| ***** Lilith stood poised in the center of the ring of chairs and in a few moments the first strains of music drifted over the group. Most all the other noises in the cantina had stopped. The game had attracted a lot of attention and now almost the entire patronage of the cantina was waiting eagerly for the show to begin. The first few throbbing beats echoed out and Demodae heeled out of her boots in a sinuous move and kicked them slowly out of the way. The ululating melody seemed to call to her and her body began to move with it, her hands rising above her head and her eyes half closing. Krelo knows me better than I thought. The music is perfect. It must be a Jedi thing. Griff was in for a surprise. He was expecting her to be bad at this, but for anyone who had done the Dance of Passion as many times as she had this was almost as easy as breathing. Lilith's body twisted and writhed in a sultry, seductive manner her hips making small circles, her shoulders rising and dropping as her hands and arms waved above her and all eyes were locked on the smuggler with the unusual talents. As the first line of words rolled out, Lilith's eyes came back open and her hands fell to the edges of her vest, pulling and tugging, but not quite removing. Her knees bent and she slithered in a downward motion her head rolling side to side hypnotically in time to the slow beat. I dream of rain, aee lay de ae lay, I dream of gardens in the desert sand. As she stood, her hands fell, taking the vest with them, in opposing motions, her head thrown back. I wake in pain, aee lay de ae lay, I dream of love as time runs through my hands. Lilith turned toward Qui-Gon, her smile a come-hither invitation and her movements suggesting interesting possibilities. She minced closer on the balls of her feet and pirouetted, depositing her vest in his lap before moving on. I dream of fire, ae lay de ae lay, These dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire. Lilith's hands dropped to the waistband of her pants for the second time that evening. Her hips circled wider and her fingers played enticingly with the clasp before opening it and beginning to slowly ease the garment down her legs. As the music throbbed, rising and falling with the background singer's wailing in a dead language long forgotten, Captain Demodae straightened, letting the subtle motion of her legs encourage the slide of fabric toward the floor. Simeon's jaw lay on his chest and Dimallie gave him an irritated whack on the shoulder, but he never took his eyes off the mesmerizing sight before him. Obi-wan took one glance at the look on Jemmiah's face and force his expression, through a supreme effort of will, to remain bland and uninterested. He wanted to survive the night after all. Dex had to elbow Mace who had leaned forward onto the edge of his chair. "So," he whispered to the council member, "are those legs as nice as they look?" "Oh yes," Mace replied as quietly as he could and still be heard over the continuing music. "But I didn't realize just what I had in my hands at the time." Qui-Gon's head was tipped slightly sideways as if to get a different angle on things. And Griff had a very pleased look on his face. He still hadn't noticed that Sybelle was getting angrier and angrier by the second. And in the flames, ae lay de ae lay, Lilith drifted, light as a desert breeze despite the handicap of her falling breeches, over in Mace's direction. When she stood in front of him Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire. She lifted one long leg from her pants, lifting it up and up until her foot was extended up over the master's head. It came back down in a slow, torturous motion and in its place the other rose, still carrying the black Nerf leather breeches. This desert rose, ae lay de ae lay, In a movement of supreme muscle control and grace, Lilith deposited her pants over Mace Windu's shoulder, her toes dragging lightly across his chest on the way back down. And then she moved on. Each of her veils a secret promise. Male patrons from other parts of the cantina were now gathering closer, some even trying to push through the circle of chairs. In a concerted movement, several of the older padawans and masters stood and glared them back. The men retreated. Drunk, or not, no one wants to start a fight with a Jedi. This desert flower, ae lay de ae lay, no sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this. Lilith smiled softly, at her protectors, now thoroughly enjoying herself. She'd never had such an attentive audience before. Having thanked her earlier benefactors in what she thought a very appropriate manner, given the circumstances, she moved on to her victim. Griff watched her glide toward him, her motions slow, filled with suggestions of carnal knowledge. She paused once in the very middle of the circle, one leg rising, brushing against the other, lifting the edge of her loose blouse enticingly, and them she was moving again, advancing toward her prey. And as she turns, ae lay de ae lay, this way she moves in the logic of all my dreams. This fire burns, ae lay de ae lay, I realize that nothing's as it seems. Lilith pause only long enough to make a quick assessment of Sybelle's temper. It was boiling and about to go over. The fact that Griff was totally engrossed in Demodae's performance was not helping matters in the least either. Lilith's hands were now working on the fastenings for her blouse, loosening the lacings at throat and wrist. She rolled back the sleeves in sensuous motions and everyone could see the throwing daggers strapped to her left forearm and the vibroblade attached with a quick-release to her right forearm. I dream of rain, ae lay be ae lay, I dream of gardens in the sand. I wake in pain, ae lay de ae lay, I dream of love as time runs through my hands. She moved forward, her long legs practically straddling Griff's legs as he sat in his chair. The man's grin only became wider as Lilith danced just for him. Or so he thought. She was also dancing for his girlfriend. I dream of rain, ae lay de ae lay, I lift my gaze to empty skies above. I close my eyes, this rare perfume Is the sweet intoxication of her love. Lilith's hands never quite touched the skin as they flitted back and forth around Griff's head and chest. She tugged at her blouse at first one corner then the other, giving tantalizing glimpses of her black lacy underpants and hints of what lay above that. Sweet desert rose, ae lay de ae lay, This memory of Eden haunts us all. Lilith's hands raised up over her head and her blouse floated right up and off, landing at Griff's feet and revealing a black lace bra. Unnoticed, Krelo's hand fell back to the holocam she held. Anything to help a friend Lilith slowly wove forward in time to the pulsating rhythm of the music. This desert rose, this rare perfume, Is the sweet intoxication of the fall. With the last aching strains of melody, Lilith leaned forward and placed a whisper soft brush of her lips on the corner of Griff's mouth. Suddenly all business, she rose, collected her clothing from it's various repositories and bowed to the thundering applause that came from beyond the circle of chairs. ***** "Bit difficult to surpass that!" Jemmiah smirked over her glass. "I don’t know." Kryztan arched an eyebrow comically. "I’m sure we could think of something if we put our minds to it." "Is that right?" She muttered, wondering at the strangely sweet taste of her Flame out. She smacked her lips, puzzling over it for a moment, then dismissed as not important. Kryztan watched her out the corner of his eye. "Who’s next, Lilith?" Krelo called. "Yeah, which poor little padawan gets it with both blasters firing?" Windu laughed. "Padawan? Who said anything about a padawan?" Lilith smiled as she replaced the various discarded items of clothing back on her body. "I’m choosin’ blonde stuff over there, in the corner." "Dex!" Mace clapped his hands. "She’s on to you." Dex Berlingside squirmed and possibly lost just a little of the cool, sophisticated smoothness he was so famed for. Lilith walked over towards him and cast a huge shadow, which fell intimidatingly over his face. "What I want to know, Mr. Oh-so-handsome-Jedi-stud-master," Lilith watched as the others around her howled at Dex Berlingside’s description, "Is the precise number of female conquests you have managed to notch up, with age ranges please." Everybody instinctively leaned forwards to catch this prime piece of gossip. "I’m not naming names." He warned, ever the gentleman. "Shame!" Windu grumbled. "Come on then, Dexy. What’s the tally?" "Well," he replied slowly, "I could be wrong, but I think the count as it stands at the moment is three hundred and five." "What?" Sal-Fina broke in. "Different women?" "Yup." Dexy smiled. "What do you do in your spare time?" Abran was staggered. "That would be telling!" "And the age range is what?" Lilith persisted. Dex shrugged. "Youngest was sixteen. Oldest was fifty-nine. Only I didn’t know that at the time!" He protested as Mace howled at his discomfort. "You’re a cad." Qui-Gon shook his head affectionately. "I do my best." Meri whispered into Letina’s ear. "How come the masters are getting drunk much quicker than the padawans?" Letina smirked at her. "It was Jemmiah. She’s arranged for the masters to get doubles every time they get a refill." She looked over at the hyperactive Windu and the misty-eyed Qui-Gon. "I think things are going to get a lot worse very quickly at this rate." She spied Jemmiah, whom Kryztan was clearly loitering besides with intent. Obi-Wan had almost ground his teeth down with annoyance. "I think there’s going to be trouble pretty soon if we can’t persuade Kryztan to back off." Meri grimaced. "If this goes on much longer I’m going to tell Master Jinn about Kryztan’s intentions. I don’t care what Jemmy thinks." "Right then," Dexy pondered who to go for next. He considered picking his padawan, but he seemed to be working to his own agenda at the moment… "I pick Healer Leona." Dexy smiled charmingly. "Truth or dare?" "Truth." She closed her eyes. Berlingside flashed a white, shining smile. " You must come across unusual cases in the line of duty, not to mention difficult patients." He looked at Qui-Gon "I want to know what the most embarrassing situation you’ve ever had to cope with as a healer is. And I want LOTS of details!" ***** Leona's face crimsoned at the question, her eyes searching quickly through the crowd seated around her. "Isn't that a rather unethical question to answer?" she asked pleading of An-Paj who had immediately lowered his head down in an effort to hide the knowing grin he was failing miserably to hold back. "Not as long as no names are revealed." the Master Healer stated as he rose from his chair, his shoulders beginning to quake with suppressed laughter. "I need a drink." he said hurriedly and waked away to the bar. Leona's eyes widened in horror as she watched her only salvation desert her. "Well?" the fair-haired Master prompted gleefully. Leona stared into her lap, where her fingers nervously fidgeted with the cuff of Qui-Gon's borrowed robe. "Years ago a Knight came to the infirmary with a rather delicate problem" she began timidly. "He had picked up a...a...personal...device and during his...um...investigation of it...it...malfunctioned..." The healer's voice faded gradually. The audience around her had begun to lean in to hear her. "Malfunctioned?" Dexy inquired. "Yes, and then became...ah...irremovable due to the highly...um...agitated state he was in." she answered quietly. "And?" Berlingside spurred her on. "In my effort to remove it I...um...used a solvent that caused the plasti casing of the...device to melt and....my...my hand became glued to the device." Titillated giggles and amused snorts erupted around the table causing the healer to hesitate. "What else?" Berlingside sensed the story was not yet concluded. Leona's shoulders sagged under the weight of embarrassment she felt. "After consulting with a colleague, it was determined that the only way to extract the device without causing further harm to the Knight or myself was to use its intended application to conclusion." Healer Leona wanted to pull the large robe she was wearing over her head as the crowd burst into combined gales of laughter. At that moment An-Paj returned to the table. "Here I thought you may need this." he said, placing a large drink in front of her. Without hesitation she snatched at the glass and drank it down with her eyes closed tightly, the sound of her rapidly beating heart pounding in her ears. "How do you feel?" Qui-Gon asked Leona as she groaned out loud at her hesitant answer. ***** "Horrendous." Muttered Leona. "Cheer up!" Dexy soothed, pushing yet another drink over towards her. "It’s all over now." "Yes, until the next time somebody brings the subject up." Jemmiah teased from beside the bar. Leona turned round to face her tormentor. "Really," she said dryly, "then let’s really make it a memorable occasion. Truth or dare, Jemmiah?" "Me and my big Corellian mouth." Jemmy drawled, setting her drink down on the table. "Guys, this is taking WAY too long. We should be at least another three cantina’s further down the road…" Her eyes lit up suddenly. That gave her an idea! "Ok. I know it’s my duty to suffer with all you Jedi types. Hmmm, what should I pick?" Jemmiah tapped her chin with her finger as she debated the wisdom of going for the truth option. Oh, why not! "Truth." She said finally. "How old were you when you had your first passionate kiss?" Leona asked. Jemmiah went white and looked to Qui-Gon for help. "Pick another question." Jinn whispered quickly in Leona’s ear. "Oh, er…right." She swallowed; realizing she’d somehow managed to touch on a rather painful subject. "No, on second thoughts I think we’ll try another one." The healer said rapidly. "Why don’t you tell us the real reason that you were expelled from Coruscant High School for Young Ladies?" "Ah." Jemmiah laughed guiltily. "That." "Yes, I’d like to hear the reason, too." Qui-Gon folded his arms. "The version that Evla gave me was ‘a difference in opinion’ between you and your head teacher." "That’s true." Jemmiah said. "But if you must know, myself and two other school friends decided to ‘borrow’ his personal hover car and take it for a bit of a spin." "You can’t even fly a speeder!" Jinn looked shocked. "Well, it didn’t look too difficult." Jemmiah replied. "And I sort of it picked up as we went along." She saw the horrified look on Qui-Gon’s face. "We were going to give it back; there wasn’t so much as a scratch on it. We’d have got away with it too if it hadn’t been for a small, minor detail." "Which was?" Berlingside asked. "He was asleep in the back at the time." There was a thunderous roll of laughter. "We had no idea he was there." Jemmy said defensively. "He must have gone to sleep under the blanket or something. Kriff, did we get a shock when he sat up!" "I’ll bet." Mace laughed. "What did you do?" "We crashed." Jemmiah said simply. She caught Qui-Gon’s angry stare. "But he made a full recovery. He’s hardly got a limp these days." "You’re lucky you didn’t get arrested." Jinn said coldly. "Me? Nope, no way." Jemmy grinned. "I have in my possession a rather interesting letter written on flimsy plast which would prove rather incriminating should it ever get to the attention of the authorities. So we all got off with a smack on the wrists and a small but official expulsion. I do love blackmail." She smirked. "You are in deep water, young lady." Jinn said menacingly. "No doubt." Jemmy shrugged. "However, this time I’m going to get my revenge in early. Truth or dare, Master Jinn?" Qui-Gon looked surprised."Me?" "Uh-huh." Jemmy nodded. Qui-Gon actually looked worried. This was not going to be pleasant, not if Jemmiah had anything to do with it. "Dare." He quaked slightly at the bright smile that met his answer. "Wonderful." Jemmy laughed. "Ask Mr. Blacksol if he wouldn’t mind lending me that object we discussed earlier whilst I was at the bar." She nudged Simeon in the ribs. "OK." He wandered off looking nonplussed. "What are you planning?" Qui-Gon asked, determined to meet his fate with as much dignity as he could. Jemmiah wandered over to squeeze in next to him. "I’ve always wondered what you look like under this." She tweaked his short beard. "NO!" Jinn shook his head. "YES!" Jemmiah grinned. "That’s your dare." Simeon returned a few minutes later with an old fashioned razor, a towel and a bowl of warm water. Qui-Gon eyed them like they were some ancient instruments of torture, as Jemmiah leaned right over him, razor in hand. "Come on, Master Jinn." She smiled lop-sidedly. "Time to wave that beard goodbye!" ***** Was murder permitted in a public place, Sybelle idly wondered as she attempted to grind a long drinking straw through the bottom of her glass. Her hit list for revenge before the night was over was getting so long she'd have to start writing it out in a minute. Suddenly it came to her. Perfect revenge. If everyone was going to laugh at her, she'd make sure she got to laugh at all of them. Group dare. But that still didn't fix the overwhelming feeling of rage she still experienced when she looked at Jemmiah or Griff. But of course, there was always a way of solving that problem. If Jemmiah wasn't above having a little fun with Sybelle's boyfriend, then Jemmiah could hardly complain if Sybelle returned the favor, could she? ***** "You look really…different." Jemmiah stood back to admire her handy work. "Different?" Qui-Gon asked, worried. It had been such a long time since he’d not worn a beard that he was almost afraid of looking in a mirror and finding himself staring at someone he didn’t know. "Sithspawn!" Mace said. "Is it bad?" Jinn asked, as Leona swabbed away the blood from the scratches Jemmiah had managed to inflict on the poor master. "No." Leona said. "It’s just…different." "I wish people would stop saying that." Qui-Gon grumbled. "I like it." Jemmy said after a closer inspection. "Can we cut the rest of your hair now?" "NO!" Qui-Gon snatched the razor away from her. "You have an unhealthy obsession with people’s hair. If you aren’t waxing it and ripping it off then you’re braiding it or dressing it in rollers." "But you really suited your hair in those rollers…" Jemmiah started, before backing off at the warning glint in his eye. "Has anyone seen my master?" Obi-Wan stood in front of Qui-Gon and pretended to look round in search for the Jedi. "He was here ten minutes ago but now he seems to have vanished and been replaced by some youthful impostor." "It knocks years off you." Berlingside agreed. "But that’s why you grew it in the first place, wasn’t it? To give yourself an air of authority?" "It works." Kenobi nodded. "It scares the hell out of me!" "I’m surprised that you want to spend your life with a dead rat strapped to your face." Jemmiah grinned. Qui-Gon let Leona finish sticking the Bacta patches over his numerous cuts and stood up. "Let’s move on to the next cantina whilst we can still walk." "Yeah," Dexy grumbled, "the sooner we finish, the sooner we can all go back and listen to Yoda’s singing." "I thought you said ‘nuts’ to Yoda’s singing, Qui?" Mace threw the quote back at him. "Wait ‘till I tell Yoda." Jemmiah said seriously. "You wouldn’t." Jinn faced her. "Try me." "OK." Qui-Gon muttered. "I’ll forget about the last dare. But you are STILL in a lot of trouble." "What’s next on the agenda?" Obi-Wan asked, slipping his arms round Jemmiah whilst looking pointedly at Kryztan. "I think we play a good few rounds of catch-up." Jemmiah said. "And that is?" Berlingside frowned. "A chance to get things back on track. Speed drinking. Everyone has at least three strong drinks in a row. As soon as they knock one back, they start on the next." Jemmy looked round, seeing she had everyone’s attention. "No sipping, ladies and gentlemen. It is not permitted under any circumstances. Sipping is against the rules." "Whose rules?" Mace frowned. "Mine." Jemmiah smiled. "Then after glass three it’s on to the next Cantina. But you have to run between each stop." "Don’t tell me," Qui-Gon said groaning, "walking is also against the rules." "Correct!" Jemmiah replied jubilantly. She unfolded the list again just to check what came next. LUCKY STRIKE CANTINA THE PIONEER DAWN ‘TIL DUSK HELL’S CHANCE CORELLIA SPIRIT WANDERING STAR THE FREETRADER CORUSCANT JEWEL SCRUFFY DIRK’S THE SALAMANDER JUMPIN’ JAX THE MONASTERY BLAST-AND-RUN FINE N’ DANDY CANTINA HELL’S CHANCE "OK," She took a deep breath. "Until we get to the ‘Hell’s Chance’ we are playing catch-up. Understood?" Everyone nodded. Jemmiah pulled Obi-Wan out the way and whispered, "Remember we have to get the masters REALLY molassed in as short a time as possible. It’s doubles for them all the way. And we don’t grab Mace until we’ve finished our drinks at The Dawn ‘Til Dusk. The tattoo shop isn’t too far away, and Spider’s going to help us out with the necessary details…" "Oh, no. Jemmy – not Spider. You know what she’s like." "Yeah!" Jemmiah chortled. "One thing’s for sure. Mace is going to get the shock of his life." Jemmy turned round to face the boozed up crowd of masters and padawans. "If you’d like to stand up, please. Make your way to the door." As the group did as they were instructed, Jemmy counted the seconds down on her chrono, waiting to give the signal. "Get ready to run, guys." She raised her hand. "GO!" |
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| A Night to (almost) Remember |
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