Ask A New Verse of an Old Song

[Lakay'la]

Reassurance that the worst of the current danger was over filled her as Tepro responded positively to her pleas and provided the number that would summon aid. Zerath, predictably prepared, soon had the proper amenities quickly on their way. Already Lakay’la could hear the distant whirring of an ambulance blaring its way closer to them.


Her Master’s voice echoed in her head, prompting a sort of finality to their current struggle and the beginning of their next. She sighed heavily and made her way to where her back could press against the nearest wall for support. Though her heart swelled with pride at Zerath's kind words and gentle praise, her body and spirit both ached desperately for their sudden ordeal.

[It’s fine, thanks. Nothing I haven’t had before. But…what are we going to do about their Spice Contact? We can’t just let whoever it is keep hurting kids like this, Zerath.]

Concern creased her pastel brow and tugged her lips into a frown towards him, though her dire musings were soon interrupted by the barreling of a rolling droid coming from around the corner. A light and siren made a cacophony atop its head, warning all to please move out of the way for emergency services. With the Jedi’s help, the OD’ing youths were soon on their way to a place far more equipped to handle the situation, leaving Zerath and Lakay’la to worry about other things.

She projected a thought to her Master as they watched the ambulance droid speed away.

[We have to find that Rodian or something. But I’m…not sure how to go about it. What do we do now?]


After all, this was just the sort of good that Lakay’la had grown up hearing the Jedi could accomplish- only now it was her turn to spend some time trying to solve a big problem. The only issue was her own self-doubt. Was this the sort of thing that needed discussion? Was it wiser to simply try and stop the flow of this dangerous strain of Spice before it was too late? Or was she supposed to return to the Temple and to more experienced Jedi and inquire after their advice?

The poor Padawan was paralyzed by the choices and looked to the Miralukan for guidance, heart upon her nonexistent sleeve.

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Zerath Eblon]

Zerath fully agreed that this was a problem worth investigating, but he also worried that this operation was far bigger than the small street gang that the two Jedi had stumbled upon. There were unquestionable risks involved with investigating further, and Zerath had to remind himself to have faith in Lakay'la as well. He hadn't broken his new Padawan in the first 30 minutes so that was probably a good sign. If anything, Zerath knew that Lakay'la was asking all the right questions because he had none of the answers. Even Tepro had gone with the medical response team after a scan had shown some internal bleeding that would have to be monitored.

At least they were free to speak aloud, and a semblance of a plan began forming in Zerath's mind as he spoke. "First, we get you something to eat, and some ice for your ankle. I know the hospital where they were taken, so we can head there once they've had time to receive treatment and are in better shape to hold a conversation." Having spent time previously on Ord Mantell was proving useful. "What do you think?" Zerath wasn't confident that they could find Skeeb without some help, and the more they knew about the spice operation, the better. However, he was open to Lakay'la's thoughts and ideas, and his tone indicated as such.

If she agreed with his loose plan, he would begin leading them back towards the main road and to the bagel place they'd been en route to earlier.

@Roobi

 

[Lakay'la]

It wasn’t difficult to understand her Master’s point, particularly each time her ankle throbbed in pain and her stomach growled in protest. She glanced downwards and exhaled through her nostrils softly in relief; the swelling wasn’t as nearly as bad as it felt and after Zerath’s suggestion of icing it Lakay’la assumed that it would probably vanish entirely. It certainly wasn’t her first sprain and it definitely wouldn’t be her last.


“...I think there are probably better ways to kick off my Jedi career than beating up drugged-up teens in an alley, but hey! There’re probably worse ways, too!” The Padawan’s care-free laugh seemed to seep through the tense cracks generated by the dire situation and divide it into manageable parts. Emerging from that alley was like stepping back into the world, like the whole galaxy was muted in that unfortunate struggle.

Throughout the entire journey back to the bagel shop it was clear that Lakay’la’s mind was still upon the youth problem. It took three addressals of increasing annoyance from the cashier for her to realize that she was next in line, then took further minutes trying to figure out her options for a breakfast that did not include any creature-based products. By the time the two Jedi finally took their seats and began to eat, the Twi’leki was already lightyears away.


“Maybe we should contact the Order.” Lakay’la said abruptly in between distracted nibbles. “I mean…if you think that’s the wise thing to do. I guess I could be getting ahead of myself.”

Her fingers left the bagel and began to idle themselves by toying with slowly melting ice cubes within a rag that they’d procured from the shop for her ankle. Her face flushed in soft embarrassment and Lakay’la gave Zerath a sheepish smile.

“I kind of forgot that we’re supposed to be getting to know each other before saving the whole galaxy, right? Err, that was a joke. I don’t actually believe…” Another exhale at her own ineloquence. “What I MEAN to say is…what do we do now? Just…talk?”

@SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Zerath Eblon]

Zerath met Lakay'la's carefree laugh with a carefree smile; the Miralukan had to admit that perhaps the Order had done their homework, after all. He was certain that there would also be moments where he and the half-Twi'lek wouldn't see eye to eye, but the grace with which Lakay'la had adeptly navigated all of the "firsts" of being a Padawan thus far gave him confidence that they would weather the more difficult moments of apprenticeship, too.

Before long, the two Jedi had finished their initial quest, finding the scone place and ordering some food. Although their walk there was mostly quiet, the time hadn't been wasted. Zerath could tell that Lakay'la was also working on the problem of what to do about the drug cartel. Her suggestion to contact the Order hadn't been high on Zerath's own (and admittedly short) list of options, but that was more due to his own experience working with little supervision on some missions- he just wasn't in the habit of seeing the larger Jedi Order as a resource. "That's an option" he admitted between bites of pastry. "How do you think the Order could help us in this situation?" Certainly, they could give guidance as to whether or not this was a mission Zerath and Lakay'la should be doing, but perhaps there were other ways the Order could assist their mission.

"And... yes" he replied to her second question, grinning at her humor. "It'll take those men some time to be medically cleared for visitors"- some hospitals had strict procedures when encountering unknown substances, which this new strain almost certainly was- "and we will need to be prepared for the next part of the mission." There was no telling where the Force would lead them. "In the meantime, we can get to know each other better. What are some of your strengths?"

@Roobi