Drinking with Canards Author Psykorabbit2000 Scene 1 Near Kinjite’s house, Atlantis YOUNDER ALLURA is sitting on a cliff, overlooking the beach. She watched the young kittens running along the beach and she could hear the laughter as they played. She remembered her childhood. All the times her dad played with her and her mom would read to her. She lowered her head and sighed. The one thing missing from her childhood was friends. She had missed out on slumber parties and birthday parties. Gone was the childish talk about boys with other girls. Gone was the experience of the youthful curiosity. She was now fifteen and by Atlantean Law, she was an adult. A young adult, but still an adult. Younger Allura (quietly) ”I grew up to fast.” She looked up as she heard a sound above her and caught sight of the Valkyrie coming in low over the cliff. She waved at it, as it passed. As it approached the Palace, Younger Allura stood up and sighed again. Grey flames wrapped around her and she vanished. At the Palace FIRST MATE JENNY and CAPTAIN BUCKY O’HARE walked out on the lading area. OLDER ALLURA and her husband ANDREW approached them. They saluted sharply. Jenny smiled and stepped forward, hugging Older Allura tightly. Jenny (stepping back) ”It is good to see you again, Allura. How are your kittens doings?” Allura (smiling) ”Pawfuls, trust me.” Andrew rolled his eyes and nodded in agreement. Suddenly a pillar of grey flames appeared and Younger Allua stepped out. She still had a sad expression on her face, but managed a smile at Bucky and Jenny. Bucky (raising an eyebrow) ”What’s wrong, Lura?” Younger Allura looked up at her nickname and shrugged. Jenny crossed her arms and studied her. Jenny (firmly) ”What’s eating at you?” Younger Allura (quietly) ”Just realizing how much I missed out on, because of the things I was exposed to growing up.” DEAD EYE was walking out and stopped when he heard Younger Allura. He looked at her and sighed. He knew what she was going through and pitied her. Suddenly he got an idea and listened to the conversation as it continued. Younger Allura (to Jenny and Bucky) ”How long are you going to be on Atlantis?” Bucky (thinking for a second) ”A few days. Fritz wants us to talk with the Royal Family about setting up a training camp on a nearby planet. He wants us to go over the details.” That confirmed it for Dead Eye and he walked up. Dead Eye (cheerfully) ”Hey Lur’! Why the long face?” He ruffed up her hair a little and smiled at her. She glared at him and straightened out her hair. Older Allura smiled. Dead Eye was the only mammal, other than family, who could get away with doing that to Younger Allura and not get his beak smashed in. Older Allura turned to Bucky and Jenny. Older Allura (smiling) ”Of course, as always, you are more than welcome to stay in our house. We have the room.” Jenny nodded and looked up as King Hwang approached. Scene 2 Kinjite’s House, that evening Younger Allura was sitting on the back porch, watching the moonrise. Jenny walked out and sat beside her. Jenny (quietly) ”You want to talk about it?” Younger Allura (quietly) ”Mom, Dad, and I use to sit here every night and watch the moonrise over the Psiren Mountains there.” (wipes a tear away and looks at Jenny) ”Does the pain ever go away, Jenny?” Jenny gently puts an arm around Younger Allura’s shoulders and drew her into a gentle hug. Jenny (quietly) ”Not really, kitten. You just get use to it and learn to accept it.” Younger Allura curled up against Jenny as tears ran down her cheek. Younger Allura (quietly) ”I wish Dad would come home.” Jenny (gently stroking her hair) ”Lance is hurting to, Allura. It tears him apart to even think of Atlantis anymore.” Younger Allura nodded gently and sniffed as the tears ran down her cheek. Inside the house Dead Eye, Bucky, Older Allura, and Andrew were in the kitchen. Dead Eye glanced over and could see the two outside. He turned back to Older Allura. Dead Eye (quietly) ”She is still taking it hard?” Older Allura (nodding) ”This was the first real loss she has had. Everything else was close calls or temporary. Mom is permanently dead and she knows it.” Bucky nodded and sighed. Bucky (quietly) ”A lot of lives were lost that day, but Ayami’s loss hit more people than the others seem to.” (looks at Older Allura and Andrew) ”How are you two holding up?” Older Allura (shrugging) ”Due to my real dad, I was exposed to death a lot and saw my mother and varying versions of my mother die, repeatedly. I kind of got use to it and became numb to it. Andrew (nodding) ”And where I come from, death is part of life. Including the death of loved ones. My race usually feeds on our kind at times for greater strength, so I too am use to it.” Dead Eye leaned forward with glint in his eye. Dead Eye (smiling) ”I got me a plan to help the poor lass and put a smile on her face.” (he looked at Older Allura) ”I just need yer permission to do it.” Older Allura raised an eyebrow in intrigue and waited for him to continue. Scene 3 Landing Pad, Atlantis Dead Eye steps out of the Valkeyrie as the Toad Croaker was lowered. Jenny, Younger Allura, and Older Allura are standing nearby. Younger Allura is wearing a suit designed to handle a vacuum and a helmet is tucked under her arm. Older Allura has a paw on her shoulder and Jenny is staring at Dead Eye. Jenny (serious) ”Are you sure about this Dead Eye?” Dead Eye (nodding) ”As sure as I’ve been ever before, Jenny.” Jenny (rolling her eyes) ”Coming from a Corsair, that isn’t much comfort.” Older Allura smirked and looked at Younger Allura. Older Allura (gently) ”Just go and have some fun, Lura. Dead Eye says he has some friends who can help out and should lighten your spirits some.” (she looks at Dead Eye and her eyes narrow) ”Any harm to her and you will be a plucked *dead* duck. Understand?” Dead swallowed and nodded quickly. He hopped onto the Toad Croaker and pulled his helmet on. He motioned for Younger Allura and she climbed on behind him. With a roar of thrusters, the Croaker shot into the atmosphere and soon vanished. Jenny and Older Allura watched until it was gone. Jenny looked at Older Allurta. Jenny (quietly) ”I can’t believe you are trusting him this much.” Older Allura (shrugging) ”If he messes up, she’ll kill him.” With that they turned and walked towards the Palace. On the Croaker Dead Eye smiled as he opened the thrusters all the way, making the Croaker streak through space. He looked over his shoulder at Younger Allura. Dead Eye (smiling) ”Hope ye are in for some fun, Lur’. I’ve got me some mates who know how to have fun!” Younger Allura (half heartedly) ”Sure, whatever Dead Eye.” Dead Eye just chuckled. Younger Allura didn’t know who his friends were. Truth be told, she didn’t know much of his past. All she knew was he was part of the UAC fleet and worked with Bucky. Nothing about before that. Dead Eye (thinking) Scene 4 Corsair Bar, Rigel 7 BLACK BEAK and RED Jack are sitting at a table with a mug of swamp grass in their hands. Off to a side is LANELL. All three look up and across the crowded bar as the doors open. Dead Eye walks in, followed by Younger Allura, whose head is still hanging down. Red Jack (raising an eyebrow) ”What be that blasted duck up to now?” Black Beak (studying Younger Allura) ”Aye, why does he bring an Aldebaran here?” Lanell keeps quiet, watching them move towards the table. Her eyes study Younger Allura and her eyes fall on a necklace she is wearing. On the necklace is the symbol of Kinjite’s lineage and her eye widen. Lanell (whispering) ”Ill be a sunken sailor! She is *his* daughter?” Dead Eye arrives at the table and slaps a hand on both Red Jack and Black Beak’s shoulders. Dead Eye (cheerfully) ”Me mates! How are things?” Younger Allura raises her head and realizes their in a bar. She looks around and notices the clothing of most of the occupants. Red Jack (watching her) ”Been fine. Who she?” Younger Allura quickly looks at the table and realizes that he is pointing at her. Dead Eye smiles and reaches back to her with a hand. He gently pulls her forward. Dead Eye (smiling) ”Mates, this here be Allura. She is a friend of mine who needs a smile on her face right now.” Black Beak (nodding) ”Aye, we can see that, but since when did you have an Aldebaran friend, beside ye’re pilot?” Younger Allura (quietly) ”I’m not an Aldebaran. I’m an Atlantean.” Red Jack and Black Beak both looked confused and then turn to Lanell. Black Beak (confused) ”Atlantean? Their real?” Lanell nodded and stepped around the table, stopping in front of Younger Allura, smiling. Lanell (smiling) ”Aye, they be real.” (she kicks Black Beak’s chair) “And show a bit of respect to this lass. She be the daughter of the craziest feline I’ve ever met as well!” Red Jack scratches his beak confused and Black Beak raises an eyebrow. Red Jack (curious) ”And who is that?” Lanell (putting an arm around Younger Allura’s shoulder) ”This young lass be the daughter of Kinjite of Aldebaran *and* Atlantis!” Black Beak was about to take a swallow when Lanell said what she did. He spit the entire mouthful and hit Red Jack in the face. Black Beak spun around stared at Younger Allura in shock. Black Beak (stunned) ”You be the daughter of that crazy cat!” Younger Allura raised an eyebrow at the reaction and nodded meekly. Younger Allura (slightly worried) ”Why do you call him crazy?” Red Jack (wiping his face off) ”That frelling cat took on Regens with not a weapon in his paw!” Black Beak (nodding) ”He even dove from air lock to air lock, through empty space, to wage that battle!” (looks at Red Jack) ”Sorry matey.” Lanel (smiling at Allura) ”You’re dad has become a legend among the Corsairs. He be on of the gutsiest cats we have ever met, lass. Why I remember when he floored a Betelgusian who spilled a drink on him.” (a mischievous glint showed in her eyes) ”Plus I know several lasses who would love to spend time testing him out as well.” Dead Eye pulled up a few extra chairs and Lanell offered on to Younger Allura. She sat quietly, as she looked at the small group. She noticed a few others had heard the outburst and was either looking at her or whispering to others. Dead Eye sat a large mug in front of her. Dead Eye (smiling) ”Drink up lass and relax. Ye be among friends here.” Lanell (looking at Dead Eye) ”Dead Eye, ye know children don’t drink here!” Dead Eye (nodding) ”Aye, I know. On Atlantis, she be an adult now.” (looks at Alluar) ”And here, Corsairs toss back the Grass and relax. Be us adults or kids, we are all the same and have fun, for we may die on the next plunder!” He raised his mug and took a large swallow. Younger Allura grabbed the mug with both hands, due to the fact she had small hands and it was a big mug. She looked in it and saw the grayish green liquid. The smell was terrible and she saw chunks of something floating in it. She looked up and saw Red Jack nod at her. Younger Alluar (with a shrug) ”What the hell.” She raised the mug and took a large swallow. Dead Eye (nodding) ”Aye lass, that be our motto.” The mug came down quickly and a mouthful shot across the table, hitting Black Beak square in the face. Younger Allura (gagging) ”This stuff taste like crap!” Lanell (smiling) ”Ye’ll get use to it.” (looks at Black Beak) ”Nice shot.” Scene 5 Kinjite’s House, Atlantis Andrew came down the stairs and sat on the couch beside Older Allura. Older Allura (smiling) ”FInaly got them to bed?” Andrew sighed and rolled his eyes. Andrew (mock anger) ”I am going to kill Lura for introducing them to caffeine.” Older Allura laughed and kissed him on the cheek. Jenny walked in from the kitchen and sat in a chair. Jenny (smiling) ”Speaking her, I wonder how things are going. Any word from either of them?” Older Allura (shaking her head) ”Not since they left this morning. I hope Dead Eye’s plan works though. Lura could use a smile on her face again.” Jenny (nodding) ”Im sure Dead Eye will get her to smile again. Just hope she doesn’t get alcohol poisoning in the process.” Older Allura and Andrew both nod in agreement. Older Allura (smiling evilly ) ”Oh, if it manages to get that far, I feel sorry for everyone else.” Jenny raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Scene 6 Corsair bar, Rigel 7 There are several empty mugs all around the table and everyone has a full one in their hands Black Beak is thoroughly smashed, as is Red Jack and a few others. Dead Eye is still managing to sit in his chair, while using his lower arms for support. Lanell is a little tipsy, but holding her own and Younger Allura has a good buzz going. She lowers her mug and hiccups slightly. Lanell looks at her and at everyone else. Lanell (smirking) ”Funny, ye didn’t hit me as the drinking type, Lura.” Younger Allura (hiccupping again) ”I’m not. This is (hic) my first time drinking. (hic)” Dead Eye turned and looked at her. In the process, his eye went crossed and he fell on the table, with a thump as the side of his head slammed into the table.. Dead Eye (thoroughly drunk) ”How (hic) can you just drink (hic) like that? Mug for (hic) mug?” Younger Allura hiccupped and shrug. She was about to say something when a young Corsair stepped up to the table, smiling at her. Young Corsair (blushing) ”Fancy a dance for a special guest?” Younger Allura blushed. She had to admit, the young male Canard was attractive/ She nodded bashfully and stood up awkwardly. She ended up stumbling forward and into the Canard’s arms. He held her while she got her balance. Younger ALluar looked up and into his eyes. Younger Allura (lost in his eyes) ”You’ve got lovely eyes. What’s your name?” Young Canard (smiling) ”Alexander Sea Eyes. It is an honor to meet you.” Younger Allura smiled and ended up draping her arms around him for balance, as they walked out to the opening and the music picked up. They began dancing slowly, to match the beat of the music. Lanell and Dead Eye watched her, though Dead Eye did it with his head on the table. Lanell (smiling) ”Aye, she won’t wake up along in the morning.” Scene 7 Kinjite’s house, Atlantis Older Allura woke up and looked out the window at the rising sun. It didn’t seem right without Younger Allura sitting on the cliff watching it rise. Older Allura slipped her robe on and walked out the room. She headed down the stairs in the silent house. The kittens were still sleeping as was Andrew. She walked into the kitchen and found Jenny sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. She looked like she just woke up. Jenny (sleepily) ”Morning.” Older Allura nodded as she poured herself a cup and sat down across from Jenny. Older Allura (sighing) ”It came to early.” Jenny chuckled and looked at her. Jenny (smiling) ”I know you put on a front for Andrew and Lura, but how are you doing?” Older Allura (quietly) ”Can’t lie to an Aldebaran can I?” (she took a sip) ”You’re right though. It has weighed on me a lot. I miss Dad and Mom. I miss Dad more, because I know he isn’t dead and is hurting as much as we are, if not more.” Jenny nodded and took a sip. Jenny (quietly) Queen Katrina is doing all she can to help him recover, but it seems he has just given up. The flames of his spirit went out when she died.” Older Allura nodded and wiped her eyes. Jenny (looking at her) ”He did ask me to tell you and the others he is surviving and hopefully will return. It is just going to take time.” Older Allura (nodding) ”I know. At least he hasn’t returned to the World of Darkness, so there is still hope.” Jenny nodded silently, knowing details Older Allura didn’t. Kinjite had returned to the World of Darkness a few times, but always came back. He returned there, when the memories were too much. Jenny took a sip and her ears twitched as she heard a stifled giggle. She looked out the corner of her eye and saw two pairs of eyes peering out of a shadow. She nodded once and smiled. Older Allura didn’t even have time to react, as her kittens suddenly tackled her from behind. Scene 8 Corsair Bar, next morning Younger Allura slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She was in a plush comfortable bed, that had rich lavender silk curtains hanging from the canopy above. The sheets where a dark lavender and made from silk as well. She laid there and ran her fingers along it, feeling the smoothness of it. Younger Allura (thinking) She looked over and saw Alexander sleeping beside her and she couldn’t help but smile. She curled up beside him and sighed happily. Later that day, Dead Eye was sitting at the table, with his head in two of his hands. Lanell was sitting across from him and looked like she had a head ache as well. Lanell (whimpering) ”Dead Eye, remind me to never drink with an Atlantean again.” Dead Eye (groaning) ”I thought we could out drink her. She is a light weight compared to us.” Lanell (glaring at him) ”Maybe in weight!” They both gasped and clutched their heads tighter. Dead Eye (whimpering) ”Where’s Red Jack and BlackBeak?” Lanell (quietly) ”Infirmary. Alcohol poison.” Just then the doors swung open with a bang on the walls and Younger Allura bounced them, merrily. She dropped in a chair between Dead Eye and Lanell. Younger Allura (loudly and cheerfully) ”Morning! How do we feel today?!” Both Canards just fell over in pain. Scene 9 Corsair Launch Bay Dead Eye had just finished preparing the Croaker and was sitting on it, waiting for Younger Allura. She was over talking with Alexander before leaving. Alexander (gently) ”Are ye sure ye want to go back? Ye could travel with me.” Younger Allura (quietly) ”My duty is to my planet and its goddesses.” (she looked at him) ”I want to stay, but I can’t.” Alexander nodded and hugged her. Alexander (in her ear) ”Then at least stay in touch then. Maybe we can get some time together.” Younger Allura (nodding) “I will and you do the same.” (she got a mischievous look in her eyes and gently nipped Alexander’s ear) “I better not hear of you chasing any other lasses either.” Alexander laughed and hugged her tightly. Alexander (letting go finally) ”I won’t, I promise.” Younger Allura nodded and suddenly kissed blatantly in public. Younger Allura (as she drew away) ”I love you.” With that, she turned and headed towards the Croaker. Alexander watched her silently. Lanell walked up and smacked him the back of the head. Lanell (sharply) ”Say it stupid!” Alexander smirked and turned to look at Younger Allura. She was looking at him and smiled at him. He nodded and she nodded back. They knew it each felt it without saying it. Younger Allura climbed onto the Croaker and went to put her helmet on. A small note slipped out into her paw and she raised an eyebrow. She opened it and quickly read it. She looked at Alexander and he blushed. She blew him a quick kiss and slipped her helmet on. The Croaker rocketed off into space and quickly disappeared. Alexander smiled and turned to leave, but Lanell grabbed him. Lanell (irritated) ”Why didn’t ye say it?” Alexander (smiling) “And who says I didn’t?” With that he walked off, whistling. Scene 10 Kinjite’s house, Atlantis Older Allura and Jenny are sitting in the kitchen, when Younger Alluar and Dead Eye walked in. Older Allura (looking up) ”How was it?” Younger Allura walked up and dropped into a chair with a large smile. She put her feet up on the table and tipped the chair back. Younger Allura (happily) ”As smooth as silk.” All three looked at each other and then back at Younger Allura. Older Allura looked at Dead Eye with a raised eyebrow. Older Allura (curious) ”What happened?” Dead Eye scratched the back of his head embarrassed and looked down. Dead Eye (meekly) ”Somehow, she drank myself and three of my mates under the table and then disappeared with a young Corsair. She showed up this morning while I was recovering from the hangover.” Jenny looked at him shocked and Older Allura fell over laughing. Dead Eye (looking at Older Allura) ”What?” Older Allura finally caught her breath and sat back in the chair. Older Allura (laughing slightly) ”Atlanteans have a natural resistance to toxins and poisons. Swamp Grass is considered a toxin due to what is in it. She has a naturally high resistance to its effects, so it takes almost five times as much to affect her.” Younger Allura smiled brightly and looked at Dead Eye. Younger Allura (smiling brightly) ”When can we go back to Rigel 7, Dead Eye? There is a young Canard I want to have a few pints with.” Jenny just shook her head and sighed. Jenny (smiling) ”Poor guy is going to end up pickled before that night is over.” Younger Allura just smiled and rocked back and forth in the chair happily. THE END