Anchorhead was hot, like always. He'd only been out in the open for no more than a minute, but could still feel a few drops of sweat forming along his hairline. Standing just outside the spaceport at the center of the town, Lian wore a simple Jedi tunic with a hooded poncho over the top. It was more practical than the traditional robe, and kept in less heat.
Large crowds streamed out of the spaceport behind him, flocking to whatever accommodation was still available so that they could stay for the legendary swoop race about to begin the next day. It was one of the largest on Tatooine, and made for the busiest few days in the Anchorhead year. Decorative ribbons hung from buildings and across streets, market peddlers set up impromptu stalls selling exotic foods and drinks of all kinds, and cantina crowds flowed onto the streets in a party atmosphere. Beneath this, however, lurked an inexplicable yet ever-present sense of danger. The padawans may have sensed it, too. Lian certainly did, and it kept him on edge. Had their arrival been noticed by something, or someone? Were they being watched? It was impossible to say.
Casting a glance over his shoulder, Lian made certain the two padawans accompanying him were still there. They were. “Stay close, you two. It’s easy to get lost.” His words were blunt, and his tone a little colder than intended, but he was still adjusting to his new role of being 'responsible' for the two. It was as much a learning experience for Lian as it was for the padawans.
His old partner, Rahli, had always nagged at him to train the next generation. She insisted he would be a natural teacher, but he wasn’t so sure. She certainly was, and it was that very fact that had her on Ajan Kloss, teaching, during the attack. It was in her memory that he had decided to, at the very least, try.
“I hope you got your rest on the trip. Today will be busy. First, we need to meet Dex. He’ll be at the station, not far from here.”
He had already briefed the two on what he knew. A sixteen year-old, popular orphan girl by the name of Tallie had vanished without a trace. No longer was she visiting Quarvik at his bakery every morning, nor was she checking in on Dex as she was fond of doing to kill the time. It had been three days since she had vanished, and Dex had an instinct that something was very wrong. Over the years, Lian had come to trust that instinct.
"Let's go - and remember. Stay close."
@Kayenta Moenkopi @Forsythe Crowholde