Chapter 1: Loneliness of the Desert World.

The scenery remained the same on Tatooine. The landscape; Dunes of sand as far as the eye could see with the occasional, simple dwelling and the people, generally hostile and involved with their own business or profession or habit.

Such an environment was radically different to that of Coruscant. Obi-Wan Kenobi was turning over in his mind just those very thoughts. It had been five years since he had taken residence in the outer rim. Five years since the fall of the Jedi, and the rise of the Empire. The memories stirred in him, and made him uneasy; Sad. And each time a flash from the events would break the barrier of his meditation he would force himself to recite the code to which his entire existence was based around.

"There is no emotion; there is peace…." He slowly repeated as if the words were the only security he had in the whole universe. The middle-aged Jedi stood in the middle of his humble dwelling blankly staring at the beige walls trying to clear his thoughts, and more importantly his doubts. Finally Obi-Wan decided that the seclusion of his home was becoming too much for him, and the thought of venturing to the city of Mos Eisley, with the excuse for some small insignificant supplies, and the intention of mingling intrigued him.

Obi-Wan dressed quickly, and drew his cloak around himself as he glanced up into the mirror. His eyes locked with his reflection and he sighed unhappily with the realization that he was aging. Within his hair and beard was an entanglement of silver wires, which he hadn't known long.

"What have I done with my life? " He found himself asking aloud. Quickly his mind answered the question with a thousand memories of his past. At the academy, on missions, protecting people, and what he believed in…was it all a waste?

The Universe now held only two Jedi masters, and they were even thought to have been killed as well. There were no missions to go on, and no people to protect, and the democracy that he had so firmly trusted in was crumbling under the weight of the Empire.

All my life is, is in the past. He thought. What is to be held in my future?

Obi-Wan clipped his light saber to his belt and made sure it was hidden by his cloak as he mounted his speeder and shot off towards the city. Night was falling, and the sand people would be making their rounds soon enough. It was definitely a priority to make it to Mos Eisley before the binary sunset turned to dusk.

Once Obi-Wan reached the city he parked his speeder outside a nightclub of sorts and shuffled in with his hood over his head trying to not draw much attention to himself. Species of all sorts were mingling inside the busy club. Singing, dancing, drinking, flirting, bargaining, dealing. So much irresponsibility in one place, Obi-Wan turned his head to the floor disgusted with himself, and yet the high from the sin kept him.

He sat at the far end of the bar, away from the other people simply observing the surroundings. He swiveled around on the bar stool and watched those on the dance floor with envious curiosity. The rhythm had always interested him, how the bodies of others were in sync with the music perfectly. A hand in front of him slapped the counter with impatient force.

"What can I get for you?" A large orange creature with a long snout barked as Obi-Wan spun around in his chair, open mouthed with surprise.

"Well?"
"Oh…Umm… I umm" Obi-Wan sputtered a moment. "I…I think Im good right now. I'll order a little later." He passed a small smile from under his hood at the creature that snorted and turned to the other side of the bar.

Obi-Wan turned his attention back to the dance floor with particular interest in one woman. She was by no means gorgeous or wealthy. She was short, stocky, and muscular with raven hair that flowed down past her hips. Her attire was plain, and a little dirty. However, it seemed to Obi-Wan that though she appeared not to be in the happiest of circumstances, she was indeed content with her life.

And then for a brief moment the two locked in gaze. Obi-Wan felt his face grow hot and suddenly found certain interest in twiddling his thumbs. The woman smiled and continued to dance in step until the end of the song. Obi-Wan glanced up under the hood to catch another glimpse of his new infatuation, and choked on his breath when he saw her coming towards him.

He quickly turned to the bar clearing his throat.

"I'll have that drink now please bar tender!" He peeped from under his hood
The creature complied slamming a shot of neon pink liquid down in front of Obi-Wan who stared for but a second before sucking the whole thing down. He coughed below the bar trying to avoid the embarrassment, and blushed as he met a giggling face as he straightened his posture.

"Not used to such hard liquor I see." The woman from the dance floor laughed lightly patting him on the back.

"Is it that obvious?" Obi-Wan coughed again straining to catch his breath.

The dancer took the stool next to him smiling. He studied her face a moment, and it was still clear to him that she was quite plain. She had a small nose, joyful eyes, and a small, thin mouth. Nothing extraordinary, and yet, she intrigued him.

"I've never seen you here before." She started, ordering a drink for herself. "What's your name? And what brings you to a hell-hole like Tatooine?"

Obi-Wan lowered his hood finally feeling somewhat comfortable with his surroundings and propped his head upon his hand.

"My name is O-…Ben Kenobi. I've been living here on Tatooine for quite sometime, but I do confess, I don't get out much."

"So you live here? In Mos Eisley?"

"No. I live out in the desert. I like my privacy."

"Ah…" She concluded stirring her drink in thought of something else to say.

Obi-Wan stared at her profile a moment searching for more conversation as well.

"What is your name might I ask?" He smiled at her.

"Oh yeah, Im sorry how rude of me. Im Naita Tiu." She nodded taking a sip of her drink. Obi-Wan continued to study Naita and spotted a scar trailing from her wrist up into the hiding of her sleeve but before he could say anything else she spoke with panic in her voice.

"Oh no, what time is it!" She demanded in a fearful tone.

"Its almost half past midnight." He answered calmly with concern. "Why?"

Naita rose from her seat, moving towards the door.

"Im sorry Ben. I have to go." She waved slightly to him moving quicker. He got off the stool and followed after her outside.

"But…I was just…we were talking…" He started still grasping her abruptness in leaving.

"I know. Im sorry…we can talk again. I dance here every night!" She yelled back at him with a smile as she started into a dead run across the street.

Obi-Wan stood dumb founded a moment, and then made his way to his speeder riding back to his home in the desert, totally in awe of her mystery.