TRICKSTER GRENADE
Chapter 3
"We're having sabacc here," Anakin informed his older brother as soon as he was certain that Han and Leia had left for Han's gig at a local watering hole.
"Yeah, well, I gotta watch Jarik," Jacen said.
"You can play, y'know," Anakin told him.
"I'm not that big on games," Jacen admitted.
"So? Jarik can play, too."
"He knows how?"
"Dad's been teaching him."
"Well, then, yeah. I guess."
"Don't sound so enthusiastic, you'll kill me," Anakin said sarcastically. As were all of Leia and Han's other offspring, Anakin had learned sarcasm at his parents' knees.
"Wish I was going out. Felt great being away from here for a while," Jacen said.
"Yeah, well, Jaina says Bix is trouble."
"Jaina says a lot of things. Did Mom and Dad say you could have sabacc here?"
"Not in so many words."
"In other words, no," Jacen said irritably. "So don't go blaming me if you get your ass in trouble."
"We'll be out by midnight."
"Better hope no one comes before Jaina's gone." Jaina was currently in the shower.
"They won't."
"And better make sure they're gone, too, before she gets home." Jacen groaned. "Jaina's always out past midnight and she never gets in trouble with Mom or Dad."
"Yeah, well, that's our sister," Anakin said blandly.
"What about 'that's our sister'?" Jaina's voice penetrated the air.
"Nothing!" Jacen snapped back. Things had gotten better with his twin, but they had a long way to go. "Nothing," he said, his tone calmer. "You going with your girls?"
"Nope. Got a date." Jaina smiled, her cheeks lightly blushing. "Don't worry, Mom knows."
"Must be with Jag," Anakin teased her. "Meaning Dad doesn't know about it."
"Mom can take care of Dad," Jaina remarked tartly. "Besides, he's playing out with the band tonight."
"Yeah, you could show up at their gig," Jacen responded. "That'll really blow Dad's mind."
"I do that and I'll be a virgin the rest of my life," Jaina said to him, shaking her head.
"You're still a virgin?" Anakin teased.
"Shut up, asshole," Jaina said, retreating to her lair.
"She's so touchy," Anakin said.
"Jacen, can you play Seven Card Comet with me?" Jarik wheedled.
Jacen sighed. "Sure, I'll play ya, twerp." He smiled affectionately at his six year old brother. Jarik was sometimes annoying but Jacen was his champion.
At least I'm not under house arrest anymore, Jacen said to himself. For what it's worth.
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The sound check had gone well enough, even though there was some disagreement over certain mixes (there always was). Overall, it promised to be a great show. The guys were lively and had some new songs to introduce.
"You'll be great," Leia assured Han. "Ready to have dinner?"
"Starving," he said, embracing her. "I'm ready for a traladon steak, big time."
"No herb butter," Leia said to him. No milk based products were consumed prior to gigs for the vocalists; Lork was lead and Han and Grenny were backup vocals, and milk products caused too much mucus production. Alderaanian ale, on the other hand, was acceptable in small quantities; the guys never performed drunk. Han had seen drunken performers and he wasn't impressed. And it was one of Lork's rules.
"It's nice that one of us doesn't have to be home all time," Leia sighed. "Jacen seems to be past all of that now."
"He's definitely doing better," Han agreed. "Anakin's the one worrying me tonight. He wanted to bring everyone over for sabacc."
"You told him no."
"In case you missed it, our kids consider 'no' to be 'let's see how far we can push this thing.'"
"They're a lot like you," Leia said affectionately.
"Oh, and not at all like you!" Han said dryly.
"They're teenagers. I think it's their way to push the envelope."
"Jaina didn't mention any plans to me," Han noted.
"She's going out for a while tonight," Leia said.
"With who?"
"One of her friends."
"Which one?"
"She's got a date with Jag."
"I thought I said no dates with boys!" Han was profoundly irritated. He did not like the idea of his sixteen year old daughter involved with young men who would only break her heart. Jaina was sensible, but there was always the possibility of giving into lust, and that was all young men wanted. He knew because he'd been one. "You know this, Leia."
"Han, she's sixteen. Her interest in a boy is perfectly normal."
"Yeah, and in the days of the Empire, being shot at was perfectly normal."
"That's a poor comparison. Now c'mon. The kids will be fine. Concentrate on giving a great performance tonight. I'm in the audience, after all."
Han laughed at that. "Guess I'd better not screw up. Oh, and don't sit in front of the stage."
"Why not?"
"Singers spit. Even the backup ones can't avoid it sometimes."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now let's enjoy ourselves a little. Gods know it's been forever since I could see you play."
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Jacen and Jarik were involved in seven card comet when a bunch of kids Anakin's age began piling into the apartment. Anakin knew everyone in his level at school and it appeared that most of them had found their way there.
"I wanna play!" Jarik whined at Anakin.
"Sorry, doofus, you're too young," Anakin told him.
"I am not!" Jarik protested.
"Can he play?" one of the girls asked Anakin.
"My dad's been giving him lessons," Anakin said.
"Well, why not? He's adorable!" she said.
"C'mon, twerp, you can play," Anakin relented, although he was less than clearly thrilled with the idea.
"Jacen, aren't you playing?" another of Anakin's friends asked.
"I'm not that good."
"So? Most of us aren't," he said. "Anakin keeps taking us to the cleaners. But we're watching him."
Just the, Jacen's comm went off. It was Bix.
"Hey dude," Jacen said. "Whassup?"
"Not much. Sounds like party time by your place."
"Sabacc. My middle brother's into it."
"Hey, that sounds great! Whaddya say we swing by your place, play a few cards, smoke a little chronic?"
Jacen groaned. Anakin wasn't supposed to be having this gig, and he was supposed to be watching Jarik. "Sure," he relented. "But bring blunts. No water pipes."
"Oh yeah, right, like I'm gonna be stupid enough to carry a hookah around town with me. Okay if Keck and Marsu tag along?"
"Sure. We already got too many people here. Not like a few more's gonna make a difference."
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The Screaming Green Nebula kicked off with a set that was loud and energetic. They introduced some new orginals that Han and Lork had written. The lyrics were quirky and entertaining in many of their songs. They did some covers as well, and gave them a new kick. Leia was sitting with the drummer's wife.
"Good you could come out," Karsha said to Leia. "I can't believe middle aged guys can rock out like this. I get tired thinking about it."
"It's been forever since I've seen them live," Leia said. "Since they don't rehearse in the apartment, I don't even hear them rehearse. The closest I get is hearing Han composing once in a while."
"How're your kids?" Karsha had two kids who were adults.
"We're going to be grandparents in three months," she said happily.
"Congratulations!" Leia said sincerely.
"It wasn't expected, but I've found myself looking forward to it," Karsha admitted. "I guess life's like that. I'm just glad my second one's trying to grow up, finally."
"I know what you mean," Leia said.
"How are yours? I know there were some issues with Jacen."
"He's much better now. I haven't been out since we've basically had him in solitary confinement for the last six months."
"Wow. Glad he's okay."
"He's brought his grades up. We let him out for the first time last night."
"And tonight?"
"Watching Jarik."
"Jarik's such a charmer. He reminds me totally of Han."
"That's because he's his father's son," Leia laughed. "His first name is Han, but to avoid confusion, we call him by his middle name. There's a story behind the name."
"Oh?"
"As you know, Han's essentially an orphan. A long time before we met, he met another orphan, younger than he was, who claimed he was related to Han. Han knew he wasn't, but humored the boy and taught him to pilot and fight. Sadly, the young man died in a battle. He had courage and spirit, Han said, and he wanted to honor him. And it fit perfectly with our unexpected number four."
"So you got a surprise, too."
"We did. I have the most wonderful time with him. He's, well, he's Han."
The band returned after a short break to start their second set.
Leia felt vaguely uneasy, but she'd promised herself a night out, enjoying the music, and not worrying about the kids. She slipped her comm back into her handbag and smiled at her husband as he began the opening chords.
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Jaina was having a wonderful time with Jag. They were attending a rave up, which consisted of live music and alcohol in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the Capital City. The crowded condition of the place seemed to make it impossible to dance, but the crowd seemed to have adapted.
"The bands are great tonight!" Jaina shouted over the din as she danced with Jag.
"It's pretty good. I'm thirsty. Want an ale?"
"Sure, why not?" She had no intentions of coming home drunk. A small buzz, on the other hand, would work nicely. The rave up didn't check IDs.
Jag wended his way through the crowd towards one of the nine bars that the warehouse held. They were technically folding tables that held coolers, but they served their purpose. No top shelf brands, but it wasn't that kind of place.
Jag returned with the ales and handed one to Jaina. "Can you imagine my dad playing here?" she giggled.
"He'd only do it to shoot me," Jag said.
"Well, yeah, there's that. 'Sides, my dad only occasionally plays dives. Like one time he took the band to Chalmun's."
"The spaceport cantina on Tatooine?"
"Galaxy's worst kept secret. We gotta get there someday. Apparently my dad's got a table dedicated to him."
"How'd he swing that?"
"Best smuggler in the galaxy, back in the day. Oh, yeah, and he helped overthrow the Empire." Jag's father had been a fighter pilot in the Galactic Civil War as well, but he'd restricted his illegal activities to fighting for the Rebel Alliance.
"Yeah, Han Solo's pretty legendary. And he hates my guts."
"Well, there is that."
"Wanna get outta here in a bit? Go somewhere a little quieter?"
"Uh...sure!"