Disclaimer: Most of the characters featured are the property of G. Lucas.
No copyright infringement intended. I am NOT making any money with this.
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
A few hours later they entered the antechamber of the former Hall of Commerce of the Palace. It was a tradition that the party was never held in the same surroundings - one of the more memorable ones had been aboard the Errant Venture. One had been on Myrkr, several on Coruscant.
The hall itself was full. Light but danceable music played in the background as two hundred humans and members of other species strolled the floor in search for friends and beverages. A few senators, indeed, but most were friends. Luke played the gentleman, offering Mara his arm, but she nudged him in his ribs with her ever-ready elbow, and walked into the crowd, Luke trailing behind.
Artoo scuttled past with drinks, and Luke grabbed one. "Thanks, pal." Artoo beeped a courteous reply, and then continued its roll in serach of empty glasses in need of filling.
"Hey kid," came Han's voice from a side table. They shook hands and Luke sat down. He'd have plenty of time to look for the rest of the Squadron.
"Where've you left Leia?" Luke asked, sipping his drink.
Han, wearing his usual attire oif white shirt and pants, gestured somewhere in the crowd. "She's entertaining the Senators. She can come in handy sometimes."
Luke laughed. "Like Mara could, you mean?"
Han, obviously a few drinks past him, grimaced. "I wouldn't necessarily say that to her face if I were you. Where is she, by the way?"
"Left to look for Karrde, probably."
"They don't see much these days, do they?"
"Not much, no, now that Shada's taken over her duties." Shada D'Ukal, a skilled merchant had appeared at Karrde's side shortly after the news of Luke and Mara had span the rest of the galaxy. It had been a bit to swallow to Mara, but not a big one as far as Luke knew. Mara was aware that changes brought more changes. And this she was obviously willing to make.
"Good luck, kid," Han commented out of the blue, and left Luke at the table. The reason for his sudden departure was evident - Lando had just promenaded in with Chewbacca.
Luke decided to hit the crowd. He found Wedge and Corran soon, in debate about the design of some motivator in Sienar-class cruisers. Luke joined in, and soon received a hefty clap on the back from Corran's father-in-law Booster Terrik, always in a festive mood. Corran's wife, Booster's adored daughter Mirax followed him with Leia. Hugs were exchanged.
"Skywalker be my bantha! I just heard good old Jade's finally blasted you out of free space!" Booster roared, nearly snapping Luke's neck in a fatherly squeeze. Luke laughed. Booster Terrik had never cared much about politics, and his obvious exhilaration at an otherwise tangled situation raised his spirits considerably. Perhaps this would all just pass.
They searched for a vacant table but there weren't any. Mara soon made her way through the crowd to them and Luke, to her relief, noticed that she, too, had cheered up considerably. After two drinks she was giggling without restraint as Wedge decided to humiliate Luke by sharing some not-so- flattering memories from Luke's youth.
"Damn it farmboy, even you can't be that sithspawn stupid!" Mara laughed after Corran had told her of an occasion when Luke had decided to fix an A- wing and thought it to be similar to an X-wing with disastrous results.
"More times than you can wave a stick at," Corran threw in, luring out an even thicker fit of laughter.
"And I suppose you fixed your own ships in your crib," Luke commented, smirking.
"I had people to do that for me," Mara said with a straight face and a self- sufficient tone and for a moment Luke thought her unpleasant mood had returned. But the impressions on the others' faces and Mara's own bubbling laugh made him decide otherwise. If Mara could joke about her past she must've been quite alright.
"Come on, now, gullible flyboy, you definitely owe me a dance!" and before he could hesitate, she grabbed hold of his arm and led him to the midfloor. "Let's give them something for their money," Mara whispered, nodding her head towards the group of Senators seated at a table.
The music changed into a different tune, this time it was an older song from the desert world Ylesia, a popular tune throughout the galaxy in the years after the defeat of the Emperor. Rhytmically hypnotic, with Obroa- Skaian reed pipes and intricate drums from Outer Rim worlds, it was just enchanting.
It wasn't only because of their reputation that most pairs of eyes - or groups of eyes, depending on species - soon were focused on Mara and Luke. She'd taught him well.
Luke placed her arm on Mara's hip, and Mara slid her hand more than slowly onto Luke's broad shoulder. They locked fingers, shared a look that entailed the deepening of their mental connection, and let themselves be swept away.
Luke guided them around the floor with bends and twists at every turn. Mara's somewhat high heels did not slow her down. They danced with defiance and grace and with a connection that did not go unnoticed.
Luke felt a pang of embarrassment of he noticed Lando raising his glass at him with an appraising look, but Mara's leg pressed against his own soon but his priorities in place. He let go of her hand, twisting his own so than Mara could turn on her heels around it. They regained their hold a split second later, and as the music ended, Luke savoured the moment, pulling Mara into a kiss which lasted perhaps slightly longer than what was publicly polite. He felt intoxicated from being able to let go of his usual restrained self.
His ability to do so in general was all thank you to Mara.
Karrde's absence was surprising. As far as Mara knew there was no urgent business holding him, and Tendra had wondered in alone a few hours after Lando. She didn't have much ideas on Karrde's whereabout either - he'd sent her on a shopping spree - Karrde's alias for acquiring information - in the Hutt section and she'd made sure she'd get to Coruscant in time for the party but as of Karrde, she had no idea what was holding him.
The riddle was partly solved after midnight. Leia had gone to make a brief call at their quarters to see that the twins had not decided to wreck the place with lightsabre practice, Han was somewhere with Chewie -- it probably had to do with the missing curtains and a bottle of Bakuran nectar. Luke, Lando and Mara were sitting the night away not too far from the dancing floor as Mara was quite determined to drag out every and each Rogue to the floor before the legs would buckle from under her.
Suddenly, Karrde appeared. He rushed in, searching for someone. To Luke's surprise it was himself. Before anyone could even greet him Karrde had summoned Luke to have a word with him. They wandered to the balcony. "Karrde - you didn't even say hi to Mara."
Karrde looked around to make sure there were no unexpected listeners. "I'll have time later. I just need to tell you first. I don't want you two finding out from the front headlines on Holonet when this gets out."
Luke was utterly puzzled. "If this is about me and Mara, then she should-"
"Leia called me yesterday, to ask me if I had heard something about Fey'lya apparent concern for the welfare for your and Mara's-"
For some reason he didn't want to say it. Luke prodded him slightly - couldn't help wanting to know. Karrde was pushing it back because of Mara. They both knew how she hated surprises. How she'd talentedly back out of anything she felt she needed to.
Karrde passed him a datacard. It didn't take long for Luke to read it through. "Where did you get this?"
Karrde looked grim. "It was sent to Fey'lya from Bastion. Someone there isn't too fond of you two."
"Or otherwise just wants to stir trouble. This is an excellent way to make the Council squirm. A power-hungry senator?"
"I'll give you another way of looking at it," Karrde said, "Why Fey'lya? He's cunning, hates the lot of you, including Leia, and is willing to make a whirlpool of administration for his slightest whim. He'll wreck it all if they let him."
"So it's up to me to salvage what I can?" Luke replied, indignantly, "What about Mara? We leave her out of this? It's not as if she won't guess something's going on?"
Karrde shrugged. "You're the Jedi Master." He did have a point - if he didn't wish to scare Mara away for good, he'd have to keep this to himself. Even his telling her would signal that he believed it enough to make it an issue.
Even though he didn't want to believe a word of it. Not a word. He wouldn't even consider it. He left Karrde on the balcony, deciding to see Fey'lya right away. Despite the time of the day.
But Fey'lya wasn't far. The womp rat had slipped in during Karrde and Luke's conversation - the utter luck of the Bothan!
He was sitting with Leia as Luke returned to the hall. The look on his sister's face told of disbelief, doubt, and, to Luke's shock, accusation, as she turned to face him.
It was right then that he realized he was completely alone with this.
But it wasn't until a few minutes later that his loneliness reached galactic levels.
Mara was gone.
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi
ONLY TO BE ARCHIVED AT FANFICTION.NET
Timeline: Post- Vision of the Future, replacing Union
To M. For feedback, excellent company, fellowship in SW-madness and fun around the clock ;=) (Especially behind the wheel - I sure would like to see you with an X-wing!)
SPOILER ALERT: Planet of Twilight, Showdown at Centrepoint, Specter of The Past, Vision of The Future, Vector Prime as well as some later New Jedi Orders. (And naturally the Thrawn trilogy, how can anyone possibly avoid that? ;=)
WARPED UNIVERSE ALERT: For the sake of storytelling, Isard's not dead at all. Condolenses to those who get stomach cramps from the woman. I know what you're going through. Just thank the stars of Alderaan I didn't bring Callista back.
Star Wars: The Rising By Heidi Ahlmen (siirma6@surfeu.fi)
A few hours later they entered the antechamber of the former Hall of Commerce of the Palace. It was a tradition that the party was never held in the same surroundings - one of the more memorable ones had been aboard the Errant Venture. One had been on Myrkr, several on Coruscant.
The hall itself was full. Light but danceable music played in the background as two hundred humans and members of other species strolled the floor in search for friends and beverages. A few senators, indeed, but most were friends. Luke played the gentleman, offering Mara his arm, but she nudged him in his ribs with her ever-ready elbow, and walked into the crowd, Luke trailing behind.
Artoo scuttled past with drinks, and Luke grabbed one. "Thanks, pal." Artoo beeped a courteous reply, and then continued its roll in serach of empty glasses in need of filling.
"Hey kid," came Han's voice from a side table. They shook hands and Luke sat down. He'd have plenty of time to look for the rest of the Squadron.
"Where've you left Leia?" Luke asked, sipping his drink.
Han, wearing his usual attire oif white shirt and pants, gestured somewhere in the crowd. "She's entertaining the Senators. She can come in handy sometimes."
Luke laughed. "Like Mara could, you mean?"
Han, obviously a few drinks past him, grimaced. "I wouldn't necessarily say that to her face if I were you. Where is she, by the way?"
"Left to look for Karrde, probably."
"They don't see much these days, do they?"
"Not much, no, now that Shada's taken over her duties." Shada D'Ukal, a skilled merchant had appeared at Karrde's side shortly after the news of Luke and Mara had span the rest of the galaxy. It had been a bit to swallow to Mara, but not a big one as far as Luke knew. Mara was aware that changes brought more changes. And this she was obviously willing to make.
"Good luck, kid," Han commented out of the blue, and left Luke at the table. The reason for his sudden departure was evident - Lando had just promenaded in with Chewbacca.
Luke decided to hit the crowd. He found Wedge and Corran soon, in debate about the design of some motivator in Sienar-class cruisers. Luke joined in, and soon received a hefty clap on the back from Corran's father-in-law Booster Terrik, always in a festive mood. Corran's wife, Booster's adored daughter Mirax followed him with Leia. Hugs were exchanged.
"Skywalker be my bantha! I just heard good old Jade's finally blasted you out of free space!" Booster roared, nearly snapping Luke's neck in a fatherly squeeze. Luke laughed. Booster Terrik had never cared much about politics, and his obvious exhilaration at an otherwise tangled situation raised his spirits considerably. Perhaps this would all just pass.
They searched for a vacant table but there weren't any. Mara soon made her way through the crowd to them and Luke, to her relief, noticed that she, too, had cheered up considerably. After two drinks she was giggling without restraint as Wedge decided to humiliate Luke by sharing some not-so- flattering memories from Luke's youth.
"Damn it farmboy, even you can't be that sithspawn stupid!" Mara laughed after Corran had told her of an occasion when Luke had decided to fix an A- wing and thought it to be similar to an X-wing with disastrous results.
"More times than you can wave a stick at," Corran threw in, luring out an even thicker fit of laughter.
"And I suppose you fixed your own ships in your crib," Luke commented, smirking.
"I had people to do that for me," Mara said with a straight face and a self- sufficient tone and for a moment Luke thought her unpleasant mood had returned. But the impressions on the others' faces and Mara's own bubbling laugh made him decide otherwise. If Mara could joke about her past she must've been quite alright.
"Come on, now, gullible flyboy, you definitely owe me a dance!" and before he could hesitate, she grabbed hold of his arm and led him to the midfloor. "Let's give them something for their money," Mara whispered, nodding her head towards the group of Senators seated at a table.
The music changed into a different tune, this time it was an older song from the desert world Ylesia, a popular tune throughout the galaxy in the years after the defeat of the Emperor. Rhytmically hypnotic, with Obroa- Skaian reed pipes and intricate drums from Outer Rim worlds, it was just enchanting.
It wasn't only because of their reputation that most pairs of eyes - or groups of eyes, depending on species - soon were focused on Mara and Luke. She'd taught him well.
Luke placed her arm on Mara's hip, and Mara slid her hand more than slowly onto Luke's broad shoulder. They locked fingers, shared a look that entailed the deepening of their mental connection, and let themselves be swept away.
Luke guided them around the floor with bends and twists at every turn. Mara's somewhat high heels did not slow her down. They danced with defiance and grace and with a connection that did not go unnoticed.
Luke felt a pang of embarrassment of he noticed Lando raising his glass at him with an appraising look, but Mara's leg pressed against his own soon but his priorities in place. He let go of her hand, twisting his own so than Mara could turn on her heels around it. They regained their hold a split second later, and as the music ended, Luke savoured the moment, pulling Mara into a kiss which lasted perhaps slightly longer than what was publicly polite. He felt intoxicated from being able to let go of his usual restrained self.
His ability to do so in general was all thank you to Mara.
Karrde's absence was surprising. As far as Mara knew there was no urgent business holding him, and Tendra had wondered in alone a few hours after Lando. She didn't have much ideas on Karrde's whereabout either - he'd sent her on a shopping spree - Karrde's alias for acquiring information - in the Hutt section and she'd made sure she'd get to Coruscant in time for the party but as of Karrde, she had no idea what was holding him.
The riddle was partly solved after midnight. Leia had gone to make a brief call at their quarters to see that the twins had not decided to wreck the place with lightsabre practice, Han was somewhere with Chewie -- it probably had to do with the missing curtains and a bottle of Bakuran nectar. Luke, Lando and Mara were sitting the night away not too far from the dancing floor as Mara was quite determined to drag out every and each Rogue to the floor before the legs would buckle from under her.
Suddenly, Karrde appeared. He rushed in, searching for someone. To Luke's surprise it was himself. Before anyone could even greet him Karrde had summoned Luke to have a word with him. They wandered to the balcony. "Karrde - you didn't even say hi to Mara."
Karrde looked around to make sure there were no unexpected listeners. "I'll have time later. I just need to tell you first. I don't want you two finding out from the front headlines on Holonet when this gets out."
Luke was utterly puzzled. "If this is about me and Mara, then she should-"
"Leia called me yesterday, to ask me if I had heard something about Fey'lya apparent concern for the welfare for your and Mara's-"
For some reason he didn't want to say it. Luke prodded him slightly - couldn't help wanting to know. Karrde was pushing it back because of Mara. They both knew how she hated surprises. How she'd talentedly back out of anything she felt she needed to.
Karrde passed him a datacard. It didn't take long for Luke to read it through. "Where did you get this?"
Karrde looked grim. "It was sent to Fey'lya from Bastion. Someone there isn't too fond of you two."
"Or otherwise just wants to stir trouble. This is an excellent way to make the Council squirm. A power-hungry senator?"
"I'll give you another way of looking at it," Karrde said, "Why Fey'lya? He's cunning, hates the lot of you, including Leia, and is willing to make a whirlpool of administration for his slightest whim. He'll wreck it all if they let him."
"So it's up to me to salvage what I can?" Luke replied, indignantly, "What about Mara? We leave her out of this? It's not as if she won't guess something's going on?"
Karrde shrugged. "You're the Jedi Master." He did have a point - if he didn't wish to scare Mara away for good, he'd have to keep this to himself. Even his telling her would signal that he believed it enough to make it an issue.
Even though he didn't want to believe a word of it. Not a word. He wouldn't even consider it. He left Karrde on the balcony, deciding to see Fey'lya right away. Despite the time of the day.
But Fey'lya wasn't far. The womp rat had slipped in during Karrde and Luke's conversation - the utter luck of the Bothan!
He was sitting with Leia as Luke returned to the hall. The look on his sister's face told of disbelief, doubt, and, to Luke's shock, accusation, as she turned to face him.
It was right then that he realized he was completely alone with this.
But it wasn't until a few minutes later that his loneliness reached galactic levels.
Mara was gone.
************************************************'
Thank you for reading. Reviews and feedback would be greatly appreciated - they're the fuel that feeds this creative furnace.
Heidi Ahlmen siirma6@surfeu.fi