestures. The second woman leaned over the seat, resting a hand on the shoulders of Gynda and the male on her left. The rest of the group sat elsewhere at the table, leaning forward, all entranced and hanging on every gesture and sound the Zeltronian made.
I bet they're just charmed by her winning personality. Navi smirked and took another drink. More likely it was the revealing dress, bountiful cleavage, and irresistible pheremones that she gave off. Navi was familiar with the sexual pull the girl exuded. Even from here at the bar, she was starting to pick up on it. Navi looked at the bottom of her glass. The booze probably wasn't helping matters.
"Oh! Sithspawn!!!" The words resounded through the room, rasping off at the end into utter hatred. Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
A small raven-haired woman in a silky red dress had just entered the bar. She stood near the door, slender hands gripping her skirt such that the knuckles were turning white. The blood rushed to her face, turning it a color to coordinate with the outfit. The middle of her face scrunched up.
"So... so... THIS is where you've been?!?" She marched up to the table where Gynda sat. The pilot lying in Gynda's lap sat back up, his head hitting the back of the booth with a discernable thud. His eyes were wide open and his mouth began to twitch.
"This is ridiculous!" Her hands slammed onto the table, rattling the glasses and causing some blue liquid to slosh onto the surface. "I plan for months! MONTHS!!!" She spat this word at him. "But no, it's not like I was doing anything important!" Those seated started to scoot their chairs back, leaving the unfortunate male behind at the table with Gynda. She appeared confused, and switched her gaze back and forth between the two.
"Just, I don't know, our... wedding anniversary!!!" She grabbed a full glass and proceded to hurl the contents at her husband. At this point Navi noticed that the table was now deserted but for the man and Gynda. Gynda continued to watch the two carefully but still did not seem to fully understand what was making the woman so upset.
The man finally stopped gesticulating and spoke, his voice haltering. "Oh baby, I was totally looking forward to it. I was thinking about it all day... oh." The expression on his dripping-wet face held genuine affection for a brief second, and his wife lowered her arms down to tabletop level as she studied him. "I even bought you a gift from that jewelry store you like so much." He began to search his pockets.
Gynda turned to him and poked him in the shoulder with a long fingernail. He stopped searching for a brief instant to look at her. On her wrist was a shiny gold bracelet, studded with sparkling cut gems that appeared reddish in the dim lighting of the bar.
The glass hit the wall behind them and shattered, spraying miniscule shards all over the decor.
The woman began to scream incoherently as her husband continued to stutter. "I was... on my way back... and I ran into the guys, and they asked me to hang out... and I know I shouldn't, but..." He stared at Gynda for a second, looking annoyed. "I saw her and it was like... I just couldn't help it." He started to get up, but ducked back down as more glasses were hurled in his direction, their liquid contents intact.
Gynda opened her mouth to say something, but paused as she caught Navi's eye. Don't say it. Don't say anything. Navi sighed. Let me handle it. She emptied the contents of her glass in one swift gulp and plunked it down on the bar. Navi then moved across the room, stopping right before the distraught wife. She grabbed the woman's pale arm just before another barrage of alcoholic beverages were ready to be launched.
"What the..?!? Don't touch me!" The woman spun around to face Navi. "What do YOU want?" Her eyes darted over the Jedi, searching for something familiar. Navi really didn't want to complicate this further.
"Please stop throwing those. You could hurt someone." Navi wrestled the glass out of the woman's hand.
"That was the intention." The woman sneered and strugged to be free, but Navi had gotten a vise grip on her right arm, leaving small white half-moons where the nails dug in.
"That's a lovely dress. It seems like you had a nice night planned." Navi smiled at the woman. "What's your name?"
The expression on the wife's face softened. "Lenara." She stopped struggling, though her face was still agitated.
Thank god that worked. It was probably best to keep this short. "Lenara, it would be an utter shame to waste this beautiful dress. You really should go and have dinner with your husband."
The expression on Lenara's face became spacey. "I really should go have dinner with Jerod." She paused. "The reservation should still be good..." Lenara stopped struggling and turned around. Jerod stood behind the table, looking confused. Navi jerked her head and mouthed at him, indicating that they should leave now. Some semblance of understanding crossed his face.
Jerod turned to Gynda and grabbed her wrist, sliding off the bracelet. He began to polish it on the sleeve of his blue jacket as he walked around the table. "Yeah... dinner! It'll be great! And I can give you this... I even had it engraved." He seemed almost a pet trying to please its master as he slowly approached Lenara, holding the gold bracelet in front of him like an offering.
"Idiot." Lenara slapped him hard across the face. "Let's go." She turned rapidly toward the door and began walking. Jerod scurried after her, still dripping with the pungent remains of mixed drinks and his thin face marred by a bright red handprint. Navi watched them leave before approaching Gynda.
"I feel so dirty." Navi plopped down on the seat next to Gynda and signaled the bartender for another drink. "But I'm NOT in the mood to deal with this right now."
"I don't understand. She could have joined us. The more, the merrier. Or something like that." Gynda licked her pouty lips and sipped a violet-colored beverage. "Nice figure, too."
"Except not everyone thinks like... oh, never mind." Navi grabbed one of the blue drinks that had just arrived at their table and began to gulp it. She emptied the glass and put it down on the table, glancing about. "Where is Karlo?"
Gynda stopped sipping and smiled. "Yes, where is he? I'd love to see him." Navi didn't like the way she was smiling. It was creepy, almost predatory.
She must have picked up on how Navi was feeling, because the expression on Gynda's face suddenly softened. "You really like him, don't you?"
"Yes... I do." Navi's face flushed as she stared into the glass, swirling the last few drops of blue liquid around.
"Well, of course. He's sweet, and handsome, and strong... probably really good in bed." Navi stopped playing with the glass and placed it on the table as Gynda continued. "It seems a shame to keep him all to yourself."
"Gynda, I..." Navi considered her answer for a minute. What should she say? Was she keeping him all to herself? Things had been weird lately. Maybe the only reason they continued to tolerate each other was the baby.
What a depressing thought. Didn't you want him for three years? As Navi considered her feelings she felt warm, and her stomach quivered. Her head swam. The answer shot through her. "He's all mine. Whatcha make of it?"
Gynda was startled, shifting in her seat with a halting jerk. Then she smiled. "A challenge. Though he's not really what I want." Gynda leaned in toward Navi, her lips slightly open and inviting. Navi inched away in response, but found her retreat impeded by the chair back.
"S...stop that." Gynda had stopped a few inches short. Navi could feel the Zeltronian's breath brushing against her face, and Gynda's scent was overwhelming. Navi felt lightheaded and giddy. What is it with me and padawans?
Gynda had a self-satisfied look on her face. "We both want the same thing, don't we?" Then she kissed Navi full on the lips.
A chill ran throughout Navi's body, and her stomach began to quiver. She knew she shouldn't, but it felt so good. Navi put up no resistance as Gynda's tongue parted her lips. She felt the gentle caress against her tongue. Navi returned the caress. She embraced Gynda and let her hands slide down the pink skin exposed beneath the Zeltronian's wine-colored top. In response Navi felt one of Gynda's hands sneak under her own shirt and begin to caress her breast.
Navi felt her spine crawl. She broke off the mouth kiss, and studied Gynda for a second. Gynda smiled and leaned in to kiss Navi on the neck, but Navi gently restrained her and looked over past the table.
Karlo was standing at the opposite side, smirking as the pilots standing just behind him looked on in shock. Navi could feel a small taint of confusion, none of which showed in his expression or posture. His arms were crossed over his chest as he studied the two women. "While the cat's away, hmm?"
Gynda turned toward him and broadly smiled. "Hey! We were just talking about you." Navi realized one of Gynda's hands was still under her shirt and blushed. The hand slid away.
Navi sensed Karlo's disconcertion he sat down next to Navi. "The meeting ran late, and then I ran into some of the guys on the way here..." He studyed Navi for a bit, and smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Navi inhaled sharply, her face still flushed from the embrace. "I've been waiting for so long... oh, I'm so sorry, it's just..."
Don't worry about it. She heard the gentle reassurance in her head. He took her face in between his hands and leaned toward Navi. His hands were rough and she felt the light touch of his breath on her skin. "Go on. I'll see you later." He grinned.
Gynda grabbed Navi's hand and pulled her out of the seat. "You're always welcome to join us." The words slid across her tongue and Navi began to feel heady as they inched away from the table.
Karlo picked up a glass from the table and swirled the blue liquid around before tipping it into his mouth. "It would be my pleasure." He tipped the glass at them and kissed the air. Navi giggled.
Navi grabbed Gynda's free hand and spun her around, kissing her cheek. Navi led her toward the door and they burst out of the bar, headed back in the direction of the royal suites. She felt light-headed, but her feelings regarding Karlo were clear. He was her compliment. She had never meant to be so serious. It just happened after all the responsibility the Force seemed determined to foist upon her. And Karlo balanced that out. He was her solace.
Navi couldn't imagine herself going back to her quarters with Gynda like this otherwise. This is going to be interesting...