I found the 'fresher without too much difficulty and once relieved, I gave myself just enough healing that I wouldn't vomit. I wanted to, badly; it had been quite a long time since I'd allowed myself to get really drunk. I didn't think it would help Kex much if I suddenly was sober, and didn't want to have to pretend all night I was drunk. I managed to get back outside without too much damage; I only stumbled into things twice. Kelborn and Xarga were outside the door, waiting to escort me back.
"Don't you guys get tired of being on duty?" I asked.
"Are you kidding? This is the most fun we've had in ages," Kelborn said sincerely. "No one knows what you'll do next," he added with a grin.
"Great; I'm the local entertainment," I grumbled. "Glad to be of service."
"I've never seen anyone out drink Kex, not even the Mandalore," Xarga said admiringly.
"I'll tell you a secret; I was worried there for a bit," I slurred. "He's got the constitution of a kath hound."
I started back toward the bonfire. Xarga gently steered me the right way – apparently I'd lost my sense of direction. I allowed him to lead me back to Canderous, who gathered me to him in a hard hug.
"You know you're impossible, right?" He asked rhetorically.
"Not if you play your cards right," I said, leaning over to nibble on his ear.
He purred a little and sat down with me draped ungracefully over his lap. I closed my eyes and leaned against him, smiling. I could feel the alcohol slowly being absorbed and neutralized; I gave it about an hour before I was sober enough to want to move again. Meanwhile, storytelling had geared up again and I listened to various people recounting tales of battle and glory. Sometimes they spoke in their own language and I was surprised to find even drunk I could follow well enough.
Canderous's arms were warm and soothing; I snuggled into his chest and raised my face for a kiss. He was smiling at me and obliged, stopping before it got too involved. I growled a little in frustration.
"As much as I would love to, Wildcat, I can't leave the circle yet," he murmured in my ear. "Give it an hour or so."
"Oh, all right," I said, resigned. "I'm enjoying the stories anyway."
About a half hour later, someone shouted "Jennet!"
I was much clearer now; a good deal of the drink had metabolized. I looked up at the shout and yelled back, "What?"
"Tell us a story, lass!" the voice said. I focused and saw Angus about halfway around the fire, a tankard in his hand.
"Um…." I looked up at Canderous. He was grinning.
"Go on, tell them a story," he encouraged.
"I don't know any," I protested.
"Tell them about Jareth, then," he said, his eyes serious. "There are some of his kin here, they would like to hear it."
I stood, glad that I wasn't swaying anymore and the ground felt solid beneath my feet. My head was still feeling a little floaty, but I could speak steady and stay upright. Someone pressed another mug of ale into my hand and I eyed it dubiously. Oh, Gods. I took a sparing sip and the crowd cheered. I cleared my throat, and started to speak.
To my surprise, I spoke Mandoa. It came to me easily, with the occasional mental help from Canderous when I couldn't find a word. There were startled looks all around the bonfire, and a rumble of approval. I'd noticed the Elders had joined the circle, sitting near Canderous, their eyes fixed on me. I nodded to them, and they inclined their heads back in greeting. I could see Dax and the rest of the honor guard quietly translating for my friends.
I started with the fight at the cantina on Tatooine, and meeting Dax and Jareth, how they tried to make a pass at me and I defeated them both at once. I spoke of the friendship we forged, and skimmed over the jobs we did together. The crowd loved it; they were quiet in the right places, shouted approval when I spoke of the fights we got into. When I reached Jareth's death and my belief that Dax was killed too, there was dead silence. Dax stood, and recounted his escape from the Hutt and how he had thought that I had run away. We finished the story together, ending with meeting on Telos and how he discovered I had believed him dead, and his admiration for Canderous and his Mate.
I concluded, "Jareth was a good man, and a brave warrior. He died as a Mandalorian should; in battle, protecting his boss and friends. I will miss him."
There was a sober silence, then Canderous stood. "To Jareth," he said, raising his mug.
"To Jareth!" the roar almost hurt my ears.
Someone started playing a lively tune on some sort of flute; drums joined in, and a few other instruments I couldn't identify. Almost as one, the crowd started dancing around the bonfire, and I was whirled into the pattern. Canderous was beside me, laughing, and I was astonished to see he was very good. I knew he was graceful as a big cat, but dancing wasn't something I had pictured him doing. He read my thoughts and grinned.
Nice to see I can surprise you.
He picked me up and whirled me around, making my head get dizzy again. Then he tossed me to the next man in line, and I saw that all the women, Jedi and Elder included, were being whirled and tossed too. We were all laughing and flushed and happy. The men of course outnumbered the women about ten to one. It was quite some time before I was back with Canderous. Finally back on my feet, I stumbled a little and regained my balance. It was time for another trip to the 'fresher.
I tossed a mental call to Canderous about where I was headed and found my way back to our room. I drank some water afterwards and felt it give me some more energy. Refreshed, I came back outside and was a little startled that I didn't have a guard waiting. I was rather glad; I'm not used to being followed around and hadn't had a single moment really to myself in ages. I leaned back against the wall of my quarters, enjoying the cool air on my flushed face. The stars were very beautiful and I could make out the bright light of nearby Onderon, where my mother was from. I wondered if she could see me, and if she would approve of where I was and of Canderous. I thought that she could, and did, and Dad too, and felt comforted.
"I miss you both," I said softly to the stars. They twinkled back, a cheerful glow in the night sky.
Not really paying attention to where I was going, I headed back toward the bonfire. I was mostly sober now, but still a bit light-headed; I tread carefully on the uneven ground. After a while, I realized I should have reached the crowd by now, and the sounds of merriment were faint. I looked around, confused, and heard something off near the shadow of a building. Curious, I quietly approached and saw the tall form of Dax, enthusiastically wrapped around Mira, absorbed in a very passionate kiss. Mira looked equally enthusiastic and absorbed.
Good for them, I thought, and melted back into the darkness.
Trying to get my bearings, I walked toward the noise of the party, but the wind was carrying it oddly and I couldn't place where it was coming from. I ended up in a dead end and retraced my steps. I wasn't alarmed; the camp wasn't that big, and I would be damned if I interrupted anyone else making use of the shadows to ask for help. Besides, I was a little embarrassed that I was lost, and didn't want to give the camp more gossip to chew over. On the heels of that thought, I suddenly came upon Atton and Ladria, as occupied as Mira and Dax, and again silently slid back into the shadows. I was pleased for them and had no intention of interrupting anything. It was about damn time, in my opinion.
I hadn't had the opportunity to get the layout of the whole camp yet and had no idea where exactly I was. I saw a shuttle craft in a hanger nearby with several buildings scattered around. There was a building that seemed to be a bathhouse, and one I thought was probably barracks next to it. A man was coming out of the first, and saw me looking confused. As he approached, I could see he was very drunk, and I turned to walk the other way.
"Hey lass, you shouldn't be out here in the dark by yourself," he called. "Someone could get the wrong idea."
I didn't answer, just started walking the other way, fast. I disliked the aura I was getting off him and wanted to avoid a confrontation. He was quick though, for all his drunkenness, and caught up to me, grabbing my arm.
"I wouldn't do that," I said pleasantly, trying to shake him off.
"Just trying to see you safe," he said, slurring. "I should get a nice reward from the Mandalore for protecting you, yes?"
"I doubt it," I answered.
He made a sort of lunge at me, and I quickly yanked the arm he had a hold of forward. He stumbled, off-balance, and I swiftly brought my knee up and caught him under the chin, hard. He went down like a fallen log, out cold.
"I hope you don't remember that," I said to him, and quickly trotted the other way. I gave up trying to find my way alone, and tuned in to Canderous, following his presence that glowed like a candle in my mind.
Everything all right, Wildcat? Where are you?
I'm fine, I projected back. Just went for a walk.
You got lost, didn't you?
Um…
What happened? He had caught a bit of my encounter before I could block it.
Just an overly helpful drunk, I said dismissively.
Is he still breathing? Canderous asked dryly.
Yes, I answered brightly.
Do I want to know who he is, and what he did?
Probably not.
Wildcat, do you think you could get through the rest of the night without getting into trouble? Canderous sounded more resigned than irritated.
I don't know; how much longer before we can politely leave the bonfire?
Just get back here and we'll leave. I have an idea that will keep you occupied.
I smiled. Almost there.
I made it back without further incident and Canderous kissed me warmly hello. Warmth turned to serious heat in seconds and I felt him pick me up so I could reach his mouth better. I helpfully wrapped my legs around his waist so he didn't have to carry my full weight, and concentrated on devouring his tongue. He groaned appreciatively and sucked mine into his mouth. My turn to groan.
Before things could get out of hand, he shifted me around so he could walk easier and without putting me down headed toward our room. I saw out of the corner of my eye two of the honor guard starting to follow and felt Canderous shake his head sharply at them. I had a feeling Jarxel wouldn't allow us to escape the guard altogether, and would send them after we were safely in our room. I quit thinking about that and started nibbling Canderous's ear, tracing the whorl of it with my tongue. He rumbled like a big cat and I smiled. I bit a little harder and he shivered.
Arriving at our quarters, he strode in to the little bedroom and elbowed the lock. Turning, he let me dangle, grabbing me by the waist and leaning us against the door, kissing me hungrily. I wrapped my legs around his waist again, answering his hunger with my own, loving the feel of his hard body against me. I pulled at his shirt and he paused only long enough to take it off, get mine out of the way, and pressed me back up against the door again. His skin was hard and smooth against my softness, the muscles flexing as one of his hands explored my breasts, the other keeping me in place. I ran my own hands down his broad back, enjoying the solid feel of him.
His hands and mouth were driving me to frenzy and I wiggled impatiently against him. He pulled back with the grin of a kath hound at feeding time and let me drop long enough to finish getting naked. We spent an awful long time against the door and I enjoyed every second. When he was starting to have problems remaining upright, he shifted and got us on to the bed, where I proceeded to drive him insane. We were loud enough that I was glad the walls were soundproofed.
Eventually, we made it under the covers, exhausted with the events of the day. Just before I drifted off, Canderous pulled me close to him, spoon fashion, his muscular arm heavy around my waist, one hand cupping a breast. He murmured something incoherent in my ear and I caught the word 'home'. Too tired to ask him to repeat it I sent a thought as my brain shut down.
Home is where you are.