Ask How You Doin?

[Leon Baudelaire]

SULLUST
Pinyumb || The Quad

Leon set down his Malla-Class Starfighter in the spaceport on Pinyumb. Sullust’s capital was in sad shape following the Mandalorians’ pulling out of the planet. A power vacuum is prime real estate for nefarious opportunists and the volcanic planet was rife with civil unrest. He’d been assigned two missions for the price of one this time around. Leon was to help guard a humanitarian aid group from Theed University while they did their job, and also gather information on who the big players were on the planet.

Leon vaulted over the side of his ship and landed with a grunt. His legs were stiff from the flight. His ship was great, and he loved flying it locally, but long trips sucked. He stretched his lower back out and then double-checked his gear. He wore his typical attire mission gear, but his armament had received a bit of an upgrade. His K-19 was still in it’s reverse holster, but Lionheart was gone. Alton Vari’s lightsaber hung from his hip in lieu of his blastword. Berchest had solidified a lot of things for Leon. The foremost of them was his identity. He, against all odds, was a Jedi.

Even in the subterranean city, it was hot. A staging facility for the University had been set up toward the center of the city. He took a little time to acclimate to his surroundings. He pulled out his personav and made his way to the Staging area. Vents along the walkways leaked steam in sharp spurts.

Pinyumb was an enigma to the padawan. It was densely packed, but there was no one on the road. He looked around, wondering if he was missing something, then he heard a far-off whining roar that grew louder as it drew near. Leon slipped into an ally and watched as a gang of seven swoops flew overhead in “V” formation. He had a bad feeling about this. As they headed in the opposite direction he noticed that the native began to stir.

“They that bad?” he asked an older Sullustan, the being rolled it’s eyes and waved its hands at him in exasperation. “Wow, that bad,” he muttered as he watched the broken being shuffle away. He clenched his jaw and looked back into the air where the swoop gang had been. This place must be hell right now… he thought as he jogged off in the direction of the staging facility.

He slowed to a walk as he closed in on the staging area. It was a warehouse in the center of the city. Leon spotted a woman directing a pair of freight droids holding supply crates. As she finished he said, “Sorry to bother you, I’m Leon Baudelaire, the Jedi sent to assist with security. You wouldn’t happen to kno—” When she turned around her beauty stole his breath. Moonlight personified stared back at him. What were the odds that Jayna Throne would be here?

“Oh, Wow, small universe, huh?” he started then realizing she probably had no clue who he was, “Sorry you probably don’t remember me, I’m your brother’s roommate back on Ithor. Nice to see you again,” he said holding a hand out in greeting.

Man, he was such a dork…

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

It had only been a few days since Jayna had arrived in Sullust - traveling with the rest of her convoy. One of the many programs celebrated at Theed University was their robust Humanitarian Outreach efforts, especially after a partnership with ISCRA has guaranteed additional supplies and funding for the program. The quarter-Sephi had participated in multiple expeditions that took her across the Galaxy - a fact that was well-advertised as good publicity for the heiress.

Despite her experience, even Jayna couldn’t deny that Sullust was something of an extreme. The subterranean city was sweltering, and the conditions were nothing to be taken lightly - with active fighting occurring only a few miles away. The exit of the Mandalorian Clans had caused significant unrest on the planet, and outside parties already feared that it could begin to slow shipyard production if not properly controlled. Their objective was to distribute medical supplies and foodstuffs to civilians within Pinyumb, to ease the burden while otherwise doing nothing to stop the fighting.

As expected, the Staging Area had been cleared for the convoy to operate - already abuzz with activity. A small handful of security droids were stationed around the perimeter, while red-and purple banners hung nearby. A multitude of freighters were grounded with ramps already extended from their cargo holds - beginning the process of unloading their supplies. Jayna was positioned at the bottom of one such freighter - already in the process of directing traffic.

The quarter-Sephi was dressed for the occasion - opting for more professional attire, black hair ties into a loose braid. She wore a white-and-black Synth-weave uniform, complete with a utility belt and pair of heeled boots. A consortium broach was pinned to her chest, while a bright-blue armband on her bicep signified her status as Humanitarian aid. Of course, that status hardly prevented people from attempting to raid or attack the convoy.

“Begin moving foodstuffs to the shipping bays. Transports will see them disturbed from there,” She said towards a pair of droids, arms folded over her chest.

Though her sensitive ears picked up on his approach, it wasn’t until Leon spoke that Jayna turned to face him - silver eyes fixating onto the Jedi. She immediately recognized the handsome Padawan from Ithor, when her twin brother had first joined the Jedi Order. She greeted him with a rather blank - though not impolite - expression, a trait that Leon would likely recognize from Ezra by now.

“Of course I remember you,” She said after a moment, extending her hand to shake Leon’s own. “I seem to recall you’re the one with warts on your junk, according to my brother.” She said with smooth delivery, flashing the very hint of a smirk that revealed she didn’t actually believe the rumor - and was very much just messing with the Padawan.

“I’m Jayna," She said, glancing past the Jedi and toward the direction he came. “Here to make sure we don’t get accidentally bombed?”

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

As if ripped from a mirror, Jayna greeted him with the same expression Ezra had when they’d first met and it was infuriating. Well, on her it was infuriatingly cute… wait, was this how Dash felt?

Leon laughed, “Caught me,” he admitted with good humor, “Fun story though I caught it wrestling Rancor on Tattooine,” he said returning her grin with his smirk as he took her hand and replied, “Pleasure to officially meet you, Jayna.”

Leon followed Jayna's gaze over his shoulder then looked back, “Ha, ha. Wanna point me in the direction of the tallest building?”

Even with how busy Leon had been, he was aware of the state of the galaxy. Sullust was a prime example. His heart broke for those who didn’t have a choice. This galaxy could be terribly mean at times. That’s where the light came in. Without shadows who would care if the sun shined?

He remembered the scene from earlier, “Saw a nasty swoop gang earlier, they been a problem?”

Baudelaire cursed his sense of duty. He was finally getting to talk to Jayna, and he couldn’t stop thinking about his job. Then again… the fear on the old man’s face reminded him he wasn’t here for himself.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna tilted her head towards Leon, lips twitching ever-so-slightly towards a grin. The quarter-Sephi wasn’t the most expressive individual by nature, but it was a clear contrast to the icy stare she fixed upon most people in her path, and hinted that she didn’t mind his company. “Mhm,” She hummed, “Wrestling something, I’m sure.” Jayna teased.

She didn’t believe her brother for a moment - but enjoyed teasing nonetheless. Not to mention knowing that Leon would make an effort to get back at her brother in some way, which was its own satisfaction.

When he mentioned the swoop gang, however, Jayna’s expression hardened a bit. She’d only been on the planet for a few hours herself, but the situation on the ground was no secret amongst the agency. “Among others, they’ve been a nuisance.” She said after a moment, nodding towards Leon.

“Insurgency groups have all ‘guaranteed’ the safety of the convoy, but that hasn’t stopped gangs from attacking anyway. Chances are, with the intention of stealing the supplies and hoarding them for their cause.” She paused for a moment, shrugging a bit. “Or distributing themselves for public support.” Both were likely - both meant herself and the workers were under serious threat of attack.

“Our goal is to do as much as we can, before the situation gets untenable,”

Not long after she finished, vehicles began to pull to the front of the staging area - clearly preparing to depart. Jayna glanced over to Leon, jutting her chin. “Looks like you’re stuck with us for now, Baudelaire,” She smirked, adjusting the stun pistol on her hip before moving to join the convoy. There was a speeder waiting alongside the others, droids forming a perimeter around the crates and repulsorlifted foodstuffs. Leon wasn’t actually expected, so there was a notable lack of vehicle. Jayna blinked for a moment before looking back. “I’m driving.”

“So why did the Jedi really send you all the way to Sullust?” She asked after a moment or two. “You can’t convince me it is just be security?”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Well, I can’t get anything past you,” Leon gave a dramatic sigh, “His name was Rancor and he promised he loved me,” he quipped back with a wink and a chuckle. He’d have to thank Ezra for the genital warts bit. Without it, Leon might not have seen one of Jayna’s smiles this quickly.

As things shifted to business, Leon mourned the moment before but managed to remain professional. As Jayna gave him the rundown on their situation he’d cross his arms over his chest and cup his chin with his hand. His fingers would run along the “X” shaped scar on his cheek as he considered the situation.

“So, it’s not just one gang, it’s multiple? Any syndicate influence?” Leon knew the only Syndicate with any prominence right now were the Hutt’s. With Peef Callo’s return, the Cartel was carrying some serious heat. Though word in the sky was Crimson Dawn was beginning to stir. So, if not Syndicate influenced, then what?

“I’ve been in worse company, please lead the way,” he replied with his playful smirk being sure to notice the weapon on her hip. Well, he noticed her hip, the gun was just a good excuse.

Leon cocked an eyebrow at her, “You sure you’re old enough to drive?”

A few moments later and the convoy was up and moving. Leon could feel himself shifting into mission mode. They were moving at a relatively slow pace, which gave him an opportunity to see the city from a different point of view. The citizen’s reactions were a stark contrast to what they’d been when the swoop gang had passed through. Jayna’s voice snatched his attention as she asked about his actual mission. Leon considered her for a moment. In most cases, this would be where he’d lie and proclaim the benevolence of the order, but honestly, he couldn't see the harm in telling the truth.

“To be completely honest, I’m here for two reasons: Protect you cute little uni students and ferret out the main players behind the gang attacks.”

Leon reached down and adjusted the heavy blaster he’d taken from the Sith Master on Berchest, before crossing one leg over the other.

“What about you? You could be anywhere in the galaxy, but you're here, how come?”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna nodded, glancing back over her shoulder to Leon. “Multiple.” The question about Syndicate involvement wasn’t as clear. The University deliberately kept students away from the fighting and isolated to safe-zones, which meant they had little exposure to the real violence. Of course, that didn’t mean rumors didn’t spread easily. In the end, the quarter-Sephi shrugged a bit. “Ask the Sullustians, and they’ll tell you it's a local problem.” She paused in her tracks briefly. “Ask the locals, and they’ll tell you the gangs are too well-armed and too well-manned for it not to be Syndicate.”

She didn’t miss the way that Leon’s eyes drifted down towards her hips - though she said nothing about it, merely arching a brow at the Padawan whenever his attention moved up once more. When he gestured to the Speeder, she merely shrugged. “Probably not,” The quarter-Sephi said over her shoulder, throwing her leg over the vehicle. She jutted her chin for Leon to hop on behind her, allowing her silver gaze to linger on him for a long moment. “But you’re free to stay here if you’d like.”

Once the Padawan was seated behind her, Jayna began to rev the engines and drive forward - keeping a relatively slow pace with the convoy. She certainly didn’t mind having the Padawan seated behind her, even if they were driving slower than her great aunt Jamila on the Speedway.

“Volunteer work with the agency counts for academic units, and it looks fantastic on a resume. If it does good in the process, it’s a win-win.” She said with deadpan delivery, likely not the altruistic and selfless answer that Leon might’ve been expecting. After a moment, she glanced back. “It’s.. A welcome change of scenery from Naboo. Easy for things to become monotonous.” The quarter-Sephi had grown up a privileged and sheltered life, at the very peak of luxury. She tolerated nothing less in her life - but her little excursions with the Humanitarian agency were a break from her routine life.

"Cute Jedi providing security is just a bonus." She said flatly.

After a few moments, Jayna’s eyes narrowed on the horizon. Commotion began to fill the air as multiple people ran out into the middle of the road - arms waving in an attempt to get the convoy to stop. They were positioned in front of security, but still managed to get several supply lifts to slow their pace.

In the distance, Jayna’s sensitive ears began to faintly pick up on the sound of swoops approaching.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Jayna's response solidified his plan of action. Once he was introduced to the Rep in charge he’d begin interviewing the locals. The old man from before flashed through his mind, the fear, and hurt radiating from him had been enough for Leon to know he wouldn’t be able to just scout, liked he’d been told. Hera would get it. “Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.”

Leon was beginning to think he might be out of his scope on this, but he couldn't be sure without gathering more information. He had a lot to consider...

When Leon had first spotted the speeder he’d assumed there was more to it, now that they were staring at it he realized it was a bike. Then it occurred to him that he’d be getting much closer to Jayna than he’d expected. He kept his cool until she turned around then he swallowed hard, this was going to be the hardest test of his Jedi training, and he’d nearly been killed by a Sith Master.

“My life is in your hands,” he quipped. Absently, wondering if this could count for his trial of flesh, Then slid onto the back of the bike, and put his hands on her hips, as she revved the engine and took off.

“Pragmatic, nice,” he responded. “Almost sounds like you’re setting yourself up for a run at politics.”

She mentioned the desire for a change of pace, “I get that, is Naboo really as beautiful as they claim?”

Leon chuckled, glad she couldn’t see the blush coloring his cheeks, “Well, defending beautiful students is definitely a perk of the job.”

That familiar feeling of negative energy announced the incoming swoop gang before Leon could lay eyes on them. He slid out to the side a little, getting a better view of the convoy in front of them. Something was wrong. Some of the convoy was starting to set down.

“We need real help!” yelled a woman holding a toddler. “They’re killing us, why won’t someone help us?” screamed a male Twi’lek. “I-I’m hungry…” whimpered a child hidden by the masses pressing in on the security. Leon was glad to be here. Glad to be somewhere he could actually do some good, and determined to leave Sullust in better shape than when the Mandalorians abandoned it, but to do that he had—

Blaster fire erupted underneath them, Daybreak was in his hand and ignited, the pale yellow blade mirrored the ethereal rays of the sun mid-morning. The Padwan set to doing his job, by deflecting what incoming fire he could, “Jayna, punch it!”

Leon centered himself in the force, feeling the power of the light flow through him. He was adrift, the force was the current, and Leon allowed it to carry him.

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“Try not to sound so worried,” Jayna said smoothly back to Leon, glancing over her shoulder just long enough to briefly meet his gaze. Their slow pace meant that the quarter-Sephi couldn’t do much to really test the Padawan’s confidence in her driving ability - but that didn’t mean the drive was uneventful. The sound of swoops overhead was a ever-constant, and her own sensitive hearing meant that Jayna was far more aware of every faint explosion and sound of blaster fire off in the distant regions of the city.

She couldn’t help but arch a brow. somewhat surprised to see his approval to her more pragmatic outlook. Her experience with Jedi had largely left her with the expression that they all pushed completely altruistic, selfless endeavors. The quarter-Sephi nodded a bit. “What gave it away?” The queried back at him. In truth, it was a decision that the girl had made ages ago - and it never even seemed like much of a question. She was a Thorne - the daughter of the President of the ISC - and a paved path into politics if she wanted it.

“It is,” Jayna said, “Lived on Thyferra most of my childhood, but Naboo was always a second home.” It had been for years at this point - and truthfully was where she joined spending most of her time.

Her eyes immediately narrowed, watching as civilians began to block the road around them - bringing the convoy to a halt. The quarter-Sephi had been raised to be paranoid and suspicious of her surroundings and that wasn’t the exception at that moment. Her fingers curled around the controls of the speeder, though she still couldn’t help but wince as blaster-fire erupted around them. “Shit!” She hissed, immediately veering the controls to the left. She pressed her foot into the thrusters, driving the speeder off the main road and onto the sidewalk just adjacent to them. The quarter-Sephi deftly avoided civilians that attempted to take cover, silver eyes scanning the horizon.

“There!” She gestured to a building just up ahead, one that would provide them some cover from the swoop gang. Her hands slipped down to pull the stun pistol from her belt, just as their vehicle skidded to a stop in front of the shop doors.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Jayna seemed a little thrown off to receive his praise, and honestly, he was surprised she cared what he thought at all, so he just shrugged with a chuckle, “Oh, the Force know’s all,” he said in a goofy voice with too much vibrato. “Or it could be, I’m your brother’s roommate and know all of your secrets,” he teased.

“That’s awesome, it’s one planet I’ve wanted to visit for a while, just haven’t found the right incentive.”

The speeder slowed and all hell broke loose. To her credit Jayna nailed the escape. He expected nothing less from her though. Leon managed to deflect the incoming bolts as they slipped around the corner of the building.

“Well, this got fun fast, huh?” he said, hopping off the back of the speeder and guarding Jayna’s back from incoming fire as they dove into the building. As they entered traspirsteel windows to their left blew inward as blaster bolts cut through the sheer surface. Leon was at a disadvantage here. He had to get back to the convey, without a doubt it was in trouble, but under no circumstance could he abandon Jayna. Fuck.

With his back pressed against the wall, Leon pulled his heavy blaster and switched to stun. Then the blaster fire stopped. He met eyes with Jayna for a split second, he held up his hand for her to stay down, then he heard a strange repetitive clink…clink…clink…

“Oh, Mr. Jedi… come out and—” an eruption of blaster fire slammed into the sliding doors, Leon covered his face from the glass being blown out of the door— “PLAAAAAAAAY!”

Shards of glass slid down his arms and he gently shook it off. He needed to get her to safety, once he caught her attention he’d gesture with his chin into the store, “We need to move!”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna couldn’t help but wince as blaster-fire streaked overhead, shattering glass panels and burning holes through nearby structures. “Oh yeah,” The quarter-Sephi hissed, ducking inside the little shop to find cover. “Gang shootout is just my definition of a good time.” The words were laced with sarcasm.

Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, back pressed against the wall behind her. Though her brows knit together and expressive remained largely impassive, she couldn’t deny internally sweating their current position. Her fingers curled around the grip of her stun pistol, sensitive ears trained for any sign of movement approaching in or around the shop. Her silver eyes flicked to Leon, silently regarding him for a long moment. She opened her mouth go speak, only to go silent upon hearing the repetitive clinking deeper into the store.

As blasterfire tore through the door, Jayna brought her arms up to cover her face - small shards of glass showering and cutting up her forearms in the process. She wordlessly followed him deeper into the store, grabbing onto Leon’s wrist and proceeding to pull the Jedi along with her if necessary.

“One of us needs to get his attention,” She whispered to Leon, just as they reached a few different aisles to take cover behind. It was a risk but they couldn’t afford to both get caught together by the heavily armed individual. The aisles winded and mazed with different books and Holomovie selections, making it difficult to pinpoint precisely where any one person was within the store, and she had every intention of using that to her advantage.

Giving him a short nod, Jayna began to diverge from where she was standing - weaving her way through the aisles and shelves deeper into the store. Once she was a few paces away from Leon, Jayna peaked her head around the edge of the shelf - firing off three bolts from her stun pistol, aimed towards the door of the store. They terminated into the wall near the entrance, but were more than enough to get the attention of the hulking Weequay that was stalking them.

“There you are!” He huffed, lifting his repeater and aiming it down the store. Jayna barely had time to dive to the ground as blaster bolts tore through the shelves above her, showering the quarter-Sephi with debris. The man began to quickly advance on her position, leaving Leon an opening to potentially catch the man by surprise.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

”Ugh, ya know I was starting to worry we might not have anything in common,” he quipped back to Jayna. He was surprised at how calm she was staying. He shouldn’t be, Ezra was similar, but that wasn’t the point. She was a student. She should be losing her mind right now. Huh.

She caught his drift and they scrambled deeper into the store. Jayna tugged him into an aisle and they took cover. He was just about to tell her to stay here, when she suggested they split up.

“What? No, absolutely not, your brother would kill me if anything happened to you!”

Then she was gone. Because of course she was. Fuck.

Leon stretched out with the force expanding his consciousness like a net cast into the water. He could feel the malice of their hunter closing in. Every now and then the Weequay would fire off a round of shots into the store. Leon was almost shot by pure happenstance. He slipped around a corner and he could feel Jayna. Relief washed over him. Their eyes met, then she stood and fired.

At once everything clicked into place. Daybreak was in his hand. Pale-yellow light spilled from it’s emitter as the lightsaber came to life. The snap-hiss added to the weequay’s confusion. He let off the trigger and started to whip around, but it was too late. Leon’s lightsaber passed through the goon’s arms effortlessly. Surprise, then shock, followed by confusion, realization, and finally agony, stampeded across the gangster’s expression.

Leon switched off his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt as the Weequay collapsed to his knee, then toppled onto his face. Baudelaire’s arms pumped as he rushed for Jayna. He slid to a stop at the aisle she’d been on and… he found her.

“Oh you’re gonna be a pain in my ass aren’t you?” he said with a teasing grin as he held out a hand to help her up. "Nice plan, just tell me all of it next time," he laughed.

Repeater guy wouldn’t be the only adversary coming after them. They needed to make a run for it and re-group. “Let’s slip out the back and loop around. Maybe we can catch the other off-guard.”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna was driven by instinct alone - watching as the Gangster raised his repeater in response to her attack. The Heiress dove unceremoniously to the ground, raising an arm to cover her face as a volley of blaster bolts ripped through the bookshelves above her. She was showered in shards of glass, wood and parchment, sliding off her hair and arms with a brush. It was an extremely risky plan - but success was heralded by the sound of Leon’s lightsaber arcing through the air, and the sudden absence of oppressive blaster fire.

The quarter-Sephi began to pick herself off the ground - feeling her heart as it pounded against the confines of her chest. It took a concerted effort to bring her breathing back under control, a forced inhale and exhale as she centered herself once again. It wasn’t often that she was visible shaken by much of anything - and prided herself on not allowing her anxieties to bubble through the surface.

By the time Leon rounded those bookshelves, Jayna was already in the process of lifting herself off the ground - dusting the debris out of her raven-black hair. Her silver eyes flicked up to Leon when he spoke. “Well it worked, didn’t it?” She said flatly, pausing for a moment before accepting his hand to rise back to her full height. “I’ll be sure to key you in on all the details next time we’re being actively chased.”

As she stood before him, Jayna tilted her down to level with the slightly shorter Padawan. “You worrying about me, Baudelaire?” She asked with a hint of a smirk, lingering there for just a moment longer than necessary.

She nodded when he gestured out the back door - knowing full-well that there would be more coming for them. Jayna started to follow Leon in that direction, only to pause for a moment and turn back into the store, “Wait a minute”, She said, approaching the downed gangster. Her silver eyes narrowed for a moment as she eyed him - not bothering to ask if he was dead or purely unconscious. Not one to waste time, Jayna reached into his back pockets and fished around - before finally pulling out his wallet and any other identifying information.

Jayna glanced back at Leon. “You said you wanted to track the assholes down, didn’t you?” With that she rose back to her feet, following him towards the back of the store. The sound of commotion was heavy, as gang members and security droids exchanged heavy fire. Convoy workers and students alike ducked for cover, hiding behind building and the supply crates themselves.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

“Can’t argue there,” he said, while high fiving himself as she ignored his extended hand. Jayna was practiced at hiding her feelings, but The Padawan wasn’t fooled. To her credit, Jayna was still trading quips like a champ. Comedy had a funny way of being the perfect cover, a fact Leon was all too aware of.

“I mean is that really too much to ask?” he shot back with a growing smile. He knew he shouldn't be flirting with Jayna while a dude with no arms laid on the ground behind them, but fuck that guy, he started it.

Leon didn’t shy away from Jayna as she leaned in, “Pshh, I would never,” he said, drinking in her attention and returning her smirk with his own. Wait, was she flirting back? No, that would be insane… Unless? Leon could have lived in that single moment for the rest of his life and he’d have died happy. Luckily, moments like that were fleeting and demanded to be sought over and over. He watched as she stooped down, checking the disarmed guy for something he’d never reach again. Leon cocked an eyebrow, “Wow, stealing that guy's wallet is pretty low, I love it.”

“Yeah, I’ll be real, I’ve never considered, like, swoogling a goon, so, point Jayna,” he said with an air of good sportsmanship. Then he gasped as the possibilities hit him, “We should check his switter!”

The trek through the building was short and blissfully uneventful, which was a stark contrast to what they exited into. The alley behind the store was being utilized as a way to funnel those that couldn't fight to safety. There were several members of Jayna’s aid group doing their best to help, but the panic was fed by the blaster fire right on their heels. There were a lot of injured, a lot of kids, and a lot of elderly. If this alley got hit, these people would be in serious trouble.

The severity of the situation was laid out before him and moving in slow motion. The anxiety of making the wrong choice was so debilitating that he wanted to crawl under a weighted blanket and stay there until the nearest star imploded, but that wouldn’t be very cash money of him. Leon breathed in the force asking it to guide him and felt a breeze blow him toward the blaster fire. Leon asked the force one more time to be sure and got the same feeling. Yay!

Baudelaire turned to Jayna and sighed, “I gotta go do the hero thing,” he started to trot off then turned and asked, “Hey, if I don’t die wanna, like, hang out, or whatever?" Then he realized the last thing he needed before putting his life in mortal danger was a reason to kill himself, and quickly added, "Ya know what don’t answer now, but think about it, huh?”

Before she could destroy his self-confidence as he threw himself into battle, Leon threw himself into battle.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Though she said nothing, Jayna didn’t immediately draw away from that closeness. She lingered there deliberately, allowing her silver gaze to hang on those verdant green eyes for far longer than was necessary. She drank in the smirk that played across his expression and the way that he didn’t back down or shy away - her own expression tugging up as a result. “Hm,” The quarter-Sephi hummed softly, only then turning back to the task at hand. She was already in the process of searching his wallet when Leon mentioned checking the dude’s switter.

It only then occurred to the quarter-Sephi that checking his NalPhone would.. Likely be easier than trying to do based on ID. She blinked a few times, eyes narrowing as she stared down at the wallet very intently. There was zero chance she was openly going to admit the error, and instead nodded along.

“His NalPhone is all yours,” She glanced back at the man - gesturing to his back pocket. “Browse his switter and dating apps to your hearts content,” Jayna remarked with a shit-eating smirk. Of course, they wouldn’t have much time to browse before they made their way back into the alleyway - ducking around the buildings that led towards the street where open gunfire was still taking place. Jayna only needed to take a few glances around her surroundings to understand the severity of the situation. Her expression settled into its usual, deadpan countenance - masking the internal turmoil the heiress was feeling.

Of course, none of that was dire enough to prevent Jayna was veering away from any guck or puddles she encountered along the way - unable to hide the look of mild disgust in her silver eyes. She’d grown up at the peak of luxury, and despite all of her humanitarian work, was never quite accustomed to rifling in filth.

Jayna glanced back up to Leon when he spoke, her brows knitting together when he mentioned doing the ‘hero thing’. It was something the quarter-Sephi found exceptionally irritating, though would never quite admit the fact that it bothered her at all. Instead, she merely arched a brow when the Padawan asked his question - staring back at him blankly. She didn’t respond immediately, waiting instead until Leon began to rush off into the chaos.

“Sounds like you better come back in one piece then.” She called back through the alleyway.

Just as Leon rushed into the heat of battle, he would find the gang still battling against some of the convoy security droids and members who had taken up arms. They were heavily outgunned, but the humanitarian workers fought valiantly - taking cover behind the crates and supplies while trading fire with the Sullustian criminals. A few of them turned to face Leon as the Jedi emerged from around the corner - spotting the glow of his lightsaber at once.

“Fuckin’ Jedi!” One of them hissed, turning to point a rifle at the Padawan.

Before the trigger could be pulled, a single plasma-bolt arced through the air - whizzing past Leon’s ear. It didn’t hit the Sullustian in question - but is forced the man to duck for cover in order to save himself from the bolt. A quick glance over his shoulder would reveal Jayna tucked against the corner of a building, blaster-pistol tucked close to her chest as she lingered against her own cover.

“If you get us killed, I will haunt you through the afterlife.”

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon trotted away, but when Jayna called out, he couldn’t help turning around and flashing her a smile with a playful two finger salute as he slipped into the churning battle just beyond the alley way. If he was going to die he’d rather do it with her moonlight eyes fresh in his mind.

Blaster fire lit up the space between the opposing forces. The smell of burnt ozone and the screams of the wounded collided like waves crashing against a craggy mountain face. Daybreak sprung into his hand and ignited, the pale yellow blade hummed with life, Leon took a breath drawing the force into him and asking for it’s guidance.

A stun bolt flew just past his ear and he flinched away, pulling his heavy blaster instinctively and aiming at… Jayna, “Oh so, now you don't wanna split up?” he teased then added, "Wait, are you worried about me, Thorne?"

Jayna threatened to haunt him in the afterlife, but jokes on her that sounded like heaven, “I promise not to get us killed if you promise not to shoot me!”

The goon who’d taken cover from Jayna shot reemerged and fired, but Leon was waiting and Daybreak effortlessly swatted the blaster bolt into the ground. Leon could feel the shift of emotions roiling throughout the battle. Hope blossomed among the hopeless and fear crept into the hearts of the wicked. Leon’s little smirk settled on his lips. Hero time.

His legs flexed as the force imbued his body with power and Leon leapt into battle. His blade darted and struck while his blaster spit death from it’s maw as he moved. Well, not really he was doing his best not to kill people, but if it were him or them, he’d make sure it was them every time. He slid in next to one of the member of the humanitarian effort.

“Thank the stars your here!”
“Huh, oh yeah! Happy to help, you happen to know where their leader is?”
“No, sorry, but they have a mini—” Fully-automatic blaster fire erupted from across the street. Just before it could take his head off, Leon ducked behind cover.
“Let me guess, they have a mini-gun.”

The shell shocked expression on the guy’s face was answer enough. The stream of blaster fire chewed up and spit out two of the combat droids. Great. His eyes skimmed the battlefield for anything he could use, but nothing stood out. Baudelaire had to make a decision. Then he spotted a turned over speeder bike about halfway across the gap and he knew what he had to do.

He whipped around to Jayna holstering his gun and said, “Cover me!”

Leon vaulted the cover, letting the force flow through him. It felt as if his body was embraced by a tailwind as he sped toward the bike. Blaster fire scorched the air all around him, but all he thought about was the speeder bike. Leon dropped into a slide, reached out with the force, flipped the bike, landed in the seat while smashing the ignition and throttle in superhuman succession. The bike roared to life and shot off arcing away from the member’s of Jayna group.

Leon clipped Daybreak to his belt and pulled his gun. He opened fire on the gangster’s flank wounding two and killing one. The majority of the gangsters were now focused on the Jedi shooting at them from above which caused as much confusion as he’d hoped. Hopefully that would give Jayna’s crew time to regroup and engage, or better yet, get the hell out of there. The mini-gun opened fire and Leon was nearly cut in two by the blaster fire. He only managed to slip the death beam at the last minute. He had to neutralize that bastard before it was too late!

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna rolled her eyes a bit when Leon requested that she didn’t shoot him, “I’ll make an attempt not to,” She said back at him, keeping her shoulder pressed to the cover she’d located. The Heiress wasn’t particularly keen on the entire Hero Act that Leon insisted on pulling, but wasn’t going to argue about it during the heat of the moment. There was also a nagging question of why she cared what Leon did, one way or the other.

Which she deliberately opted to ignore and bury down to a place she didn’t need to address.

Instead, the quarter-Sephi began to slink forward with every break in fire and moment of opportunity - keeping her pistol close to her chest, finger hovering over the trigger. The sounds of explosions and zip of blasterbolts rang especially loud in her fluted ears, and it left the Heiress wanting for the earbuds she typically wore. Daddy (@Sreeya) had always advocated wearing them, and she normally took the advice seriously. It was entirely her luck that she’d opted to forgo them during an actual firefight.

Her attention flicked back to the fighting when Leon called out to cover him - watching as the Padawan made a mad dash for a speeder. Her silver eyes narrowed at once, already visualizing how this was going to go horribly wrong. Even still, her pistol rose to provide suppression fire instead of allowing him to get peppered with blaster fire.

Three bolts loosed from her pistol in rapid succession, striking one Sullustian in the arm and causing two more to duck for cover. Leon would immediately be able to tell he had a bit more breathing room to maneuver. Meanwhile, the group of humanitarian workers began to re-organize and started retreating back towards the safe zone - using the repulsor carts to ferry their goods back to a secure location.

Just as she leveled her pistol on the Mini-gun-wielder, Jayna caught a glimpse of something right from the corner of her eye. A single blaster bolt loosed before she was tackled from the side by a Sullustian - a vibroknife tucked into his right hand, poised to strike downwards to stab her. Leon would see the bolt land in his opponents shoulder, giving him an opportunity to neutralize the man once and for all.

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

The speeder roared asd Leon threw it into a dive. He’d only been able to get into this position because of the effective cover fire Jayna was managing and lowkey Leon was very impressed. It was one thing for her to show a flash of grit back in the department store, but to handle a battlefield the way she was… it was something to see. Maybe they could go shooting some time? Was that something you could do with a girl? He shook his head, casting away the intrusive thoughts and brought Daybreak to bear across the rotary barrel of the mini-gun.

Leon banked hard sending a cloud of detritus bellowing up from his motor as he planted a leg on the ground to assist the turn. As he shot back the Duro recoiled as a blaster bolt his his shoulder. The poor guy never saw the butt of Daybreak’s hilt coming. The dude crumpled like a sack of potatoes and Leon pulled arching back into the air surveying the battlefield. The humanitarian group was actually regrouping. For the most part they’d done a great job of getting the hell out of there, well everyone except Jayna, of course.

Baudelaire gunned the engine. The bike screamed as he pushed it to it’s limit. Nothing else mattered. It was Jayna and Jayna only in his mind as time seemed to slow. Everything happened fast. Very fast. The force erupted from Leon’s hand, but he wasn’t pushing, he was pulling. The assailant on top of the Heiress was ripped off to the side toward Leon and the Padawan, Leon rose into a crouched position on the speederbike, then jumped.

The body of the attacker drifted under Baudelaire as the jedi’s twin blades sprung to life bisecting the being instantly. Leon landed in a crouch and rolled out of the following momentum before springing up and trotting back toward Jayna. The bike careened back into the ruined street and nose dived, conflagrating in an explosion that cast the young man in a silhouette as smirked down at Jayna.

He offered her his hand, “Good shooting out there, you keep this up and I’ll just have to bring you with me on all my missions,” he said with a charming smile.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

The world was suddenly spinning as Jayna was tackled to the ground - landing in the muck with a painful thud. The heiress felt her head strike against the pavement and the weight of the Sullustian pressing against her torso, but didn’t allow any of that to keep her dazed for more than a split second. Emryc had done his due diligence to make sure both of his children knew how to defend themselves - manifesting in the extensive Tersa Kasi training they both received. Years of lessons and it always left the twins bruised and broken down in the end - but Jayna always took it in stride. Pushing herself to her very limits to achieve that level of perfection that was expected from a Thorne.

In that moment, she was never more grateful for it.

Without missing a beat, Jayna lifted her arm to block the including knife from the Sullustian - pushing his left arm off to the side and opening up his guard. At the same time, her right hand darted in a disarming strike to force the gangster to release the weapon he was attempting to stab her with.

It was roughly at that moment that Leon appeared onto the scene, using the Force to yank the man off of her. Out of instinct, the heiress raised her blaster pistol to finish the man off - only to see him bisected by Leon. She grimaced ever-so-slightly, but quickly turned her attention to the Padawan in question.

“I had that handled,” She said entirely serious, this time opting to accept the hand back to her feet. She raised a brow at the Padawan, and then promptly looked over his shoulder to where the speeder was currently billowing smoke and flames. “If you do, I believe it is settled I will be doing the driving.” She said flatly.

Jayna glanced back over her shoulder, watching as the rest of the caravan began to retreat to the safezone. “We can either go with them,” She glanced back to Leon. “Or we can look over that dude’s ID, try to track down where his buddies are staked out.”

@Zay

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Daybreak’s pale blade retreated back into it’s hilt as Leon clipped it to his belt. To his surprise Janya actually let him help her up. To her irritation he said, “Oh yeah, I could see that,” his little smirk started to tug at the corners of his lips. She was fun to go back and forth with, he thought. Oof, he already thought she was beautiful, was he really falling for her personality too?

“All I’m hearing is you’re down to be my mission partner, you offering to drive too sounds like a win-win for me,” he shot back, his smirk spreading as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m down to snoop through that guy's life with you, sounds like a perfect first date.”

A thin line of blood leaked from a cut on her forehead, “Oh c’mon tough guy, look at you,” Leon chided, stepping in close to get a look at the wound. He pulled some supplies from his utility belt, “Your head is bleeding homie, mind if I patch it up?” he shrugged, “I’ll only hurt a little, promise,” he laughed.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna resisted the urge to el her eyes at Leon’s teasing - knowing full well that the Padawan wasn’t going to let her live any of that nonsense down “Your driving leaves quite a bit to be desired - and I’d prefer not to go up in flames." She barely seemed to notice the cut across the top of her head, instead opting to arch a brow at how referred to their next mission. “Oh so it’s a date now, Baudelaire?” She smirked, tilting her head ever-so-slightly.

The quarter-Sephi dusted herself off ever-so-slightly, tucking the blaster pistol back into her belt. Most of the convoy had started to rapidly move back towards the safe zone.

Of course, she couldn’t help but pause when Leon stepped in - pointing out the cut she had sustained. She blinked when he started fussing over the injury and began to whip out medical supplies, not failing to notice the hints of concern that laced into his words and gestures. “Sure..” She said quietly, feeling the tips of her slightly fluted ears turn pink. The hints of that smile began to expand and creep up across her expression, even if the heiress managed to look in every direction except directly at Leon in that moment.

By the time he was done, Jayna reached up to lightly tap against the cut to her scalp - feeling the bandage and dressing that he’d done. “Not too bad,” She said quietly, glancing back to the Padawan. Without a word, Jayna reached over to adjust the jacket on his shoulders ever-so-slightly - dusting off some of the muck and debris that covered him. There was no snarky comment or quip, not loooking up to meet his gaze until she was satisfied. “Looks like it’s just us.” She smirked. “After you,”

@Zay