It's a little too late to change my mind

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Once upon a time, Zandra Fenni would have jumped on the nearest transport off this rock the very day Zax the Beautiful's engine died. She would have abandoned her ship, abandoned her home, and headed for the next world for a new adventure.
too bad. Zandras story had taken something of a dramatic turn as of late. One thing, Zandra would never have called back a one night stand. Two, she would never had waited for him to come back. Three, she would never, ever, under any circumstances, get pregnant with his kid.

A mistake, yes, but not just her own. This was Calico's mistake too, and she needed to know what he wanted done with it.

Down the filth littered streets of the lower levels of Coruscant, Zandra was just leaving her 'home', the aforementioned dead ship, still parked in the same place. She dressed as she always did. Like what Barnabus would call a 'street walker'. Torn, dirty white stockings, leather jacket, metallic silver shorts, white tank top... 'business casual', she called this outfit. Her thick soled black leather boots clinked softly on the wet ground. Wet with what, of course, she didn't want to know.

Now she was heading to Nameless, her favorite spot as of late. She'd become so familiar with it, gotten to know the staff, the regulars, the musicians that played there. She'd even found out the name of her favorite music group. That was what she was looking forward to, seeing Parsec live again. They knew her name now, sometimes shortening it to Z, or even 'Zandy' when alcohol was involved.

Now of course, Zandra didn't partake. It wasn't that she was planning on keeping the kid, but she knew enough to keep her options open. At least until she spoke to Cal about it. He deserved a say at least, right? His mistake too.

His mistake too.

 

[Djorn Bline]

Canal never like Corusant. Ever. It wasn't worth staying except if you're a politician or a celebrity then it would be a whole different story. "What a waste," the clone said as he was walking in one of the sectors of the underworld of Corusant. He was armed with his phrik Ori'Ramikad armor and his DC-15s pistol cause you never know what scum or hobo would jump on you.

The Fett clone was a little bit thirsty and was also curious about the quality of drinks the bars had in the underworld because someone once told him to never judge a book by its cover.

He noticed there was a bar nearby where his location is and decided to have a little pit stop at the bar. He saw many eyes darting upon him. It was probably because his face that he shared with his kin was from a famous bounty hunter known as Jango Fett. Or it was his fancy armor and they were planning on jumping on him but they would soon back up because of his pistol. Either way, he didn't really care as long they didn't do something stupid that would make them regret it.

He was almost close to the bar when he saw a woman that he admitted was beautiful but was poorly dressed. The commando wouldn't step on toes because she probably had a boyfriend and Canal was already married.

Maybe he could befriend the woman and have some sort of relationship with her that wouldn't get him in trouble with Ori.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra watched her feet as she walked, hands deep in the pockets of her jacket, playing with the holes in the fabric. Something made her look up. Someone she knew waved at her, said her name. She smiled, waved back, was about to make conversation with the Zabrak cantina Dancer, when someone caught her eye. Someone she knew well.

"CAL!"

The name was shouted at the man before she could stop it. Her boots were thundering along the dirty streets and she was flying past the speechless Zabrak in seconds.

"Cal! Cal! Why didn' ya call me? I thought ya had another battle."

In moments, she had her arms around him, squeezing him tight, as if she thought he might vanish into the air. The way he had held her not so very long ago. The night it all happened. In his messages, he looked so tired. He had a beard. It was gone now, but she would have recognized him a mile away. Or she thought she would. Something didn't feel right. He wasn't holding himself the way he used to, but war changed people. She could deal with it.

"Well, ya made it back," she eagerly continued, hardly stopping for breath, save to kiss any bit of him she could reach, "Now I can say what I wanted to tell ya before. Come on. I'll buy ya a drink!"

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

Canal stopped as he heard the woman yell out 'Cal'. He was confused. How did she know his brother? And what was this about calls and about the war Calico was involved in with. But then the woman was hugging the clone and he hugged her back but a light hug. Canal had the chance to tell her that she had mistaken him but he wanted to find out about this mysterious woman that he now met.

"Well," the Captain started out, "I was too busy. Duty calls, this and this but one of my brothers named Canal was able to help me out. That man is so loyal to me ever since he got out of his little tube. And we still haven't had that battle yet but soon we're gonna have it."

Next thing he knew was that the woman was kissing every bit of him that she could reach and he kissed her on the lips. He regretted it. He was so lucky Ori wasn't around him. He made a mental note to wash his mouth so Ori wouldn't notice what he has been doing.

"Oh, you got something to tell me, eh? Oh, and I'll pay for the drinks." After that Canal reached down to grab the woman by the hand so he could keep his cover. Even if Calico and Canal shared the same face and we're clones that didn't mean that they were exactly alike. They both had their own personalities which was one of the ways to tell them apart.

As they entered the bar the clone captain then asked her, "So, what's been going on with you? Anything interesting while I was gone?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Something was off. Zandra could tell, but she was too happy, too excited to let it get to her.

"No, no! I buy drinks this time, remember? I promised. And you know me. Same old."

She skipped ahead with him into Nameless. She was greeted with a smile from the bartender as she sat down, motioning for Cal to sit too.

"You know what I want, Ellix."
Ellix the bar tender nodded his big horned head and went off to get the lady a glass of deep red... fruit juice. No alcohol. Not yet. Not until she solved this problem. The glass was set in front of her and she motioned for Cal to order.

"I bet I know what you're gettin'. Don't worry. They got it here."

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

"Oh, yeah that's right." Canal said as he went along with the flow. He followed the woman and took a sit with her as she motioned him to sit down. So far, she still hasn't notice that it was Canal that she was with not Calico.

As his 'date' ordered her drink Canal was thinking what was his brother's favorite drink. Out of all the times he drank with Calico he still didn't know what was his favorite drink. He then remembered it after his quick thought and gave the bartender his order and was given his drink.

"So, what drink is that? I haven't seen you drink any type of red alcohol," he just hoped that it wouldn't blow off his cover. He then thought of something so it could save him from his question that was or wasn't his mistake.

"So, what have you been up to lately? Same old, same old? Or is there something new in your schedule?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Well, at least he still liked his Balmoraan Bluesky. Honestly, after he'd left, she'd taken a liking to it as well. It reminded her of him. Made her feel closer to him when she drank it. Sometimes, Zandra would come here and order it, just to hold it, smell it. Even if she couldn't drink it, it was a comfort.
Of course, she'd never say anything about it. It was too weird. Almost clingy.

"It's not alcohol," she said, lowering her head to hide her shame-filled blush, "It's just juice. And you know what's been going on. I've told ya in my messages. You're so flaky today."

She swirled her finger absently around the rim of her glass distractedly. She was going to have to tell him sooner or later. Sometime tonight. But for now, she was just happy yo have him back.

"Oh! I promised to buy a drink of Galaar," she said at once, "I mean... It just feels right. I can't break a promise. What was his favorite drink, Cal? Let's order it for him. For 'is memory."

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

He had to so better than this. At least he wasn't struck out of this little game. He took a sip of his drink and enjoyed it. He never had it cause he was always drinking ale or whisky. But he still had to make up his mistake if you would call it.

"Juice, eh? That's something new. And sorry for acting so strange today. With all the things that's been going on I just don't feel like myself. You know what I mean?"

The clone then took a sip from his drink and then it hit Canal. When the woman mentioned about Galaar it kinda made him down but he couldn't let that show in the eyes of the woman.

"Well, he was always drinking something new but I think his favorite drink was Corellian Ale out of all of them," the captain responded back to her. Then something occurred to him. The name of this mysterious woman. He had to learn it in order to survive this game. He would learn it by someone calling out the woman or by just asking someone when she wasn't around.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Ellix, you heard the man."

The horned man behind the car nodded silently and went to get the drink.

"It's okay, Cal. I know. He was your brother. I liked 'em too. But it's like I said. He died with honor, right? There's no better way to go."

The drink was set down and Zandra lifted her glass up.

"To Galaar," she said, "May he kick butt in the afterlife!"

She looked down at the ale, smiling. As she made her little toast to the memory of Cals fallen brother, she reached across with her free hand to rest over his.

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

"Yeah, he did die with honor. He and my other brothers who have fallen as well. But the Confederacy is still going to pay. And that's a promise," the clone captain said with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Hear, hear," Canal said as he lofted his glass to honor Galaar's death and his other brothers. He then noticed that the woman was reaching out his hand with hers. Thankfully_ he was married and had some experience of situations like this. He allowed her to grab his hand and he looked at her in the eyes.

He needed to continue their conversation. "So, you told me that you wanted to tell me something?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra looked down at his hand. It was hard not to picnic. She had nothing else to distract him with. No way to avoid the conversation.

"Well... hey, so, you remember that night? The rain? And the drink? Your place? Well. I thought that might be the end of that. I thought after I left in the morning that'd be the end of it. I was wrong. "

Zandra bit her lip for a moment. Clearly uncomfortable saying what she needed to say.

"better take a drink, Cal. Get some alcohol in ya. Ready?"

Zandra took a deep breath.

" Ya got me pregnant, ya idiot."

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

Oh Manda. He assumed that Calico did something else with this woman. Oh, he tried not to imagine it. The clone took a drink of his alcohol to try to ease himself.

Wait, did he just heard what he just heard? His eyes widen and put his hands to his head. Oh, Calico. What mess did we just got ourselves in?

"Ma'am, promise me that you'll calm. To tell you the truth, I'm not Calico. I'm one of his brothers, Canal. But I promise you that my mouth is shut," Canal then got some distance from the woman who was now carrying his nephew or niece. If this was a man he would have no problem but this is a woman who's pregnant!

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra went white as her hair. Her pale eyes were wide, shocked. It wasn't that she had gotten up the nerve to tell Calico, and now she found out that it was never him at all. Well, not entirely.
But this man... tricked her. Not just that. He kissed her! Used her.

She lifted her glass to her lips slowly as he backed away, obviously knowing that there were consequences for screwing around with Lady Luck. While she drank, the other hand went to the blaster at her hip. In seconds, she threw the glass at him, and pointed the blaster while the glass (hopefully) had him distracted. The bar was completely silent now.

"You sick, twisted, son of a sarlaac," she snapped, holding the blaster steady, "You're gunna explain yerself before I get to the count of 3. Then yer gunna apologize. One...."

She sat on her stool, eyes dead set on the imposter, fingers ready to pull the trigger at the slightest budge. The bar tender was wiping a glass down as he watched the scene unfold. Zandra was not a lady to tick off. She never pointed a blaster at someone lightly. If you were on the wrong side of her weapon, you karked up royally.

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

He moved his head so he could avoid the glass being thrown at him with his reflexes. That's 10 years of training that he was thankful for. He knew that most women wouldn't take this lightly so he prepared himself to deflect any offensive attacks the woman would throw at him. Then he saw the pistol pointed at him and didn't dare to get his pistol or do anything that would provoke her.

"Ma'am, please calm down. Think about your child. Besides, it was your fault that mistook me. But let's get down to business. My name is Canal Tal'Verda. I'm Calico's brother and I'm his captain and his subordinate. I only came here to Corusant cause I needed to get my mind at ease from all that's been happening around me. And I'm sorry for using you and all the other stuff that happened between us. But can you please put down that gun?!"

He didn't move but if things got out of hand he would stun her before she would harm him and her child that was also Calico's.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Two."

There was a sharp click as she flipped off the safety lock. She wasn't liking his explanation, or that he had the nerve to blame her for it. Those bright gray eyes studied his face, his pose. She looked for any hint, a sliver that he might move just an inch. Her finger on the trigger was itching to do some damage right now.

All her Echani training was flooding back to her, every single nerve in her body screamed for a fight. But she was calm as could be, at least her body was. Still, steady. She'd done this a thousand times. After she shot him, (in the arm, or something less deadly) she was going to get down, face to face, and ask once more for a real explanation.

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

He didn't know what to say. He just said part of his story. What else did this woman want?

"Alright, alright. Look, I don't want to have problems with you. Honestly, I'm stressed out after what's happening to me. Galaar's dead with some of my brothers, the war, and the Druckenwell incident. I've been rescuing people from that place for almost a month. Not only that but I have to train new recruits that are enlisting in the Protectorate's military. So you would do me a great favor if you would put down the gun. Plus, we can discuss this as civilized people but not like this, please."

The clone wasn't scared. He just wasn't in the mood of dealing with someone who's acting as a hostile.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Two and a half!"

Her voice went instantly from a hiss to a roar. He was not doing well. He was floundering. And the knowledge that he was Calico's brother was the only reason she didn't shoot right away. She was showing mercy. This was mercy. She didn't have to give him a count. Calico would understand. Calico would get it. And if he didn't, then she didn't want him.


"No. No. Ya know what? I don't even wanna know anymore. You touched me. Without my knowing, without my consent. If I'd known, I woulda never. You 'n I, we're gunna have a chat with him. Tonight."

She lowered the blaster just a little, let out a sigh....
"But first...."
....Then she raised it again.

"Three."

Her finger tightened on the trigger, and she fired her first shot, aiming for the left arm. Just a graze. Just to teach him a lesson. You never, ever, touched a woman without her permission, least of all an echani with a weapon at her hip.

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

He didn't move and allowed to get shot by the woman. Besides, she was gonna have to do more damage if she wanted to penetrate through his phrik armor.

"Well, if I remember correctly you were the one who ran up to me and hugged me. So, that's on you. But the rest I'll accept them as my faults."

He was having fun with the girl. Then, with his right arm he quickly pulled out his pistol and aimed it at her head. But he aimed it to her right and pulled the trigger of the weapon and sent a bolt passing her head. Oh, Calico would probably hate him but what could he do? He was a soldier and it was in his genetic code

"I, too, can play dirty. Besides, if Calico asks me I'll just reply its self-defense. He'll understand. I know him more than you."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra didn't move. She knew better than to move. The bolt whizzed past her head, frying the now empty space in the bar behind her. He wouldn't hurt her. And that was why she had the advantage. He knew she was serious now. And angry. With her blaster still aimed, steady, ready to fire again, she let out a tiny laugh.

"Oh, I so doubt that."

Her eyes darted down to the stool that she was still sitting on, and then his across from her. Her foot hooked on it, and in one swift movement, she kicked it at him, firing again as she did.

[member="Canal Tal'Verda"]

 

[Djorn Bline]

He saw her eyes looking at her stool and it gave him to react and dodge her attack. The commando rolled to his right and the stool passed by him. Then another bolt hit him on his chest but still didn't penetrate the phrik.

The Captain then set his pistol to stun and aimed it at the chest of the woman and fired at her. This would knock her out and wouldn't affect the baby.

"Ma'am, you do know you're harming the kid, right?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]