So, still a short chapter but, again, the story's still starting.

I'll level with you, I'm struggling for that big main storyline, which is why this instalment exists. So, if you've got any ideas, please send me a message. I've got some smaller-scale storylines planned out but haven't got that main one yet, so don't tailor it to any specific character.

Nar Shaddaa, Hutt Space

16BBY

Miri was sixteen. Her red hair was roughly cut at her shoulders and her bright green eyes flickered across the traffic of speeders. It wasn't like the traffic on Coruscant – speeders never stopped and were expected to swerve around each other. It was more like a podrace than anything else…

Neon flickered pink and yellow and orange across the towers with advertisements for bounty hunters. Miri turned away from the balcony and looked around to see neon trees of green and yellow humming beside the benches. It was in the early hours of the morning, which meant she would be going to work soon – cleaning up in clubs and dens while the patrons careened back to their homes to sleep before beginning the cycle of drinks and deathsticks all over again.

Miri bumped into someone – a boy. Short black hair, with large brown eyes and a small scar by his eye. Pretty, in a soft boy-ish way. Miri glanced down and saw him clad in the grey uniform of an Imperial. Red stripes raced down his arms, and a hat pressed down above his chocolate pore-less brow.

"Sorry, Officer, I didn't-"

"That's alright," he said with a smile, removing his hat. "I ought to look where I'm going," he confessed with a chuckle. Miri gave a polite smile and began to walk away, only to see him step in her way again. "My name's Crassus."

Miri glanced down at the square of red-and-blue badges on his chest. "Sorry, Captain Crassus-" Miri tried to walk away again.

"Just Crassus," he said to her. "And I'm not a Captain, I'm a lieutenant." He smiled warmly. "And you are?"

"Miri," she introduced herself, "I'm afraid I don't have my identification on-"

"This isn't an inspection, Miri," he assured her. He gave a stiff bow. "Nar Shaddaa isn't the safest place. Perhaps I could escort you where you mean to go?"

"It's fine, I can-"

"Please, you'd be saving me from an otherwise dull assignment," he said. Miri eventually nodded and began to walk down the walkway with him. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

"And where is that?" Miri pointed forwards to the apartments nearby. "Miri… that's a nice name. Where are you from?"

"Alderaan."

Crassus pointed a finger at her. "I knew it- you've a bit of an accent. Better-spoken than most people around here…"

"I like the people around here," Miri said pointedly.

"That's very lucky, because I just so happen to come from…" Crassus leant backwards and pointed towards the corner, next to a boarded-up corner-house down the street from Miri. "Right down there."
Miri crossed her arms. "Crassus hardly sounds like a Hutt name."

"We fell on hard times during the wars. The Empire rewarded us – put me through flight school…" he straightened up with a proud smile, "youngest Lieutenant in the navy."

"Congratulations," Miri said as she tapped on the buzzer.

"Might I call on you again, Miri?"

She turned around to Crassus. "I hardly think that's wise."

Crassus frowned. "Well… why not?"

The door opened and Rast opened the door. His dark hair was brushed back, his beard shaggy but well-kept, for the better part. His blue eyes widened upon seeing Crassus and he glanced to the girl.

"Dad," Miri said quietly, "what're you doing here? I thought you were at work…"

"Called off for the celebration," he explained. "Miri, get inside," he said, letting her pass by him. "What happened, Captain?"

"Lieutenant, not Captain," Crassus corrected Rast. "I simply bumped into Miri and decided to assist her in returning home. Nar Shaddaa can be a dangerous place."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Rast said sternly.

"I… I might wonder if I could call upon Miri in future, sir?" Crassus asked. "She is.. well, she's…"

"She is." Rast nodded. "It's up to her, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes… yes, of course, sir…" Crassus cleared his throat and straightened up. "Good to meet you, sir."

"And you, lieutenant."

Rast pressed the panel to close the door and turned around to see Miri tugging off her brown fingerless gloves and tossing them onto the blue holopad in front of the blue couch where they ate. Rast crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Miri asked.

"An imperial?" He asked. "You're talking to imperials-"

"He bumped into me and asked to 'escort' me home," Miri explained. Rast tapped on the holopad, checking the street outside.

"He wasn't planted-"

"He could've been!"

"Xyras, he's not been-"

Rast pointed a finger at her. "My name is Rast," he informed her. "My-"

"Right, I'm sorry, God…"

"This is serious, Miri," he said. "Do- do you think it was easy building a life here? Do you think I like serving Imperials? Cleaning up their trash-"

"I know you don't, Rast."

"Then stop making it so difficult!" He said loudly. The wall thumped from the neighbours and he breathed deeply, rubbing his brow. "I'm sorry, Miri, I…" he sighed. "I didn't mean to shout."

"I know." Miri stood up and bit her lip. "I think I'll go to bed."

"No, don't, I…" Rast picked up his black-and-red jacket from the couch and pulling it on. "We need- there's food in the kitchen and…" Rast continued murmuring before exiting.

Miri sighed and walked into the kitchen, finding bread and stew – her portions were always bigger than his. She knew she was lucky – it'd been a hard three years, but it would've been harder if she'd been on her own.

She knew it must've been even harder for Xyras. He didn't really smile, nor did he really laugh. He just worked and cooked and worried.

Miri walked back to the couch and sat down, turning on the holopad with her foot to watch the celebration of the Eradication of the Jedi. Three years to the day…

She still remembered every moment of it.

I know, it's short. It's a little cruel, but I struggle writing just for one character – I'll try to do better for the next chapter.

Speaking of the next chapter, we're going back to a character that seemed to be a fan favourite. So, see ya tomorrow for the update!

R.