Chapter 15

'Don't Turn Around'

'Purple Haze and the Furies'

'X Factor'

'Some Lighter Moments During the Journey to the Dark Side'

'Stop N' Shop'

By the time Dantius wakes up, it is dusk. He is in a frightened state. A purple haze fills his room. He glances over at the clock. The time pulses like a slow heartbeat. Could it be staring at him? It feels like it. The computer-generated voice finally speaks.

'Time to get up, Mister. Dinner in 30 minutes. Class in one hour.'

Dantius had a most bizarre dream. It was blissful, exciting, forbidden. He had never had such an erotic experience. It terrified him most of all. The women in his dreams he did not know. They were seducing him, doing things that would shock his dear mother and outrage his father. He felt powerless to fend them off these visions. The sirens he saw in his dreams, could they be real? He heard myths about these creatures rumored to linger deep in the Lianorm Swamp. The only ones able to resist the hypnotic calls of these demons were the noblest of Jedi. Someone or 'something' is playing a terrible joke on him.

Dantius touches his face. He is dripping wet and cannot breathe. His clothes are disheveled. He staggers over to the window and opens it. Fresh air gradually filters in but a bout of nausea hits him. He hurries into the bathroom and throws up his lunch special.

After a shower and a change of clothes, he grabs his rucksack, robe and parka. Dinnertime is near.

The dining hall is bustling with students this evening. The menu is enticing, Corellian medallions over Endor mushroom risotto, sautéed spinach with garlic. The pasta dish is tagliatelle and wild nerf sausage in a ragú sauce. The food service staff is actually nice to Dantius this evening; unfortunately, he has no appetite and settles for duck consommé, crackers and tonic water. Roman leaves the line. He is having the tagliatelle. He sees the bowl of soup on Dantius' tray.

"On a diet?"

"No. I'm not very hungry today."

"Are you sitting with us tonight?"

"Sure."

Dantius follows Roman to the 'young radicals' table. The group is already immersed in a lively conversation. Boone is laughing the loudest slapping his hand on the table. Fern is laughing too, but above all of the laughter is Son'ya doing the talking.

"It was so bad." Son'ya imitates Dantius in a kissing pose with his eyes closed and head tilted to the side, tongue undulating while making a gurgling sound. Magnus arrives at the table and looks around as he prepares to take a drink from his bottle of Aquilie water. He has missed the highlights of the conversation.

"Everyone's so cheerful this evening. What's going on?" He gulps down a few sips of his water before starting his meal.

Fern sits between Boone and Sigrid. She volunteers an explanation even though Magnus was not asking for one.

"Son'ya's telling us about her juicy lip-lock with Dani-"

A spray of water projects across the table. Magnus grabs the napkins from his tray to dry his chin.

"What?" There is a slight chuckle in Magnus' voice. He quickly disguises it into a forced cough.

Dantius and Roman are still standing. The group is howling with laughter…all except for Dantius. He slams his tray down on the table. Some of the consommé from his bowl spills over onto his tray. The laughter subsides. Dantius looks across the table at Son'ya to show his displeasure. He feels betrayed and turns to leave. Roman goes after him.

"Bro, hey, come back. Don't leave."

Boone joins Roman to talk Dantius into returning to the table. Roman tries first.

"Dano, bro, don't let her get to you. You know how chicks are."

Boone chimes in.

"Anyone who kisses Son'ya is a brave soul. So what else happened? Did you get to second base with her? You've got to tell us. Come on…You're getting all these crazy chicks flirting with you this week. Be a bro and tell us. You can't get all that action and not even share. Dude, where's the loyalty?"

"Nothing happened. It was a mistake."

"Well, with Son'ya…cha!"

"She told me she wasn't going to tell."

"God you're naive! She'll blab to the whole galaxy. She's a pain in the ass!"

Dantius finally cracks a smile.

"That came across pretty clearly. Does she ever stop talking?"

Boone playfully nudges him. Roman slaps him on the back.

"Welcome to the world of Son'ya Kuro! Don't get me wrong. She's still hot…in a Goth Dathomir sort of way. Good thing you two stopped sucking face. Quit now before she's selecting china patterns and seals your manhood in a jar. But, that's a discussion for another day. Let's go eat our grub before it gets cold."

Dantius returns to the table with his two 'romance advisors.' Son'ya is still talking; she stops as soon as Boone, Roman, and Dantius return to the table. It's not for lack of anything to say; it is the look from Dantius. His glare instills a sense of fear in her. Sigrid notices that Dantius is having soup.

"Are you alright, Dani? The dinner is really good tonight."

"I think I'm coming down with something."

Boone laughs.

"Oh-oh…now you have to go to the student clinic and it's all Son'ya's fault!"

Son'ya rolls her eyes.

"Very funny, Boone!"

"So, who's the next poor sap whose life you're going to ruin this week and drain him of all his life-force?"

"I didn't ruin his life. He's probably catching a cold from having his window open. It was freezing in there. I could have gotten sick. Did anyone ever consider that? Who does that in the middle of winter? Dani, you should take some medicine. You could be coming down with Balmorra Flu. You're probably contagious. We can't afford to catch anything before our Hoth trip."

Roman stops eating for a moment.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up! Son'ya, don't you ever have a quiet time?"

Son'ya responds sounding hurt, but this is not enough to keep her quiet for long.

"Why is everyone mad at me? What did I do?"

"You are taking Basic Literature, right? Ever hear of the word 'discretion'? Open a dictionary. The antonym has a holograph of you with a line drawn through it."

"Cute, Roman."

"Dano, don't invite her to your dorm room ever again."

Dantius tries to defend himself.

"But I di-" He gives up trying to explain.

Roman changes the subject as he speaks to Dantius.

"Dano, a little goddess told me you've agreed to join us on Hoth for the winter break."

"Oh…uhm…yes. Thanks for the invitation"

Dantius has not yet contacted his parents about the trip. He knows he has to tell them something soon. Roman points to the bandaged hand as Dantius holds a soup spoon.

"Is that hand going to be healed in time to hit the slopes?"

Dantius looks at his hand and wiggles his fingers.

"I believe so."

"And you know you'll be rooming with Boone, right?"

"Uhm…I do now." Dantius watches as Boone balances two straws on his forehead while chugging down a Rodian soda.

"Did he tell you that he almost went to Rigovian Technical University?"

"No. He never mentioned it."

"He turned down a full scholarship based on principal."

"Principal?"

"Based on the principal that he will not attend any school whose sole purpose is to promote the military."

"I see."

"He's a lot smarter than his antics let on."

"He's a genius."

"Don't call him that. He finds the word terribly offensive."

"I promise."

Just as they had done on Dantius' first 'radical family dinner', the group indulges in a decadent dessert. Boone does not disappoint.

"Okay, everyone, Fig and forest honey cream pie. Dig in."

They each take a slice of pie. The fluffy Chantilly cream covers a dense, chewy layer of marinated figs, honey, spices, and coarsely groundnuts baked in a flaky pastry. The pie is a dentist's dream and a personal trainer's payday. Fern closes her eyes as she savors the sweet rich dessert.

"Uhmm….this is amazing. Boone, we are going to get so fat."

Dantius is still feeling a bit queasy. He would have loved to partake in the pie eating frenzy. There is so much joy at this table. Sigrid is about to hand a dessert plate to Dantius.

"Danny, Have some dessert. You must be starving."

"It really looks tempting, Sigi. Boone, I don't think I'm up for dessert tonight. Besides, I have an evening class. I shouldn't eat anything else."

Boone comes to the rescue.

"Worry not my compadre; I had you in mind when I selected this."

Boone presents Dantius with an individual dessert.

"This should settle your sensitive tummy. It's lemon-pera gelatine"

Dantius looks at the quivering fluorescent yellow mass with wariness. It has chilled in a mold in the shape of Theed palace. Inside the gelatine are wavy green-black leaves. Boone explains that the seaweed is known for its powerful medicinal properties and comes from the Gungan swamps. Dantius is hesitant at first but nothing he has eaten so far has sickened him yet. He slowly picks up the spoon. Boone watches and waits.

"Yum-yum, eat'em up! I've gotta keep you healthy. You're my roomie on Hoth. Mags and Roman are going to kick me out next year if I can't keep a roommate. You're my only hope."

Dantius stabs the jiggly mass with his spoon then slowly brings it to his lips. He puts it into his mouth not knowing what to expect. If he spits it out, he could possibly alienate his new and only friends on campus. Boone has been his steadfast supporter these three days. He could not insult him.

The gelatine sits on his tongue. The flavors burst inside his mouth as he begins to chew. He swallows. He has to admit; it does feel good going down. He takes another spoonful. Boone nods.

"It's good, eh?"

"Unusual texture…It's not bad after you get through all of the chewy bits."

"That's the seaweed, my special recipe. They let me experiment back in the kitchen when things get slow. You'll get used to it. It definitely will make you feel better, I promise. It's pretty good. Come on…you like it."

Dantius smiles and tentatively nods in agreement. He continues to eat the dessert. Everyone cheers.

Boone in a hilarious falsetto voice imitates food service lady Viola Windu. He grabs Dantius by the head. Everyone at the table laughs hysterically.

"Praise the Jedi! Our little Dano is healed!" He slaps Dantius on the forehead. "He's going to Hoth!"

Dantius touches his forehead where he has just been slapped with the Dining Hall 'faith healing.'

"Oww!"

Magnus pulls his data phone from his trouser pocket. The device has been flashing for at several seconds. He is no so ready to cheer as the rest of the group.

"Well, not unless you can alter time, speed up the exam week or teleport us off this rock by Befana Eve We can't get another person on the Hoth Shuttle!"

Sigrid is clearly disappointed as she moans.

"Oh no…"

Roman leans close to Magnus to view the reservation blocks on the display screen. Every spot is filled. Magnus continues in his pessimistic tone.

"'Oh, no' is right. Seats don't open up again until after the first week. It's not worth the trip for the person coming in after us."

Dantius stops eating.

"Listen, I don't have to go. I'm expected to attend my parent's party anyway."

Fern expresses her disappointment. She sounds sincere but if he cannot join them, it will not ruin her holiday.

"I'm sorry, Dani."

"It's alright. You had your reservations in a long time ago. There's no need for any of you to lose your seats."

Sigrid has an idea. Her beautiful eyes light up.

"Unless…"

Roman hesitates.

"Oh-oh…the gears in Sigi's head are churning. What is it so I can give you ten reasons it's a bad idea?"

"I will tell you tomorrow. Have faith."

"God help us all."

Boone tries to guess what her idea is.

"I know. We're going to kill Son'ya!"

Son'ya gives Boone a dirty look.

"Look who's talking, 'Pig Pen.' You're about to be banned from the trip."

"You gave Dano Rancor hoof and mouth disease." He laughs.

"Shut up!" You are so obnoxious. "Rancors don't have hooves."

Boone looks under the table at Son'ya's feet and smiles.

"I beg your pardon. You're right."

Son'ya tosses a balled up napkin at him. She misses her target as Boone leans to the left to avoid getting hit.

Dantius gathers his things for his last class of the day. He wants to avoid an awkward situation as the group sits silently, pondering the situation.

"I should get a head start to class." He puts on his wool hat. "I really appreciate the fact that you thought of me. Good night."

Boone follows.

"Wait up. I'm heading that way. I have to go to the library."

Roman leaves too.

"So am I."

The three bundle up on the way out the door. They make the trek to their scheduled destinations…almost. Dantius looks at his watch. He still has some time to kill. He is still not feeling one hundred percent and he knows he cannot afford to skip anymore classes this week. The student bookstore is still open. There is an 'express' apothecary inside. He slows down as they pass by the building. Dantius points with his thumb in the direction of the bookstore.

"Guys, I'm going to stop in here and pick up something. I think I'm getting a head cold."

"Hey, we'll come with you. What kind of friends would we be if we left you to die in the bitter cold? We can't let you pass out in the middle of campus. Unless you were leaving a party drunk and happy; then it would be totally awesome!"

Roman disagrees.

"That's not cool. He could die of hypothermia from drinking all that alcohol."

Dantius looks at Roman.

"But I'm not drunk. I don't drink."

"School year's not over yet, bro."

They walk through the automatic doors. A Spysprite mini-holocam surveys their movements and records their stats for the security computer.

The trio veers immediately from the main part of the store to a connecting walkway. The store is quiet this evening and not many customers. They read the overhanging sign: 'Campus Quik-Nab Rx & Sundries Department'. Dantius chooses a random aisle without regard to signage, which is prominently displayed at the beginning and end of each aisle. Dantius peruses the first aid aisle. His hand is almost healed so there is nothing he needs here. He turns into the next aisle. He slows down and then stops as something catches his attention. He slowly rotates the display. He looks to his left and then to his right. Anyone passing by would consider his movements suspect. The aisle is clear. Boone and Roman are nowhere to be found. He takes a leisurely look at the stock on the display. He feels someone standing behind him. It is Boone. Boone's whisper is more like an excited squeal.

"Dude! Condoms? That's not going to get rid of your sinus congestion. You're thinking about the wrong end!"

Dantius is sufficiently startled. He stops rotating the display. Several of the small packages tumble to the floor.

"Oh! I'm in the wrong aisle…I accidently bumped into the display." He drops to the floor to gather the packets. Boone is laughing.

"Dude? Are you a virgin?"

Dantius gives him a horrified look.

"What? No!"

"Just asking, dude, relax. Boy, are you strung!"

"No, I'm not."

"I won't tell anyone."

"I've had experience."

"So…if you know so much which ones do you use?" And don't say the 'Double X Geonosis Warrior.' I don't even think the jocks can brag about using those. I wonder who's buying them…"

"Not me!"

"What's in your hand?"

Dantius tries to hide the packet but Boone is quicker than he is and rips it out of his hand. He giggles.

"Dude! You're getting' ambitious! I'm sure you're not packing what's in here."

"I'm not showing you!"

"Dude, relax, you're not my type." Boone giggles. Beads of sweat cover Dantius' forehead.

"Can we please leave this aisle?"

Roman catches up with them. He suddenly sports a lascivious grin on his face. Boone turns to him.

"Where have you been?"

Roman behaves like an eight-year old boy as he pulls Boone aside.

"There's a Twi'lek chick way back in the art department; I wouldn't normally say this but she is smokin' hot."

"Ro, I need you to focus."

"I'm here…I'm focused. She's still hot."

"Dude, we have a new mission."

"Really? It's not like the time we tried to sneak on board that Jedi skiff is it?" We were almost expelled."

"No…it's better."

"How much better?"

"Mo' better. We have to help Dano."

"I'm listening."

"We have to get Dano laid."

"Awesome!"

"Shhh! Calm down."

Dantius waits near the condom display rack. He walks over to listen in but Boone holds him back, keeping him at an arm's distance while he and Roman have their 'discussion.' A crazy smile creeps across Roman's face.

"You're 'effing' me, right?" He glances over at Dantius.

"I 'eff' you not."

Roman looks over Boone's shoulder at Dantius who is feeling increasingly awkward.

"Dano, is this true?"

Dantius rolls his eyes and tries to make sure no one is watching them. He pokes his head around the aisle. A customer approaches the counter. Dantius releases a heavy sigh

"Is what true?"

"You're a v-i-r-g-"

"Awww, come on, guys! Does it really matter?"

Both Boone and Roman concur with a resounding 'Yes.'

Boone is like a mad scientist. He walks up to Dantius and places his hands on his shoulders.

"Dano, you're like a blank holograph panel. We can mold you…build you. We have the technology…"

Roman chimes in.

"We can make him better."

"Mo' better. Dano Palpatine…'The Sex Machine'."

Dantius is becoming increasingly embarrassed right now.

"Shhh! Listen, guys, All I need is some antihistamine, the non-drowsy type to stay awake through this next class but doesn't keep me up all night."

"And then we need to get you laid." Boone and Roman high-five one another. Someone is watching them. Dantius is whispering for Boone and Roman to be quiet.

"Will you cut it out?"

"We're trying to help you, bro."

"I just need medicine."

"We know. Boone, check the aisles for supplies."

"I don't need any supplies!" He follows them down the aisle. He cannot control them. The pharmacist on duty watches from the counter. He sees a flash of Roman's dark blond hair over in aisle three.

The pharmacist is a tall stocky gentleman with short brown hair parted on the side. It looks like a bad toupee. He is wearing a white pharmacists' jacket. The man cranes his neck to see what the commotion is about.

"Can I help you young men?"

Roman waves his hand.

"No. We're good."

Dantius locates the antihistamine. He heads to the pharmacy count to pay for his purchase. He slows down when he sees someone talking to the pharmacist. He freezes in place in the middle aisle. He gets a lump in his throat when he sees Chip Neider. The Jock supports himself on a pair of titanium crutches.

"I was told I could pick up this prescription here."

The pharmacist takes the prescription. He is abrupt with the student.

"It needs to be filled first. You'll have to wait." He runs the prescription through the scanner after first examining Chip's student data card. "Okay. Just waiting for verification."

The Pharmacist, Norman Wuher, sees Boone and Roman scurrying up and down the aisles. He gets on the COM and speaks in a quiet voice.

"Hey, I need help at the pharmacy. Can I get resister assistance here? And there's a possible code 10-107."

Pharmacist sees Dantius standing in front of aisle two near the counter.

"Someone will be with you in a minute."

Dantius slowly approaches the counter but stays far to the left opposite Chip to avoid any eye contact but Chip looks at him. Dantius keeps looking straight ahead. He tries to focus on the pharmacy shelf behind the counter. It is a series of bins filled with prescriptions ready for pick-up. He pretends to read the sign posted in the center:

All prescriptions will be voided if not picked up within 48 hours. No exceptions. Death Stick Recovery patients must show proof of registration at accredited facility before picking up meds.

Dantius nervously fingers the small box of antihistamine on the counter. He flexes his hand and notices, in his horror that another pack of the condoms have stuck to his bandage. He tries to be discreet about pulling it off the bandage. Chip watches him. When no one is looking, Dantius finally pulls it off and then flings it into one of the bins. He stretches his arms and taps on the box of antihistamine. The pharmacist hears the noise and glances over with a suspicious eye. Dantius stops tapping on the box. Help finally arrives to ring up the sale.

Dantius is face to face with the sales clerk from the art department. The pharmacist points at her in a disrespectful and an accusatory manner.

"Oh, it's about time someone showed up. Ring him up while I fill this prescription."

His manner is gruff, on the verge of being downright rude. He is not receptive to working with aliens. Kiri ignores his rudeness and reaches for the antihistamine. Their fingers touch for a scant second as she is about to pick up the package. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, more merchandise is dumped on the counter. Roman stands beside Dantius and smiles.

"Oh, this too…"

Dantius is embarrassed as Kiri looks at each of them and starts scanning the contents from the basket:

- Endor Lokray Gum

- Forrest Honey Cough Lozenges

- Red Guard Condoms

- Halo-Comic Book Adventuress of Chewy & Boga (A more stylized version will not be published until 20 BBY)

- The Cheerleaders of Theed University Calendar -Winter Break Edition

- First Impression Breath Mints

- Alderaan Man Aftershave – Citrus Splash

- Mood Lube

- Winter Tan for Men

- Mattberry Fizzwater (3 bottles)

- Ziziibbon Truffle Mini Sampler

- Darklighter's Felucia Cherry Licorice Jumbo Pack

-Tatooine Dune Sea & Onion Crisps

-Tatooine 'Krayt Dragon' Crisps - Extra Spicy

Boone smiles sheepishly after he places the food items on the counter.

"Snack food for studying."

Dantius is horrified. Chip sits in a chair near the counter. He observes the chaos going on in front of him. Boone and Roman stand behind Dantius at the checkout counter. Roman steps forward and slides the antihistamine forward with the other items.

"Dude, don't forget these."

Kiri glances at the three young men only briefly.

"Will there be anything else?"

Dantius answers an emphatic "No."

Roman blurts out.

"Wait; Do you have 'Hutt & Tails Magazine'?"

Pharmacist Wuher is listening and immediately barks at him while filling Chip's prescription.

"This is an institute of higher learning, not a brothel. We don't sell that smut in here!"

"Just askin,' Geez." Roman whispers so Boone can hear him. "Calm down, medicine man."

Kiri continues to scan the items. She grabs the condoms. A red light flashes on the scanning screen. Kiri turns to the pharmacist.

"Do you know the correct SKU for this? It's not coming up in the system." She dangles the package of condoms between her thumb and two forefingers. Her nails are freshly lacquered yellow with black, pink, and white trim.

Wuhrer grabs the package from her. He examines the decoder strip and checks it against the database.

"Enter it as a code GEN-21."

Kiri follows his instructions. The scanner beeps green then pauses. She looks up at Dantius.

"The condoms are $14.99…do you still want them?"

Dantius utters a very quiet, "Yes," the looks away. Kiri does not hear his answer.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes…yes…it's okay."

Kiri runs the package over the scan once more to confirm the purchase.

"Your total is one hundred and seven credits and eighty-six centimes. Is that data card or cash?"

"Uhm…data card please." He digs into his pocket and presents his data card. Kiri swipes it through the reader. The sale is authorized. She returns the card to him after he signs the data signature pad.

Boone watches as Kiri bags the items.

"Could we have two separate bags please?" He sees her already filling the bag. "Never mind, I'll just take a bag for later. Thanks."

She hands him an empty bag.

When they leave the store, Boone separates the snack food, two of the three beverages, and 'Chewy & Boga' comic book then dumps it into the empty bag. He leaves the mints and the other items in the full bag for Dantius.

"I'll pay you back, man."

"Forget it." Dantius stuffs the bag into his rucksack.

"No, really, man. I promise."

Roman seems disappointed about something.

"I can't believe that they didn't have any 'art' holo-mags. I walked all the way back to the art department. All they had were books on how to paint fruit and half-finish sketches of the human form. The chicks on those holo-pages weren't even hot."

Boone squints.

"What?"

Boone does not respond but he elbows Dantius as they start walking along the path.

"Dano, did you get a look at that Twi'lek chick? I think she was totally looking at you, dude."

"I hadn't noticed."

The three students talk about nothing else of great importance. The wind picks up. Boone and Roman veer left towards the university library. Dantius heads in the opposite direction to his class. He sees other students heading in the same direction on this cold evening. He feels less anxious about going to class tonight.