Shaded pink skinned female Zeltron dancers swayed in between the massive waterfall of the city gates, displaying their alluring bodies to all who entered the thriving hub as the first of many attractions to distract the unwary traveler.
At various segments of the glistening falls, massive elongated gates pushed the water to the side and allowed travelers to enter without worry from being drenched and Rey kept her eyes focused on the streets in front of her, trying to hide her mixture of disgust and wonder at the spectacle around her.
Glowing lanterns filled with red mushy bacteria floated gently against the edge of the gravel road as it snaked thru the city, possibly a hundred or more different species moving about and enjoying their leisure time. A waft of strong jazzy music stirred thru the air as the trio neared a large fountain, the green water from the lake spilling out onto the aged stone statues like some form of sweat.
The smell that both Chewbacca and Finn had complained of earlier grew stronger as they crossed a bridge into the main business area, alien and humanoid travelers pushing to head toward one of many countless bars and casinos.
"Any ideas on where to look first?" Rey asked her companions. Chewie made a low growl as a Gomorrian pushed against him to get by and she nodded, "I know, I don't like crowds either."
"We need to look for establishments run by the Comasari Guild," Finn replied as he took the lead down the next street, pointing toward some of the banners that waved at various posts along the crammed path.
"We could probably save time if we split up," Rey suggested. Chewie growled in agreement and followed Finn as she went in the opposite direction.
"Shouldn't you go with her since you two can... you know, talk to each other?" Finn asked even as the large Wookiee made a soft growling laugh and took the lead into the next sprawling market area, glints of the waterfall's beautiful green glow cascading against the canopy of crystalline art and architecture that seemed to crop up all along the inner shops.
"That's Belugan crystal, I haven't ever seen it shipped this far out from the Inner Rim. Didn't Poe say our contact was a big supplier all across the Permelian Trade Route?" Finn muttered and Chewbacca growled something back and he rolled his eyes, before commenting, "Just shake your head yes or no."
The Wookiee seemed angry that he still hadn't learned his speech patterns but the former Stormtrooper knew Now wasn't the time to discuss the First Order's xenophobic policy.
"Let's just check around this area," Finn suggested, holstering his blaster as he walked into one of the established bars and heard the jazzy music intensify almost immediately.
A dazzling low key lighting system shifted the cavern into an array of strange colors designed to both attract and disorient anyone who entered and Finn kept his head forward, commenting toward the Wookiee, "Circle around the back. I'll take the front."
His comrade growled affirmatively and Finn walked toward the bar, wondering what sort of alcohol they might serve at such a strange place.
Behind the bar more of the dancers distracted the greedy and drunk smugglers as a tall male Chistori offered him a drink. "Oh, no thanks," Finn quickly told the reptilian alien who seemed to take the rejection almost offensively.
"This was an offering of friendship, refusing it would be most unwise," a blue skinned lanky female Pantoran remarked as she licked a small piece of fuzzy fruit. Finn looked at the slushy brown mixture and smiled at the reptilian again before downing it reluctantly.
"You're new here, are you not?" the Pantoran remarked as she slid closer and extended her thin frail hand, "Lasa Undell."
Finn shook it back, recalling the names that Dameron had picked from the encoded data and answered, "Dison, Majev Dison. How could you tell I was New?"
Lasa laughed as she glanced toward the crowd her yellow eyes almost barely blinking before answering, "I been in this business long enough to catch all of the signs."
Finn relaxed in his seat as he realized meeting a local was actually good news for them and he commented, "I guess it pays to be in the know."
She smiled, placing her hand on his chest and adding, "And for the right price, you can be just as knowledgable too."
He nodded, unzipping a small pouch on his left hip and taking out half of the currency that they had been given before saying, "What would you happen to know about a smuggler named Makius?"
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Across the city, Rey was standing at the top of a balcony looking out toward the inner cliff that blanketed the rest of the area with darkness and reflected back on her teachings from Ach-To.
Here, in an abandoned structure that lurched against the edge of the new shiner clubs, it was easy to remain hidden and to use her special connection to the Force.
Closing her eyes she placed her palms on the ground of the stony surface and relaxed her mind, reaching out and meditating on everything around her.
In her mind's eye she saw the city, she saw both its cruelty and its beauty, an interesting parallel that seemed to permeate everything that called the place home. Bounty hunters and high rolling criminals rubbed shoulders with one another in grimy festering bars, while slaves and servants and captured animals were sold, tortured and used for entertainment. A vast array of intricate artwork lined a soft lit museum and a continuous melody was being sung in a clinic to newborn children.
She saw her allies, and as she tried to reach out and find their target she found herself hesitant. This gift was strong in her blood, she knew that finding the smuggler would likely take her little effort at all and yet the anxiety she felt in her heart still remained there. It became stronger as she saw children running the alleys, searching for scraps, elderly and lost citizens gathering near a sluiceway to collect clean water.
It reminded her in so many ways of Jakku, of the life she had led. No, of what my parents left me for. That hurt still stung like a wound that couldn't possibly be healed. And now they were dead and gone, without even considering her future.
Eventually that will happen to me too, she thought as she felt the Dark Side here amongst the city. All things pass away, and we will all be forgotten, she realized as she opened her eyes and looked toward the cityscape again. Was there even a point to fighting if eventually we all meet the same fate?
But she knew such dark thoughts were truly just her own anger toward those who had left her. Her parents. Han Solo. Luke Skywalker. Kylo Ren. I'm all alone.
What can I do to make a difference she wondered as she stood up, realizing that for now the burden of the Force was too much her. She wasn't ready. She wasn't sure she ever would be.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Chewbacca watched as the former Stormtrooper bound across the room to where he had stood and Finn said, "I think I may have found a lead."
The Wookiee seemed encouraged by that thought and followed Finn back to the bar where the female Pantoran was chatting with some sort of service droid.
"Makius doesn't exactly welcome visitors, especially scum like you. But I know a guy that could get you in. How much more money do you have?" she asked as she looked at the tall Wookiee. "Name your price," Finn told her firmly.
She smiled, wagging a finger at him and then remarked, "Follow me." The two disguised rebels followed wordlessly toward the back of the bar where several large armed Devaronians kept the VIP customers guarded and the Pantoran flashed some sort of crystal jewel across one of their palms allowing her and them access.
The darkened inner portion of the club reminded Finn of some of the sights he had seen on Canto Bight not but six months ago and as they walked deeper into the shady establishment his thoughts turned to Rose.
He couldn't help but wonder what sort of attachment the girl had to him, especially after saving his life. And he was wondering if he fit more in with her than with a person like Rey. We all have circles we orbit, those we know we will be close to, he reasoned as Lasa gestured toward a long gambling table.
"These young travelers are looking for Makius, Majev Dison and his life-debt companion," she explained. Finn froze as the man across the table stood up from reclining and seemed to laugh.
He put on the grimy boots that had been lurched against the seat as he adjusted his plated headpiece and leered toward the two rebels with some what of a drunken wobble.
Finn had never even known the man's name, but recognized the traitorous hacker from Canto Bight even after all this time.
As the slicer stood near to him it was clear the recollection was mutual, but the criminal wasn't saying a word toward anyone about Finn's true identity. Instead he chuckled again and stated, "For the right p-p-price, I can do whatever is necessary. But you know that already, don't you big F?"