Playlist:
❶ "Mozart Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, K. 41"—Murray Perahia
❷ [Choose your own song]
❸ "When You Say Nothing At All"—Alison Krauss and Keith Whitley Radio Mix
❹ [Choose your own song]
⊘ Silence
❺ [Choose your own song]
⊘ Silence
"You are going to turn some heads tonight. You look beautiful," Jannah said, weaving Naluma's hair. She brushed on makeup a tone darker than her skin to accentuate her cheekbones.
"Where did you learn all this?"
"Sh. Don't tell the others, but my mother is the Countess of Zeltros. I've had plenty of opportunity being the only daughter."
"And she let you join the fleet?" Naluma raised her eyebrows. "Jannah, Master Luke needs to know about this. If you ran away ... your mother may be looking for you."
The younger girl dabbed a dusty rose paste onto Naluma's lips. "Not tonight. Tonight is your night."
When Luke came out of the refresher dressed in his formal Jedi robes of embroidered silk, Naluma beamed. With the Padawan hanging around in the main cabin, she spoke via the Force to him. Those look even better on you tonight than they did that first night I was your Padawan.
He blushed and smiled. I don't think I've ever seen anyone more beautiful than you right now. Luke offered his elbow to Naluma, before escorting her to the waiting speeder. Too bad you still have to wear that splint. Maybe one day you'll get to wear this dress without it.
You'll take me dancing?
He nodded. Whatever you want.
Before firing up the speeder, he said, "Kalder, you're in charge. Try not to go wild while we're out tonight."
"Don't worry. We'll be good. You two, have a great time tonight." Kalder laughed and then winked as they pulled away.
❶ Luke led Naluma into the grand ballroom and practically all in attendance craned their heads to observe. She clung to his arm while the adjutant announced the couple.
"Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and Jedi Knight Naluma Fau."
They meandered to the different couples during the cocktail hour, sipping on the non-alcoholic drink of the event—azeechidi. The tart citrus flavor and crisp herbal accent balanced the drink.
Luke combated against jealousy all night as she interacted with some of her former comrades. D'Marchetto even asked him, "Is she seeing anyone?"
Jealousy and anger bloomed in the Jedi Master. He struggled with the core beliefs for a moment, almost giving into the darkness.
Naluma interrupted the trial. "D'Marchetto, sorry, I'm taken."
Those two words set Luke's mind at ease. Taken. But have I taken her or has she taken me? How did I miss this all my life? He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her head. He smiled in glee as the man turned away, disappointed.
The receiving line began after the cocktail hour. Naluma removed her right glove as Luke escorted her through the line. The adjutant announced them to General Madine and his wife Zera in a hushed voice before they proceeded down the line, greeting the rest of the officers and their companions in turn.
Laden with tradition, the banquet's roots reached back to the Old Republic. All guests were required to stand throughout two hours of ceremonies. When Naluma struggled with pain in her leg during the long toasts, Luke steadied her with his arm.
Go ahead and sit down. I doubt anyone will care.
I won't embarrass you here. Naluma tottered a little, but Luke caught her in time. Just let me lean on you, she requested as she transferred her weight to his sturdy arm.
Once General Madine had presented the last toast, Luke lowered Naluma to her chair. She took two pain meds out of her clutch and swallowed them with water.
He gave her a look of concern, wondering if he should take her back.
"I'll be fine in a few minutes. Just give these a chance to work."
"Did you take any before we left?"
"Yes, but that was a couple of hours ago."
Shaking his head, Luke said, "This was a mistake. I should take you back."
"No, I'll be fine," Naluma said as she put her hand on his arm.
He looked at her with a knowing glance.
"I don't want to leave yet. The evening has barely begun."
Luke took a deep breath and nodded his agreement. Tell me if you want to leave.
Relax. I'll be fine.
The servers interrupted their conversation with bread and salad while a video played, highlighting the Republican Army. Images from the Battle of Jakku and the Telti Evacuation appeared on screen, as well as training exercises and company events. The meal was far better than dining hall fare, sporting divinely prepared nerf steaks and Mon Calamari shellfish. A variety of berries dipped in rich Felucian lishi complemented the texture of the warm bread pudding for dessert.
Soon after dinner, the command staff delivered speeches and awarded soldiers for bravery and exemplary service. All of the banqueters rose again for the retiring of the colors before the dance began. Naluma stood unassisted for this portion as the pain meds kicked in.
❷ Luke led Naluma to the ballroom as the music started with a quick-paced dance. He directed her to one of the chairs that lined the ballroom walls. "Let's sit this one out."
She nodded as he fetched her some of the azeechidi to drink.
When he returned with the drink, he asked, "Do you want to go back to the shuttle?"
"Can we enjoy the music for a while?" she asked, nursing her drink.
He nodded with a pleasant smile. After sitting beside her, he leaned back and put his arm around her shoulder.
She rested her head on his shoulder. They both opened up their Force-bond, sending their intoxicating love across it. "It's nice to be away from the kids for once."
The sweet scent of Naluma's hair distracted Luke. Jannah had arranged it in an intricate style with little sprigs of lavender flowers woven into the braiding. A few more minutes would be nice.
"Hmm, this drink is quite tasty. Mind getting me another?" Naluma asked as she held the cup to him.
Not fond of the flavor of the azeechidi, Luke settled on ice water for himself.
❸ A few more music sets and a few more glasses of azeechidi passed before the music calmed to a legato pace. Naluma looked at Luke and nodded her head toward the floor with a wink.
Scared at first, Luke could not resist her. All eyes turned to them as they joined the dancing figures. He lifted his hand in the appropriate manner, placing his other hand on her waist. He looked straight into her eyes as her hand clasped his.
Naluma stroked Luke's face. He swayed in time to the music and leaned in to inhale her sweet perfume. Her eyes locked with his, echoing the words through their Force-bond as the music continued.
"This is our song, Luke."
"Huh?"
"The last time we danced ... at the concert ... with Wedge."
During the interlude between verses, Luke stole a quick kiss. "Uh-huh."
As he joined his fingers behind her neck at the base of her scalp, they tilted their foreheads together. A dreamy smile crossed both of their faces as they opened their Force-bond once more. It's like we're the only two in the universe right now. Wish this moment would never end.
He shuddered when her hands dropped to his hips and pulled them closer together. She lowered her head to his shoulder, the fragrance of her hair weakening his knees. What do I do now, 'Luma?
She lifted her head as the chorus repeated. Say nothing at all.
It started slow. He thought it was going to be just a peck like the one he gave her earlier. But the first touch of her lips to his lingered beyond anything that was respectable. Her mouth searched his. Their lips mashed together.
He couldn't resist. He cradled her head and dipped her low as his tongue slipped into her mouth. As they rose again, the heat increased between them. He pulled her tightly to him, their bodies moving as one, barely swaying.
The song ended too soon. They stood there for a few moments longer, neither wanting to let go.
❹ But when the next song thumped a driving beat, he led her to a seat again.
While waving her clutch in front of her face, she said, "It's warm in here. Mind getting me another glass?"
He looked his gaze with hers and took the glass. "I'll be back soon." He hurried to the punch bowl and refilled his with chilled water.
When he returned with it, she chugged the juice and burped. She looked him straight in the eye, her pupils dilated to their maximum. "Master Skywalker, you certainly are a good dancer," she slurred in a loud voice before leaning over to kiss him.
Something's wrong. Is it her pain meds? Did I take advantage on the dance floor? He winced when he smelled her breath. "Easy, Naluma. You okay? Maybe now's not the right time for that."
"Oh, what's the big deal?" she said as she ran her hand up his leg.
Luke jumped from the seat.
"Well, if you're going to get up, why don't you get me another drink? It's so hot in here." She weaved back and forth in the chair.
He sat down and grabbed her by the shoulders to prevent her from falling onto the floor.
Running her hand across his face, she said, "Now that's what I'm talking about, Master. How about you take me back to the shuttle and we play a little Master and Pada—"
"Naluma, look at me."
"I am, sweetheart, trust me, I am," she slurred with an ungraceful belch.
"Naluma, how many pain meds have you had?"
⊘ "Only the two at dinner and two this afternoon. But they've never worked so good befo—," she said as she hiccoughed and passed out. Luke caught her right before she fell off the chair.
General Madine, as well as most of the crowd, looked over during a lull in the music. He approached Luke. "Is there something the matter with Lady Fau?"
"General, what was in the azeechidi?"
"Just azee, chidi juice, water, and sugar. We are required to have at least one non-alcoholic drink at all gatherings."
❺ He handed him the dregs in her cup. "Check this out."
Madine sniffed it before sticking a finger in the dregs of the cup and tasting it. "Think it got spiked. I'm sorry, Master Skywalker. I assume that's the problem."
"That combined with the pain meds she took. I need to get her back to the shuttle. My apologies for bailing out early, General," Luke said as he lifted Naluma in his arms, her head lolling back.
"My apologies for the spiked drink. Believe me, I will deal with this tomorrow," Madine said as he escorted the Jedi to his speeder.
⊘ Luke raced her back to the shuttle. The fresh air revived her a bit as he carried her into bed. Before entering the craft, he verified that all the Padawan were asleep. They'd better not see Naluma like this.
Once inside their cabin, he lowered her to the bunk.
"Oh, Master Skywalker ..." She trailed off her thought as she grabbed her head in her hands. "Stop the room spinning. I think I'm going to be sick."
With the Force he pulled a bin to him from the galley, just in time as she emptied her stomach. He closed the hatch to the cabin and turned on the air scrubbers. He then sat down next to her on the bunk and helped her through waves of nausea.
Kalder spoke into his head, Everything okay in there, master? Heard you come in.
Luke sighed. Not really, Kalder, but I can handle it—
When Naluma started the dry heaves, he handed her a large glass of water. "Drink this. All of it."
She sipped on it at first and then chugged it, wiping the excess off her chin with the back of her hand.
He refilled the glass and then gave her some headache powder. "You're going to need this, too." He stirred it in and made her sip the glass until she finished it.
She just sat for a few moments staring at the hatch.
"Feel better?"
She nodded at him. "Tanks."
"Think you can stand?" he asked while getting her PT clothes out of her gear locker.
"I sink so," she said with another slur. When she stood, she fell forward into his arms, clutching at his shoulders. "Maybe you ought to help me. Ooh," she said as her hands moved down his chest, "how strong you are, Master Luke."
The Jedi Master scowled. She was not making this any easier. "Easy does it. Now turn around. Face the bulkhead."
"Why, Master Luke, whatever are you going to do to me?" she asked in revolting high-pitched voice.
"Just do it," Luke said, losing patience with her. He unzipped the back of her dress and pulled the straps down off her shoulders. Touching her smooth skin and seeing her muscled back sent waves of electricity through him. He grabbed her tank and said, "Put your hands up over your head."
Naluma giggled and turned her head to him. "Don't tickle me."
"Turn around," he said with a frustrated voice as he roughly rotated her by the shoulders. "Hands up." He slid the tank over her head and tugged it down.
She turned around and grabbed his head, pushing her mouth against his and shoving her tongue between his lips.
He gagged at the residue of vomit on her tongue. Luke pushed her off. I don't think I'm going to attempt the shorts. Just get her into bed, Skywalker. He set her down on the bunk and elevated her injured leg with pillows. As he started to undo the fasteners of her splint, he thought, Nah, she might need to get up in the night. In her condition, she'd never get this back on again.
She waited for him to kiss her again with her arms open wide and her eyes closed. When she heard the hatch open, she asked, "Hey, where are you going?"
"To take a shower." He grabbed his things and his sleeping roll. No way I'm staying in here. Main deck will be more peaceful. Hope she'll be out by the time I'm done.
Did you know ...
● This chapter was one of those where the characters ran away with it. I was influenced by one of my favorite movies, the original Yours, Mine, and Ours with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball.
● What goes into writing a novel ... research, research, research. When writing fanfiction, you must know the fandom or research it. When you put your characters into new situations, you must research those situations. So, ask me anything you want about military balls in the US. I think I've got them down, now. (Hint: don't get drunk and be slutty in front of your superior officer.)
● Inebriation, regardless of the source, removes your inhibitions. Naluma's behavior is what Naluma's been wanting to do for a while now. This is why Jedi don't drink. They must always be in control of their emotions and actions.
Tell me what you think ...
● What do you think Luke is thinking about at the end of this scene?
● Do you think Luke will break off his relationship with Naluma because of her inappropriate behavior while drunk?