A/N: Just a one shot really. I had friends over for some random costuming and costume building fun (wish me luck on my 501st application!) and a bit of an improv RP session sprung up. This story stemmed from a few things that came up while LARPing… specifically the dance and the costume. ;) I took that scene and a few silly as well as serious convos we had and built the rest of the story around that to something which made a bit more sense within Star Wars canon. Takes place during the time Mara and Lando are working together to learn about Jorj Car'das. To my Lando because I know he reads this- I had fun dancing and sparring with you and all the silly ideas we came up with… even if your jokes are horribly cheesy 3
As Lando listened to the rampant cursing from the other side of the door he wondered if he hadn't pushed this too far.. and if his limbs would all be still intact by the end of the night. Finally he heard a huff and a sigh. "I'm not coming out in this Calrissian." Mara snapped. "What the kriff were you thinking when you got this?"
"You wore far less at Jabba's…" Lando started. Wrong thing to say. He heard a smash as Mara tossed something at the door.
"And I hated it then." Mara sighed.
"Just open the door Mara… please?" Lando pressed. Mara gave another sigh and relented, pushing the door release with the force, not keen to trip over the glass shards from the vase she had smashed in her annoyance. Picking his way over the glass to where Mara sat on the edge of the bed, Lando smiled. "Why you look-"
"Finish that sentence Calrissian and I will break your arm." Mara cut him off in warning. Frowning at the outfit she wore, Mara cursed "I thought pretending to be a couple was bad… but this?" she said gesturing to the barely there slave outfit she wore. "I don't know if I can do this." she sighed with her face in her hands. Lando wrapped a cautious arm around her. Mara gave him a sharp glare but didn't wrench his arm out of it's socket so that was progress at least.
"I'm truly sorry to ask you to do this my dear… if there was another way…" he said. Mara gave a huff and smirked.
"You could always wear this." she said. Lando laughed.
"I don't think I have the figure for it." he said. Mara rolled her eyes.
"Alright, lets get this over with… just remember… you owe me big time Calrissian."
Walking down the halls Mara wondered how Calrissian had ever talked her into this. She was pretty sure a lot of alcohol had been involved. Fine wine to be sure… the man did have excellent tastes… but kriff what was she thinking when she agreed to pose as a slave dancing girl to get them into the auction and hopefully find their contact? Rumours had circulated that a man who knew Jorj Car'das would be at the slave auction, and be able to provide them intel… but they had to get into the auction first. Since it was more of a swap than a outright auction anyone entering needed to bring at least one slave of their own as barter. As they neared the main arena Lando leaned in to whisper to Mara "Remember… air headed dancer like you were in Court." he said. Mara raised an eyebrow at him and bit back a retort as a group flooded past them. She'd exact her revenge later… after all she'd help procure the armour Calrissian currently wore as his disguise… she knew all it's weaknesses and would take full advantage of that later.
"Who are you?" a heavily armoured guard asked.
"Lanran Antin" Lando answered, his voice distorted by the false breathing apparatus he wore to disguise his face.
"And you're selling her?" the guard asked leering at Mara "What's wrong with her?"
"I merely wish some variety. I've had her for a bit and am looking for something new." Lando said, subtly steering Mara away from the guard. He felt her tense at the contact but her face remained impassive.
"Good luck at the show then." the guard said, taking the hint. "I'll keep an eye for her on the block." Stepping into the packed arena Mara leaned closer to whisper to Lando.
"Where do we start? Do we even know what he looks like?" she asked.
"Not exactly… just… keep an eye out? Maybe ask a few people if they know him?" Lando suggested. Mara rolled her eyes.
"Ugh, don't you know how to plan anything?" she muttered.
"Not all of us were trained in this my dear." Lando said.
"Then let me do the planning next time." Mara snapped, careful to keep her voice low.
"Oh so you are willing to do this again." Lando said and Mara glared at him viciously. If looks could kill… he would be one dead man. "Ok just keep a listen for Zaric Krain… or anyone who might know him" he said eager to change the subject.
They listened and wandered around but even with Mara's force enhanced hearing neither caught any mention of the man or where he might be found. They decided since the owners would be called up to the block by name they were going to just have to wait for the show to start… an idea that thrilled neither of them. Lando was concerned for what limbs Mara might choose to injure… or how much this was going to cost him to bribe her not to cause him bodily harm. Mara was annoyed enough with the leers and being paraded around like a pet. It was barely tolerable with Calrissian holding her leash. The idea of anyone else doing so, even temporarily ruffled her greatly. He hadn't been wrong… she'd done this and worse before.. but it was not something she wanted to remember or experience again. As Lando was called up, Mara took a deep breath to steady herself and stepped onto the crude stage. "Lot 283 is being shown by Lanran Antin. If you would kindly raise your cards so we can assess point value at the end of the showing…" the auctioneer said. "Mr. Antin, if she has any skills you would like to demonstrate that may increase her value?"
"Uh right." Lando said and looked at Mara. She gave a slight nod and started dancing. As she did he couldn't help notice her hands and feet seemed to find their way painfully into his flesh as she spun around him. No one in the audience seemed to notice his pain or distress, focused solely on Mara's graceful dance. Force she was swift and subtle… but the blows she landed with precision accuracy hurt.
"Very good. Any other skills?" the auctioneer asked.
"Uh, well, she gives a good massage… and other things best not demonstrated in public" Lando said and caught Mara glaring at him. He hoped the planet had good med facilities. He was sure he was going to need them before the night was done.
"Alright then, if everyone can now raise their cards and we will tally the points, which you can use towards the purchase of any slave or slaves of equal or lesser value. Next." the auctioneer called as they left the stage. Drawing Lando into a shadowy area of the area where they would not be seen Mara rammed Lando into a wall.
"What the kriff was that?" she growled, her voice low and threatening "Other skills? You do remember you aren't actually selling me right?" she hissed at him.
"Increasing your value so you aren't stuck with the lowest bidder while we search this person out after we see who he is." Lando explained. There was a certain logic to it, but Mara was still annoyed.
"If I get stuck with some pawing mass slave trader tonight because of what you said up there, my fees are going right up." she warned "And I'm not responsible for any injuries which may be incurred if they get too friendly… so I hope you have a good bribe ready to get me out… because I really will kriffing kill you if you have to call Skywalker to bust me out of some jail cell" she said.
"You've both saved each others hides before… what's the big deal?" Lando asked.
"I really don't want him to see me like this." she sighed. "It's bad enough you seeing me this way."
"I've seen you in less my dear." Lando reminded her and she glared at him sharply.
"Ugh, do not remind me of that. It was a moment of drunken stupidity and I don't know how much clearer I can make it, it's never going to happen again." she said.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad was it? You seemed to enjoy yourself." Lando protested. Mara pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"That's not the point." Mara sighed. "I'm sorry if you thought different, but I was just drunk and lonely.., and it didn't mean anything to me. You aren't the person I want to be with."
"So there is someone else?" Lando asked.
"No. I wish there were. I mean… ugh. I can't talk about this with you." Mara said frustrated. Lando considered that. That Mara wasn't willing to discuss it said whoever it was she was thinking about, much as she might deny any romantic feelings, was someone he knew. Karrde was possible… he never seemed to mix business and pleasure, so it could be Mara felt something for her boss and he made it clear it would never happen. He knew the pair were close. The only other person who came to mind was Luke… well she did carry his father's lightsaber, despite her protests she would never be a Jedi. Was Luke missing a beautiful woman right under his nose because her training had made her reserved and… well Luke would take a bantha's worth of subtly to figure it out. Pondering as he was he suddenly realized he hadn't been paying attention to the auction. Kriff Mara would kill him if he'd missed the name being called.
"Hear anything about our contact yet?" Lando asked, turning the topic back to a safer subject.
"Mm, no nothing yet. Try not to tune out though. I can't do everything." Mara grumbled. Suddenly her posture changed. It took Lando a minute to figure out why.
"Ah there you are! I've been informed your girl scored a 500. I have a pair of twi'leks ranked at 300 each. I'd be willing to swap the pair for her… even though their combined value is greater then hers… I'll cut you a deal" a greasy looking humanoid said approaching Lando.
"I'm waiting til the show is over before I decide." Lando said dismissively. Mara shot a pitying glance at the pair of young twi'lek girls the man was holding. She was sure they were far too young… probably not even legal age Mara decided studying them. These people made her sick. Luke could say it was the dark side all he wanted… she just wanted to take her lightsaber and cut the scum down where he stood. How was killing sleaze bags like him bad? Not that she had been much older herself when she was made Emperor's Hand and acted as court dancer and at times Imperial concubine. She'd hated it and made a note to find a way to get the twi'leks away from him before the night ended. As the man wandered off, Mara whispered to Lando her thoughts.
"Wait til we find our contact… then tell him you will do the swap. I can take care of him… I need you to get those girls out of here though… they're far too young." she said, a note of sadness in her voice. Lando nodded his understanding.
"You were the same age about when you…" he said trying to find the words. Mara gave him a curt nod. "I'm sorry Mara." Lando said, pulling her into an embrace. Though she stiffened slightly, she did not pull away. After a moment she shrugged him off.
"It doesn't matter now." she said softly.
"If you ever want to talk-" Lando started, but Mara cut him off with a shake of her head.
"I don't… but if I do I know where to find you." she finished for him. "There's a refreshments table over there and some seating space. Looks like this is going to take a while. Maybe we should grab something?" Mara suggested, eager to change the topic. "Sounds like a plan." Lando said. He wished Mara would open up to him more… let him in. He knew she didn't feel for him what he did for her, but he hoped some day she'd move on from whoever it was who held her heart and accept him as more than just a business partner.
"You might want to take the lead here… I don't want to look bossy." Mara said nudging him slightly.
"You? Bossy?" Lando teased lightly and felt Mara shift her weight beside him to apply some very painful pressure to his foot. "Ok, ok, we'll go get food." Trying to lighten the mood a little Lando turned to Mara "Maybe they have wookiee steaks. I tried one once." he said. She raised a skeptical eyebrow at him.
"Really, how was it?" she asked.
"Well to be honest it was Chewie." Lando said winking. Mara buried her face in her heads and groaned.
"That's terrible." she said shaking her head at him. "Lets go. I think they have a bar- I'm going to need it if I'm going to survive this night with you." she muttered, falling into step slightly behind him, giving him a small push with the Force.
They settled down to watch the remainder of the show, waiting for the mysterious Zaric Krain. Since slaves weren't allowed to order anything, Lando got her some spicy outer rim food and some Whyrens Reserve, knowing she was fond of both. He might not know Mara as well as he would like to, but he did at least know her tastes and she gave him a grateful smile when he placed the dish and glass of whiskey in front of her. Sitting close to her so they could whisper, he noted her shifting uncomfortably for a moment before stilling herself. Keeping his voice low Lando asked "I miss anything?"
"One of the slaves bit her owner… but no our contact still hasn't turned up. I'm beginning to think this is a bust. I don't think he's here." Mara muttered "I got all dressed up for nothing." she said ruefully.
"Not nothing." Lando reminded her, nodding to the twi'lek girls huddled together nearby.
"Mm, I guess." Mara said non commitally. "Last person. If this isn't him, he's a no show." They held their breaths as the man was introduced, but let them out in a unanimous disappointed sigh.
"No show then." Lando said. "Shall we do what we can here and head home?" he asked. Mara nodded and Lando picked up the leash to guide her over to the humanoid with the twi'leks. "Does your deal still stand?" Lando asked the man. The man nodded.
"These two for her? Yeah I'm still willing. They need some breaking in still and I can't be bothered. I want one who's already trained." he said in a thickly accented Basic. Mara bristled at the way he treated them like non-sentients. Luke would not approve of what she planned to do the second she got the man alone, but kriff him. The galaxy was a better place without this scum… besides she had plenty of blood on her hands from her time as Emperor's Hand. What was one more body?
"It's a deal." Lando said, and he exchanged leashes with the man, hoping very much Mara knew what she was doing.
"Pleasure doing business with you." the man said, leading Mara off while Lando took the two young twi'lek girls back to the Lady Luck after a quick trip past their rented room to collect his and Mara's belongings, knowing they would need to make a very quick trip off planet when she returned. He'd not missed the murderous rage in her eyes, and knew the man would not be leaving alive. Waiting he ran a few preflight checks, knowing she'd not be too long.
Mara watched as the man latched the door behind them, keeping her face impassive. She repressed a shudder as he began running his hands over her. Years of training took over. Wait, wait, shift closer, get him off his guard… deep breath to steady, breath in, breath out, breath in, breath half way out and now- she told herself mentally as she shifted from pretending to run her hands over his back and slipped the vibroblade she'd hidden in a wrist decoration into him, driving it into his kidney first, then drawing it up and forwards quickly, leaving a large gaping wound. Shoving him away from her and hard onto the floor she watched as he gasped at her wide eyed for a moment. "Do you have any final words?" she asked, one foot rested on his chest.
"Who are you?" the man gasped out.
"I am Justice." she told him. "They once called me Emperor's Hand, and I served justice for him. Now I serve justice for those in need. The galaxy doesn't need your kind of scum." she said as she spun the blade in her hand and threw it hard so it went through his heart. The man's eyes widened for a split second, then went blank and empty as she bent to twist the blade and withdraw it. As she stood up she wiped the blade clean and replaced it in it's sheath. She caught a glimpse of herself in a dirty mirror and swore. Making her way to the fresher to wash the blood splattering her off, she found herself glad for the moment of her revealing costume. It was far easier to cleanse blood from bare skin then it was delicate fabrics. Having cleaned herself quickly as best she could she stepped back into the main room and felt a flicker of horror at the scene before her. So many years, and yet old habits die hard… she'd given into her rage. Made his death painful and grisly. Glancing one final time at the mangled corpse lying in the middle of the room she knew this was proof of what Skywalker could not accept. She could not be a Jedi… she still walked in the Dark Side, still fell back on what she knew… part of her was still the Emperor's Hand, a cold hearted killer. Slipping from the room and towards the ship she knew Lando had waiting she swallowed her revulsion with herself, and told herself she was just doing what needed to be done to make the galaxy a better place. Like she'd always done. Lando stood waiting at the foot of the loading ramp of the Lady Luck.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah lets get out of here." Mara confirmed stepping onto the ship. "We've done enough for one day." she said as the door closed behind them.
"You ok?" Lando asked as they walked towards the cockpit.
"I'll get over it." Mara assured him. "Tomorrow is another day."
A/N: And that's it… unless people really want this continued. :p Read and review and let me know if there is an interest in me writing more… or if anyone is interested in taking this and running with it lol. If I do continue updates will be slow, since my main focus is on finishing Consequences and Fragments right now