Mara sighed as she approached the large house set on the hill. She was wearing a large, wornout T-shirt with a black mini-skirt, figuring that would stop some suspicions floating around. After all, she still had nice legs. Her hair was pulled back into a tite ponytail and she tripped over her white sandals as she went to ring the doorbell. Winter answered the door, a shocked look on her usually placid face.
" Oh, Mara... are you here for dinner?" Mara slowly knodded in a dumb fashion as Winter moved past her out of the door.
" Well, I'm just going now. Have a good night." As Winter left, she stepped inside the spacious living room, wrinklng her nose in disgust at the size of the house and the servants running about.
Leia walked out of the kitchen, a pink frilly apron wrapped around her petite form. She smiled when she spotted Mara, walking over in a calm fashion.
" So, may I ask what's burning?" she questioned Leia. The other woman cleared her throat, looking quite uncomfortable.
" That would be the dinner I'm trying to create."
" And how are you trying to create it, exactly?"
" By pressing buttons to computer generate it." Mara arched one eyebrow, looking skeptical.
" Alright, not to be rude, but that's pathetic. Here, why don't you go sit down or whatever and I'll cook." Pushing Leia in the direction of the couch, Mara headed for what she assumed was the kitchen.
Smoke filled the spacious kitchen, causing her to cough as she turned the vent fan on. Finally, she could see where she was going and what was around her, thus finding the cooking utensils and food.
She worked for over an hour, battering and frying, mixing and chopping, until only the bantha stew was still cooking. The timer went off, signaling that the food was completely ready to eat. Calling notice to everyone by yelling, Mara began to carry the trays, platters, and pots out to the large dining table. Luke walked in before the others and saw her struggle with the items.
He ran towards her, grabbing the food before it dropped. She smiled with grattitude, heading back to the kitchen for the rest of the food.
" My goodness, how many servings are there?" she laughed at his expression.
" I've seen Solo eat before. I figure that there might be leftovers this time."
He knodded, sighing as they sat at the table.
" It's been a while since I've seen you Mara." she shrugged her shoulders, looking away from him.
" Karrde's had me do alot of errands lately that's all."
" Are you sure? I mean if you want to tal..." but he was cut off when Leia, Han, and the kids walked in.
" Wow, it all smells so good Mara. You didn't have to do all of this y'know. I don't know how we'll manage to eat it all." Mara laughed at the comment and shook her head, strands flying into her eyes at the movement.
" Well you will have leftovers for tomorow then. Lunch will already be made." as they all sat around the long table, Han strapped the twins into their booster seats and Anakin into his highchair. And soon with the sound of plates and utensils clanking and the scraping on bowels, laughter and chatter spread across the table among the children and adults. And by the end of the night, a set of longing for her old friendship with Luke set in the pit of her stomach as she said goodbye to her hosts and headed for her apartment.
Her home was quiet when she arrived and even her pet miniature Amazon lizard did not stir from his slumber to greet her at the door, so silently Mara made her way to her warm bed.