Var Figures It Out/Pregneeda (Conman)

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Var walked back into the apartment she shared with her best friend and promptly hit the door frame, letting out a very vocal sound of disgust. Without a second of hesitation she pulled off her shirt labeled "The Sausage Hutt" in Aurebesh, which was complete with a cartoon of a Hutt holding links of sausage, and tossed a ridiculous sausage shaped hat onto the floor as well.

The pale Twi'lek woman gave them both a kick across the room with the toe of her boot and promptly stalked over to her customary chair and dropped into it, pulling down her black tank top to better cover her stomach, not that Donnie was the type to care.

Yet another job down the refresher stall, flushed away.

Granted, dressing up as a giant sausage for the Sausage Hutt was far from the most glamorous job she'd held, though that list was far from exhaustive, and she was rather torn about losing it. On the one hand, she needed that money in a bad way. On the other, it was such a terrible job. Granted she probably shouldn't have punched the rude human man who asked if she wanted to sample his sausage, though undoubtedly the manager of the Sausage Hutt was probably still trying to pick up the scattered teeth. And do some public relations whitewashing.

Donnie walked into the room at that moment and Var took a good long look at her, wondering what her reaction to the next failed job would be.

Green eyes finally looked away and stared at the wall instead.

"It's not my fault this time."

Var rubbed her temples and sighed.

"All right, it is my fault. But I swear he deserved it."

[The Conman]

Donnie had been attempting, and failing to, squeeze into a pair of her brown cargo pants, when she heard Var very loudly find the door frame. Donnie wanted to call out to let her know she was around, but was currently preoccupied with trying to figure out how to get into the pants. They'd fit mere weeks ago.

It had to be the food on Mannan. Had to be.

Donnie groaned and put her blue pair of trackpants back on, with " Renic's Repairs" across her, larger than she remembered, butt. The Twi'lek generally wore a one piece flight-suit like device where she worked, changing back into comfortable clothing upon her return.

Clothing that more and more resembled her current attire, a pair of track pants and a white tanktop. The Twi'lek tossed the cargos in the general vicinity of her room and headed out, to see Var in her chair.

Before the taller of the pair could talk, Var informed Donnie of the situation.

Donnie did her best to not Facepalm in front of the obviously displeased Var. She strode across the Flat and sat down on the couch, sprawling out in the process with her legs up on the nearby table. This was going to be good.

Var....What happened?

Donnie asked, barely hiding her grin. Though, she already had a vague idea. Something involving Var chewing some pour soul out for a harmless bit of flirting, or worse.

Either way, hilarity generally ensued, so Donnie wasn't about to miss out on that.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"I did absolutely nothing wrong Donnie," Var said flatly, though midway through a glare she noticed something.

It was a funny fact of life that very often one couldn't notice gradual change, particularly when other things were on one's mind. With the revolving door of jobs, Var had somehow not noticed the metamorphosis Donnie had undergone.

"Donnie..." Var said as she raised one eyebrow. "Isn't there something a little... different about you?"

By that she meant, Var meant a certain growth in the posterior region, further reminding Var that Donnie was, indeed, more shapely. But more than that, her stomach seemed a little pudgier too. It was a definite change across the body, like she'd put on weight.

"You put on weight, didn't you? What did I tell you about eating at fast food restaurants every day?"

Instantly Var had turned into Mother Bird again, worrying over her younger 'sister' instead of her own troubles, which was par for the course really since moving in. There was always a distraction in the form of Donnie.

For that Var was actually grateful.

[The Conman]

Donnie looked away and pursed her lips, cursing her counterpart's power's of observation, and assumptive skill.

She was mostly right, however. Donnie had put on some weight. But, she'd been sticking mostly to the food Var made, even going so far as to take it for lunch.

Either way, there wasn't any use denying it.

Yeah...I found a few kelos somewhere...But it's not from the fast food! I usually take your stuff for lunch, and we eat here most of the time.

She stopped, and considered her conundrum.

Donnie was used to being unable to put on weight, the only places she had any extra fat were her boobs and bum, that was generally it. Now, she had the beginnings of thunder thighs, and was starting to get a tummy, not to mention the backside situation...

I donno what's goin' on Var. It's like ever since I got here, there's been nothing I can do, my clothes just keep getting tighter. I'd love to blame your cooking, but you and I both know it's not...


Truth be told Doneeda hadn't really thought about what was causing the weight gain, it just becoming readily apparent lately, with her clothes starting to not fit right, then, at all.

Either way

Donnie continued, absent mindidly tugging her top down to cover a portion of her exposed midriff.

I'll cut out the Burgers and see what's what...if you stop loosing jobs. How many have you had since we got here?

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

"Three," Var hissed. "It was three."

Of course her mind was still on the mystery of Donnie's bum, which Var felt was almost cosmically unfair. Why did this woman seem to grow fat on places that men liked? She was dwarfing Var there now, and that was her best asset!

The white Twi'lek sighed deeply as she realized what Donnie was turning her into. Caring about her appearance. Gone were the days of the Padawan who had eyebrows tattooed on for her master's aesthetic sensibilities.

Of course somehow Var doubted this transformation would suddenly have her sleeping around with random men, though it seemed more men found her to be such a prospect than before. Everyone from drunken louts in bars to regular louts outside the Sausage Hutt.

Thank the Force Donnie was the only one who'd ever seen her in lingerie.

Donnie was a good friend, but she did stupid things sometimes, and didn't care about the risks. In fact it would be just like her to go and get herself-

Var blinked. Then she started to do the math in her head.

"Donnie, did you miss your period?" Var asked frankly, worried about the possible answer.

[The Conman]

Doneeda promptly launched into a semi-serious rant after getting confirmation.

Var. We've been here for Three weeks. Your doing something wrong. I mean, how is it that every time you get canned, it's never your fault and you didn't do anything wrong? Var, we've got rent to pay here, and as much as I love yah, and would think it's the best thing ever for you to sta-

Donnie was mid-rant when Var's question came completely out of left field, stunning her brain. As such, she replied honestly and simply...

Yes?

It took a few seconds for her brain to kick in and truly reply.

What's that got to do with anything?

Donnie asked, confused. It was normal, for her at least, to miss her time of the month when she was planet hopping, that said, a 3 month stretch wasn't normal, but it wasn't her longest "run".

It happens to me all the time, I'm sure I've told you at some point before.

Donnie said, playing with the tip of her right leeku with her fingers.

Now...Where was I...

She said, playing with the leeku for a moment.

Oh, right, Stop getting fired Var...it sucks having to blow all my check on rent and food. I wanna get drunk and go party, we've been here 3 weeks and haven't had a break...You know, that's probably why I'm getting fat...all work and no play make Donnie a fattie.

She moped, picking up her "Glove Bottle Invention" off the table and giving it a few squeezes, giggling as the middle finger of the glove rose and fell with each one.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Var stared mutely at Donnie, completely blown away by a few things.

In the first place, the younger Twi'lek was lecturing her. That was like an unruly child bringing mom breakfast in bed without being asked, except not pleasant. This was like getting yelled at by your younger sister who was wholly irresponsible and probably pregnant.

Well actually, it was exactly like that.

The surprise showed on Var's ivory face, and a flash of anger shot through her eyes as well as the novelty of receiving a lecture wore off. In fact, the shorter woman rose up to her feet with a nasty brooding look and snapped back a reply.

"I'm doing the best I can but I wasn't trained to wait tables or get groped while dressed as a giant sausage! I was a Jedi, I was a Sith! I killed people, I solved problems. I have zero experience doing all these common things and I'm trying my best!"

Everything had been delivered in one breath, and Var threw her hands up in the air at the end of her statement, dropping them back down to her thighs with exasperation.

Then her mind darted back to what it had been on.

"Listen to me Donnie, very carefully. Did you have sex with anyone maybe twelve weeks ago?"

[The Conman]

Fair enough, Bu-

Donnie was about to say something when Var hit her with another question.

It was somewhat difficult to say. 3 months prior would be on Tatooine, around the time Var vanished. There'd been a few since, and even a Twi'lek on Tatooine.

The Twi'lek on tatooine.

Donnie's mind honed in on the lanky Rutian she'd romped around with to de-stress after Var vanished.

She didn't even know his name.

Frak.

Donnie said, quite flatly.

By the time she'd gotten to tatooine she was already on a 3 month run, so it'd make sense that given the chance, familiar environment, exposure to sun...

The gears in the woman's head were turning, and coming to a very prickly conclusion that she wasn't excited about in any capacity. Donnie removed her feet from the table and sat upright, a worried expression on her face, her right hand playing with her leeku and her left picking at the peeling varnish on the table, the woman leaned over it, looking at var.

Noo...nooooooo...

She said quietly, shaking her head slowly, her left leg bouncing up and down slightly.

Var...Var...Var...I'm so frakked if...

She gulped, suddenly unable to make the word she was looking for form in her mouth, still trying to find a way out of Var's conclusion.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Var's anger faded instantly as she realized the emotions playing out in her friend. She was needed now. Donnie had helped her, and now it was time to return the favor.

The shorter woman crossed over to her friend and placed a pale hand on Donnie's shoulder, gently rubbing it with a soft look in her eyes. She was reminded of the time on Murkhana when she'd been in tears and Donnie had rubbed warm hands on her headtails soothingly.

Slowly Var moved her arm around Donnie's shoulder and initiated a sideways hug, feeling her adoptive sister needed it. She didn't say anything for a few long seconds before she realized what had to be done.

Donnie needed a leader right now, someone to take charge and take care of her pressing need. Var was going to be the one to do that.

"It's okay Donnie," She said softly. "It's okay. We'll go out and get you a pregnancy test, and if it's positive, I'll take care of you. You'll make it through this."

[The Conman]

Thanks Var...

Donnie said after Var let her go, still somewhat un believing that she was actually in the motherly way.

The woman leaned back on the couch and sat more upright again, pushing her leeku back over her shoulders....She didn't want to get up and go to the store to get the tests. Partially because she was still too afraid of the result, and also because she wasn't too keen on moving around.

Then again...

The bandaid did hurt less if you just ripped if off quickly...

- 25 minutes, 2 cab rides, and a snowcone later -

Donnie walked in the door first, ahead of Var, who was holding the bag tests. Wanting to be through, the taller of the two insisted upon purchasing 5 of them, just to avoid the possibility of a false positive.

Donnie took the bag, and looked back at Var, who was removing her shoes.

Well, I had to pee anyways...

She said, heading to the washroom.

Once inside, she shut the door, and emptied the contents of the bag into the sink. 5 of "Dr. Nick's 99.99% Accurate home pregnancy tests" piled out and into it. Donnie had a momentary lapse of reason and, for no good reason had the sudden urge to cry.

The amazonian twi'lek held onto the edges of the sink and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself down as best she could.

After a few seconds, she opened them and stared back at herself, as if in a staring contest with her reflection.

Do it...do it...doitdoitdoitdoitdoit!

She said to herself quietly, suddenly looking away and picking up the first one, unwrapping it, and setting the plastic stick aside. She repeated the process 4 more times, until they were all unwrapped.

The woman dropped her pants, underwear, and sat down, tests in hand, and did the deed.

Her "expulsion" of bodily fluids seemed to take forever, and Donnie ensured she got all the tips soaked, the put the covers back on the ends.

She wanted to look at the result window, which would show a smiling Dr.Nick if she was pregnant, and a frowning Dr.Nick if she wasn't. Somehow, though, she just couldn't.

It was as if there was an invisible force stopping her from moving her hand in such a way to actually see the window. Be it her own fear, or an actual ghost in the seedy apartment was up for debate, but the fact was Donnie was unable to view the result herself.

Standing up, and cleaning herself up, Donnie departed the washroom, and walked back into the living room, where Var had returned to her chair.

Hey, Uh...d'ya think...you know, you could...

Donnie said, looking at the floor, the window, the potted plant beside the TV...anywhere but actually at Var. She was awkwardly holding the 5 tests out with her hand, playing with her leeku with her left.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Var was never a big fan of shopping, of that feeling some people loved: going out from their homes to a shopping center and spending hard-earned credits on various items, mostly luxury. At best it was a nuisance, and at worst it was miserable. As fortune would have it, Var didn't have to buy a nice dress or pick up a month's worth of groceries on this trip. All she had to do was stick by her friend and comfort her.

In the end they both returned with multiple pregnancy tests, and Var waited in the living room while Donnie used them.

The pale ex-Sith wasn't particularly suspenseful over the outcome, as she'd become convinced with the power of hindsight. The weight gain, all the other little signs. Everything added up to a pregnancy, and Var was pretty certain that would be the outcome, as much as Donnie hoped it wasn't.

Of course Var never lead her on to false hope, though it was clear Donnie still harbored the desire for it to be merely a weight fluctuation.

Donnie emerged from the refresher again wielding the tests, but Var had the distinct feeling she hadn't looked.

An alabaster hand took the tests and compared them to the instructions on the box before setting them down on the counter.

"Donnie," Var said as softly as she could. "You're going to be a mother."

Anticipating a breakdown and tears, she pulled the much taller woman a little closer and wrapped an arm around her, trying to guide her read to rest on top of her own soft shoulder.

[The Conman]

Donnie's mind pretty much went blank after Var said "mother", her eyes fixated on the plant near the TV. For what felt like an eternity she just stood there, unable to actually put together a coherent thought.

Her world, so far as she knew it anyways, had been flipped upside down, shaken, stirred, covered in warm liquid goo and then burred in soft peat. She'd always realized it was a risk...but that sort of thing wouldn't happen to her.

So she thought.

Her mind was stuck in a loop, trying to figure out a way out of this predicament. She always had a way out. It's how she stayed alive on Corellia, Zeltros, even the Sith Homeworld, she'd manged to "get out".

Suddenly, she was standing there, without a way out. 5 positive tests. She couldn't just get on her swoop or hop in an escape pod and run.

And it was this, this realization that Donnie had, that was currently eating a hole in her gut. The sinking sensation, the queasiness...

Donnie didn't resist Var, at all. At first she just stood there, her head resting on Var's shoulder. After a second or two, though, she started to sniffle and cry.

Not because she didn't understand what had happened. But because she was so frustrated with herself that she'd let it happen. All the woman wanted to do was to have fun, and for that, she was now going to spend the next 6 months getting her body wrecked and then the next 18 years trying to figure out how to be a mom.

*sniffle* Var...*sniffle*

Donnie brought her arm up and wiped the tears off her face as best she could, before returning to hug the smaller, but oddly warm, Var.

*sniffle* Varwhaddoido *sniffle*

Donnie was trying to stop crying, and be less hysterical, but it was a loosing battle.

*sniffle* var...icantbe *sniffle* a momma *sniffle*

She wiped her face again.

*sniffle* Immakekidcraaaaazzzeheheehehe

She said, before loosing the ability to speak at the realization that she was going to have a kid.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

As Var had worried, Doneeda started to cry. Given the circumstances, it wasn't surprising, and the older woman wondered exactly what she would have done when she was Donnie's age. A Padawan still in the Jedi Order, young, so very young...

Donnie was young. Her heart didn't know the kind of sorrow and pain some others did, and part of the beauty she had was in her carefree nature. This experience was going to change Donnie, was going to transform her.

Var couldn't tell whether it would be a good or ill change. All she knew was that it was her role now to be the best friend she could.

The slender woman in black rubbed her counterpart's back and whispered soft words of encouragement, even though she doubted Donnie registered the exact details.

"It'll be okay Donnie, everything will work out all right. We'll get through this okay? You're going to make it through all right, and you're going to be a great mother. We'll take care of this one day at a time. Just sit down now, and I'll make tea."

She guided Donnie to a seat and retreated into the kitchen, her bare feet making soft sounds on the tiled floor. Quickly she poured boiling water over a pair of teabags and stirred in sugar, then she carried two mugs out to the living room and placed one before Donnie, then retreated to her chair and folded her legs up under her body, cradling the cup.

Hoping her brief absence had brought about a slightly calmer tan pregnant Twi'lek, Var spoke again.

"It's not so bad Donnie. It really isn't."

[The Conman]

When Var went to get the tea, Donnie leaned back and took a few deep breaths, working to calm herself, realizing freaking out wouldn't actually do any good. No, her shock, though still coursing through her, was beginning to abate somewhat. The reality of the situation was beginning to force her to start to view it with a modicum of logic.

Var returned, with tea, then told her it wouldn't be so bad.

Doneeda wiped her eyes for what felt like the thousandth time. She wouldn't call herself "calm", not quite yet. But she wasn't hysterical, that much was for sure.

I guess I can cross the parenting bridge when I come to it.

Donnie said, trying to lighten the mood.

The reality was, Doneeda was worried about a number of things, in order; Her inability to take care of herself, the 6ish months she'd be spending blimped up, and the fact that she had no idea how to support a kid.

So...Var...this is where you get to say "I told you so", you realize that, right?

She said, with a bit of a smirk growing across her face, as she leaned over and grabbed the mug, taking a small sip of the warm beverage.

The responsible, elder, jobless form across from her had told her before to "keep it in her pants". Donnie, of course, hadn't listened. The results were now obvious, and her inability to take advice even moreseo.

The fact was that things, financially, were about to get far tighter. Nearly as tight as Donnie's brastrap, because of her inability to take advice. She figured that keeping the mood as light as possible would be the best bet.

Wouldja you prefer Aunt or Godmother?

Donnie asked, taking another sip.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

As Var retreated to her chair with a cup of tea in her hand she strangely found that she didn't find much appeal in saying 'I told you so.'

Yeah, she'd said such things before. Yes, she'd been right. But that wasn't so important now, and strangely enough... Finally she had something good going with a friend, a nice relationship. She didn't want to become caustic and biting in her friend's moment of need just to feel vindicated.

But she repressed a shudder at how easily she might have savaged Donnie for her 'sin' when she'd been a Sith. The way words could be wielded as weapons was real and severe, and she'd not been above it. Her tongue had been sharp and biting.

Now... It was improved. It was controlled. And she was going to be the best friend she could.

The pale woman sipped her tea and listened, waiting until everything was said and done before making her own statement.

"Donnie, you've been the sister I never had growing up. I can't think of anyone I trust as much as you, and I can't think of anyone else I'm as close to. I guess what I'm trying to say is... Aunt."

Var smiled genuinely, a soft expression that was extremely valuable on those occasions when it reached her face. She was pleasantly surprised by Donnie's resilience, with the grace and strength with which she took the news.

"I'll take good care of you Donnie. Somehow I will. And you have to take good care of yourself. No pills, no alcohol. "

[The Conman]

Donnie nodded, no pills and booze was, of course, implied. She also realized she'd probably need to stop smoking as well.

It was an odd train of thought, for her. Any sort of responsibility she'd had until that point was only relative to herself. Making sure she was fed, happy, etc etc. Now, suddenly, 5 ( very ) positive home pregnancy tests had changed all of that.

The worst part was, however, that her "hobbies" weren't the only things that'd need to change. Donnie ate, well, badly. The reality, even she realized, was that needed to change.

Yeah...As much as it's gonna suck, I agree, no more booze or pills.

She stopped, and fumbled between her cleavage, producing a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. Having DD's had it's advantages, she thought to herself.

Here.

She said, tossing them Var's way.

Hide 'em. I might get hormonal...or something, and want one.

She said, trying to lighten the mood.