Han remains quiet as he listens to the younger three debate state politics, a topic which did not interest Han.
"Please, Tarkin at this point is ok running this state as if it was a totalitarian regime. You think when his four years are up he'll stop? No, he is going to keep running till he can get to the presidency."
"If anything, I think he'd settle for vice presidency if it meant his running mate was Palpatine." Luke points out, putting his arm around Leia's shoulders. Han stares at the younger man's arm, a surge of jealously going through the brunette as he notes the closeness of the young couple.
"Just what we need, for the Hapes to have more control over this town." Wedge rolls his eyes sarcastically. Han takes another sip of his whiskey, he had been in Aldera for more than 6 months and he still didn't understand the dynamics of the town.
"I don't understand how this town is so small and yet it has so much political standing." Han finally says, his frustration building up as he watches Leia and Luke.
"It never used to be that way. It really started with Sheev Palpatine in 1915 when he was elected governor and four years later he was elected to the senate." Leia explains. "My dad, Bail isn't originally from here. He was initially going to run in his home state of New York but in the end decided to run here."
"Tarkin was a progeny of Palpatine and managed to extend his influence becoming the governor after Palpatine. People are convinced when Palpatine decides to run for presidency he will ask Tarkin to be his running mate." Luke finishes explaining the prominent families of the town. Han nods absentmindedly, his attention wavering.
"I don't understand how the Hapes have anything to do with this...Palpatine." Han sighs, regretting his decision to ask about this matter.
"Thelma Hapes…is Palpatine's daughter. She has a strong standing with her father and has been grooming Isolder to follow in his grandfather's footsteps." Luke continues to explain.
"Leia, Luke your boring Han to death. I implore you to stop." Wedge chuckles "I doubt that a big city guy like him cares about our small-town politics."
"Never did pay much attention to politics in New Orleans." Han shrugs, taking another sip of his whiskey. Leia sits up a little, surprised Han shared information about his past.
"New Orleans? You don't sound like you're from Louisiana. You have more of a mid-west vibe" Wedge comments, his words slurring slightly.
"I ain't from Louisiana, not originally."
"See I knew it, I know my southerners." Wedge gloats, taking another sip of his beer.
"But I ain't from the mid-west either." Han smirks, enjoying the look of disappointment on Wedge's face when he admits this. However, having no intention of telling the group his place of origin. His smile drops as he sees Luke lean over and whisper something into Leia's ear, making the young girl smile in response.
His grip tightens on his glass before downing the rest of his whiskey.
"'m gettin' another drink." He stands abruptly, making his way to the bar. He orders himself another whiskey, deciding to drink it at the bar. He quickly drinks it and orders another. Maz looks at the man in concern as she pours him another.
"Han, you might want to consider easing up. I'm sure Leia doesn't want to carry you home. She, unlike you has a reputation to uphold." Maz warns, sliding the glass over.
"'m sure she has someone around to help her uphold her reputation."
"What are you talking about?" Maz questions.
"Don't worry about it." He mutters turning his back to the bar, looking out to the floor. He sips this glass slower than the other two, knowing Maz may not serve him another. His eyes burrow into Luke and Leia's backs as the couple get closer. He tears his eyes away from the two, scanning the rest of the bar.
He notices three women sitting at a booth, a man sitting between two of them his arms draped across the seat. Han smirks as he listens closely to the man trying to impress these women as he describes his army days. Han pulls himself away from the bar, slowing approaching the man.
"So there we are covered in mud, and its pouring. We can't tell if there thunder or if it's just artillery fire. My friend, who was lying next to me was totally oblivious to the shell that almost landed on him." The man describes. "I pulled him out of the way and shielded him with my body, trying to protect him in that instant."
Han smirks as the women all gasp in suspense.
"Luckly, the shell was a dud. And we were both safe." The man finishes the story as Han stands in front of the table.
"From what I remember it was me who saved you from the shell from landing on you." Han retorts. The man looks away from the blonde sitting next to him, a smirk spreading across the other man's face as he sees Han.
"Ladies would you please excuse me." The man says, all the women, disappointed stand from the table disperse.
"Hey." Han calls to the man, who stands up from the table. He slowly approaches Han a scowl forming on his face.
"You no good son of a bitch." He says. "You gotta lot of guts showing your face to me, after that stunt you pulled."
Han inhales shakily, unsure of the other man's intentions. The man jerks forward, making Han jump in response waiting to be socked in the jaw; instead was greeted with a hug. The man's laughter fills the building as Han recovers from the shock.
"How you doing you old pirate? It's so good to see you." The man chuckles as he pulls away. "I never thought I'd see ya again, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, started off getting a part for the falcon."
"What did you do to my truck?"
"Your truck? I won her from you fair and square."
"And Chewie he still hanging around with your sore ass."
"Yeah he is." Han responds, placing his hands in his pockets. He turns his head when he feels a hand slide on his shoulder, seeing Leia standing next to him. Han smiles the young woman before looking back to his old comrade, who was staring at her.
"Hello, who do we have here?" He says, taking a step towards her. Leia removes her hand from Han's shoulder as the other man steps forward.
"I'm Captain Lando Calrissian. And you are?"
"Leia." She simply says, not offering a last name.
"Hello Leia." Lando lightly takes the hand that left Han's shoulder and kisses it. Han slips his hand between the two of them, taking her hand in his.
"Alright you old smoothie." Han rolls his eyes at Lando, leading Leia back to their original table, Lando following behind them.
"How's the gas going? Still paying off for you?" Han asks as Lando catches up with them.
"Not as well as I've hoped. I've had supply problems of all kind, I've had labour difficulties." Lando trails off as Han begins to chuckle at his friend. "What's so funny?"
"You sound like a reputable business man." Han responds sitting in his original chair, while Lando grabs one from a neighbouring table to sit in. "A responsible leader, who would've thought that."
"You know seeing you brings back a few things." Lando says as he sits before shrugging. "Yeah, I'm responsible it's the price ya pay for being successful." Lando gives Leia a wink before turning back to Han. She rolls her eyes at the gesture and makes her way to the bar. Han watches her walk away over Lando's shoulder, not noticing Luke leave the table to join her at the bar.
Luke places an arm around her shoulder and makes a remark to her, causing her to laugh in response. Han feels his chest tighten once more as he sees her place her arm on Luke's back while the two continue to chatter. Staring at the two of them and noticing the chemistry the two had, he couldn't help but wonder if he was standing in the way of her happiness.