Log Date:
	3/24/97

Log Cast:
	Paul Nighman, Shenner, Jessalyn, Tacra, Lando, Amylynn, assorted
NPCs (NR personnel and Amylynn's father)

Log Intro:
	The _Black Dragon_ has landed on Calamari, and its crew and passengers
have reported in at the NR base on that world. Luke Skywalker has been
admitted to the local medical facility so that he might get a new prosthetic
hand, and he and Leia have begun making plans to locate the still unaccounted
for Han Solo; in the meantime, the _Dragon_'s passengers, Paul Nighman,
Shenner, Amylynn, Tand, and Tacra, have been given housing in the NR
facility's guest barracks.
	Shenner has been spending her time diligently practicing the new
guitar techniques Paul has shown her, but she's also noticed that tensions
remain between him and Jessalyn. A day or two after they've gotten settled
in, Shenner comes into the barracks to find Paul and Jessalyn sitting
together on his bunk, Jessalyn crying yet again on Paul's shoulder while
he pats her back, and Shenner's own guitar propped nearby....

----------
You head into the Barracks.
NR Spare Barracks -- Calamari(#4222RnFJ)
Row upon row of meticulously made cots line in military precision down the 
  cold, off-white walls of this plain-looking room, each separated by a 
  barracks locker and side-table. This room is normally silent, the shadows 
  cast by the lights above harsh and stark against the bare floor. You can see 
  doorways leading off into private rooms and bathing rooms at the far end of 
  the hall.
                 -=-=-=-=-=-=<<Real Objects>>=-=-=-=-=-=-
=> Jessalyn
=> Paul_Nighman

Paul doesn't want to ask, doesn't want to know, doesn't want to pry or hurt 
  her further, but hears himself ask, "Why?" anyway.

Shenner trudges into the big barracks, bearing with her a carrybag of 
  purchases from the city's streets, and yawns as she comes in. "Hi Paul... hi 
  Jess..."

Shenner then pauses, as she locates the two adults, and she comes to an 
  uncertain halt.

Jessalyn leans back, wiping her eyes and forcing a smile. She glances over at 
  Shenner as she enters and immediately straightens her posture, pushing her 
  hair back from her eyes. "Shen..."

The teenager says awkwardly, "Sorry if I, uh, came in on somethin'..."

Jessalyn rises quickly, shaking her head. "No.. not at all..." she hastens to 
  the door almost too quickly.
Jessalyn has left.

Paul lets Jessalyn slip from his arms, his eyes registering both relief and 
  concern. He looks up to Shenner and blinks, "Uh hi Shen, no it's alright," 
  he mumbles.

Shenner frowns as Jessalyn bursts out, then turns her gaze to Paul. "That 
  didn't _look_ alright," she protests.

Tacra arrives from the corridor.
Tacra has arrived.
Tacra skulks in, making for her cot at the far end of the room.

Paul's eyes look unusually bright, as if they had held unshed tears. He looks 
  to Jessalyn's retreating form and then back to Shen, his face a mixture of 
  worry, frustration and thankfulness. "No, we were just ... uh, getting some 
  things out in the open."

Shenner's gaze flicks to Tacra as the young woman arrives, and, awkwardly, 
  Shenner then says to Paul, "Do you, uh... want me to go away?"

Paul's eyes are still fixed to the doorway that Jessalyn just fled through, 
  and doesn't even seem to hear you at first. Then his head snaps up and he 
  focuses his gaze back on you. "What? No, Shen, no, please feel free to 
  stay." He rises slowly and then sighs and reaches for his jacket. "I think I 
  need a drink," he mutters to himself.

Tacra, upon sensing the uncomfortable tension on Paul's side of the room, 
  apparently decides to ignore the pair, leaving them their privacy. She 
  rummages through the press at the foot of her bed, humming under her breath.

Shenner frowns and says pointedly, "Paul... I mean... do you want me to stay 
  with you?"

Paul pauses as he slips the jacket onto his form, one arm in and one arm out. 
  He blinks at Shen in confusion and then slips the leather jacket on the rest 
  of the way. "Ah, sure that would be great," he says, his voice just a little 
  puzzled. "Do you want a drink or something?" he asks her.

Shenner straightens and puts on a slightly brittle lopsided grin. "Sure... I'd 
  like to check out the cider on this planet anyway. Let's go?"

Paul gives Shenner a grin and reaches over, casually ruffling her hair. "You 
  know where the bar in town is?" he asks her.

Shenner impulsively loops an arm around Paul's leather-clad one, then turns 
  and says to Tacra, "Hey, wanna come with?"

Tacra looks up in surprise, hands paused on an article of clothing in her 
  press. "Oh! Er... sure. I'll be along in a sec, okay?"

Shenner bobs her head decisively, and turns to say to Paul, "More the merrier, 
  yah know?"

Paul looks down at Shenner and then back to Tacra. "We'll wait for you," he 
  adds

Tacra seems bewildered at Shenner's newfound bubbly attitude, and she casts 
  the girl a puzzled look before nodding slowly. "Uh, okay." She packs away 
  the few meager items into the press, closes the lid, and straightens.

Shenner turns back around to Tacra -- and, so that Paul doesn't see, flashes 
  the woman a brief 'Help me out here?' look. Then, back to Paul, she says 
  cheerily, "I think I know the place General Calrissian's been hangin' out 
  in, pal. C'mon, y'all, let's go..."

Paul looks back to Shenner. "Okay kid, lead on," he says cheerfully

[Shenner leads Paul and Tacra off to the bar where she knows Lando
 Calrissian has been frequently as of late....]

You decide to leave the busy market place and open the doors to the tap house 
  and descend down a short passageway.
Briny Deep Tap House
The crisp scent of brine and sonorous roar of laughter and conversations greet 
  you upon entering this lively tavern. Immediately you realize that it is 
  submerged underwater, the walls made of a translucent material allowing you 
  to peer into the rich blue ocean, the waves forming silhouettes cast across 
  the marble white tables, chairs and varied faces of its many customers. 
  Occasionally, the dimly lit tap house is illuminated by bright lights as a 
  cargo of ore mined from the depths of the ocean by the Quarren is taken up 
  to the surface. It is here where freighter crews, merchants or the average 
  citizen can enjoy fine drink and entertainment as supplied by a jizz-wailing 
  band, their music mingling with the clinking of glasses and endless chatter. 
  It is the Briny Deep's boast that it can prepare any drink as sure as the 
  rivers flow to the sea, a motto that Grekmar, the tavern's overworked and 
  sad-eyed Mon Calamari bartender, takes pleasure in informing to all those 
  who enter.
                 -=-=-=-=-=-=<<Real Objects>>=-=-=-=-=-=-
=> Paul_Nighman
                  -=-=-=-=-=<<Visible exits>>=-=-=-=-=-
 Out <O> leads to Calamari Coral City -- Market District.

Paul looks around the bar and a smile spreads across his lips. "Now this is a 
  bar," he murmurs softly to himself.

Tacra enters the tavern, the sounds of the busy market district muted as the 
  door closes behind her.
Tacra has arrived.

Shenner lets out a whistle of her own, and glances over her shoulder, waiting 
  for Tacra to catch up. When Tacra does, Shenner allows herself to better 
  survey the place.

Paul turns to Shenner and Tacra and says, "I'm buying, whaddya want?"

Shenner is still holding on to Paul's arm, and she tells him grandly, "Let's 
  see what kinda cider they serve here, pal. Pick a sittin' place."

Paul looks around and grins down at Shenner. "Kiddo, at a bar this fine, they 
  serve anything and everything." He starts to move torward the bar saying 
  over his shoulder, "You pick a table and I'll meet you there."

Shenner considers, eyeing Paul levelly for an instant, before flashing him a 
  lopsided grin. "We'll wait for yah." She lets him go.
Shenner turns then to Tacra, and, the moment Paul is out of earshot, whispers 
  lowly to her, "He don't get drunk very well. Help me keep an eye on him? 
  _Please?_" The kid's green eyes are full of anxiety.

Tacra nods reassuringly at Shenner, though her gaze seems slightly amused. 
  "That might be funny to see, actually. But between the two of us we'll be 
  able to drag him home."

Paul wanders off and leans against the bar, watching the people pass by. He 
  waves down the tired looking bartender. "Hey, when you got a chance? I'd 
  like a tall Corellian brandy and a hard cider, whatever is your finest!" He 
  leans against the bar and waits patiently as the bartender nods almost 
  imperceptively in response.

Shenner crinkles her nose a bit at Tacra's supposing that a drunken Paul would 
  be amusing, but the kid nods readily enough and starts scoping the place for 
  an unoccupied table that can seat three.

Lando is sitting a table set off deep into one of the bar's corners. He is 
  sitting with several humans and humanoids, most of which are wearing New 
  Republic uniforms or insignias on their clothing. He pats the back of a 
  Wookiee and laughs, "Yeah, I remember that! We sure gave those people an 
  eyeful. We'll never be able to go back to Danaab again."

Paul looks around idly and spots Tacra and yells at her, "Tacra? What's your 
  poison?"

Tacra stands on her toes to look past a few interesting-looking humanoids, and 
  shrugs her shoulders. "Uh... whatever. Something with some kick."

Paul turns back to the bar, his eyes rolling upward with thought. As the 
  bartender brings over the first two drinks to him Paul leans over and asks 
  him, do you know how to make a Comet? The bartender rolls his eyes in 
  response and Paul grins. "Great, I'll need one of those too." The bartender 
  moves off. Without even thinking about it, Paul shoots back the tall glass 
  of Corellian brandy, knocking it off in seconds. He stares at the glass in 
  surprise for a moment, then gives one of those oh-what-the-hell kinda shrugs 
  and turns around, "And another Tall Corellian," he call back after the 
  bartender.

A table somewhat near Lando's knot of NR personnel appears unclaimed, and 
  Shenner makes a beeline for it before anyone else can park there. The kid 
  catches a glance in the direction of the general, noting his apparent 
  expansive recounting of something or other, then casts another glance off at 
  the bar. "C'mon, Paul!" she yells.

Tacra, upon overhearing Paul, casts Shenner a slightly surprised look. "You 
  weren't kidding," she murmurs. Pushing her way through the crowd, she takes 
  a seat opposite Shenner where she can watch the goings-on.

The drinks arrive and Paul takes a sip of the Comet and wheezes. He looks at 
  the bartender and smiles, "What did you add, engine fuel?" The bartender 
  gives him the ever so slightest of smiles, probably a grin by his standards 
  and moves on after taking Paul's money. Paul pulls away from the bar and 
  heads over to the table that Shenner has picked out.

Shenner bobs her head quickly and quietly at Tacra, muttering to her, "He's 
  gonna be plastered real quick, I bet," before Paul draws near.

Paul arrives, his face still showing signs of strain from when they first 
  entered the barracks, but his smile is friendly and his stance casual. He 
  passes Shenner her drink and then gives Tacra the Comet. "It's called a 
  Comet," he tells her. "It has a very potent kick, so watch it," he adds in 
  understated warning. He then seats himself down. His glass is already half 
  empty.

Tacra only has enough time to give Shenner an affirmative nod before Paul 
  approaches, and she flashes the man a winning smile as though the two of 
  them weren't just predicting his demise for that evening. "Thanks," she says 
  over-brightly, eyeing the drink. "Had this before, I think."

Paul slows down slightly, taking the occasional sips of his drink versus the 
  occasional gulps. His eyes glance about the bar, but in the end, he ends up 
  staring off into space, obviously thinking about something else than where 
  he is.

"This _is_ some place, ain't it?" Shenner says, trying to sound bright and 
  chatty, but it's not quite the kid's style, and she sounds vaguely 
  desperate. "Either of y'all seen a bar like this? Only been on three 
  planets, can't exactly say I been places....."

Tacra waves a hand before Paul's blank expression, her own inquisitive. "Say, 
  what's up with you? You look like someone just shot your favourite pet." She 
  casts Shenner another bewildered glance, never having seen her like this.

Paul seems oblivious to Shenner's prattle, and it's only when Tacra waves her 
  hand in front of his face that he comes back to himself and turns to her. 
  His expression becomes unreadable. "I never had a pet," he replies mildly, 
  "so I wouldnt know." He then settles himself against the chair, leaning it 
  back slightly. "I was just thinking about a conversation I was having 
  earlier, " he replys in response to Tacra's query.

Shenner asks hopefully, "Tell us?"

A loud bellowing laughs echos from the Wookiee at Lando's side, just barely 
  audible over the Wookiee's laugh is the voice of one of the humans at the 
  table, "So Lando, Wedge told me that it wasn't a proton torpedo that did in 
  the second Deathstar. He says it was that dish off the Falcon. Said you 
  flying all crooked, smacked into one of the sides, the dish flew off, and 
  luckily it just happend to hit the reactor core." The crowd starts laughing 
  again and Lando grins wryly, "Wedge said what? Did he mention how I had to 
  haul him and his ragged X-Wing out of that shaft? Hell, his no-flying butt 
  actually made my shot more difficult." He smiles smuggly, "That shot was one 
  in a million."

Paul looks at Shenner for a second, frowning slightly, but is distracted by 
  the uproar at the nearby table.
Paul smirks at Lando's bragging and without even thinking about it, shoots 
  back his brandy, finishing the glass.

Tacra hasn't even given her drink a second glance, but now her fingers 
  absently play with the glass, turning it in her hands. She takes a sip, 
  probably not as cautious as would be prudent, and abruptly begins coughing. 
  "Gads! What's /in/ this?!"

Lando raises a hand and waves towards the Bartender. The bartender lifts his 
  sad-eyed gaze toward Lando and he makes a circular motion around his table. 
  He calls out, in a voice loud enough to be heard over the uproar, "Another 
  round for me and my friends. Put it on my tab."

The bartender ambles out from behind the bar, carrying a large tray filled 
  with a mixture of different drinks. He passes Paul's, Shenner's, and Tacra's 
  table and set his tray down on Lando's. All the people at the table take 
  their drinks and the Wookiee hands Lando his. He takes a quick drink before 
  fielding another question from a kid wearing an orange flight suit, "What in 
  the force possesed you to order everyone to take on that fleet of 
  Stardestroyers? That's suicide." Lando flashes the kid a lopsided grin, "You 
  weren't there were you kid? You didn't see the Deathstar blow up that 
  MonCalamari cruiser. We didn't stand a chance in hell against that thing, 
  our only option was those Stardestroyers. But you're right taking on those 
  Stardestroyers would have been suicide, if Han hadn't gotten that shield 
  down." The more grizzled looking people at Lando's table nod at Lando's 
  words and one raises his glass in the air, "Here's to Han." As if on cue 
  every person at the table raises his glass and clinks them in mid-air.

Shenner hears Lando's crowd mention General Solo, and looks over at them 
  distractedly. The kid grants half an ear to the NR personnel's chatter, but 
  most of her attention is clearly on Paul.

Paul's attention wavers from the crowd and he chuckles softly. "Ah war 
  stories," he murmurs thoughtfully.

Shenner murmurs, "I wonder where General Solo went...." She nudges Paul. "Hey, 
  think this place serves food?"

The wide eyed kid in the orange flight suit asks Lando, "Speaking of Han, 
  where's that old pirate hiding anyway?" Lando grins at the kid and shrugs, 
  "Force knows. Last I heard he was running some foolish race on Kessel." 
  Lando's grin blossoms into a full blown, bright, devilish smile, "But if I 
  were you guys I'd already be picking out appropriate clothing for his 
  funeral. Even if he does make it back alive from Kessel, his triumph and he 
  himself will be short lived once Leia tears into him." The group breaks out 
  into a racous uproar.

Paul waves his hand and signals to the waitress that he needs a refill, and 
  she only takes a long distance look at his glass before she smiles and nods. 
  He turns back to Shenner, distractedly. "What? Food? I dunno."

Shenner explains with bland cheeriness, "Well, I ain't had dinner, how about 
  you?"

Tacra also seems to be listening in on the conversation at the next table. 
  "That'd be kinda neat, eh? Being part of the action, I mean." She frowns 
  then, at the commotion from the next table, and leans forward to talk to her 
  table-mates. "The General there's quite the hit of the party, huh? I always 
  kinda just thought he was a rich figurehead."

Paul's drink arrives and he smiles a charming Corellian grin up at the 
  waitress and she grins back at him. Paul takes a strong draught from the 
  glass before he focuses on Shenner again. "Dinner? No thanks, I'm not 
  hungry, but if you want something, feel free to order whatever you want up."
Paul's eyes wander over to Tacra. "Yeah, Lando's got stories to tell for sure 
  ... course you don't have to be a part of the NR to see alot of action," he 
  muses aloud.

Shenner shrugs to Tacra, observing, "Not like a street rat knows about such 
  things, but hey, surely they don't hand out Generalships for nothin'?" She 
  half-grins, and nudges Paul again. "Hey, eat with us? It'd be rude to eat in 
  front of yah." Shenner doesn't comment that she's typically claimed that 
  street rats don't have much in the way of manners, either.

Amylynn enters the tavern, the sounds of the busy market district muted as the 
  door closes behind her.
Amylynn has arrived.
Amylynn looks at you for a moment.

Lando is sitting at a table in a secluded corner, with a group of rather 
  racous people.

Shenner, Paul, and Tacra might be spotted at a side table near Lando and the 
  crowd of NR personnel flocked about him; Shenner is eyeing Paul with 
  something like worry in her green eyes.

Amylynn walks into the bar followed by a man in a almost pressed white 
  uniform. He is six foot tall, Black hair and eyes. On his hip is a cylindic 
  item and a blaster pistol. He wears to Uniform of a Admrial. His left hand 
  is missing and in it's place is a bandage glove full of tubes. He seems to 
  Ignore the missing hand rather well. Behind him are three no descript men 
  also in Naval uniforms.

The Wookiee bellows a question at Lando. He turns and looks at the Wookiee and 
  shrugs, "Chewbacca? I have no idea. I haven't seen Chewie since..." He 
  pauses for a moment, "Hell, it's been so long I don't remember. But yes I 
  think he's still single." If it were at all possible to see the cheeks of a 
  Wookiee flushing this ones would be, she giggles softly to herself and Lando 
  gives her a playfull wink, "I'll put in a good word for ya."

Paul idly finishes his glass and then stands up, taking the glass with him. 
  "Be right back," he mutters to Shen and Tacra. He begins to head for the 
  bar, pausing briefly near the table of NR's, his eyes both amused and a 
  touch melancoly. He presses on toward the bar.

Shenner protests, "Paul, hey, the food, remember?" The kid half-rises, 
  scowling after the Corellian as he arrows towards the bar again.

Amylynn smiles and looks about as she spots Lando she whispers something to 
  talls man. He quriks a eyebrow and looks in Lando direction and in a 
  commanding voice of authority "Show me this General."

Shenner then, dejectedly, plops back down in her chair again, and mutters to 
  Tacra, "We're gonna need a stretcher float to get him back."

The small group makes its way to Landos table drawing some attention at it's 
  colorful members.

Paul wanders over to the bar, but before he can reach it, a woman swaying from 
  side to side turns to him and catches his eye. "Wanna dance?" she asks 
  suggestively. Paul looks at her, a tall delicate brunette and gives her a 
  heart melting Corellian smile and raises one eyebrow before puttind down his 
  glass. "How could I deny you anything?" he purrs and follows her onto the 
  dance floor where a slow sultry number sets the mode and the pace.

Shenner turns round to look for Paul again, and gapes when she spies him out 
  on the dance floor.

Amylynn begins to greet Lando and introduce her party the lead man in the 
  Admirals uniform inturpts "General Calrissian I presume. I am Admiral Starr."

Tacra arches a brow as Paul takes to the dance floor, and she taps the 
  tabletop with idle fingers. "He always like this when he gets out?" she asks 
  Shenner, disbelief in her voice.

Shenner freezes where she sits, one arm on the back of her chair, and she 
  stares off after the man with a look that suggests she's just been clubbed 
  in the gut.

It's hard to tell whether or not Paul is a good dancer ... this particular 
  number doesn't require much in the way of fancy steps. In fact it looks like 
  the brunette just glued herself to Paul and she now is stuck to him, 
  matching his every subtle move. Hips twist and touch, eyes link, and hands 
  cling to shoulders and hips respectively.

Tacra's gaze narrows on Shenner as she takes in the girl's expression, and she 
  watches for a few moments before leaning to mutter to her. "Why don't you 
  cut in?"

The wide eyed kid gazes at Lando again and asks, "Tell me about the Battle of 
  Taanab General, I mean I read all about it at the academy but I want first 
  hand knowledge from the man himself." Lando blushes ever so slightly and 
  smiles at the kid he takes a deep breath and prepares to go into his spiel, 
  "Pirates from Norulac frequently raided Taanab just for kicks and basically 
  trounced all over the local peoples. Well one day I was refueling at Taanab 
  when they struck, they damaged my ship and were taking advantage of all 
  those defenseless farmers." He adds with a sly grin, "Also, one of the 
  locals bet me that I couldn't beat the Norulackians...." He stops in mid 
  story as he gazes upon Amylynn and the man next to her. He smiles warmly at 
  Amylynn and gives the man a serious but curt nod, "Well good evening."

Shenner blinks at Tacra, then suddenly straightens, and declares, "Karkin' 
  good idea." With that, Shenner determinedly hops to her feet and beelines 
  towards Paul, her strides broad and swift.

Amylynn smiles and gives Lando a half hug. "Good to see you again. Lando This 
  is my father, Jace Starr."

Tacra straightens in surprise, not having expected Shenner to take her advice. 
  She watches closely, moving chairs to allow a better view.

Shenner reaches Paul and the woman who's glued herself to him, and taps the 
  woman on the shoulder. "Hi," she declares blandly, in a fair approximation 
  of Paul's own Corellian charm. "Mind if I cut in?"

As Lando stand from the table the wide eyed kid beckons, "General? You were 
  saying about the Battle of Taanab." Land turns quickly to the kid and offers 
  him a quick grin, "I'll finish it later kid." He turns back to the Admiral 
  and offers his hand, "I am honored to finally meet you sir." He states in a 
  serious tone.

The Admiral reach to shake Landos hand but extends the arm that has no hand. 
  He catchs what he is doing and look in distain and brushes it off and offers 
  Lando his right hand. "A Pleasure General. I hear you are one of the brave 
  soul who brought my Amylynn to safety?"

The leggy brunette has moved her hand from Paul's shoulders to drape them 
  around his neck. Her hips move against him in subtle invitation and her 
  fingers toy with the hair at the nape of his neck. At Shenner's tapping, the 
  woman slows her motions, but keeps subtly grinding against Paul. Paul blinks 
  and then he peers over one shoulder to see Shenner. The woman leans into 
  Paul, looking down at the kid over one shoulder. At Shenner's request, the 
  woman starts to laugh, softly but in obvious amusement. Paul just stares at 
  Shen in complete confusion.

Amylynn get a odd look on her face like to say bring me to safty?

Shenner repeats, gamely, "What part of that didn't yah understand?" She smiles 
  amiably, but her green gaze is quite insistent.

Tacra stands, leaving her chair to lean against the bar not far from where 
  Shenner talks with Paul and his bimbette.

Lando gives the Admiral's hand a firm shake and nods, "One of several sir, but 
  she the person who is most responsible for her own safety. She handled 
  herself pretty well out there."

The woman laughs outright and then looks back at Paul, "Who is this your kid 
  or something?" Paul opens his mouth to respond, but the woman looks back 
  over her shoulder at Shenner. "Honey, I understood you just fine, but I 
  think it's a little past your bedtime, don't you?" Paul's eyes seem to 
  narrow somewhat, and he starts to open his mouth to respond ...

Shenner's mouth tightens, and anger surges across her face. Her right hand 
  draws together in a fist -- but, then, unexpectedly, she reaches for Paul 
  instead, and quite abruptly, if inexpertly, kisses him hard across his mouth.

The Admiral nods his head. "My Apollogizes for what happened to your friend. 
  I have never heard or seen such coruption. But it must steam far from the 
  Emporers reigen. I raised her to be a honorable young lady, a shame she had 
  to go through this as well." His voice is stern and never wavering.

Tacra languidly steps behind Shenner, her hands on her hips as she looks the 
  woman up and down in a frankly insulting manner. "Actually, I think that's 
  up to her." She chuckles then, as Shenner kisses Paul. "As I'm sure you can 
  see. Now why don't you use that single brain cell of yours and leave these 
  two be?"

And, just as abruptly as Shenner makes her move, she pulls back. Head held 
  high, the kid smiles thinly and states, "I'm old enough for anything that 
  comes along, lady." This, clearly, is tossed to the brunette. To Paul, 
  Shenner gives a brief, but intensely liquid look, before turning smartly on 
  her booted heel and striding away. "But I know where I'm not wanted."

Paul finds himself gripped by the collar unexpectedly and almost flinches, 
  seeing Shen's fist for now the fourth time in his life ... and he ended up 
  on the floor the last three times. He is therefore completely stunned to 
  feel her mouth on his, kissing him hard if inexpertly.

Lando blinks a few times and stumbles on his words as he searches for 
  something to say. He turns to Amylynn and gives a quick nod, "Honorable 
  indeed Admiral, if not for her might not be alive today."

Tacra shrugs as Shenner stalks away, and, seeing her help isn't needed, heads 
  back to sit at the bar beside several people twice her size.

The woman stares at Paul, then Shenner and smirks back at Tacra. "Fine with 
  me," she quips lightly, "there are other fish in the sea after all ... and I 
  didn't know this one did children." and with that she stalks off looking for 
  more prey.

With the same broad stride with which she'd approached Paul, Shenner now makes 
  a beeline for the door, her features set in a neutral but hard-edged mask.

The Admirals smiles at Lando. "Well General I wish to buy you a drink. And for 
  your friends. I have much business to atend to but now i have to relax." He 
  looks to the Men behind him and points his finger down toward the floor " At 
  ease.". And the navy troopers sit down at a near by table. Starr speaks 
  again "What are you drinking gentlemen?"

Paul reels backward, catching himself, stunned by the kiss as well as the 
  release from there of. He stares at Shenner, then the retreating brunette, 
  then Tacra, and then Shenner again. With a small oath and a furious 
  expression he takes after the kid, his step determined if not exactly 
  straight.

You walk up the small passageway and leave the tavern.
Calamari Coral City -- Market District
An overwhelming crowd, a varied sea of faces, bustles about in the city's busy 
  market district. From every direction vendors call out to you in an attempt 
  to lure you to their booths typically made from smoothed sea rock fitted 
  with a canvas covering which shields the produce from the warm rays of the 
  sun. These booths overflow with exotic and colorful fruits, vegetables and 
  plenty of other foodstuffs that by just looking at them makes your mouth 
  water. Small shops line the streets, the gleaming windows showcases for 
  displaying fabrics, tools, jewelry, fresh meats, fish, crustaceans and other 
  provisions fished daily from the rich blue-green seas of Calamari. Those 
  around you attend to their business, moving from stand to stand, bargaining 
  and occasionally bartering with the vendors. A large sign to the south that 
  reads 'Briny Deep Tap House' catches your interest as the door to the 
  establishment opens revealing a poorly lit tunnel from which emerges a happy 
  faced Mon Calamari. To the west the street meets with the city's central 
  square from where there is a constant movement of people arriving and 
  leaving the market district.
                  -=-=-=-=-=<<Visible exits>>=-=-=-=-=-
 Transport Bay <East> leads to Calamari Coral City -- Transport Bay.
 Briny Deep Tap House <South> leads to Briny Deep Tap House.
 Coral City Square <West> leads to Calamari Coral City - Coral City Square.

Paul_Nighman steps out of the doorway of the Briny Deep Tap House.
Paul_Nighman has arrived.
Paul stumbles out of the bar, almost losing his balance and cursing. He keeps 
  doggedly after Shenner and when she doesn't stop he yells, "Shenner, stop!"

Shenner does, though she does not look over her shoulder. Still in earshot, 
  she calls back, "Why?"

Tacra steps out of the doorway of the Briny Deep Tap House.
Tacra has arrived.
Tacra doesn't even notice the two as she heads out of the bar, turning towards 
  the city square.
Tacra heads west toward Coral Square.
Tacra has left.

Paul growls in frustration, the three, or was it four drinks already muddling 
  his system. "Because I can't keep up," he barks angrily. As he reaches her 
  he stops suddenly, as if he wasn't aware that she had actually obeyed him. 
  He reaches for her shoulder to balance himself, but thinks better of it and 
  does the best he can on his own. "What in the seven blazing hells was that 
  all about?" he growls at her.

Shenner turns slightly, only enough for you to register, perhaps, that her 
  face has flushed crimson along her cheeks. "Don't let me keep you from 
  dancin'," she answers, tautly, just a touch of a tremor in her voice.

Paul runs a hand through his hair in aggrevation and snarls back, "Well it's a 
  little too late for that, don't you think? Just what were you trying to 
  prove in there, huh?" He doesn't register Shenner's face or her voice, still 
  completely baffled and angered at what had transpired.

Lando steps out of the doorway of the Briny Deep Tap House.
Lando has arrived.

Shenner looks at Paul fully now and hollers, "What, it's okay if complete 
  strangers dance with you? And kiss you? But not me?"

Lando step out the tavern, running a hand through his hair. He turns quickly 
  toward the sound of the kid's voice and grins slightly, shaking his head. He 
  takes a deep breath of fresh air and continues along his way.
Lando heads west toward Coral Square.
Lando has left.

Paul glares down at Shenner his temper rising and all that brandy churning 
  through his system. "Look, I can dance with whomever I want to and kiss 
  whomever I want to ... and we were not kissing by the by, we were dancing. 
  Period. Not like it's any of your business anyway what I do." He points a 
  finger at her and growls, "Now I want to know just what kind of stunt you 
  were pulling in there?"

"You _were_ gonna kiss if _she_ had anything to say about it, c'mon, Paul, she 
  was so karkin' close to you it woulda taken a welding torch to get her off!" 
  Shenner shouts, her gaze flaring.

Paul's breathing is becoming more and more erratic. "And what if she did kiss 
  me? What if for once I did something for myself? What if I wanted her to 
  kiss me? Maybe I needed somebody tonight, did you think of that? Huh?!"

Shenner explodes, "So what's wrong with _me_?!"

Paul stares at Shenner hotly for a moment and then his left arm snakes out and 
  drags her against him hard, his right hand dragging through her hair and 
  pulling her head backward slightly. He growls gruffly, "Practice," before 
  his mouth claims hers in a devastating kiss. Hard, fierce, unrelenting and 
  demanding.

Shenner startles for an instant, before her arms wrap around Paul's torso, 
  clinging to him. Her breath dies in her throat, and the force of the kiss 
  makes her head spin.

At Shenner's response, Paul's mouth slowly gentles. He kisses her slowly, 
  cradling her head in his palm, his lips coaxing, encouraging. He explores 
  her mouth expertly, taking his time, his other arm molding her form to his 
  own.

The girl quite palpably melts, her heart thudding within her; Shenner's mouth 
  turns soft and yielding, as well, and her arms tighten around the Corellian, 
  returning his heated embrace.

Paul continues his drugging kiss and then lifts his head slightly to catch a 
  breath. His eyes seem practically black and his mouth descends again, this 
  time to kiss Shenner's exposed long line of throat. He arches her body 
  against himself and slides one thigh between her legs, unconciously, for 
  balance.

Shenner, it seems, has completely forgotten that she is an airbreathing 
  creature, for she shows no signs of taking in any air. Only at the kiss 
  along her throat does she issue a tiny gasp, and she briefly swallows, 
  wetting her lips and tasting brandy. Her form bends pliantly against Paul's, 
  and her arms remain clutching his back as though fused there.

Jessalyn arrives from Coral City Square.
Jessalyn has arrived.

At Shenner's soft cry, Paul almost growls his lips returning to her mouth to 
  plunder there again.

Jessalyn walks along the street, looking thoughtful and pale, and nearly 
  oblivious to anyone there at all.. until her gaze lights upon Paul. She 
  stops in her tracks, blushes fiercely, and looks around for some way to make 
  her escape.

Oblivious. That's a pretty apt word to describe Shenner at the moment -- for 
  her, existence has narrowed completely down to the strong arms locked about 
  her and the kiss across her mouth. Her legs wobble beneath her as though she 
  might liquify and turn into a puddle right there on the side of the street.

Jessalyn takes a few uncertain and equally unsteady steps toward the entwined 
  couple. Just close enough so that they might hear her soft cough.

Paul's mouth feasts on Shenner's sweet lips, tasting the cider there. He 
  slowly draws away, pulling her up and torward him again, his eyes out of 
  focus clearing slightly and taking in the girl's helpless features. He begins 
  to frown, a niggling feeling that somehow this was not right interfering 
  with his desires. It is then that he hears the soft cough and goes rigid in 
  surprise.

Shenner seems about to slump there in Paul's arms; her eyes have fallen shut, 
  and her mouth is slightly open, lips gone full and soft, as she struggles to 
  remember how to breathe. The kid's entire face is delicately flushed.

Jessalyn bites nervously on her lower lip, tilting her head and leaning 
  forward slightly. "Uhh.. Paul. Don't leave her out all night, huh?" she 
  says, then turns around as if she will go back the way she came.

Paul stares at Shenner's features and a strong wash of shame comes over him. 
  When he turns and see Jessalyn standing not too far away, his expression 
  turns to one of horror and he takes a step away from Shenner, his hands 
  holding onto her arms and shaking her slightly.

Shenner whimpers tinily in protest, "Don't stop..." before Jessalyn's voice 
  and Paul's shaking make her blink open her eyes.

Paul flushes violently at Shenner's words and without a thought he whirls the 
  girl toward Jessalyn, giving her a panicked and horrified look. "Here, uh, 
  see Shenner back to the barracks, won't you?" he splutters.

Jessalyn looks extremely uncomfortable as she glances back over her shoulder. 
  "Sorry," she mumbles, and takes several hurried steps away. "I'm not going 
  to the barracks. You'll have to take her, Paul."

"P-Paul?" Shenner stumbles as she's whirled around, her head clearing as she 
  slowly begins to regain a handle on her surroundings. "Jessalyn? What...?"

Paul stands there, rooted to the spot and his expression closing in on itself. 
  His mouth opens and shuts a few times as he watches Jessalyn rush off, but 
  nothing emerges.

Jessalyn's gaze flickers between the two of them, and she shakes her head 
  slowly. "I can't deal with this right now, you two." She touches Shenner's 
  arm briefly, gives Paul a stern look, and stalks into the bar.
Jessalyn leaves the busy market district and enters the tap house.
Jessalyn has left.

Shenner swallows hard, her arms wrap about herself, as though the shape of her 
  body has suddenly become unfamiliar to her and she needs to remind herself 
  of its contours. As Jessalyn bolts off, Shen turns back to Paul, her eyes 
  gone huge in her face, liquid and full.

Paul stands there watching Jessalyn disappear into the bar. His eyes go 
  curiously blank and then he turns to look at Shenner. He stares at her for a 
  long time. Finally he softly whispers, "I'm sorry ... I ... I had no right 
  to do that." He blinks, staring at Shenner and doing his best to keep a firm 
  hold on his emotions and his rampaging hormones, not to mention his balance.

Shenner wets her lips again, swallows, and says hoarsely, "I wanted you to...!"

A flash of something dark and dangerous shifts through Paul's eyes. "It isn't 
  right," he manages to strangle out.

Shenner's features start to crumple. "Why not?" she wails, softly. "Just 
  'cause I'm only seventeen? Godsdammit, Paul, I know where all the parts go, 
  my mother was a karking whore, for cryin' out loud!" Her voice roughens with 
  something that sounds suspiciously like yearning.

Paul's face tightens and he points out to the roaring ocean. "Look," he 
  growls, "I am eleven years older than you are ... eleven ... and if we had 
  kept going on the way we were, I would have picked you up and taken you 
  right there on the sand, and you would probably have let me." He closes his 
  eyes for a moment and lets his hand drop.

"So _what_ if you're eleven years older?" Shenner cries, her eyes beginning to 
  go damp. "Not like you're old enough to be my Da! It ain't _wrong_ if you 
  know what you want a-and I know what I want, and we both want the same 
  thing, is it? I love you, Paul!"

Paul's body jerks in response to Shenner's impassioned claim. His head, 
  already reeling under the force of the liquor, spins at her words. He steps 
  forward as if to reach for her, and then stops himself, not trusting his 
  motives. His eyes are almost agonized, frantic, but the rest of his form is 
  still. In a voice nearly detached from his body he replies, "You don't know 
  what you want Shenner, you told me that just the other night. Besides, you 
  aren't in love with me ... it's just a crush or an infatuation or something 
  ... I'm just the closest thing to a romantic figure for you, and with all 
  the crap going on and me being nice for a change, well it's just 
  transference ... you're scared and needy and here I am .... it isn't love, 
  it's just ..." but his voice fades off toward the end. The panic in his eyes 
  grows stronger.

"Dammit, Paul, you've had way more booze than I have, you are in _no_ shape to 
  be tryin' to psychoanalyze my head!" Shenner shoots back, her tone sure, but 
  her gaze imploring. "Am I not able to work out what I want just 'cause I'm 
  so young, is that it?!" She takes a step nearer and finishes pleadingly, 
  "Paul -- I think I knew even when I ran all over Palanhi looking for you!"

Paul's eyes look a little glazed and he takes a step back from Shenner. "I'm 
  drunk, but I'm not stupid. You were just upset, that's all, you were just as 
  upset when Jessalyn vanished." Then as if he realized that this argument 
  isn't going to win he changes tactics, "Besides, I'm outta here in a few 
  days tops ... I talked to Lando this evening and we settled all the 
  details." He takes a few more alarmed steps away from Shenner and raises his 
  head to the sound of the surf. "Now if you'll excuse me, what I really need 
  right now is a quick swim," and he starts to head off determinedly for the 
  beach.

Jessalyn steps out of the doorway of the Briny Deep Tap House.
Jessalyn has arrived.

Shenner mumbles miserably at Paul's hastily retreating back, "But I love you."

Jessalyn frowns, a bit dazed, and peers at Paul's retreat. "Hey... where are 
  you going?" she calls forlornly, her words slurring.

Paul winces at Shenner's words, just barely heard and swallows the enormous 
  lump that has formed in his throat, pretending not to hear the kid, knowing 
  that she doesn't know what the hell she's saying anyway.

Jessalyn glances at Shenner, green eyes squinting despite the dim light. "Go 
  back.. to the barracks. I'll.. make sure he's okay..."

Shenner turns slowly to Jessalyn, her eyes starting to flood over with tears. 
  "He's goin' away, that's where he's goin'... Jessa, he's goin' _away_!" 
  Disconsolate, Shenner begins to weep, but in mute obedience, she nods, and 
  creeps off down the street.

[End log.]