A night to (almost) remember...

Don't know how clear I made it with that last post, but Hmiol has gone half insane. At least for tonight. It's hard to do, since I'm writing from his perspective, and insane people don't know they're insane.

[This message has been edited by Wampasmak (edited 05-11-2000).]

 

?Isn?t it a coincidence?? Kenobi smirked.
?What is??
?That you managed to find the one Cantina in the area that has an outdoor garden.?
?Lots of undergrowth.? Jemmiah nodded.
?Plenty of space for a person to be unnoticed for a while.? Obi-Wan smiled.
?And so we will.? She replied. ?But you?ll just have to dampen your ardour for a few minutes more.?

Obi-Wan frowned.

?What are you up to, hmm?? He questioned her.
Jemmy returned his gaze. ?Why does EVERYONE assume I?m always up to something??
?Because you always are.? Obi-Wan answered, slipping his hands round her. ?Why don?t we play ?kiss, cuddle or torture?? I like that one.?
?That?s ?coz I always let you win!? Jemmiah shook her head. ?I?m going to place a call through to an old school friend of mine. There?s a little idea I?ve had kicking around in my head since this morning for a bit of a lark. I?m going to go set it up.?
?Don?t be long!? Hissed Kenobi. ?My master will realise we?ve both gone soon. And think the worst.?
?And be right.? Muttered Jemmiah. ?OK, handsome. Find yourself a nice spot in the bushes and I?ll be back as soon as I?ve talked to my friend.?

Obi-Wan smiled to himself.

It wasn?t too much to ask, was it? Some time alone with his girlfriend? The way his master carried on you?d think he?d never been young.

He sighed irritably and grabbed at a clump of plant stems that were in his path. He let go very quickly when he found out it had lots of thorns. Then he brushed a large overhanging branch from out of his face, only to bring down a large amount of water on his head. Damn!

Finding himself a nice, relatively dry spot, he settled in to wait?


*************************

?Ah, Jemmiah.? Qui-Gon said, placing a hand on her arm. She spun around in shock.
?You gave me such a fright!? She gasped, her hand on her heart.
?Why, what have you been up to?? The master frowned.
?That?s not fair.? Jemmy pouted. ?Everyone says I?m up to something!?
?And you are.? He replied, looking about. ?Where?s my padawan??
?Err?he?s getting some fresh air.?

Qui-Gon nodded.

?When he comes back, tell him his drink is waiting for him on the bar.? He gave her a final cautious glance before stalking off towards Healer Leona?

Well, she thought, things seemed to be progressing nicely there. Which is more than could be said for her own rendezvous with Obi-Wan?

She took one hesitant step towards the garden before a drunken Kryztan Harkley made an effort to drag her back towards the bar. Sorry, Ben, she thought. I have to see my prank through to the end, anyway. It shouldn?t take too much longer.

Casting a last fleeting glance backwards, she reluctantly allowed herself to be escorted by Kryztan towards her drink.

*****************************

Kenobi sat and waited.

And waited.

Come on, Jemmy, he thought. Where are you? It wasn?t that the undergrowth by the old permacrete blocks was unpleasant to sit amongst. Just that he?d expected not to be on his own?

He could tell he wasn?t the only one out in the garden. He didn?t know who it was, only that there were two of them, and neither of them was Jemmiah. And by the sound of their voices it sounded as if they were heading his way.

Damn! This was going to look rather odd. Sitting on his own, soaking wet, in a garden at the back of an old cantina. Deciding quickly, Obi-Wan elected to stay out of sight and hope they wouldn?t see him. He covered himself up with the grasses and pressed his back against the old permacrete block, as far as it would go.

The voices had stopped, but Kenobi could tell that they were extremely near by.

He never knew quite how close by until he realised, much too late, that they?d relieved themselves on him.

*******************************

Fifteen minutes had past, and Jemmiah was starting to get concerned. Ben still hadn?t come back. Kryztan still hadn?t gone away. Qui-Gon still kept darting over-protective glances at her. And her trick still hadn?t happened. She was just about to despair of anything going right, when something strange down the far end of the bar grabbed her attention.

It wasn?t Letina a

 

This is so funny! Keep posting. Make that keep posting soon.

 

GASP, GASP, GASP . . . okay, I'm still breathing, really!! Oh, my co-workers are really giving me weird looks now. This is soo funny!!

 

hehe...With Mace out for revenge from Kenobi, Jay out for revenge against Jemmiah, and Hmiol carrying a grudge against Simeon (For giving him that first drink) that truth or dare should be very...interesting.

 

Hey, uh, Jem? Look what I found at the bottom of page 2.

 

I'm working on it...I'm working on it...

 

At the risk of ripping off The Ultra Stressed Jedi Students, I?ve thrown this one in as a sort of tribute. I wanted to see what would happen when the master?s and padawan?s had to join in the same game. All ideas for short dares and evil questions are welcome!

***********************************

I?m going to get her for this, thought Jay Abran furiously. She is SO going to wish she?d not tried that!

He watched Jemmiah?s loping, swinging Corellian gate as she walked along the street in front of him. On one side was Kylenn Imri and on the other Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, hovering like an uninvited chaperone, as if to ward off any attempts on her person by the seriously annoyed Jay Abran.

Or was that the romantically inclined Kenobi?

Hari?s Tavern was not terribly far away from The One For The Road, and yet everyone seemed to be dragging their heels somewhat. At first Abran thought it was the shock of the fire and everything, until he realised that it was undoubtedly the small matter of the ?Truth or Dare? game that should have been played in the last cantina. Revelations of all sorts were going to fly, Abran mused, mentally rubbing his hands as they reached the doorway and then proceeded down the steps into possibly the dingiest little tavern that he had ever been in. Even Dex Berlingside wrinkled his nose up in surprise at the strong smoke smell.

If it was smoke.

Meri was the acknowledged Truth or Dare champion, and it had been in her honor that Jemmiah had included this short version of the game. You could never ask the same person more than once, which was just as well considering how many there were of them. This time, however, Jemmiah had surpassed herself. The game would include padawans and masters alike?

Possibly this was the real source of the discomfort that was lurking beneath the oh, so Jedi exteriors of the would be victims.

Jay Abran seated himself beside Healer Leona and Dimallie, who was showing the slightest of signs that she was still alive and about ready for another drink. Poor girl, thought Jay, she?ll have recovered just in time to play the final round of Corellian rules drinking Deathmatch back at The Hell?s Chance.

Jemmiah seated herself next to Obi-Wan and Kylenn. Opposite sat Kryztan Harkley, openly staring at her.

It gave Abran his idea.

If Jemmiah was ever foolish enough to pick dare, he?d dare her to kiss Kryztan.

Jemmiah was quite aware of the eyes upon her. Kryztan sat ogling her, and Jay,well; he looked downright set on vengeance!

Qui-Gon was also aware of three people staring at HIM. Healer Leona P?lila, somewhat bashfully it had to be said, his padawan who seemed distinctly uncomfortable with proceedings, and worst of all Sal-Fina who had an expression on her face that reminded him of a cannoid with a wasp problem.

Damn, he wasn?t looking forward to this. A person could give away too much, if he wasn?t careful?

Mace Windu was feeling VERY smug.

Let?s see that Kenobi boy get out of this, he grinned!

When they had all taken their places, some squashed up tightly together, some almost sitting on each other?s laps, a dubious silence loomed large. Nobody wanted to make the first move.

?Who want?s a drink?? Berlingside muttered.
?I do!? Jemmiah said.
?And me, thanks.? Kenobi replied.
?Me, too!? Sybelle chorused.
?I?ll get it!? Qui-Gon stood up, as did all of the masters.
They looked at each other, embarrassed, before sitting down again.

?I?ll get it.? Berlingside smiled in relief. ?You all start without me.?

Qui-Gon didn?t think he?d ever seen the man move so quickly.

After another moment of sitting facing each other, Healer Leona piped up:
?Oh, this is silly! I?ll ask the first one.? She looked about for her victim.

?An-Paj, what?s it going to be? Truth or dare??

The healer looked surprised.

?Why me? Please do remember that I am quite capable of making yours, Simeon?s and Dimallie?s lives quite intolerable tomorrow if I so wish.?

?Truth or dare?? She repeated.

?I can have you scrubbing freshers for the next half century.?

?Truth or dare?? She refused to be intimidated.

 

"Since we're all aware of your martial status, I've always wondered about the responsiblity of caring for six wives" Leona stated with a sly smile, "what I'd really like to know is if you've always been able to live up to your obligations?"

An-Paj looked at the assistant healer questioningly, then glanced around the very crowded table.

Many of the participants wore the same confused expression he did. It wasn't until he saw the few idiotic grins on some of the padawans that the meaning of the question registered.

Shooting a stormy glare at Leona, the Master Healer did his best to hide the incredible embarrassment he felt seeping into him.

Leona met his hard gaze, her own face bathed in calm serenity.

"Well?" she asked with a smile. Between the fews drinks she had had and the fact that she was actually spending time in the company of Qui-Gon she was feeling pretty courageous. Even if An-Paj made good on his threats of retribution, seeing the dark patches of blue exploding on his face was easily worth it.

"I, ah..." he coughed uncomfortably, trying to delay the inevitable while dozens of eyes bore into him with excited expectation.

Dex Berlingside returned with a tray of drinks and before even being able to set them down, An-Paj grabbed for the tallest glass, not caring what it was, he drank it down.

"It was during my last wedding" he began keeping his eyes firmly planted on Leona. At least this way he could at least pretend there weren't quite a few others listening intently to his story.

"She was the youngest of the sisters, fifteen years my junior, you must remember. We're allowed two weeks of time alone, what you would call a honeymoon, before she would join my household. It was during these two weeks that I found myself having,..ah, difficulty fulfilling my obligations as you so tactfully put it."

"How did you solve your little problem?", Simeon Cates questioned with a stifled smirk.

An-Paj tuned on the padawan, mentally marking him for future punishment. It wasn't necessary to answer but the amused looks on everyone's face gave him the desire to pass on some of the humiliation.

"Oh" he sat proudly upright "a little meditation and the addition of dietary vitamins proved quite the adequate solution as I'm sure Mace can attest to."

Mace' eye's went wide as everyone turned to look at him amid the sound of soft feminine giggles and masculine snickers.

An-Paj gazed around the table.

"My turn." he said, "Sal-Fina, truth or dare?"

 

Great! I love it! Truth or Dare, this is going to be good. . . .

 

Lilith and Krelo sat at the edges of the group, fully ready to enjoy every second of this game. Lilith had never played, and krelo hadn't played it since she was quite young, but they were both looking forward to the revelations sure to come out tonight.

They each had drinks and were seated far enough out that they could hear everything, but that no one would ever ask either of them to join the game.

Or so they thought.

<eg>

 

Sal-Fina eyed An-Paj with imperious disdain, pondering her choice. A dare in front of her padawan that she might not be able to complete would make her lose face and there was no way that she was going to let THAT happen. So, boring as it might seem Sal-Fina elected for what she considered the safer of the two options.

?Truth.? She replied warily.

?There?s something I?ve been meaning to ask you for a number of years.? An-Paj smiled. ?I remember once hearing that you were asked to take part in a certain holo film when you were, oh, maybe eighteen or so years old by your then director boyfriend.?

He watched Sal-Fina?s eyes widen with horror, and waited for the right moment.

?What was it called now? Let me see?? He stroked his chin in a pretence of thought. ?Ah, yes. ?Coruscant Blue?, wasn?t it??

Qui-Gon stared at her. He?d never seen anyone become as rigid outside of a mortuary.

When An-Paj received no answer he asked Sal-Fina:

?What I want to know is, DID you take part in the holo film and if so, how many Ankula?s did they use in the picture??

All the padawans except for Junine and Ambianca turned to face Sal-Fina with a huge grin on their faces. The masters were perhaps a little more restrained.

A little.

Sal-Fina looked as if she were about to die.

?Y-yes.? She mumbled.

There was a thunderous scream of delight from the padawans.

?And how many Ankula?s??

?There weren?t any!? She spat.
? I?m disappointed.? An-Paj winked at her. ?Oh, well.?

When the laughter had died down somewhat, Obi-Wan attempted to stand up and make his way to the doorway.

?Where do you think you?re going, padawan?? Jinn asked, indicating he should sit back down.
?I thought maybe you could lend me some money, master.?
?And why would this be??
?There?s a really good little holo shop around the corner. Simeon and I want to see if we can rent out ?Coruscant Blue?, just on the off chance??

Sal-Fina?s milk white complexion became scarlet.

?I think it?s MY turn to ask the questions.? She growled menacingly. Her eye lit upon the tall shape of her ex-boyfriend of many, many years ago.

?Master Jinn.? She was clearly relishing the prospect.
?Truth or dare??

 

Just trying to make posts appear.

This is really getting ridiculous!!!

Well, it seemed to work, on this thread at least.
Jemmiah, I hate to be so dense, but what is an Ankula

[This message has been edited by HealerLeona (edited 05-13-2000).]

 

Not to worry, Healer L.

An Ankula is a large and colorful species of giant rodent that were (nearly) encountered in Lions, Tigers and Padawans. They are extremely docile and resemble a cross between a Llama and a Capybara (sort of guinea pigish)with streaming hair. They have a nasty habit of hybernating when you least expect it, as Simeon Cates found out to his cost.

[This message has been edited by Jemmiah (edited 05-14-2000).]

 

Ah, thanks for clearing that up Jemmiah.
Not sure about this one.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Qui-Gon Jinn stared at his ex coldly, contemplating the options. Glancing around the table, considering to pick 'truth' he quickly realized that of all the people to question him, Sal-Fina was probably the one he had most reason to fear.

She would certainly still remember far too many intimate details of his youth that he would not want devulged and he was sure their constant arguing over the years would not likely lead her to being very charitable.

Any embarassment from a dare , on the other hand could always be obscured by a couple of stiff drinks.

Returning his gaze to the tall blonde, he smiled sweetly, "I choose dare."

Instantly, her lips pursed in agitation. That was not the choice she had expected. She had hoped to kill two womprats with one stone as it were, casting a dark glance in the direction of Healer Leona.

Now she had to come up with an appropriate dare, she thought scanning the room for inspiration.

Spying the two tall women seated at the table not far from their little game, an idea began to form in her head.

More than attacking Qui-Gon directly she wanted to get back at that miserable little healer for her assault with the ice bucket.

Jedi do not seek vengence be damn, she thought. She would wipe that content little smile of her face.

"See those two woman at the next table?" Sal-Fina asked in a lowered voice to prevent them from hearing.

"I dare you to approach the taller of the two, and convince her to kiss you. And I want to see some real passion in that kiss Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon glanced at the women. One he recognised as a Jedi Knight, Krelo, her name was. The other one, the one he was to kiss, looked vaguely familiar and knowing Krelo's penchent for associating with undesirables, he was sure she must be the known smuggler Lilith Demondae.

With a shrug, Qui-Gon left his seat.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Lilith and Krelo were laughing and talking over the revelation of Sal-Fina's acting career. Neither noticed the tall Jedi Master's approach until he stood next to the smuggler.

"Excuse me" he interrupted.

"Can we help you, Master Jinn?" Krelo asked, shooting a confused glance at her friend.

"I just happened to notice that you two lovely women were seated by yourselves. Since I've seen you at each of the last cantina's I assume you're part of our little event."

"Well, actually I suppose we are, indirectly." Lilith answered, just a little more than surprised.

With a charming smile, Qui-Gon held out his hand to her, "I just had to introduce myself to such a beautiful woman, my name is Qui-Gon Jinn."

"I know who you are" Lilith stated, deciding to play along with him, "at least by reputation."

Holding out her own hand she allowed him to gently pull her to her feet, bringing her close to him.

"I just couldn't help but wonder how such a gorgeous woman as yourself would want to be kissed?" he poured on the charm.

Glancing down at her friend, Lilith saw a huge grin on Krelo's face. This had to be a dare, she thought to herself, and one she had every intent on enjoying.

Well, maybe I can show you." she answered and with that she threw her arms around the tall Jedi and offered herself.

Bending down slightly, Qui-Gon pulled her against him, kissing her with obvious passion.

Amid groans of pleasure from both participants, Lilith pulled back, losing her balance as both of them fell back on the table still locked firmly in their embrace.

Squeals of laughter and raucous comments erupted from the crowded table of Jedi as the two finally broke apart.

Standing tall, Qui-Gon turned to his commrades and bowed graciously, helping a very pleased Lilith up.

"Thank you for answering my question." he told her.

"It was my pleasure, if I can help you in any other way, please don't hestitate to ask." Lilith answered with a lude smirk.

All around the table were howling in delight at the Jedi Master's display, all but one.

Sal-Fina had kept her gaze on Healer Leona during the event a

 

Hidden posties??


Ooo, there it is. . . LOL, very cool!!! Wait till Ping hears about this!!!!

Oh, side note: Lilith is actually the taller of the two.


[This message has been edited by Lilith Demodae (edited 05-13-2000).]

 

?Master! That?s not fair!? Kenobi squealed. ?You should ask one of the others.?
?Why? Because they have less embarrassing questions to ask than I might?? Qui-Gon smiled. ?Sorry, padawan. I choose you.?
?You?re not sorry at all.? Grumbled Obi-Wan.

?Sorry, what was that? Dare, did you say?? Qui-Gon enquired, still feeling relief that his ordeal had passed.
?NO! No?I haven?t decided.? He frowned in concentration.
?Oh, come on Kenobi!? Berlingside laughed. ?It won?t be that bad. Maybe.?

Oh, hell. What should I decide, Obi-Wan shivered.

?Truth.? He swallowed.

His Master?s eyes lit up.

?I?d like you to tell the truth to our little assembly here,? Qui-Gon pointed at the group in circular fashion, ?and inform them who was responsible for the hoses in the temple gardens sprinkling raw slurry over everyone instead of water.? He stared intently at his padawan. ?And remember, I?ll know if you tell me any falsehoods.?

Obi-Wan groaned inwardly. That was one of the most amazing practical jokes that had ever been played in the history of the Jedi Temple. Master Yoda and the council had decided that the fountain gardens needed something extra about them during the summer season, both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Elaborate water sprinklers that gave the effect of dancing waves and archways of fine spray had been installed at hardly any cost to the temple at all. And during the grand opening, somehow, the water had been replaced with sewage, which had landed upon everybody in sight. Mace and Yoda had been unrecognisable, and An-Paj had to treat them in the infirmary for possible infection.

?Can I have dare instead, Master.? Kenobi pleaded.
?Too late, padawan.? Jinn smirked. ?Answer the question.?

Obi-Wan sighed, apologising with his eyes for dropping his co-conspirators in it.

?Myself, Jay Abran and?? he looked away, ?Jemmiah.?
?And who actually swapped the water pump for the slurry pump?? Jinn asked.

?I can?t answer that.? Kenobi grinned.
?Why not?? The tall master queried.
?Because I?ve already answered one question from you and I?m not allowed to answer a second.? Kenobi looked triumphant, and resisted the temptation to add ?ha, ha!? to the end of his sentence.
?Damn.? Muttered Jinn.

?Now, what have we here?? Obi-Wan glanced about. ?AH-HA! Jay Abran.?
?Uh-oh.? Abran feigned fear. After Jemmiah?s little stunt there was little to worry about.
?Truth or dare??

He thought about it.

?Dare.? He replied.
?Oh, goooood!? Kenobi?s expression promised retribution. ?I was SO afraid you?d pick truth.?
?I?m not scared.? Abran laughed.
?You will be!? Obi-Wan laughed. ?Master, have you still got those stockings??

Looking surprised, Jinn handed them over to his padawan.

?Your penalty is to wear these INSTEAD of your trousers for the rest of our stay in the cantina.?

Abran looked mortified.

?And don?t ladder them.?

 

ROFLOL!! Excellent Jemmiah. A straight-forward confession, how devious of Qui-Gon. And Abran, touche!!

Lilith, thanks , I corrected my post.

 

Hmiol sat, amused at the game unfolding around him. He watched Abran retreat to the fresher to change into his new "evening attire". He was not scared, not in the least. Because Master Yoda had seen the fire, nothing. Mattered. Any more. He would never see these people after tomorrow, so there was no use being quiet, worrying about whether or not he said the right thing. He had never known having nothing to lose could be so fun.

(Sorry about all the posts of Hmiols inner musings, but I'm kinda burned out after writing the fire(No pun intended). Plus one of my stories is ending, the other is really picking up speed. So I'm very busy. Don't worry. I'll come up with something good if Garos gets picked. I'm still THE Wampasmak, you know.)

 

Jay Abran returned to the fray wearing his silk stockings and a look of disgust.

The applause and jeers followed him back, where upon he contrived to hide his embarrassment by slouching as low in his seat as possible.

?Nice legs, Jay.? Squealed Jemmiah in delight.

He raised his eyes to meet hers.

?So you?ve said before.? He replied ominously, noticing the flicker of wariness upon Kenobi?s face. ?However, let?s not talk about me.? He leaned forward on one arm focusing only on her. ?Let?s talk about you.?

She looked uncertain.

?What do you mean??
?What I mean is Jemmiah, truth or dare.?
?Not a Sith?s chance I?m taking truth with you asking the questions.? She sniffed. ?I pick dare.?

Abran ?s little manoeuvre had worked perfectly. Now, how to get her to kiss Kryztan without making it obvious that was what he wanted to achieve.

?You saw Master Jinn?s dare??
?Yes.? She said warily. ?I think everyone saw Master Jinn?s dare.?
?Well, I?ve got a variation on a theme.? He smiled. ?Do you remember the love scene from last years holo film hit ?Temptations of the heart? with Rex Victory??
?It wasn?t a sequel to Coruscant Blue, was it?? Laughed Simeon, as Sal-Fina reddened again.
?Do you recall that particular scene?? Abran repeated.
?Yes.? Jemmiah said under her breath.
?The bit with the love triangle? Where her husband comes home and finds her having a passionate encounter with the gardener??
?Yes!? She snapped.
?I want you to act that scene out. I think Obi-Wan could play Lyffar Darrington?s role and maybe?he looked around blindly, ?Kryztan could play the Rex Victory part.?
?But that means I?? Jemmiah began, looking at Obi-Wan and pointing at Kryztan, ?I have to kiss??
?Oh. Yes. So you will.?

Jemmiah looked as if she?d been floored with an iron bar. Obi-Wan?s eyes flashed with something only a few stages short of anger. Qui-Gon put a hand on his Padawan?s arm to placate him.
<Careful, Obi-Wan> He warned.
<Master> Kenobi bowed his head, but looked severely displeased.

Jemmiah turned to Sybelle and Kylenn for back up, but they all seamed as worried as she was.

?OK, I accept.? She agreed. ?But if Kryztan is playing the Rex Victory role, I want a say in the rest of the casting. Do you agree??

Abran shrugged, not caring. She?d agreed to the part that was important.

?Fine, if you don?t want Obi-Wan to be the other player. Who do you want??
She faced him square on. ?You.? She said.

He looked surprised.

?If that?s what you want.? Abran smiled. Even better! He?d get to see the action close up!

The three would be actors stood up and found a clear spot to stand in. Abran was already grinning.

?Ready?? He said. The other two nodded. ?Action!?

Jay knocked on the table in order to replicate the sound of the door.

?Wait!? Jemmiah commanded, holding up her hand.
?What is it NOW?? Jay looked exasperated; desperately trying to ignore the fact he was wearing ladies stockings and receiving VERY funny looks from passers by.
?Who said you were to knock on the door?? Jemmy crossed her arms.
?It?s in the film!? Abran insisted.
?Yes, but it?s the Lyffar Darrington role that knocks on the door.?
?So?? He crossed his arms.
?I will be playing that role, thank you so very much.?
?But you can?t!? Abran insisted.
?You said that as long as Kryztan played the Rex Victory role of the gardener, I could have my say as to the rest of the casting. I?m choosing to play the Lyffar Darrington role of the husband.? She winked at Obi-Wan who beamed in delight. ?YOU will be playing the role of the unfaithful wife.? Jemmiah looked to Mace and Qui-Gon for support.
?That?s what I heard you say.? Jinn replied.
?Me too,? Mace grinned, ?no mistaking it.?
?But that means that I will have to kiss?? He broke off in horror.
?Yes, it does.? Jemmiah smiled. ?Or we could just wave this one and let me pick the next victim. What do you say??

Abran looked at Kryztan and nodded his head violently in agreement.

?Good.? Jemmiah flashed her famous smile. She whispered in Abran?s ear.
?Don?t try to get the better of me in front of Obi-Wan like that ever again.?

 

ROFLOL, hysterical Jemmiah, just hysterical. She's just unbeatable.

 

What to pick? What to pick? Garos was not afraid, he just wanted to get it over with. After all, he had nothing to lose. Jemmiah would surely have a deadly dare. Plus he was something of an enigma to everyone else. That made Truth the safer of the two options.

"Truth." he said.

Jemmiah seemed to consider it for a moment. That can't be good. Hmiol thought.

Finally, she spoke. "Ok, Garos. Tell me this. Have you ever done ANYTHING that was..."

"Was what?" he asked, growing more fearful by the moment.

"That was, shall we say, below temple standards?" She smiled.

Hmiol began to panic. That was the one thing he had not expected. He couldn't tell them about his piggyback program on the temple surveillance systems. He was about to break down and say it, when he remembered Kenobis earlier tactic with his master. He smiled.

"Yes." he stated simply, raising his head higher. "Yes I have."

"Such as..."

"I believe you're past your one question limit, my turn!" He said, grinning wider than he ever had before.

With the burden lifted from him, he looked around at the gathering with new eyes. There was really only one choice. The person who had ruined the whole night for him, not to mention his chances of ever being a Jedi Knight.

"Simeon, Truth or Dare?"

Across from Garos, Jemmiah glowered at him darkly. That can't be good either...

 

(Ok, I guess I'll go ahead and do some more.)

Master Far Biwo ran down the streets of Coruscant as fast as his legs would carry him. He still couldn't believe what he had seen on the holo. A bar on fire, and HIS padawan, of all people, was responsible. He had spit out a perfectly good mouthfull of Biwo Stew when he saw it. While on the outside, he was angry, secretly he was pleased. Maybe Garos finally opened himself up. He thought about it for a minute, and sighed. I'll believe it when I see it.
***

About an hour later, Far stepped up to the doorway of Hari's Tavern, the next bar on the cantina crawl. He had arrived at the One for the Road shortly after the masters and padawans had left, and hoped they were still here. He didn't feel like walking to the next one.

He opened the door and strolled into the smoke-filled room.

[This message has been edited by Wampasmak (edited 05-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Wampasmak (edited 05-14-2000).]

 

?Umm,? Simeon found his mouth had gone very dry. ?Dare.?

Hmiol rubbed his hands like a miser counting his credits. What terrible things could he make Simeon do? His big weakness was for the ladies. So?

?Simeon Cates.? Hmiol pronounced as if a judge sentencing a condemned man, ?I want you to pick out the best looking girl, in your opinion, amongst our little gathering. You will firstly tell her your reasons for choosing her over everyone else and then get down on bended knee and propose marriage to her.?

?WHAT!? Cates yelled.
?You heard me.? Hmiol grinned in a distinctly glazed fashion.

Cates looked about him. There were many pretty girls and women. Sal-Fina was lovely in a cold sort of way, but you wouldn't want to choose her if she was the last woman on Coruscant. Sybelle had a dark kind of beauty. Kylenn was dignity and gentleness personified. Ambianca, Letina, Healer Leona?

Well, he had to use his brains. It didn?t happen often but this time he would. That way he could minimise the damage a little.

He stood up. ?I chose Dimallie.? he said, surprising Healer Leona amongst many. ?I choose her because she is kind, warm hearted, gifted and very lovely.?
?Yuck!? Letina frowned.
?I was going to chose Jemmiah, but frankly Obi-Wan would kill me and so I went for the safer option.?

He looked at the semi-drunken Dimallie, who was hovering blissfully unaware in partial consciousness. He stooped down and took her hand in his and then pressed it to his lips.

?Dimallie Melbra, I ask you to consent to be my lawful wedded wife, forsaking all others, in sickness and health or whenever else you decide to drop something heavy and expensive on my head from a great height. I choose you for your ability to make me smile whenever An-Paj has been horrible to me??
?Excuse me?? An-Paj cut in.
?And because you make me look like the galaxy?s most hardened drinker in comparison to you. But most of all, I choose you because you are completely wasted and won?t remember a single thing I?ve said!?

He sat back, satisfied.

?Er?Simeon.? Jemmiah nodded at Letina, who was brandishing her holocam.

?Oh, Sith!? Simeon said crossly.

Qui-Gon smiled at Mace Windu. ?I?m not sure exactly what?s on this holocam, but I say whatever it is, we get a copy and bury it in some kind of time-capsule under the temple floor, so that in generations to come, some poor Jedi padawan can see how bad things were in our time.?
?Great idea!? Smiled Mace, raising his glass. ?We can watch it all in the Hell?s Chance before we head back to the temple and Yoda?s singing.?

Qui-Gon sighed.

?Nuts to Yoda?s singing.? He said.

Simeon carefully selected his prey. ?Kylenn Imri. Truth or dare??

 

Far finally reached the gathering and saw Hmiol. He looked horrible. Worse than he had ever seen him before.

"GAROS HMIOL!" He snapped sharply.

"Master!" Garos said, whirling faster than a mad starship.

"Far, what are you doing here?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Trying to figure out what the sith you have done to my padawan. How in the galaxy did he get drunk? He doesn't even drink!" Not that I haven't tried...

"I think you had better talk to him." Mace said, looking at Kylenn. "We have a game to finish."

"No hurry!" She replied quickly, shooting a desperate look at Master Biwo.

Far grabbed his padawan by the shoulder and yanked him up. "Out." he ordered, marching him to the entrance.
***

You burnt down that bar, Garos!" Biwo exclaimed. "Do you know how bad an image that is for the Jedi?"

"Whatever." He said, looking up at the sky.

"What's gotten into you?" Biwo asked, concerned but also excited by his padawans new attitude. "You're fairly sober now, why are you acting like this?"

"Because master, NOTHING MATTERS ANYMORE."

"What are you talking about?"

"When I get back, Master Yoda will either make me a farmer or banish me outright. Either way, I'll never see them, you or the temple again. So who cares what I say or do tonight?" a thought occurred to him. "By the way, I HATE Biwo Stew. It is THE most horrible thing I've ever had the misfortune of tasting!"

Seeing the hurt expression that crossed his masters face, Hmiol quickly retreated. "Master, I'm sorry, I've been under a lot of stress, and..."

Far cut him off and wrapped him in an embrace. "It's allright, Garos. Other Jedi have done worse things before. If necessary, I'll fight the council. But here this, I will not give you up. Ok? I'll do my best to keep you not only a Jedi, but my padawan."

Hmiol looked up at Far, all conflict between them gone. "Thank you, Master." he said.

"Now let's go get a drink. I don't feel like walking back to the temple, so I'll join you for the evening, if you don't mind."

Together, they entered the bar again.