Scene 13 – If We Only Had a Wheelbarrow

"I didn't just head back to quarters to shower," Vacy explained. "When Arri came over with our drinks, I knew something was up. After we headed out, she left me a message on holo and explained the situation. I told her about going to see Darmas."

The blue-skinned Twi'lek grinned lazily at Corso. "So, tell me, did you enjoy getting a lap dance from a Jedi Knight?" She chuckled when he began to blush and stammer, then looked over at Vacy. "How'd you end up with this tasty hunk of man-flesh, anyway? Where's Bryson?"

The grin faded from Vacy's expression, and she set her flask down heavily. "Bryson… he made some bad choices," she said after a moment. "And they caught up with him."

"Oh, Vee, I am so, so sorry," Bell'aria murmured, drawing her friend into a close hug.

Vacy buried her head in the Jedi's robes for several moments. When she pulled away, she sighed, and then shrugged. "There's no way you could have known." Paused. "Well, I mean, I don't think so anyway. I don't know what all you guys learn to do with that Force stuff." Her mouth drew up in a sad smile. "It's okay."

"No, it is NOT okay," Arri returned firmly. "When dealing with emotions, pretending can be very dangerous. So don't say it's okay, when it isn't."

Corso listened to all this, noting the pain in Vacy's expression, and carefully chose a segue. "I thought you Jedi were all about not showin' your emotions," he said.

Arri rolled her eyes. "Everyone always thinks so, but there's actually a great deal of disagreement among the masters as to how, exactly, the Code should be implemented in one's own life." She waved one hand dismissively. "But that's a discussion for another time. Right now we need to decide exactly what we're going to do to get those dancers out of there and shut that operation down."

Vacy rubbed her chin, the corners of her mouth curling upward. "Say Arri…" she began.

The twi'lek grinned back at her friend, her eyes beginning to sparkle. "Yeah Vee?"

"Don't suppose you still have that prosthetic," Vacy continued, leaning back and crossing one leg over the other, her foot bobbing.

Arri's grin broadened. "As a matter of fact, I just so happened to bring it with me," she said gleefully. "I thought it might prove useful."

Slipping off her barstool, Vacy grinned right back at her friend. "Spare robe, too?"

"Spare robe, too," Arri confirmed, and stood as well.

"Well then." Vacy turned to Corso. "You wait here, Riggs. We'll be back in a little while." She winked at him, and then the two women headed out of the cantina.

Corso rubbed his forehead in confusion. "Now what in blazes was that all about?" he murmured.