Chapter Five
Bo struggled to find the words, the look of shock never leaving her face. "Rex, I... How are you? How did you escape, where is Ahsoka?" a million questions flooded her mind as she stared at the projection of her old friend.
"Whoa, take it easy. I'll explain everything when I can. First I need to know the last known location of your people so that I can start my search." He held out his hands in an attempt to calm her down. She took a deep breath and nodded, gripping the table the holoprojector sat on for stability. Once she had composed herself, she looked back to Rex, a now determined look on her face.
"I lost contact with them just outside of Mandalore, my ship was badly damaged and I charted a jump so quick I ended up all the way on Squarr. The last contact I had from my squad was before I jumped, I don't even know how many of them made it." Bo swallowed the lump in her throat, worried shivers tingling their way down her spine. Rex nodded, scratching his chin before returning his arms to his side.
"I'll see what I can find. I'll start with the surrounding moons and work my way to Mandalore. It might take a while, I'll get back to you in two rotations with more intel," his eyes shifted from Bo to Aldra, softening as he gave her a small smirk. "Don't worry love, I'll be home before you know it. And Lylaa, keep your chin up kid, we've always got your back. Rex out." The blue fizzled out of the room as the connection was severed, leaving the three women to stand there in silence.
Aldra sighed and guided them out of the room, making sure the door shut behind them. They made their was back into the sitting area, taking the time to process what had been said on the call. Lylaa had her eyes focused on Bo, who sat in the chair on the other side of the room. Aldra paced, playing with the locket around her neck. They stayed like that for almost an hour, not wanting to bring up the sore subject of Mandalore or the fact that Aldra's husband was putting himself in danger by helping Bo. Again. The clock on the wall seemed to tick on endlessly, the light from outside the windows dimming more and more by the second.
Aldra finally broke the silence and stopped pacing, stopping between the other's line of sight. "Worrying isn't going to do us any good. I know Rex better than I know myself, and I know he'll get the job done," she looked between the two, waiting for one of them to speak up before she continued. "Yknow, it is harvest season, what do you say we go join the festivities in the town square? It'll help take our minds off of everything?" She smiled widely, hoping at least one of them would say yes so she wouldn't have to pour drinks or dance alone all night. Bo sighed, looking up at Lylaa who raised her eyebrows at the red head across from her. This earned her a half smile, making her light up with excitement.
"Alright then, lets go! Last one there is buying!" Lylaa hopped up from her seat, stopping at the top of the stairs to wait for the others. Bo lazily got up and made her way over to the green haired woman, crossing her arms as she turned to look at Aldra. "Lets go, before it gets late."
"You two go ahead, I'll meet you down there. I have a few things to grab before I'm ready to head out anyway." Lylaa smirked, knowing this meant she could somehow loop Aldra into getting them free drinks. She grabbed Bo's hand and started leading her, well, dragging her down the stairs back to the bar. "Oh and before you ask, yes I'll buy your drinks!" Aldra called before they were out of earshot. Lylaa's smile grew and she picked up the pace, leading the way out of the bar and down to the center of town.
The square was lit up beautifully, hanging lights of all colors dangled over the walkways from building to building and makeshift stalls lined the road offering different food and drinks. There was a live band near the center of the celebration, an open dance floor of people surrounded by little tables and pop up bars. Most of the businesses were still open hoping for visits from the soon to be drunken crowd, mostly restaurant owners and merchants waiting to make some credits. Laughter and singing filled the air as the two moved into the crowd, taking in all of the lights and people. Lylaa gripped Bo's hand tighter, steering her toward an alcohol stand. She fished out some credits from her belt pouch and ordered for them, tossing the bartender an extra credit or two as he set the drinks down seeing as it was the only time she'd be buying tonight. She smiled and grabbed them both, handing one to the taller woman as she made her way to an empty table.
"Let's wait here for Aldra and maybe she can get us something stronger, I need it after the week I've had." she sipped the red liquid from her cup as she sat down and Bo did the same, slipping into the chair next to her. She sipped her beverage, a fruity yet bitter taste filled her mouth making her jaw clench slightly. They sat there for a moment, sipping their drinks waiting for their friend to show up. Bo looked Lylaa up and down as she was people watching, too distracted to notice the intense gaze of the other woman. The whole world slowed in that moment, no sound or disruption could tear her eyes away. It was like she was hypnotized. Lylaa's soft green hair framed her face, bringing out her cheekbones and strong jawline as her crystal blue eyes twinkled against the lights and moving people. Her soft lips parted as she went from sipping her drink to smiling at the passing townsfolk. A slam on the table next to her woke Bo from her daydream, making her jump slightly as she looked up at Aldra, who was now standing across from them. She looked down at what she had so harshly set on the table, tiny wooden cups full of liquid that she had somehow managed to keep from spilling.
"Here you go ladies, courtesy of Ruukta, as in Ruukta's fine spirits." Lylaa laughed, louder and brighter than she had all of the times before. She quickly swallowed the liquid in her cup, turning to Bo with a sour look on her face. Bo's smile finally cracked, a laugh bubbling its way out of her as she picked up her own cup, downing it before making the same face Lylaa had. They both laughed sliding the cups back onto the table and giving Aldra a nod of thanks. She laughed at the two, still reeling from the overwhelming burning in their throats. "Hey, I never said it was going to go down easy, I use the term 'fine spirits' loosely." They smiled as Aldra took her shot, her face not nearly as bad as the others. Lylaa's draw dropped in exaggerated shock, obviously still not over the fact that Aldra had always managed to out drink her. "Okay, I think I'm gonna go grab some food, there might be a line so feel free to go and sight see while you wait. If you want a drink just give them my name and it's on the house." She winked at Lylaa and blurred into the crowd of people towards the food stands. The two sat there for a moment, feeling the buzz starting to make its way to their cheeks. Bo tried to keep her face hidden as much as she could, the blush on her cheeks more prominent due to the alcohol. Lylaa, who was leaned back in her chair with one foot on the seat and one on the ground lazily rolled her head to face the Mandalorian, giving her a sly smile. She looked her over for a moment before sitting up and turning toward her fully.
"Hey, while we wait..." she paused, moving her face closer to Bo's not only so that she could speak at a normal volume, but so she could get the reaction she wanted from her before continuing, "Why don't you dance with me Kryze?" Bo's breath hitched as her eyes stayed locked on Lylaa, who was now acting bolder than she had before. Bo had noticed her subtle hints, her lingering stares, but she had forced herself to ignore it until now. She sat still, unable to move due to her sudden shyness. No one had ever outright looked at her in this way, hell, no one had ever asked her to dance before. Lylaa didn't wait for a response, instead she moved her hands to Bo's collar and yanked her up. Bo's feet struggled to keep up as she stumbled along with the shorter woman. She pulled her into the crowd of swaying people and spun to face her, looping her arms around the red head's neck. Bo was still frozen, unsure what to do with her hands or where to look. Lylaa caught on, reaching down to place her armored arms around her waist. The younger woman moved her hands back to Bo's shoulders, taking the time to trace her armor as she moved upward. They began swaying with the music, Lylaa's eyes never leaving her partner as she played with the strands of soft red hair at the back of her neck.
"You know..." Bo finally said, mustering the courage to speak, "Dancing is a dangerous game." Her amber eyes met Lylaa's, their faces now inches away from each other. Lylaa huffed out a laugh, looking up at her with sparks in her eyes. Bo's grip tightened on her hips in response, instinctually pulling her closer. Lylaa's mind raced, a million thoughts flooding her mind in an instant. This is gonna be one of those things isn't it? She moved one hand from behind Bo's neck, bringing it around to cup her cheek. Bo fought the urge to lean into her touch but failed miserably. Her eyes fluttered closed at the warmth as they continued swaying.
"Yeah I know. But I've still got some tricks up my sleeve." Lylaa said softly, not wanting to disrupt the energy flowing between them. She felt like she had waited for a moment like this with her forever, even though they had met just a few days ago. Something about the woman drew her in, but wether it was her smile, her eyes, her strong shoulders, or the small scar on her forehead she didn't know. Her mind wasn't focused on the mission or Aldra, not even Rex who was risking his life for Bo at this very moment. All she could think, all she knew, was the inevitable thought she had tried to push down since that first night at the camp.
Lylaa Veers was falling in love with Bo-Katan Kryze.