| ***** Jay Abran dished out the first card to Obi-Wan. Endurance. Kenobi grinned. This was going to be fun. Jemmiah’s turn. Five of Sabres. She winked at Obi-Wan. Simeon caught the look and knew something was going down. Sybelle next. Her eyes closed in relief. Nine of coins. Kryztan stared at his card, thumbing the edge. Two of Staves. Griff watched as Abran threw him his card face down. He turned it over. The Evil One. Letina licked her dry lips. Three of Sabres. This is terrible, thought Healer Leona as she watched the game unfold slowly. Jay Abran looked cool and collected in his role as games master. Jemmiah looked plain excited by the whole thing, as did Obi-Wan. Simeon wore a frown of concentration as the cards were dished out one by one. Kylenn and Jodi Mullicar appeared equally nervous as they studied every move. Simeon’s card. The Idiot. "Ok, ok. Stop laughing." He complained as everyone howled at the aptness of the card he had received. Letina wiped her eyes on her sleeve. Poor Simeon! If she didn’t know any better, she could have sworn that these cards were stacked! There was that look again, this time between Abran and Jemmiah. A secret communication between co-conspirators. Dimallie’s turn. One of Flasks. Leona just couldn’t see what the great enjoyment factor was in this thing. She wasn’t against the consumption of alcohol, but to take part in something as idiotic as this… She saw Jemmiah knocking back another glass of Fire Scorch and had decided that enough was enough, when a cry of delight went up around the little group. "Obi-Wan! You get first crack at the concoction from hell." Jay Abran shouted with considerable glee. "Somebody write this lot down. Something tells me it’s going to have a bit of a kick!" Kenobi spared Kryztan Harkley a glance, but his eyes were fixed firmly on HIS girlfriend. Obi-Wan’s annoyance grew rapidly. He really wished Jay would rig it so that Harkley would have to drink this thing, instead of whom they had planed for originally… Gritting his teeth, Obi-Wan set to work thinking of the most lethal combination he could ever come up with…. Meri wandered miserably past all the masters and padawans, taking in the various stages of inebriation and maudlin that had started to set in. She almost wished she were back at the temple. An evening with the predatory twins did not appeal remotely to her. As she moved towards the other end of the bar in search of a free drink, Meri reflected on how the padawans and masters seemed to compliment each other so well. Master Berlingside had been the temple heartthrob in his day, and now Kryztan was rapidly assuming that mantle. Kylenn, like Yaddle, was kindly and sensitive. Obi-Wan seemed remote at first, like Qui-Gon, but on knowing them better it was clear that they possessed a dry sense of humor. Ambianca and Junine were regular chips off the original block. The former looked, sounded and contrived to act like her master at all times. Not surprisingly she had few friends. Junine was quite frankly a pain in the rear. Master H’darri had set her a bad example in how to get along with people. Dimallie was innocence personified, and Leona was a ready shoulder to cry on when things went wrong. Which they did frequently. As for Simeon, he and An-Paj made an unusual pair. You could never refer to the master healer as hapless, so in that respect they had little in common, but they both had that same twinkle in their eyes. Both were only too happy to go out their way for other people beyond the call of duty. Both would make you laugh. Meri wasn’t convinced that An-Paj shared Simeon’s fondness for extremely strong liquor, but then Simeon never did things by halves. That was why she was not remotely surprised to see him amidst a lively looking group right at the very back recesses of the cantina, amidst the darkest shadows and smoke. What DID surprise her was the sight of Padawan Kenobi with his arm round Jemmiah Gleshan, who to Meri’s understanding had been left behind at the healers. Adi Gallia had certainly banned Sybelle from attending; yet there she sat, smuggler boyfriend in tow. What took her breath away the most was the sight of a nervous looking Dimallie AND Healer Leona, who appeared to be wearing a dress not normally associated with the temple dress code! This looked a much better prospect for fun! "What’s going on, guys?" She waved lazily at Letina. "Deathmatch." Letina grunted. "Does Qui-Gon know you’re here?" She grinned at Kenobi and Gleshan. "Evidently not." Jemmiah replied. "We’re still alive." "He’s got a really guilty conscience, you know. I overheard him speaking to Master Windu. Kept wanting to call the temple to see how you and Kenobi here were getting on in his absence!" Jemmiah gasped audibly. "He didn’t!" "No, Mace stopped him. But imagine what would happen if he DID!" She grinned. "That ISN'T worth thinking about." Obi-Wan gulped. "You always did have a sadistic streak in you." "And it’s got worse with age." Meri crossed her arms smugly. Leaning over beside Jemmiah she whispered in the younger girls’ ear, "Who have you got Abran stacking the cards against this time?" "Who says we have?" Jemmy asked, eyebrow raised. "You. I can tell. I know what you’re like. So does Mace Windu. Those posters were VERY imaginative, weren’t they?" "Yeah, alright." Jemmy conceded. "You want in?" "What, and risk being the unfortunate vrelt who has to down this?" She frowned, indicating the elongated flagon where Obi-Wan’s selection of drinks was happily mixing and fermenting. "I think not. I’ll stand beside Tanni Welasa where it’s nice and safe, thank you so very much." "Suit yourself." Jemmy smiled. "Oh, word of warning." Meri lowered her voice even further. "Padawan’s Dumb and Dumber are having a real dig at you. If you want to stay out of Qui-Gon’s sight for a bit longer, I’d keep out of their way." She glanced at Kryz Harkley, who was still casting covert glances at the Corellian girl. Watch out for him, too, Meri thought to herself. She sat and watched distractedly as the cards went round and round the table. Jemmiah drew the Mistress card, which caused a lot of snickers from her fellow fugitives in the same way that Cates had. Jay Abran’s really enjoying himself here, Jemmiah thought. Sybelle drew the six of Sabres, Kryztan the eleven of Staves. Meri saw Jay Abran’s eyes fixed on Jemmiah and she almost imperceivably blinked towards Simeon, who was by then on his third glass of Purple Twilight Cider. She stared at Abran’s magician like hands, continuing to reel off cards at a considerably faster rate than earlier. "Slow down!" Kylenn grumbled. "Sorry." Abran slipped the second Ace from his sleeve and tossed it to Simeon Cates. "Ace of Staves!" Crowed Jemmiah. "Simeon, make this a good one, huh?" "You betcha!" He grinned, flicking his black braid behind his ear. I feel really terrible about this, Qui-Gon thought to himself. I really should check on Obi-Wan. If it’s not too late, he could still join in… No. I’ve made my decision. I can’t change my mind just because I feel guilty about sitting here with Mace and the others whilst he is grounded. What sort of signal would that give, anyway? He’d think he could do as he pleases. Best to stick to the decision, however much I regret it now. I can try and make it up with him later. As for Jemmiah, she must be feeling very miserable right now. Perhaps I ought to check on her. After all, I’m technically her guardian in Evla’s absence. Whatever I think of her relationship with my padawan, I can still keep an eye out for her. Qui-Gon spared a brief glance towards Sal-Fina. Damn the woman! She just had to be in the same room as him and the hairs on the back of his neck would stand on end with annoyance. This was his punishment for his unfair treatment of Obi-Wan and his short temper with Jemmiah. And what punishment! Standing up, he walked over to the bar, just yards away from Sal-Fina. "Another Alderaani Black Rum, please." He ordered from the barman. "You’re going it a bit, Qui dear." Sal-Fina’s honeyed voice filled him with irritation. "Maybe I like things blurred." He retorted. "So you can see two of me instead of one." Her face lit up. "That’s some crush you’ve got." "That’s some imagination you’ve got." He smiled a sickly-sweet smile, enjoying the deflated look that edged on to Sal-Fina’s face. He pulled out his com-link. "Sith!" Sybelle glanced at the contents of the deathmatch flagon. "That looks highly toxic!" "It’s s’posed to be." Meri laughed from the side. "Ready?" Jay Abran smiled as his hands went to the cards. "Ok. My turn. Three of Coins." I can hardly watch, thought Leona. Qui-Gon is sitting a bars length away and he is going to find out about this whole stupid game and I am going to get into so much trouble. An-Paj will never trust me again after this... "My turn!" Jemmiah brandished the Ace of Sabres with delight. Jay Abran just winked. "This’ll be interesting." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "I think we’ll have a quarter measure of Old Corellian Brandy, a half of Purple Twilight, a half of Alderaani Black Rum, a dash of Corelli Cold Comfort, a quarter Fire Scorch, a half…." "That’s disgusting!" Meri chuckled. "The more disgusting the better." Jay Abran grinned ferally. Leona groaned, and decided now would be a good time to find a fresher. She just couldn’t keep up with these kids, and she was hardly old herself. Sighing, she thought wistfully of Qui-Gon Jinn. There was little hope there now. Don’t give up, her inner voice chided as she left the group to its own devices for a little while. She hoped Dimallie would be sensible and not drink too much while she was away. "What do you mean, she’s not there?" Qui-Gon’s voice contained more than the faintest hint of worry. "Where is she?" "Is that Master Jinn?" The voice of An-Paj suddenly took over from Healer Xadaani. "Yes, could you please explain what Ferdi was trying to tell me." Jinn’s tone was sharp. "She is not in the ward." An-Paj replied equally severely. "She’s not on the premises. My first guess was that she might have been hiding round your apartment with young Kenobi." Qui-Gon’s eyes clouded over with anger. "But that doesn’t seem to be the case. I spoke to Padawan Rouaine. She says Jemmiah told her she was going to get some fresh air." "Didn’t she try to stop her?" Jinn asked incredulously. "She said she thought she’d been discharged from the infirmary." An-Paj’s voice seemed to convey a suitable amount of distrust. "What do you think?" Qui-Gon couldn’t make up his mind if he were more furious than concerned. "I wouldn’t want to think she was wandering round the streets in that condition." An-Paj said shortly. "Damn!" Qui-Gon grumbled. "What do you want me to do?" An-Paj asked. "Make sure you’ve got restraints for her the next time she finds herself in hospital." Qui-Gon replied. "I don’t know. If you hear anything else, keep me informed." "Will do." An-Paj cut the transmission. Hell. This was all he needed. Now he REALLY felt guilty. Jemmiah breathed rapidly. This was getting to the exciting bit. Abran dealt the cards once more. The Star for Letina. The Seven of Flasks for Kylenn. The Eight of Coins for Jodi. Simeon was becoming more and more convinced that something was up. The secret glances between Obi-Wan, Jemmiah and Jay Abran. The fact that all the Aces so far had gone to the experienced drinkers, so they would know exactly the worst things to go into the flagon. Griff Rendar had the Two of Sabres. Jay Abran had picked Moderation. That caused some giggles. Kryztan was given Demise. Jemmiah turned over her card. The Commander. Kenobi looked unconcerned as he turned over his card. The Master. And so it went on. Round and round, until the cards were rapidly diminishing from the little stack besides Jay Abran. You could cut the tension with a knife. "Where did Leona go?" Frowned Jemmiah as they had dealt Simeon’s card. Everyone looked up, except for Jay Abran and Meri, who saw the former repeat his earlier trick with his sleeve. And the next person was… OH, NO! "Dimallie!" Kylenn squealed as she saw the remaining Ace land on the table in front of the shocked apprentice. "You’ve got the last Ace!" "B-but I can’t have!" Wailed Dimallie. "I don’t even drink." "Then it’s a very good time to start." Jemmiah smiled. Simeon looked at Jemmiah and shook his head, half out of admiration for her cunning, and half from despair on Dimallie’s part. This was Jemmy’s revenge for her accident the other day. By looking at the satisfied expression on Obi-Wan’s face, this was probably his revenge for the Sports day fiasco six years ago, where Dimallie had very nearly drugged him to death… Jay Abran didn’t need an excuse. He just liked a laugh. "Come on, Dim." Grinned Sybelle. "Drink up!" "And don’t dare spill any," Meri added, "Or you’ll have to pay a penalty!" "What?" Jemmiah mouthed. "Shhh. She doesn’t have to know we’re making this up!" Meri whispered. "A PENALTY!" Dimallie looked stunned. "I’m afraid so." Obi-Wan rested his chin in his hands. "We’ll try not to make it too bad." "Maybe." Snickered Letina. "It’s best if you drink it in one go. That way you don’t notice it burning your tonsils off on the way down." Abran commented. "Or on the way back up!" Jemmy chuckled. Meri’s eyes gleamed with amusement. Of all the victims to pick… Oh, Jemmiah. You are cruel! "Come on, Dimallie! You only live once!" Kryztan offered. "That’s what I’m afraid of." Dimallie had gone white. She touched the flagon against her lips, then hesitated. She had the vaguest feeling of being abandoned by Leona, and a wave of disappointment hit her. But she couldn’t afford to lose face in front of the others. She closed her eyes and started to drink. ***** "Excuse me." Everyone turned to see the bartender, holding a very drunk Garos Hmiol. "Is he with you?" Hmiol spoke up. "Tell I'm not him drunk. He let won't me drink have." his head swayed side to side. Obi-wan was amazed. He had never seen padawan Hmiol in THIS condition before. "Um, Garos, how many Riptides did you have?" "Oh think I thirty about so or." "THIRTY!" He could easily handle thirty Riptides on a good day, it was not a very strong drink, but Hmiol was not used to alcohol. Garos was one drink away from the floor. Obi-wan turned to Simeon. "This is YOUR fault!" "Relax." Simeon said, calm. "He'll be sober enough in a couple hours, they're only Riptides." He grinned. "Besides, I think it's an improvement." He turned to the bartender. "Set him down over there." He said, pointing to a table across from them, "And get him a cup of cafe'." Hmiol sat at the table, muttering something. ***** "Dimallie?" No answer. "YOO-HOOOOO!" "Sith! She really doesn’t know how to drink." Muttered Obi-Wan, as he bent over to see if there was any sign of life from Leona’s comatose apprentice. "That penalty was a little severe." Jemmy grinned at Meri. "One ice cube down the back every time she stopped drinking!" "She looks like she’s been swimming." Sybelle nodded in satisfaction. "Is she alive, or has she surrendered to the force?" Letina asked, amusement easy to read on her face. "Oh, she’ll be ok. Won’t she, Simeon?" Kryztan shot a smile at Jemmy. Kenobi glowered and put his arm round her shoulder. "Hmm? Oh, yes. I’m sure she’ll be fine. Although quite what she’s going to be like after another ten plus cantina visits, force only knows." He stared at her. "I think it was the Alderaani Rum that floored her." "Thank you, Healer Cates. Your professional opinion is noted." Obi-Wan clapped him on the shoulder, and watched the young man sway a little. Jay Abran was correct. He couldn’t hold his alcohol. "We’ll have to tidy her up before Leona comes back." Meri pondered aloud. "She’ll not notice." Simeon hiccuped. "Not notice?" Jemmiah snorted. "Her precious dumpling Dimallie is lying slumped unconscious over the table, and Padawan Nice-but-Dull over there," she indicated Hmiol, "is insensible. Not that he was up to much conversation-wise before." She looked around for inspiration. "What do we do? Stand ‘em in the corner with their arms outstretched and pretend they’re coat wracks?" "I think that’s a GOOD idea." Simeon clapped his hands. "I’d like to see that. Who wants another drink?" "I’ll have a Flame-out." Jemmiah said. "Thanks." Obi-Wan looked uncomfortable. "You’ve had quite a bit for just one cantina." He said quietly. "Hell’s teeth, when did you turn into Master Jinn?" Jemmiah pinched him on the cheek. "Where’s Abran got to?" Meri folded her arms impatiently. She stared further up the bar. From the side exit, she could just about make out… "HEALER LEONA!" She exclaimed shrilly. "What?" Letina panicked. "What do we do with her?" She pointed at Dimallie. "Look, she’ll hardly notice anything is wrong." Simeon declared. "Not with you, maybe." Jemmiah bit her lip. "Ok, guys leave the talking to me?" "Are you sure that’s wise?" Obi-Wan muttered. "Just DO it, pigtails! Go prop her up or somethin', quick!" As Leona walked towards the group at the back, all her instincts told her something was VERY wrong. The closer she got, the more obvious it became. She didn’t have to be An-Paj to work out what had happened. "Dimallie?" She squeaked in concern. "She’s absolutely fine, Leona. Absolutely nothing to worry about." Jemmiah crossed her fingers behind her back. "Fine?" Leona blinked. "How can you say that? Look at her!" "She is! Cross my heart and hope to marry a Hutt." "She’s out cold!" "No you’re not, are you Dimallie?" Jemmiah turned round, just in time to see Meri’s hand working Dimallie’s head at the back like she was a giant puppet. "Yes!" Meri piped up in a very artificial sounding voice, Dimallie’s head lolling backwards and forwards. Jemmiah nearly collapsed with laughter yet somehow managed to keep a straight face, which was more than could be said for the others. "She never said that." Leona said coldly. "Sure she did." Jemmy smiled. "Dimallie, give us a wave, girl." From behind, Obi-Wan sneaked out a hand and worked Dimallie’s arm rather obviously, flapping it up and down like the wing of a bird. "See?" Jemmy said. "She’s just raring to go. I’m telling you, nothing has happened to her…" There was a clatter of booted feet against the cantina floor. "I’ve got the mop and bucket!" Jay Abran shouted. "All we have to do is clear up all the sick before Leona…" His voice trailed off. There was a long and deadly silence. Eventually, Jemmiah broke it. "Can I get you a drink, Healer Leona?" ***** Leona stared hopelessly at her padawan and her so-called friends. It was by Dimallie's own will that she now lay senseless on the table and as much as she'd like to whisk her apprentice out of the clutches of her mischief-loving peers Leona knew it would be unwise. Dimallie was old enough to make her own choices and as her Master, Leona had to allow her to learn from them, no matter the consequences. The girl wouldn't grow as a person if she were always there coddling her, nor would it win the respect and acceptance she so desperately wanted from those she called friends. If this was what Dimallie wanted then far be it from her to deny the girl her friends. Knowing what the results of this evening's activities would probably be for all those seated around the table, Leona made the decision to turn a blind eye to all but the most blatant of offenders. She still had to look after Jemmiah. Seating herself in an empty chair she turned to the Corellian girl with a smile, "I think I'll have a virgin muja spritzer" she said, glancing at Obi-Wan who immediately jumped up to get it. Returning with it he placed it in front of Healer Leona who in turn traded it with the Flameout in front of Jemmiah. "The very least you can do is go easy on the alcohol, this is only the first stop." raising the Flame-out in salute she drank it down, noting the glare from Jemmiah and the look of relief on Obi-Wan. "And Jay Abran, feel free to make use of those instruments you've so thoughtfully provided." |
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| A Night to (almost) Remember |
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