I Used To Be A Jedi Like You, Then I Took A Lightsaber To The Knee. [ complete]

[Rhurek Thane]

A cane wasn't a cane unless it was Thane's cane. The cheap flimsy aluminum one with the ergonomic four feet just wasn't the same. It didn't have the same flair as his old one. He even missed the flame decals he had put on the end. That and his cane doubled as his one connection he had with the Jedi, his lightsaber. Not that he used it much being a Consular, but it was embarrassing, especially since he didn't know what had become of it. He felt odd without it. It was like his third leg. Euphemism intended.

Walking down a dark, damp alley, Thane was out looking for answers. And his cane. Everything was hazy about the day he lost it. One particular note of interest was a Force vision that kept entering his mind. A girl, late twenties if he had to guess. He didn't know if she could lead him to his cane, but he knew he needed to find her. Limping his way down the alley, he produced a vial, popped a white pill into his mouth and continued on.

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]

"Do you always pop pills?" came the feminine voice just yonder in the shadows of the alleyway. From the way the acoustics worked with the architecture that made the alleyway how it is, it was hard to distinguish exactly where her voice was coming from.

"They can be a hard habit to break..." her voice faded off then, as if she was staring off into the distance somewhere, mind elsewhere. The witch would not be easily spotted through the Force; again, having taken precautions with her own bit of colorful pills that would make her dead to the Force. She wore dark apparel, one would almost assume her to be some sort of vagabond ready to mug would be unsuspecting victims daring to wander this specific alleyway.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

"Only on days that end in 'day'." He cleverly reported to the darkness. "Great, even the shadows lecture me." He mumbled to himself as he stood in the middle of the alley in the center of a street light. Closing his eyes, he attempted to find the source of the voice, but to no avail.

Instead of frantically searching for the person behind the words, he simply let his head hang. "You sound as if you're talking from experience." He deduced after her words trailed, clearly in thought. "Perhaps we can discuss it over a bite to eat. You know how us druggies love to eat." He offered, though really he just wanted to know who he was talking to. It was all too easy for him to twist his words around, each word being as undefinable as the next. It always played out well because people were all the same. Everybody lies. Why should he be any different? The poor voice in the dark would learn soon enough.

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

She couldn't help the faint upward curve at the corner of her mouth at his sarcastic humor. Let's just say it was the same flavor that she'd grown accustomed to. "Even Benduday?" she shot back with a hint of amusement. Ti'Cira didn't move from her spot for now, both arms rising up to cross over her chest as she leaned against the far wall.

At the mention of knowing from experience, the witch gave a slight pause, her faint smile a fading ghost. "Perhaps... but that isn't the current curious little curio is it?" her head began tilting slightly to the right as her golden gaze slowly began trailing from the top of his peppered hair down to his boots. Her eyes narrowed upon the faint gait she'd seen earlier.

"And I'm an expensive date, Thane." Ohhh there came the name drop. She knew who he was.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

If she was waiting for a reaction, she didn't get one. Thane's eyes narrowed as he tried to focus in on the shadowy figure. "S'okay. You're buying. Forgot the wallet at home, being a true gentlemen and all." He let out a huff of air. "You really think I'd walk down this alley, credits hanging from my pockets? What if someone asked me on a date?" He asked incredulously.

He looked as if he were going to reply, only he hesitated, biting back his own words. "Come into the light." It was more of a request than a demand. By now his curiosity was not just driving, it had thrown him into the passengers seat, opened the door, and threw him out on the curb. It also threw his luggage onto his head. It had also taken the metaphor way too far.

So she knew his name, no big deal. But now it was time he knew hers.

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

The corner of her mouth slightly went quirking up at that. "Well you're not really walking are you?" there was a bit of humor in her voice, but it wasn't meant in malice. "But I've something that may help you with that..." She took a step forward, black dusty boots coming into view under the dim shaft of light over head. The dark earth toned robes came next, hood up and hanging low over her face, leaving only the lower portion visible. Cords of plaited dark auburn hair lay flat against the ruddy leather vest she wore, with wisps of loose curls swaying lightly with each step she took.

She twirled once something in her hand, and one would figure it to be a staff of sorts were it not for the flames decorated along it's length. A cane. His cane to be precise. Another twirl, and then the gloved leather hand extended it out in offering to Thane.

"I guess I can pay for dinner this time," again, there came the faint tinge of humor in her voice, as her head drew back, lifting her chin to reveal the lightly tanned visage of the witch, the right corner of her mouth curving upward as her golden eyes reflected a knowledge that he did not have.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

The girl from his vision! Thane eyed her for a moment before reaching out and accepting his cane. "Render unto Thane that which is Thane's." Weighing it in his hand, he gave it a twirl. Untwisting the handle, he slid out his lightsaber and activated it. A greenish hue illuminated the alley as he satisfied his own curiousity. Deactivating the lightsaber, he attached it back to the cane. It was definitely his cane. Flipping it to the other end, he unscrewed the end, and emptied into his hand a handful of credits. "Tell you what, I'll buy dinner, you buy something fun. Low rider jeans are hot." He winked and flipped her a high valued credit.

He couldn't shake the feeling of deja vu. "I feel like we've met. And your having my cane proves my theory correct." He tossed the lame temp cane aside as he tested out his more familiar cane. It was like he was home again. "Why do I not remember our encounter?" He closed the gap between them, if only to get a better view of the girl of his dreams....literally.

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]​

​

"Well... you can say we had an encounter," her words were vague, but intended to be for now. A smile quirked her lips as her hand began to play with the credit chip he'd thrown at her. "We'll see about those low rider jeans later... right now..." she began to walk forward, heading off towards the entrance of the alleyway.

"...I'm hungry. And it's been a while since I've had a good nerf steak." she said lightheartedly over her shoulder, her profile showing just under the hood of her cloak. "As to why you can't remember... You can blame me for that." There came a faint crooked grin cast his way as she turned her head forward then, casually strolling and fully expecting him to follow her. His curiosity after all, was in the driver's seat now.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

His curiosity was accelerating while his self preservation was trying to set the cruise control at the speed limit. He did follow her because he was curious, and since he wasn't a cat, that wasn't dangerous. However, if she had altered his mind, what else was she capable of. Thane tried top keep his thoughts from trailing. Low rider jeans....later...... oh, how she teased. Despite his limp, he was able to keep up.

"Even though I've been searching for a while for you, I can't shake the feeling you've actually been hunting me down. Why have you been invading my dreams, how did you come by my cane, and how do you know my name?" He asked while keeping strides with his dinner date. "Or is the price of such information a streak dinner at an upscale restaurant?" He wondered outloud. "Not saying you or the info wouldn't be worth it, keep in mind." In Thane's mind, flattery would get you everywhere.

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]

They broke the alleyway onto the street, speedercars humming past them. Golden eyes darted left to right, mulling over which direction before she finally decided to take the path to her right. Right is right, right?

She couldn't help the hint of an amused smile at his series of questions, seeing him catch up to her peripheral. Truth be told, she would be just as curious and if not wary if she were in his position. Having someone with the advantage of knowing what had happened in the past that was completely blanked out would drive anyone crazy with curiosity. To be truthful, if that were her, it would drive her to be aggressively curious. Sometimes violently so.

She didn't take to playing games and trivia questions very well. Which is why she answered his questions truthfully. "I have," she said in reference to the searching, walking towards the direction of one Dex's Diner franchise. Apparently, even through the gulog plague, folks still remembered the old coot's classic meals.

"I however, do not control your dreams." There came a faint laugh, "That's the first I've ever had anyone accuse me of." she shot him a fleeting glance, "You left your cane in an alley much like the one we'd left before."

Her attention drew forward, recalling the exact set of circumstances. "As for your name.... " her voice trailed off, and she gave a little grimace. It was more along the lines of recalling just how much of a wreck she'd been, and how he'd helped her.

"You gave it to me." As if that didn't open up another can of giju of questions.

 

[Jorga the Hutt]

Thane! The man they call Thane!
Plays doctor with witches and pops pills galore
Repressed and sarcastic, spectacular bore
Our love for him now depends on his cane
Both witty and whiny, the man they call Thane!

-in Connory: Bard of the Spacelanes -- Tion Paperback Edition, University of Lianna Press, 940 ABY, A.E. Sorosel and Q. Beorht, eds.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

((I'm seriously considering hiring @[member="Bard of the Hyperlanes"] to just follow me around all the time singing of my praises))

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

Assuming she knew where she was going, Thane didn't ask any questions and just walked along side her, listening to her answer his questions. Each answer brought along a new series of brain busters. Thane himself would have gone in the opposite direction. It looked more promising in terms of well established restaurants. After all, right may be right, and rightly so, but even if you were left to choose left, you may rightly get left. So it was at this impass that he just gave up thinking.

It was getting infuriating to be honest, for every door opened was a new and annoying hall to discover. Maybe once they got to wherever they were headed he could just let her tell him the whole story. It's not like he didn't have the time. Heck, he may even be willing to let her sing him the story, much like the bard they had just past singing about....him? This city just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

"That doesn't make any sense....why would I leave you my cane...." He thought for a moment before backtracking, "Unless of course it was symbolic, but that would have been rude of me....though it does sound like something I'd do." He seemed to be talking himself into it. It was a knack one picks up as a doctor. "But I digress, I wouldn't have left my John Hancock sprawled out on a datapad....would I?" He asked, though he was sure he knew the answer. "Which reminds me, you owe me six hundred credits. Seven if you add in the totally rad case I bought for it." He gave her a sarcastic nod as they rounded the corner to a place called Dax's Diner.

Opening the door for her, he allowed her to enter first. They were met by a young hostess. "Table for you and the misses?" She asked innocently.

Thane opened his mouth to refute their current relationship status, but figured 'what was the point?' "Yes please." He smiled.

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]
I know right?! He's awesome!

IC:

The waiter brought them to a table and she slid into her seat. Ti'Cira for the most part, could not help the rare bit of amusement at his one way conversation. He answered his own questions, which made it a bit easier for her. At least, until he mentioned the six hundred credits.

"Ah, you are the one who spent those credits. I didn't," she told him, casting him a fleeting amused glance as she fed him more information, "Zeltron strip clubs tend to do that."

Oh, that was a twist!

"As for the case, you didn't have it with you when you left it behind." Behind where? Ahh but that was the question. Hazel eyes drifted from the small holographic menu up over to Thane's blue.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

Thane slid his cane in onto the bench on his side of the table as he took his own after his guest had been seated. She then proceeded to throw him another curve as he began to realize she was screwing with him....and so then enters a Zeltron strip club. Seriously, he hoped he at least had a REALLY good time at least if he couldn't remember any of it. His blue stare met her golden gaze and he gave her an amused look. "You must know me since you are so keen on playing the role of the riddler. Okay, let me try to figure this out...." He started thought he paused in consideration, "But before I do, I think it's time I learned something about you." He said as the waiter approached. Thane leaned slightly and asked her, "First off, what is your name, and second, what kind of things turn you on? Drugs? Recreational sex? Violent sex? Recreational violent sex? I'm a doctor, these things are very important to know...."
@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]

It was a good thing she hadn't been drinking anything, it would have likely gone sputtering all across the table. Instead, she dropped her gaze onto her menu, hiding any tells of her expression.

"Mara," she said, giving one of her aliases. "And I doubt as a doctor you need to know what turns me on," given that she really didn't particularly know herself, well, that was all he was going to get. "I'm not playing the role of the riddler," she continued, then paused, as the waiter came to a halt next to them to take an order.

"Juma juice, nerf steak and eggs," she said quickly, hood still in place. "I'm simply paying it forward." gold eyes drew up to meet blue.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

As the waiter approached he placed a basket of chips on the table as a complimentary appetizer. Thane, not liking to be rude, chowed down listening to the girl talk and ultimately voice her order. Thane smiled and nodded, approving of her order. He looked at the girl before him for a moment before ordering, "Same." He said without diverting his eyes and handing over his menu to the waiter.

Once the waiter moved on, Thane simply stated, "You're lying." He said in reference to her name. "I'm not going to ask why, I'm just assuming you are. Everybody lies. No surprise there. I wouldn't share my name with an incredibly handsome harmless man with a totally rad cane either." He said nonchalantly, eyeing a customer that was on his way out. "And I do need to know what turns you on, if we met at a stripclub, obviously I did something to impress you. Oh wait," He said making a revelation face, "Let me guess, I forgot to tip you." He said with a bemused smile. "What do you mean by 'paying it forward'? Obviously, I did you a solid which you returned said solid by returning my cane." He paused to sip his drink. "And drop the hood, makes me feel like I'm on a secret meeting lunch date....kinda kills the mood, you know?"

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]

You're lying.

In another life, she would have been the one calling it out. In another life, she would have been one one demanding the truth.

Ahh, but that was another life.

"The paying it forward had more to do with what happened before I pilfered your cane." she said, then gave a sight grimace at the request to pull off her hood.

With a sigh, she did so, but not before she ducked her head a bit. Thankfully, not many patrons were in this dinner. And not security cameras. One of the reasons why she picked it.

"But no.. no forgetting of tips or anything like that." she said, taking a sip of her water, although mildly amused at his banter. "But you did impress me." she said with a slight tipping of her head forward, her bangs falling over her eyes for a moment before she blew them away.

"Had an issue with controlling myself. You gave me a sedative to make sure I didn't ... blow." she reached down to her pocket, there she pulled out a small datapad. His to be exact. The one that he'd written his name over before he passed out do to the knock out dart.

"This is also yours. " she slid it over, "That's how I know your name."

 

[Rhurek Thane]

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

The grimace as she pulled away her hood did not go unnoticed by Thane. He listened to her intently, taking in every word, each one more interesting to him than the last. What had also not slipped his keen attention was the word 'had'. When she spoke of his sedatives, his hand absent-mindedly rose to his breast pocket. He always carried a few, never knew when he might need them.

"Well, I am a very impressive person. It's my third best quality; right behind awesomeness and humility." He mentioned passively as he took back his datapad. Surprisingly, she had taken very good care of it, as she had his cane. "Didn't expect to get it back at all, let alone in such 'like new' condition. You know how when you let a friend borrow something which in turn gets lent out to their friend and on and on, by the time you get it back, well, you know...." He said trailing off as scanned through the datapad remembering things on there he forgot were even on there. All of his files were password protected, and unless she knew the secret password, poopypants, then they all should still be intact.

His eyebrows clenched while still starting at the screen, "You said, 'Had an issue....', what fixed you, and why all the secrecy? And don't lie to me, my senses don't lie....they multiply."

 

[TiCira D'Arr Hawk]

@[member="Thane"]

"I don't particularly like lying," she admitted with a bit of a grimace. "It's necessity." There came another sigh and she ended up leaning back against the booth. A faint upturn of her lips grew over her mouth at his best 'qualities'.

"Oh aye... clearly humility is number one," faint traces of amusement lit her golden gaze, her finger lightly tapping a beat over the table. "I had no reason to go through your files. " leaning forward again, she took her glass in hand and took another sip of water. She didn't lie about that particular bit. She didn't personally have a reason to go through his files. Patches on the other hand ... well; Let's just say he was a bit paranoid about tech being brought into the ship without his preview.

Then again, holding two of the most wanted Jedi in his ship had something to do with this necessity at being cautious.

"Everyone has their secrets. Not all can be disclosed." there came the wave of a hand followed by the perk of a brow, " Besides, from what you told me back then... looks like you have your own reasons for privacy, no?" at that she shot him a challenging look. She didn't answer his question, but instead asked one of her own.

 

[Rhurek Thane]

@[member="TiCira D'Arr Hawk"]

"Secrets are like nipples. Everyone has them, but few are willing to expose them....unless you pay the right price. But something tells me I'm not going to be able to get you to expose your secrets any time soon, or your nipples for that matter." He said with a childish smirk. He was interrupted as the waiter brought them their drink orders. He informed them that their order would soon be up. Without acknowledgment from Thane, he simply left them.

"But you're right," He paused as he picked up his juice, "I'd also hate it if someone tried prying into my private life. That's why cleverly I have no private life." He smiled, eyes widened as he toasted her and took a sip.

He was taking a liking to the girl, she had openly admitted she lied, just another confirmation of proof for his repeated catch phrase. In truth, not only did he do his own fair share of lying, he embraced it. Lies were what ran the galaxy. Without them, the galaxy would be in a much worse state than it already was.

"So if you didn't go through my files, who did? Don't worry, I'm not going to narc you or anything. It's not like there was anything important on there. Just some confrontational patient files, billing information, time sensitive documents and things of that nature, no big deal." He asked her with his brow raised and hands folded in front of him nicely.