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With slowed caution, Claire slowly stoops down to place a glass filled with black liquid in front of you and her own cocktail of tropical explosion on the table, struggling with her diminished balance robbed by the night of downing drink after drink. She makes it without spilling a drop and slips into the chair beside you. Vila is not as lucky, stumbling as she attempts to put both glasses down on the table; misjudging the distance, she spills Luke’s drink into his lap. Luke’s tired, half-closed eyes jolt wide awake as the cold liquid splashes through his trousers and soaks his crotch.
At the sight, you let out a loud cackle, which is subsumed by the loud music. Your hand pounds the table as you continue to laugh; uncharacteristically, Claire joins in with a slight giggle hidden under a hand. Meanwhile, Vila somehow looks more shocked than Luke at the drink poured into his lap. He begins to press down against the moist fabric, ineffectually trying to ring the water from the cloth. Vila says something to him; it is something that is lost to the overpowering music, and takes him by the hand, dragging him towards the toilets. She gives the pair of you a wave, and you swear you just saw her wink, but you realise it probably isn’t the best thing to trust your senses in this state.
Claire turns around to you as the pair disappear into a bathroom; she is wearing a beautiful, rare smile that suits her so well, one you hope to see more of in the future. Sitting right next to you, she says something which you miss, overpowered by the speaker system. You reply with a shrug, pointing to your ears, trying to mime the meaning as you take your drink into your hand. A frown appears on Claire’s face, and she scoots her chair right up to yours, leaning into you, talking into your ear.
“I think I am slightly drunk,” Claire tells you with her lips gently, clumsily brushing your ear.
Turning to speak into Claire’s, “I think we all are, especially Vila. Is it me or did she wink as she was taking Luke into the toilets?”
“No, I didn’t see her wink at all.” Quickly changing the direction of the conversation. “This is the first time I’ve been to a place like this, and had anything more than a glass of wine.”
“Ha, well, you’ve kept up, but I think this should be our last. But it is nice to see you smiling and being more open, you know? Tell me about yourself; who is the real Claire?”
“Well, I kinda struggle with… people and expressing myself. Well, I’m not too interesting for a space wizard; I like books, I like being a Jedi, and I love the Force. But I can tell you a secret if you want to know?”
“Sure,” You reply and drink from your glass, not even able to taste the alcohol in the whiskey anymore, just the sweetness of the mixer.