Log Date:
	4/18/97, 4/19/97

Log Cast:
	Paul Nighman, Shenner, Luke, Dane Noth, Grathix

Log Intro:
	Shenner and Paul Nighman have hooked up with Grathix in a way they
did not expect -- by being intercepted by Dane Noth, who stunned Paul with
his blaster when Paul refused to come along quietly. Rather than running
for help, Shenner stayed doggedly at Paul's side, and kept up a slow
furious burn of indignation as Noth hauled her and the unconscious Paul
into Grathix's hotel. Only the discovery that Luke had in fact beaten her
and Paul to Grathix's territory assured the girl that things weren't as
bad as they seemed; between that, and Grathix's offering the hospitality
of a suite in which the unconscious Paul could recover, her temper mellowed
somewhat.
	After Paul's awakening the previous night, however, he startled
Shenner with a request she did not expect: for her to sleep with Paul there
in the same room with him, so that he would know she was safe as he slept
himself. Stricken with shyness at the very idea even though she realizes
Paul does not mean he wants to have sex with her, Shenner curled up
beside him and dropped off into slumber.
	Then, the next morning....

----------
What wakes Paul the next morning in uncertain ... there is no light from any 
  of the windows to indicate morning, no alarm chronos going off, and after 
  having received a stun blast, no reason why he shouldn't physically sleep in 
  the next morning, but his eyes open slowly anyway, taking in the darkened 
  room bemusedly for a moment. In the end it is his internal alarm clock, the 
  little part of one's mind that hollers, "Hey, it's morning! You lazy slob!" 
  However, the darkness of the room fools him for a moment into thinking it is 
  still night. He registers, belatedly, that Shen is still wrapped around him, 
  her head on his shoulder, her arm about his chest. He lays there peacefully 
  for a moment, not wanting to disturb her.

Shenner sleeps, her breathing deep and relaxed, her slim young form without 
  tension for once. She's nestled deep into her companion's side, and 
  unconsciously nuzzles her cheek along Paul's shoulder.

Gazing down at her form, Paul feels a protective surge as her cheek rubs his 
  shoulder, tinged with something else less definable. He considers checking 
  his chrono, but it's on his left wrist, which is somewhat trapped by Shen's 
  body. He considers trying to wiggle it out from under her, but then changes 
  his mind. The angle is all wrong, and Paul can't look at Shen's face really, 
  but his right hand, which had slipped from her waist back onto his own 
  reaches over to stroke her shoulder to hip in an absent minded caress, much 
  like one would automatically pet a cat snuggled up to one side.

The girl reacts, still quite asleep, almost as a cat might; she issues a tiny 
  'mmm', and snuggles closer against the man beside her. Her arm tightens 
  around him in a momentary hug.

Her form is so slight, her build so delicate. Her motions remind Paul of the 
  fact that she risked everything, potentially her life, just because she 
  wouldn't leave him. That brings a frown of concern to his brow and he wraps 
  his arm around her in a protective embrace, as if somehow that would shelter 
  her from all future dangers. He releases a sigh, his mind now working on the 
  problem of how to protect Shen and he turns his head to drop a thoughtful 
  kiss on her brow.

At that, Shenner's head arcs up ever so slightly, moving her face from Paul's 
  shoulder to his neck; her mouth moves for a moment, though she does not wake.

As Shen's lips connect with his neck, Paul goes still for a moment, not 
  expecting that unintentional kiss. A frission of electricity runs through 
  his system in response and he tamps it down. He goes very still now, 
  uncertain what to do, but thinking that perhaps not moving would be a good 
  idea ... of course it doesn't help that he's already wrapped his arms about 
  the girl and that she is splayed against his side. He swallows with just a 
  touch of nervousness.

Shenner settles again, apparently finding the warmth of Paul's arms as 
  comforting as a soft blanket. Her face stays where it is, though, her slow 
  and steady breaths tickling his skin.

Another frission of attraction this time, no mistaking it, streaks its way 
  through Paul's system, and this one is far more resistant to squashing than 
  the first. Paul growls softly in annoyance at his body, reminding himself 
  firmly that Shen is only 17. That seems to help. He remains perfectly still, 
  but of course now he seems to have developed several fiendish powerful 
  itches, and one of his muscles in his left arm has suddenly decided that it 
  is uncomfortable and begins to spasm.

As if she somehow senses Paul's increasing nervousness, Shenner murmurs 
  something unintelligible and hugs him again; then her free hand moves up to 
  his other shoulder and dreamingly strokes it.

Straining to remain still, Paul finds that all of the nerves on his shoulder 
  are suddenly very sensitive. His arm decides to give up the ghost and spasms 
  unexpectedly. With a low muttered growl sounding something like, "damned 
  body betrayal," Paul moves the left arm trapped under Shen, up and out. This 
  isn't very well thought out as it levers Shen up and over, further onto 
  Paul's left side.

Shenner as she is moved mumbles drowsily, "Mrmm?"

Paul goes completely still, one arm still hanging in mid air ... he wonders 
  sarcastically how long he can hold -this- position.

Shenner makes another small sleepful noise, and promptly burrows down against 
  Paul again. Now propped further up onto his side, she can reach farther 
  around him with her own slim arm, and she twines it and one leg as well 
  around him, as though she were a vine trying to encircle a tree.

Now it's getting a little more serious. Paul's body is gleefully chortling, 
  "Hey this is sex, right? I remember this! Wheee!," and Paul's rational brain 
  is saying "No, this is -not- sex, now cut it out down there!" Rolling his 
  eyes, Paul finds that his arm is begining to tremble with the effort of 
  holding out to one side. There's only one safe place for it to go, which is 
  straight down on the bed behind Shen. He lets it fall with a soft plop.

Shenner once more nestles her head against Paul's shoulder, and hugs him 
  closely to her, as if she were a sleeping child and he a favorite toy.

In this case, the spirit is weak, and the flesh willing. Paul wills himself to 
  stare at the ceiling and thinks happy peaceful non-sexy thoughts in the 
  hopes that he will be able to fall asleep. This tactic is effective for all 
  of one minute until Shenner grips him again in her sleep, her entire body 
  tensing slightly against his, drawing fractionally closer, if that is even 
  possible. Paul swallows and decides that desperate moments call for 
  desperate measures.
Paul rolls over to the right, but this is a less successful move than he 
  thought it would be, his left arm still firmly trapped under Shen does not 
  slip free as expected, so he rocks to one side only to have his momentum cut 
  off in mid-roll. He begins to flail as the bed obligingly reverses his 
  direction, causing him to roll back into Shen. He lets out a muffled, "ack," 
  as he collides with her.

Shenner, as you shift around, lifts her head marginally, though she does not 
  open her eyes. Her voice heavy with drowsiness, the girl mumbles, "Mrmm? 
  Paul?"

"Wu oh," is his first thought. He curses the fact that Grathix spent top 
  dollar to get some of the best beds there are, and now look at the position 
  he's in. In a husky voice he replies, "Uh, yeah Shen?"

It is rather unclear whether Shenner actually registers your words, but as she 
  hears your voice she smiles tranquilly and snuggles down against you again. 
  "G'sleep."

Paul lets the girl settle against him. He takes a deep steadying breath. Her 
  voice sounded so happy, so content ... to push her away would be criminal. 
  He takes another deep breath and tries to clear his mind using a technique 
  that a Kubazian Tre'lan had shown him once when he was visiting a local 
  shrine to study the ancient texts and books that had been held sacred for 
  centuries and centuries. He's rusty at the skill, but slowly it begins to 
  work and he can feel his mind relaxing and his body growling sullenly in 
  disappointment.

[And after a while....]

A quick double rap sounds on the door.

Paul jerks awake from the sound and reaches for his blaster, feeling that the 
  holster is empty. He curses softly and carefully untangles himself from 
  Shenner's sleeping form and checks his chrono as he pads over to the door, 
  which he opens suspiciously, just a crack.

Luke's scowling face can be seen through the crack, looking off to the side. 
  He turns as the door opens, "Did you know there are guards out here?" he 
  whispers toward Paul.

Paul blinks, Luke being the last person he expected to see. He then frwons and 
  shakes his head to the negative and opens the door wider so that the young 
  Jedi can slip in, peering out the door for the supposed guards. "Ancient 
  Jedi mind trick?" he whispers back curiously, not seeing anyone there.

Luke shrugs as he angles inside, still looking bewildered, "I don't get it. 
  This is unlike any Hotel I've ever been in." he pauses near the door 
  surveying Nighman. He blinks, "You look considerably better than you did 
  last night Paul. You're ok?"

Paul nods brusquely as he closes the door silently. "Yeah, the only thing 
  bruised is my pride, and it's had worse than that by far," he mumbles in 
  annoyance. He then looks at Luke and smiles slightly, "But thanks for 
  asking," he murmurs.

Over on the bed, Shenner sleepily rolls onto her side and fumbles at the now 
  un-occupied, but still warm, portion of it on which Paul had been lying. The 
  girl murmurs something vaguely disappointed-sounding.

"Well I talked to Grathix for awhile before you two were brought in." Luke 
  says eyeing the sleeping girl obliquely. He sighs, "Seems that the crypt is 
  guarded by what he calls -wards-." he squints slightly, "Do you know what 
  he's talking about?"

Paul glances over at Shen and then back to Luke, his face a little flushed as 
  he admits, "Well, to tell you the truth, no, but I'm hoping that the answer 
  to that is waiting for me on Corellia. It wouldn't be unusual for there to 
  be some kind of locking device, and from what I've learned, there should be 
  some object that will activate the doors, so I'm going to hazard a guess and 
  say that will deactivate the wards." He doesn't, however, look completely 
  convinced himself.

Luke nods while murmuring, "I thought it might be Force related.." he steps 
  into the room a little further, thoughtfully glancing at the furnishings 
  before turning once again to face Paul, "But archeology isn't my specialty." 
  He leans against a dresser.

On the bed, Shenner stirs again vaguely at the sound of voices. "Hrrm?"

Paul gives Luke a sarcastic little smile and crosses his arms. "And the Force 
  isn't mine," he notes wryly. "Checkmate. It could be that the key object is 
  a Force object itself, or perhaps it needs a Force user to wield ... I'm 
  working with sketchy information at best here, but if what I think is 
  sitting in the Corellia University basement is there, then we may have some
  concrete answers faster than Solo can do a Kessel run," he notes thoughtfully,
  with a trace of humor.

Luke smiles at that, "Well I'm sure if we put our heads together we can figure 
  it out." he says reassuringly, "Still.. Grathix wasn't clear about what he 
  wants to do if we find anything.."

The girl on the bed lifts a hand to her eyes and scrubs it across them, before 
  mumbling out, "Paul? Wha?"

Paul nods and then with a twisted smile adds, "You know if that Mandalorian 
  warrior just -told- me it was Grathix that wanted to see me, we could have 
  dealt with this last night." At Shen's voice, Paul looks over to the bed and 
  says softly, "Over here Shen."

Luke flicks his gaze to Shenner before offering to Paul, "Maybe we should let 
  her sleep and discuss this outside.."

Shenner lifts her head and blinks groggily in the direction of the door. In 
  the darkened room one might not see her expression from a casual distance 
  all that well, but her voice sounds much more alert as she pipes, "Luke!"

Paul gives Luke a snide grin. "Too late," he jokes.

Luke smiles at her, "Hi Shenner." he tilts his head to the side, "You've been 
  through a lot in the past day or so. Go back to sleep if you want."

Shenner starts to sit up, fumbling with one hand to straighten her rumpled 
  shirt. The tail of it apparently had come loose in her sleep, and now, as 
  the girl rouses herself, it sticks out on one side. "No... no, I'm fine, 
  what's goin' on?" Yawning hugely, she stands and pads over, shoving a hand 
  through her rumpled hair.

Paul heads over to the lamp on the side of the bed and waves it to a low 
  level. "Luke just got here, and we're talking about Grathix and what we're 
  going to do." He sits down on the side of the bed and looks back to Luke. 
  "So, what are we going to do?" he asks curiously.

Shenner, in a plaintive tone, informs Luke, "I didn't know you came here -- I 
  didn't get a chance to call Grath and ask him about General Solo!" Then she 
  scowls and adds as she staggers sleepfully into the privy to wash her face, 
  "Though now I ain't sure I wanna ask him for help on anything!"

Luke raises both brows in a facial shrug then folds his arms, "I guess we talk 
  to Grathix today and leave as soon as possible. I'm sure you and he will 
  want to talk about specifics."
Luke watches Shenner walk away and smiles, "It's ok. I was going to bring it 
  up today. Maybe he's seen him around." he muses.

There comes the sound of running water, and after a moment or two Shenner 
  re-emerges, still looking rumpled, but at least now more awake. "Did I hear 
  you say somethin' about guards, Paul?" she asks balefully.

Nodding in agreement Paul notices their luggage and puruses it to make sure 
  that nothing valuable is missing. The check takes only a few moments, and he 
  seems satisfied with the results. "Alright, I'll talk to Grathix and 
  apolozie the the other Mandalorian and then either get a ride to Corellia 
  with the Admiral, or make some arrangement with Grathix." He frowns then. 
  "So why did Grathix have a bounty on my anyway?"
Paul then turns to Shen and simply nods in response.

Luke frowns leaning forward, "Bounty?" he says incredulously.

Paul cracks a smile. "Not a -bounty- bounty, but a contract to have me pulled 
  in for questioning ... why do think I was unconcious? I didn't deliberately 
  run into that Mandalorian's blaster." He grins in a piratical way.

Shenner snorts and plops down to sit cross-legged on the nearest edge of the 
  bed. "It's _goofy_," she proclaims. "We were comin' to see him anyway!"
Shenner adds sourly, "No reason to stick GUARDS on us, either." And she scowls.

"Maybe they're for our -protection-," Paul notes wryly, his tone indicating 
  that he thinks it is anything but that.

Luke mm's, "I know.. that makes me suspicious. I've been listening in the 
  local taverns for information for a few days now.. keep hearing mention of a 
  criminal group that operates out of the Hotel.. I wonder if Grathix is being 
  upfront with us.." he sighs audibly, looking to each in turn, "Still.. other 
  than stunning Paul, he hasn't tried to harm us."

Shenner frowns. "This town's crawlin' with criminals..." She smirks down at 
  herself. "I used to be one."

Paul nods in agreement. "Yeah, and if I hadn't been stubborn, that probably 
  wouldn't have happened either. I just hate to go to a party if I don't know 
  who the host is, especially on Tatooine," he adds with a nod toward Shen's 
  comment.

Luke nods to Shenner as well, "I grew up here." he says somewhat downcast, "My 
  uncle gave me the whipping of my life the first time I snuck into this town 
  on my own." he smiles inwardly at that before adding, "Well.. I don't know 
  what else we can do besides keep our eyes open, and trust the man. If he was 
  out to nab me he would have tried already." his gaze turns to Paul, "Unless 
  his motive is less than honorable in regards to the artifacts.."

Paul's eyes shift thoughtfully. "Well, like to told you before, the 
  Mandalorians have a strong code of honor ... I would be surprised if Grathix 
  did anything that would bring dishonor onto him." He shrugs slightly then. 
  "Of course, he's an individual, not a representative of his entire species 
  ... I'll have a better idea once I meet him again. Otherwise, I say we trust 
  him, but within reasonable limits."

Luke nods, "That would be the only wise thing to do at this point." his eyes 
  move to Paul's holster, "But keep your eyes open."

Paul glares down at this empty holster, his weapon still being the one thing 
  not in his possession. "Yeah, I'll do that," he notes in annoyance. Then he 
  looks up at Luke and gives the man a reassuring nod. "It'll be fine."

"_We'll_ do that," puts in Shenner.
Shenner crosses her arms, where she sits on the bed, sitting somewhat 
  straighter as if to better aid in reminding the two men of her presence.

Paul glances at the girl and while Luke might catch an uneasy look in his 
  gaze, Shen's back is to him and she misses it.

[The threesome's talk is interrupted, however, by the abrupt arrival of
 Dane Noth...]

Luke is leaning against a dresser, conversing with Paul who is seated on the 
  bed.

Dane_Noth walks in and glances about the room casually, "Everything going 
  okay?"

Paul looks up at Dane Noth, his expression surprised at the entrance, then 
  warily curious.

Luke turns sharply as the door opens, his expression vaguely focused on Pauls 
  reaction. "We're fine.. just wondering if your boss is available."

Shenner looks up as Dane Noth's arrival is heralded by the door's woosh. The 
  girl says gruffly, "Yeah, well, well enough, how come you guys got guar--" 
  But she shuts up as Luke's quieter, calmer voice sounds.

Paul rises slowly and walks toward the two of them, listening intently and 
  watching the Mandalorian.

Luke stands and folds his arms, taking a queue from the young Shenner he asks, 
  "..and why are there guards outside the doors?"

Dane_Noth steps fully into the room, door hiss shut behind him, "I can speak 
  to Grathix and see if he has time to see you." he glances towards the door, 
  "The guards are there to make sure you're not disturbed."

Grathix has arrived.

Paul blinks as Grathix enters the room, but still remains silent.

Luke frowns slightly, glancing at Shenner, then to Dane, "And you expect your 
  guests to be disturbed by people that would need guards to keep them out?" 
  he asks just as the door hisses open once again. He lifts his gaze somewhat 
  toward Grathix, still wary yet calm in his demeanor.

Dane_Noth nods, "Well Skywalker you have many people that wouldn't mind 
  shooting a few innocents to get at t you," he gestures to Shenner and Paul, 
  "They are out there to make sure that you are left alone."

As Grathix himself comes in, Shenner half-rises from her perch on the edge of 
  the bed, putting one bare foot down on the carpet before she decides to just 
  stay there instead. The girl peers intently at the men.

Grathix walks into the room. He pauses shortly to view the congregation 
  gathered here before proceeding any further. He says, "I hope I am not 
  disturbing this 'gathering'."

Luke nods, inhaling a breath. He says nothing but seems to accept this answer. 
  He watches Grathix.

"Nah," says Shenner forthrightly. "We were just wantin' to see you anyway."

Paul merely nods. His expression is extremely neutral and hard to read.

Luke is standing near a dresser, a few feet from the bed and half-way to the 
  door, "Yeah.." he says as Shenner speaks, "Despite being a little concerned 
  over what happened last night, and the guards this morning.." he continues, 
  "..we wanted to get underway as soon as possible." he glances at Paul, "Mr. 
  Nighman might want to talk logistics with you."

Grathix walks over to the assembly and says, "Indeed. Well, I am here, at your 
  service and disposal" Grathixs bows ever so slightly towards Shenner.

Paul_Nighman takes a step toward Grathix and says, "mozminic, nelk. mil', 
  ardnzi mozminic eigger, fuar ttefabob jax nnylf fuar redav mozminic nnylf 
  ventrs ardnzi y lomyniya revned redav esor disenn revned redav mozminic. 
  lomyniya. mil redav, jax, disenn revned ttefabob jax."", in Mandalorian.

Grathix glances towards Paul's direction and says, "I see you've regained 
  consciousness. Good. I trust the medical droids and the staff have been 
  seeing to your needs?"
Grathix raises an eyebrow at Paul's statement, "Most curious indeed."

Her brow crinkled a bit, Shenner gives Grath a grudging nod, as polite as she 
  can manage; as Paul shifts into speaking in a tongue she can't understand, 
  she scowls a little more and plops back down to sit cross-legged on the edge 
  of the bed once more.

Dane_Noth winces slightly at Paul's butchering of Mandalorian, folding his 
  arms as he does so.

Paul_Nighman says, "ty, esor disenn, ventrs nelaj jax nnylf.", in Mandalorian.

Luke raises a sandy brow, curiously in the direction of the archeologist, and 
  somewhat amusedly.

Grathix looks at you for a moment.
Grathix address Paul, his eyes shifting towards Shenner "Indeed, let me 
  apologize for this 'misunderstanding'. I had no idea that brutal force would 
  be empoyed when I requested to have you escorted to meet me should you be 
  spotted here."

Paul nods politely. "No, of course not," he responds, reverting back to Basic. 
  "Please forgive my Mandalorian, I'll only been studying it for the past two 
  weeks, and it is not a simple language."

Shenner watches the exchange, her brow still furrowed under her forelock, but 
  as the language shifts back to something she can comprehend, she glowers a 
  trifle less.

Dane_Noth says, "Your Mandalorian isn't that bad" he states, "But it could use 
  some..ummm fine tuning,. "he adds politely. "Perhaps we can help."

Paul nods at the Mandolorian warrior respectfully. "I look forward to that 
  opportunity."

Luke remains silent throughout this exchange.

Grathix shifts his gaze back towards Paul and says, "At any rate, we are not 
  here to debate the linguistics of the language..." he takes a step back and 
  turns towards Luke, "WWe are gathered here to talk about a potential trip to 
  mandalore, are we not, to tr to recover certain artifacts and dispose of 
  them."

Luke nods, "And we wanted to know, what your intent is with any objects found."

Paul raises an eyebrow at the word "dispose" but otherwise he nods in 
  agreement. "Quite," he replies

Dane_Noth stands silently, helmet tilting toward Grtahix questioning, light 
  playing off of it's cobalt colored vision strip.

Grathix folds his arms behind his back as he slowly paces about the room, 
  "Yes, well, the exact method of disposing of the items will be determined 
  once we know exactly what is in the sanctuary..." He stops and looks at Luke 
  squarely and says, "As I said, that is not a period in our History that the 
  Elders look back upon with great attatchment to."

"I understand." Luke replies softly.

Paul crosses his arms casually over his chest, his eyes intent on Grathix. He 
  nods in response.

Grathix says, "Now then, you, Paul Nighman, are an archaelogist...what do you 
  know about our cultures' lore with reference to this period of the Clone 
  Wars?"

Dane_Noth returns his focus to the room in general, arms still folded he 
  listens patiently.

Grathix waits for Paul to respond and walks ever so slowly towards Luke.

The girl parked on the bed listens, her expression slightly odd -- part 
  general disgruntlement and part intent interest. As Grathix asks Paul to 
  demonstrate his knowledge, Shenner's green gaze flicks with something 
  suspiciously resembling hopeful anticipation to the Corellian.

Luke once again leans against the dresser, arms folded, face unreadable.

Paul cocks his head to one side and takes a deep breath to start. "In short, 
  the Empire found the bio-technology of Mandalore to be the key element in 
  completing their work on creating a force amplification device that would 
  allow a Jedi Knight to become essentially an amplifier ... the device 
  drawing on the life energies in the immediate area in a somewhat unnatural 
  way. The Empire also found the Mandalorian warriors to be far superior than 
  most and made a deal with Mandalore to gain both the use of his warriors in 
  their efforts as well as their hands on the technology." He pauses to take a 
  breath, and then to clarify he adds, "Now you realize that this is merely 
  one theory, and has not be supported by any evidence until very recently?"

Grathix nods slightly perhaps acknowleding the veracity of this information or 
  simply to acknowledge his grasp of what was said. Nonetheless, he asks the 
  obviousy question, "And what new evidence has been recently brought to 
  light?"

Dane_Noth is definitely listening to Paul but his body's movements show little 
  in the way of reaction to anything he says..just interest.

Grathix leans slightly towards Luke and whispers something.

At this question, Paul smiles a little. "I had the good fortune of discovering 
  the research of a Mandalorian historian who died not too long ago. This new 
  evidence confirms the suspicion of a gauntlet prototype device, as well as 
  keys to the wards of entry and notes on what the interior of the sanctuary 
  might be expected to contain."

Luke peers at Grathix, half turns and says something quietly in his direction.

Paul notes the interaction curiously, but makes no comment, waiting instead 
  for Grathix to address him before continuing.

Shenner's regard focuses on Paul, and she listens to him with more than a 
  little surprise -- and admiration -- in her face. Only when Paul ceases to 
  speak does she blink, realizing that something else must have distracted the 
  others, and she hastily rearranges her features into a more neutral 
  expression.

Dane_Noth fixes his gaze on the Jedi and Grathix as if trying to discern what 
  is being spoken between them.

Grathix nods then says, "Well, now, that is interesting news...." his comment 
  perhaps a response to what Luke said, what Paul spoke of, or to both. He 
  coughs slightly then looks to paul and asks, "Where is this historian's work 
  to be found? I would like to see his 'research'. Funny that no mention of 
  that research has ever been cited in the database concerning literature or 
  research of that time period."

Paul gives Grathix a smirk, but it's a respectful smirk. "No, it wouldn't be. 
  The gentleman in question was something of a hermit, and his work more of a 
  hobby than a historian's pursuit ... he never published any of his finds." 
  He gives Grathix a strange look, as if he expected only Grathix would 
  understand when he adds, "It was a personal pursuit."
His expression at the last phrase goes quite serius and respectful.

Frowning slightly to herself, with a look as though half of this conversastion 
  is going right over her head, Shenner props her chin on one knee and wraps 
  her arms about that leg as she listens.

Luke simply listens. His demeanor turning thoughtful as Grathix moves away and 
  begins speaking with Paul.

Grathix nods casually towards Paul. He leans over again towards Luke and 
  whispers something else.

Luke blinks a few times and murmurs something quietly in response.

Grathix turns to Paul oonce more and says, "now then, how fast can we peruse 
  over the content of this man's research. I think we've waisted enough time 
  here dealing with all these misunderstandings."

Paul nods in a professional manner. "With your permission, I would like to go 
  and fetch the relevant pieces of research and rendevous with you or your 
  representative on Mandalore? That will save us both time in the end."

Luke idly listens to the conversation while picking up a glass from the 
  dresser. he holds it contemplatively, distantly, in one hand while peering 
  at it. Occasionally he will look up as something is said that sparks his 
  interest.

Grathix nods, "Agreed. But I would like to send Dane, here, along with you. He 
  will defintiely be able to help you should you come across an obscure 
  references to our culture's history or lore in this man's research..."

Paul turns to consider Dane Noth for a moment. "Agreed, but after something is 
  cleared up between us," and he turns to Dane Noth and takes a few steps 
  toward the man.

Shenner blinks, starting to protest, though she cuts herself off before she 
  begins as long as Paul seems to agree with this.

Dane_Noth looks to Paul, "And what exactly is that Mr. Nighman?" he asks, arms 
  unfolding.

Paul approaches Dane Noth, his hands steepled in a strange looking gesture 
  that only the Mandalorian would recognize as a sign of respect. His thumb 
  and forefinger are touching from hand to hand, creating a teardrop shape 
  that faces Paul at chest level. The rest of his hand is slightly curled, 
  with the middle finger's knuckles touching.
Paul_Nighman's approach is not unknown to Dane - it is one of ancient 
  tradition - a formal exchange made between a defeated warrior to his worthy 
  opponent, something along the lines of the prey and predator honoring their 
  respective positions. Paul straightens and says, "fuar nelaj mozminic eigger 
  fuar ardnzi esor eigger ventrs ardnzi jax eigger ventrs ardnzi esor nnylf 
  mil redav y nelk ventrs.", in Mandalorian.

A clink is heard as the glass Luke was holding slips from his hand to bounce 
  off the corner of the dresser to tumble onto the carpeted floor. He shakes 
  his head blinking in a manner as if an insect just flew into his ear. 
  "Wha..?" he breathes out inwardly.

Dane_Noth seems genuinely surprised at this gesture and replies with a slight 
  bow of his head and says, "You do me a great honor Paul Nighman..I accept 
  your show of honor", in Mandalorian

A spark of pleasure and an expression, as if he was just done a great honor, 
  comes over Paul's face and he bows his head again.
Paul_Nighman says, "y" nelk duomham, ttefabob y nelk mil?", in Mandalorian.

Shenner stares at Paul and Dane Noth -- and then, quite abruptly, at Luke. The 
  girl frowns, finding something oddly familiar about this distracted look the 
  Jedi suddenly has. "Hey, uh, Luke?"

Grathix looks towards luke as he hears the dropping of the glass. "You alright 
  Skywalker?"

Paul cannot help but be distracted from the Mandalorian in front of him and 
  frowns in concern at Luke, his body moving toward the blond man.

Luke rubs between his eyes between forefinger and thumb of a gloved hand, 
  "Yeah.. I'm fine." he half whispers. Inhaling a breath he looks to those 
  around the room, "I've got to leave.." he says distantly.

Dane_Noth states, a definite tone of pride in his voice as he says, "I am Dane 
  Noth, Warrior of Clan D'ael'mor of Mandalore...Son of E'rrik and Grandson of 
  Vordan, decorated warrior of the Death Watch and Veteran of the Clone 
  Wars.", in Mandalorian

Paul turns back to the Mandalorian and takes careful note of the name, nodding 
  respectfully. He then looks back to Luke, his expression only slightly 
  surprised and very concerned.

Grathix nods and motions to the door, "By all means, Skywalker...you are free 
  to come and go here in the Twins Suns as you please. A room wil always be 
  held at the ready for you."

Dane_Noth glances around the room cautiously, his hand dropping near his 
  blaster as he moves to the side of the window. Carefully he looks out for 
  any sign of danger.

Luke stands with purpose now, his features suddenly chiseled from stone, eyes 
  wide. He turns to Paul and Shenner, "It's.. Jess.. she's in danger. I've 
  felt a disturbance." he then turns to Grathix, a slight paling to his 
  cheeks, "I'm sorry I won't be able to travel with you to Mandalore right 
  away. I'll meet you there."

Shenner's eyes go round at Luke's words. "What?! Jessalyn? But..."

Paul's face drains of color and he takes a step toward Luke. "Jessa?" He then 
  pulls himself together and nods brusquely.

Grathix looks at Luke curiously, "Hmmm...I see...well I suppose if this matter 
  you must endevour to resolve cannot be postponed, then by all means 
  proceeed. We will advance our expeditionary teams ahead and await for your 
  arrival there."

Dane_Noth turns to face Grathix and gestures slightly as he says, "I take it I 
  will be on my own on this operation then?", in Mandalorian

Luke turns to Paul, a momentary and nearly infinitesimal shiver overtaking 
  him, "She's alone Paul.." his gaze flicking to Shenner briefly before he 
  turns toward Grathix, "Thanks. Have Paul relay the coordinates to me once 
  you arrive?" he adds while walking to the door.

Grathix nods, "Will do Skywalker, along with any news my friends might find as 
  well."

Paul glances over to his luggage and dashes over to it, digging around until 
  he finds a small data chip. He returns to Luke his hand extending it to him. 
  "She asked me to give this to you, I don't know if it is important or not." 
  His eyes then betray a fraction of anguish and he adds softly, "You gotta 
  find her Luke."

Shenner is on her feet now, and with a clearly torn look, she flashes a glance 
  between Luke and Paul and back again. Then, she says roughly, waving Luke to 
  the door, "Go, please, _go_, and, uh, Force be with yah and all that, okay? 
  Go help her!"

Luke takes the data chip and stares at it for a second before continuing his 
  stride to the door. Once there, he touches the pad and turns to give his 
  friends a lingering glance. "I will." he says succintly and disappears out 
  into the hallway.

Paul turns back from the door, his expression concerned but controlled. He 
  looks up to Grathix. "What else do you need from me, anything?" he asks 
  tersely.

Grathix wayches skywalker proceed out the suite and says, "Ah yes...the ever 
  problematic and troublesome Jesalyn..."

Dane_Noth watches the Jedi go, staying silently he makes a small gesture with 
  his right hand, fingers dancing nimbly.

Luke has left.

Grathix walks over to Dane and says in a low hushed tone.

Paul frowns slightly at the soft comment, but doesn't respond, as it is 
  unfortunately contains more than a nugget of truth.

Grathix says, "disenn duomham ttefabob y nelk duomham ardnzi y nelk fuar 
  redav...", in Mandalorian.

Shenner swallows hard, watching Luke go, and it is with a deeply worried face 
  that she turns back to the others. The youngster abruptly looks very much 
  her age.

Dane_Noth turns to face grathix, leaning down slightly..after hearing his 
  words he nods and says, "I take it it's important.", in Mandalorian

Grathix says, "njard, tknet retals' trebor njard tknet yendor osnonpal 
  sregdor.", in Mandalorian.

Paul walks over to Shenner and sits down casually, but he listens carefully to 
  the Mandalorian, only catching a few words here and there.

Dane_Noth says, "We need to speak on other issues as well before I leave."

Grathix nods in agreement to Dane as he turns to look at his remaining 
  "guests". "NO then, Archaeologist Paul Nighman, do you feel we have anythign 
  furhter to discuss?"

Shenner scoots, ever so slightly, closer to Paul on the bed.

Paul looks up to Grathix and his brow creases thoughtfully. "Just so long as I 
  have the coordinates of where to meet you, and the clearance to enter 
  Mandalorian space, then I see nothing else that we need to discuss at the 
  moment. The rest can wait until we are on Mandalore."

Grathix watches the interaction between Shenner and Paul. His lips curl up in 
  what can best be described as a smirk.

Paul doesn't get the smirk, and cocks his head to one side, oblivious to the 
  fact that Shen just scooted closer to him. "Is there a problem?" he asks 
  politely, instead of "what's your problem?"

Grathix retorts, "There might be...I cannot guarantee your safety on 
  Mandalore."

Paul's eyes then do shift to Shen for a moment before steadily regarding 
  Grathix. "Clarify?" he requests politely.

Shenner says gruffly, "We'll handle it." Her mouth has drawn into a tight, 
  small line.

Grathix looks from Paul to Shenner then to Paul, "Seems 'bukie'...er, Shenner 
  does not share your same concerns Paul."

Dane_Noth glances over to Shenner, "If we have trouble there you will let -me- 
  handle it..or else it may mean your life girl."

Grathix glances over to Dane Noth and nods approvingly.

Paul shifts his gaze to Shen again and then back to Grathix. "Call it 
  experience, or just plain old common sense, but I like to know what the odds 
  are before I go into a situation ... at least when they're a known quantity."

Dane_Noth says, "That's just it..they aren't known..not yet. We must proceed 
  cautiously."

Paul regards Dane for a moment and then nods. "Alright then, no guarantee's of 
  safety ... not like I've ever received any before," he notes lightly. He 
  then looks at Shenner. "You and I are going to have to have a talk." Without 
  waiting for her response he turns back to Dane Noth. "When can you be ready 
  to leave?"

Shenner's face tautens as Noth addresses her. "Hey, pal, I ain't--" Paul's 
  words to her startle her, though, and she frowns at him before grumpily and 
  fumingly shutting up.

Dane_Noth looks to Grathix and then to Paul, "As soon as I've gathered a few 
  things."

Grathix nods to dane.
Grathix says, "disenn, mil nelaj steggun nnylf mil.", in Mandalorian.

Paul nods. "Alright, then I shall meet you in the lobby when we are both 
  ready?" Paul gives Grathix a puzzled look, the main noun of that phrase 
  being completely lost on him.

Dane_Noth nods, "Agreed." and turns to face Grathix, "I must speak with 
  you..alone."

Grathix says, "In the meantime, Please, make yourselves at home and enjoy the 
  hospitality of the Twin Suns...I trust you have not forgoten your stay here 
  last time Bukie."
Grathix begins to walk towards the door and nods knowingly to Dane.

Paul rises then and turns to Shen. "Make sure you've got all your stuff." He 
  then turns back to the two Mandalorians and politely requests, "Ah, our 
  weapons?"

Grathix says, "They await for you at the door with the consierge. anything 
  else?"

Dane_Noth gestures to Grathix on the way out, obviously acknowledging Paul, "I 
  left them with Grathix when I brought you in."

Shenner casts Grathix a slightly less annoyed look. "I ain't forgot," she 
  allows roughly to him. She nods to Paul, and stalks over to inspect her 
  carisak and guitar case where the droid had dropped them the night before. 
  The girl begins methodically searching the carisak.

Paul shakes his head negatively. "No, thank you, I think that will be 
  everything." He gives Grathix the same gesture that he offered to Dane as 
  the man appears to be about to leave.

Dane_Noth exits the room casting a glance back at Paul, "I'll meet you soon."

Grathix looks at Paul as he catches the gesture says, "I accept your gesture, 
  inappropriate as it is.", in Mandalorian. Having said that, Grathix simply 
  turns and walks out of the room.

Dane_Noth has left.

Grathix has left.

Paul watches the two men as they leave, and when they are out the door, his 
  expression grows quite grim and unhappy and he whirls back to the bed and 
  sits down heavily.

Shenner looks up from where she's parked on the floor. Uncertainly, she 
  murmurs, "You... wanted to talk?"

Paul doesn't respond to Shenner's question, or maybe he does as he murmurs in an 
  annoyed tone, "I don't like this ... I don't like this at all," as he stares 
  at the door. Knowing Paul better than many, it's possible that Shen can hear 
  the thin line of worry in his voice.

Shenner rises and pads back to sit down next to her friend, looking intently 
  up at him. "So, uh, tell me?"

Shifting his gaze over to Shen, his eyebrows dip, causing his eyes to narrow 
  with concern and a general strong dislike for the situation. "If I didn't 
  promise myself that I would never strand you again, I have to admit that I'd 
  probably leave you on Corellia with my father," he says in a somewhat tight 
  voice.

Shenner blinks at that, before her face settles into a neutral mask. "Good 
  thing you promised, then, 'cause I said I wanna be with you and I don't care 
  if Grath and his pal wanna make like if you ain't from Mandalore, you ain't 
  got what it takes to handle their planet," she states, bluntly.

Paul flops over backward on the bed and stares at the ceiling and growls, 
  "Shit, well that isn't it really .... you see, Mandalore is a planet in 
  transistion, and there is a good chance that Noth was being completely 
  honest when he said that they wouldn't know what to expect." He sighs 
  deeply. "In fact, if there is anyone in that group I trust, it would be Noth 
  ... he is a Mandalorian warrior with a strong honor code ... he accepted me 
  in honor and trust, and I do not think he will betray us. Grathix on the 
  other hand did not accept my gesture, and that could be because he is not a 
  warrior, or because he does not have a code of honor ... and I don't like 
  the implications of that." He turns to Shen and looks at her, his gaze 
  frankly worried. "I'm concerned for your life Shen."

Shenner's mouth begins to tighten again, into that hard little line. "And I'm 
  worried about yours. You goin' somewhere with this?" Her tone is still 
  forthrightly direct, but something in her eyes suggests that, at least 
  within, she's expecting you're about to tell her something she definitely 
  does not want to hear.

Paul sits up again and regards Shenner soberly. "Okay, let's lay down some 
  rules ... if I tell you to run, you run. If I'm in danger, you do not just 
  dash out and try to save me or something foolish like that - you take a good 
  look at the situation and make an intelligent choice. The key thing here is, 
  if there's a problem, if something goes down badly, if both of us are in the 
  thick of things, then there's no one left to get us out. You need to fight 
  with your head Shen, not with your heart."

Something in those last few words makes Shenner look, for the briefest of 
  moments, somehow... hurt. But she covers it quickly, and replies with a curt 
  nod, "Okay. I can think fast, you oughtta know that by now."

Paul catches the hurt, but doesn't understand where it comes from. He touches 
  her shoulder. "Look, I'm not trying to put you down here, and fast is good, 
  but smart is better." Like yesterday ... he wanted me, not you. He had armor 
  and you had a blaster that probably wouldn't have even made a dent in it. 
  You also did not know that his was set on stun. He could have just as easily 
  killed you after he shot me ... but if you had run, you could have found 
  help. Do you see the difference Shen?" He sighs deeply then, worried that he 
  is not being clear.

"Yeah, and he mighta killed you anyhow 'cause we _are_ in Mos Eisley and this 
  place is like that, and I'da come back with Jeralic and _you'd_ be..." The 
  girl looks away, scowling now. She finishes lowly, "Yeah, I see the 
  difference."

Paul shakes his head. "He wouldn't have killed me, remember? He said that 
  someone wanted to talk to me ... if he had killed me, then he wouldn't have 
  received his bounty." He nods reflectively, "Of course they might have 
  killed me after I was questioned, that much we did not know, but again, what 
  would you have done? Once you were also captured, there wasn't anyway you 
  could have helped me, right?" He frowns in frustration, and all the talk of 
  dying isn't making him feel too good either, like somehow it was putting a 
  jinx on the entire upcoming event.

"Right," Shenner allows, but her voice is still low, and she doesn't look at 
  you.

Paul slides off the bed and crouches by Shen's feet, looking up at her face. 
  "I, I don't know what else to say ... I mean, we have to be a team here, 
  work out some kind of understanding." His face looks strained and he reaches 
  up with one hand to tilt her face towards his. "Shen, I ... I ..." but he 
  doesn't seem to be able to finish.

She lets her face be turned, and when she sees the troubled expression on 
  Paul's, her own begins to melt. But Shen's eyes retain a measure of 
  inexplicable hurt, as she blurts, "Tell me straight... do you want me with 
  yah?"

"You asking my heart or my head?" he queries in a gruff voice.

Shenner answers, just as gruffly, "Whichever one'll tell the truth."

Paul shakes his head and drops his gaze. "Not that simple, they both tell the 
  truth ... and as with most things in life, truth is a paradox."

Shenner swallows a little, then finally says huskily, "If you tell me... you 
  don't want me comin' with yah... I'll deal, but you better tell me now."

Paul's mind is a battleground in a way he has never experienced before. His 
  mind tells him that it would be good to have someone in his corner on this 
  trip, and it also tells him that he will be better on his own - with no 
  worries except for his own hide. His heart tells him that he wants her to 
  come, but screams that if anything should happen to her .... His mind tells 
  him to tell her to go away, and then everything is solved in one fell swoop. 
  His heart tells him that if he does that, it will crush her and he will most
  likely never see her again. He blinks several times rapidly, struggling to
  force the two halves to mesh, but like reversed magnets, the adamantly push
  away from one another. His body offers a different solution and without
  thinking Paul rises to his knees and drags Shen against him in a fierce and 
  passionate hug. "Damn, Shen, don't do this to me," he murmurs brokenly 
  against her hair.

A small gasp from Shenner, before the girl wraps her arms around Paul's frame 
  and clings there, tightly. "Please don't make me leave, Paul," she pleads in 
  a whisper into his shoulder. "Teach me how to help -- so I don't do nothin' 
  stupid -- anything -- please just don't make me leave?"

Her words rip at his soul and tear at his heart. He tightens his grip on her 
  and makes the biggest mistake he could possibly make. "I won't, I won't 
  leave you, I promise," he breathes into her ear, helpless to offer her 
  anything less as her words break open both new ground and old wounds. He 
  then makes his second biggest mistake by drawing away from her slightly and 
  sealing the promise with a kiss.

Kissed, Shenner gasps again, before reaching up instinctively with one arm, 
  trying to loop it around Paul's neck, to draw his head closer down to her. 
  With her other arm she holds him as close to her as she can, while inwardly 
  moving from overwhelming relief at the impassioned promise, to shock that it 
  was actually uttered, then at last to awkward, but eager, response to the 
  kiss.

Paul allows his head to be dragged closer, his body pulled between her legs 
  till he is pressed against the bed and her lithe form. He unconsciously 
  deepens the kiss at her response, but as he registers her desperate and 
  eager response, he softens, easing his grip on her and rubbing her back in 
  long soothing strokes. The kiss also gentles, becoming more tender and 
  affectionate than anything else before he carefully tries to draw away.

Shenner lets Paul pull back, though her arms remain curled around him; her 
  face, then, can be seen to hold a veritable tangle of expressions, foremost 
  within them a shy but unmistakable need.

Paul leans his forehead against hers for a moment and closes his eyes, as her 
  expression wreaks havoc with the all of the hormones he thought he'd put in 
  their place the previous night. He starts to open his mouth to say 
  something, but doesn't trust what might pop out, so instead he shuts it and 
  stays where he is, his hands dropping to rest at her waist.

For her part, Shenner isn't exactly sure she isn't dreaming. Astonishing 
  enough that she'd slept the night with Paul in her arms; now, holding him 
  again, she whispers fervently, "I'll make yah proud of me... I swear!"

Paul takes a fortifying breath and drawing away from her gently, but firmly he 
  smiles into her face. "I'll hold you to that," he says wryly. He then 
  settles back on his heels and just sits there for a moment. "I need to talk 
  to Jeralic, and we need to do some shopping," he notes distractedly. He 
  looks up at Shen again and then finishes, "And we will talk about this some 
  more."

The girl nods steadily, her features set now into a serious and businesslike 
  expression -- save for the glow in her eyes. "Okay," comes her answer, in a 
  tone that suggests she's just _barely_ keeping herself from gushing the word 
  instead of merely speaking it.

"Good" is his reply to both her assent and her improved attitude. Walking over 
  to his luggage, he pulls out his datapad and pulls up a list of contacts and 
  arms dealers that he knows on Tatooine. He starts placing orders and making 
  discreet inquiries to them. He wanders back to Shen as he is doing this and 
  sits next to her on the bed before looking up and grinning at her a little 
  fiendishly. "Alright, lets do some shopping, shall we?" he suggests with a 
  small wink.

[End log.]