[To Han’s credit, he’s only three minutes late when he finally rolls up to the curb, muttering darkly all the way about engine problems and getting some new parts in. Truthfully it’s his power at fault here, although he has somehow managed to make most of his car’s new repairs last past a few days with a lot of spit and duct tape.]
I’m not that late. [he says when he opens the door.] She’s no Falcon, but she’ll get you there fast. Now hop in.
[He nods to the seatbelt, which looks so frayed that it might just be one sudden stop away from failing to do its job. Probably for the best that Lando doesn't wear it.]
You ever heard of this bar called Lil' Jessie's? [The engine, thankfully, starts the first time, and Han can't help the relieved sigh as he pulls away from the curb.]
[It's just like home. The drive there is, as promised, fast, but also only because Han runs through a couple of red lights on the way there. Like old times.
When they do get to Lil' Jessie's, it's—yeah, definitely a dump: Han has to duck under the low doorframe, and the ceiling fan has been busted for long enough that it's starting to collect cobwebs. The bartender squints meanly at them as she wipes down a glass, not even fazed by the charming smile that Han gives her.]
Me and my friend here are gonna have a drink, I got, ah. [A cough.] I got some news I gotta tell him.
[ Lando strides into Lil' Jessie's, gathering his cape around himself as if trying to shield himself from the grime of the place. He makes eyes at the gruff faced bartender, but when Han speaks, his attention is fully drawn away from her and onto his friend. ]
Yeah, well, I was trying to figure out how to tell you, honestly, ‘cause you’re not gonna like this. But.
[A cough, and he waves the bartender over for shots. Something strong, he tells her, and she nods and sets out two shot glasses.]
Guess there’s no way to tell you but this: I went for a rematch with you and won the Falcon off you. Been piloting her ever since. She’s been doing great.
[ He's feeling warier and warier by the second with this lead up. And as soon as Han comes out with what he was leading up to, Lando plucks the bottle right out of the bartender's hand, pouring himself a hefty shot and downing it before addressing what's been said. ]
You. Won the Falcon. Off of me?
[ In a way, he's glad L3-37 didn't survive to see that happen. As devastating as the news is. Losing both his droid and his ship, to Han karking Solo. ]
Fair and square. And you got a city and a thriving, respectable mining operation years later, so I think you got off pretty good too.
[He’s trying his hardest to be reassuring, as evidenced by the actual sincerity in his voice, but. Well. He’s also well aware that this is terrible news, which is why he’s just sliding another bill across the counter and telling the bartender to just keep it coming.]
[ He immediately pours himself another glass, not downing this one but sipping it as he thinks that over. Obviously a lot is about to change for him in the next fourteen years. Losing his first mate, his ship... His way of life, from the sounds of it.
Guess it really is time for him to retire. ]
"Respectable," you say? Tell me about this mining operation.
It's on Bespin, in a colony called Cloud City. You won it off some poor shmuck, far as I know, and you took control over the tibanna gas mining. When Leia and I got there the whole place was thriving under you, and you kept talking my ear off about meetings and overheads. [A shrug.] I tuned you out after a while, you were real enthusiastic about it.
[Which had been a surprise, for Han, who'd known the scoundrel simmering under the respectable businessman. Then again, he supposes he shouldn't have been.]
Word of advice, just in case you might remember this if you ever get back: if the Empire comes calling, tell them I double-crossed you and took your ship too, and you haven't heard anything from me since. Otherwise you'll have to make a deal with them, and even then they'll find a way to rip the colony right out from under you.
Mining colonies are the worst. [ A life of business meetings and micromanaging other people sounds like the worst thing to Lando, but apparently he'll change a lot in the next fourteen years. ]
I'll try to remember. Can't promise anything. I'm pretty sure that Porter doesn't let us keep our memories, but I'll try.
text;
but sure I'd love a drink
in fact I know a damn good place for one
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send me over the address and I'll meet you there!
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where are you now I'll pick you up and we'll go there
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besides it's free
just this once
don't tell anyone
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I'm at [ address. ]
don't be late.
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I’m not that late. [he says when he opens the door.] She’s no Falcon, but she’ll get you there fast. Now hop in.
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[ But enough griping. He gets in, making a face at a stain on the seat, and pointedly not using his seatbelt. ]
Alright. Where to?
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[He nods to the seatbelt, which looks so frayed that it might just be one sudden stop away from failing to do its job. Probably for the best that Lando doesn't wear it.]
You ever heard of this bar called Lil' Jessie's? [The engine, thankfully, starts the first time, and Han can't help the relieved sigh as he pulls away from the curb.]
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Lil' Jessie's? Yeah I know that dump. Sounds perfect.
[ Just the kind of low life, seedy bar to remind him of the cantinas of home. ]
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[It's just like home. The drive there is, as promised, fast, but also only because Han runs through a couple of red lights on the way there. Like old times.
When they do get to Lil' Jessie's, it's—yeah, definitely a dump: Han has to duck under the low doorframe, and the ceiling fan has been busted for long enough that it's starting to collect cobwebs. The bartender squints meanly at them as she wipes down a glass, not even fazed by the charming smile that Han gives her.]
Me and my friend here are gonna have a drink, I got, ah. [A cough.] I got some news I gotta tell him.
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News? You didn't tell me there was news.
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[A cough, and he waves the bartender over for shots. Something strong, he tells her, and she nods and sets out two shot glasses.]
Guess there’s no way to tell you but this: I went for a rematch with you and won the Falcon off you. Been piloting her ever since. She’s been doing great.
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You. Won the Falcon. Off of me?
[ In a way, he's glad L3-37 didn't survive to see that happen. As devastating as the news is. Losing both his droid and his ship, to Han karking Solo. ]
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[He’s trying his hardest to be reassuring, as evidenced by the actual sincerity in his voice, but. Well. He’s also well aware that this is terrible news, which is why he’s just sliding another bill across the counter and telling the bartender to just keep it coming.]
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Guess it really is time for him to retire. ]
"Respectable," you say? Tell me about this mining operation.
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[Which had been a surprise, for Han, who'd known the scoundrel simmering under the respectable businessman. Then again, he supposes he shouldn't have been.]
Word of advice, just in case you might remember this if you ever get back: if the Empire comes calling, tell them I double-crossed you and took your ship too, and you haven't heard anything from me since. Otherwise you'll have to make a deal with them, and even then they'll find a way to rip the colony right out from under you.
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I'll try to remember. Can't promise anything. I'm pretty sure that Porter doesn't let us keep our memories, but I'll try.