Here's to the boys of Nar Shaddaa
Stories about them have the others in awe
They'll keep you going 'til you shout hurrah
You'll even beg them not to withdraw
Here's to the boys of Nar Shaddaa
Torian hadn't been sure what to expect when Sinn invited him upstairs to relax with the rest of the crew, but watching her and Mako sing their hearts out brought an instant grin to his face. Mako's high pitched voice was more concerned with being the loudest in the room, while Sinn's sultry tones were smoothly carrying the song. The petite slicer and tall curvy bounty hunter were obviously enjoying themselves, leaning on each other as they belted out lyrics to a bawdy cantina song
The women grinned back at him as they sang and all he could do was sit down on the couch smiling while Gault handed him a drink. They laughed as they sang, exalting the sexual prowess of men from different planets. The informal party reminded him of gatherings around campfires and other Mando trading stories and singing, enjoying their down time more for the infrequency. With his status as arue'tal he hadn't felt comfortable joining in, now Sinn, Mako and even Gault were making him feel not just welcome, but like the night was better because he was there.
He'd been sitting among the pieces of his disassembled rifle on the floor of the quarters he shared with the Devaronian when he'd noticed the atmosphere of the ship was charged with excitement. Mako had been practically sprinting up and down the stairs, her short dreads bouncing with enthusiasm. Every now and then she'd pause by the crew quarters, shoot him a smile and wave, then go back to what she was doing.
He'd wondered if the spunky girl had a crush on him but as adorable as she was he couldn't shake the image of Sinn, seemed like she was always present in the back of his mind. Even sitting surrounded by the parts of his rifle, the image of her warm golden eyes and slow smile had been set firmly behind his eyes.
A slight grin had played around his mouth as he'd thought about the current Grand Champion of the Hunt. There was always that gleam that danced in her eyes when she talked to him, making him wonder what she was thinking.
"Feel like joining us?"
As if summoned by his thoughts Sinn's sultry voice had crept into his room and he saw her leaning on the door frame. Her smile softened as she looked him over in his loose shirt and fatigue pants. "We're having some drinks and relaxing in the main room, nothing fancy, but fun."
Sounded better than spending the evening with his rifle, he'd thought. "Count on it," he stated. "Just let me clean this up." Sinn nodded, still smiling as she turned then gave him a quick glance over her shoulder before she walked out.
"Would one of you jump already?" Gault had groaned, "Ever think the rest of us aren't getting sick of the way you both practically lick your lips when you look at each other?" Still cleaning up his gear, Torian had raised an eyebrow at the red-skinned man then quickly glanced away.
"It's nothing, she's the Champion and I'm part of her crew," he'd muttered, trying to ignore Gault's knowing look.
"Oh please, the last time I saw that gleam in her eye was when Mako brought those warra-nut cookies on board." Gault had chuckled, "Boss Lady snatched the last one right off the slicer's plate when she wasn't looking. From those looks she gives you, I'd say she thinks you look just as tasty."
Attempting to ignore him, Torian still smiled at the image of Sinn stealing sweet tidbits as he straightened up, then followed Gault to where the girls were. Once they got there the Devaronian poured a drink and handed it to Torian before setting down to lounge in a chair to the side, bottle still in hand. A low table in the center of the room had an array of treats set out and a couple of glasses sat on it half empty, attesting to the fact that Sinn and Mako had been imbibing long before the men joined them
"You made it," Mako squealed when the pair had finished their song.
She flopped next to Torian on the couch after grabbing a handful of warra-nut cookies from the table. Shooting Sinn a wary look, she held her bounty protectively which made him laugh out loud, understanding why she did. Her usually bright eyes were dimmed with intoxication, but she grabbed her glass and clinked it to his signaling from him to drink up.
His own drink was caustic but not as bad as the tihaar he'd grown up with. After watching his reaction the Devaronian gave him a nod of esteem, making him feel like he'd passed some test. Whatever Mako was drinking smelled more fragrant, but was just as strong judging by her semi-slurred speech. "Bottoms up," she chirped, prompting another laugh from Sinn.
"That's how you'll end up if you keep carrying on like that," Sinn teased while she sat on the other side of Torian, then took a whiff of his cup and flinched. "Great heavens Gault, what'd you pour him, engine cleaner?" She screwed up her face as she took another sniff from his cup and shook her head. "Don't drink that Torian. I'll get you something from my private stash." He raised his hand to protest but she'd stood up giving his knee a light squeeze as she sauntered off.
As soon as Sinn wandered to the galley Mako sprinted to the console. She punched a few buttons and music roared through the ship, hitting him like a physical blow. It was all quick tempo and enthusiasm, just like the slicer, and hard beats pulsed through the floor, playing so loud Torian was sure they could hear it in the next star system. She raised her arms as she danced with abandon and Sinn rushed from the galley holding an older looking glass bottle, shaking her head.
"Mako! Turn that down before you deafen us!" she hollered.
"If it's too loud, you're too old," was the girl's cheeky reply.
Sinn groaned, rolling her eyes as she went over to the console and adjusted the volume. Mako paused in her dancing just long enough to stick her tongue out at Sinn, who just strolled over to the couch where Torian was sitting and smiled widely.
"Corellian whiskey," she held up the bottle and sat down. "It's not tihaar but it'll leave you reelin'."
Her reference to the strong Mando alcohol surprised a grin from him. "You know about tihaar?"
"Artie served it up at my adoption after finishin' up the black ale. Personally I prefer something smoother and old enough to order its own drink in a cantina." She grinned at the dancing slicer, "That means older than you Lil' bit." Mako turned and stuck her tongue out again at Sinn, and this time Sinn returned the gesture. The interaction kept him grinning as he watched the two women acting like sisters.
He picked up the glass Sinn offered him and, after she touched hers to his, took a swig. She was right about it not burning like tihaar, but it draped its heat around his senses. Kind of like her, he thought, then shook his head to dispel the comparison.
"So what do you think?" Her throaty question jarred him from his thoughts.
Looking from her to the glass again he smiled. "Won't put hair on your chest like tihaar, but not bad."
Chuckling at his words she peeked down her shirt at her own curves, pretending to examine them. "Well I've been around it for years, not one hair yet," she said, as she gave him a wink. "Don't need to prove it do I?" Feeling loosened by the alcohol he surprised himself by winking back.
"Don't know, might need to," he retorted. Her jaw dropped for a second before she threw her head back, laughing with glee.
"If you insist," she chuckled as her hands went to the buttons of her top. She undid one, then another, giving him a glimpse at the lacy bra she wore underneath before his cheeks flamed and he reached over to cover her hands with one of his.
"You don't have to…" he started and she met his eyes grinning.
"Gotcha," she said, and shaking his head he realized she'd fooled him.
"He told me to watch out for you, you know. Something about a legacy to carry on."
Taking another drink, he had to think about her words before they sunk in. "Who, Mandalore?" he asked. After all that had transpired with his father, that bit of information surprised him and she squeezed his knee with a smile.
"No, the Sith Emperor," she teased. "Of course Mandalore. Guess Artie figures you're in good hands."
"He's right, at least I think so" he said honestly, laying his hand over hers.
He wasn't sure if it was the atmosphere, the alcohol or if he was just giving in his growing longing but he felt the urge to push forward and curled his fingers around hers. Her eyes widened at the touch and her mouth formed an 'O', looking amazingly kissable.
"Glad you think so. Ah... we like havin' you here." 'We' she'd said, he thought, but something about her hesitation told him she'd almost said 'I'.
"It's nice being part of a company again," he said, "Or crew, in this case." Her hand under his squeezed his leg as she nodded.
"Still new to me," she admitted in a hushed tone. "But I'm likin' it."
"People to look out for?" he teased, poking fun at the protective streak he'd seen in her time after time. To his surprise her cheeks turned red and she averted her eyes.
"Always had to," she said softly. "Watch out for someone else I mean."
She tried backing away and something made him tighten his hand on hers. As she looked up through a few stray strands of brown hair, biting her lower lip, he felt like he was really seeing her.
This was the real Sinn, he thought, not the 'Champion'. Sure she was bold, tough, and an honor to fight beside, but also sweet and caring. Always tending their wounds before her own. Hunting because she wanted to watch out for everybody else, but never asking anyone to look out for her.
Suddenly wanting to reassure her, he squeezed his hand covering hers again. "Hey, got your six remember?" he said and smiled wide when her usual teasing grin returned.
"Yup, you always have," she agreed, then chuckled. "But I figured it was 'cause you liked the view."
He chuckled back, his own cheeks warming at the truth in the remark, and realized they were leaning closer like they were being drawn together.
"Sinn…" Mako's voice sounded worried and Sinn's gaze shot to the slender girl. Her face was distinctly green and she hunched over slightly. Amused alarm rushed over Sinn's face as she jumped from the couch. Diving under Mako's arm she supported the girl's slight weight and rushed her to the stairs.
"Have to continue this later Torian." She called out before grumbling, "I warned you Mako, just hold on 'til we hit the refresher."
"Don't think I will," the girl's words sounded watery as Sinn eased her hurriedly down the stairs.
"You'd better," he could barely make out Sinn's voice, "I ain't in the mood to clean up after you, or let it linger until you wake up." Shaking his head again, Torian got the feeling Sinn's quick reaction was based on past experience and relaxed back in his seat nursing the whiskey she'd given him.
"Well if you two are going to keep making smoochy faces at each other then I'm out of here before I get sick too," Gault stated as he stood. Torian had almost forgotten the Devaronian was there, he'd stayed unusually quiet most of the night.
The red-skinned man raised his eyebrow at Torian. "So still going to say it's nothing?" He asked with his voice dripping with sarcasm, then waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "Bah, why am I asking? Just try not to wake me up when you go back to your bunk, unless you plan on sharing hers."
Torian shrugged at Gault's bitter humor, but his thoughts quickly went back to Sinn. Smooth, and intoxicating, like the whiskey she'd given him. He chuckled at the imagery, thinking that the smoky amber brown was echoed in her eyes and the highlights in her hair. Downing the last of his glass's contents he wondered what had his head spinning more, the alcohol or her? Maybe Gault was right about needing to make a move, but something bold and worthy of her.
Hearing her boots heading up the steps, he grinned as a bold idea formed.
A healthy nod and hug to Clicketykeys for letting me use a verse from 'Here's to the Boys'. It's a rousing, rowdy cantina song, perfect for a night of letting your hair down and tearing things up.