While You Were Out
Chapter 4
Obi-Wan sighed again and signaled the waitress Droid.
"Can I help ya?" she chirped, and Obi-Wan quickly realized that if the Droid had possessed a nose it would have wrinkled.
"We... I seem to have a bit of a problem..." he began but the Droid had already scurried away.
"I'll get ya a dish towel, Dex won't mind, he gets 'em by the Kilo anyway..."
"I don't think..."
"Look, there aint anyplace in Coco town that would have what you need anyway," the Droid cut him off a little irritably. "Just use the towel... the little one won't care and he'll clear the place out otherwise!"
Before Obi-Wan could offer his thanks, the waitress had returned with a dishtowel large enough to cloth the entire child. He excused himself and made his way to the fresher where upon Luke took the opportunity to grab a hold of his nose once again.
"Obi POOP!" Luke crowed merrily.
Obi-Wan set the squirming infant down on the counter and began the process of undressing him with Luke giggling and cooing all the while. He took a piece of cloth like towel and ran it under a bit of warm water and proceeded to wash the boy's body. The instant the warm cloth touch his bottom, Luke let out another happy cry. Within an instant, Obi-Wan realized that there were worse things than a bit of food being splattered all over his robes.
"O-Pee-wan!" Luke giggled as the warm water hit the Jedi on the forehead. Obi-Wan jumped back, startled.
"Just like a Skywalker," Obi-Wan grumbled. "Try to help and he pees all over you."
Luke, sensing the Jedi's ire, began to sniffle and Obi-Wan stroked his head reassuringly.
"There there little one," he said with a wry smile. "It's not all bad... here; we'll get a little something before we take you home to your father and sister."
"Fadda-KIN!"
"Yes, fadda kin." Obi-Wan's smile grew wider and he laughed a bit. "We don't need to tell him about this do we?"
"Fa-dy POOPa"
"Yes, I believe the term you're looking for has to do with duracreat bricks," Obi-Wan laughed again as he swept the giggling child up and into his arms. "Now, let's take you home..."
They made their way to a taxi stand and stood in wait. As it was the middle of the afternoon, not many cabs were traveling by, most being tied up in the government sector by various pages and assistance. Luke, however, was quite happy just to watch the traffic go by, adding his own commentary by degrees.
"Nice kid there." the electronic sounds of an old translator crackled next to them. "Looks healthy. He yours?"
Obi-Wan turned to find an unidentifiable creature standing next to him. Unexplainably, Luke began to fuss.
"I'm sorry?" Obi-Wan replied cautiously.
"Healthy, lotsa mass... I'll give you 20 credits..."
"20 credits?" Obi-Wan repeated, in disbelief.
"30 Credits, and not an once more..."
"I believe you are mistaken," Obi-wan said softly. "The child is not for sale..."
"Drive a hard bargain huh? Alright... 35 Credits...."
With a slight wave of his hand Obi-Wan whispered, "You've made a mistake, it's not a child you're looking for..."
The creature's expression was motionless but it repeated dutifully, "I'm mistaken; it's not a child I'm looking for...."
"You need to talk to the authorities..."
"I need to talk to the authorities..."
"And collect your reward for breaking a slaving ring..."
"And collect my reward..." the creature turned and waddled away as an Air cab pulled up.
"Lift Mister?" the cabby asked helpfully.
"The Senate district please... " sighed Obi-Wan as Luke once again began cooing contentedly and began sucking on his father's com. "And do you have a com link by chance?"
