by Pat Nussman
art by Liz
Funny, I never cared that much how I looked, before.
As long as I looked proper, official...well, you know.
Like someone in command.
But now I could care less about wrapping myself in
That political disguise, my 'Princess mystique.'
Who would I impress here, anyhow, with my Rebel Leader act,
Except, perhaps, this Lando Calrissian...
Well, perhaps that would be wise; though he doesn't know me
He's playing games of politics as cannily, as carefully
As he is able, as if I were the Emperor himself. Wonder why?
There's always a 'why' with someone like Calrissian. I know his type.
I am his type. Which is why I don't trust him.
Good idea, then, Leia. Around this Calrissian put on carefully
That smooth official face, the diplomatic pose which says:
"Don't try to tangle with me. I'm dangerous."
That's a good gambit.
Meanwhile, on my body I'll place the best Calrissian can provide.
Not for the gambler is this til-now-despised finery, you understand.
But for him. You know: him. The scoundrel, the petty smuggler.
The one I've snapped at, insulted, derided, these three years.
Three years. Why did it take me so long to find
That I have a taste for scoundrels? Especially those
Who can give as good as they take. Who can match me,
Word for word, mind to mind, lips to lips.
And beyond. But I must say that it was worth the wait...
Damn Bespin! You heard me, Calrissian, damn Bespin!
I never wanted to come here. Or, rather, I never wanted
To arrive here...the journey was better than the destination.
Much better.
No need have I to stand here in your clouded city dressed in
Your burgundy silk and cape of lace; Han had plenty of clothes
That fit me well enough to sit in his lounge, aboard the Falcon,
Just talking, or maybe dancing sometimes or playing silly games.
And for the other times, well, we didn't need any clothes.
Hmmmm, that made you blush, didn't it, my friend in the mirror?
And well you should blush, shameless wench that you are!
I had never known you to be so brazen before as you were with Han;
You're showing a new side to yourself, girl, unsuspected.
Han didn't seem surprised, though, to find that part of Leia;
Sometimes I think he knows more about Leia Organa than I do myself.
For when we made love it seemed that he was inside my mind
As well as me.
And every delicious movement that he, I, we, made was as if We were truly one: one body, one spirit, one mind.
Joined, it seemed, forever...or, at least, for a little forever,
A forever which we two made for ourselves, on the journey to Bespin...
I've warned you now, Leia, you're bound to get maudlin
If you keep thinking about that enchantment that was
And is no more. You've had that forever, you've been with him
Barefoot, laughing, hair hanging down. And now you must deal
With the current bit of eternity. Braid up your hair; that's a good girl.
Calrissian would hardly be i