Private Year of the Krayt Dragon

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Jun smiled. “Don’t laugh at me, but I say we start after breakfast… I’m starving,” she said with a laugh. The cantina had amazing food as far as an out-of-the-way sandstone bar on Tatooine was concerned. She’d kill for some eggs, maybe a pastry or even just toast. Aiden had to be hungry too, given what he’d been through. The body burns so many calories during the healing process, and he had a good amount of healing still to do before he was back to normal.

“C’mon,” she said, hopping up and heading to the door. “Let’s get you some food, yeah?” Luckily, it was a short walk down to the cantina, and even luckier, the owner welcomed them with open arms. The moment Jun entered, the man pushed off the countertop where he’d been leaning and came from behind the bar, approaching them at first with a concerned look that turned into a relieved smile when he saw Aiden behind her.

“Ah, it’s good to see you up and about, kid. I was worried you weren’t gonna make it. Lucky you had little lady here to help ya,” he said with a wink at the pair of them. Then he tilted his head to the back, where the humble kitchen was. “I bet the two of you’s are hungry, eh? Grab a booth. Breakfast’s on me.” Jun shrugged at Aiden as the barkeep shuffled back to the counter. She led her friend to a nearby booth and scooted in, reaching for one of the dingy holopad menus and passing it over.

“I already know what I want,” she explained kindly. It wasn’t her first breakfast here, after all. “Two eggs, whatever produce they have today, a strong caf, and blue milk.” It was almost rehearsed by now. She sat, eyes looking over the crowd this morning while Aiden had time with the menu. Her cheeks were rosy from the sun, even lightly freckled now that she’d had some time indoors. Her violet eyes came back to Aiden after a few minutes. “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” she said. “That was scary, Aiden. I never want to think of you out there alone like that again.”

 

[Aiden Porte]

“Don’t laugh at me, but I say we start after breakfast… I’m starving,”

When she said that, he couldn't help but laugh. Simply because he was starving just as she was. He didn't realize it until she said breakfast and all kinds of food items flooded his mind.

"I'm sorry." He said amid the chuckled. "Breakfast sounds amazing. I'm incredibly hungry too." He said with a big smile.

He followed her into the Cantina were they met the bartender from the previous night. And Aiden gave him a small bow. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. It is much appreciated." He mentioned breakfast being on him and he glanced over to Jun Chiyo with a small smile. "That's very kind of you. Thank you."

Two eggs, whatever produce they have today, a strong caf, and blue milk.”

Aiden glanced over the holo menu for several seconds before his mind settled on what she had opted for. "That sounds pretty good, especially the blue milk."

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,”

“That was scary, Aiden. I never want to think of you out there alone like that again.”

"Thanks to you Jun." Aiden said with a sincere look on his face. He reached for her hand and gave it a small squeeze. "I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. I am completely in your debt." Aiden withdrew his hand and he stared at her for a few seconds. Her rosy cheeks, freckled as well. He glanced away for a few moments before looking back to her.

"I know it was scary. I'm sorry you had to witness that. I won't be alone again, you have my word."

His hand moved to give hers a small squeeze once more.

"I'm happy I met you Jun."

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Thankfully, her sun-kissed cheeks hid the blush that warmed her face when he took her hand into his. Aiden's hand was larger than hers, encasing her fingers in a gentle embrace that made her feel safe and seen - two things she had not experienced in many cycles. "I'm happy I met you, too," she said, smiling shyly. "I would have beaten you up that statue too, for the record," she said with a cocky giggle. "Maybe next time we're on Coruscant, we can try again!" This time, her giggle turned into a strong laugh. Jun really did miss him all this time, and now that he was here in front of her, she intended to make the very best of it. They continued to laugh and chat, catching a few glances from the gruffer cantina patrons. She didn't care, though. Aiden was here, and that's all that mattered to her. That, and breakfast, of course.

Soon, the barkeep came over with their plates and cups, placing them down with a smile. Unlike the bargoers, he seemed to enjoy the spark of life that the pair of youth brought to his bar. It's not often you hear laughter in a place like Mos Motesta. "Eat up, kids. And never change," he said, winking at them. Jun stifled a little laugh and smiled at Aiden. "I promise to stay the same if you do," she said.

 

[Aiden Porte]

For the first time in a long while he let out a genuine hearty laugh. She mentioned Coruscant and the statues and he shook his head still chuckling as the memory replayed in his mind.

"That was a very good day." Today had raised his spirits tenfold, the fact that he laughed for the first time in weeks showed volumes in what Jun Chiyo had done for him.

"I would have beaten you up that statue too, for the record,"

"A rematch then...." Aiden suggested before taking a small sip of the blue milk. "I'll go a little bit easier on you this time though."

"I promise to stay the same if you do,"

He smiled and nodded his head towards the barkeep. It was very nice to have someone of his mannerism here on Tatooine of all places. The Jedi glanced towards Jun and showed her a rare smile.

"Deal." Aiden spoke easily enough and with a smile. "I promise Jun." He winked at her as took another sip of his beverage and they began to eat their meal. She was here, and he was incredibly happy that she was. He knew eventually their paths would diverge again, as long as they reconnected again.

That's what truly mattered.

He would be in her corner no matter what.

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Jun glanced at Aiden a few times while they ate, and she smiled any time he noticed her looking his way. She was so glad that he was on the mend and eating a full meal for once. If only she could be there to make sure he kept up with that good habit. But like two shooting stars, Jun knew that she and Aiden were destined to cross paths only to part ways once again. She, too, was okay with that... as long as they came back to each other one day.

But she wouldn't spend her time worrying about that now. Instead, she focused on eating and laughing and talking with Aiden. Be present in the moment, she could hear an old Master say.

Jun enjoyed the food very much, but she was eager to find the krayt bones she'd been sent to collect. She wondered if Aiden had ever seen any in person before, in a museum or a Jedi archive somewhere. "So," she said, bringing up the subject. "Have you ever seen a krayt dragon skeleton? I have. Only once, though, in an exposition on Atrisia," she told him. Jun's cheeks reddened again, but this time out of frustration. Her father had refused to allow her to study the bones up close. It wasn't a 'ladylike endeavor' to research ancient things, so she was disallowed to examine the specimen. If only he could see how un-ladylike she was now, eating a commoner's meal in a cantina on Tatooine, with a wild Jedi boy no less.

That thought made her smirk.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Aiden couldn't help but giggle slightly as they were catching glances towards each other during this time. Since he left Corsucant this was the best time he had in a very long time. Even with the injuries and such, this had to be the will of the force. Too often had they bumped into each other like this, he hoped one day that when the paths converged again, that they would indeed stay together for once. They had their own paths to go, the good thing was that they would find each other once more.

"So,"

"Have you ever seen a krayt dragon skeleton? I have. Only once, though, in an exposition on Atrisia,"

Aiden cleared his throat as he took the last sip of his blue milk before answering. "I never have before, my father did tell me that he and his apprentice many years ago saw a live one on this planet no less." Aiden raised his hand to his chin for a moment as his mind began to wander.

"I wonder if that same one they saw could still be here." Aiden chuckled at the thought. "Can you imagine if we actually found a live one?!" Aiden shook his head slightly as he then set the cup down.

"They all have to be dead though right? I know that they've been hunted before for the jewels that were found within them." Aiden turned red slightly as he knew this due to his great amount of time spent in the archives. His bookish nerdy side showing slightly.

Hopefully just briefly.

He mused.

Jun Chiyo

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

"Stars, I hope not!" Jun said with wide eyes. "I mean, I hope they're not extinct like many believe... but I'm not keen on seeing a living specimen in the flesh, either." Krayt dragons are fiercely territorial creatures. Their viciousness has been the end of many trade barges in the Dune Sea, requiring hunting parties a dozen or more strong to take them down. If one happened upon Jun and Aiden, even in good health, they'd surely be done for.

"Maybe," she said after another bite, "they're in hiding someplace in the canyons. I'm sure they're deep enough to conceal a krayt dragon, and Force knows they're certainly not properly charted. If I had to bet, that's where I'd wager them to be."

 

[Aiden Porte]

While the thought of seeing a Krayt dragon was very exciting, Aiden did not want to be the cause of ending his or her life prematurely. "So, let's make a deal." Aiden said as he took another bite of his food. He covered his mouth slightly as was trying not to talk with his mouth open. He chuckled lightly before shaking his head. "We go and explore, however if we even sense the slightest of troubles. We get out there stat!" Aiden voiced as he looked to Jun with a smile on his face.

"they're in hiding someplace in the canyons. I'm sure they're deep enough to conceal a krayt dragon, and Force knows they're certainly not properly charted. If I had to bet, that's where I'd wager them to be."

"You say the word and we will go." The padawan chuckled, despite his recent injuries. He was quite ready for another adventure. Aiden could sense that she was worried about him, well probably more about running in the ancient creature that could crush them. "Let me help you Jun." Aiden said reassuringly, reaching out to pat her her and then give it a gentle squeeze.

"Me and you, together we got this." He said with a big smile.

Jun Chiyo

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Jun pursed her lips, thinking it over. She definitely could use the help, or even just the company. There was good cause for concern about Aiden hurting himself or complicating the healing process if he exerted himself too much, but there was plenty of light work he could help with that would make the expedition go more smoothly without compromising his health.

"Deal," Jun said finally with a quick nod and a smile. "Do you feel up to driving the speeder? I can navigate. We can setup in the shadier end of the canyon too, that way you can rest if you get too hot or tired."

She had all the supplies needed to setup a small field camp, but she usually preferred to live out of the speeder when she was working alone. It tended to be much easier to do everything from her vehicle instead of setting up a field tent and portable furniture for only herself, but with Aiden along, it made a lot more sense. She could pitch the tent and make a comfortable place for him to work on cataloguing while she gathered samples in the sun.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Do you feel up to driving the speeder? I can navigate. We can setup in the shadier end of the canyon too, that way you can rest if you get too hot or tired."

"I'm definitely up for driving. It's been a while since I've driven a speeder. I've been unfortunately tasked with piloting a ship here lately. And let's just say that hasn't gone over too well. I'm definitely not my sister when it comes to piloting, she makes everything look so easy."

Aiden stretched slightly but just enough to where he didn't aggravate his wound. The night sleep, breakfast, and reuniting with Jun Chiyo was enough to reinvigorate himself tenfold. In truth despite the small pain that he felt, he was feeling pretty dang good.

The Padawan finished up what was on his plate, then grabbing the napkin to wipe his face. Given the state that she had seen him in, he didn't want her to think he was a slob or anything. While he wasn't, however he was incredibly hungry prior to this so he might have devoured his food rather quickly.

"And whichever location works out the best, I'm feeling better so I can definitely do much more work than before."

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Perfectly inverse to Aiden, Jun was much better with a starship than a speeder. The controls were generally the same, she supposed, but there was something about the openness of space that made piloting a ship feel easier. Aiden was pretty good behind the wheel. She remembered as much from their trip on Kirdo III where they explored an ancient cave.

“If you think you’re up for it!” Jun said. “We can leave after breakfast. It’s not that far from here, and it won’t take long to pack up the speeder.”

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Sounds like a solid plan." Aiden exclaimed, then took a few more bites of his food. Looking to finish up what was before him. He wasn't sure if it was the solid rest, or the thrill of another archeological adventure. It was good to get away from the basics of being a Jedi.

War, sith, darkness and all of that.

He was happy to be on this venture with Jun.

It wasn't too much longer that they were near the speeder and getting things packed up. Aiden's strength returned as he was moving things about that they would need and he wasn't feeling the tinges of pain as heavily as they were yesterday. He made sure to clean and rewrap his wound and pack some extra supplies that the bartender had offered them. The Jedi padawan was going to make sure to come back and thank this man again for his generosity.

"Seems like everything is good to go." Aiden spoke standing next to the speeder as he looked to Jun Chiyo with a smile on his face.

"You ready partner?" He said with a small laugh and wink at her.

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

Jun nodded and smiled. "Ready!"

With their speeder loaded down, she climbed into the passenger seat and used her datapad to bring up a map of the nearby gulch and surrounding sand dunes. It was charted by a local of Mos Motesta, one who the barkeep highly recommended on account of their numerous adventures into the dune sea. Jun pointed to a blip and grinned. "This is it," she said giddily. "I traded some herbs and salves with a local explorer for this map. It's quite accurate," she said, clearly impressed.

"Take us to this side. It'll be easier to get the speeder down the slope, and the shade should cover us for most of the day." This wasn't Jun's first time out in the dunes, Aiden could tell. She was quite adept at gauging the best times to work beneath the twin suns, capitalizing on shade and wind speed to make sure she didn't get too hot.

 

[Aiden Porte]

It didn't take too long to load up the speeder and he got the 'ready' from Jun Chiyo as they finished up and Aiden hopped in the drivers seat. His hands tapped the steering controls for a few brief seconds. Excitement seemed to take the Jedi Padawan as he looked over to Jun with a smile. Was it the thrill of adventure? One would think not considering he had plenty of adventure upon his arrival here on Tatooine.

Or was indeed her, that had reinvigorated him.

That look on her face was enough to make him smile.

The speeder fired up and they were on their way.

"This is it,"

"Take us to this side. It'll be easier to get the speeder down the slope, and the shade should cover us for most of the day."

"Sounds good." Aiden said with a smile as he chuckled at Jun's excitement. "I'm happy you included me in on this. I'm pretty excited to see what we are going to find." The Padawan said with a giggle as they came to a stop.

The shade was good cover, however Aiden was still gonna get a camp set up. "I'm going to get us set up real quick, it shouldn't take longer than ten to fifteen minutes."

 

[Jun Chiyo]

Tags: Aiden Porte
Location: Mos Motesta, TATOOINE

​

"I couldn't imagine coming out here alone," Jun said with a smile. Of course, she had been out here alone until now, but she had little choice in the matter when she took the assignment and set off for the dunes. Now that Aiden was here, she wouldn't have it any other way. While he busied himself with setting up their camp, Jun focused on getting the equipment unboxed and assembled. A small part of her felt guilty for letting him work so hard, but she figured it was good for him to stretch his muscles and get his body moving again.

When they were both finished, she wiped her brow with her sleeve and sighed. "This is my second least favorite thing about expeditions." Her eyes trailed off, then gradually came back to Aiden. She has a silly smile on her face. "The first is packing it all back up when we're done."

It was no secret around the Coruscant temple that Jun Chiyo was too... serious. She loathed that sentiment, mostly because it didn't make sense to her; how could one ever be too serious about their work or studies? They were serious matters that should be taken... well, seriously. But in some ways, she could understand her former classmates' plight. Jun knew that she had the tendency to be overly rigid. It was ironic, really, when considering the fact that she fled her father and House Chiyo to avoid all the structure and societal constraint of nobility.

Perhaps that's why she abandoned the New Jedi in favor of the Outer Rim? There was no such thing as decorum in the desert, no matter how much she craved it. Out here, it was only her and her wits - and now, Aiden. Another smile graced her lips. He was a goofball, but he made her feel normal.

Whatever that was.

 

[Aiden Porte]

"I couldn't imagine coming out here alone,"

Aiden chuckled lightly as he looked over to her. She wasn't alone, at least not anymore. Aiden thanks the force that he had bumped into her again, this was probably one of the best and worst ventures to Tatooine he had ever had. He hoped it would be one of the last worst ventures he would have for a really long time.

"This is my second least favorite thing about expeditions."

"The first is packing it all back up when we're done."

"Ah, its not so bad." Aiden said with a laugh noting her silly smile and he smiled big. Perhaps he smiled at for a little bit too long as he quickly cleared his throat and looked away. Hoping he wasn't staring too long.

"Maybe we don't have to be done for awhile. We should stay out here for a bit. Live amongst the sand." He said with a chuckle. Then again on second thought, there were plenty of better places they could do and go to to have a camping adventure while looking for lost relics.

"Next relic we look for, should be a slightly cooler location." Aiden said as he leaned against some boxes, while facing Jun Chiyo

"Since I unpacked, you should pack everything up when we are done." The Padawan teased, while smiling at her.