Korma looked out from the window of the church. "It is a dark night," he murmured in observation.

"That would be due to the heavy cloud cover and precipitation," remarked Dee See dryly.

"Yes, but it's especially dark tonight," said Korma, turning away from the window and drawing his robes about him. "It must be bitter cold. I do hope there isn't a poor soul out there without a coat and hood."

"Statistically, it is likely there are around sixty or more such beings," replied the droid, replacing an illumination cell in one of the lanterns meant to hang above the pews. "A fair portion of them could be droids." He shut the hatch and the light floated to the ceiling.

"Well, droid, being or beast, we'll take them in if they need shelter." The priest shivered. "It's even cold inside the chapel."

"That is because you asked me to leave the doors open," replied D-C0N. "In case a droid, being or beast needed shelter. We should really have put a sign up."

Korma flapped an exasperated exhalation his lips. "Some beings are illiterate."

"If you say so," said the droid. He put a finger to his metal temple. "My scanners have alerted me to a being entering the church now."

Korma walked briskly with the droid to the entrance and found a ragged human rubbing his hands in front of the heater the priest had provided for refugees. The man did not seem to notice the priest or the droid, but muttered to himself under his breath from underneath his thick beard.

"Welcome, good sir," said Dee See. "We can offer you food as well as warmth if you should need it."

The man removed his gloves and continued rubbing. His grumbled thanks was almost inaudible.

Korma gave Dee See a look and gave a light clap of the hands. Dee See hurried off to the kitchen.

Korma approached the man. "What is your name, good sir?"

The man glowered and looked away, wordlessly retrieving a datapad from his belt and handing it to the priest.

Korma read the information on the device.

Com Narcom, petty thief, repeat offender. Indicted on counts of theft, assault and resisting arrest. Parole officer: Judron Koss, Head of Security, Tromani Penitentiary.

Korma looked at the man, who was still glaring at the floor.

"Welcome, Com," said the priest kindly. "Come with me. Dee See is putting dinner on the table."

"Dinner?" The man laughed. "For both of us? At this hour?"

"It has been many years since I have supped with a kinsman in the Force," said Korma. "I hope you won't mind my joining you. I have eaten very lightly all day."

Com shuffled behind the priest as he was led into the dining room. Two plates were set on either end.

Com narrowed his eyes as he sat. "Are these aurodium?"

"A small luxury," Korma smiled. "Dee See will be along shortly with the food."

Com said nothing, but merely turned his plate in his hands, rubbing it with his thumbs.

"Tell me about yourself," Korma said kindly.

"I already showed you the datapad," Com snapped.

"I don't care what's on the datapad." Korma folded his hands. "I want to know you. Your criminal record does not define you."

"If it didn't define me, I wouldn't have to carry it," Com growled.

Korma frowned sympathetically. "Did you have any ambitions before you were sent to prison?"

"No," Com replied. "I was too young and poor to aspire to be anything but neither of those things." He laughed bitterly. "I got one wish."

"You are not old," said Korma. "You cannot be more than forty."

"That's right," Com grumbled. "Still not young anymore. When's the droid getting here with the food?"

"Patience, my friend," Korma admonished. "He will not be more than two minutes. Do you have family?"

"I did. They're dead."

Korma winced. "I'm sorry."

Dee See entered, carrying a platter. "Dinner is served."

No sooner had the droid filled Com's plate than the man began tear into it voraciously. Dee See quietly placed a goblet next to the ravening man, but he didn't even look at it until his plate was empty. Then he seized the cup and drained it in one swig. Korma thought he saw his eyes linger on the cup as he brought it down.

"There is more if you are still hungry," Korma offered. "You may eat as much as you like. We have prepared much for hungry travellers and vagabonds."

"Thank you," Com grunted, growing less brusque. "I haven't had anything but a meiloorun in the past two days."

Dee See went to fetch more food. Korma twiddled his fingers and tapped on the table, waiting to see if Com would be more conversational now that he had eaten something.

Com was thumbing the stem of his cup, feeling the etchings in the gold. But he wasn't looking at his fingers. His eyes were down just low enough not to meet Korma's. Was it a distrustful look? Contemplative? Korma could sense his emotions, but not identify them.

Dee See returned with the food and Com took it, gently this time. Despite eating less voraciously than before, his breath still came in gasps between bites.

"Please, stay the night," Korma offered. "You have had a long day, I am sure."

Com nodded. "Thank you."

"I will be retiring to bed now, actually," said Korma, standing. "If you need anything, Dee See will happily provide."

Com yawned. "Where is the room?"

"This way," said Dee See, leading the man to Korma's guest room.

Korma watched them go. He sensed something. Com's mind was racing. He was anxious about something, as though he had discovered some great opportunity.

Well, whatever it was, Korma hoped he would find it.

Korma awoke sharply to a knock at the door. He was on his feet at an instant. His hand flew to his saber, which he kept underneath his cloak.

Dee See whizzed into the room. "Stormtroopers at the door!"

"Protect the guest!" Korma cried, rushing down the corridor. He didn't know how, but the Empire had uncovered his past. They knew he was a Jedi.

The troopers knocked again. "Open up!"

Korma walked apprehensively to the door and opened it. Standing there was Com, each arm in the grip of a stormtrooper's hold. Korma's mouth dropped open.

One of the troopers held out an open sack. "Do these belong to you?"

Korma looked inside and recognized his aurodium plates. "Yes."

"We caught him attempting to flee with these in his possession." The trooper jerked his head disdainfully towards Com, who refused to meet the priest's eyes. "He says you gave them to him, as a gift."

Korma looked at Com. The wretch's shame rippled through the Force. So it had not been for nothing that this man had been labeled a thief, repeat offender.

Korma knew exactly why he had stolen the plates.

"Yes, I did," said Korma.

Com's eyes snapped to Korma's, full of shock.

Korma looked in the bag again. "Oh! How could I have forgotten… I also meant to give you the cups. I could have sworn I put them in there. Wait one moment while I retrieve them."

"Did this vagrant steal from you or not?" snapped the sergeant.

"No, no!" Korma cried. "Release him at once! He is my guest!"

"You'd think he'd wait until morning to leave," remarked one of the troopers suspiciously.

"He said he would only be staying for a short while," said Korma. "He has a ship to catch."

"A ship?" laughed one of the troopers. "With what credits? I've seen broke spice addicts with nicer rags than his."

"I gave him the plates so he could sell them to buy his way offworld," Korma replied with growing impatience. "Now let him go or he'll be late. I'm glad the Empire is so vigilant in protecting my property, but this man has done no wrong. Leave him be."

The sergeant grunted and waved for the two other troopers to release the prisoner. They dropped him and walked away.

Dee See rushed into the hall. "Sir! The guest is-" He stopped and stared at Com, panting on all fours on the wet polished floor. "-gone."

Korma stooped and put a hand on Com's shoulder.

Com's breath was ragged. "Why did you lie for me?"

"I didn't lie," said Korma. "The plates and cups are yours."

Com choked. "I don't deserve that kind of generosity."

"Did you say the plates and cups?" asked Dee See incredulously.

"Yes," said Korma. "Go and fetch the cups, Dee."

"But-"

"Do it."

Dee See went off, grumbling. Korma raised Com up by the hand. "Take them. Sell them. Make a new life for yourself. An honest life. No more thieving."

Com's hanging lip trembled. "Thank you."

Korma smiled. "May the Force be with you."