Chapter Thirteen:
When they arrived at the Jade's Fire, it was early evening, and most of the maintenance crews and other hangar personnel had gone home. Therefore it was only slightly surprising that they had the bay to themselves as Mara punched in her security code and lowered the boarding ramp.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Mara asked as she led him to the lobby.
"Water please." Luke answered.
"You sure? I've got caf and whiskey."
"Well, if you're brewing caf, I could go for a cup. I'm just really thirsty tonight." Luke explained.
"You're just not used to all that dancing." Mara jibed.
Luke smiled. "That's true."
"Have a seat; I'll be back in a moment."
Mara moved into the galley and started the drinks while Luke seated himself on the lounge bench along one wall. There was a small table to either side, both empty. Luke glanced over to the doorway to the galley before brushing his pocket to make sure his datapad was still there.
Along the way they had passed his building and Luke had insisted on going up to 'grab something'. Mara didn't know what he had planned, though.
He felt the object and relaxed into the couch. Mara appeared soon after with a glass of water, which she handed to Luke. He gratefully chugged it as she disappeared into another part of the ship.
Luke set his nearly empty glass down when the redhead entered with a thick album in her grasp. Luke felt his jaw slacken when he realized that it was an actual paper album. But resting atop it to his relief was a large datapad.
That's good. I can't download the file if it's not digital. Luke thought.
Mara sat beside him. "The caf's brewing. I can start showing you the gowns now if you'd like."
Luke nodded. "Let's see them!"
Mara smirked at him, but it was shaded by a look of uncertainty as she picked up the datapad.
"I start with paper drawings, and then I re-create them into digital format when I have something I like." she explained. "Which would you like to see?"
"How about we start with the digital?" Luke suggested. "You said there was a favorite?"
Mara nodded. "Yes. There is one dress I am particularly fond of. I take it you want to see it first?"
"Sure, why not?" Luke answered as casually as he could while shielding his thoughts.
Mara eyed him, but shrugged and opened a file on the datapad. Luke took careful note of which file contained the dress. Luke immediately loved the gown, and he could definitely picture the lovely thing on Mara Jade.
It was in an exquisite shade of green that Luke knew would bring out her jewel-like eyes, as well as enhance her fiery hair.
"It's made of shimmersilk with an overlay of chiffon." Mara explained. "There is a flower strap that would go over the left shoulder to attach to the back of the gown. The flower strap also accents the bust-line by going down the middle and seeming to split just under the sternum. It would then curve around to the back, which has an opening between the shoulder blades and the lower waist."
Luke nodded approvingly. "I think you would look stunning in such a gown."
"Thank you." Mara said quietly before turning the page. "I also like this one, but not quite as much."
Luke eyed the gown, this one done in a chic pattern of black and white.
"That looks really neat." He complimented as he traced the patterns with his finger.
She showed him a few more gowns before the timer in the caf dispenser dinged. Mara rose, placing the datapad on the seat as she left to fill the mugs.
Luke swiftly grabbed the 'pad and pulled out his own. He connected them via a wire, and deftly downloaded the file for her green gown. He tapped the display nervously as the file copied, keeping a close eye on the galley and praying that Mara didn't catch him. Finally it finished copying and he disconnected the pads and shoved his back into his pocket before he placed hers exactly as he found it.
Luke let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and picked up the paper album. He flipped through a few pages, admiring the quality of the work. He was just marveling at a lovely red strapless gown with accent beading when Mara brought in their drinks and a few snacks.
"I see you went on without me." Mara quipped.
"Oh, sorry." Luke apologized. "I guess I should have waited."
"That's alright." Mara assured him.
"Who's measurements are these?" Luke asked, pointing to the numbers on his page. "I noticed them on the datapad too."
"Oh. Those are mine." Mara answered with a shrug.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Luke covered.
But Mara waved away his concern. "I don't nitpick over my dress size, Skywalker."
"Okay then." Luke pursed his lips. "Can we look at more?"
"Of course."
She showed him several more gowns, each unique, and all in a different style or color. He noticed that Mara did have a thing for flowers though: many of her gowns used them as accents.
Note to self: Mara likes flowers. He thought.
"Do you have a favorite?" Luke said aloud.
When Mara offered a quizzical look, he realized he'd offered only half a thought.
"Sorry, I just see a lot of flowers." Luke clarified. "What are your favorites?"
"Oh." Mara paused in thought. "I'd have to say my absolute favorites are this one flower I saw long ago on Naboo. It's called a moonflower because it only blooms on the full moon and only by the lakes."
"I don't think I've heard of that one." Luke pursed his lips.
"They are stunning. They are large white blooms that actually shimmer with silver on the interior of the petals when they open." Mara said. "But they are protected by the Naboo government, so they are not allowed to be picked without special permission."
Luke nodded.
"Other than that, I have always loved Toydarian fire lilies." Mara continued. "They are long, fluted flowers that have a mixture of red and orange. They really do look like they are on fire."
"Hmm…," Luke tapped a finger to his lips, trying to hide a mischievous smile. "And are they illegal too?"
Mara smirked, and shoved him playfully. "Maybe."
They shared a laugh, and Luke gazed at her with unabashed admiration. This woman was so incredible!
Mara shifted under his gaze, so he lowered it to give her some space. Then he glanced at his chrono and realized how late it was getting.
"Thank you for the great evening, Mara." Luke stood. "I'd love to go dancing again some time."
Mara smiled. "I had a good time as well. Um… about the dresses…"
Luke held up a hand. "Our secret, I swear."
Mara smiled gratefully. "I'll see you at the ball, then. I imagine we will both be too busy before then to see much of the other."
"Probably." Luke agreed. "You've got a spot at my table if you need it."
"Karrde has everything planed out for me." Mara ground out, taking Luke by surprise.
"What do you mean?" he asked carefully, remembering her temper the other night when the ball was brought up.
Mara eyed him like she was going to snap again, and Luke prepared himself for the outburst. But to his relief, she merely shook her head and sighed.
"Don't worry yourself. I'll see you there, okay?"
Luke bit back his frustration at her lack of willingness to talk about what was bothering her so much. He nodded goodbye and left her ship.
As Luke walked back toward his building, he pulled out his comlink and gave his sister a call.
"Luke, is everything okay?" Leia asked when she picked up.
"I think so." He answered honestly. "I need a huge favor, can I come over?"
"Of course, when can you be here?"
"I'm almost to the Imperial Palace now." Luke replied. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Okay."
They disconnected the call and Luke pocketed the comlink. He rubbed weary eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He knew something was deeply bothering Mara, he could sense it anytime something about the upcoming event was mentioned. But instead of sharing it with someone, Mara was bottling it all up.
As he walked along, her comment from earlier came back to mind, along with her reactions to other conversations.
It seemed that each time he brought up the ball, or just some aspect of it, Mara shut down or got angry. Luke did his best to puzzle over it, but found himself unable to make heads-or-tails of this strange situation.
Luke reached Leia's apartment and knocked softly so as to avoid waking the children. Leia answered promptly, smiling at her brother.
"Luke, come in!"
They embraced, and Luke sat on the couch, patting the cushion beside him in invitation. Leia joined him, gazing at him in open curiosity.
"So, what's with the late night meeting?" Leia questioned.
"I need an enormous favor, and I know you are already busy, but if you could make this work, I would be extremely grateful." Luke answered.
Leia cocked her head. "Perhaps if I knew what 'it' was…?"
Luke blushed. "Right, sorry. Oh, and these designs are not to be copied in any way shape or form, clear?"
Leia frowned, nodding slowly. Luke accepted her answer and opened the file on his datapad, then turned it to show Leia. Luke watched as her eyes lit up upon seeing the gown on the screen.
"Oh, Luke! This is a lovely dress!" Leia gasped. "What do you want me to do with this though?"
"I need someone who can make that… um, for the ball." Luke admitted, waiting with baited breath for her reaction.
She didn't disappoint. "The ball!?"
"I know it's only two days time, but this is very important to me!" Luke begged. "Please, Leia! I will owe you!"
"Luke, I…" Leia paused, thinking. "I don't know who would have the time to do this right now."
Luke sighed. "Please, just see what you can do for me? It's for a… friend."
Leia quirked an eyebrow and her lips quirked up into a suddenly knowing smirk. "Would this friend by any chance be a certain red-head you've been spending an inordinate amount of time with?"
Luke blushed to the roots of his hair. "Um… well, yeah." He mumbled.
Leia chuckled at him, and then returned her gaze to the screen. Luke covered her hands with his own.
"Please help me do this for Mara." Luke asked earnestly. "I will pay whatever it takes. Mara needs this."
Luke had an epiphany as he said that last, and he knew with utmost clarity that this was the right thing to do. Mara needed someone to show that they cared about her, not her abilities. His resolve hardened into durasteel, and he gazed at Leia with greater fervor.
"I will find a way to make this dress happen, if I have to stay up all night asking around." He promised. "Whatever it takes."
Leia studied him, and then pursed her lips. "Alright, I have someone in mind, but they won't like the timing."
"I will offer a generous tip." Luke said.
Leia shook her head. "I will work it out. Let me contact my dressmaker, and I'll get back to you."
"Thank you. And please protect that file!" Luke sweated. "If Mara finds out I took it- well, she will when the dress arrives- but if it's stolen, she will never forgive me!"
"Calm down, Luke." Leia hugged him. "I will take care of it, I promise."
"Thank you so much!" Luke gushed, enfolding her in a bear hug in return.