Liquid Journey

Inspired by the magnanimous feeling suffusing the cantina, he stood atop his table and after the quiet rippled through the customers, he told the tale of his journey into the Unknown Regions where he had happened upon a celestial rainbow and followed it to a world of magical little people and mountains filled with wealth beyond imagination. He continued sipping the green concoction that his drinking buddies provided him as he spun his tale of wonderment and wealth out while all those around him, stared at him in amazement.

They were spellbound by his voice.

He had another gulp of the green beverage

They were amazed by his story.

He drank yet more of the green liquid.

He was eating up the adulation, the adoration. For the first time in months, if not years, he was enjoying himself. As he began to describe the celestial rainbow for the second time, is when he first noticed her. She was standing in the back, dark clouds gathering on her face as she watched his performance.

She was the only one to not be enthralled by his tale.

Of course that required he down the remainder of his drink, and reach for another from his companions.

Then of course, she had to ruin it.

He could have handled her presence; just her being there did not hamper the story, or its effect on those around him. In fact, if anything, her presence made him happier. After all, she is the love of his life.

No, she ruined the story in another way. She ruined it in a simpler and much more direct way.

She threw an overripe redfruit.

Of course his drinking companions were of no help. The sticky, fruit glop running down his face just sent them into hysterics. He glared at them, a stare that had caused hundreds if not thousands of trainees and junior officers scurrying from his path.

By now, the entire cantina was laughing at him.

He decided he needed another swallow, a large one, of the green liquor.

The laughter is the only thing he could think of which would cause her to throw yet another redfruit at him.

As he wipes away the fruit compote from his eyes, he sees that she is now standing at the foot of his table, looking up at him. “Wedge Antilles get down here right now!”

“Intelligence does not give orders to Starfighter Command.”

As soon as he says it, he realizes that it was not the right thing to say. So he resorts to the green liquid for the courage he needs to be able to once more look Iella in the eyes. When he does look to her his eyes widen in surprise, for he sees her brandishing her blaster and stunning his two companions.

The anger in her eyes is the last thing he sees as she turns her blaster onto him and unconsciousness overtakes him.