Beyond - Legends An Alliance at Alida's (L/M) ~ Part the 15th -A Pledge and a Promise (update 3-9)

DancesWithBlasters: Thank you so much! I'm very pleased that you like this. Consider yourself added to the PM list.

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Author's Note: The "Wordy Fic Challenge" has resumed, so this chapter includes the challenge "H" words and follows the word limit of 900 words.

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Presenting:

An Alliance at Alida?s ~ Part the Ninth: Hopeful Harmony

(Thank you, Jedi_Trace, as always, for your wonderful beta advice! )

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Luke paid for the airtaxi as Mara waited by the entrance to Alida?s. Shivering slightly in the cool evening air, she tightened her arms around her jacket. Luke jogged over to her, then pulled her closer to him in an attempt to warm her. ?Dressing for style and not for the temperature can be hazardous, Jade,? he teased. ?Maybe in hindsight that thin jacket wasn?t very practical.?

Before Mara could reply, the door opened and Bruno greeted them. ?Welcome back,? Bruno said. ?Alida?s just finishing preparing your table. I?ll get you something to drink.?

A hodgepodge of laughter, voices and music spilled from the barroom into the small entryway. Rapid-fire stringed music, punctuated with aggressive percussion, rang out, and more than one patron was singing along. Although the music was clearly impromptu and amateur, not one heckler discouraged the revelry.

?I didn?t think you would be celebrating Kelvin?s Day here, Bruno,? remarked Mara.

Luke peered around the corner into the bar. ?Han?s told me about Kelvin?s Day. It?s a big Corellian holiday, honoring their greatest ancient hero, Logan Sel-Kelvin.? He turned a sly grin to Mara. ?Personally, I think it?s another excuse for a Corellian party.?

?We didn?t intend to celebrate it. The celebration sort of found us,? Bruno said as he escorted them to a darkened booth in the rear of the room. ?As long as nobody hoists anyone onto the table to start dancing, we?re fine with it.? He took their drink orders, promising a quick return. Their booth was constructed so that the occupants could see out easily, although the high sides created a hindrance for those tempted to look in.

Luke tapped his fingers to the tune as Mara smirked. ?You?re enjoying this, aren?t you?? she asked.

Luke smiled back. ?Yeah, I am. It?s fun. I mean, Mara, look at them. They?re having a good time.? He laughed. ?Remember ?fun?? That?s what you do when you aren?t working.?

?I have fun,? she said defensively.

?When I drag you out,? he retorted.

Mara snorted and turned away. ?No reason to get haughty,? Luke smiled. ?Surely you?re not too inhibited to cut loose once in a while.?

A movement at the musician?s table distracted his attention. A dark-haired young woman approached the two musicians, clapped on by her friends. She spoke to the percussionist, who nodded knowingly. As she stepped into the vocalist?s mark, her friends broke into hearty applause. The percussionist struck his drum quickly and surely.

Luke sat mesmerized as the woman, eyes closed, began to sing in an ancient language. The words spun around the counterpoint provided by the percussion and the stringed instrument held by the second musician, as if following some predetermined hierarchy to create the lilting melody.

?What do you suppose she?s singing?? he asked Mara.

Bruno came to their booth and delivered their drinks. ?It?s a love song,? he said decidedly.

Luke looked up. ?You know it?? he asked.

?No, but look at her,? Bruno said, tucking the serving tray under his arm and leaning against the high side of the booth. ?It has the hallmarks of a romantic song. Look how keeps touching her heart. See how she leans into the words??

They watched the woman for a little longer. ?You?re right, Bruno, but it?s a lost love,? Mara said. ?She isn?t smiling. And listen -- there?s longing in those words.?

Luke looked from Mara to Bruno and wondered how he had missed what they had noticed in order to form their hypotheses. He reached out toward the singer, but only sensed her concentration as she recalled the words a

 

I just love how they're trying for each other. And they missed each other. Seems to me, they're starting to build something!

Wonderful chapter, lady!! Great use of those 'h' words.

 

Such a sweet addition. Good use of all the "H" words too.

 

Ahh! That was nice!!! Interesting that Luke didn't notice the underlying things about the singer but Mara and Bruno did. I liked his gentle teasing, Mara wearing the necklace and perfume--and the kiss at the end. I'm glad Luke wasn't pushy and that Mara and he admitted they missed each other. I love the gentle, natural way their relationship is progressing. Hee!!! I think when the fic is finished, I'll have to reread it again and savor its lovely flow.

 

finally! these two do take their time, but then that's probably more realistic considering... they are going to ease their way in, a nice gentle kiss... aawwwww...

 

Awww! I loved this chapter! It was so sweet. I don't know how you do it, though. You write so beautifully, and you manage to slip in all those words in the most natural manner. It flows so well I had to go back and pick apart the post to even find the words! Your writing is truly amazing.

 

I just love the - what's the word? - normalcy of this chapter. No lightsabers or battles or trauma-induced Force bonds...just two people gradually finding their way into each other's hearts.


This is my favorite part:

Luke paid for the airtaxi as Mara waited by the entrance to Alida?s. Shivering slightly in the cool evening air, she tightened her arms around her jacket. Luke jogged over to her, then pulled her closer to him in an attempt to warm her.

A shivering Mara and chivalrous Luke jogging to her side. *melts*

And I wonder what it was that had Mara daydreaming?



(*shameless plug* Feel free to PM the L/M Index sock with a link for the Luke/Mara Index. )

 

Except for that litte slip up about wanting to take care of her, things went pretty smooth. And the date has just started. Great post!

 

Yay! The Wordy fic challenge has resumed! Great job Sister-pilot. I just love Bruno. I love how sensitive he is and intuitive. *sigh* That Alida is one lucky woman!

Well Done!

 

Wow, I missed two posts...I liked them!

~Kass

 

Ginchy: Seems to me, they're starting to build something! Wonderful chapter, lady!!

They have had a little time to think. Love is easy, a relationship is hard work. Thanks!


RebelMom: Such a sweet addition. Good use of all the "H" words too.

Thank you! Glad you liked it.


Jade_Eyes: Interesting that Luke didn't notice the underlying things about the singer but Mara and Bruno did. I liked his gentle teasing, Mara wearing the necklace and perfume--and the kiss at the end. I'm glad Luke wasn't pushy and that Mara and he admitted they missed each other.

Luke might be learning that he doesn?t in fact have all the answers. And Mara is learning it?s okay to let someone else take the load every now and then.

I love the gentle, natural way their relationship is progressing. I think when the fic is finished, I'll have to reread it again and savor its lovely flow.

Thank you! That?s such a sweet thing to say! Hope you continue to like it.


RedGold: finally! these two do take their time, but then that's probably more realistic considering... they are going to ease their way in, a nice gentle kiss.

There?s passion in small things, too. Thank you!


DancesWithBlasters: Awww! I loved this chapter! It was so sweet.

Thanks! I?m glad you liked it. I wrote it at St. Patrick?s, so that influenced the scene. And the words happened to fit well.



Jedi_Trace: I just love the - what's the word? - normalcy of this chapter. No lightsabers or battles or trauma-induced Force bonds...just two people gradually finding their way into each other's hearts.

Thank you! How you treat each other when there?s just the two of you is as important as how you react in a crisis. They are, after all, only human.

A shivering Mara and chivalrous Luke jogging to her side. *melts* And I wonder what it was that had Mara daydreaming?

They are trying to make each other happy. That?s what people in love will do! And Mara has a lot on her mind these days, so maybe she is distracted.


Jedi-2B: Except for that litte slip up about wanting to take care of her, things went pretty smooth. And the date has just started. Great post!

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. The date has started, but a lot can happen.


Jade_Pilot: Yay! The Wordy fic challenge has resumed! Great job Sister-pilot. I just love Bruno. I love how sensitive he is and intuitive. *sigh* That Alida is one lucky woman!

Yes, Alida and Bruno are sweet together. Bruno has the patience of a saint, but she?s worth it. Luke and Mara can learn from their experiences in love.


Jedi_Kassandra : Thank you for reading! Happy you liked them.

JadeLotus: Thanks for stopping in!

 

I remember following this story when it first started, but I seem to have lost track of it there for a while. I enjoyed reading the instalments though and I'm liking the way you're handling Luke and Mara's relationship from an emotional perspective -- too many fanfics (and I'm guilty of this myself way too often) tend to skip through that part.

Great work, looking forward to more.

 

Can I be added to the update list?
Please?
Thank you!

 

Cool updates - Interesting how Mara is feeling smothered, and going to Alida with it.

I can definately see how she is feeling smothered, Luke without tempering would do that (at least how he is written most of the time). The question, and problem comes with how Mara deals with it, and I'm looking forward to how you handle that - should be interesting!

Keep up the great writing,

TnTornado

 

Knight_Aragorn I'm liking the way you're handling Luke and Mara's relationship from an emotional perspective

Thank you! I?m so flattered that you like this. I never quite believed that Luke and Mara just suddenly fell in love in Vision of the Future. It makes more sense to me that they would have at least had some romantic attraction to each other!


MagnusPrimal: Thank you for your interest! You are on the list.


TnTornado: I can definately see how she is feeling smothered, Luke without tempering would do that (at least how he is written most of the time). The question, and problem comes with how Mara deals with it, and I'm looking forward to how you handle that - should be interesting!

Thanks! Mara is trying to learn to depend on someone else, and Luke is trying to learn to give her room. They both have to meet in the middle.

 

Presenting:

An Alliance at Alida?s ~Part the Tenth: Intangible Intentions

Thank you, Jedi_Trace, for the wonderful beta once again!

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The secluded dining area gave Luke and Mara enough room to feel comfortable but allowed them the privacy that each enjoyed. Due to Bruno?s impregnable security measures (which consisted, for the most part, of a glare that could intimidate a rancor), Luke and Mara could relax without fear of eavesdroppers.

Luke waited for Mara to be seated comfortably before picking up his menu. He stole a glance at her as she read the choices. The necklace he had given her stood out brightly against her black shirt, and her hair was smartly pulled back. He smiled to himself. She was truly beautiful, and she was here with him.

After a moment?s perusal of the selections, Mara had made up her mind. She placed the menu on the table and looked at Luke. ?Still deciding?? she asked.

Luke put his menu down, too. ?I?ll get the Steak Elsat again. It?s the house specialty.?

?How intrepid,? Mara drawled. ?Why don?t you take a chance and try something new??

?Because I like this,? Luke retorted. ?I like how Alida makes it. She puts that spice thing on it.?

Mara smirked. ?Oh? ?That spice thing,? huh?? She shook her head. ?Such a gourmand. I guess growing up on Tatooine has left its stamp of insularity on you.?

Luke snorted. ?Just because you had a more exciting life than I did when you were younger doesn?t mean I didn?t catch up, Mara.? He raised an eyebrow. ?In fact, I would say I?ve surpassed you now.?

She leaned back, pretending shock at his impudence. ?I have traveled this galaxy more times than you have, farmboy. I?ve spied on more secret initiations and forbidden rites than you can imagine. I?ve handled more deals with overlords ? legal and illegitimate ? than a veteran diplomat. Surpassed me?? She snorted. ?I don?t think so.?

?Now you sound like Han,? Luke noted. ?I?m waiting for the pointing finger in my face.?

?Not my style, Skywalker,? she said. ?I find a more innocuous approach tends to incite people less.?

Luke stifled a laugh. ?If you say so, Mara.?

?What do you mean?? Mara said defensively. ?I always try to talk things through. How else would I keep all of Talon?s clients happy? They don?t take well to negotiations at the business end of a blaster.?

?I think I?d be inclined to listen to you. I wouldn?t want to induce any hostile feelings from someone who has my financial future in her hands,? Luke admitted, smiling. ?It?s ironic, but it seems that these days you accomplish more by threatening people?s accounting records than by lopping off a limb or two. I?d say that?s an innovation in your negotiation style over the years.?

Mara smiled slightly as she slid her fingers across her water goblet aimlessly, and Luke sensed that his words had achieved their desired effect. He watched her raise the glass and sip, then place the water goblet back on the table. A drop of water glistened against her moistened lips, and Luke suddenly froze. [i]Water. Mara. Danger.[/i] Something about her gesture triggered a reaction in Luke?s deep consciousness, like distant electrical charges suddenly snapping together. He frowned and dragged his hand through his hair distractedly. There was something there, something he couldn?t quite name. It was too vague to identify, yet there was a clenching about the sensation that bothered him.

?What is it, Luke?? she asked quietly. His unexpected discomfort had alerted her senses in response, Luke realized.

Luke stared, baffled, at the water goblet again. It was almost a feeling of something just out of place, a movement slightly incongruous enough to attract attention. As hard as he tried to recall the details imbedded in that brief grazing of the Force, however, the strange sensation and his ability to interpret it had apparently reached an impasse. He shook his head slightly as if to clear the residual effects. ?Nothing, I guess,? he murmured.

They paused as the server brou

 

That whole thing with the water gobblet. Is she going to Nirauan? Can he ... tag along?
I think the second choice is the right one--she pushes a person away with her acerbic tongue to keep them off balance and to deflect from an unwanted conversation. She's not invincible but neither is he. Neither is infallible... now I'm doing it. They have to let each other in. But, I hope it won't be as literally or emotionally painful as Alida's early experiences--
So tickled to see this updated ... for its own sake. But it also intensifies my longing for Alida's own story to resolve in Memories.

 

I think with the trust, they're halfway there. And very sneaky with the water there, gal. It must be so frustrating to get feelings like that, but not really know what they mean! Luke and Mara are so awkward, yet trying so hard not to be. I guess that's what happens when so much stands between two people.

Excellent chapter, as always, lady!

 

He watched her raise the glass and sip, then place the water goblet back on the table. A drop of water glistened against her moistened lips, and Luke suddenly froze. Water. Mara. Danger.
Uh-oh! I wonder, could Mara be headed for Nirauan, or have their dinners at Alida's sent their future down a new path?

?You know, there?s nothing wrong with learning new things. No one?s immutable, Mara. Everyone has the potential to change and grow. Let me help you.?
?Why do you always assume I need your help? It?s as if you see me as having an intrinsic weakness that only you can address,? she said quietly.
They need to read that "Love Languages" book, I think. Luke helps. That's just what he does. So it would be perfectly natural for him to want to give his aid to Mara. However, help is a four letter word to Mara. It means something completely different to her than what Luke's thinking. She's not broken, so she doesn't need fixing. Luke's offer to help says to Mara that he doesn't understand this. And I think Mara is right--Luke does struggle with the "only I can fix it" syndrome.

He touched her hand again. ?I trust you, Mara,? he insisted.
I trust you, Mara, Luke silently repeated to himself. I?ve trusted you with my life. Now I trust you with my heart.
Awww!

 

Oh just kiss already!

 

RedGold posted:

Oh just kiss already!
I second that!!
Re Blue's comment: interesting insight about Mara's definition of an offer of help. Being vulnerable and working as a team does not at all mean she's broken. It doesn't stop you from having a measure of self-reliance either.

 

Great update divapilot! I must admit, I've been lurking for some time and enjoying all your posts. (Hi, my name is Rivad and... I'm a fan-fic lurker... ) I especially like your interpretation of Mara and Luke's friendship. Often people miss that aspect of a relationship in favor of romance, but you balance them both out so well! Bravissime!

 

Just started reading your story and really do like it. Must say that Mara is really trying to to keep her temper under control over this Jedi training business. Also love the mush between the two. They seem to be creating a strong foundation for a more serious relationship. Wonder if Mara is getting really to point out all of Luke's mistakes and over use of the Force. Like she did in VOTF. Wonderful post and please add me to your PM list. Thanks.

 

I got a pm for this update, and I don't even remember asking for it, or reading any of this story before tonight. I must have though, and I'm very glad I did . I went back and read the whole thing. Great job, I love this story. Very well done!
Oh, and please keep me on the pm list!