A Jedi And A Street Rat

[Nyx]

Nyx stayed out on the balcony for a few minutes after he went inside, deep in thought.

How? How could a being exist that did not desire personal gain, did not desire to rake in as much profit for themselves as possible.
It didn't make sense. In this cruel galaxy, one fought for any scraps they could get, and if they saw an opportunity, they took it; no matter who it hurt.

But she supposed that his motivations didn't matter. With an unsatisfied sigh, she stepped from the balcony and headed inside. She raided the kitchen, and found a bottle of alcohol. With a smile, Nyx flopped down on the apartment's couch, and took a pull fro the bottle.

When [member="Akartin"] came out, she glanced behind her; and glanced again. His muscled body had several scars, ones that made Nyx's own itch. She stared at his chest for a moment more before clearing her throat and sloshing the bottle a bit, holding it out in an offer.

"Want some? Found it in the kitchen." She had no idea what the Jedi Code said about alcohol, but he wasn't a Jedi just yet, so she thought he might accept.

 

[Vakarian]

He smiled half-heartedly and shook his head at the offer of alcohol. It had never been a type of drink for him, even on his home world. In fact, he managed to stay away from Cantina's and such as they are a den of corruption and greed; granted they are informational powerhouses as well but he couldn't bring himself to go to one other than to meet friends.

"No thanks.", he replied in kind. Instead he slipped on his shirt and mask before he fully faced [member="Nyx"]. Today would be the day that they would have to work to get credits so that he could get off this planet. He sat down beside her on the couch and leaned back comfortably. He sat in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.

"So, I believe that the Cantina would be the wise choice to start on finding someone willing to hire us for a job. I'd also like to talk to ask around for information, because according to the archives in the Luka Sene the Jedi established a small enclave on this world. I'd like to find the enclave and send out a transmission to Republic Space to retrieve me. I have faith that they will.", he looked beside him to the flickering aura that was his new friend awaiting a response to his words.

 

[Nyx]

Nyx shrugged.
"That's just fine with me, Aky. Chances are, I'd end up at one anyway."
She stood and stretched, setting the bottle down.

"Come on, know a good one close to here; and I've only gotten kicked out a few times."
She walked out of the apartment, Akartin trailing behind her. "You know," She laughed.
"One time at this place, a Wookie put me in the hospital. Shredded my side, my leg, and gave me a concussion."
She sighed wistfully as she entered the establishment.
"Good times."

She walked up to the bar, ordering a drink and beckoning to her companion.
"Here," She said to the duros bartender. "My friend here had some questions to ask."

 

[Vakarian]

"You are a dangerous woman, Nyx the mercenary." Akartin spoke with the traces of a smile in his voice, and if one were to gaze upon him they would find a smile sneaking onto his features as he followed his friend through the pathways and to the cantina. His smile only broadened as she told her story about the wookie as if it were nothing, just a common day occurrence. The girl fascinated him to say the least.

He spoke again as they passed through the entrance of the establishment, " I think you and I have completely different views as to what good times are." As he finished speaking he laughed softly and listened again as she spoke to the bartender before it was his turn to again speak.

"I'm looking for the... Jedi Enclave", he said the last part softly, getting closer to the bartender so as to not draw any unwanted attention to himself or his companion. That was the last thing that he wanted to do, to put her in harms way.

 

[Nyx]

Nyx threw back her drink as the bartender blinked in surprise, before looking around cautiously and leaning close to the Miraluka.
"You didn't hear this from me," He said "But that robed human, in the corner? I heard him mention something about an enclave earlier. Maybe that's what you're looking for."

He held his hand out, expecting compensation for the info.
Nyx simply scoffed. Bartenders were useful for info, as long as one had the money to back up what the were asking.

 

[Vakarian]

Akartin turned in the direction that the bartender had indicated and his vision lit up like a sparkler when his sight found itself upon the man indicated. Akartin nodded his head, and turned around placing a few credits from within his robes onto the bar and turned to Nyx, "Perhaps it would be best for you to accompany me as far as the Enclave itself? Or we can part ways here." , His voice fell at the latter of the two options, knowing that when he left her company, it would be some time before he was able to come to Nar Shaddaa again to see her.

Nevertheless, he walked towards the man in the robe that the bartender indicated and sat down across from him. If his companion wanted to travel further with him, she would come to where he was. He wanted to leave the choice up to her.

"I am in need of passage to the Jedi Order. I seek to learn.", he stated to the man across from him. He was short and to the point, not wishing to prolong this dangerous conversation in this particular den of darkness.

 

[Nyx]

Nyx was surprised by the offer, and watched him walk to the table. Did she wish to pursue Akartin?

Nyx strode up to the table, just in time to hear the hooded man's response:

"Not here. Too many ears. Come with me."
The man stood up, looked around, and beckoned for the two of them to follow him to the back.
His stride was quick, and he looked worried that something would happen.

 

[Vakarian]

Akartin followed the man silently, he himself wary of the danger that would follow them if any unfriendly ears had heard where they intended to go. It all seemed so surreal, he had only met the girl what seemed like a few hours ago, and soon he would leave her behind. Everything in him was fighting against leaving her behind, he didn't want to. But, he had a feeling that she would not come even if he asked her to. She had chosen her path in the galaxy, and he would have to choose his. The Force guided them both, just in different ways.

"You should not stay here when I am gone, Nyx. If anyone catches word of your helping a Jedi Initiate get off Nar Shaddaa when we run for such a high price, then you will be the target of many peoples ire.", his words held a certain sadness about them, realizing that his journey was both beginning and ending. His path as a Jedi was soon to begin, but his path with his companion was ending for now. He hadn't felt this saddened when he left his home, so why did he feel saddened now?

This question became the sole topic of his mind, his senses closing in on themselves as he delved deeper within himself for the answer. His body entering a state of meditation wherein he was aware of the two around him, but beyond a few yards was emptiness. He had become quiet for the better part of following the robed man.

 

[Nyx]

As the robed man led them away, Nyx thought about Akartin's words.
Should she stay? She'd already been kicked out of most of the good cantinas, and the Hutts had moved on to other planets. She had only intended to stay for a few weeks anyway.
She'd come back when the heat died down, see of she could find that Wookie from the spaceport.

"That would be smart." She said simply. What would she do? She'd heard the Cartel had a job taking droids to Ord Mantell, protecting from pirates. Maybe she would do that.

"I have a job for the Hutts I can do, go to Ord Mantell. Pirate protection, that sort of thing."

The man came to a stop in front a large building, turning to them.
"Here. Hurry, come inside!"

 

[Vakarian]

Akartin nodded at her words, but did not reply. He didn't have time to do so, before the robed man had ushered them into a rather large looking building, one that looked like it had not been inhabited in hundreds of years. As he looked around he saw faint signs of old Jedi symbols and murals. His senses awakening once more to his surroundings. He saw an old transmitter, still functioning against the far wall as well as several empty chairs in the traditional circle of a Jedi Council. It was a place of history and hope for those that knew it was there.

//Begin Transmission

To: All Republic Channels
From: Nar Shaddaa Enclave

This is aspiring initiate Akartin calling for a shuttle to Republic Space. Seeking the Jedi Order.

//Begin Loop

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

The transmission had been sent and now all the group could do was wait for a shuttle to arrive to take Akartin off the planet and into Republic space. He found his gaze once again upon Nyx and he smiled slightly. She would always find trouble, it was in her nature. That much he could tell.

It was another few moments when he picked up more life forms coming into range of his senses. They were not friendly. "We've got company. Again." he said to Nyx as he drew his training blade this time and pressed a button to turn it on. A gentle thrum of energy filling the silent room in anticipation for coming life forms.

 

[Nyx]

"I sense them, too." She muttered, drawing her own blade off her back, twirling it in her hand as her other grabbed her blaster pistol.

Six, maybe seven of them. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the signatures. . . the bounty hunters from earlier.
Their robed companion drew his own lightsaber, it's blue blade activating. "Friends of yours?" He scoffed, his eyes locked on the direction the life forms were coming from.

Nyx crept forward, Money Maker in one hand, blaster in the other. She glanced out side. . . and barely dodged a blaster bolt.

"Here they come!"
She shouted as she lept back, snapping off a couple shots.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

//Begin Transmission

To: All Republic Channels
From: Nar Shaddaa Enclave

This is aspiring initiate Akartin calling for a shuttle to Republic Space. Seeking the Jedi Order.

//Begin Loop

The message was brought to Corvus' attention. As the closest Jedi to Nar Shaddaa, it was logical she went to collect the Padawan. Landing in such a conspicuously Jedi ship would be a small challenge but not one she would fail to overcome. And even if it took a little while, she was sure the young Jedi could keep himself out of mischief until she got there. I mean, how difficult could it be?

So she sent a response and changed course.

//Begin Transmission

To: Nar Shaddaa Enclave
From: Corvus Raaf

En route to your destination. Will get there as soon as I can. Suggest you lie low until I arrive.

//Begin Loop

[member="Nyx"] | [member="Akartin"]

Spoiler

Just tag me again when you want me to show

 

[Vakarian]

Akartin looked back as they received the reply from a Corvus Raaf, he logically assumed that she was a member of the Republic because she was answering the encoded frequency to their channels. But, he would not have time to reply as his focus snapped back to Nyx when he heard the sounds of blaster fire.

He moved up towards the entrance to the Enclave, and with a swift and relatively graceful movement he deflected several rounds of blaster fire off of his training sword before he leaped forwards, aided by the Force, and butted a single bounty hunter with the handle of his training sword, making it evident that he would not harm those that were trying to harm him.

"Leave now Bounty Hunters. This is a place of peace.", he said as he narrowly dodged another bolt from the second and third bounty hunters. His vision alight with vivid red of hostile auras entering the enclave. Five remained as the sixth had been killed by Nyx's shots, it seemed that without even properly aiming she had managed to kill them. She truly was a helluva shot. The seventh had been rendered unconscious by him.

"I need to get to the Spaceport, [member="Nyx"]. I have a feeling that if I leave, they will follow. You must take that time to get yourself off world, or into friendly territory!" , even through the violence he still felt concern for Nyx. But, he wouldn't wait for an answer from her. He skirted around the bounty hunters and charged out of the Enclave, running a lot faster than expected of a blind species- making his way to the Spaceport.

 

[Nyx]

Akartin didn't even leave time for her to respond before running out of the enclave, taking the hunters with him, and leaving her and the Jedi alone in the enclave.
She started to run after him, but the Jedi clamped his hand down on her shoulder, stopping her.
"Let him go." He stated. "It may be hard, but he must follow his own path."

Nyx shrugged off his hand, and sighed as she sheathed her weapons. She knew he was right. Akartin had to go his own way, now. He would have to deal with the hunters himself.
But, he had a point. She needed to get off-planet, before word spread that she had knowledge of a Jedi's whereabouts. She turned to the Jedi, an unspoken question on her face.
"I will be fine." He said simply. "Go. I can handle anything that attacks this building."

She wandered the streets, taking a random pattern so as to not attract attention. Eventually, she made her way to a different spaceport, where her contact was waiting. Hopefully, Akartin had made it alright.

 

[Vakarian]

Akartin sifted through the crowds of people with a certain grace and precision not expected of his species, but he had his mind devoted to only one subject; the spaceport. He had managed to evade the bounty hunter temporarily, but it would only be a matter of time before they found him again. Even so, he found his mind deviating from his train of thought as his companion came to mind. He had left her without a proper farewell, and likely a little miffed at his carelessness. But, he had faith that she would find her way to safety, she was a smart one.

As he passed through the entrance of the spaceport, he felt the same life forms enter his sensory range again, and dodged another blaster bolt before taking refuge behind a plated barrier. He had no transmitter or any form of communication, so he did the only thing that he knew he could do. He closed his eyes, forgetting his surroundings and looked deep within himself. At first he felt nothing, but then out of the darkness there seemed to be a flowing sphere, and he reached out with ethereal hands towards the orb - touching it carefully. It was what he imagined the Force to be within himself. And, as he touched this ethereal sphere he felt the force building within him, as surely as waves would recede before a Tsunami.

After a few more moments, he released all his pent up energy into a distress signal, knowing that anyone with a connection to the force within the planetary system would feel his distress. [member="Corvus Raaf"] would be the only one to know that this was Akartins signal that he needed aid. His mind found itself returning to his companion, [member="Nyx"] closing his eyes and still feeling her signature faintly somewhere on the planet.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

The Smuggler’s Moon. The last time she’d come here, some Red Ravens had blown a lot of holes in her ship. Happy memories! And as she approached the city, she never ceased to be dismayed by the filth, pollution and by definition crime infestation.

She navigated past the ancient refuelling spires and loading docks and looked down at the vertical city, where daylight rarely permeated. Where neon was the new sun. Where Corvus could feel something wrong. Of course, the Force always told her there was something out of place on this moon. But today it wasn’t just ringing an alarm bell, it had taken out an ad in the daily holo-paper.

As she approached the designated hangar, she came into land she sensed something specific now. Instinct said it was the Jedi that sent the distress call - and he was no longer at the enclave. So she donned her robe and pulled up the hood. Everyone knew this was the code for Jedi on business. It helped those that needed to stop doing what they were about to do to understand why she was here.

And with that she exited her ship and briefly closed her eyes. Using Force Sight she quickly spotted the Jedi and headed straight for him.

[member="Akartin"] | [member="Nyx"]

 

[Vakarian]

It wasn't long after the distress signal that he had sent up through the Force, that he felt the presence of a being far more powerful and him and the Bounty Hunters shooting at him. The presence of this being emboldened him to draw his training blade and stand his ground, deflecting Blaster bolts with relative ease and precision not usually found in an initiate. But, he had had an intimate connection with the Force all of his short life since his birth, and this has lead him to being fairly confident in the Force and trusting his instincts.

He did not have to turn around to feel her approach, the power that she exuded was like a sun against his back, and even gave him a little boost in energy.

"[member="Corvus Raaf"], I presume? I think it's time that we get out of here.", he would not normally be so bold as to talk in such a manner towards a senior member of the Jedi, but at the current moment there was not time for pleasantries. He backed away from his current position towards his rescuer, repeatedly deflecting blaster bolts upwards into the sky.

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Aware of the additional interest in the Jedi, Corvus threw a Force Barrier around him as he retreated. The blaster bolts would deflect harmlessly off and allow him to focus on the task of walking backwards and keeping his wits about him should her shield fail. Not that it did.

"Indeed, and you must be Akartin. Good form by the way." Aware that some of the men were now taking pot shots at him, she moved in close to the Padawan and maintained the shield. Like some Jedi umbrella it protected them both. "Not the best of terms to meet and I would usually bow, but we can do more formal introductions on my ship. Tell me, are you alone?" Her air was nonchalant, confident without being arrogant. From her voice, you would think they were out for an afternoon stroll.

[member="Nyx"] | [member="Akartin"]