Tra-La-La

I don't own Star wars

So after going six full months of not beating the living hell out of people, honestly a record for me since becoming an adult, I decided that I needed a drink. Coruscant being Coruscant, was kinda like a slightly more moral Nar Shaddaa. But instead of strip clubs with mostly naked alien women in every other building there were just regular bars, and taverns, wineries, depending on your location on being in a high-class sector of a working-class sector… and slightly less naked alien women.

As I was in a working-class sector, I hit the local dive bar Sameela's. Which was run by a weequay and named for a woman who didn't return his affections… considering the state of said bar I can imagine why. It was grungy, worn down, I would even consider never walking into its bathrooms again, and I'm fairly certain the owner waters down his beer just a little too much.

Personally, I'd rather have corelian whiskey, even though my Mother and Aunt would prefer I'd drink Dromund Kaas Scotch… but I'll settle for cheap, watered down beer. I was pretty much the only one in the bar apart from the weequay bartender who was more concerned with the interplanetary games on the holo-screen than me. There was a very drunk gran in the corner but I was also equally sure he lived above the bar so there was no real need for the bartender to kick him out.

I was on my second drink when the door opened and someone new entered… or at least new-ish. She was wearing long red pants there were tight enough to show off her curves but not so tight as to limit movement, a jacket partially zipped up to display her very impressive blue cleavage, apparently a tank top beneath the jacket, and a ball cap that did nothing to hide the fact that she was obviously a chiss in her very early twenties…

Her bright red ruby eyes twinkled around the room, she brushed her long, azure blue, braided ponytail over her shoulder and sat next to me at the counter, absently tapping for a drink as she turned to look at me. "…Buy a girl a drink?" she said with a friendly, very pretty smile.

I took a sip from my drink as a glass slid down the counter to her as she caught it, "…Don't you get paid more than me?" I asked subtly, keeping my voice low as the weequay let his attention return to the game. Although not before a good long glance at her generous rack.

"Doesn't mean you shouldn't buy a lady a drink Kal." She replied teasingly, in the same subtle voice as me, she placed credits on the counter. I however pushed them delicately back towards her and put some of my own in its place. "…Thanks." She noted, taking a drink. Flinching. And pushing it towards me, "Ugh… that's foul." She shook off the aftertaste as I poured her drink into mine and drank. "How do you drink that? It's practically water with an aftertaste… water shouldn't have an aftertaste.

"It's the lack of options that really help…" I noted jokingly, she eyed me thoughtfully for a moment, before she rested her head on the palm of her hand, leaning onto the counter and sighing.

"So… how has it been going? Been keeping a low profile?" she asked rather warmly as I flinched. She obviously knew what I did, or she wouldn't be here.

"…Fine." I replied/lied abruptly as she nodded sagely.

"Indeed." She said, still staring at me. "…There's some chatter in the underworld." She said, rather conversationally. "Some nameless, strapping, scarred up, handsome, 'came out of nowhere' human, went and demolished an underground fighter."

"…No kidding…" I replied as she continued to stare right through me… Damn it… wait, handsome?

"No. I'm not kidding. You wouldn't happen to know any nameless, strapping, scarred up, handsome, 'came out of nowhere' human's around here, do you Kal?" she asked pointedly, still staring into my soul.

I sighed reluctantly, draining my glass and rested in on the counter before standing up, "Fine. You win. It was me." She got up as well and together we walked out of the bar and onto the street as countless speeders flew by overhead and we just kept walking.

"You're supposed to be lying low Kal. Not helping some gambling addicted father and his charmingly adorable daughter! I swear, Firemanes: cannot help but cause trouble…"

"I'm a Kane." I said firmly. Firemane was more of my Uncle's side of the family tree. Trust me it's complicated for us too. My Uncle, Aiden Firemane, takes more after my great grandfather, Roland Firemane, to separate himself from his mother Altora, who while born a Firemane was far more identified as a Kane. I on the other hand, am firmly proud of my grandfather Sabiel Kane, and my mother and Aunt, Kavilla and Tolara. I have no shame in being a Kane especially since I've never met my grandmother Altora.

I am told she was something of a Bitch.

Needless to say, it did get confusing sometimes after a while. But while we were all family, we were distinctly 'Kanes' and 'Firemanes'…

"It's the Same thing. You're a bit of both." She noted wisely, and seeing that a few people were giving us looks, smiled and wrapped her arm around mine. Leaning against my arm. She didn't quite make it to my shoulder, she wasn't as tall as me. Now we just looked like a couple out for a walk. "You need to lay low. Cromwells might avoid Coruscant like it was a plague planet but one wiff of your location won't stop the assassins from coming for you." She sounded surprisingly concerned… I guess that was fair, we have been friends since childhood.

Her father wasn't exactly in the most… sound of mind. So, she spent a considerable amount of time with my Mother and Aunt Tolara, along with her father's sister: one of my many aunts. She is now a very high-level Watcher. Which leads to why Oriana is more commonly now known as Cipher 21 as opposed to Oria'Natonoradea.

"You know Oriana if I didn't know better, I'd say you were worried about me…" I gave her the faintest of smiles that she surprisingly returned.

"…I'd rather have you keep that handsome face of yours on your head. So yes. I'm worried." She replied smugly, as we found a bench to sit and rest, but she didn't let go of my arm. "This isn't just going to go away Kal. And we can't just send a ship and jump you off planet if you end up drawing a crap ton of attention to yourself." She pulled away, rubbing my shoulder fondly. "…Try not to be… well you."

"Violent and efficient?" I asked, giving her a smile that she once again returned.

"…A wannabe loner with a kindness streak." She replied with a wink, and a kiss on my cheek. Leaving a light red lipstick stain there as she got up. "I'll be on the planet for a little while longer I got some 'business' to deal with, but we should get dinner."

"Sure." I replied, as I watched her sashay away, "How can I contact you?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"I'll find you Kal." She replied grinning, winking over her shoulder and vanishing in a stealth field as my vision of her was blocked by a parking speeder.

Rubbing a hand through my hair I sighed, staring off into the dimming sun of Coruscant. Watching the speeders fly by. I took a breath, losing track of time for force knows how long before I got up, adjusted my clothes and walked home.

"Hi Kal!" I blinked, finding myself walking towards my apartment as Queenie smiled at me from her window.

"Queenie…" I noted she gazed at my face for a moment and frowned.

"What happened to your eye?" she asked curiously. I blinked, gingerly touching my right eye which was sporting a blossoming bruise.

"Nothing… fell down some stairs." I noted, "…Learn anything at school today?"

"Just history." Queenie replied smiling, apparently more than content to keep my attention and talk… I suppose I didn't really mind too much. "Ms. Lidia's really smart. She's a…" she seemed to trying find the right word. "Chronicler. I think that's what she said."

"…That's neat." I replied, unable to really find anything to else say about that.

"She says I shouldn't ride with you to school. Your speeder bike is dangerous." She said smiling, before whispering softly. "But it's so cool, I didn't tell you that…"

"I won't tell her." I replied as Queenie smiled.

"So…what were you doing tonight?" Queenie asked, refusing to just let me walk into my apartment and shut the door.

"…Meeting an old friend." I replied, finding it a better option than drinking away my troubles. At least to a young girl at any rate.

"Girlfriend?" she grinned mischievously, drawing the word out teasingly.

I was about to deny it but… something stopped me. The thing was I wasn't entirely sure what Oriana was to me. We were close but it never really went far, and I found her attractive and she often stated the same thing but we never stepped beyond playful teasing… So I don't know…

"…Sure." I said and Queenie giggled as I smiled, she was a cute kid "…So where's your dad?" I asked conversationally, wondering if I had to bail him out of trouble.

"He went to get dinner he should be home soon." Queenie replied, looking down the walkway as if expecting to see her father. I joined her in looking but eventually shrugged.

"…Well… you let me know if he gets lost." I said, smiling at her and heading towards my room. "Good night Queenie.

"Night Kal." She replied as I opened my door and entered. I barely walked into my room when I froze…

…Something smelled like Lilacs… and blood.

"Hey there…" came a sultry voice from my bed and I glanced. Lounging rather comfortably on my bed in a skin tight suit and a short-sleeved jacket was a bright pink Zeltron with a shock of purple hair that matched her eyes… she was very beautiful but that could just be the torrent of pheromones she was releasing. It made my head hurt. She ran a hand slowly up her shapely thigh, as her legs rubbed seductively together. "Do you come here often?"

…It took a moment to register exactly what was happening. And unfortunately, the only weapons I had were under my bed. That she was lying on like a girl in a pinup magazine.

"…How did you get in here? Who are you?" I said, subtly and slowly spreading my feet apart. Getting into a good stance is key before an attack.

Her bright red lips stretched into a friendly smile. She apparently had very good practice at it. "Oh… getting in was easy. I just had to talk to your landlord. Really nice lady. Kinda lonely…"

My right hand slowly tightened into a fist as I stared determinedly at her. "…And… who exactly are you?"

"Oh, I have many names." …That doesn't sound nearly as cool when she says it.

"Try me."

"That is the eventual idea." She said seductively, sitting up and opening her jacket so that her cleavage and neckline were on display then seemed to think thoughtfully "…I like… Lala." She said sweetly.

"…Really?" I replied.

"Sound's better than Tra-La-la." She replied sarcastically, crossing her legs and letting on bounce impatiently on the other. "Or maybe you've actually heard of me?" she smiled rather proudly. "Tracy Lacey Lacine… a pleasure, mister?"

"…Kallus." I said coolly. Tightening my other fist as we stared into each other's eyes.

"Well Kal… I'm here. Specifically. Because you caused quite a lot of trouble the other day… you might remember? You wrecked a Gamorrean's face?" she licked her lips. "…That was Hot."

…Oh, she's one of them…

"…So?"

"So." she repeated, still smiling, "…My boss wants to talk to you…"

"…No." I replied and she nodded slowly.

"…Okay." She said with a shrug, standing up and making her way casually toward the door.

She spun on her heel, and suddenly her leg came up in an arc to try and smash against my head. But I was more than ready for her, my arm came up to block it but inconceivably she seemed to spiral in the air, bringing her other leg up in a corkscrew to slam against my back. She landed on her feet as I stumbled away before her foot came jumping up from the floor to kick me in my lowered head. But I knocked her foot back down. But the second it hit the floor another came back up.

She was fast, and light on her feet. Her legs moved so quickly it was hard to keep track. Just when one leg connected with my defenses another was up trying to break through. Just when I thought I had her figured out her fist suddenly lashed out with a jab. It caught me on the chin, and it hurt, but not enough to distract me.

I threw a punch and she dodged but that was more than enough, I hooked around her slender body and dragged her into a hug from behind, squeezing tightly around her middle in a bearhug as she laughed in delight. "You're so fresh!" she shouted cheerfully before twisting violently, her elbows crashing in a one two combo on the sides of my face. I hurled her into the wall before lashing out with a powerful leg thrust, she spun aside as my foot crashed against the wall. Cracking it with my force before I kicked off the wall for momentum, throwing it into a round house as she tanked the blow on her upper arm before lashing out with her leg again, I caught it under my arm, I think she cracked a rib with the connection. She sighed reluctantly, knowing what was coming as I lifted her off the floor and slammed her into the wall again.

She grunted as I pinned her, my arm under her chin and my legs giving her no room to kick as she giggled almost manically at me. "…Oh you are fun…" she cooed, puckering her lips.

"…What are you doing?" I asked as she blinked coyly at me.

"Trying to kiss." She replied, I blinked at her confused… then there was nothing but pain as her knee shot up between my legs…

…Not even I'm tough enough to tank that…

"I'll get back to that 'kissing' thing later…" she grinned as I stumbled away and she leaped onto my back, getting me into a choke hold and squeezed. "You take a nice, calming nap…" she said, trying to sound soothing as I scrambled around the room with her on my back. "And when you wake up. I might even be naked…"

"Get… OFF…" I growled… pumping adrenaline through my body as I tugged her arm away to get a breath. But she pulled back, pushing my mid-back with her knees for traction as I stumbled around the room.

Then… finally with a roar of defiance, I charged backward towards the wall.

"Wah-oh!" she said surprised and with a great feat of flexibility and acrobatics she ran UP THE WALL. Spun over my head, curled into a ball before lashing out with a drop kick right at my chest, pushing her away from me as I slammed against the wall and felt her feet crush against me. She landed on the floor before swirling to her feet, I dropped to one knee, trying to catch my breath as she lunged forward, grabbing my head and ramming her knee against me. Once. Twice.

"Sorry! Bout! this!" three times.

I caught her leg, and charged, catching her on my shoulder as I lifted her from the ground and tackled her to the floor, my fists flailing in rage as I brought them crashing down on her arms. She covered her face tanking the blows until her fist lashed out and caught me on the jaw again. but I was far too PISSED OFF to let her get the better of me like that again. Roaring as I brought my fist down hard on her, she barely dodged by shifting her whole body to let my fist crash against the floor right by her ear. Bringing her arm up to slam against my head, pushing me off her before slithering her muscled, flexible legs around my head, and clutching against my arm, catching it in an armbar as she tried to put me in another sleeper hold.

"Oh! Baby where have you BEEN all my life!" she grinned. Bringing me down, "Sleep baby. SLEEP…" she hissed almost sweetly. Like trying to lullaby me to sleep.

But I pulled out one last adrenaline rush. Slamming my other hand in frustration on the floor again and again until my green eyes were almost red with fury, (and lack of oxygen.)

I got UP. She stared amazed as I held her outstretched on my arm. "…Holy shit." She mumbled, but still looked positively thrilled as I spun her around and slammed her against the wall…

Unfortunately… that didn't break her hold on me. She grunted in pain as I dropped back to my knees, my temporary increased strength gone as she grunted in pain… apparently the blow against the wall hurt her but that just wasn't enough at this point. She was a spindly little spider, wasn't she?

…Then everything went black…

End of Chapter.

Bonus.

I adjusted my new dress as I approached his apartment, checking my face for my makeup and potentially blood as I prepared myself. Suck it up Oriana. Its just dinner, and maybe a movie… what's that Kal? You want to show me what your bedroom looks like?

…Okay maybe that was a bit much.

"Hi." I blinked, staring at the cute little twi'lek girl leaning on the window sill as she watched me.

I snapped my compact mirror shut, "Hi." I replied, smiling at her.

"…Are you Kal's girlfriend?"

"What?! No!" I said immediately, OBVIOUSLY, we didn't see each other like THAT! NO! "No, he's just a good, really good friend and…" I paused for a minute, finally registering what she said, "…Did he uh… say anything about me?" I asked, twirling my hair on my finger, unable to stop myself from smiling.

"He said he was out with his girlfriend…" she teased, grinning knowingly at me. But I was able to hide my own grin. "…But you're too late, he already left."

"Left?" I asked, unable to hide my disappointment. "Oh… well-"

"Yeah that other pretty lady said he needed to go see some people she works for. Then she gave me a lollypop!" the twi'lek girl replied, apparently holding out a very popular Coruscant sweet.

"…I'm sorry… what other pretty lady?" I said… my voice cool, collected. Not at all like someone who was absolutely livid…