Obi-Wan looked at the mirror as he sheared the last hair from his scalp, letting out a sigh. The last time his scalp was bold he had taken the identity of an infamous bounty hunter, a certain Rako Hardeen. Obi-Wan thought back on that day with a wince. it was another past regret on a seemingly every growing pile that seemed to be growing each day.

During the eight hundred and forty-seventh Festival of Light, Count Dooku had hired a group of bounty hunters to kidnap the supreme chancellor and the Jedi Council in order to head it off, had Obi-Wan fake his own death, take the identity of Rako Hardeen, infiltrate the bounty hunter strike team, and thwart the plot. Anakin had been left out of the loop as the council had feared that he would complicate things, but what had happened was something worse, it was Obi-Wan's idea to leave Anakin out of the loop and as a result he betrayed Anakin. At least that was how Obi-Wan felt. He felt so then and he was feeling even more so now.

Now he had to take the identity again. This time it would be permanent. Perhaps it was some sort of sick cosmetic justice He supposed he could take a little comfort. At least this time there would be no painful transformation sequences or voice modulators he'd have to swallow, just a shave, a haircut and some tattoos that could come off with some simple laser surgery. Putting on the replica of Rako Hardeen's armor he originally wore, all that was left was the finishing touches. He looked down at the four lightsabers they were the four lightsabers that the infamous General Grievous had used in their confrontation on Utapau. Upon returning to the temple, Obi-Wan was going to take them to them to the temple mausoleum and put them in ceremonial urns, a sort of proper burial for the fallen Jedi that once wielded them. Then, of course order 66 happened. Now the lightsabers that lay before him were little more than artifacts, shards of an order and bygone age that would now pass in time.

Now instead of being properly buried, they along with his own lightsaber as well as the lightsaber of Qui-Gon Jinn, would be put around his belt, six lightsabers in all, a façade of an apex Jedi hunter showing off his trophy kills. For a second, the thought made Obi-Wan want to vomit. He quickly swallowed that down however, put on his helmet and lowered the ship ramp.

"Alright R2, let's go." the droid gave some confident beeps.

The heat of Tatooine's binary twin suns instantly started to beat down on Obi-Wan with fervor. The now former Jedi couldn't help but thank the force for temperature regulated armor. Without it he'd probably be cooking alive.

Frankly he didn't find the outward appearance of Jabba's palace to be all that impressive. It was an old B'omarr Monastery that the hutt had managed to take over roughly five hundred years ago. The B'omarr Order already was not one for physical stimuli, often shunning it in hopes of achieving enlighten. Jabba ad left it to rot even further, and now it was little more than a rusted dome.

beating on the Durasteel door, Obi-Wan found himself face to face with a gate droid asking him what he wanted. Once Obi-Wan spoke in Huttese that he was Rako Hardeen, the droid slunk back into its hole and opened the gate.

The palace was what Obi-Wan would call a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Bounty hunters, smugglers, slave traders, spice dealers, pirates all were here and at the center of it all, was the grotesque blob of fat slug himself, Jabba the hutt. Jabba looked at Obi-Wan and gave his trademark guttural laugh before speaking in Huttese.

"The mighty Jabba welcomes the great Rako Hardeen "Marksman of Concord Dawn" he hopes that you find his hospitality satisfactory and he hopes you take off your helmet and stay for a while. "

"Rako" bowed and took a seat. R2 stayed next to him. As he watched the dancers move their bodies to Lapti Nek, one in particularly caught his eye, She was a human, or at least near human, pale skin, long black hair and striking blue eyes. From what he could tell she was about three or four inches taller than himself and in terms of girth, she looked like three or even four women combined into the single mass of one. Not only was she clearly the heftiest of all the dancers, she was also the most…skimpily clad. She wore little more than a Lashaa silk loincloth and metal chest plates, both of only covered the bare minimum possible to be considered modest and accentuated her already corpulent form.

As loud and attention getting as her clothing or lack thereof was, that wasn't got his attention. No, what got attention was her dancing. Despite being so large, she moved with an athleticism and grace that would normally only be found in dancers a quarter of her size. She also moved with a confidence that matched her physique. She knew that all eyes positive and negative were on her and she owned it. She made herself the alpha of the group.

Obi-Wan could sense however, that her sensual playfulness, that aura of absolute over the audience was but a mask to hide deeper feelings of pain. Perhaps the term mask was a bit of a misnomer. It wasn't that her performance or the confidence she showed while dancing was fake, quite the opposite. Obi-wan guessed in fact that dancing was the only time the woman did feel like she was in control. For a split second he imagined the performance ending, he saw the woman take a bow before proceeding to blow out kisses to the audience. From their he imagined one of two things happening. Either she would interact with the patrons and possibly try to flirt with them in hopes of holding onto that sense of control with an iron grip, or should would immediate flee to the privacy of her quarters and sob.

Obi-Wan felt himself jump as a sudden hand grabbed onto him. He looked up to see a man dressed up in Durasteel armor and a ash gray head covering. He also appeared to have a cross look on his face.

"Well well well, Look who decided to show up in the outer rim after just disappearing for over half a year. You didn't forget your old pal Dengar did you Rako? You especially didn't forget the fact you still owe me 5,000 credits?"

Obi-Wan began to stammer. Even R2 gave a nervous whine. Dengar's cold hard face soon softened into a grin, and that soon erupted into laughter. "Aw I'm just joshing you mate. I know you're good for it. Come on let me buy you a drink."

Dengar then grabbed a seat next to "Rako." "Oy, waitress, couple of jawa juices!" a waitress quickly placed the juices on their table. Dengar quickly guzzled down his. "Ah, good stuff. Seriously man how have you been? You went silent for six months. Word had it in the underworld you were dead. You know you look different.

Obi-wan felt himself go tense as Dengar gave him suspicious eyes. He relaxed however when Dengar snapped his fingers. "You fixed your face. Got tired of looking at that old ugly mug in the mirror eh?"

Obi-Wan gave a nervous chuckle. "What can I say? It was a face not even my mother could love. That's part of the reason why I killed her. Well, that and boredom but let's not talk about that. As far as where I've been, let's just say I've been busy."

He drew attention to the lightsabers on his belt. Dengar let out a whistle. "You most have gotten some pretty credits for those kills."

"not really, the guy who made the contract didn't pay me. He wasted my time, so I wasted him."

"Ha! Classic Rako Classic."

"But hey, next time I get a job, I'll pay you back, with something a little something extra."

Dengar looked at R2. "You got an astromech too?"

"No the droid belongs to a friend of mind. I'm just taking care of him."

Obi-wan continued to look at the fat dancer. "Hey Dengar, that woman who is she?"

Dengar looked at dancer. "That's Byathla. She's Jabba's favorite. He had her fattened up so she resembled a hutt more. She's a Maelibus."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Wait, I didn't know Maelibi had shapeshifting abilities."

"I didn't either, until I saw her do it myself. Jabba had her fight in the beast pit under his throne. girl ripped off an Acklay's legs right from under it and started devouring it like it was a lettuce wrap. Still, in her human form she ain't bad looking even if she is a bit of a fatty. She jiggles and bounces in all the right ways if catch my meaning ah ha ha ha!"

Once the music ended Byathla gave a bow and blew several kisses to the audience before interacting with the rest of patrons. Kenobi had to admit, her performance was captivating. But what could he say. He was always one for the arts. Even as she was talking, he found he still was paying attention to her.

"Maybe we should catch her attention see if she's willing to give us a couple of drinks."

"I don't think so." Obi-Wan said. "I imagine she's probably had enough of men gawking at her."

Dengar started to laugh. "Rako, did you become gun shy ? Honestly I'm starting to think working in the core so long's made you…"

Obi-Wan's eyes suddenly widened as he senses danger.

"…What?" Dengar asked.

Obi-Wan points to a table where Byathla was. She was talking to a man with a sickly green skin tone and a thick white beard. Clearly, he was a male tof. Though Obi-Wan could not hear what they were saying, he could read their lips.

"Hey, you know how to move. Couldn't keep my eyes off of you. "

Byathla smiled. "thanks, I'm always glad to please an audience."

"You know, I may be able to convince Jabba to give you a little time off. Maybe we can spend some more…Quality time together.

Byathla's smile quickly turned into a frown. "While that sounds…flattering, I'm afraid I'll have to pass. Sorry."

"Come on, I'll be gentle."

"I said no." Byathla said more firmly.

"Hey!" the male Toff shouted in a volume the whole palace could hear. "Do you know who I am. I'm Falk Redbeard Scourge of the Stars and Maker of Widows! I will not be told no by a dark haired winch!" Falk forcefully grabbed Byathla by the arm.

"No please!" Byathla cried out.

"Hey!" Obi shouted standing up. "The Woman kindly declined your offer. I'd suggest you respect her decision.

Falk started to menacingly walk towards him, his large leather boots stomped the ground with such weight and force that the ground started to tremble. He looked down slightly, neck to nose with Obi-Wan.

"Who are you little boy?" Falk asks mockingly.

"Rako Hardeen," Obi-wan says. "I'm a bounty hunter."

Falk let out a haughty cackle. "Well, bounty hunter. You just watch yourself. I've got a death sentence on over twenty six systems."

"So I see." Obi-wan says scanning the Toff with a wrist scanner. "According to the wanted files, there is a 50,000 credit reward for your head…unattached."

Falk once again laughed. "Maybe you're not paying attention Ray-ko. We're in Jabba's palace. The place is filled with the roughest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Yet I can come and go anytime I please and nobody raises a fuss. You want to know why? Rule #1 of bounty hunting you can't get paid if you're dead!

"Rako," Dengar whispers "The guy's a Toff. It ain't a good idea to mess with them, especially if they've been drinking."

"Rako" put his hand up and turned back to Falk with a smile.

"I'm not interested in collecting your bounty. It's not worth the effort. Now, let me get you something."

Falk gritted his teeth and balled his meaty fist. "I'll give you something!" The whole palace falls to an abrupt silence. Before Falk could connect he feels a hot searing pain and screams. He looked over to see a cauterized stump where his arm should have been with said arm being on the floor. Obi-Wan pointed the green blade of Qui-Gon's lightsaber inches from Falk's face.

"One last time," Obi-Wan warned. "I suggest you back off and cool down."

Falk gave an animalistic howl as he attempted a haymaker using his other arm, only to abruptly fall silent as his head fell to the floor and his body collapsed with a thud. Obi-Wan sighed before deactivating the blade, putting it back into his belt.

Jabba let out a laugh. "ho ho ho ho. It seems Rako Hardeen has learned some new tricks." The crime lord said in huttese. Obi-Wan nodded and walked over to Byathla. "Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I...I'm fine. Thank you." She gave a very shy smile. Taking a look at his face, she more than liked what she saw.

Obi-Wan smiles back not quite noticing, "no problem, anytime. You dance quite well by the way. your athleticism is impressive."

"Why thank you. It's kind of nice seeng a person who appreciates my dancing is and not just somebody gawking over my body like I'm some sort of fertility or gluttony goddess. I'm going to go let my head clear for a bit. See you around...Rako.

Obi-Wan gave a slightly infatuated smile. Perhaps it was just the natural seductive (and often predatory) charm of the Maelibi, but Obi-Wan did find her to be attractive. As obi-wan got back to his seat at the party continued as normal, Dengar gave a whistle.

"Dank farrik, remind me not to get it on your bad side."

Obi-Wan frowned a bit. "I wasn't trying to go out of the way to kill him, but he forced my hand."

"That's the life of the underworld buddy. If you don't shoot first, they will. When did you learn to use a lightsaber like that anyway?"

"Practice." Obi-Wan said blankly. As he started to sip on his jawa juice once more. He felt something tapping his leg. He looked down to see a bounty droid.

"on behalf of the Imperial Office of Criminal Investigations," the droid spoke in a nasally tone not unlike a B1 battle droid. "we thank you for elimination of the wanted criminal: Captain Falk Redbeard. Your claim has automatically been recorded and 50,000 imperial credits have been transferred to the account of: Rako Hardeen."

"Alright!" Dengar shouted with a grin. "Talk about easy money."

"Truly, It wasn't my intention to claim the bounty. Can you transfer the credits to his account?" Obi-Wan asked pointing to Dengar.

"all 50,000?" Dengar asks not sure if he was hearing right.

"I did say I'd pay you back with interest, didn't I? Obi-Wan asked with a smile.

"yeah but…1000%?"

"Sign here please?" the droid gave Obi-Wan a datapad. Obi-Wan tries to imitate Rako Hardeen's signature as best as he could remember it."

"huh," the droid said. "for some reason it's saying the signature does not match…wait never mind, just a glitch. 50,000 credits have been transferred to the following account: Dengar the Demolisher. Have a nice day." With that the droid rolled away.

Dengar still couldn't believe Rako did that.

"You didn't have to do that mate. Thanks."

As Dengar spoke, Byathla walked over to Obi-Wan's table and pulled up a chair. "Mind if I join you?" she asked.

"By all means." Obi-Wan said courteously.

Byathla sat and gave Obi-Wan a loving smile. "I want to thank you properly for saving me from Falk Redbeard. I'm not against the idea of getting…personal with a man, but the guy had less charm than Jabba himself. That's saying something. I've heard Tof society is dominated completely by primitive tribal patriarchs. They do whatever they want with the women, so they aren't used to be told no."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Well this isn't the tof home world wherever that is. I wasn't going to just stand by and let him hurt a mere bystander like you. It's not the j…it's not my way."

Byathla blushes. "Again thank you." She kissed him on the cheek. "If you need company, I can convince Jabba to let us spend some alone time together. Maybe I could give you a special performance." She gave him a grin and a wink.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "While I... appreciate the thought. I must politely reject. I'm not in need for that kind of company I'm afraid."

"oh, I see." Byathla spoke clearly disappointed Well, if you change your mind, I'll always be around." Byathla kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek again and walked away. Dengar was baffled.

"Rako buddy, Hutt sized or not, Maelibus or not, when you got a woman eating out of the palm of your hand like that you don't let her slip through your fingers."

"For all I know, she could be looking for a next meal. Besides, I'm not looking for any companionship.

Dengar raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you're not a eunuch are you?"

Obi-wan stifled a chuckle. "No, actually I did have a woman in my life."

"Nice, who was the lucky girl?"

Obi-Wan's face quickly turned into a frown. "I shouldn't…"

"Oh come on, you can tell your buddy Dengar. Who was the lucky girl?"

Obi-Wan let out a sigh. "Her name was Satine. Our romantic affair was secretive. She was the Duchess of Mandalore and I was part of a religious order that Forbade such entanglements. We were always taught that attachments were a hindrance, a path of destruction that would lead us away from our duties and divine purpose. Instead we were told to let things pass from our lives. Because of this we were forbidden to form attachments." Obi-Wan chuckled a little. "Funny thing is, if she had said the word, I would have left the Order."

"What happened to her?" Dengar asked.

Obi-Wan let out another sigh. "She was killed by a dark jedi. He was Nightbrother named Maul. I first encountered him on the planet of Naboo. When we fought I thought I had destroyed him, but it turned out he survived our battle and had sworn revenge on me. In the end he got what he wanted. He fatally stabbed Satine in front of me and she died in my arms.

"Dank farrik. That's…that's rough mate. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were part of a secret cult. What happened to it.

Obi-Wan again let out a sigh. "It was destroyed by one of our own. Maybe we had it coming, I'm not sure I know anymore."

"Wait a sec, I think I know the group you're talking about."

Obi-Wan froze. "You do?"

"Yeah, you're talking about that crazy GenoHaradan guild, right? One of their "overseers" tried to get me to join their so called "Bounty Hunter guild" and I basically told him to shove off. The Bounty Hunter's Guild was practically jumping for joy when their headquarters got bombed. bunch of fruitcakes if you ask me. Sorry you got caught up in their insanity."

Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief, playing along with Dengar's assumptions.

"Yeah, still when you're a part of something for so long, it leaves an empty void in your heart when it's no longer there. For me, I lost both Satine and my place in the galaxy."

"Well, I'm not sure if it helps, but if it were me, I'd take this as a sign that you don't know how many chances you'll get in life. You don't know which one is going to be your last. You said you were taught to let things pass from your life, right?"

Obi-Wan nodded.

"Then what do you have to lose? "if Satine is buried in the cold hard ground, then carrying that old torch isn't going to bring her back from the grave, and if you spend all that time obsessing over it, you might miss all of the other sources of light in front of you. the GenoHaradan ain't in the picture anymore so nothing's keeping you from getting in a relationship now. Who knows, maybe you'll go all the way this time. Besides, Maelibi live longer than Hutts and it takes a lot to put them down. So you don't have to worry about her dying on you. If she's does die at some point, then hey you still got some good stories to tell right?"

Obi-Wan put his hand to his chin contemplating Dengar's words. It had been no secret that Obi-Wan didn't exactly agree with all of the rules of the jedi order, attachments being one of them. Besides as it was the Jedi Order was gone so their rules did not matter all that much now. The principles were what mattered. Plus, Dengar did have a point. Satine was dead, harboring on her death wasn't going to bring her back. He had to let go, not so he could forget her and let her memory pass from his life, but so he himself could move on and live his life. to the fullest. As it was, he had to create a new life for himself, and he didn't want to live that life alone. Even if nothing came of it, there was nothing wrong with taking a chance.

"You know Dengar, you're right". Obi-Wan handed Dengar his drink and sat with Byathla. The dancer in question giggled. "Hey handsome. Missed me already?" Obi-Wan smiled and then quickly got to the point.

"Look, I'm not looking for a one-night stand. I want to get to know a woman and get…attached to a woman before I get intimate with them. But, I am willing to share a meal with you if you're willing.

Byathla raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Wait, you want to court me before having sex with me?"

"Is that an issue?" Obi-Wan asks.

"No, that's very…chivalrous of you. I typically eat once Jabba is asleep after and all of the guest leave. If you're willing to wait that long, there's a private party room we can go to. I'll come get you when it's time. We can share are little meal together, I can dance a little for you, maybe we can even relax in the pool a little."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "You're willing to preform a full dance number for one person."

"I don't mind dancing for an audience of one. I just care that someone appreciates it. I do like dancing with a partner though." She once again gave another wink.

"I'll let you take the lead. formalized courting was never my strong suit Just don't try to eat me. I have a lightsaber and I will use it."

Byathla giggled. "Deal, see you later tonight." Byathla kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek and then went back to the dancing pit when the music started again.

Obi-wan couldn't help but grin. "Very charming, hopefully she's not too much woman for me to handle."

A/N: Byathla (Pronunciation: Bee-Ah-Thah-la)

Both the tof and the Maelibi were part of the old legends continuity, while I'm biased towards the legends, I take parts of both the legends and canon if I like them and it fits my story. I added the part where Maelibi can shapeshift as that is a common idea in mythology and folklore.

Also believe it or not it was a thing in legends that Jabba would fatten up his favorite dancer to make her resemble a hutt more. In the case of Yarna d'al' Gargan Jabba wanted her to wear special make up because it reminded him of his mother. I didn't have Byathla wear that makeup because even by hutt standards, those implications are creepy and I don't feel like exploring the potential Oedipus complex of jabba the Hutt.

Thanks for the feedback!