Log Date:
	3/5/97, 3/6

Log Cast:
	Shenner, Jessalyn, Luke, Grathix

Log Intro:
	Shenner and her boss Grathix have arrived on Palanhi in pursuit
of Luke Skywalker and the others he's taken with him on the search for
Han Solo. Much to Shenner's surprise, it hasn't taken her much effort
to actually find Skywalker and his companions, and she has secured
Luke's promise to delay his departure long enough for her to bring him
Grathix. Having returned to the _Cat's Paw_ to relay Luke's willingness
to meet with him to Grathix, Shenner's found her boss engaged in
deep thought in the ship's cockpit, and, for lack of anything else to
do, she steps back out to talk to the crew of the _Dragon_....

----------
Palanhi City Starport - Palanhi City <Palanhi>(#19889RUXFJ)
A wide expanse of concrete surrounds the main terminal of the Palanhi City 
  Starport. Several service droids are in almost constant motion, their task 
  keeping this section of the terminal clean. Errand droids scurry in and out 
  of the area, either bringing in or taking out the bevy of goods that arrive 
  and leave here on a daily basis. Surrounded by a small steel-mesh fence, a 
  large control tower rises up to the North. To the south, shuttles are being 
  moved in and out of a number of hangars. Nearby, loading ramps lead up to 
  several shuttles. An exit stands to the West.
Contents:
Artoo
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- The Cat's Paw
STARFIGHTER: X-Wing -- Skywalker
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- Black Dragon
Palahni Bounty Hunter Terminal
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- Silver Lotus
STARFIGHTER: X-wing -- Dark 1
MailBox
CAPITAL: Corellian Gunship -- Spectra
Obvious exits:
West <O>  

Artoo warbles softly.

Shenner comes run-loping down the ramp of the _Cat's Paw_, scowling anxiously, 
  and strides directly for the _Black Dragon_. The kid's face and frame 
  broadcast restless impatience.

Artoo skitter-hops forward a bit chittering anxiously at the youth.

Shenner yelps, nearly smacking into the droid, and protests, "Hey, I just 
  wanna get in there, okay?"

The little droid whistles sadly as he turns his dome to peer at the ramp, then 
  fully around at you. He bwoops his intention to let you pass.

Shenner looks surprised, then grins lopsidedly. "Uh, thanks...!" And in three 
  quick strides, the kid ascends the _Dragon's_ ramp.

[And inside the ship...]

You walk into the Rear Corridor of the ship
Rear Corridor - Black Dragon
You gaze into the Entry Area for the YT-1300 Black Dragon. This is a nexus to 
  the various areas of the ship. The Cargo Bay to the port, Engineering to the 
  aft, and the Main Corridor to the fore.
Contents:
Luke
Jessalyn
Obvious exits:
Airlock <Starboard>  Cargo Bay <Port>  Engine Room <Aft>  Main Corridor <Fore> 
   
Shenner, before she enters this section of the ship, is heralded by 'his' 
  voice yelling out, "Uh, Luke? Major Valios?

Jessalyn glances down the corridor, shrugging her slender shoulders again. "I 
  don't know that either."

Luke is speaking with Jess, then looks up with surprise, "Well?" he blinks at 
  your solitariness.

Jessalyn looks over as well, frowning slightly at Shenner.

Shenner comes striding in from the airlock, then, upon meeting both your 
  gazes, pauses and loses a hint of that impatient, confident air. "He's 
  comin'," the kid says, a trifle sheepishly. "Kicked me out of the cockpit, 
  said somethin' 'bout thinkin'. Didn't know what else to do, so I came back 
  over here to at least tell yah..."
Shenner trails off, eyeing you both warily, as if perhaps fearing you'll boot 
  'him' right back off the ship and take off this instant.

Luke steps toward Shenner, gently replying, "Tell us what Shenner? We have to 
  leave very soon you know.."

Jessalyn rubs her fingertips across her lips, listening quietly and moving to 
  stand slightly behind Luke.

"I know, I know, you gotta go save your friend," the kid responds promptly. 
  For an instant, Shen's face flares with something very suspiciously like 
  ardent concern, before it's quickly stifled into briskness. "I, uh, wanted 
  to tell yah Grath's comin', see?"
Shenner's mouth twists as 'he' adds, "Didn't want yah to think we're yankin' 
  your chains."

Luke nods slowly, folding his arms and tossing Jessalyn a wary gaze. "Well, 
  what exactly does he want?" his gaze focusing back on the youth.

Jessalyn's brows furrow slightly and she returns Luke's concerned glance.

"To help you get Solo," says Shenner, almost but not _quite_ looking Luke 
  square in the eye. "He ain't told me what he wants Solo for -- I asked him 
  -- but he at least wants to help you."

Jessa leans towards Luke and murmurs, "Maybe you can get this Grathix to tell 
  -you- what it is he wants with Captain Solo."

Shenner's mouth quirks again. "I'd guess that's the idea, Major. Me, I'm just 
  the message rat."

Luke takes a breath, holding it while he ponders. He nods slightly to 
  Jessalyn, "I don't know if we want a caravan going all the way to 
  Bilbringi." he lets out the rest of the draught of breath, moving for the 
  door, "I'm going to go find him, we have no time." then adding over his 
  shoulder, "Jess, talk to her ok?" he scoops up his cloak and swings it 
  around him, darting down the ramp.

Shenner blinks.

Jessalyn gapes at Luke as he leaves for the ramp, then turns wide eyes on 
  Shenner.

Shenner freezes, then, staring at Skywalker longly, eyes going round.

Arms folded, a slow smile starts to spread across Jessalyn's face as she takes 
  a couple of steps towards Shenner. And even though Luke is already quite out 
  of range of hearing her voice, she says softly, "Oh... I'll talk to her, 
  Luke..."

Shenner's green gaze flashes immediately to the Major, then. Looking 
  distinctly like 'he' -- no, _she_ has just been cornered, the teenager 
  begins brusquely, "Well, I gotta go listen in on this...!"
Shenner turns, then, clearly intending to scurry off in the Jedi's wake.

Jessalyn reaches out one arm and clasps her fingers on Shenner's shoulder. A 
  soft chuckle is heard from behind you. "Oh, no.. you heard him. You're 
  supposed to talk to me, Shenner."

Shenner looks over her shoulder, visibly frightened. "Ain't got nothin' to 
  say!" the youngster squeals in protest.

Jessalyn's eyes are sympathetic as you look back at her, though her smile is 
  slightly mischievous. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Shenner. Come here." 
  She releases your shoulder and folds her arms again. "Tell me what's going 
  on here, huh?"

A flash to the exit, then back to you, with Shenner's own gaze. The kid says 
  cautiously, "A rescue, or so I thought...!" -- blatantly dodging the subject.

"Shenner..." Jessalyn frowns slightly, her eyes warm and soft. "Why are you 
  doing this?" She tilts her head slightly, hands clasping in front of her.

Shenner starts flushing scarlet, which clashes with that short shock of 
  rust-colored hair, and the green eyes flicker just a bit liquidly. "We gotta 
  talk about this?" the kid barks.

Jessalyn's head dips down slightly. "Not if you don't wish to, of course," she 
  says in a soft tone. "But you shouldn't feel uncomfortable. Nothing is going 
  to happen to you here."

Shenner's hands jam into vest pockets and she looks down sullenly at the 
  floor. "How the hells did he know?" comes a low grumble.

Jessalyn bites back a smile, and gradually she rolls her eyes. "Who knows? 
  Blast it if I can ever meet anyone who can figure that man out," she says, 
  voice dripping scornfully, yet with a slight hint -- if one were looking for 
  it -- of fondness.

"He did somethin'... Jedi, didn't he?" the youngster sulks.

Jessalyn leans against the wall, concerned eyes falling back on you. "I don't 
  think he can help it," she says in a tired voice. "I think... that's just 
  the way he is." Slowly she smiles. "But I also don't think he means any harm 
  by it, and I ... I do know that, if nothing else, you can trust him, 
  Shenner."

Shenner continues to stand there glowering at the deck, mouth tightened into a 
  small line, eyes hot and glimmering. That gaze gets progressively more damp 
  as you speak.

She moves forward, suddenly perceptive of your emotions, and gentle arms 
  surround your shoulders. "It's okay," Jessa murmurs. "Shenner, listen to me, 
  why are you so afraid?"

"Who says I'm scared?" the kid demands, hoarsely.

Jessalyn leans back her head and her hand rests lightly on your cheek. She 
  studies your features as if for the first time and gives a slight smile. 
  "Then why are you hiding what you are?"

Shenner retorts, not very convincingly, and not looking up at you, "Ain't 
  hidin'...! I just... I-I just ain't..."

Jessalyn sighs quietly, and her arms tighten around your shoulders. "All 
  right," she breathes out soundlessly. "All right. We can just be busy being 
  mad at him together, okay?" Her own voice threatens to quiver with a sob at 
  the end of that sentence, and she clamps her mouth shut to keep that from 
  happening.

Shenner, it's quite easy for you to tell, is shaking vehemently. At the hug, 
  she doesn't reciprocate, but she does allow her face to press against your 
  shoulder.

Jessalyn strokes the back of your head gently, almost motherly. "It's okay to 
  cry," she whispers, holding the slight frame close to her.

The teenager doesn't make much noise when weeping -- unlike when she's 
  wielding that big guitar -- but from the increasing dampness at your 
  shoulder, it's clear that Shenner does indeed weep.
Shenner breathes out roughly, "Dammit!"

Jessalyn rocks you gently, not telling you to hush, and not at all critical of 
  your tears. "It's all right," she murmurs helplessly.

Shenner lifts her head slightly, scowling, and scraping the back of her skinny 
  -- skinny? or simply slender? -- hand across her eyes. "Dammit," she 
  repeats, with less force this time, and sounding utterly at a loss.

Jessalyn chuckles softly, but as she leans back to look down at your face, 
  there are tears in her own eyes. "Tell me about it, Shen," she mumbles, 
  giving your shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

Shenner finally looks up, a hesitant lift to that chin whose delicacy might 
  now be less of a surprise. She eyes you, gaze nervous, unshielded. "Th-this 
  better not change nothin'," she begins.

Jessalyn frowns, perplexed, and tilts her head slightly as she runs a hand 
  over that soft cheek. "Why ... why, Shenner. What could it possibly change? 
  You don't think that Luke doesn't respect women, do you?" She says this with 
  utmost confidence, yet as the words fade, she seems suddenly unsure.

Shenner frowns. "It ain't Luke," comes a gruff admission, as Shenner looks 
  down again.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Jessa blinks down at you. "What?"

Shenner clarifies grumpily, "Ain't worried about Luke." Her voice is still 
  ragged with tears.

Jessalyn holds you at arm's length. "Then who are you worried about?" she asks 
  softly.

A palpable struggle etches itself in the youngster's features. Shenner's mouth 
  opens and closes again, as if that struggle's engaging her ability to form 
  words, too. "I..."

Jessalyn continues to look down at you expectantly, brows lifted as she waits 
  for the answer.

Shenner finally blurts out hoarsely, "He's.... he's not... he's _safe_...."

Jessalyn doesn't seem to fathom this outburst at all. "Safe?" she repeats, as 
  if trying to decipher the meaning. "Safe from what?"

Shenner lowers her eyes again, and mumbles, "Just.... safe."

Jessalyn glances away, eyes fixed on the deck plates and mouth agape. Finally 
  she looks back at you, a tremendous amount of pain flickering through those 
  rainforest green eyes for the briefest of moments. "Ohh..." she whispers, at 
  a loss for a response.

Shenner mutters, scowling at herself, "Dunno why I think that, he karkin' 
  _knows_, b-but..."

Jessalyn touches your shoulder gently again, nodding distantly. "You can trust 
  him. He's a Jedi," she says resignedly, as if she's not entirely pleased 
  with this conclusion. She pushes her hair back from her eyes, squeezing her 
  eyes closed tightly. "I wish..." She catches her lower lip between her lip 
  to stop its trembling.

Shenner looks up again, frowning warily at you.

"Shenner..." Jessa murmurs in a quivering voice. "Why did I have to meet him? 
  How did I get into this...?" She suddenly loses her composure, as if the 
  pent-up emotions have been released by some unknown trigger, and she covers 
  her face with her hands. "Damn him."

Shenner blinks at you, twice, her shaken expression turning awkward and 
  confused. "Oh," the kid whispers then, "right..."

Jessalyn turns away, embarrassed, and her own shoulders are shaking.

Swallowing, the.... girl beside you stares at you, then snorts lowly. "Maybe 
  he _ain't_ safe?"

Jessalyn turns her head slightly, green eyes glancing at you, liquid with 
  tears. "He is safe ... unless you love him." A white hand lifts to cover her 
  mouth the instant the words are out, and she closes her eyes.

Shenner, clearly not having a hint what to say here, chews briefly at her 
  bottom lip. Finally: "Don't know nothin' bout that."

Eyes still closed, a shaky breath leave Jessa's lips. "I wish I didn't." Her 
  head lifts, watery eyes contemplating the far wall as the tears threaten to 
  spill down her cheeks. "I wish I didn't."

Luke walks in from the Airlock of the ship
Luke has arrived.
Luke comes in shaking off sand, "He's got the ship locked up tight. Can't find 
  Grathix." he mutters.

Uncertainly, Shenner begins to lift a hand to Jessalyn's shoulder -- but at 
  Luke's voice, the kid freezes, gaze flashing around to the young Jedi as he 
  enters the ship.

Jessalyn is standing in front of Shenner with her back turned and head 
  hanging, not saying anything.

Luke looks around as he throws off his cloak, "What is it?" he asks 
  suspiciously.

Shenner eyes Jessalyn, then returns her wary, still-damp gaze to Luke. Shen 
  then demands brusquely, "How'd you know?"

Jessalyn, apparently relieved at the change of topic, glances back at Shenner, 
  her hair covering her eyes as one hand wipes over them.

Luke busies himself with brushing at the back of his head, tossing sand, "Know 
  what?" he seems confused at the question.

Shenner's jaw sets stiffly, as Shenner answers, "Know I-I'm a girl."
Shenner adds, accusingly, "Did you do somethin' Jedi-ish?"

Jessalyn moves to stand behind Shenner, placing a comforting hand on her 
  shoulder and, quite obviously, keeping her gaze averted.

Luke hesitates, turning his head from Shenner then to Jessalyn. He starts to 
  shake his head to ask for further clarification before the lights go on in 
  the Jedi's head. "Oh.." he peers at Shenner. "No, uh.. I guess I just knew. 
  I didn't mean to intrude on your thoughts."

Jessalyn raises a brow at that last comment, and seems to shrink in around 
  herself emotionally, the pale slim fingers tightening on Shenner's shoulder.

The youngster swallows hard, still staring at Luke almost as though he might 
  be able to whip out that lightsaber on her at any second.

Luke squints slightly at Jessalyn. He say to both, "Um.. something wrong?" he 
  asks obliviously.

Shenner finally lowers her gaze, and mutters huskily, "How long? D-didja know?"

Jessalyn looks away quickly from Luke's gaze and fixes her eyes unerringly on 
  Shenner, saying nothing.

"Um.." Luke says scratching his head, "I don't know. I guess ever since our 
  talk on the Alderaan." he approaches her gently, "Shenner, what are you 
  hiding?" then saying softly and quietly, "You're so afraid.." he looks 
  concerned.

The youngster doesn't meet Skywalker's gaze; her own is tearing over again, 
  and her shoulders are shaking.

"Luke..." Jessa chastizes softly. "That's not going to help..." She turns 
  Shenner by the shoulders and holds her close against her like a child.

"Look I'm sorry, I should have realized.." he lets out a breath, "You have 
  nothing to fear here." his voice calm and fluid.
Luke flashes a look to Jessalyn, mixed with some repressed emotion, "I seem to 
  do this to a lot of women." he says glumly before walking away.

"Ain't n-nothin t' realize," Shenner mumbles from within Jessalyn's embrace, 
  then adds in a very tiny voice, "'less you're pickin' s-stuff o-o-outta my 
  head like you said A-Alora coulda done..."

Luke turns halfway down the corridor at Shenners voice. He looks shocked, then 
  his expression fades into kindness, "I would never do that on purpose."

The kid peers unsurely over Jessalyn's shoulder.

Jessalyn frowns at Luke, her tear-filled eyes puzzled as she rocks Shenner in 
  her arms, stroking the back of her head.

Luke gives Jessalyn a -what can I do?- look. "You're both terrified of me 
  aren't you?"

Shenner doesn't answer this immediately. The kid _does_ eye Luke, though, 
  without looking away this time, before swallowing hard and saying without 
  faltering, "Yeah. You scare me."

Jessalyn blinks with surprise at Luke's words, her mouth opening to an 'o' of 
  astonishment. But her cheeks flush crimson and she just stares at him, still 
  holding Shenner against her comfortingly.

Luke mouths a single word to Jessalyn -why?-.. he exhales audibly even at this 
  distance. "I didn't ask for this.." he shakes his head, staring at the 
  floor, "I'm sorry I scare you. You shouldn't be afraid."
It is indeterminate just -which- red head he is speaking to.

Shenner looks down, then, abruptly blushing deeply, and the kid mutters, "It 
  ain't hardly new, p-pal, I... I been scared o' me...."

Jessalyn shakes her head slowly at Luke, looking as if she wants to say 
  something else but is hindered by the presence of the other girl.

"I won't harm you." comes Luke's quiet voice. Again, his gaze downcast enough 
  that the focus of his words are difficult to determine.

Shenner begins, "It ain't you I'm..." And then the kid trails off again and 
  wails, "Oh, _kark_, Grath..."
Shenner straightens, stiffens, and blinks rapidly, looking rather as if she'd 
  just smacked herself in the gut.

Jessalyn sighs softly, glancing away. "I don't think it's your fault, Luke, 
  that she's scared of you."

Luke nods to Jessalyn before staring directly at her this time, "And whose 
  fault is it that -you- are?" a tinge accusatorily in his tone, it seems 
  mostly directed at himself. His voice is edged with pain. He turns and 
  continues down the corridor.

The younger redhead, however, isn't even looking at Luke, now. Shenner steps 
  clumsily away from Jessalyn, thunderstruck of expression, only to slump 
  against the nearest wall. And at Luke's words to the woman, the kid pales, 
  swallows, and bolts.

[Shenner hastens out of the ship, but before she can get very far out of the
 starport, Jessalyn catches up with her....]

Jessalyn seems to be hurrying away from the starport as fast as she can 
  without actually running, her green eyes scanning the area searchingly. 
  "Shenner!" she calls into the dimming light. "Shenner, don't go...where are 
  you?"

Shenner is sprinting almost blindly along the road, looking about in 
  frustrated desperation for some sign of a public tavern or bar or 
  _something_. At your call, the kid falters, but only manages to slow and not 
  stop.

"Shenner..." Jessa's voice softens somewhat as she catches sight of the young 
  girl and hurries to catch up with her. "Don't run away... please..." Her 
  expression is aching, her voice pleading, and filled with an emotion that 
  seems to imply that isn't for Shenner's own good that she stay, but for her 
  own.

"Why?" Shenner bursts out, raggedly, pirouetting around to face her pursuer. 
  "I-I ain't... I ain't got any business bein' anywhere _near_ you guys!"

Jessalyn catches her breath, startled at this outburst, and she visibly 
  swallows hard as she looks down at you, stopping in her tracks uncertainly. 
  She glances once back over her shoulder towards the starport, green eyes 
  blazing. "Maybe you're right," she murmurs, almost to herself. "Maybe I'm 
  not where I belong either...."

_That_ stops the youngster cold. "What? But... but..."

Jessalyn steps towards you, lower lip trembling as she breathes out in 
  frustration, "Princesses and Skywalkers... what the hell am I thinking being 
  here?" She looks down at you, her hand reaching out for yours. "Come on, 
  Shen, let's go get a drink."

At that, the kid blinks again, but a tentative crooked grin curves her mouth. 
  "Uhm...d'you...know where to get one?"

Jessalyn raises a brow, smirking. "Kid," she drawls, almost 
  uncharacteristically. "I -am- a Corellian."

Shenner blinks at you, jerking back almost involuntarily. The grin falters. 
  "Oh..."

Jessalyn seems to wrapped up in her inner torment to notice your strange 
  reaction as she scans the street for a tavern. "Come on, let's have a look 
  around."

The younger redhead swallows hard, then says gruffly, "O-okay. You're on..."

Jessalyn clasps your hand in hers, and, a brilliant smile finally lighting her 
  face, she hurries down the street with you in tow behind her.
Jessalyn strolls along Starport Road to the West.
Jessalyn has left.

[The two women head westward into the city.]

Jessalyn catches sight of the hotel and something in her expression tightens 
  slightly, but she tugs on Shenner's hand and leads her onwards.
Jessalyn strolls across the square and enters the Hotel.
Jessalyn has left.

You cross the square and enter the Grand Palanhi Hotel.
Grand Palanhi Hotel - Palanhi City <Palanhi>
  Recently totally renovated, the Grand Palanhi Hotel has been restored to its 
  original  magnificence and elegant charm.  Three hand-carved gold pillars, 
  set equal distance apart across the middle of the expansive lobby, extend 
  from the white marble floor to the high, coffered ceiling.  Large casement 
  windows span most of the front wall. Thick red velvet draperies cover the 
  windows, blocking out the  Palanhi sun's hot rays, allowing the lobby to be  
  remarkably cool and comfortable.  Red velvet upholstered chairs and  couches 
  are arranged in small and medium-sized groupings in various areas around the 
  room.  A deep red strip of carpet leads from the gold-framed entrance to the 
  white marble registration desk. Six multi-tiered crystal chandeliers, 
  suspended from the ceiling by gold chains, tinkle  harmoniously at the 
  slightest breeze.  But even all of this is dwarfed by the elegance of the 
  gold-railed, white marble spiral staircase that extends upward along the 
  left wall to the second floor balcony.  On the right, two pair of double  
  gold doors stand open; one leads to the Hotel dining room, the other to the 
  Casino.
Contents:
Jessalyn
Obvious exits:
Dining Room <D>  Staircase <S>  Casino <C>  Out <O>  

Jessalyn glances around the lobby, eyeing a chair that looks as if it has been 
  ripped apart and scorched, then nods in the direction of the casino. "I've 
  never seen one of those that didn't have drinks," she comments.'

Shenner giggles a little, "Okay... you're on, Major...!"

Jessalyn tosses you a bright smile. "Please, just Jessalyn!" she chuckles, and 
  tugs you along with her towards the entrance to the casino.
Jessalyn crosses the expansive Lobby toward the Casino.
Jessalyn has left.

You cross the lobby toward the Casino.
Casino - Grand Palanhi Hotel - Palanhi City <Palanhi>
  The instant you walk into this rotundral room, from any direction, your gaze 
  is immediately drawn upward, to the high, domed ceiling. Measuring more than 
  twenty meters in diameter and six meters in depth, the concave impression is 
  a depiction of life across the galaxy. Each planet has been masterfully 
  painted, in fine detail, onto what appears to be a depthless black abyss. A 
  one meter wide band of burnished gold, housing a multitude of specially 
  designed lights that enhance the colorful mural, circumferences the base of 
  the dome. Six white marble pillars ring the outer portion of the circular 
  room, rising up from the scarlet carpeting that covers the entire floor to 
  the base of the domed ceiling. Centered between each of the pillars, arched 
  marble doorways leads off to different sections of the Casino. To the left, 
  a pair of gold doors, which stand wide open, lead to the Hotel Lobby.
Contents:
Jessalyn
Dice Table
Obvious exits:
"Imperial Command" <IC>  Roulette <R>  Slots <S>  <O>ut
  
Jessalyn gapes as she enters the vast room, eyes drawn upwards to the tall 
  ceiling. Her fingers tighten around Shenner's. "Wow..."

Shenner halts beside you, looking no less awestruck, though mute about it.

Jessalyn finally shakes her head and looks around for an empty table in one 
  corner, dragging you with her and only releasing your hand when she reaches 
  it and slides into the booth.

Shenner oofs, slung into the seat, and looks around sheepishly.

Jessalyn cranes her neck as she scans the crowded casino for a waitress, then 
  tossing you an inquisitive glance. "What'll ya have, Shenner?"

Shenner grins weakly. "I'd say cider... 'cept... I-I need somethin' stronger, 
  I think..."

Jessalyn gives a brief nod of her bright red head, eyes narrowing as a grim 
  expression of understanding crosses her face. After a searching moment, she 
  looks about and finaly catches the gaze of a waitress and beckons her to the 
  table.
Jessalyn requests the waitress.

Chrysallin walks up to Jessalyn and smiles. "May I get you something from the 
  bar?"

Jessalyn says, "Two Corellian brandys," Jessalyn replies in a low tone. "And 
  quickly."

Chrysallin taps the information into a small pad in her hands and nods to the 
  older red-haired woman. "I'll return with two Corellian brandys in just a 
  moment."

Jessalyn looks at you for a moment.

Shenner shifts uneasily in her seat, and glances back up at you almost shyly.

Jessalyn tilts her head to look back at you as she waits for the waitress to 
  return, and folds her hands together on the table's surface. "So..." she 
  says, in a casual but utterly compassionate tone, "Tell me why we're afraid 
  of men...hmmm?"

Chrysallin comes trundling back to the table carrying a tray with the two tall 
  glasses upon it. She smiles as she lifts each one off the tray and places 
  them in front of the two women. "Here you go. Just let me know if you need 
  anything else."

Shenner offers the waitress a wan smile, a murmured thanks, and a brief nod; 
  then the kid lifts up the brandy, while muttering in your direction, 
  "Ain't... scared, I-I just don't _like_ 'em..."
Shenner then scowls. "That sounds like bantha dung, don't it."

Jessalyn turns her own glass around in her hands, brows furrowed as she gazes 
  down into the dark liquid. Then without hesitation she lifts up the glass 
  and downs a quarter of its contents. When she returns the glass to the table 
  her eyes are rimmed with red. "Well, my dear... it depends. I think it's 
  true that we lie to ourselves a lot.. to avoid the pain of the truth." Her 
  expression is thoughtful, her voice tinged with regret and worry.

For a moment, Shenner considers, then knocks back a hefty swallow of the 
  brandy herself. It makes her flush immediately, and cough.

Jessalyn's lips are pressed tightly together, and she looks across at you, 
  frowning. "You okay?"

Shenner inhales sharply, then pants out, "Hells... strong..."

Jessalyn leans slightly forward, nodding in answer to your comment and lifting 
  the brandy to her lips again, taking a smaller sip this time. "Yes..." she 
  murmurs on a sigh.

"I...." The kid pauses, then blurts lowly, "Yah, I'm scared..."

Jessalyn's expression seems to melt at your words, and her hand reaches across 
  to clasp yours gently. "Me, too," she admits in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Well.... how come you're scared?" Shen grips her brandy in both hands and 
  gulps down another swallow.
Shenner adds, "I-I mean... other'n' bein' in love with Luke Skywalker? Hells, 
  I guess _that's_ scary enough..."

Jessalyn leans back in her chair, eyes glistening slightly as she glances 
  across the room. After a moment, when she can speak without a tremor in her 
  voice, she replies, "I've been hurt before, too, Shen. It's not an easy 
  thing to go on with. I never thought I'd even be able to love anyone again. 
  And I sure as hell never expected it to be.. -him-." She looks back at you 
  with a small, pained smile. "Sometimes we just can't help our feelings... 
  whether they're love.. or fear. They just.. happen, and there's nothing 
  anybody can do about them."

The girl watches you as you say all that, nose crinkling slightly at the word 
  'hurt'. "I ain't... had that problem yet..."

Jessalyn sits forward again, slim fingers wrapping around the brandy glass. 
  "Then why -are- you afraid, Shenner?"

Shenner huskily admits, "I... dunno how to start....."

Jessalyn smiles and takes a long swallow of the thick liquor. "Try the 
  beginning," she offers helpfully.

Shenner's eyes darken, and she slugs down another slow gulp too. "Don't much 
  care for my beginning," comes the reply. "I'm..."

Her eyes narrow as she looks at you, not without compassion. Out of somewhere 
  she pulls, "An orphan...?"

Shenner abruptly smirks. "Well, now, that's the thing... Mom's dead, but can't 
  rightly say I have clue one about my Da..." The kid gulps down a lot more 
  brandy at that, pain twisting her features.

Jessalyn nods her head, a lock of dark red hair falling over her face. "I 
  barely know my parents' names, myself," she says quietly, and follows your 
  lead, taking another hefty drink, and abruptly scowls down at her now empty 
  glass.

Shenner says bluntly, "Bet you ain't no whore's daughter, though."

Jessalyn gives you a cool, considering look, not as surprised as you might 
  have expected her to be by this revelation. "And.. you're not Darth Vader's 
  offspring," she replies simply. "The way I see it, who our parents were 
  doesn't mean a hell of a whole lot in the end..."

Shenner looks you up and down, vaguely blankly, at the mention of Vader; then 
  the youngster snorts. "I'll tell yah what bein' a whore's daughter's meant 
  so far, hey? It's meant losin' Mom when I was nine, 'cause she wasn't pretty 
  enough, and wasn't a good enough roll in the gods-damned _bed_, that she 
  gods-damned _died_ 'cause she couldn't afford gods-damned medical care!" 
  Another gulp from her glass, almost finishing off the brandy.

Noticing the nearly empty states of both glasses, Jessalyn waves her hand to 
  the waitress again, and the fingers of her other hand creep across the table 
  to touch yours gently.

Shenner presses her eyes closed, features gone taut. The hand you touch is 
  trembling.

Jessalyn whispers quietly to the waitress who has approached and nods to her 
  as she departs once again. Looking back at you, her fingers stroke tenderly 
  over your trembling hand. "It's okay," she says softly. "I know it hurts, 
  doskemaya."
Jessalyn looks up and winks at Jessalyn.

Chrysallin slides a drink list from her pocket and displays it to Jessalyn.

Shenner mutters, bitterly, "I got no idea who my Da is, yah know? Except one 
  thing... Momma told me... once... he was an Imperial." The girl sneers. "On 
  leave. My Momma sold her body and my Da sold his soul..."

Jessalyn's lips twist, but her reply is cut off by the appearance of 
  Chrysallis, who places more glasses on the table and carries off the empty 
  ones. "Shenner...whatever is made of you, or whoever made you... you are 
  always responsible for what it is you become..."

Shenner grabs at the replenished brandy and smirks anew. "Yeah, I guess I got 
  that handled real swift," she mutters.

Jessalyn tips up her glass to her lips and takes a long swallow. After a 
  moment she whispers, "You are a fine, honorable person, Shenner. Don't ever 
  let anyone tell you otherwise." The green eyes lift searchingly to yours. 
  "Not even yourself."

"I'm a person who knows the harsh realities of life, lady," Shenner tells you 
  roughly. The younger pair of green eyes is hot and hard, and they look back 
  at you nervously. "You... well, got your question answered yet?"

Jessalyn frowns slightly, a hint of hurt at the tone of your voice. "A 
  little," she admits, and stares down into her glass.

Shenner's face, still flushed slightly with the effect of the brandy, flushes 
  a bit more brightly -- perhaps she senses she's snapped too hard. "You want 
  me to go on?" the youngling mumbles, far less tautly.

A small nod of the dark red head, and a barely audible whimper. "Of course."

Shenner absorbs that answer unsurely, then ventures, "I-I... stayed on the 
  streets till I was... sixteen, a-and..." Quite abruptly the girl scowls once 
  more, and this time, her flushed face pales.

Jessalyn gives an encouraging squeeze of your hand, her eyes still distant. 
  "Go on.."

Shenner blurts out, far too quickly to be doing anything but glossing over the 
  words, "Then I went to Tatooine."

Jessalyn raises her brows and her eyes fix upon your features. "Tatooine."

Shenner inhales another generous portion of her drink, and bobs her head. 
  "Yeah."

Jessalyn licks her dry lips before taking another swallow as well. "And...?"

Something strange flickers across Shenner's face, making her features begin to 
  crumple. "The... he... he left..."

Jessalyn eyes round slightly. "He..?" Her own cheeks are flushed and her lids 
  are drooping partly over her eyes. "Who, Shen?"

"That..." Shenner grimaces, then growls out vehemently, "That _damned_ 
  Corellian!" This last comes out almost as a sob, as the kid slams the now 
  near-empty glass down on the table.

Jessalyn blinks, giving a start at the sudden noise and leaning back from the 
  table. "Oh," she says, inadequately.

Perhaps it's the effects of nearly two full glasses of the brandy that makes 
  Shenner tell you, abruptly and roughly, "He.... I-I thought, maybe, just 
  maybe, he'd be okay, yah know? When he said he'd take me to Tatooine? But... 
  but he went out one night.... and... he found out, Jess, he found out!" The 
  kid's voice hoarsens further, and makes her sound on the verge of sobbing.

Gentle fingertip brush through the short hair above your forehead, and 
  Jessalyn's eyes ache as she senses your anguish. "Shenner..." She bites her 
  lip, clearly confused, but knowing nothing more to do than let you continue.

"He... he called me a bitch... and... that he... he saw right _through_ my 
  game," Shenner breathes raggedly. Then blushes violently scarlet, aided by 
  the alcohol.
Shenner finishes, or at least tries to, "He... he ki..."

The fingers move from your brow to your chin, lifting your face to look at 
  her. "Shenner...." Her brows knitting with worry and her eyes filled with 
  compassion, Jessalyn nods her head. "He kissed you?"

The kid bites her lower lip and nods mutely.

Jessalyn chuckles wryly, a bitter smile on her lips. "And then.. he left?"

Shenner shakes her head, and mutters, "Nah, that was after I coldcocked him 
  with my blaster..."

Jessalyn widens her eyes, one hand covering her mouth as she gives a quiet, 
  drunken giggle. "Oh, Shen! Way to go!"

"I... I ran... out into Mos Eisley..." Shenner glowers at what's left of the 
  second round of brandy. "Found out the next morning h-he left... and I was 
  stuck... gods! Mos Eisley _sucks_!"

While you've been talking, Jessalyn has quietly summoned the waitress with her 
  eyes and fresh glasses of brandy have been placed on the table. "Mos 
  Eisley... not a pleasant place for my memories, either," she muses quietly, 
  then looks at you over her glass as she takes a sip. "But you got off 
  Tatooine..."
 
Shenner bobs her head slowly, heavily, as if it'd gotten weightier while she's 
  been unburdening herself at you. "Yeah," she says, blinking liquidly, "that 
  was 'cause of Grath..."
Shenner blinks a few times more, and abruptly looks rather more vague of 
  expression, as the brandy settles down to make a small nova in her belly. 
  She adds, voice starting to slur, "Grath don't know, Jess!"

"Ohh...." Thoughtfully. Then a nod of the head again as Jessa's pallid face 
  sets into grim lines. "Shen... Luke won't tell Grathix. I promise. And 
  neither will I..." Her own words are soft and slurred as well.

Shenner gulps down some of the third round of liquor, with the same desperate 
  eagerness she might suck in air if she were drowning. "A-ai-ain't no use, 
  they were s-startin' to figure it out on the _Alderaan_, too!" The kid 
  suddenly looks frightened again. "That... that guy knows."

Jessalyn stops in mid-gulp and looks at you. "What guy?"

Shenner scowls muzzily. "He's... uhm... pilot. He saw me onna planet. Said... 
  eyes gimme away." The eyes in question blink owlishly. "Do they gimme away, 
  Jess?"

Jessalyn peers at you carefully, studying your eyes, and then looks down at 
  her utility belt, startled. "Hells!" She pulls out her comlink and stares at 
  it blankly for a moment before speaking into it.
Jessalyn is mumbling into the comlink, looking frantic and angry. "Just 
  talkin...to Shen..." A pause as she listens to the reply. "Go without us, 
  damn it!"

Shenner blinkblinks glassily at her companion, looking quite confused.

Grathix strolls into the Casino from the Lobby, the look of anticipation in 
  his eyes.
Grathix has arrived.

Shenner, then, frowns vaguely and for lack of anything helpful to contribute 
  to Jessalyn's distraction, decides to pay more attention to that brandy. 
  Yes. Brandy. All nice and hot and fiery.... the kid resumes drinking.

Jessalyn narrows her eyes at some words that come to her over the comlink, and 
  nearly yells into it, "Why the -hell- would you care?"

Shenner puts in slurrily at Jessalyn, "You tell 'im!"

Jessalyn's eyes tear up as she speaks again into the comlink again, 
  pleadingly. "Luke, no... just.. forget it. Okay? Go find your friend." She 
  looks across the table at Shenner, her lips quivering.

Shenner mumbles plaintively, "No reason >I< should go anyhow... I ain't no 
  Rebel... what the hells could I do to help... oughtta just say here..."

"Damn him," Jessa mutters. "Why did I have to love him, anyway? It's not 
  fair," she moans, misery in her voice as well as her eyes.

Shenner blinkblinks dewily at you, and awkwardly nudges your glass towards 
  you. "Aww... men're all swine anyhow...!"

Jessalyn smacks the comlink down on the table angrily, looking at you with 
  wide, tearful eyes as her fingers wrap around the glass and she slugs back 
  half its contents.
Jessalyn mumbles fervently, not quite self-aware as she massages her forehead 
  with her fingertips. "You..you don't know what he did, Shen....!" she gulps. 
  "Why.. why'd he do that? Why?"

"Whaddy do?" Shenner frowns, realizing that came out far too incoherently. She 
  tries again: "What'd he do?"

"He.. he kissed me!" Jessalyn spits furiously, eyes blazing, and then with her 
  next sentence, her voice crumples into anguish. "And then he... he..." she 
  swallows visibly. "He -apologized- for it!" she hisses.

The younger female blinks, trying to absorb this. "How come this is bad?" 
  Shenner slurs blankly, and clarifies, "_He_ didn't apologize to _me_!"
Shenner's fine-boned nose wrinkles. Bad if they _do_, bad if they _don't_.... 
  she protests plaintively, "You're confusin' me, Jess!"

Jessa stares blankly at you for a moment, eyes leaking tears and voice leaking 
  misery. "But I love him, Shen. I .... I don't want to, but... hell, I wanted 
  him to kiss me! I didn't want him to be freakin' -sorry- for it..." She lets 
  out a keening sob and her forehead smacks down onto the table.

Shenner blinks, several times, then unsteadily scoots her chair around the 
  table to you. "Aww... aww, Jess..." When did the kid move from calling you 
  'Major' to calling you 'Jess?' Halfway through the first glass, maybe.

Jessalyn seems to be trying to catch her breath, until it becomes audibly 
  clear that she's sobbing. Her hair has fallen loose around her face and 
  hides her expression, but there is no mistaking the trembling of the 
  shoulders and the quivering misery in her voice. "I didn't... mean to... 
  he'll never forgive me..." Her mind seems to have whirled completely around 
  -- is she blaming -herself- now??

"Awww..." Shenner clumsily reaches over to hug you, and whispers roughly, 
  "Aww, Jess..."

Grathix strolls into the casino, eyes wandering about it from place to place, 
  taking in every aspect of the structure.

Jessalyn pats at your shoulders as she returns the hug, expression and voice 
  both incoherent. "Thanks.. thanks, Shen...I just gotta get away from him..." 
  she gulps.

Shenner pulls back and asks dolefully, "What're you gonna do?"

Jessalyn rubs a pale hand over her red-rimmed, tearful eyes and sniffs. "I 
  dunno," she mumbles.

Grathix walks around the outer rim of the cricular structure.

Shenner, impulsively, grabs Jessalyn's glass and offers it to her. "Here!"

Jessalyn takes the glass slowly from Shenner, but her thoughts are clearly 
  elsewhere as she stares down into it before taking a long swallow. "I... I 
  could go back to Yavin..." she murmurs. "Or...something..."

Shenner reaches across the table and grabs her own glass, and asks plaintively 
  between swallows, "They got men on Yavin?"

Grathix, upon his casing the outer rim of the casino, sees two shadows in a 
  booth towards the corner. He continues on his way, toards then, curious.

Jessalyn chuckles softly, rubbing her eyes with the heel of her hand. "There's 
  nowhere to avoid them, Shen."
Another sip, then Jessalyn looks at Shenner pleadingly. "But I don't think I 
  can stand not being near him." She sounds defeated.

"Oh. Damn," Shenner mumbles dejectedly, then blinkblinks and adds in a wail, 
  "What'm _I_ gonna do..."

Grathix calls out as he begins to approach the booth, "Excuse me, was 
  wondering if you two might be able to help answer some questions I have..."

Shenner freezes.

Jessalyn rubs a hand over Shenner's shoulder, and murmurs softly to her, 
  "Shen, you're just a girl, you have your whole life ahead of you..." She 
  smiles ruefully. "There's plenty of time..." Jessalyn glances up, startled.

Shenner goes stark white at the sound of Grathix's voice, and does _not_ turn 
  around to look out into the casino. "Oh hells," she squeaks, tinily.

Jessalyn looks up at the man, doing her best -- though that's not much, in 
  this state -- to compose herself. "Yes?"

Grathix approaches the booth. He says with a look both filled with amazement 
  and surprise, "That you Shenner?"

Jessalyn looks surprised and her tearful eyes widen somewhat as she glances 
  between Shenner and the stranger standing in front of their table.

Shenner's head whips around as the kid looks up over her shoulder at Grathix. 
  The youngster is still white, save for the flush of the alcohol about her 
  cheeks and its glitter in her eyes; Shen's terrified expression is 
  unmistakable, too.
Shenner stammers out slurrily, "I... I tol' Skywalker y-y-y-you were comin', 
  boss...! Swear! Jes' like y' said!"

Jessalyn blinks at Shenner's words, then turns her liquid gaze to consider the 
  man in front of them. With surprising grace -- considering her alcohol 
  intake -- she rises and offers a slender hand in welcome. "Mr. Grathix, I 
  presume?"

Grathix looks at Shenner stil a little perplexed, "what the hell are you 
  stammering about...you almost sound drunk."

A slight narrowing of Jessalyn's blazing green eyes as he addresses Shenner, 
  but she says nothing.

Shenner almost falls over as Jess, occupying the same side of the booth she 
  is, stands up. The kid fumbles for the table, and pipes, "'Mallright!"

Grathix tries to place a ahand on shen's shoulder as he says "What the heck is 
  wrong with you, shen?!

Shenner blanches again, and yelps in panic, "'Mfine! Fine! Just fine!"
Shenner's shoulder doesn't appear to have much in the way of ability to evade 
  Grathix's grasp, though the kid _does_ flinch.

Jessalyn stands directly between Grathix and Shenner, not allowing him access 
  to her. "We're just having a -private- conversation, sir." She is clearly 
  perturbed as she withdraws her offered hand without having shaken his hand.

Grathix holds on to the shoulder, not firmly though, and says, "well, how bout 
  you sit and tell me what this is all about" as he casts a indifferent look 
  to Jessalyn.

Shenner's jaw sets stubbornly. "'Sprivate," the kid slurs. The closer you look 
  at her, the more apparent it is that she's inebriated; Shenner's eyes are 
  slightly unfocused, more than a little glassy, and her movements are 
  unsteady.

Jessalyn raises a delicate eyebrow, and her slender body angles slightly as 
  she touches Grathix's arm and draws him physically away from the table. "No 
  -isn't- a good time, Mr. Grathix," she murmurs. "She -- Shenner is a bit 
  upset, and you can't really help things here."

Shenner flicks Jessalyn a look of worshipful gratitude, then, as long as the 
  woman's distracting this unexpected intruder, the kid grabs her glass again 
  and downs the rest of its contents.

Grathix shrugs Jessalyn's attempted pull and says, "back off lady..."
Grathix turns to face shenner again and says, "now then, what's this all 
  about. and don't tell me nothing, cause that's a bunch of bantha dung a you 
  know it!"

Jessalyn gapes, and it's clear that she is definitely not accustomed to being 
  addressed in this manner. Her eyes blaze like emerald suns and she places a 
  firm grip on the man's shoulder. "Mr. Grathix, I'm being polite. Don't make 
  me have to change that," she hisses, and eyes the comlink she has placed on 
  the table.

Shenner, empty glass still clutched in both skinny hands, blinks muzzily up at 
  the man looming over her. A strange, scared expression flickers across the 
  youngster's face, and Shen blurts raggedly, "It's _PRIVATE!_"

Grathix waves Jessalyn off, "Fine, then you can sit with us as i talk with 
  Shenner." He looks at Shenner then at the table, He points to the table with 
  the glasses and says, "what, you taking up drinking, Shen?"

Shenner scowls vaguely. "So what?"

Jessalyn moves forward, slipping in between Grathix and Shenner again, and her 
  slender fingers reach to grasp the discarded comlink on the table. "You 
  heard Shen. It's private."

"Jes' hadda l'il brandy. T' talk with," mumbles Shenner, who then glowers at 
  Grathix. "Private talk!"

Grathix looks at Jessalyn and says, "It maybe private, but I'm not gonna stand 
  idly by as you induce -this- youth to drink got that?!"

Shenner abruptly giggles. "C'n drink without help!"

Jessalyn's jaw drops and she stares unbelieving at Grathix. After a moment her 
  temper snaps and she snarls, "Get out of here. Now. If you don't.. you'll 
  regret it."

"Didn' I tell yah?" Shen puts in, starting to wobble to her feet and gesturing 
  accusingly at her employer with the empty glass. "Always stickin' their 
  noses in. Men!"

Grathix nods, "damn straight I'm getting out of here...but with shenner" and 
  with that he pushes jessalyn off to the side and makes a grab for Shenner.

Jessalyn staggers backward, her inebriated state leaving her unsteady and she 
  flings out an arm to catch herself against the wall. Without hesitation she 
  flicks on the comlink and mumbles into it hastily.

Shenner yelps, then, as she is grabbed; the glass drops from unsteady fingers, 
  and Shenner shrills out, "Lemmego! Lemmego, you bastard! I hate you! 
  LemmeGO!"

Grathix grabs hold of Shenner and begins to drag her out.

One hand clutched around the comlink, Jessalyn steadily draws her blaster with 
  the other. "Let her go. Now." The weapon is pointed levelly at Grathix.

Grathix says, "hate me all you want...this is for your own good.

The crowd in the casino slowly stops its milling and stares at the scene as 
  the red-haired woman stares coolly with drawn blaster at the man in front of 
  her.

Shenner wrestles awkwardly in Grathix's grip, howling, "I hate you! Men! I 
  hate you all! LEMMEGO!" The kid balls up her fists and starts punching at 
  the man, in fury.

Grathix struggles with Shenner as she begins to pound upon him, but he 
  continues to drag her out nonetheless.

Jessalyn fires off a warning shot against a nearby wall, her hands trembling 
  and her eyes narrowed and incandescent.

Shenner's fists beat at random along Grathix's torso and shoulders; the girl's 
  legs start flailing, too, as Shen tries to slam a knee into the man's body 
  somewhere sensitive.

Grathix stops for a moment, as he hears the shot fired. He glances towards 
  Jessalyn and calls back, "put that away...before you hurt yourself."

Jessalyn stares unblinking but still shaking, eyes narrowed as the point of 
  the blaster falls unerringly towards Grathix. "You're the one who's going to 
  be hurt if you don't let her go -RIGHT NOW!-"

Still howling at the top of her lungs, Shenner aims a faltering punch at 
  Grathix's gut.

Grathix takes the blow to his gut, causing him to flinch slightly and to 
  release his grasp on the red-haired youth.

Shenner tumbles unceremoniously towards the floor, legs buckling the moment 
  she's dropped. "Oooooh..."

Jessalyn scurries towards the two, and grasping Shenner's upper arm tightly 
  she squeals, "Run!" and tries to haul her to her feet.

Shenner frowns absently. How'd the room get blurry, and where did the little 
  sparks in the air come from? With the heat from the brandy in her blood, and 
  surging right up to her head, it's very easy to just start watching those 
  sparks.... "Wha?" Shen mumbles, hearing her own voice as if from a distance.

Grathix recovers quickly from the blow, since it just startled him more than 
  anything. He reaches down towards shenner and says, "Come on...let get you 
  to a rom so you can rest."

"Blast it!" the older woman splutters, trying to jerk Shenner away from 
  Grathix. "C'mon, Shen, we gotta get outta here!" Holstering her blaster and 
  stooping to slip both hands beneath the girl's arms, she grunts as she tries 
  to lift her to her feet.

Shenner's eyes try to focus in Grathix's direction. "Don' wanna go with you," 
  the kid whimpers, and another whimper escapes the kid as both adults tug on 
  her at once. "Ooooooh...."

Grathix says, "See, he doesn't want to go with you....now let go of him. 
  Besides, while he's here, I'm his legal guardian."

Jessalyn gapes at Grathix, her expression angry and defiant. "Don't you get 
  it? You idiot, she's scared of you! Damn you, men! Think the only answer to 
  a problem is to haul a girl off!" She tugs harder on Shen's arms, glaring 
  angrily at Grathix.

One arm gripped by Grath and the other by Jess, Shenner blinks drunkenly 
  between the two, and as Jess rages, Shen mumbles in vague agreement, "Yeah!"

Grathix stops cold, his arms going limp and letting go of Shenner, as if in 
  shock. He looks at Jessalyn, then at Shenner and says, his voice stammering 
  out, sputtering even, "shenner's.....hes..a she?!" almost in complete 
  disbelief.

Shenner, released by Grathix, tumbles headlong against Jessalyn, head lolling. 
  "Oooh.... 'mall dizzy..."

Not pausing to wait for Grathix to recover from his shock, and half-unaware of 
  what it is he is shocked about, Jessalyn scoops Shenner into the curve of 
  her arm and corrals her staggering figure towards the doorway.

Grathix stands there, completely dumbfounded, simply starring at the almost 
  passed out moaning Shenner.

Unresisting, now, Shenner is easily tugged along by the.... older woman.

Jessalyn crosses the main section of the casino toward the Lobby.
Jessalyn has left.

You cross the main section of the casino toward the Lobby.
Grand Palanhi Hotel - Palanhi City <Palanhi>
Contents:
Jessalyn
Obvious exits:
Dining Room <D>  Staircase <S>  Casino <C>  Out <O>  

Grathix steps into the Lobby from the Main Casino.
Grathix has arrived.

Jessalyn is dragging Shenner behind her as she leaves the hotel lobby.
Jessalyn crosses the lobby toward the etched glass front doors.
Jessalyn has left.

Crossing the lavish lobby, you push open one of the etched glass doors and 
  leave the cool confines of the Grand Palanhi Hotel.
Palanhi City Square - Palanhi City <Palanhi>
  Even though the Palanhi City Square is a barren area, it is the center of 
  activity for this hot, dry desert capital. A one meter high wall circles the 
  square, providing not only a barrier against some of the blowing sand, but 
  also a place to sit and rest, which few do. People hurry about, scurrying 
  off across the square, rushing to get out of the sun's blistering rays. A 
  tall, wide, box-like object constructed of some type of transparent, 
  reinforced steel, stands alone in the middle of the square. Pathways, 
  half-covered with small piles of drifting sand lead off in all four 
  directions. To the north lies North Road, one of two main passages into the 
  city. Going east, one can reach the Palanhi City Starport as well as a 
  variety of businesses that thrive off the traffic the Starport brings. To 
  the west, Palanhi Road leads to the Palanhi Medical Center as well as 
  Palanhi Security offices. To the south, stands the large and somewhat 
  extravagant Grand Palanhi Hotel, one of the few oasis spots.
Contents:
Jessalyn
SNT Computer Terminal 163
Obvious exits:
 <N> leads to North Road - Palanhi City <Palanhi>.
  <W> leads to Palanhi Road - Palanhi City <Palanhi>.
   <E> leads to Starport Road - Palanhi City <Palanhi>.
    <S> leads to Grand Palanhi Hotel - Palanhi City <Palanhi>.

Grathix steps out into the hot, Palanhi sun, the blustering winds whipping at 
  him almost immediately.
Grathix has arrived.

Jessalyn pants as she runs as fast as she can with her charge in tow towards 
  the spaceport.

Grathix tries to run off after jess and Shen, but is mauled over by a crowd 
  whish just so happened to cross in his path

"Jes'... jes' wanna siddown... c'n I siddown...." Shenner's voice vanishes 
  into the distance.

[Jessalyn helps her unsteady young friend back towards the starport....]

You enter the Starport.
Palanhi City Starport - Palanhi City <Palanhi>(#19889RUXFJ)
Contents:
Artoo
STARFIGHTER: Lambda Class Shuttle -- Crusader
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- The Cat's Paw
STARFIGHTER: X-Wing -- Skywalker
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- Black Dragon
Palahni Bounty Hunter Terminal
STARFIGHTER: CECO YT-1300 -- Silver Lotus
STARFIGHTER: X-wing -- Dark 1
MailBox
CAPITAL: Corellian Gunship -- Spectra
Obvious exits:
West <O>  

Jessalyn comes into the Starport from Starport Road.
Jessalyn has arrived.
Jessalyn staggers towards the Black Dragon and pushes Shenner ahead of her up 
  the ramp as the wind swirls madly around them, whipping her hair in her face.

Shenner mumbles blurrily, "We there yet? Jes' wanna siddown...."

[And into the ship....]

You walk into the Rear Corridor of the ship
Rear Corridor - Black Dragon
Obvious exits:
Airlock <Starboard>  Cargo Bay <Port>  Engine Room <Aft>  Main Corridor <Fore> 
   
Jessalyn walks in from the Airlock of the ship
Jessalyn has arrived.
Jessalyn breathes heavily and sinks against the wall as she finally lets go of 
  Shenner and pushes her wind-swept hair back from her face.

Shenner, released, crumples sideways against the wall as well, head drooping, 
  a small plaintive whimper escaping her.

Jessalyn spends long minutes just catching her breath, her hands shaking as 
  they rest on her knees, her eyes squeezed shut.

Shenner hasn't quite passed out, but the kid's eyes are glazed and distant, 
  and she frowns unsurely at the interior of the ship as if not quite sure 
  where Jessalyn has brought her.

Jessalyn turns blurred and still teary eyes on Shenner, gulping as her 
  breathing starts to return to normal. "Y'okay?" she asks, leaning towards 
  her.

"'Sall.... sparkly here, too..." Shenner observes groggily.

Jessalyn's strength seems to abruptly leave her now that she has finally 
  settled onto the floor, and, giving Shen a brief perplexed look, she slumps 
  down further along the wall, eyes open but breathing hard.

Shenner, having issued that vague statement, ever so slowly slumps against the 
  older redhead, and plummets headlong into oblivion.

Still conscious, Jessalyn slips her arm around Shenner's shoulder, keeping a 
  watchful if blurry eye on her young friend, and tries to control her 
  trembling as the tears run freely now down her cheeks.

[End log.]