Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy 2014 and 2013 Year in Review



Another year is gone.  I know things have been somewhat slow around here but if you look back at prior years the cycle is fairly normal.  So let's see what happened in the blog in 2013.

Back in January we had what at this point have turned out to be our last EU book reviews.  This is something I think at some point we'd like to bring back, but it had gotten a little overwhelming at first.  I'll admit I was looking forward to having an excuse to read the New Jedi Order again and finding some good Han and Leia moments in there that I'd forgotten about. 

Also early in the year we were pretty much challenge crazy.  Valentines Day challenges, a few personal challenges and lots of mushy stories to go with them.  Go back and read a few if you're missing new posts here :)

We celebrated the blog's second anniversary and spent lots of time speculating on what Episode VII will bring us.  Whether or not the big three would be back, what time frame we'd be looking at.  Amazingly, in the entire year, we pretty much know nothing more than we did before.  That's somewhat alarming.

We had the now infamous "Speedo Challenge" which actually brought more challenge responses than I think we've ever had.  I wish you people jumped up to your keyboards that fast for all of our challenges and not just the one involving a scantly clad Harrison Ford.

We finished (maybe.  I'm still not sure) another joint story.  We talked a whole lot about sex.  We had a bunch of other story challenges and our biggest traffic month ever just six short months ago, which seems crazy considering how little we've been posting lately.  Return of the Jedi turned 30. 

Things slowed down here once again, although we did at least get a release date announcement for Episode VII.  Now if only someone would tell us what it's actually going to be about.

I realize that most of the excitement around here came in the first half of the year but thank you all for sticking around with us.  Thank you for answering the challenges when we post them, and for commenting and generating discussion.  It's always fun to hear that other people contemplate all of these silly things. 

And I hope that your personal 2013 was a good one, though even if it was I hope you have an even better 2014!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas!


Yes, we're still here!  Yeah, I know, not a lot going on around here lately.  Hoping to change that but this time of year is always a little busy and mindless fandom fun isn't really at the forefront of anyone's mind.  Or at least not mine.  I hope you're all still around and I hope that eventually we can get things going around here again.  I suspect that when/if we ever get some concrete news on the new movies the interest level will pick up again.

Anyone have any exciting plans?  I've got a few cool Star Wars gifts to give to people although I doubt I'll receive any.  Would love to see if anyone gets anything cool, you simply must share with us.

Hope you all have a nice holiday!  And to make it up to you, here is a very strange photo of Harrison Ford from the set of Witness I'm sure you'll all enjoy in spite of the fact that it will inspire a lot of questions:

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Just Bringing This to Your Attention...


I know.  Things are always slow this time of year.  It's a pattern.  So for any of you worried we're disappearing forever, I don't think that is the case.  Minds are just elsewhere for the most part right now.  I will say though that I at least finally got my hands on Scoundrels again (after getting it from the library for 6 weeks starting in September and then never actually reading it) and am about a quarter of the way through and am enjoying it.

This post is just to bring something to your attention, because if I didn't know about it, I'd want one of you to tell me.  And it's certainly relevant to all of us here.  I stumbled on this while browsing buzzfeed and trying to put off doing real work.  I should warn you that buzzfeed can really suck you in for lengthy periods of time so don't go there unless you're willing to endure that.  So, here you go:


You're welcome.

Monday, November 11, 2013

A 'Shipper's' Review of the 'Making Of' Ebooks: Guest Post by Lady Peter

Here's a special treat.  A guest review of the Ebook versions of the 'Making of' books that were just recently released.  Thanks so much to Lady Peter for the submission, and another reminder that we welcome contributions such as this one!

                                                                           -Z

 
Thank you, Zyra, for letting me do my favorite thing: obsessing about Star Wars and my OTP, on the H/L Writers Blog.

Well, friends, I've spent the last 72 hours purchasing and reading the expanded ebook editions of the JW Rinzler "Making Of" books. I asked Zyra if I could hop up here and share my impressions with you all, since I know that not all of you are crazy enough to buy all of these editions. "Impressions" are all these are, and highly biased ones at that. 

The Making of Star Wars

For some reason I don't have much to say about the "making of" aspect of this volume. And that's strange because this is the book that is based the most on unseen material. Rest assured it's a good story, though, with plenty to learn.

There are a couple of extra features in here to warm the fangirl's heart. First, and most outrageous, is an audio clip of George Lucas being interviewed by Charles Lippincott, the Lucasfilm Vice President of marketing and merchandising. He's asked why he cast Harrison Ford, gives the non-answer of "because he was best for the role," and when pressed says, and I quote directly, "because he was handsome and dashing and sullen...and had an undercurrent of sensual hostility." Seriously: that's what he says. Lippincott then makes a noise like "WooOOOOoooo!" Whatever wackjob theories I've ever had about Ford's role in Lucas' imaginative life are now proven incontrovertibly. (Their personal relationship is also a source of fascination to me, but I'm trying to keep it classy here.)

For an even cheaper thrill that provides zero insight into the creators of the film, you could look to a daily of the cantina scene in which Han shoots Greedo. This is a single fixed camera at Han's seated eye level, more or less, so when Greedo pushes him back toward the alcove, Ford steps into the frame ass first. It basically looks just like this:  


It's not particularly enticing, just good for a giggle. 

In addition to those, there isn't much in the Star Wars book that I found really fascinating. From the ebook extras, the footage from Tunisia is pretty amazing, and there's some film from the Death Star escape that's fun. What I found missing from this book was anything really interesting about Carrie Fisher. It was just pretty sparse in the areas where I have most interest.

But if you're a conspiracy theorist like me, you might also find this kind of interesting: a passage about principal shooting discusses the friendships growing among the actors. It mentions the growing bond between Hamill and Ford, and Fisher and Hamill. And does not, as one might expect, add anything else. I found that an intriguing omission, and I've been busy crafting new and different conspiracy theories to explain it. In the interest of keeping it classy, as I mentioned, I will say no more. But I'm biting my tongue. :-) 

(Keeping it classy, right. Is that why you have a hand-drawn storyboard of a butt  up there, LP?)


The Making of the Empire Strikes Back

The Making of Empire book is the only one I have in both hard copy and ebook. If you don't own a copy in either format, I highly recommend it. The transcript from the day of shooting the carbon freeze scene alone is worth it. This transcript is taken from the same tape quoted in the "Once Upon a Galaxy" book by Alan Arnold. But this version (as you'd expect from something published 30 years after the fact) is much more candid. I was fascinated by the details about the differences in approach between Lucas and Kirshner, including the story of how Gary Kurtz came to leave Lucasfilm. I'm a strong Empire partisan, and I'm of the school of thought that it never could have been made as it was with Lucas any closer than an ocean away.

So, strictly from the fangirl perspective, what is there in the Making of ESB book to cause major squeeing? Aside from the on-set transcript, not much. When I heard about the added content for the ebooks, I was hoping to to perhaps see some behind-the-scenes footage from that day, since it seems like that does exist. But no luck. There are, however, some nice clips that really illuminate the process of shooting the film. For instance, there's an interview with Carrie Fisher explaining the secondary importance of the actual dialog being delivered during shooting, as well as footage of her and John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin!!) being prepped for the evacuation briefing scene, which was apparently particularly difficult for Fisher to film. 

But, as noted before, there's nothing in here truly squee-worthy for the 'shipper. 


The Making of Return of the Jedi

Now the Jedi book is probably the one that I found the most interesting. I readily admit that Jedi is my least favorite of the OT, and since I'm far from the only one who feels this way, there's a lot in the book to explain what went on to make it the film that it is. For instance, we have Harrison Ford, who apparently didn't see a script until arriving in the UK, lamenting that Lucas et al care more about Luke than Han as a character(!!). We learn that it was Lucas' idea to put Carrie Fisher in a dancing girl costume, perhaps in reaction to complaints that previous films hadn't been "sexy" enough. (Please. Just ask any heterosexual woman which of the three films is sexiest, Lucas. I dare you.) The Ewoks, love 'em or hate 'em, are also all on Lucas' head. Not just their existence, but the specific character design. He also himself (as second unit director) filmed a lot of the footage that some consider most egregious, including the baby ewok shots. So basically, Lucas made the film for man-children like himself.

There is some great content in here for any fan of Carrie Fisher. I don't care if she was allegedly trashed half the time during filming, her commentary about the whole thing is spot on. Especially when she points out that the second she's put in the slave girl outfit, she's silenced. Think about it - she doesn't utter more than 6 words through that entire sequence. She goes from intrepid rescuer to mute sex slave. Fisher is quoted as saying that it was during the shooting of these scenes that she decided to become a writer.

As for the ebook extras, there's some fun stuff. There's an interesting daily from the Rebel briefing room scene where some blocking is worked out with the big three. There are several other dailies that are neat to see. From a fangirl's perspective, though, nothing beats a photo which may actually also appear in the hard copy of the book. It's a shot of Ford reclining sans shirt on the sands of Yuma, Ariz., looking much like a scruffy (link: https://www.google.com/search?q=odalisque&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=VCpvUv3TIsW24APhqoCIDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1024&bih=672) odalisque. There's definitely some sort of fic prompt in there, friends, I guarantee.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

December 18th, 2015

 
(Please note that the above picture is merely a fan work, not an official poster)

Do you know what you're doing on December 18th, 2015?  I sure do!  Finally, an actual official bit of news when the release date was announced today.  Later than planned, but that gives them enough time to make sure it's really, really good.  Right?  RIGHT? 

There are lots and lots of rumors floating around at this point and if you're like me, you're tired of speculation and you just want to know a few things about it so you know whether or not you need to be disappointed yet.  That said, I feel pretty confident that the "big three" will be returning.  Harrison spent the last week or so visiting just about every talk show there is to promote his new movie Ender's Game, and on most of them there were still ambiguous answers to whether or not he'd be returning.  There was a major rumor that he wanted to wait and make sure that Han had a good character arc and would be in all three movies, not just one.  And also that if he signs for this he is promised another turn as Indy.  Whether that all turns out to be true or not we'll still have to wait and see, but for now, at least we know exactly how long we have to wait. 

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Star Wars Reads Day Returns October 5th!

 



This Saturday is the return of Star Wars Reads Day!  Here is the official announcement including some special events, none of which I live anywhere near.  Although in doing some browsing it appears that even my own local Barnes and Noble is having some fun things for the kids so check yours out as well.

I know there has been a lot of talk recently about the new Leia book and how good it is so feel free to discuss that here as well.  You've all definitely got me intrigued in spite of the fact that I was very excited to not be buying Star Wars books constantly.  Although currently I have Scoundrels checked out from the library, even though I haven't read it, so you don't always have to buy them to read them. 

So what else are you reading lately?  Will you attend any Star Wars Reads Day events?  Will you read some Star Wars to celebrate?  Perhaps just watch the movies because it's easier? 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

From the Archives...

You have all been very patient here and I appreciate it.  All there is to say really is that interest levels wane and this certainly hasn't been a priority.  I'd still encourage you to comment or suggest posts or offer posts of your own that we can share. 

So since we haven't had much content here, I decided to do some digging and find something I wrote but I don't think I've shared anywhere.  I actually wrote this over three years ago when Push and I would get bored and give each other random challenges to spark some random writing ideas.  This one was simply, "Leia sings."  That's it.  No time frame, nothing else.  This was also one of very few experiments I've done in writing in first person.  I find it incredibly difficult to pull off and in the end most stories are best told in third person, but I left it as is.  So, here is my little contribution:

 


It had been an unbelievable couple of weeks.  I woke up a month or so ago next to my very pregnant wife lying next to me, complaining about how she was sick and tired of lugging around our unborn children and she just wanted them to come out.  Well, they must’ve heard her, because a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, they decided to make their first appearance into the universe.  It was more than a little scary for me since they decided to do surgery to get them out, but everything turned out fine in the end.
 
Just like that, I was a dad.  I had no idea exactly how to be a dad, having had no such example of my own to follow.  Well, you know, aside from the conception part of things, because I had that aspect pretty well covered.  But what in hells are you supposed to do with these little things once they let you take them home by yourselves?  Did these medical professionals have any idea how clueless we were?
 
I suspected that Leia was just as nervous as I was, but the minute we laid eyes on those squirmy little people we’d created, we were both completely in love with them and it didn’t seem to matter anymore that we didn’t know what we were doing.  We were in this together, and we were going to make sure that those kids were loved and cared for like no other. 
 
We’d only had them for maybe three weeks or so.  We were sleep deprived, malnourished and our personal hygiene had suffered, but really it seemed like it was worth the trouble.  Plus, it seemed that every day – sometimes more than once – Leia would do something that would somehow make me love her more than I did before.  Seems impossible, but it’s true. 
 
I get the feeling she looks at me that way sometimes, too.  Like the other day I went to calm down a fussy Jaina, so I sat on the couch and held her real close.  Somehow, I had lain down and fallen asleep with her nearly weightless body resting against my chest.  When I opened my eyes some unknown amount of time later, I looked to find my beautiful wife giving me an even more beautiful smile from across the room.  “You’re going to make a wonderful Daddy, Han,” she whispered quietly, trying not to awaken the infant in my arms. 
 
I never really doubted that, but it was nice to know that she thought so.  Anyway, seeing her as a mother has been incredible.  The way she talks to them like they’re actual people who can understand her, the way she soothes them when they’re upset.  And I swear it is just unbelievable to watch her nurse them.  I’m not jealous or anything, but it’s just incredible that she can actually keep our children alive with that tiny body of hers. 
 
But really, the most beautiful thing I’ve probably ever witnessed happened last night.  Leia asked me to clean up the kitchen while she put the twins to bed.  I like to be a part of the bedtime routine too, but I’ve also learned lately that I’m better off just doing what I’m told.  So I had just gotten the last of the dishes put away when I thought I heard music coming from the nursery. 
 
For a minute I thought maybe it was just a musical stuffed animal or something, but as I got closer, I realized that it was a voice I was hearing.  When I slowly pushed the door open to peek inside I damn-near fell over when I realized that it was Leia doing the singing. 
 
I had known the woman for close to seven years at that point, and that was the first time I’d ever heard her sing a note.   
 
Now, I’m not saying that she should quit politics and go sign a recording contract.  What I am saying, is that hearing her sing that Alderaani lullaby to our little babies was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. 
 
I wondered why this was the first time I’d heard her sing.  Not that she’d heard me sing before either, but I definitely didn’t sound like that. 
 
She reached into the crib one last time and seemed to notice that Jacen had fallen asleep, then she looked up and saw me spying from the doorway.  She looked a little embarrassed at being caught, although I can’t imagine why.  It certainly wasn’t anything to be embarrassed about. 
 
Gods help me I think my eyes were watering when I smiled at her right then, and she seemed to relax a little as she smiled back and tiptoed towards me, wrapping an arm around my waist and snuggling up close while I led her to our bedroom. 
 
Once we were safely out of earshot, I kissed her forehead and asked quietly, “How come I’ve never heard you sing before?”
 
“Maybe if I ever had any trouble getting you into bed I’d give it a shot, but you’re always pretty easy.”
 
She was still pressed up against my side and I gave her a little squeeze around her shoulders.  “Come on, seriously.  It was beautiful.” 
 
‘Thanks, but you’re not usually my harshest critic.”
 
“That’s true, but you’re not answering my question.”
 
She breathed a heavy sigh and moved to sit down on the bed.  “What did you expect?  Serenades around the base while we were at war?  There wasn’t a whole lot of good opportunity for bursting out into song”
 
I moved and sat down next to her.  “Point taken, but I just feel like I’ve been missing out all this time.”  I reached over and grabbed her hand, and I could tell by the way she looked away from me that she wasn’t comfortable with the compliment.  She never is.
 
She added a second hand to clasp mine, and I started feeling a lot warmer.  “Thank you, darling.  And I’m sorry if you feel left out that I haven’t been singing you to sleep.  It’s just that I hadn’t sung that song in a very long time.  Not since – “
 
She shut her eyes then, and I could tell she was remembering Alderaan again.  I can tell that look a mile away, and it tears my heart in two every time.  I wrapped my arm around her shoulders again and pulled her close, kissing her hair.  She willingly accepted my comfort, but thankfully this time the memory wasn’t enough to bring her to tears. 
 
I thought about asking her who had sung her that song when she was a kid, but decided she’d tell me if she wanted to.  “The memory can live on in our babies, you know, sweetheart.  And someday they’ll be singing it to their babies, too.”
 
She turned her head to look at me, her big, brown eyes glassy with unshed tears.  I was worried for a second until her hand came up against my cheek and she kissed me.  “Our kids have no idea how lucky they are to have a mom like you,” I said when she pulled away. 
 
“Or a dad like you,” she said. 
 
I knew I didn’t deserve that one, but I decided to let it slide.  “What do you say, ready to get some sleep?”
 
I felt her hand still rubbing against my cheek before she responded.  “Maybe not just yet.”
 
Leia leaned in and kissed me then.  She hadn’t quite been ready to make love yet so soon after having Jacen and Jaina, so I was trying my best to be patient.  At least I got well reminded of how good at kissing she was.
 
A while later she was lying against me, catching a few precious moments of sleep between feedings or random, inexplicable infant awakenings.  I thought back to the song she sang for our babies, wishing just a little that she was awake to sing it to me now.  I figured though that I was ok if she only sang for them and not for me. 
 
But just then I heard the faintest sounds coming from Leia’s lips and I realized she wasn’t talking to me.  She was singing in her sleep.  If that was what I was going to have to settle for, I’d take it in a heartbeat.   



Friday, September 13, 2013

Future Star Wars Movie Plans

 





http://news.moviefone.com/2013/09/13/star-wars-episode-7-and-beyond/

Now discuss.

Personally, I have mixed feelings.  It could be amazingly super awesome.  Although I fear that churning them out at this rate only guarantees that a large percentage of it is going to suck.  Origin stories could be super cool or they might ruin the whole illusion.  I honestly don't want to know too much about certain' characters' pasts.  Then again, like I said, it could be super awesome.

I'm actually far more excited to hear about Disney World getting a Star Wars upgrade and we might be able to go to the cantina.  That sounds absolutely nerdtastic.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Just a Kiss Challenge - Submission #4 by TooOldForThis



 Let’s try this again


By TooOldForThis


"Okay Chewie....   Detach."

A few moments later, the Imperial Fleet made the jump to hyperspace and disappeared.    All that was left was a bunch of imperial garbage floating in space, among which was the Millenium Falcon.     Han waited a few moments, entered the coordinates for Bespin, and then powered the Falcon off towards the City in the Clouds.     Chewie returned to the cockpit and sat in the co-pilots chair.     "What now?” he gruffed.

"Well", said Han, feeling rather pleased with himself, "I'm starving.   You think you can handle the controls for awhile, Chewie?"     

Chewie replied "Of course, don't I always?"      Han ignored this comment and turned to the princess.   "Care to join me?" he said as he extended his hand.    

"Sure", she replied.  She was a little hungry and everything here seemed to have settled down and be under control, at least for the time being.   She took Han's hand and let him lead her from the cockpit to the galley.     They left Threepio in the cockpit with Chewie, still turned off.

In the galley, Han put together plates of food for himself and Leia.   There was bread, cheese, Amalarian pears, and some slices of thinly shaved nerf steak.   Where he got this quality of food,  Leia never could figure out.   He always had some sort of fresh food, even when everyone else was on rations from the Rebellion.   Luckily, he was always willing to share it with her and Luke.    

“What do you want to drink?” Han asked.  “We’ve got water, ale, black chivian juice….”.

“Water is fine”, Leia replied.   

Han poured water for himself as well.  Then placed the plates and drinks on the table, sat down and started eating.

Leia sat down across from him and surveyed the contents of her plate.  Finally, she asked, "How are you able to get Amalarian pears?"

Han smiled, "I'm a smuggler, remember.   I have connections."

"Well, I can't say that I'm surprised, or disappointed.    I love these", Leia responded.

"Good,” he smiled.  "Next time, I'll be sure to get some especially for you."

After a few mouthfuls of food, Leia asked, “How long will it take to get to Bespin?"

"Well,“  Han drawled,  "If we had the hyper-drive, a day and a half.   But, since we'll have to stick to sub-light, I'm guessing about a month."  

"A MONTH!   You've got to be kidding!",  Leia wailed.

"Sorry,  unless we can figure out what's going on with the hyperdrive and fix it,  we're stuck."

"Do we have enough supplies?"

"We should.  Chewie and I stocked up for the trip to Tatooine and we've got some cases of rations stocked away for emergencies.   We may have to curb Chewie's appetite a bit, but you don't eat much anyway, so we should be okay", Han responded.

Leia stopped eating.    Hearing Han mention Tatooine made her remember that he had been planning on leaving.  If the Imperials hadn’t attacked, he probably be gone.  Just when they seemed to be getting along civilly (not to mention that kiss),  he had to remind her that he wasn't staying.

Han noticed that she wasn't eating.. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Leia was tempted to say 'Nothing', but decided to be forthright.    "Well to be honest, I had forgotten that you were planning on leaving!" she said a bit more forcefully than she intended.

It was Han's turn to stare down at his plate.    Truth was, he was going to leave, for her protection more than anything.  But that was before.  Before they ended up here on a slow trip to Bespin, before they kissed.   What he still going to leave?  He wasn’t sure right now.   All he could think to say was,   "Well, that's been postponed a bit now, hasn't it.  First we have to get to Bespin, get the hyperdrive fixed and then get YOU back to the Alliance." and he smiled a little to try to lighten the mood.

"But you're still going to leave",

Han was started to get defensive now.  Why did she have to push this?  He raised a finger and pointed it at her.  "Listen, just because you kissed me, doesn't mean I still don't have a price on my head.   I can't just ignore that!"   

Leia started to respond "Well, I can understand that, but....".  Then she realized exactly what Han had said.... "What?  I..I..  kissed you?", she stammered.

Han smiled.  He loved to see her get flustered.   

"Who kissed who first?" Leia retorted.

Still smiling, Han said, "Well, you did kiss me back, Princess.”  He paused.  “Or was I mistaken about that?"

 Leia blushed and turned her attention to the food on her plate, the anger she'd been feeling suddenly disappeared.

After a moment, he asked again, "So, was I mistaken?"  The tone of his voice lost its teasing sound.

“About what?” she asked coyly.

“You,  kissing me back.”

 "No", she said quietly, still not looking at him.  

 "I didn't think so", he thought to himself.  He leaned back against the cushions,  a smug look on his face.      Leia lifted her eyes as he moved and saw how please with himself he was.

 "Don't think too highly of yourself, Captain.    You're not the first person I've ever kissed back!"    That was a bit of a lie.  She had kissed a classmate back when she was 14, but it was only once and lasted about 2 seconds, so she wasn't sure you could really count that.  And she was pretty sure that she had initiated all the other kisses, all 5 of them in her life.  People don't readily just kiss a Princess/Senator without some sort of invitation to do so,      “Except Han”, she thought.

Han raised his eyebrows in surprise, but didn't say anything. 

Leia broke the silence.   "So why did you kiss me, if you are just going to leave?"  

At first he thought she was joking, but he saw the look in her eyes and he knew that she was completely serious. 

"Well…  I just… I mean…. You said I was alright sometimes and then you hurt your hand and we were so close.  Things just sort of went from there.  I guess I just wanted to...", he stammered as he looked back down at his plate.    He really couldn't put into words the way that she made him feel.   She was infuriating, stubborn, beautiful and captivating.    He hadn't been able to think about kissing anyone else for a long time.    He raised his head and looked her in the eye.   "I've wanted to for a long time.” 

She didn’t say anything.  She was getting lost in the way his lips moved, the sound of his voice and the green/gold of his eyes.

Han broke the silence, two could play at this game, “Why did you kiss me back?"

Her stomach felt like butterflies.    He was looking at her intently.    She wanted to say it was because he was so handsome, so reckless, so willing to take her on and treat her like an equal.     But that would be admitting way too much to him, and to herself.    So all she said was "It felt nice."       

He smiled that crooked smile of his.    "I told you I was nice man.", he said with a twinkle in his eye.    

She smiled and dropped her eyes, pushing the remains of the food on her plate.       

“I’d like to do it again”, he said softly.

Leia didn’t look up, but she did let a small smile curl the edges of her lips.   He wanted to kiss her again.  Funny thing was, she wanted that too.   Gods, what was in that food?   It was getting warm in there.  She felt flushed.

They finished the rest of their meal in relative silence, every so often looking at each other.  Neither exactly sure what to say.  When Leia was done, she non-chalantly looked at him, took a drink of water, and said  “Are you finished?   I’ll put the dishes away if you are,” standing as she gathered her dishes.

He took a drink of water, while still looking at her over the rim of the glass, then slowly put the glass down and licked his lips.   “That’s okay, I can get mine”, he said as he stood up in front of her. She looked up at his face as he stood in front of her.   “Suit yourself”, she said and turned to put her dishes away.       

Han followed Leia to the galley and stood behind her as she put the dirty dishes into the cleaner.  He handed his to her and watched her as she closed the unit and turned around.  They were standing inches apart.  

“So, do you think I could do it again?” Han asked softly as he place on hand against her neck, slowly rubbing his thumb across her cheek.  His gaze flickered between her eyes and her lips. 

Leia looked at him, trying to decide where she wanted to go with this.   The first kiss had taken her by surprise.  Now, he was standing in front of her asking her permission.  Did she want to take this further?  If she said no, she could just discount that previous kiss as a one time, in the moment occurrence and move on.   But, if she said yes, what would that mean?  Would that mean that she didn’t care that he was leaving?   Would that mean that she wanted a ‘boyfriend’?  Would that mean that she wanted him?

He was still staring at her, waiting.  As Leia looked into his eyes, she decided that she really didn’t know what she wanted.  But she did know that she had been fighting this attraction and he was there in front of her and he was so damn attractive and charming and right now, she really didn’t care about anything but what his lips felt like.    

Leia licked her lips, anticipating what was going to come next.  “Okay HotShot,” she said.

He smiled the slightest of smiles.  She’d said yes!   He could hardly believe it.   He tipped her chin up and leaned down to gently press his lips against hers.  Their lips were barely not touching.  He waited a moment, letting the feeling of anticipation build.  

He wasn’t sure if he leaned down, or if Leia got tired of waiting and pushed herself up into him, but suddenly he felt her lips fully against his.  They were soft and warm and he could hardly believe that he was kissing her again.  

Leia felt the warmth as well.  It radiated down to her core and expanded.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair.   How many times had she wanted to do that?

Han started moving his lips against hers and as she responded in kind, he felt the warmth of their kiss expand further down his body.  He felt her body press up against his and he wrapped one arm around her waist and let the other hand rest lightly on her hip, caressing her side.    She felt his lips part and his tongue gently brush against her lips.   She parted her lips and Han let his tongue find hers and explore her taste.

He ever so slightly pushed her against the counter.  He could feel the heat building between them as they continued exploring each other’s mouth.  She release her hands from his hair and moved them across his shoulders and down to grip his arms as he dared to slowly move his hands higher on her waist and up to let his thumbs ever so slightly graze the sides of her breasts.   He wanted to lift her up and set her down on the counter, wanted to unzip that snowsuit of hers and explore the body that he had imagined all these months. He wanted to consume all of her. 

But he knew that he needed to take things slowly.  They were just starting out on this journey and he didn’t want to ruin it.    So as a soft growl escaped from the back of his throat, he slowly moved his lips from hers to her neck.  A soft sigh escaped Leia’s lips as her mouth was freed.  And he kept his hands on her sides.

Han backed slightly away and placed his hand back on her cheek.   “I hope that you’re not going to run away this time”, he softly said as he looked into her eyes and then placed small kisses on her cheek and back down the side of her neck.

Leia smiled.  The feel of his lips on hers still radiating through her memory.  “No,  I don’t think I will.”  She moved her head to allow him better access.

Han pulled back and looked at her face.   “Good”, he said.

They stood like that for several moments, smiling at each other, bodies pressed against the other,  both remembering the feel of each other’s lips on theirs.

Finally, Han spoke.   “Well, Princess”, and he placed a small kiss on her nose, “as much as I’d like to stay here and continue this particular conversation with you.  I suppose that we should let Chewie get something to eat and plan the logistics for getting to Bespin.  What do you think?”

“As much as I hate to admit it, I suppose you’re right”, she replied sultrily.

Han smiled.  “Maybe we can continue this conversation later then.”

“Maybe”, Leia replied as she placed a quick kiss on his lips and then moved sideways out of his embrace.    “Coming, Captain?” she said as she moved out of the galley and glanced back over her shoulder.

“Damn”, Han thought to himself as she left the galley.  He wasn’t sure what had just started, but he was sure that he was going to enjoy it.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

"Surprise" by Blamey77

This is a sequel to "A Polite Conversation" submitted by Blamey77.

Surprise

Han walked purposefully through the hanger towards his precious ship; the Millennium Falcon gleaming invitingly in front of him. Inspecting it critically from the outside, Han found a couple of new dents, but nothing serious.

Good. The sooner I make sure the Falcon is good to fly; the sooner I can get home.

Han briefly wondered if he could convince Leia to order take-out food from his favorite Corellian restaurant for dinner. She might be amenable despite her distaste for the spicy food. After all, it was his birthday the next day. Plus, they could always order her some food from the Alderaanian place down the street from their apartment. That way she wouldn't have to spend half the night gulping down glass after glass of water to combat the fiery aftertaste of his favorite foods.

Han patted the underside of his ship affectionately and set about opening the Falcon for a quick inspection.

                                                                      *****

The ship was good to go. Han would have preferred to have an extra day to tinker with a couple of things here and there, but they were all superficial adjustments. Nothing that would affect the trip he was planning for the New Republic the following week.

"If everything on the Falcon was working perfectly, I think you'd go crazy," Leia had once remarked.
Before Han could indignantly respond, she had quickly said, "Sorry. Crazier."

Han smirked as he remembered the scene that had followed. He had chased her around the hallways of the Falcon for a few minutes before cornering her in the cockpit. They managed one full minute of breathlessness and passion before Threepio's customary interruption.

A noise from within the ship immediately brought Han's attention back to the present. He sighed.  I bet it's that damn heater in my cabin. I swear that thing breaks down just to get attention.  Han grabbed a tool and headed for his cabin.  Five minutes tops. Then I'm out of here.

Han entered his cabin and froze. The tool clattered, unnoticed, to the floor.

Leia was sprawled out invitingly on the bed. She was lying on her side, providing him with a clear view of the slightly sheer black silk nightgown she was wearing. In one of her hands was a glass and in the other, an expensive bottle of wine.

Balloons floated, almost touching the ceiling of his cabin- three tied to each end of the headboard of the bed.

The smile on her face was as playful as it was predatory.

Leia sat up and slid herself to the edge of the bed. The material of her nightgown slid up as she did so and Han watched, hypnotized as a great deal of her legs were exposed. She picked up another glass from the bedside table and walked over to him.

At some point, Han's brain and mouth started working together again and he managed to talk.  "Wow," he commented.

Leia handed him the other glass and whispered, throatily, "Surprise."

Monday, August 26, 2013

"A Polite Conversation" by Blamey77

This is a "Han's Birthday Challenge" Submission by Blamey77.  Thanks for sharing!  :-)


A Polite Conversation


"When is your birthday, Captain?"

"Why? You thinkin' of planning a surprise party?" Han asked, with a grin.

"No, I'm just curious," answered Leia.

"If you were thinking of a surprise party, I would be fine with that."

"Oh, really?" she asked, drily.

"Yeah. So long as the surprise is a beautiful woman waiting in my cabin with wine and balloons. What do you say, Princess? Can you clear your schedule?"

"Could you possibly be anymore inappropriate?" Leia snapped in response.

"Is that an actual request because I could go on-"

Leia abruptly stood up, ready to storm out of the falcon. She wondered why she bothered coming here. The uncouth captain seemed continually determined to prove her worst expectations about him.

"Hey, wait," Han said, putting his hand on her arm. "I'm sorry."

Leia shot him a frustrated look. "Is it possible for you to go one conversation without making an innuendo?"

"Yes," Han said firmly. "I think."

Leia raised her eyebrow at him.

"Hey, give me a break. I've never tried it before!"

She couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on her face. Han grinned in response.

"Please sit. We'll start over," he said, sitting back down. His posture was straight and he had his hands clasped in front of him in an exaggerated display of decorum.

The Princess bit her lip to muffle her own grin. She slid back into the booth.

"So, what were we talking about?"

Leia eyed him warily and answered, "Your birthday."

"Can I ask why you want to know?"

"I told you, I'm just curious," she said, slightly blushing.

Leia had been reading the smuggler's file when she noticed the absence of a birth date. Her curiosity had been piqued over the omission. It seemed like a harmless piece of information.

"I don't know the actual date I was born," Han said, matter-of-factly, "At some point; I just picked a date and stuck with it."

Leia tried to conceal her surprise at his admission.

Han shrugged. "I've never really paid much attention to my birthday- except to add another year to my age. Chewie usually tries to put something together on the day."

"Like a party?" Leia asked.

"Yeah, I guess you could call it that. He cooks dinner, buys beer, washes the dishes that night..."

Leia couldn't stop herself from suddenly erupting in laughter.

"I'm sorry," she said in response to his startled expression, "It's just a funny image and...it's sweet."
She covered her mouth but couldn't stop giggling.

"This is what I get for trying to have a polite conversation," Han said, shaking his head.