Fame and the Force

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Ladies' Night, Coronet City

The group of six women sat around an oval table in a dark, crowded bar. Their table sat directly in front of a somewhat rickety stage. Mara Jade, the 'Honoree', took a sip of her bourbon, grimacing slightly at the bitter taste. "Thank you all for showing up," she finally said, glancing around the table at Leia, Mirax and Teneniel, the three women she was familiar with, since she lived in the same house with both Leia and Teneniel, while Mirax lived very nearby. Iella Antilles, wife of Wedge Antilles, and Winter Retrac, girlfriend of Tycho Celchu, were two women she had only met once, and very briefly. "I've never really had the opportunity to make friends, so I appreciate the fact you came. This party wasn't necessary, you know."

Mirax Horn reached over and patted Mara's wrist. "Of course it's necessary. I consider you a friend."

"That's because your husband was a student of Luke's and is currently an employee of Daysun," Mara said. "You feel obligated."

"You're my friend, Mara," Mirax insisted, fully aware that Mara was not an easy person to get to know.

"I did not feel obligated," Teneniel stated, before cryptically adding, "I came to shop."

"I certainly didn't feel obligated, either," Iella Antilles informed Mara, glancing over at Winter. "I'm just thrilled to be invited to your wedding. You did say that Evin is going to sing at your reception, right?"

Mara's green eyes flitted between the two newcomers. "Please don't tell me... you're both enamored over Dayson."

"Okay, then," Winter said, giggling a bit into her second - or was it third? - drink. "We won't tell you." She glanced over at Leia. "I don't know how you get so lucky with the best looking men in the galaxy falling in love with you all the time. First it was the smoking hot Han Solo following you around like a lost criffle pup, and now you have Evin Daysun all tied up in knots. It must be something you do to them with the Force."

"I'm so glad you think I have to twist men's minds in order to get them to fall in love with me," Leia said dryly, noting Winter had left out Isolder in her 'hot men' musings. Leia didn't blame her. Evil had a way of overriding looks, turning the best looking being into something dark and undesirable. Han was handsome, charismatic, and had a heart of gold in both of his physical incarnations.

"Oh, I'm joking, Leia. And it wasn't their minds I was thinking about when I said you must use your Force powers on them," Winter said with a wicked grin while taking a gulp of her brandy. "I'll have you know that I'm very popular now, thanks to you. All I have to say is that I know Evin's fiancée personally, and I get free drinks in restaurants and discounts on shoes and clothing. It's like being famous by proxy."

"Did you know your best friend is in love with your fiancé?" Mara questioned Leia, somewhat amused at this exchange.

"Apparently, a lot of females are in love with my fiancé," Leia said with a very unlady-like snort. She had been more than thrilled to have her friend come to Luke's wedding, since it had been a long, three-year drought without seeing Winter. It was a bit disconcerting, however, to hear both Iella and Winter rave over 'Evins' good looks and how much they adored his singing. If she'd had twinges of jealousy over Han's rugged good looks and the attention given to him from females before, it was now compounded by his fame and popularity. Jealousy was probably a dark side emotion, so Leia decided she would have to work on that... someday. Especially since Han wasn't going to quit his new career anytime in the foreseeable future. "How did my drink run out already? It must have a hole in the bottom. I need another one." She raised her glass over her head, "Waiter! More booze, please!"