Standard Disclaimers Apply – George Lucas owns the universe. Bioware and others own the game. I own nothing but my smile and winning personality. cough This is an A/U based off the game, Knights of the Old Republic. I thought I'd try a teaser first, and see if anyone was interested. Semi-Spoilers for the game.
Almost Over
Carth managed to hold out for two or so hours. Much longer than he would have thought at first. The moons were high and the bone dry chill that Tattooine was susceptible to after dark was in full force as he exited the ship to look for Revan. It took him another hour before he found her.
The bar was loud. Carth couldn't help but feel his shoulders straighten as he made his way in. Definitely not a place listed in the tourist guides. He could barely see through the smoke, some of it narcotic, and he could barely hear himself as he shouted to get a rather large woman out of his way. She didn't hear him either and he eventually pushed past her.
By the time he saw familiar auburn hair, his head was killing him. Of course, that's when the music got turned down. He didn't dwell on the desire to cause pain to whom ever put it up that high in the first place. Instead he sat down beside Revan.
"I don't suppose you'd talk to me," he began.
Revan turned to look at him, her eyes blood shot and very bright. Then she laughed, then turned back to her drink. His nose wrinkled at the scent of alcohol that still lingered on her breath.
"I'll take that as a no," he decided. His jaw set as he turned his chair to keep a better eye on the room, a better eye to watch her back since she seemed to be showing no desire to tend to that need herself.
It was ten minutes before she turned to look at him again, "You're still here," she noted.
"Yes."
"Get the hell away from me. I was here first." Revan growled.
He looked at her, "You've been here long enough, beautiful. And it's a free bar, isn't it?"
"No." Revan said firmly.
"No?"
"No. I don't want you here. Don't need you here. G'way." Revan's words slurred into each other. Misery that had been previously constrained by will and effort painted her face and Carth had no excuse to ignore it.
He felt his stomach lurch as he realized how very much he wanted, no, needed, to take that pain away. Everything he felt, everything he was trying so hard to come to grips with when it came to this beautiful confusing woman was secondary to that.
It was rather ironic, too. When his wife... when she was gone... how often had he run to the nearest tavern when it got to be too hard? How often had he drunk as much as he could, as fast as he could, just to try and find some measure of peace?
Well, he'd been dragged back to the ship by friends enough times. He knew how it was done.
"Come on, Revan. Its time to go back." Carth said, stepping a little closer. This wouldn't be too hard, he surmised.
"Hey! This guy is bothering me!" Revan called out loudly, then grinned at him as she employed a weapon he'd never had a chance to use as a drunk. She seemed very pleased with herself. Fortunately, it wasn't that nice of a bar. A few people turned to look, but no one seemed inclined to help a woman in distress out.
"Mission needed to talk to you." Carth tried another track.
Revan blinked, "About what?"
"She wouldn't tell me." Carth improvised, "Look, you might be mad at me, but Mission needs you for something. Let's head back and I promise I'll grovel at your feet and apologize for doing things wrong as soon as you are sober enough to hear it."
The auburn haired woman peered at him and then wrinkled her nose. She stumbled from the bar stool and muttered, "Know I'm drunk... hallucinating..."
Carth smirked and very lightly took her elbow to start leading her back. She turned, eyes blearily focusing down on his hand. A yard, two yards. She started to frown. But weaving through the crowd was not as easy as all that. Carth shouldered by a short man, trying to make sure that Revan didn't run into anyone in her preoccupation.
It was a mistake.
"Hey!" The man turned and snarled.
"You lied." Revan said slowly.
"Sorry, about that." Carth said, tugging on Revan as her steps began to slow. She began to draw back.
"About Mission..." The Jedi continued.
"Sorry? What, you think you can just waltz through here like you're better than me..." The short man snarled, pushing his jacket back to show his blaster and pointedly resting his hand on it. Carth could see motion around him, other people's attention. The short man had friends...
"Just trying to get a lady home, buddy..." Carth tried again.
"Lied!" Revan jerked herself away from him, violently, "Damn you..."
She jerked away from him and went staggering into other patrons. The distraction was what the short man had been waiting for and he drew his pistol. Carth crouched, drawing a split second behind the other. A snap and hum announced a lightsaber, the sound almost lost in the hail of fire and shouts as the bar erupted into chaos.
"Jolee!" The crackle of the comm. system. "Damn it! Anyone! This is Carth. Answer me!"
A fumble from a time darkened hand. A voice responding to an urgency even beyond that in Carth's voice. "Where?"
"The alleyway just across from the cantina, right against the wall at the south of town."
The flutter of a robe grabbed. "I'm coming..."
The pause seemed very long.
The pilot's voice was as brittle as spider- webbed glass and as careful as a man resting his weight on it. "I can't stop the bleeding."
"Hold on, Son. We're coming."
A rougher voice, just picking up the comm. even as he reached for his rifle – the weapon never far from his side. "Just try not to move, Republic, you'll be fine."
Jolee's voice, very quiet, ever so gently correcting the Mandalorian. "Its not him, Canderous. Its Revan."
Yeep! Reviews! Whoo hooo! Makes me feel bad about my lack of progress and, this chapter in particular. I got this deep only to realize that the pacing was going to end up very awkward and badly weighted. I should have done it differently. And maybe some day I'll re-write and do so! For now, though, I'm kind of committed to finishing this out. So, this is just to say I know the pacing is off and I apologize. But hopefully, the detail is its own reward, even though the plot needs the quickness that leaving it out would give. Having said that – on with the show..
Madaboutjew – Thanks! I have to admit, I was starting from kind of the same place. There are some extremely good Kotor ficts out there! But sometimes its hard to find them because a certain lethargy sets in. They all begin with roughly the same concepts – mine included! So, this was my attempt to break. As for having two ficts to avoid writers block? Now I got block on them both! Argh! :)
Tifa-Carbuncle - I hope that you decide what take you want and go with it. I'd be curious to read it! And, thanks for the encouragement. One of the things that impressed me was the realism that the game gave to Carth's reactions (at times). There was so much buried in there that you could just imagine was going on that he wasn't saying. Of course, that could be rabid- fan girl here imagining, but... Again, can't wait to see your writing ;)
Brynn – Phew! I admit, my mind doesn't think in longer chapters. Partially because I'm writing this when I can manage to find a free five minutes or so.. But as long as you still like it, I'll still write it :) Thanks!
Snackfiend 101 – I've been guilty of ignoring everyone but Carth, Revan and a lil of Bastila. So, I figured I'd try to slowly fix that. Glad it worked. And thanks for the reviews! Keeps me writin ;)
Feza (not the twin) – Thanks! Trying to make it unusual enough to be worth the read. I appreciate knowing its working at least a bit. :)
Prisoner 24601 – I see what you're saying about the reflexive sympathy to Revan. At this point, since all characterization is mainly going through Carth, there isn't really much to the characterization of Revan. For the record, she's the same version in my other KOTOR ficts. In fact, this is an AU of one of my other ficts - Unbalanced. But, I think that the problem I mentioned with pacing is causing the gap your seeing. This should be moving quicker. There should be no time to realize you don't get a full picture of Revan. Bah! I'll get to the hook of this, then offer up a 'Sorry, should have written it like this first' piece. Thanks for bringing that up. It helped me spot where I was going wrong!
Gollo – Carth and Revan tension – made to order! Glad you are having fun reading it! Thanks for letting me know, I really do appreciate it. Helps me keep motivated.