On the surface of the grey and rather rocky planet, both Jin Wan and Yoda
walk in a steady pace as they walk through the streets of the very gritty
and un-kept outpost. Not large enough to be a city, the buildings are no
more then a few feet high, some look abandoned and even on the verge of
collapse, others are full of various creatures and humanoids that have
taken residence here. They peer out of their windows and doorways as the
Jedi cross the street, never have any of them seen a Jedi, let alone two,
come walking through their citadel in their lives. The Republic never
ventures out this far, with no one to police the outside systems, crime and
other low character figures often trade safely out in these uncharted
parts. The dark pale sky gives off a few quick flashes of lightening, as
the clouds swirl and clash with one another. Yoda slightly flinches as the
clasp of thunder roars from them each time, a sensitive ear and having
battled Sith has made him nervous about the environment they've come into.
"Master...what reason for being here are we again?" The young quivering Padwan asks.
Jin Wan's head was covered with the hood of his brown Jedi cloak and looked ahead at the local bar with neon lights and points.
"We've come to acquire new passage my young one. That is the only place we can find any."
Yoda looks at the rather filthy establishment and gives a look of disgust. Not much bigger then most of the buildings around the street, yet the only one that has any up keeping to most of its structure and probably the only place that ever truly sees money. The raunchy music playing inside gives the young Padwan a feeling that this is not the usual place any Jedi should be. Jin Wan stops outside the doors and kneels down to his learner who still looks uncertain they should enter.
"Yoda." He says staring at him. "You must not do or say anything once we go inside. This is a and dangerous place for Jedi like us. So I want you to stick close to me and keep your eyes from looking at anyone. Is that understood?"
Yoda nods agreeingly and stares back at him.
"This place can be a little rough..." Jin Wan winks at him.
Yoda sighs as he follows the Jedi Master inside.
"Sure of that...I am"
As they both enter the bar room, the entire place almost stops in a heartbeat. The music cuts out, the people stop talking and all eyes focus on them as they calmly enter inside. Whispers fill the room and the odd mention of what they are is quietly spoken in the air. Stepping all the way to the bar, Jin Wan looks at the orange colored bar tender and nods at him. The humanoid alien with the scaly skin and long brown hair, smiles at the Jedi with his crooked, sharp-looking teeth. The music starts up again and the people all return to their drinks and talking. Yoda keeps to the Jedi Masters side and tries to remain looking down at the ground. Sometimes his eyes wander as he looks at the various beings standing close by and even notices them all gazing at them with suspicion. The bar tender leans in to hear what the Jedi master has to say as the music clouds the man's words.
"I'm looking for a pilot..."
"Pilot?" The orange scaly being snickers. "We've got loads of them. Oh yes that we do."
"Then perhaps I should be more specific then..." So'bal snickers back. "I need a ship that can take two passengers back into the Republic and ask very little questions."
The bar tender strokes his chin in sarcastically and looks at him with a curious eye.
"Ooooh dear. Now that there is going to cost you some. My memory is a little fuzzy when it comes to pointing out that sort in here..."
So'bal realizes the man is trying to get him to pay up in advance and manages to pull a small coin like piece out of his hidden pockets. A Republic credit is all he has on him, one that any Jedi is not really supposed to have. Jedi don't allow themselves to carry currency, it is a luxury and an evil the order has forbidden using. To be Jedi means to be accepted everywhere without having to pay, a service many worlds agree to because of their protection of the galaxy. The orange humanoid takes the credit out of his hand and bits down on it to see if it's authentic. Smiling in his pointy tooth grin, the bar tender points to the far side of the room and gives the Jedi a table number.
"Go to number 6 over there. There's one pilot who just might be able to go in without having to resort to being boarded on entry. A pleasure doing business master Jedi..."
As he smiles at Jin Wan, the Jedi Master quickly scoops the coin out of the being's hand before he can close it. Holding it up to show him he had taken it back, Jin Wan smirked and nodded.
"I thank you for helping the Jedi cause. Your donation to the Padwan learner association is most appreciated."
"HEY! That's mine!" The orange man demands loudly.
"Now, now...don't make me raise my hand." So'bal says as he lifts up his right hand to use the force.
"Uh...no...no. My mistake..." The man says with a slight fear, as he knows all too well what that means.
"Take it...maybe it will help the future Jedi to learn better manners."
Jin Wan places it back in his pocket and shakes his head.
"I highly doubt it my friend. But...anything is possible."
Turning around to look for the table mentioned, Jin Wan So'bal taps Yoda's shoulder and nods his head to follow him as he walks. Yoda is fascinated with the locals and almost didn't look over as the Jedi master tapped him on the shoulder. Together they calmly walked to each table and looked at the various people. Each one stared at them as they passed; they looked for the sixth table where the ship captain was said to be. Suddenly Jin Wan So'bal stopped in his tracks and Yoda, not paying attention to where he was going, ran into the back of him. Looking up at his Jedi master, he could see the man had a look of dread on his face.
"Oh boy." Jin Wan said softly under his breath.
Yoda looked at the table they were meant to go to and saw a black woman with long hair pulled into a braided ponytail standing up and looking at So'bal. She was just about his age, beautiful and wearing a brownish leather outfit that nearly didn't fit her in most places. The gun belt holding her side blaster was off in an angle and looked as if it was just clinging to her exposed hip. The two stood gazing at one another as the woman looked as if she was mad at him for something, Yoda could feel her anger towards him, infact he was sure the people all around could see it in her eyes as well.
"Well, well, well..." She spoke. "Look who finally came my way at long last."
"Hey Tinara..." So'bal says with a slight nervous gulp. "Good to see you."
She pointed her finger at him with anger and started to raise her voice.
"Is that all you got to say to me?! I went to prison because of you!!"
Yoda looked up as the man tried to give an answer.
"Listen Tinara...things came up and I guess...I owe you an apology for..."
Tinara didn't like the way he was beginning that statement and brought her fist up as if she was going to take a swing at him. Suddenly the young Padwan stepped in between them and pleaded with her.
"Stop! Threaten not my master you will...or got through me you shall!"
She gave a surprising look at the young green creature that looked as if he was too small to even move her leg out of the way. Giggling at the sight, she lowered her fist and pointed at the Padwan.
"Who the hell is this So'bal? Don't tell me this is your body guard?"
Jin Wan lowered his hands onto Yoda's shoulders and patted him to calm down.
"Not exactly. This is Yoda, my Padwan learner. And well...he's just afraid you'll try to harm me."
She winked at the small being and gave a slight smile.
"Oh yeah? Well...maybe I'll spare you the pain, just incase I anger the mighty Yoda and have him to deal with as well."
Yoda seems confused at her giving up so easily, because now both she and So'bal both laugh as if it was all a big joke, watching the two hug and sit down as if they were back to being old friends again makes him feel a bit bewildered by it all. Jin Wan brings him in closer and laughs at his gaunt expression.
"Ease your mind my young one, this is Tinara Omari a good friend and the best pilot I've ever flown with."
She laughs as she sits back down after giving Yoda a nod and a raise of her drink.
"You're damn right I am...but don't think just cause I'm wanted on two planets that I'm still his friend. Nice to meet you Yoda...or should I say...Padwan."
Yoda nods honorably to her and looks at the other creature at the table beside her. She takes a slurp of her beverage in the dirty glass and introduces him to the two Jedi.
"Oh, this is my new partner Mort Eban Xter, seeing how my last one hasn't made bail yet."
Mort was a fuzzy white haired creature, six black eyes grouped together like a spider and his hands only had three fingers with large brown claws at the end of them. He was nearly as tall as they were if he stood up, and wore a black sleeveless black vest with baggy green pants. A rebellious look for such a soft looking being, it looked more like a cuddly toy then a menacing alien. Mort nodded at them quietly as he was introduced, and continued to drink from his cup as he brought it up to his mouth that lied somewhere in mess of fur covering him.
"Really?" So'bal said raising his eyebrow. "So Dex hasn't been as fortunate as you have?"
Tinana snickers and leans back in her seat.
"Are you kidding? Dex isn't as resourceful as I am...being a lady does have some advantages. Don't worry about him though. Sounds like he's making better connections in that prison then he was in the galaxy. Lots of miners, traders and even some scheming con artists to occupy his time."
"Dex was always on the look out for a good prospect. Still I can't imagine the likes of him being one of those trying to find his own fortune on moons, asteroids and the likes..."
She laughs at it as well and folds her arms thinking about it.
"Dex...man...yeah. I kept telling him that I could see him ending up as some grease filled diner as a cook."
The two laughed again and as the both calmed down, So'bal looked at her with a serious gaze.
"I need you again Tinara. I really am glad your out..."
She stared back at him and gave a smirk.
"Nice to be wanted."
"We need passage back to Coursant as soon as possible. I must bring my Padwan back to the Jedi Order safely..."
Looking at the green small creature, she watched the boy wander from the table and looking at everything in amazement. It's as if the child had never seen any other species before in his life and was very curious at such a variety in one place. Innocence like that is a rare thing she's ever witnessed, not since her childhood has she ever gazed upon someone with such wonder and curiosity, perhaps that is why she felt she could be a bit generous in her bargaining.
"Ten thousand." She said firmly.
"Nine Thousand" So'bal reflected back sharply.
"Ten." Tinara said leaning in. "That's the going rate for letting friends to rot in jail...and more then enough to rebuild a friendship."
Jin Wan looked at her and smiled.
"Nine and a half...and a full pardon from the Republic. You can return to Coursant without worrying about bounty hunters trying to blast that pretty head of yours."
She giggles and smiles at the offer.
"I like the chase, it keeps me on my toes. But...I would like to return home and not be worried about finding a gun in my back. Ok. You have a deal."
Mort dropped his glass and looked at her. In his unusual language that perhaps only she and So'bal could manage to understand, he protested at her for taking less.
"Nine and a half is good Mort!" She says raising her hand at him. "Geez...we got the ship for less then that. But not nearly enough to cover your bar tab on Tatooine!"
The fuzzy creature shook his head and grumbled to himself as he realized she was right. Jin Wan never took his eyes off of Tinana as she soon noticed, if there was ever a silent moment that said so much between two people, that would have been it. But as Tinana was about to say something to him, a deep voice yelled out from the next table.
"You stepped on my foot you little green twit!"
So'bal's eyes lowered and realized that Yoda was about to get in trouble.
"Oh no...I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Master...what reason for being here are we again?" The young quivering Padwan asks.
Jin Wan's head was covered with the hood of his brown Jedi cloak and looked ahead at the local bar with neon lights and points.
"We've come to acquire new passage my young one. That is the only place we can find any."
Yoda looks at the rather filthy establishment and gives a look of disgust. Not much bigger then most of the buildings around the street, yet the only one that has any up keeping to most of its structure and probably the only place that ever truly sees money. The raunchy music playing inside gives the young Padwan a feeling that this is not the usual place any Jedi should be. Jin Wan stops outside the doors and kneels down to his learner who still looks uncertain they should enter.
"Yoda." He says staring at him. "You must not do or say anything once we go inside. This is a and dangerous place for Jedi like us. So I want you to stick close to me and keep your eyes from looking at anyone. Is that understood?"
Yoda nods agreeingly and stares back at him.
"This place can be a little rough..." Jin Wan winks at him.
Yoda sighs as he follows the Jedi Master inside.
"Sure of that...I am"
As they both enter the bar room, the entire place almost stops in a heartbeat. The music cuts out, the people stop talking and all eyes focus on them as they calmly enter inside. Whispers fill the room and the odd mention of what they are is quietly spoken in the air. Stepping all the way to the bar, Jin Wan looks at the orange colored bar tender and nods at him. The humanoid alien with the scaly skin and long brown hair, smiles at the Jedi with his crooked, sharp-looking teeth. The music starts up again and the people all return to their drinks and talking. Yoda keeps to the Jedi Masters side and tries to remain looking down at the ground. Sometimes his eyes wander as he looks at the various beings standing close by and even notices them all gazing at them with suspicion. The bar tender leans in to hear what the Jedi master has to say as the music clouds the man's words.
"I'm looking for a pilot..."
"Pilot?" The orange scaly being snickers. "We've got loads of them. Oh yes that we do."
"Then perhaps I should be more specific then..." So'bal snickers back. "I need a ship that can take two passengers back into the Republic and ask very little questions."
The bar tender strokes his chin in sarcastically and looks at him with a curious eye.
"Ooooh dear. Now that there is going to cost you some. My memory is a little fuzzy when it comes to pointing out that sort in here..."
So'bal realizes the man is trying to get him to pay up in advance and manages to pull a small coin like piece out of his hidden pockets. A Republic credit is all he has on him, one that any Jedi is not really supposed to have. Jedi don't allow themselves to carry currency, it is a luxury and an evil the order has forbidden using. To be Jedi means to be accepted everywhere without having to pay, a service many worlds agree to because of their protection of the galaxy. The orange humanoid takes the credit out of his hand and bits down on it to see if it's authentic. Smiling in his pointy tooth grin, the bar tender points to the far side of the room and gives the Jedi a table number.
"Go to number 6 over there. There's one pilot who just might be able to go in without having to resort to being boarded on entry. A pleasure doing business master Jedi..."
As he smiles at Jin Wan, the Jedi Master quickly scoops the coin out of the being's hand before he can close it. Holding it up to show him he had taken it back, Jin Wan smirked and nodded.
"I thank you for helping the Jedi cause. Your donation to the Padwan learner association is most appreciated."
"HEY! That's mine!" The orange man demands loudly.
"Now, now...don't make me raise my hand." So'bal says as he lifts up his right hand to use the force.
"Uh...no...no. My mistake..." The man says with a slight fear, as he knows all too well what that means.
"Take it...maybe it will help the future Jedi to learn better manners."
Jin Wan places it back in his pocket and shakes his head.
"I highly doubt it my friend. But...anything is possible."
Turning around to look for the table mentioned, Jin Wan So'bal taps Yoda's shoulder and nods his head to follow him as he walks. Yoda is fascinated with the locals and almost didn't look over as the Jedi master tapped him on the shoulder. Together they calmly walked to each table and looked at the various people. Each one stared at them as they passed; they looked for the sixth table where the ship captain was said to be. Suddenly Jin Wan So'bal stopped in his tracks and Yoda, not paying attention to where he was going, ran into the back of him. Looking up at his Jedi master, he could see the man had a look of dread on his face.
"Oh boy." Jin Wan said softly under his breath.
Yoda looked at the table they were meant to go to and saw a black woman with long hair pulled into a braided ponytail standing up and looking at So'bal. She was just about his age, beautiful and wearing a brownish leather outfit that nearly didn't fit her in most places. The gun belt holding her side blaster was off in an angle and looked as if it was just clinging to her exposed hip. The two stood gazing at one another as the woman looked as if she was mad at him for something, Yoda could feel her anger towards him, infact he was sure the people all around could see it in her eyes as well.
"Well, well, well..." She spoke. "Look who finally came my way at long last."
"Hey Tinara..." So'bal says with a slight nervous gulp. "Good to see you."
She pointed her finger at him with anger and started to raise her voice.
"Is that all you got to say to me?! I went to prison because of you!!"
Yoda looked up as the man tried to give an answer.
"Listen Tinara...things came up and I guess...I owe you an apology for..."
Tinara didn't like the way he was beginning that statement and brought her fist up as if she was going to take a swing at him. Suddenly the young Padwan stepped in between them and pleaded with her.
"Stop! Threaten not my master you will...or got through me you shall!"
She gave a surprising look at the young green creature that looked as if he was too small to even move her leg out of the way. Giggling at the sight, she lowered her fist and pointed at the Padwan.
"Who the hell is this So'bal? Don't tell me this is your body guard?"
Jin Wan lowered his hands onto Yoda's shoulders and patted him to calm down.
"Not exactly. This is Yoda, my Padwan learner. And well...he's just afraid you'll try to harm me."
She winked at the small being and gave a slight smile.
"Oh yeah? Well...maybe I'll spare you the pain, just incase I anger the mighty Yoda and have him to deal with as well."
Yoda seems confused at her giving up so easily, because now both she and So'bal both laugh as if it was all a big joke, watching the two hug and sit down as if they were back to being old friends again makes him feel a bit bewildered by it all. Jin Wan brings him in closer and laughs at his gaunt expression.
"Ease your mind my young one, this is Tinara Omari a good friend and the best pilot I've ever flown with."
She laughs as she sits back down after giving Yoda a nod and a raise of her drink.
"You're damn right I am...but don't think just cause I'm wanted on two planets that I'm still his friend. Nice to meet you Yoda...or should I say...Padwan."
Yoda nods honorably to her and looks at the other creature at the table beside her. She takes a slurp of her beverage in the dirty glass and introduces him to the two Jedi.
"Oh, this is my new partner Mort Eban Xter, seeing how my last one hasn't made bail yet."
Mort was a fuzzy white haired creature, six black eyes grouped together like a spider and his hands only had three fingers with large brown claws at the end of them. He was nearly as tall as they were if he stood up, and wore a black sleeveless black vest with baggy green pants. A rebellious look for such a soft looking being, it looked more like a cuddly toy then a menacing alien. Mort nodded at them quietly as he was introduced, and continued to drink from his cup as he brought it up to his mouth that lied somewhere in mess of fur covering him.
"Really?" So'bal said raising his eyebrow. "So Dex hasn't been as fortunate as you have?"
Tinana snickers and leans back in her seat.
"Are you kidding? Dex isn't as resourceful as I am...being a lady does have some advantages. Don't worry about him though. Sounds like he's making better connections in that prison then he was in the galaxy. Lots of miners, traders and even some scheming con artists to occupy his time."
"Dex was always on the look out for a good prospect. Still I can't imagine the likes of him being one of those trying to find his own fortune on moons, asteroids and the likes..."
She laughs at it as well and folds her arms thinking about it.
"Dex...man...yeah. I kept telling him that I could see him ending up as some grease filled diner as a cook."
The two laughed again and as the both calmed down, So'bal looked at her with a serious gaze.
"I need you again Tinara. I really am glad your out..."
She stared back at him and gave a smirk.
"Nice to be wanted."
"We need passage back to Coursant as soon as possible. I must bring my Padwan back to the Jedi Order safely..."
Looking at the green small creature, she watched the boy wander from the table and looking at everything in amazement. It's as if the child had never seen any other species before in his life and was very curious at such a variety in one place. Innocence like that is a rare thing she's ever witnessed, not since her childhood has she ever gazed upon someone with such wonder and curiosity, perhaps that is why she felt she could be a bit generous in her bargaining.
"Ten thousand." She said firmly.
"Nine Thousand" So'bal reflected back sharply.
"Ten." Tinara said leaning in. "That's the going rate for letting friends to rot in jail...and more then enough to rebuild a friendship."
Jin Wan looked at her and smiled.
"Nine and a half...and a full pardon from the Republic. You can return to Coursant without worrying about bounty hunters trying to blast that pretty head of yours."
She giggles and smiles at the offer.
"I like the chase, it keeps me on my toes. But...I would like to return home and not be worried about finding a gun in my back. Ok. You have a deal."
Mort dropped his glass and looked at her. In his unusual language that perhaps only she and So'bal could manage to understand, he protested at her for taking less.
"Nine and a half is good Mort!" She says raising her hand at him. "Geez...we got the ship for less then that. But not nearly enough to cover your bar tab on Tatooine!"
The fuzzy creature shook his head and grumbled to himself as he realized she was right. Jin Wan never took his eyes off of Tinana as she soon noticed, if there was ever a silent moment that said so much between two people, that would have been it. But as Tinana was about to say something to him, a deep voice yelled out from the next table.
"You stepped on my foot you little green twit!"
So'bal's eyes lowered and realized that Yoda was about to get in trouble.
"Oh no...I've got a bad feeling about this."