The Lost Bet

Two very large humanoids stood guard in front of the entrance to the notorious tapcaf Odyssey. Situated in the most ominous parts of the lower levels of Coruscant, the guests venturing in and out of the club were, among other things, the most feared, the most hated or the wealthiest of the planet.

Therefore, the Jedi and their friend sitting in the back within the shadows fit in perfectly.

Jedi Master Corran Horn leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs. He had his arms folded, holding a small glass filled with Corellian ale in his hand and precariously balancing it on his chest. The expression on his face was one of boredom as he swept the bar with hooded eyes. Odyssey was packed with various beings, ranging from Humans to Twi’lek, from Rodians to Deveronians and Corran was sure he had seen an Ewok running around the place when he had arrived.

He dismissed the thought before his mind wandered to the question as to why an Ewok would want to be in an establishment such as this…

Next to Corran sat Jedi Knight Zekk. Green eyes took in the surroundings but always halting on the stage to their right. Three beautiful women danced their way up and down a pole, swaying their hips seductively, wearing not much more than skimpy bathing suits and stilettos. Zekk’s smile spread into a smirk as one of the women crooked a finger at him, gesturing for him to join her.

He did not, of course. However, going by the look on his face, he would have gladly obliged.

Jagged Fel slumped in his chair, nursing his nearly empty glass. It was obvious the young man was bored and no doubt, his thoughts contained only Jaina Solo.

Nevertheless, this was a guys’ night out and Jag had sworn not to mention his woman for the entire evening. As his companions did, he scanned the area, rather surprised that he had agreed on coming here in the first place. It was a very different sort of establishment, a place he would normally avoid.

“Why are we here again?” he asked in a low voice, raising his dark brows as he caught sight of a couple “having fun” in the far corner of the club.

“Because Kyp lost a bet.” Corran said, downing his drink.

Kyp Durron scowled at the older man, “I did not lose the bet.”

“Yes you did!” Corran sat up and laughed, “You lost. Moreover, Jag and Zekk were there to see you lose. So now, you pay up. You’re not backing out are you?”
Kyp snorted, “I don’t back out of anything, Horn.”

“Good.” Corran turned around halfway and gestured for the waitress to bring him yet another ale. Corran, at least, seemed to be having a good time. Almost gleefully, he waited for Kyp to set foot on that stage and give it his best. “At least it’s up to you. I’m sure the ladies would love to see you strip.”

Zekk laughed and Jag chuckled, “You should be glad the media doesn’t come out this far, Kyp. It’ll be fun.”

“I’ll trade you.” Kyp said, giving Jag a side long-glance.

Jag shook his head, “You go on. I wouldn’t want to steal your show.”

The waitress walked towards their table, leaning forward to set another full glass of ale in front of Corran. There was no avoiding the looks her cleavage attracted and she smiled sweetly, “Anything else I can get you boys?”

Corran nodded once and she leaned even lower so he could whisper in her ear. Kyp watched as her hand snaked around his neck and he wondered what Mirax would do if she ever found out about the waitress touching her husband.

The waitress straightened up and shifted her gaze towards Kyp instead. The Jedi Master felt suddenly very…naked. It seemed like she was undressing him in her mind and Kyp felt unnerved by it. Not that she was not attractive – long legs met with curvy hips and she had a very feminine body – but still she was not exactly his type.

“So you’re up next, huh?” she asked as she came closer, again leaning forward so Kyp could hear her better, “Follow me to the back, hon.”

Her words held a definite double meaning but Kyp swallowed a retort and instead glared at Corran, “I will get you for this, Horn.”

Corran laughed, “Looking forward to it, Kyp. Now go. Your fans are waiting.” He rested his elbows on the table and laid his head onto his folded hands, smiling sweetly.

The waitress grabbed Kyp’s elbow and pulled him through a barely visible door. He found himself in a long, dim lit hallway leading to a large dressing room. As the waitress opened the door, Kyp stopped and cleared his throat, averting his gaze.
The dancers from the stage stood in various stages of undress, smiling at him with twinkling eyes. The waitress pulled him further into the dressing room until they walked through yet another door to an adjoining room with racks hanging full with clothing.

“We need to get you something different to wear.” She said, wiping her hands on her very short mini skirt before skimming through the clothes on hangers, “My name’s Nevin, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Nevin.” In the light of the dressing room, Kyp had to admit she was a beautiful woman. Still something about her bothered him but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

“Here.” She thrust a small pile of clothes into his arms and smiled up at him, “These should fit. I’m pretty sure I got your size right.” She eyed him from head to toe, taking a step to the side to take a long look at his derriere, “I hope the pants are too tight.”

Kyp gave her an arched look but didn’t comment.

“Oh and be sure to open your hair.” Nevin shook her head and stepped closer, “Or better yet, let me do it.” She reached up, resting her arms on his shoulders as her fingers gently opened the leather thong with which Kyp always bound his dark hair together. Nevin took her time with the Jedi, her smile alluring.

When his hair touched his shoulders, she stepped back holding the leather band in her hand, twirling it around her finger. “So much better.” She sighed, “My, my, you are one handsome man. The girls are going to go crazy when they see you on stage.”
Kyp sighed and cursed Corran.

“Well, go on then. Get dressed.”

He chuckled, despite his ever-growing foul mood, “How about you leave first?”
“Oh come on! Just a peak?”

“No peak.”

Nevin sighed melodramatically and shrugged, “Fine. I’ll be waiting outside.” She walked passed him but turned around once more to take in his lean body. She smacked her lips before she left him alone to get ready for the most embarrassing show of his life.

He was certain of it.

*********

The lights around the club dimmed and the dancers suddenly bolted off the stage. Corran turned his gaze upward and felt a laugh surface. He was thankful it was Kyp who would be doing whatever he chose to do to fulfill his part of the bargain.
“You think he’ll mess up, don’t you?” Zekk asked, leaning closer.

Corran shrugged, “Maybe.”

Jag snorted, “In the few years I’ve known Kyp, I’ve realized not to underestimate him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually pulls this off.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.” Corran said, grasping his glass in his hand and nipping at it. Within the past few minutes, more people had ventured into the club, crowding near the entrance. It seemed the place was packed, almost bursting from its seams.

It was suddenly completely dark as the lights were shut off and for only a few seconds the place was eerily quiet. Soft music started and when the lights shone back onto the stage, Kyp stood leaning against the pole the women had previously danced around. His hair was open, hanging to his shoulders in dark wavy curls and instead of his casual earth-colored attire, he now wore tight fitting black pants and a long-sleeved silky black shirt.

He seemed so elegant as he stood there, smirking down at his friends who gaped at him in shock. As the music grew louder, Kyp lifted a mic to his lips and began singing in a dark, deep and very sensual voice.

The club grew quiet yet again as they watched the Jedi Master on stage, listening as he sang a song that – little did they know – fit him perfectly. He moved away from the pole in agonizingly slow steps and a wide smile spread on his face at the shocked expressions on his friends’ faces.

“Holy hell.” Zekk whispered.

“I told you so!” Jag laughed triumphantly, the ale already fuzzing up his mind.
Corran was speechless. Kyp could sing – something no one had suspected. This whole escapade had been to embarrass the Jedi Knight for being cocky, stuck up and arrogant but it seemed this would only make his ego grow even more unbearable.

Corran groaned and shook his head. Even he had to admit it sounded good and Kyp made a good figure on stage.

However, what caught him completely off guard were the women suddenly standing up and moving towards the front of the stage. They cheered, clapped, and whistled.

“Hey look at that. He already has a fan club.” Zekk said with a laugh, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he watched Kyp crouch down and pull one of the ladies onto the stage. She stood before him, swaying her hips in tune with music, laughing as Kyp pulled her closer by encircling her waist with his arm.

He danced with her, not once missing a note as he sang on; the woman smiled seductively, her fingers trailing up his chest and opening the first few buttons of his shirt. Kyp didn’t seem to mind – on the contrary. His smile brightened and he pulled her closer. For a moment, it seemed he sang only for her, moving their bodies to the rhythm of the song.

“How come he gets the girl?” Zekk asked in a whiny voice.

“Then go up there and join him and you might get a girl, too.” Corran answered, shaking his head.

“I can’t sing.”

Kyp let go of the woman as the song slowly ended and she jumped from the stage, blowing him a kiss. Kyp winked at her, smiled and was utterly surprised as something pink suddenly hit the stage.

He laughed instead of concentrating on the song as he realized one of the women had thrown up her bra.

Zekk gaped in horror, “I need to learn how to sing!”

Jag laughed at him and Corran shook his head. “You are desperate, aren’t you Zekk?”
The music cut off and the club was bathed in darkness once more. The women yelled and screamed for an encore and to Corran’s surprise, Kyp actually gave one.

He shook his head and laughed – Kyp definitely never backed down. The younger Jedi stood on stage almost an entire hour before he returned to their table with a beaming smile on his face. Talking was not an option, since his newfound fans started asking questions all at the same time. A few of them were even interested in Zekk, which made him grin boyishly.

Jag conversed politely but kept his hands to himself and Corran did the same. But after what seemed like hours, Corran got to his feet and excused himself.

Surprisingly so did Jag and since Zekk didn’t feel like staying behind alone, he decided to accompany his friends back home.

“You coming?” Corran asked Kyp, who laughed at something one of the women had said. She sat on his lap, one arm laid across his shoulder.

“I think I’ll be staying a while longer.”

Corran rolled his eyes and headed towards the exit.

“Hey, Horn.” He turned and arched a brow, “You’re up next, remember that.”

Corran waved the remark away as he turned around with a smile. Yes, Kyp never backed down from a challenge.