Chapter 13 - Unlikely Friends
Jar Jar sat behind his table in the Flitnat Market on Karlinus. He'd gone through all of the Late Supreme Boss man's belongings, both on Coruscant and Naboo, and divided it up. Most of the items, like clothes and office supplies, he'd already donated to several charities. The rest he brought with him today to sell.
In deciding where to donate the money from Palpatine's estate, Jar Jar had another puzzle to solve. He was approached right away by several representatives from Universities, and Libraries. Even one world promised to name a whole Town after the Boss. But Jar Jar decided that a man who spent his life in service to others would be more appreciative of a quieter impact. So Jar Jar chose a lesser known charity. One that provided aid to people recently freed from slavery, so they can get jobs and be independent, some for the first time ever.
True, it was partly inspired by his recent stay in Tatooine. But Jar Jar figured a person so focused on democracy would have had a real problem with slavery too. 'Dat's what da boss manen would've wanted. Not his namen on some builden or street signen, nosa. Hesa would've wanted freedom per everyone.'
Sure he was making the correct decision, Jar Jar shifted in his mind to the game strategy. He'd found several long black cloaks in the Boss's residence, and he'd assumed it was a part of the man's game avatar. It only stood to reason that Jar Jar would take one of these cloaks for his own avatar, didn't it? Of course the Gungan had to have the cloak fitted by an old Gungan Tailor back home, and he had a few ideas for improvements, while it was getting fitted. He'd gathered enough to figure that his character was a Sith and that the goal was to take over as much of the game's galaxy as he could. But who's to say that a Sith has to be so dark and brooding? 'Not disa Sith.' In the meantime, though, until his costume was finished he'd be using another of the boring old cloaks that belonged to the Boss Man.
Jar Jar at first thought that the Boss was confused in his strategy. He seemed divided between a clone army and a doid one. But then his teammate, Dart Tyranus, informed him that the clone army was his opponent's army. The droid one was his own, which made sense. Droids can be upgraded. Droids, however, cannot lead themselves. Jar Jar had seen how well that worked out for the Trade Federation. 'Nosa, una well placen wangzapper shot and da whole army gos neb. Nosa, wesa needen a Bombad General.'
He also found several maps of Moraband, Dathomir, Mustafar, Geonosis, and Mygeeto, amongst others that he believed led to some type of bonus or stash of riches. He figured that these planets would be a good place to start his takeover, and planned to tell his teammate this on their next comm call.
His teammate, the Dart Tyranus, had asked several times to meet him in person, only Jar Jar had to refuse him. 'Nosa, wesa getten to know una another. Tis not safe, yet.'
Just then a Kaleesh man with several battlescars walked up and began to inspect one of the lightsaber like models in his box to sell. Jar Jar sat up. "Heyday ho, what can me do per yousa today?" he asked him.
"Are these real?" The Kaleesh man asked.
Jar Jar looked disappointed. "Nosa, daysa cheap knocken offs. Daysa glowen and daysa will burnen, but daysa da wrong color. Daysa red."
"Oh, well I never cared about the color. It'll be a powerful weapon to show my enemies, if they think it's real. How much do you want for it?"
"Oh-uh… Ten mula?" Jar Jar suggested.
"Ten, tell you what, I'll pay fifteen for them, but I don't have Mula. Would you accept Kalee Credit?"
"Yes, mesa would. What yous namen? Me'm Jar Jar Binks."
"Jar Jar, I'm Qymaen Jai Sheelal."
"Nice to meet yousa. What do yousa do for liven?" Jar Jar asked.
"Me, oh, I'm a war general. I've been fighting the Huk scum for as long as I've been alive. We finally started winning, when the Republic sent in Jedi to quel our dispute. Pathetic Jedi sided with the Huk! Now I've got a family to feed and debts over my head. But it doesn't matter to them now, does it?" Qymaen shook his head.
"Oh, me'm sorry. Jedi helped mesa people fight off da Traden Federateon. But daysa could not send an army, so da Gungans had to fight. Wesa have a rugor army," Jar Jar told him.
"Sounds like you know, then," Qymaen agreed.
"Listenen me feel bad taken yous mula. Yousa can pay da tenska mula, and keep da rest per yous family," Jar Jar tried to tell him.
Qymaen held out a hand. "No, I've got a job lined up. San Hill of the Intergalactic Banking Clan wants me to be a collections agent. I'd be a glorified leg-breaker for a soulless megacorporation, but at least I'll be able to keep fighting. And my family will be out of debt."
"Sounds liken yousa no wanten to do disa," Jar Jar said. Then he got an idea. There was a portion of the Big Boss's funds Jar Jar kept back to use for this game, were he to need it. And this sounded like the perfect opportunity. "You wanten to besa da Bombad General?" Jar Jar put his hand on his new friend's shoulders, as he told him about the game and his strategy to victory.
"Vicki, Vicki, make sure table nine gets served." Dex ordered his waitress. He wasn't so sure about this girl. She could forget to do the most basic tasks, but she had good references, and the customers seemed to like her. The customers she did serve, that is. He shrugged. He'd give her a week and see how she did. He still had Flo, either way.
Dex meanwhile went back to his kitchen. "How goes that Quor'sav-fried steak for table seven?" He pulled up the card and asked.
"Another three minutes," answered Patrike. "Is today the day?"
"Yes, I'm expecting them in a few minutes," Dex answered. He was, of course, talking about his new Jedi friends. The old owner recommended he make friends with one of a few regular Jedi customers.
"They can help you when unsavory customers cause you trouble." Didi had said. Dex didn't plan on causing trouble for any of his customers. Live and let live, that was his motto. Still, there were some customers you couldn't count on to share that philosophy, and it would always help to have the favors, just in case.
So when a Master Jinn came around last week, surprised to not find Didi in his old cafe, Dex made sure to offer him the best nerfburger and a promise to personally make his party a success. And that was what Dex was going to do.
"So what is this party all about?" Patrike interrupted his thoughts to ask.
"Oh, It's for his Grandy-Grand Paddy-One. I don't really know, but I figure it's something close to grandson or nephew, the way he was talking about him. He's a kid, from Tatooine, and he's recently been taken off of a healer's meal plan. They want to spoil him. That and he's turning Ten, so they're celebrating his Life Day."
"Oh, That's nice of them. You know what, I'll make sure we save him a slice of one of the specialty Sic-Six-Layer-Cakes."
Dex's eyes lit up in a, why didn't I think of that, way. "You're the best, Patrike."
Patrike's eyes lit up the way he always did when he received praise. Dex made his way back to the dining room, and there he spotted Qui-Gon entering, with a younger Jedi, the one named Obi-Wan, Dex figured. He was a human with red hair, grown out in a messy, wild state, and a beard starting to grow out, too. There was also a young boy with blond hair and big blue eyes that were scanning everything with fascination, and another smaller, yet older Jedi with green skin and equally fascinated eyes.
'Hmm,' Dex thought. No one had mentioned the fourth member of the party to him before, but still, another paying customer was always welcome at Dex's.
He saw Qui-Gon share an irritated look with Obi-Wan, then they both went into the small crevice of the dining room, which by appearance promised his customers a private place to share their grievances. Fortunately, for Dex, the space was right near a vent going into the kitchen, and everything said in that corner was easily heard from there. Dex tapped Flo, his Service Droid, and sent her to take menus to their party, meanwhile he slipped back into the kitchen.
"Why'd you have to bring him!?" Qui-Gon shouted.
"Anakin told him we were going out, and Master Yoda kind of invited himself along. What was I to do? Disinvite the Grandmaster of the order." Obi-Wan, much quieter, defended himself.
Qui-Gon took a very audible gasp. "And what about your other plans? Are you still going to tell him?"
"I- I don't know. Truth is, I don't know how to tell him, and I'm running out of time. I know. But how do you tell a nine year old kid his mom got married. How's he going to react? His mom is like gold to him." Sounds of Obi-Wan pacing filled the kitchen. "It's attachment, I know. But Master Yoda says we should be lenient on him for it."
"Hmm," said Qui-Gon. "Surprisingly, in this case I don't disagree with the grandmaster at all."
"Huh! Master?" Obi-Wan's shock was evident in his voice.
Qui-Gon laughed. "Ani couldn't help forming an attachment with his mother in his early years. To expect him to cut it off suddenly and be a perfect Jedi youngling would be cruel. Attachments hurt when they are cut or broken. If we sever this one without care… What harm would that do?"
"Yeah, I guess I can see it that way." Obi-Wan remarked.
"Just remember, this news changes nothing. He's still going to be a Jedi. Don't overreact and he won't… I'm going to go back out there."
"Yeah, I'm gonna stay here for a minute or two. Figure out how to say this," Obi-Wan said.
"Join us when you're ready, Padawan."
Dex could hear Qui-Gon leave the corner, and he figured now was his chance. Listening to the two Jedi talk about their situation, had Dex thinking about his own family. He figured he could at least offer the Jedi some advice. So he opened the door to go through the back, and walked out in that corner of the diner. "Come this way," he motioned Obi-Wan to follow him back the way he came.
Obi-Wan followed him. When Dex got him to the kitchens, he pulled a Jawa Juice off the rack and handed it to the Knight. "I heard you've got some news for the boy." Dex stated.
Obi-Wan looked around in confusion. "How did you hear that?"
Dex motioned to the vent above his head. "My parents both remarried, and my mom is on her third partner now. Patrike, over there, is my stepbrother actually." He sighed. Patrike waved at them from the stove. "You've got to be honest with the boy. This does change a lot of things, but if he knows he can trust you, it will make things easier."
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Obi-Wan sighed.
"You are right, too, that he will react to this news. What that reaction will be is impossible to predict, but if he knows he can talk to you about it. If you listen to his feelings and don't judge him for them, then he will be okay."
"Thanks. It is helpful to have someone with some real empathetic experience to talk to about this. Would it be unwelcomed if I come back to ask you more, should I need more advice?" Obi-Wan winced.
"Not at all, my friend." Dex slapped the Jedi on the back.
Obi-Wan carried his Jawa Juice and walked back to the dining room. Dex followed.
"Umm-mmm," Young Anakin hummed over his menu.
"Ah, Obi-Wan. Come to join us, have you?" Asked the one they called Yoda.
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Dex walked up to the table. "Have you decided what you want, young man?"
"I think you've already picked a treat." Qui-Gon said, noticing the cup Obi-Wan carried.
"Really, whatchu got?" Anakin tried to examine the cup.
Obi-Wan pulled it away. "This is a grown up drink."
"Oh, Ardees. I've had that." The adult's eyes all opened wide in shock. Except for Yoda. "But I think I want a Blue-Milkshake."
"Aye, a fine choice, laddie," Dex praised, and he entered the item into his datapad.
"Wait a minute. Who gave you Jawa Juice?" Obi-Wan asked, accusingly.
"My mom," Anakin sounded like he was stating the obvious. He didn't understand the reason for anyone's concern.
Yoda nodded. "Different worlds, different rules. No age limit, some worlds have."
Obi-Wan nodded.
"Well here we have rules, and no Jawa Juice until you're older," Qui-Gon ruled.
"Well, then it's a good thing you ordered the milkshake. Otherwise I'd've needed to ask for your ID." Dex teased.
"Old enough, I am. A Jawa Juice, too, I will have," Yoda ordered.
Dex typed it onto his datapad, then turned to Qui-Gon. "And would you also like a Jawa Juice?"
"Oh, I'd love one, but unfortunately I am flying." Qui-Gon sighed as he read the menu.
"I can fly us back," Anakin offered.
Their table at the diner erupted into laughter.
"I'm afraid, not until you're older here, too," Obi-Wan told him.
The little boy pouted.
"I'll have the Star Cola." Qui-Gon ordered.
"I'll get you those drinks." Dex tapped his datapad on the tabletop before he walked away.
Later, after the party was served their meals, Dex was taking care of things when he overheard them having their difficult conversation. They don't call Dex a busybody, but he figured that he was already a part of things, since he was asked to help.
"Anakin, I want to talk now," Obi-wan started. "You know that Master Piell went to Tatooine, and, well, he sent the council his first mission update."
The boy looked up with dead fear in his eyes.
"He found your mother. She is alive and well, and she is free," Obi-Wan continued in a reassuring voice.
The boy took a breath of relief, before something his Master said sunk in and Anakin's mouth dropped open in shock. "Free?"
"Yes, your mother is already freed," Obi-Wan clarified.
"Wizard! That's amazing! But how? Master Piell hasn't freed any other slaves yet. His mission just started."
Obi-Wan eyed the other two Jedi with him. "No, it wasn't Master Piell. Do you know a Cliegg Lars?"
"He's a friend of my mom's. Gave her a bracelet as a present once, but my mom couldn't wear it or Watto would've taken it. So I got to use it to cover C3-PO's central coolant pump, his mechanical heart, in a way."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Well, he gave your mom another gift. He bought her freedom."
Anakin reached out and touched his mentor's arm. "Wait… I thought it would be a bad thing. Buying mom? Watto would just buy another slave."
"True that is. Acquire a new slave, he did." Yoda spoke up to explain. "But other resources, Cliegg Lars did not have. And continue his mission, Master Piell will. Her freedom, the others will soon share."
"Oh, that's good." Anakin smiled.
"So then your mother married Mr. Lars." Obi-Wan said, avoiding eye contact.
"What!" Anakin's eyes opened wide.
"She married him," Obi-Wan repeated. "He loves her very much, and she…"
"But!" Anakin interrupted. His face was a confusion of bafflement and anxiety. "Mom can't marry. She's always said she's too busy being my mom to date anyone… and!"
"Well apparently she found the time. Your mother is a pretty woman. It's understandable that…" Qui-Gon tried.
As Dex could've predicted, Anakin's reaction to that was to gag and retch. "Eww, gross."
"Yeah Master," Obi-Wan laughed at him.
Qui-Gon rolled his eyes.
Obi-Wan turned back to Anakin. "Anyways, your mom is asking to see you again. So in a few days we'll travel back to Tatooine, to her new house. Would you like that? To see your mom again?"
Anakin gasped. "Really! That's great!" He hugged Obi-Wan who smiled.
"But listen. This changes nothing. You'll still live at the Temple and learn how to be a Jedi," Qui-Gon told him.
"Correct, Master Jinn is. A visit, this will be. Your home now, Coruscant is," Yoda specified.
"If you wish it to be," Obi-Wan added. This surprised both Qui-Gon and Yoda. They both turned to stare at him, incredulity, and a little betrayal too, in their eyes.
Anakin again smiled. "Thank you. I do. I want to be a Jedi." Qui-Gon smiled too, and Yoda seemed to give a sigh of relief.
"Then I'll do everything I can to make it so." Obi-Wan smiled back at him and the look filled Dex with warmth.
He pulled up his datapad and tapped a key on it. A couple minutes later Flo, his server droid, appeared bearing a slice of cake on a tray. He approached their table.
"I understand we have a Life-Day to celebrate. At Dex's that gets you a free slice of cake."
Anakin's face was filled with wonder as Flo started to play the tune and in his brash voice Dex started to sing. The others soon sung as well, and Anakin's smile seemed to shine. This really was a successful day.
Howdy Folks,
Jar Jar is back. I hoped you all liked his section. The flitnat market he's at is supposed to be the Star Wars version of a flea market. And the Qymaen he meets is the one who later, in Canon, had a whole bunch of body parts surgically replaced with prosthetic ones and went by the name Grievous.
I also got inspired to do a Dex's Diner part, because I figured, if you're going to tell a kid his mom married and now he has a step family, you're going to do it over a good nerfburger and milkshake. Then I figured the outside perspective of Dex's was the best to use for it, and the rest kinda evolved from there.
I made up a few characters because I figured the ones working there during the Clone Wars probably don't work there yet. And I know Dex is supposed to be the chef, but he's also the one who comes out to talk to Obi-Wan in that one scene in episode 2, and It doesn't make sense for him to completely shut down his kitchens for one customer. I figure he has to have at least a sous chef or something. And I realize the time table for when Dex took over the restaurant from Didi might not be exactly canon. I figure that Didi isn't even mentioned on the Canon Wiki page, just the Legends one, so I figure in squishing Legends and Canon together, as I have done, It can be moldable to my artistic whims. And nowhere in Canon or legends did they mention Dex's family, so I got creative there. I hope you liked it. He was fun to write.