Hey! Here's the next part! Sorry it took me so long. DRL got a hold of me. But now I'm free and will post more soon. Any new people or old people, I love reviews! So if you like it it would be absolutely wonderful if you let me know! ...please?
It was only slightly bigger than her palm, but held more information than she cared to even think about. It was kind of worrisome that this little thing, this datapad handed to her only one standard hour ago could already cause her so much trouble. She couldn't stop looking at it, thinking about it, and wondering why the troll would deem her 'worthy' enough to even borrow it. He was a strange one, that's for sure and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near those sticks he uses to hobble around and hit unsuspecting bystanders with.
She glanced up looking very guilty as Teag and Eva joined her at the table with dinner. Guilty, because of the datapad she was still contemplating to read and the stock list in her hand. She had just made sure to erase 'Gimmer Sticks' from the order for next week and was damn proud of it—that didn't mean she wanted Eva to find out though, so she made a quick decision and quickly shoved it under the datapad.
"What's that?" Eva asked with her attention now focused on said embarrassing datapad. Maybe she made the wrong decision. Looking at Eva's curious eyes she realized that this was going to be a lot worse than her finding the changed stock list would have been. Why had she allowed the troll to give it to her again?
"It's nothing."
Eva looked suspiciously at Allie before shrugging and turning her attention to Teagan. Allie gave a sigh of relief before gasping as Eva pounced at it so quickly that she wondered where the old lady got her vigor.
"Eva don't, it really isn't anything that interesting!"
"Then why don't you want me to read it? Of course I'm going to, now that you've made me so curious."
How to Marry a Jedi, it was entitled and right now marrying one was very far from her mind, killing a Jedi however, is now at the top of her things-to-do list. All of her frustration, aimed specifically at one green Jedi Master, continued to grow as Eva began to read aloud from the datapad, giggling and agreeing with some points mentioned as she paced the room.
"Eva, would you please stop reading that kriffing thing?" The old woman completely ignored her and Teag let out a squeal of delight when Allie went to grab the dessert in a huff.
"Listen to this; it says here in chapter 5 section 10 that you must appear confident."
"Only appear to be so, what does that vapin' mean?" Allie muttered and slammed the bowl down before spooning some out for Teag, not caring that he had barely started his dinner, before then taking the rest of the tub over to her seat. She dug into the cold creamy mixture aggressively and after four bites she thought she felt better about this whole situation.
Then Eva continued to read the datapad clarifying the statement. "Men love a woman with confidence. Be sure to smile, keep your back straight, listen attentively, walk with your shoulders back and speak slowly. This will make you seem confident, even if you are not."
She nodded along with each point as she read aloud causing Allie to bury her face in her arms with a groan. Teagan giggled before eating another mouthful of dessert while pushing his green stuff on the floor slyly for 'Brant. The wolf sniffed at the veggies in distaste before giving Teag a glare. The little boy rolled his eyes, glanced over at the preoccupied adults and tossed a piece of incentive (nerfsteak) to the floor as well. 'Brant agreed with this trade off and ate everything before anyone was the wiser.
"Avoid fidgeting with your hair or clothes," Eva finished giving Allie a pointed look, causing her to fidget. She noticed that she had and gave a sigh in bafflement.
"Eva, stop it! You're acting like I'm actually looking to get married—and to a Jedi! I'm not, so why don't you put the datapad down before someone gets hurt."
"Well, with you doing missions and all for the council, maybe you'll find some hunky Jedi that catches your eye. What will you do then—fidget! It says right here that fidgeting signals insecurity and men don't like that. They like confidence remember?"
"Yah, appear to be confident I remember. Now that you mention it though, Teag and I should probably head out. We shouldn't be gone more than a couple of days. It's just a routine taxi pick up of some negotiator," Allie explained while tossing the empty dessert container in the trash. Eva finally noticed that she had missed out on dessert and her dinner was cold. With a pout she plopped down in her chair and stared with a glare at the trash.
"I'll take that," Allie exclaimed snatching the datapad away cleverly and she tucked it away in her bag securely before daring to give Eva a hug goodbye.
"Come on then Teag," she said firmly leaving no room for argument and walked out the door. The little boy rolled his eyes as 'Brant nudged him out of his chair but walked over to say goodbye to Eva.
"Kiss!" He demanded lifting his head to receive it.
"Only because you were a good boy and finished your veggies, you know?" She said and obliged him. It was only after he began to head to the door that she noticed the pile of vegetables placed conveniently and diabolically behind a leg table.
"Hold it!"
Teagan froze in his tracks recognizing her tone and glanced hesitantly over his shoulder with a little frown. She pointed and his frown increased before giving 'Brant a furious glare.
"We 'ad a deal!" He exclaimed with a small raised fist. 'Brant merely lifted his head in reply not threatened in the least. When they heard Allie call impatiently from the other room he made sure to hit Teagan with his tail on the way out. Teagan Stumbled slightly but then couldn't stop a little laugh. He didn't blame 'Brant for not wanting to eat those yucky veggies but he should have been able to hide them a little better.
"I gotta' go," he exclaimed and ran out of the room before Eva could comment further or decide not to let him go along with Allie after all. Eva made sure to wait until he was completely out of the house before bursting into laughter.
Coden Jade stared transfixed at the mess before him. He couldn't really believe what was right before his eyes. The smoldering mass of metal that used to be his ship and ride home didn't look to be even remotely able to get off the ground let alone fly back to Coruscant. Bringing a hand up slowly to scratch his head in bewilderment, Coden continued to contemplate this new problem he is to face. It had been a whole ship when he had left it. Now it didn't even resemble one. Of course being stranded on Myrkr wouldn't be that bad he concluded and heard fierce growls of Vornskrs in the distance.
"It could be worse," he said out loud trying to sound convincing. After all, even though he's been pretending to be only a negotiator for the mission it didn't mean he didn't have the force. He just couldn't really use it here. The fact that the jungles were filled with both Ysalamiri and Vornskrs didn't really ease his mind. The first being a creature that create bubbles to push away the Force and the other hunt exclusively by sensing it and the second a creature that kills by sensing the Force.
"You should probably be ready for a fight Bait," he stated with resolution over his shoulder and received a startled beep from his B8H3 droid in response. The small round droid hovered around trying to convey through a series of beeps what a bad idea any conflict would be.
"I know I've never given you the necessary weaponry you require to defend yourself but remember the last time I even tried to upgrade your system with a prototype blaster—Master Yoda still hasn't forgiven me!"
A resigned bleep and whistle was his only reply and Coden couldn't hold in his chuckle. "They haven't even patched up the scorch marks in the meditation chamber yet." Coden turned away from the wreckage and gazed into the dense trees and vines.
"Looks like we'll have to head back and see if we can hitch a ride home. Even I can't fix that heap of junk over there," he explained in bafflement and glanced one last time at his "ship" before heading towards the thick jungle.
"I know if I had the right materials I could probably get it off the ground in a year or so—thanks for your confidence but you're still going in first Bait," Coden stated and pointed for the droid to move on ahead. Bait responded with a few beeps that weren't very polite and continued to fly around Coden.
"I know what you mean Bait, this mission didn't seem all that important to me either. I'm sure both of the villages would have settled there dispute in no time if we didn't show up. We only helped them along but it would never have become violent that's for sure. If you ask me, Master Yoda just wanted to get you out of the Temple for few days."
"Don't give me that tone," Coden exclaimed with a laugh as Bait began to venture through the foliage. Coden followed slicing away with a long stick he found on the ground. This would have been a lot easier if he hadn't been told to leave his lightsaber on his ship. It had been a great lightsaber, made only recently after the 'accident' on his last mission. Another growl in the distance had them both pausing briefly. Bait looked as alarmed as a B8 droid could look and didn't seem reassured in the slightest by his creator's smile. When Coden suggested he scout ahead the droid gave a few explicit beeps.
"I'm sure you won't be approached by anything even slightly dangerous. I doubt that anything would find you appetizing Bait—well of course I'm sure, you piece of scrap metal and will you quit trying to hide in my hood!"
A Fierce howl in the not so far off distance startled Coden into a slight jump.
"Yeah, you're right. We've still got a lot of the day left but we should probably only go until dark and set up camp. You can take the first watch."
Before the little droid had the chance to argue—and he was going too—a noise that sounded all too much like rustling in the bushes had them scanning the area warily.
"Or we could hide in a tree."
This time there was no disagreement.
"Ok, so where is this guy?" Allie said with a frown as she descended from her ship and glanced at the wreckage before her. How this 'accidental' explosion occurred she had no clue but it looked like an inside job to her.
"Maybe he got blowed up too," Teagan commented with a resigned nod and gripped at the bottom of her pant leg near her knee in order to stay close and follow.
"Well if he did we'd be able to go home—but I don't think he did or Yoda wouldn't have sent us right? The troll said that he knew about the ship blowing up. So this guy should be around here somewhere waiting for pick up. Only a fool would travel away from a ship that is coming for him."
'Brant gave a sharp bark in agreement from the top of the ramp before trotting down to stand at Allie's hip.
"Finished with your beauty sleep your highness?" Allie asked sarcastically looking down. He responded with a yawn and nudged his head against her leg. She rolled her eyes and then smiled as she heard Teag giggle.
"Some guard dog! He'd be a fearsome thing to behold, they said…"
"Who said?" Teagan asked when she trailed off. Her eyes grew distant for only a second before regaining the sharpness."
"I don't know Teag."
'Brant barked and ran over to a trail made only the day before. Allie followed with a glower dragging Teagan along before stopping just short of entering.
"You gotta be kidding me 'Brant!"
He gave a low growl that stated clearly that he wished he was kidding.
"We go?"
She looked down at the child's trusting eyes with a frown and glanced back at the ship. Her gaze finally landed on the wreckage once again and her decision was made. There was no way she could leave Teag on the ship but it was almost as bad taking him with her. She figured she'd kill this Coden Jade as soon as she found him.
"Yeah, you go," she said with a sigh and he tightened his grip on her leg in excitement. "You really have to come with. Who knows if our ship will have the same fate as his and I can't knowingly leave you on a ship that might explode. No matter how annoying you can be," she finished slyly and Teag quickly looked up to give her a glare.
"I'm a good boy, I am!"
The protest was only met with a raised brow and he huffed then puffed out his chest. "I try to be, at least."
"Oh I was only joking. You are a great kid Teag—"She informed him with a smile and he looked up hopefully "if you would only stop stealing from people. Let's get going then," Allie announced with a resigned glance into the jungle. Her sigh was met with a fierce growl in the distance.
"Great," she muttered and let her hand rest on her blaster. Teagan kept his hold on her as tightly as he could and glanced over at 'Brant.
"You scared?" He asked the wolf in an attempt to hide his nervousness. 'Brant gazed at him for a second before moving to scout ahead, making sure to flick Teag with his tail as he left.
"Guess not," Teag murmured and tried to put up a brave front. Allie saw right through this and gave his head a pat before focusing her attention on the dangerous surroundings.
"What kind of moron would head into THIS when he needed pick up?" She asked herself and began following his path.
"Of course I wasn't scared!" Coden replied indignantly to something Bait twirped at him.
"I should take you apart," he threatened and the B8 droid didn't even look the least bit intimidated—if droids, that is, could look so. He just beeped the same response as before causing Coden to growl.
"Well, yes I guess that does pose quite a problem…of course I intend to climb down, as soon as the beasts sound further away."
Coden sighed, "I didn't program you like this" before glancing around intensely. "Yes, you're right of course. It seems the beast has been led astray," He admitted and began to descend slowly.
"This would be a lot easier if I could just jump down, you know," Coden commented to Bait's insistent beeping as his foot nearly slipped a second time. He paused shortly to give a glare at Bait hovering beside him.
"I thought it would be safer up in the trees at night and you agreed with me!" He exclaimed while dropping down to the next branch.
"I think I want to kill Master Yoda," he remarked as soon as he had safe footing. He grabbed at the thick trunk and twisted slightly in order to look around.
"Not much of a view."
Bait flew around his head in order to see and give his own opinion about the view.
"Geeze Bait, watch where you're flying—"
Growing up in the Jedi Temple; becoming first a Padawan and then a Knight he figured he had mastered the art of landing on his feet years ago. Now, with the Force stripped away from him because of this blasted planet and the vapin' creatures that live on it he really hadn't expected that he would be climbing trees—or falling out of said tree. Fall he did, however, and he really had no chance of landing any other way but on his back.
"Owe!"
Frantic beeps.
"Of course I'm not ok Bait; you pushed me out of a tree!" Coden bit out after a few curses and pushed the droid away as he sat up with a wince. Rubbing his back he glared at his creation with destruction in his eyes. He rolled his eyes slightly as the worried beeps continued and pushed him away again.
"I know you're sorry. I'm all right," he finally had to say if just to shut the droid up. A loud growl broke the newly acquired silence and before Coden could even think to do anything he saw the beast in mid-jump coming in their direction. Surprisingly enough it didn't get very far and fell crashing to the jungle floor. Bait made some excited beeps and swiveled in Coden's direction.
"I didn't do anything," he told the droid with a shrug.
"Are you stupid or something?" Allie called out from the other side of the opening while lowering her blaster and walked over to stand over him.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I asked if you were stupid. You were too busy arguing with that to notice that you were about to be eaten by that," she emphasized by pointing to the dead Vornskr. "I assume you're Coden Jade, negotiator, am I right? You would have to be, who else would be walking around this jungle—no one."
He hadn't heard a word she said. He was pretty certain she was still insulting him but he couldn't find it in himself to care all that much. Even with the scowl she had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. All that tumbled red hair, a full—frowning—mouth and her eyes were big, blue and beautiful, despite the annoyance shooting out of them. He had to blink as she scowled again and lifted her hand to shove it through that terrific tangle of hair.
"What?" She bit out impatiently and he finally decided it would be a good idea to stop staring and stand up, or at least just stand up.
He was taller than she expected and she automatically had to step back so she didn't have to tip her head back in order to keep an eye on him. His hair was a dark brown but she noticed that when the light pierced through the trees there were highlights of a lighter shade. He kept staring at her, what he was looking for she didn't know but he had the greenest eyes she had ever seen. When his lips pouted ever so slightly as he rubbed his head she fought to hold back a grin.
"Sorry," he muttered and tried to stop looking at her and so he put some distance between them. As soon as he noticed the wolf in the distance he tensed and took a step to stand in between them when it barked.
"It's clear 'Brant," the vision before him called out and the big canine seemed to nod in understanding. She focused those bright blue orbs back up at him and he was certain he caught a trace of amusement in their depths, especially when he swatted at Bait.
"I'm Coden Jade."
"I know," Allie replied and stepped closer with a small smirk.
"Oh," he said and shuffled slightly. When she didn't say anything in response he looked back down at her. "Who are you?"
"I'm Allie."
"Just Allie?"
"Yeah, just Allie," she replied with a narrowed look that clearly stated that he should back off that subject. When he held his palms up in mock surrender she continued, "I guess I'm also your ride to Coruscant."
"You are?" He asked in surprise then was even more shocked to see a little boy emerge with the wolf from the trail he had created the day before.
"Yes, I was sent by Master Yoda. Stupid kriffing Jedi…How did you manage to blow your ship up anyway?" She asked incredulously and absently reached down to lay a reassuring hand on the boy's head.
"I didn't do anything, but I'm beginning to wonder if I haven't been set up," Coden murmured and couldn't think of anyone who would have motive to do so. The two tribes occupying this side of the planet are very peaceful and didn't even really need his help at all through the negotiations. However, if Master Yoda had sent this woman—how he knew to do so was very suspicious.
"I'm Teagan," the little boy said coming closer.
"I'm Coden and this little annoying guy is Bait, my B8H3 droid," he introduced as Bait flew down to hover near the boy.
Was she married, bonded, taken? She couldn't already have someone in her life because he had already decided that she would never leave his side. How to convince her of this he had no clue. He let out a breath in relief when she informed him that she had found Teag on the streets picking pockets for a living and that he should watch all valuables. Not relief that he had been warned to hide his credits only that there was still hope she didn't have anyone. It was obvious she didn't have a soft heart for Jedi though, if her muttered curses about them were anything to go by, and so it might be wise to just neglect mentioning the fact that he is one to her.
"I don't know how Master Yoda knew the ship…broke, but I'm glad you're here," he said with a smile.
Allie decided then and there that this man shouldn't be allowed to smile. She could tell that he would be dangerous. Even with a two day beard he was incredibly handsome and to her disgust she felt her heart speed up. It didn't matter though, because as soon as she got this guy back to where he belonged she would never see him again and that was good. She didn't need any more complications polluting her life.
Lifting her chin with a stubborn tilt she seemed to be unaware of she crossed her arms and gave him a glare. "What did you think you were doing taking a two day trek in the wrong direction? The villages are in the opposite direction or can't that piece of scrap metal navigate?" Bait let her know with a few expletive beeps that he didn't appreciate being called that but she just stared.
"It's ok Bait, I'm sure she didn't mean it and I don't think she can understand you," Coden told him with a pat and didn't notice Allie's lips twitch in amusement but then thought better of it and began to glare at his droid.
"You do have a navigation system Bait! Why didn't you mention we were going the wrong direction?"
"We really should be going…" Allie tried to cut in.
"What do you mean you thought it would be fun to take the scenic route—you're trying to get me killed is what you're doing!"
"Not that this isn't amusing but I think it would be wise if…" she tried again but he just kept right on talking to the droid.
"I wouldn't have had to sleep in a tree that's for sure!"
"You slept in a tree?"
"Never mind that I didn't get to actually sleep because you insisted that I keep a watch out for those beasts while you powered down!"
"You stayed in a tree all night?"
"I wouldn't have a headache from falling—being pushed by you—from said tree either," Coden finished with a frown and glanced over in amazement while Allie laughed.
"It's not really that funny," he told her while rubbing at his head. It didn't really matter if it was at his expense; he made it his life mission to always keep her smiling and laughing. It was amazing.
"Yes, it really is," she replied through bursts of laughter and Teagan joined in with giggles. Coden could only watch on with a slight frown. It would have been funny if his back still didn't hurt and his head wasn't pounding but he couldn't bring himself to join in and pushed at Bait.
"I hate you."
"Ok, ok I'm sorry for laughing but you fell from a tree—"
"I was pushed."
"—and you have conversations with your droid."
"He talks back I assure you."
"But you're right, we should really get moving. We need to travel as far as we can before it gets dark," she finished while glancing around.
"Right, good plan," Coden agreed giving 'Brant a few scratches between his ears without really noticing it. Her eyes softened as they landed on his show of affection for her huge wolf. Not letting herself be swayed by him, she motioned for everyone to start walking.
"Bait will scout ahead," Coden told them off-handedly with a sly smirk in his startled droids direction. "It is why I named you bait, Bait."
"Bait!" Teagan said with a laugh sure it was another joke. It was, mostly, but Coden would never want any harm to come to the silly droid—unless it came from him of course.
"So tell me something about you," Coden said trying to start up some small talk.
"I'd rather not," Allie replied without glancing in his direction at all. He noticed she had stiffened though, and it seemed as if barriers shot up all around her as a source of protection.
"Good, because I was talking to Teag," He said quickly and had to smile as she looked back slightly startled. She only stared at him for a few moments before shaking her head with a small smile in return and focused again on the surroundings.
"I'm 5," Teagan began happy to be included in conversation and didn't even realize he almost tripped over a tree root, would have in fact, if Coden hadn't have hefted the little guy up into his arms. He received another surprised look from Allie and one more smile, this one soft and meaningful. She had noticed that Teag had seemed to drag his feet in near exhaustion but couldn't really afford to carry him herself while trying to protect him at the same time. His little legs had to have been very tired.
"I hate green veggies—so does 'Brant—but I love dessert."
"Me too," Coden agreed very seriously.
"Love dessert?" Allie asked giving him a look. He smiled and shook his head in disagreement.
"Hate green veggies," he clarified causing Teagan to laugh and bury his head in Coden's neck.
"He's attached. It means you have to keep me now," he pointed out.
"Or just get rid of you both," she muttered while stepping through into a clearing. He was too charming for his own good. Allie cast another glance in his direction and watched as he nearly stumbled over a "hidden" rock but righted his feet almost immediately. They would have fallen right over, she thought while shaking her head. If 'Brant hadn't caught at Coden's jacket with his teeth they would have been goners. Her wolf gave a long suffering sigh and decided to scout ahead with Bait.
Allie couldn't help but watch Coden in amazement. He was charming all right, but he really didn't seem to know it. The fact that he didn't made him even more so in her opinion and that frightened her. It would be very complicated if she actually started to like him. She couldn't even remember her life, her childhood before meeting Eva. How could she even think about a future if she couldn't remember her past?