One Night in the Clube

Days later, Anakin and Jordana followed Dax into his club. The lights had a blue green tint, and the strobe lights pulsated to the beat of the music blasting throughout the club. It rivaled the most exclusive clubs on Coruscant in terms of size, interior design and lighting effects. Anakin noticed that there were silver cages hanging from the ceiling, and inside each cage was an exotic, skimpily clad woman. Jordana noticed that Anakin had noticed this, and promptly elbowed him in the ribs.
"Hey!" he protested.
"Fucking pervert." she teased.

They followed him upstairs to his V.I.P. section, which was much nicer than the rest of the club. There was a private bar, twice as many holonet monitors andbetting tables, and large arm chairs and sofas where people were relaxing. It was slightly quieter than the rest of the club, and a railing separated them from the rest of the club. Anakin and Jordana looked at the others in the section nervously, hoping that either no one would recognize them, or that no one would care. It appeared to be the latter, since when Dax went around to greet his friends in the section, no one came to bother them as they relaxed into one of the sofas.
"Hey Jordie," he began.
"Yeah?"
"During the chaotic mess of the past two days I never got a chance to thank you for you and Tahira saving my ass."
"She saved my ass too, remember. Besides, this isn't the first time I've risked my neck for you, and it probably won't be the last either. I've known you for thirteen years, there's precious little I wouldn't do for you."
"Jordie, you're the most loyal friend someone could ever hope for."
"Eh, what can I say?"
How about that you love him, Jordie? You have yet to try that one. she thought.

A few minutes later, Dax sat next to them.
"Are all Jedi anti-social?" he asked playfully.
"Nah, we just don't want people recognizing us." Anakin replied.
"Please, at this hour, everyone is so drunk they couldn't recognize their own reflection. Now come on and have a drink."
"No, thanks. I don't drink."
"Speak for yourself!" she snapped."I needed a strong drink two days ago, I'm well overdue." She hopped off the couch and followed Dax to the bar.
He handed her a menu, "Order whatever you like."
After carefully reading the menu, she made her decision.
"Give the lady what she wants." he commanded the bartender.

Corellian Black Vodka. It is a drink that even the most hardened and dangerous scoundrels drink with caution. If Jordana wanted a strong drink, she sure as hell found one. She gazed down at the pitch black liquid in the shot glass, wondering if she should have chosen a more appealing looking beverage. She brushed her inhibtions aside and raised the glass to her lips. At first it was sweet, and she relaxed slightly. But once the liquid began to travel down her throat, it immediately lit it ablaze. Dry, scratching heat clawed its way up her throat. She gasped for air, anything to cool it. The bartender, as if seeing this many times before, handed her a glass of water, but it did little to sooth her raw throat. She looked over to Dax, who was unsuccessfuly trying to hide his laughter.
"What the hell is so funny?" she rasped.
"The look on your face. Drinks are a little stronger here than they are Coruscant, aren't they?"
She nodded irriitably.
"Those drinks are nothing compared to anything what's here, just watered down to almost nothing."
"Master never taught me about this." she mumbled.

Just then, Anakin came rushing toward them.
"Jordie, are you alright? I saw you gasping."
"Yeah, she's fine." Dax replied. "Her drink was just a little too strong."
"Hey Dax, do you have, you know, a regular mixed drink? One that, like, won't set me on fire."
He ordered her something and leaned closer as he handed her the drink, "Just some advice: If you really want to try and blend in, you better get used to the powerful drinks here."
He left them to talk to the people inhabiting the betting tables, and Anakin lead Jordana back to their couch.
"Jordana, I want you to be more careful."
"Anakin, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
"But I am going to worry. You're the closest thing I have to family right now. I've already lost Padme, I don't want to lose you too. Besides, I don't think Tahira would be very happy with me if I let something happen to you."
She set her drink down on the table in front of them and relaxed into Anakin as he placed his hand on her waist. The effects of the drink were hitting her hard: she began to feel light headed, and the room began to swirl. She leaned her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes, focusing solely on the beat of the music.