Chapter 22

by Saber Girl Leia

Okay, guys, my life's been hectic, and will probably stay that way, so I'm saying now, once and for all, that I'm sorry it's taking so long but I am still writing this.

Btw, even if you don't like videogames, go play Lego Star Wars. It is so great. Really funny, and a lot more forgiving than most videogames I've encountered (not many, but...) In other words, you don't have to start over if you mess up, like, one thing.

I got some of these aliens from the SW website and the movies and Tatooine ghost, and some of them I totally made up off the top of my head. (I wonder if you can tell which... lol)

Anyone directly affected by Katrina, you have my condolences and my prayers.

Ariapaige: Well you can't kill Lando but you can cut off his... hand. Heehee. He doesn't know about Luke and Mara, though, not that that gives him an excuse, but maybe an explanation?

I want to get them off that planet, too. It's a fun little writing venture since I've never really written anything quite like it before, but at the same time it's quite difficult to get enough inspiration to actually sit and write a chapter, so... once we get off it, I have a Force hunch the updates will be quicker ;).

Mara look-a-like: Thanks for the review and the support :D.

SailorLeia: Someday we have to meet and have a big sleepover party but we have to do it in a house with a lot of bathrooms so we each get a bathtub. LOL!

Much love!

StarClipper01: Thanks!

Yeah, I guess I did have her break the rules a lot like Anakin. But it is established in Children of the Jedi (I think) that she had a lover, Geith. (I might be wrong, it's been a while, but he was definitely mentioned, and I seem to remember getting the impression that they were involved.)

About Ellie's 'feminine issues': I do think it would be funny to deal with something like that, as long as I could keep it from getting gross. Thanks for reminding me of it. I'm still trying to find a spot where it will fit with the tone and plot of the story. I think I might have a spot a ways down the line... :D

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She had avoided anything tight this time, but the dress Mara was wearing was still plenty low cut and the flowy layers of fabric it consisted of made her feel like she was swimming.

She had to admit she liked it. The light green gauze of the outermost layer floated just above a shinier, solid layer. A vinesilk ribbon cinched in close - the only form-fitting part about it - formed a belt. Mara let her hair down and wore a pair of gold earrings and the necklace Luke had given her.

Surreptitiously, not wanting Lando to know she might be enjoying herself even just a little, she took a holo of herself. Then she put the finishing touches of Katris, using a slightly fancier kerchief.

And they were off.

Lando, dressed in a rich red dress shirt and black pants with a violet cape, drove to the part, one arm around her the whole time. After a while, Mara found that she did not even mind that much, as he was not trying anything else.

She did wish she could reach Luke.

Perhaps... she had been able to speak to Palpatine across the galaxy. Could such a feat be repeated?

No. She must not think of the old Emperor. Perhaps she and Luke could forge such a link, but by herself, far away from him, Mara knew she could not.

And Luke had said, 'there is no try,' and so she did not even attempt it.

When they arrived, Mara threw herself into her act.

Linking arms with Lando, she leaned heavily on him and gave a pouty, flirtatious hello to the men they passed. The beginning of the party was a banquet, and Lando pulled out a chair for Mara, than sat beside her. She rested a hand lightly on his between their plates. The tables were in a long row, surrounded by picturesque gardens.

When everyone was seated, droids began to serve them. The fare was exquisite, and represented a variety of cuisines. Mara sampled a little of almost everything, though she watched carefully to avoid any food of the K'vresh people, having had bad reactions to it before.

The event had attracted people of many races, both humanoid and otherwise, although her table seemed to be composed of basically humanoid races. A Devronian male sat on Mara's other side, and a Weequay sat across from her.

The assembly talked little throughout the main course. But as the food started to run down and the wine bills started to run up, the crowd became more talkative. Mara knew this was when her mission finally began.

Lando was busy speaking about business to the couple on his other side, so Mara turned her attention to the Devronian, the Weequay, and their companions.

"...named Sarge," the small Klatoonian woman perched on the Weequay's knees was saying. "I left him for Reshak here..." she turned to the Weequay and they became quickly involved in kissing. Mara turned away, slightly sickened by the drunken beings all around her and their lack of control.

The Devronian also seemed to be looking for someone new to talk to. Their eyes met. "Hey, I'm Klarkh," he introduced himself in a surprisingly high, light voice.

"Katris," she responded simply.

"Zee," said the woman beside him. Mara did not recognize her species, and it disconcerted her. She looked almost like a Twi'lek with hair instead of lekku.

The conversation stalled.

"So..." Mara began, deciding now was as good as ever, "just curious... do either of you know a man named Car'das? He came here years ago with my best friend, and I was hoping to find them."

Zee shook her head. "What was her name?"

"Ellanora," Mara answered on impulse.

The couple was thoughtful for a moment. "Nope," Zee finally answered, never heard of either of them. Sorry."

"Oh."

"Have you been here long?" Klarkh asked.

"No, not re-" Mara was cut off as Lando put an arm around her and drew her into his conversation.

"Yeah, this is Katris," he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Her mother ran away with one Car'das a while back. She only came with me when I promised to find them."

Horrified, Mara jerked back to see if the other couple was listening. Thankfully, they had once again started a conversation with the Weequay and the Klatoonian.

"Katris?" she heard Lando say firmly, "What are you doing?"

"I thought I saw her," Mara improvised, "but I was wrong." She hung her head.

"Oh," Lando answered, "and understandable mistake. She's distressed," he explained to the listeners.

"I... oh, Lando... can we go talk alone for a moment?" she pouted at him.

"A moment, I suppose, sweet." Smirking over his shoulder at the other couple, he kissed her nose (which Mara tried desperately not to wrinkle) and cinched an arm too-intimately around her waist. They headed to a bench in one of the gardens.

As soon as they were out of easy earshot, Mara berated him, though it was as much her fault. "We need to come up with one story together and stick to it!" she admonished, pulling away roughly. "They'll all be onto us if we're telling ten different lies."

"They're all drunk daft."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does!"

"Then what do you want me to tell them? Mara, you're not being fair. You're acting like I'm some sort of sleazy criminal. I'm trying to do a job here, too, all right? If you would just give me a krethin' chance..."

"Whatever." She stood, and Lando's face fell. "Car'das was my crush, years ago, and I heard a rumor he'd be here. I told you he was my best friend's lover. That's what you tell people, all right?" She began to walk away.

He ran after her. "Mara, are you even thinking straight? Remember how much older than you he is?" But then he had to stop, for they were almost to the tables again. She melted into his arms, but he knew it was all an act.

A Sith-spawned, nasty act.

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Dessert came, and afterwards the men and women split up. Mara was herded by the crowd to one end of the line of tables. She just mingled until she heard a familiar voice. "Katris! Katris!" It took her a moment to remember that was her.

Mara ran towards the voice. "Yes?" It was Adele. "Hi!"

"Hi, have you seen any of the others?"

"No."

"That's too bad. I know at least Ila and Fai'Nel are here somewhere..." she looked around.

"Um, hey, Adele?" Mara asked in an urgent whisper, "can I ask you something?"

"Sure, whatever."

"Do you know... have you ever met this man, Jorj Car'das? He's, um, a friend, of mine, and I heard he came to this planet several years back... Just don't spread around that I'm asking... I don't think Lando would like it..."

Adele nodded knowingly. "Never met him, sorry." A moment later: "Look, there's Ila!" She jumped up and waved over the Falleen.

"Hey, Ila, you ever meet a guy named Jorj Car'das? Kat here is looking for him. Quietly," she added, with a glance at Mara.

"No... but would he be in the logs somewhere? For the landing space or a hotel room or something? They keep records, I think."

"Oh, that's a good point!" Mara jumped up and embraced Ila, surprising herself more than the other woman.

"I'll come with you tomorrow to search them, okay?"

Mara's face fell. "Um... are we even allowed to do that? I don't want to get you in trouble..."

"Oh, I'm sure you can find a way."

"Of course..."

"So, tomorrow morning then? I'll meet you somewhere?"

Mara groaned inwardly. "I guess. I'll have to work that out."

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Review, please!