Ask Mirror, Mirror

[Shaw Amaris]

A glass elevator climbed the skyrise luxury apartment building situated in the center of Listehol's capital city, rising toward the top floor where an important meeting awaited the three Jedi. Worse than the elevator music was the constant tap tap tap of the the Jedi Knight's military grade boots against the glass floor of the lift as he fidgeted. Fresh faced and eager to prove himself, this was Garret Brebic's first solo assignment since passing his trials. This was a delicate matter that would require him to go undercover, and he had two young padawans to guide to boot.

"It's no small matter that the Baron has asked us to intervene in this matter on his behalf," he broke the silence. "Secretly, of course." He stressed that word as if they hadn't heard him the first five times. "This is a delicate matter. I need not remind you that Listehol sits along the Hydian Way, directly outside of the Jedi Order's influence. I do not doubt that the Force has led us here to expand our influence."

The tawny haired knight had filled the two padawans in back on the shuttle. Basically, long story short as Shaw understood it, Listehol's capital hosted a massive beauty pageant once a year. The planet's biggest event of the year and a real credit cow. The judge had died under mysterious circumstances and all kinds of whacky, suspicious goings on had been—well, going on. Baron Wooly Eyebrows had asked them to investigate it and keep it on the down low. Not let anyone know they were Jedi and all that. Brebic would be going undercover as the new judge.

"Soooooo what's our cover?" Shaw asked, trying not to sound too excited so Prani wouldn't think he was a total newb. He was. Going undercover just sounded so exciting!

"Still working on it," was Knight Brebic's curt reply.

Well that took a little of the excitement out of it. The elevator doors slid open with a ding. A large and lavish apartment lay ahead, a smart looking Zygerrian woman with datapad and thermos in hand staring at them. It looked like she had been about to call the lift when it had opened. "May I help you?" She didn't really sound like she wanted to help them.

"Baron Wolbrau is expecting us."

The Zygerrian's silver gaze passed over each of them in critical inspection and then, turning her nose up, she stepped aside to let them pass by. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani stayed quiet the entire time because she was hilariously out of her element. She felt like an oddball even with the Jedi, but now she had to go undercover? Fortunately she was good at keeping a calm resolve and giving off a reassuring aura - it was one of the critical lessons she had to learn as a healer. She was also relieved to at least be working with someone she knew. She didn’t miss that Shaw still wore the friendship bracelet she had given him a while back, the sight drawing out a warm smile.

Brebic’s answer to Shaw’s question wasn’t exactly helpful, and they stepped into the room of the Baron.

The Baron was a portly man with suspicion in his eyes as he surveyed the three Jedi.

“Close the door behind you,” He said nervously as if the Jedi would cause the entire building to explode.

“Good afternoon Baro-”

“Yes, yes,” The baron said with a wave of his hand, “There has been another disappearance,” The man said, his voice lowering, “One of the main contestants. The projected winner, in fact. If word gets out about this and the judge, the entire show will collapse! Our economy will tank! We can’t have any bad publicity around this!”

Prani feared for the girl, but she was appalled at the Baron’s callous approach to it. Clearly he cared far more about profit than the lives of those dead or missing.

“You need to come help me stall things,” The Baron said to Brebic, “Your…assistants will need to go and find the missing contestant!” He said as he skeptically looked at the Padawans, “How old are they? Eight? They ought to be old enough to be fully trained, right? Yes, yes, go forth and save the galaxy as you do.”

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Another disappearance? Already!? This was really off to an exciting start! And not in a good way.Brebic looked between the padawans and Baron Wolbrau with a hesitant look on his way. Bro was going to need to work on his poker face if he was about to go undercover.

"I—I'm not sure that is a wise idea, Baron Wolbrau," he interjected at the suggestion that the padawans should wander off on their own to find the latest missing contestant. When he noticed that the Baron was about to blow up like an angry bullfrog he tried to smooth things over with a, "Respectfully, sir. My assistants would be best utilized working in tandem with myself. Stage hands or working with the caterers or—"

“No no NO!" the Baron stamped one of his little feet on the marble flooring and flailed his arms. Shaw was reminded of his little sister's toddler years when she didn't get her way and would throw a fit. Except that had been way cuter. He looked over at Prani and gave her a for real? face. "Don't you Je—judges listen? Time is of the essence! Why do you think I called you people in instead of the local authorities? Instead of my own security? No one can be trusted! NO ONE!" He brushed his hands over the lapels of his expensive lounge jacket. "Need I remind you that my own daughters are contestants? That their lives are in danger as we speak?"

When Brebic faltered, Shaw stepped forward and raised his hand. "Don't stress it," he assured the knight. "We can handle it." He already had a pretty good idea what was going on. Some super secret spy conspiracy or something along those lines. After all he had watched Miss Congeniality a couple of times.

"There. It's settled. Divide and conquer!" the Baron drummed his fingers along his belly, pleased to get his way as usual.

Knight Brebic leaned in toward the padawans and in a grave voice said, "It seems we have no choice... Since you're not contestants I suppose there will be no real danger..." The pressure was getting to him, and his eyes darted between the two teenagers. He had to find some way to justify allowing them to wander off alone. "No matter what stick together. Do you understand? A good starting point will be where the missing contestant was last seen. I'll send you the coordinates. Be careful and may the force be withy you."

As Prani and Shaw were walking away they would overhear the Baron talking to Brebic, saying, "Now mind you I'm a fair minded man and want you to show no partiality. I don't care which of my lovely daughters you crown as Lady Listehol..." @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

As they stepped away, Prani was still reeling from the new information and sudden change in plans, “Does anythin’ ever go accordin’ ta plan with the Jeedai?” She mused aloud, her thick country accent shining through, “You seem real confident though,” Prani said with a knowing smile as she looked at Shaw. She knew he was putting up a front, but she couldn’t exactly blame him. They were both entirely out of their element, “You still wear it!” She said finally as she pointed to the friendship bracelet, “That’s sweet.”

They got into the repulsorlift and descended down. By then, the Knight had sent the coordinates to the last known location of the lost girl, “A…shoppin’ mall,” Prani read, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been to one of those before,” She said, flagging over a speeder taxi to take them to the location.

“So I guess we gotta ask about her without soundin’ too suspicious,” Prani said, “We can’t let it get out that she’s missin’,” This was going to be an uphill battle.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Prani and Shaw had met back on Shili, but neither had really gotten a chance to get to know the other. It hadn't been long after their arrival that that three headed dog had broken into the tavern, and all of the padawans had split up into different groups and gone their separate ways. Brebic had done most of the talking on the shuttle, so this was the longest Shaw had ever heard Prani talk, and not even Shaw, a typical oblivious teenage boy, could miss the heavy accent. "I really dig your accent!" he grinned. It wasn't like anything he had ever heard on Coruscant.

The teenager looked down at the friendship bracelet around his right wrist. He wore it all the time. Had a habit of fiddling with it when he was nervous too. He thought back to lying on that examination table with a broken arm as Doctor Hathgard or whatever her name was poked and prodded him. It had helped take his mind off of it. "Totally," he said. "Told you it's my new favorite accessory."

Shaw had expected the last known location of the missing contestant to be some dark alleyway behind a seedy bar or a parking garage next to a known mafia run business or something like that. A shopping mall was the last place he had expected to be sent, but he supposed it fit. This was a beauty contest, not some crime show you binged at night when you couldn't fall asleep.

"Wait. For real?" Shaw did a double take when they got out of the speeder taxi and started walking up the steps to the shopping mall. "You've never been to a mall?" Bro was dumbfounded. How could anyone not have been to a mall before? Ever? Not even once? "We're gonna have to take you on a spending spree or something."

Brebic had sent a message with a little bit of info about the missing girl. It said one of her favorite shops was La... La... Yeah, Shaw didn't know how to say that. Some ritzy store that sold designer clothing and bags. That seemed like the best place to start. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

“Aw shucks, thanks,” Prani said to the compliment on her accent, her face tinged slightly red, “I’m from the countryside of Genassa. We all talk like that o’er there,” She explained. When he expressed shock at her never exploring a mall, she shook her head, “I traveled with a gypsy caravan,” Prani said, “We sleep under the stars and live small. Ain’t used to these big buildins’ and speeders,” She said. Everything about coming over to the Jedi had been an adjustment far beyond just her training.

“Yeah? What would I buy?” She asked with a giggle as they made their way over. The shopping mall in question was massive, and her head was on a swivel as she took it all in, “There’s gotta be a million shops here!” She gasped, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of advertisements, crowds and life all around her.

“Build a Porg workshop?” Prani called out as they passed a store that looked more like a factory. She made a point to try that out at some point, but they had an urgent job to do right now.

Their path took them to L’O- something something. She couldn’t pronounce it either and it looked like an odd assortment of letters. Prani stepped into the store and was hit with the smell of a million skin products and lotions.

“Oh hello!” The attendant there said in a singsong voice as she practically floated over, “Ohhh look at your skin. Oh, honey, you need to moisturize. You have been in the sun far too much and your skin is getting so waxy for your age,” She said to Prani before looking at Shaw, “You on the other hand, oh what a delight! Look at that flawless complexion and luscious lips. You are a testament to the value of skin care! A delicate beauty!"

Prani couldn’t stifle the giggle that escaped while Shaw had all the attention on him.

“M’am, we’re lookin’ for our friend Elyna. She came here yesterday ‘round 1 pm,” Prani explained as she held up a picture, “Did ya… did ya see anything odd or strange?”

The shopkeeper looked annoyed at being interrupting from fawning over Shaw. She pondered for a moment, “Uhh I did see her. She comes here with her friends all the time. Yesterday she was alone though. Now that you mention it, she looked kinda nervous. Kept looking around as if someone was supposed to meet her here. But then I got sidetracked helping customers. Why?”

Roll: 6/20. Partial success.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Shucks? So that really was a word people used and not just something holodramas threw into movies. It made him smile. Prani's life sounded kinda exciting. So foreign from the life he had lived on Coruscant. Between the city lights and the pollution, you were lucky to catch a glimpse of the stars, but Prani had slept under them every night. He would have to ask her more about her home planet when they weren't in the middle of an investigation.

"Anything you want!" Shaw replied excitedly. "Dresses, funny little hats, chocolate, plushies, some more beads and string to make those bracelets of yours. Sky's the limit! Places like this have a little bit of everything." Especially a place this big. He looked over at her. "If we can get this wrapped up soon," he said like he was some seasoned detective that would have the case wrapped up and a closed case file on his superior's desk by the end of the day. "I'll show you." If Brebic would let them that is.

The inside of the unpronounceable store was immaculate. The cleanest store Shaw had ever stepped foot in. There wasn't a scratch or stain on its glossy floor. Not a sign or an advertisement not perfectly centered. Not a single product out of place. The attendant that confronted them at the entrance the most put together looking person he had ever seen. Not a wrinkle on her clothing. Not a hair out of place. Her makeup flawless. At least Shaw assumed it was flawless. He really didn't know.

Shaw looked around. "Who? Me?" The teenager shifted on his feet and rubbed the back of his neck, more than a little embarrassed by all of the attention. His lips had never been called luscious or anything close to it. He really wasn't sure he even knew what luscious meant. It was kinda nice actually, being told his complexion was flawless and all that. Still thoroughly embarrassing, especially with Prani standing right there, but kinda nice.

Prani had uncovered their first clue. Now they just had to follow up on it. "Elyna, she... she's on our bowling team. Missed practice yesterday." It was the first cover story he could come up with, and he could tell by the look that came over the attendant's face that it wasn't a very convincing one. He tried to make it more believable by throwing an imaginary bowling ball. "Sure she's into all that pageant stuff, but she's got a throwing arm you wouldn't believe!"

When she still didn't buy it, he cleared his throat. "We're just gonna look around." Wandering off to a random aisle and pretending to check out the merchandise, he whispered to Prani, "There's cameras all over this place. Maybe we could check out the security footage from yesterday." He tried to ignore the way the attendant was still watching him from across the store. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani followed his line of sight towards the cameras and an idea came to her, “Awright, Shaw, I’m gonna need you to stall the woman,” She said quietly, “She can’ keep her eyes off you so um.. Chat her up!” She encouraged, “I’m gonna go ‘round the back and see if I can get the footage.”

She waited to see if he had a better idea, but their options were sadly limited. Once he walked off, Prani made her way around the counter towards the back office. Since she knew where the cameras were positioned, she purposely stuck to the blind spots. She could peek into the office and spot a man sitting around and eating a cannoli while playing on his EZPhone.

Prani had to think on the spot, and she used the Force to make the cannoli suddenly slip from his grasp and splatter all over the man’s chest.

“Oh come on!” The man exclaimed, glancing down at the mess across his entire torso. He let out a stream of expletives as he rose from his seat, shuffling towards the restrooms. Prani posed as a random shopper as he walked past her, allowing her to slip into the room.

Working on limited time, she rifled through the datacards that stored the footage, finding the one from around 1 pm yesterday. She pocketed it and quickly slinked out of the room, feeling like a criminal.

By the time she emerged, the attendant was all up in Shaw’s business, “-And of course if you use this cream, it’ll ensure you never get any acne. Oh but you are just so perfect,” She said, reaching out to trace her fingers along his jaw.

“Ahem,” Prani loudly announced, causing the woman to step back in surprise. The Padawan gave a polite smile, “I think we’ve looked long enough, m’am, thank ya!” She said cheerfully before she grabbed Shaw by the wrist and shuffled out of the store. Prani released him once they left, glancing over her shoulder, “What was her deal? I thought she was ‘boutta eat you,” She said with a chuckle.

“I’m not sure if this here is Jeedai appropriate but..” She said as she produced the datacard she stole before placing it into the datapad they had. This allowed them to start cycling through the footage. One of them revealed Elyna walking around in the shop. After fast forwarding a bit, she stepped out of the store and ran into a tall, male figure. From the looks of it, some terse words were exchanged. She tried to pull away but the man said something to her and it caused her to bow her head and obediently walk away with him, “Darn, what was all that about?” Prani muttered aloud, zooming in to see if any markings or anything significant could be noted on the man to help their search.

"I wonder if any o' her friends would know who this is."

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Shaw picked up a random bottle of something off the shelf and pretended to read the label like he was considering buying it. Really he only read the price tag. "I don't think I can afford anything in this place," he muttered to Prani with a chuckle. Then he looked between her and the attendant. "Distract her? Are you sure?" Of course it was a good idea. It was the only idea they had, and he didn't have any better ones. "Alright... Just try to get back before she starts putting lipstick on me or something."

He was still trying to come up with an excuse when he reached the attendant. Turned out he didn't need one, as she turned to him with a big smile that showed off each of her perfectly straight, perfectly pearly white teeth. "Ah! I was hoping you'd be back." She put a hand to her mouth and chuckled conspiratorially. "And without your friend." Shaw just kind of stood there awkwardly, unsure what he ought to do. Luckily he didn't have to figure that out either.

The attendant spirited him away to the perfume and cologne aisle. Shaw glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Prani heading toward the back offices. "But maybe you don't even need this. You smell divine!" the attendant was rambling on, "What are you wearing?" She sniffed the air, and Shaw took a step back, bumping into a display case. "Finesse by Effusion?" She took another sniff and wagged her finger at him. "No. No. It's Serenity in Summer, isn't it?"

Realizing she actually expected him to answer this time, Shaw cleared his throat. "Uhh Hatchet Body Spray, actually." He couldn't even remember what scent. After that there was a shift in the air. Even Shaw noticed it. He thought she was about to kick him out of the store, but then she burst into a high pitched, practiced laugh and slapped his arm.

"Oh, you! You almost had me there. What a sense of humor!" She pulled her company dataphone out of her pocket. "Now we simply must get you on the email list." After that she sprayed some cologne samples on him and took him over to try out some creams. Prani showed up just in time. "Do come again!" the attendant called to the teenagers, but Shaw didn't look back.

"Boy am I glad you showed up," he said, breathing easy now that they were out of the shop. Even if a part of him did kind of like the way the attendant had pampered him. He leaned down and watched the security footage Prani had successfully procured. She was like a real life spy! "Whoa. That's spooky." He scratched his head. "I wonder why she would follow him if she was scared of him." Better to make a scene or call for help, right?

But Prani was right. They wouldn't get any answers until they talked to some of Elyna's friends. "Didn't that file Brebic sent over say she had a roommate? Maybe she would know something." Shaw pulled out his dataphone and scrolled through some of the relevant addresses Brebic had sent them. "Here it is." It was an apartment building just a couple of blocks away from the shopping mall. "It's only a couple blocks away. Up for a walk?" @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani looked at the footage again, “The only reason for her to do that is if he is blackmailin’ her somehow,” She deduced, “Somethin’ that’s keepin’ her quiet. Or maybe a threat?” Elyna had an image to maintain. Could someone have anything on her to threaten her like this? This was looking more like a dead end until Shaw remembered the roommate, “Golly, you’re right!” She exclaimed, “Yeah, the roommate might could give us a new lead,” She said with a nod.

But first, Prani took a moment to sneak the datacard back after making a copy of it. After all, they didn’t need to be implicated in the missing girl crime if local authorities had the idea to start looking at footage.

They walked out of the mall and towards the luxury apartments where Elyna lived, “I feel like a Sector Ranger,” Prani said, “I hope Elyna’s okay,” She said with a frown, “She looked mighty ‘fraid in that video. Maybe it’s a hostage type deal and we can bust her out before anything bad happens?” Prani theorized, hoping for best case scenario in an otherwise grim situation.

Before long, they arrived at a large, ornate building that looked like it housed celebrities. Prani felt entirely out of place, but she came across a doorman that blocked them from going in. No amount of convincing was working, so she decided to use something she found questionable. Prani waved her hand, “You will let us into the building.”

“I will let you into the building,” Replied the doorman with a glazed look.

Prani stepped past him and sighed, “I never feel right doin’ that,” She muttered to herself as she fell into step with Shaw. A repulsorlift took them to the 20th floor and Prani knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened to reveal a blue twi’lek.

“Yes?”

“Umm..” Prani fumbled for a moment, “We’re friends of Elyna. She was s’pposed to meet with us today but she never showed. Do y’know where she might be?”

The twi’lek visibly stiffened at the mention of her roommate’s name. The fear in her eyes was unmistakable. She knew something.

“Uh, no idea, I’m busy sorry,” Slam! The door closed in their faces.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"Duuuuude!" Shaw whispered excitedly to Prani once they were out of earshot of the doorman. "That was legit! I didn't know you could do stuff like that!" Shaw certainly couldn't. Did all the padawans know how to do it? He had none of the reservations Prani vocalized about using a force trick to gain access to the apartment building. He just thought it was really cool and hoped he would learn how to do it soon. After all, this was all for the greater good right? They were looking for a missing girl. Trying to do the right thing.

"Are you sure you weren't a ranger in a past life?" he asked, grinning. She had managed to sneak into the security office back at the shopping mall, download the security footage, and slip back in to cover their tracks all without being noticed. She had gotten them access to a swanky apartment building that a couple of teenagers like them would ordinarily have no chance of sneaking into. What was next? "Maybe you'll pin some punks to the wall next." That sounded like ranger lingo.

Elyna's roommate wasn't as easily swayed as the doorman had been. She didn't even give them a chance before slamming the door in their faces. Shaw looked over at Prani and remembered what she had said about hoping they could get to Elyna before something bad happened to her. He didn't want to let her down. Either of them. They had a mission to complete. Lives depended on them.

"Don't worry," he assured the other padawan, standing a bit straighter and knocking on the door again. "She's probably just scared. I've got an idea." The truth was that Shaw had no idea what he was doing. He knew that. He just didn't know that Prani knew that and could see right through his facade.

The door flew open again. Much faster this time. The blue twi'lek stood there staring at them, this time with a large glass of wine in her hand and an expression on her face that made it very clear that she was perturbed that they had knocked again.

"Sorry to bother you again," Shaw started, "But we're worried about Elyna." When the twi'lek started to close the door again, Shaw rested a hand against it. Not strong enough to keep her from closing it, just enough to make her reconsider. "Listen, Tiany," he said in a softer voice, recalling her name from the file Brebic had sent over. The twi'lek stood a little straighter, surprised that he knew her name. At least now he had her attention. "We aren't here to cause trouble. We want to help. You don't have to be scared. We already know about him." They really didn't. Not anything beyond that footage. But maybe it would get them a foot in the door.

Shaw thought it had worked at first. "You—you can't," Tiany said, eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. "She didn't... she didn't tell anyone about him. Except me. You're—you're bluffing." Nope. They didn't have a foot in the door. They didn't even have a big toe in the door. "Now scram, you little brat." She splashed the glass of wine in Shaw's face and slammed the door shut. This time for good. @Sreeya

dice roll 5/20

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Pin some punks to the wall? Prani started chuckling at that, “Is that a request?” She asked to tease him. However, she suddenly paused as she realized that could probably sound like a flirty comment. Her face turned bright red and she coughed. Fortunately - or unfortunately - Shaw’s terrible idea distracted from the situation. She watched in silent shock as he just barged right in without warning. She couldn’t imagine any scenario where this would work, but Prani let it play out nonetheless.

Prani sighed when Shaw was left standing there covered in wine. She took out a scarf, “Here, hold still,” She said as she gently dabbed the wine off his face, concerned about the dead end they reached. Prani looked back at the closed door, knowing there was no real way to keep forcing the issue. They had to find another route.

“Wait!” She suddenly said with a gasp, “The doorman! I reckon’ he’s seen that fella ‘round,” Prani exclaimed as she quickly ran back towards the repulsorlift and took it to the bottom floor. The doorman was standing around looking slightly confused.

“Hello again, Sir,” Prani said.

“Wait…how did you get in… didn’t I tell you you couldn’t go up?”

“Oh no, it was a simple misunderstandin’! Tiany let us up,” Prani lied through her teeth. Fortunately the man was too confused to argue.

“Have ya seen this guy around?” She showed the zoomed in picture of the man from the mall.

“Ahh..yeah.. A few times after midnight,” The doorman said with distaste, “Drives a fancy red speeder and acts like he owns the place,” He said, “A real creep, if you ask me. Older man lurking around Ms. Prine,” Elyna.

“Anythin’ else you can tell us?”

“Apparently he’s some kind of musician that performs at the Grove a lot,” The doorman said with a shrug, “Ms. Prine always talks about it. Why are you asking? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Ms. Prine come home.”

Prani had to think on the spot, “Thanks for the info! And uhh Elyna is visitin’ some folks. Bye now!” She said as she stepped away and walked with Shaw.

“Man this is a real goose chase,” She said with a sigh, “We’re gon’ run outta time to solve this thing!”

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Well, that couldn't possibly have gone any worse. Tiany had slammed the door in their face for good, they hadn't gotten any new information, and Shaw had wine down the front of him. He pressed his eyes shut as Prani dabbed at his face to wipe away the wine. "Thanks," he mumbled, wondering just how foolish he must have looked at that moment. So much for having it handled like he had told Brebic. But Shaw really wasn't the type to sulk. It took a lot to get him down and keep him down. Next time would be different. He would try harder and do better. He was sure of it.

Fortunately Prani still had her wits about her and was struck with a great idea, suggesting they ask the doorman. He probably knew everything that went on in this building, and her hunch turned up a new lead. "Thanks for coming in clutch back there, Prani," he said as they left the apartment building behind them and he typed in the coordinates to the Grove. If it hadn't been for her quick thinking they would be back at square one.

The Grove was a ritzy and yet simultaneously seedy establishment. Somehow it managed both. It was the sort of place that probably made a splash on the front page of the capital city's newspaper every Monday morning without even trying because all of its clientele were rich, gorgeous, or famous. Usually all three.

"Let's see some I.D," the bouncer growled, stopping the two teenagers at the front door. Great. Shaw looked around and tried to think on his feet. A large banner hung over the glass doors, and it gave him an idea. A lame idea, but an idea nevertheless. The banner read MOM'S NIGHT OUT

"We're here to get our mom," he said in an urgent voice, "It's an emerg—"

"Thank the gods," the bouncer laughed, clasping the teenager on both shoulders and ushering him inside. "You wouldn't believe the number of complaints! Four hours she's been at the karaoke machine, but ooooh no we can't kick her out because 'she's the senator's wife!'" He looked down at the teenagers. "What're you waiting for? Go get er!"

Shaw couldn't believe that had actually worked, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The Grove was packed from wall to wall, mostly with what presumably were moms. Everyone was partying and having a wild time. There were more bars, chandeliers, and bartenders than Shaw could possibly count. And to think this was only the first of three floors.

"This is going to be harder than I thought!" he turned to Prani, trying to speak over all the sound.

"IT'S TIME TO TURN IT UP, LADIES!" the DJ's voice boomed over the first floor microphone system. An iconic song began to play. There were a few boos from the crowd, but the majority of the establishment's patrons were too drunk to care what song the DJ played so long as they had a drink in their hand and knew the words.

"I love this song!" Shaw grinned without thinking. Then he looked at Prani and cleared his throat. "Guess we just take it floor by floor!" They had to find the musician eventually. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Great. Was Prani going to have to try mind trick again? It almost completely taxed her from using it once. She exhaled softly, channeling the Force once more. However, Shaw was quick on his feet this time, blurting out something about finding their mom. Their mom? She cast him a look. Did they look like siblings? Oh well, it worked and they scuttled into the club. Right away it was clear Prani felt entirely out of place. She was used to farm lands or little taverns, nothing like this. She was frozen in place and unnerved by the displays of lewd dancing and debauchery.

“Oh..wow..” She mumbled as she watched one of the moms bend over and start violently twerking to a song where it made little sense. Now, this song was something she was familiar with. After all, the artist was a country singer and that was the type of music she grew up with. Prani looked away from the stage, her face completely hot and red from witnessing all the shameless displays around her.

“Um..Uh yes… l-let’s do that,” Prani muttered awkwardly as the song changed to something far more raunchy. Four moms got up on stage convinced they were just as skilled as the original performers of the song. One of them bent over too fast and her pants ripped, but she remained oblivious and carried on with her best attempts at slutty college girl dancing.

“Is this what the Dark Side does?” Prani blurted out as she shuffled next to Shaw, horrified by the sight of a sea of cellulite and terrible dancing. She found a worker standing in the corner taking a break and pulled up the datapad, “Excuse me, we’re lookin' for this man!”

The woman scowled at them both, wondering what two kids were doing in here. However, she wasn’t paid enough to care, “Chaz? If he’s here he’ll be down in the dungeon,” She said. Prani stared blankly. The woman rolled her eyes, “Take the warehouse lift to L2.”

Prani nodded and shuffled away. On the way, a drunk man tried to grab at her arm to pull her to dance with him.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

"Goin' out tonight... feelin' alright," Shaw sung quietly to himself as he and Prani cut through the crowded bar, grooving to the familiar song. "Gonna let it all hang out..." There was a record scratch and a dramatic change in songs, and then people really were letting it all hang out. Unfortunately for Shaw his eyes happened to be directed toward the stage when one of the impromptu dancers' pants ripped. "WHOAAAA!" he shrieked as he did a 180 and tried to shield his eyes from anything else that might scar him for life. "Prani! Girl! Look away!" he hollered at the other padawan, only feet away from him, but he was afraid his voice was lost to the crowd.

The teenager suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He and his friends had tried to sneak into a couple cantinas back on Coruscant without much success. Suddenly he was very glad the bouncers had kicked them out before they could. Were all mom's night outs like this? Wait a second. A horrifying thought had just occurred to him.

Was this what his mom had been doing all those years when she went out for a mom's night with all her friends? He raised his eyes just long enough to see a woman dive off the bar to try and crowd surf. She didn't make it far before the women beneath her, too drunk to be coordinated, all tumbled to the floor and wiped out a good chunk of the other moms with them.

No. Not his mom. These moms? Sure. But his mom? No. Not his mom. She was a good mom. A good mom. She would never... she would never do anything like this. Right? He swallowed hard, unable to get the image out of his mind now, barely registering what the worker told Prani. He barely registered anything after that, keeping his eyes glued to the floor as much as possible until someone bumped into Prani.

Looking up, Shaw realized that no one had bumped into Prani. Some creep was trying to make her dance with him. "Hey! Keep your hands to yourself!" Shaw smacked his hand away.

The drunk had the nerve to look offended. "Jussst—jusst wanna dance with the little mamma!" When he lunged for her again, something instinctual in Shaw kicked in and he punched the creep right across the chin, channeling his strength into the blow and envisioning his hands as pure steel. Just like Nash had taught him back on that jungle planet. It wasn't as coordinated as Nash's, but it got the job done. The drunk stumbled backwards, and the moms all parted around him and let him fall to the floor. No one tried to help him get back up again.

Shaw sucked a breath in through his teeth, waving his right hand in the air. Wow that hurt! He could feel the blood rushing to his knuckles. He was gonna have to ask Nash how to take a guy down without hurting yourself in the process. "Don't let him get to you," he told Prani. "Come on. Let's get this over with." He reached out and took her hand in his left so there was no chance of them getting separated and headed off in the direction of the dungeon. He was not looking forward to whatever awaited them down there. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani tried tugging her arm away, but the man was relentless. She was completely thrown off because he wasn’t ‘attacking’ her - he was just a civilian, but this was making her deeply uncomfortable. What was the proper Jedi protocol? She tried to talk her away out of it, but the guy was just not having it. That was when Shaw batted his hand away. As the drunk lunged for her again, Shaw surprised her by clocking him right in the face.

She watched completely stunned as he stumbled back and fell backwards in a daze, the moms all glancing as if it was justice finally delivered. Prani stood there blinking and frozen in place until Shaw physically tugged her away. She still didn’t process everything as they shuffled into the repulsorlift, “Wow, Shaw..th-thanks for that,” Prani mumbled, “I didn’t know what to do..” She muttered, “Gosh, how am I gonna be a Jeedai if I can’t even stop a guy from snatchin’ me up like that?” Prani lamented, annoyed at herself for being helpless and confused. However, his actions spared her from it even if they were more violent than her usual approach, “You had my back,” She said as she gave him a warm smile.

The repulsorlift doors opened to reveal a dingy, dark corridor with flickering lights. Prani was unnerved and felt a chill run down her spine, “Jeedai are brave…Jeedai don’t get scared..” She chanted the sentence under her breath repeatedly to manifest some courage. In truth, she was terrified and well out of her element.

Prani could hear voices from a room and she gestured for Shaw to duck in with her to an adjacent room so they could eavesdrop.

“-Should get us into political power,” A male’s voice said, “Daddy dearest will have to play ball and cede his position to our leader.”

“He’s not playing ball yet,” A voice resounded from someone speaking through a Holocall, “He clearly cares more about power than his own daughter at this point. It may be worth it to simply kill her to make it clear we mean business.”

Prani had to stop from gasping.

“Give me another day,” What she assumed was Chaz’s voice could be heard again.

“You risk her father going to the media and blowing all of this up the longer you delay. One more day. And if there is no progress, kill her and dump her somewhere very visible," The voice paused before continuing, "Do not let your feelings towards her cloud your judgment or I will eliminate you myself."

"No feelings. She was always a mark. Nothing more."

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

Inside the mirrored repulsorlift, Shaw looked down and noticed that he was still holding Prani's hand. He wasn't sure if he had even realized he'd been holding it until now. He hoped she hadn't minded? He quickly dropped it, his left hand jerking to his neck to rub it absentmindedly. "Don't mention it," he replied, the sound of the descending lift filling the silence in between. "Nothing you wouldn't have done for me if one of those moms had decided to get fresh with me." He grinned over at her playfully, chuckling at the unlikeliness of the scenario. But that was what made it funny.

"You're already a great Jedi," he added, a little surprised to hear her talking like that. "Remember those vines you and Heidi called outta nowhere back on Shili? That was sick. It was like watching a comic book come to life." Not to mention everything she had accomplished today alone.

When the repulsorlift came to a stop and the doors slid open, Shaw felt a very sudden and very strong urge to press the lift button as fast as he could and run for his life. Stepping off the lift felt like a mistake. Like something a main character in a horror movie would do, ignoring all the signs and the red, flashing alarm bells in their head that said turn back, but it really wasn't like Prani and Shaw had a choice. The choice was made for them when they heard voices.

"For your sake, I hope that is true," the voice over the holocall continued. Whoever it was, they sounded way more intimidating than Chaz. What kind of a name was Chaz anyway? "I would hate for you to disappoint me."

"You worry too much," Chaz replied. "I know what I'm doing."

The holocaller chose not to comment on that. "She's stored in a safe location? I assume not here—"

"No, of course not here! What do you take me for, a fool?"

They chose not to comment on that either. There was a knock on the door, and a third voice, muffled, said, "Chaz! On in two minutes!"

"Yes! Yes! I'll be right out!" the impatient performer called back.

"You better not keep your adoring public waiting, Chaz."

The holocall cut off, and the padawans would hear what sounded like someone throwing their foot into the wall. Then the dressing room door slammed shut, and silence followed. Shaw peered out of the room adjacent, just in time to see a man in an over the top jumpsuit disappear around the corner.

"Looks like the coast is clear," Shaw whispered to Prani, ducking out and closing the door behind them. "Whoa. That was heavy. What do you think it all means? And how does this all tie in with the beauty pageant?" With the dead judge and missing contestants? Or was it tied in at all? Was it all just a coincidence? At least they knew that Elyna was still alive. Now they just had to get to her. Quickly. Before tomorrow. Shaw chewed on his lip. "We better not lose Chaz. He knows where she is!"

At the end of the hallway and through a set of double doors, the padawans would find an underground amphitheater. This was where the Grove's entertainers performed, and front and center was Chaz. Complete with jump suit and some long, flowing hair that must have taken him hours to brush as soft as it looked.

"LOVELY LADIES OF LISTEHOOOOOOL!" his familiar voice echoed over the room, his piercing eyes making a connection with every woman in the crowd. Then his voice dropped several octaves, and his deep baritone rumbled directly into the mic, "I hope you're ready for me to take you to the moon. Have you packed your bags? I plan on keeping you there for a very... very long time." He did a little spin move, pointed at his band to indicate hit it, and started his opening act.

"OOOooooOOO with these hands I will cling to you!" he began to sing, winking at one of the women in the crowd. The woman let out a high pitched scream and fainted.

Shaw looked over at Prani and blinked. Did... did this kind of stuff really work? @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

How someone could be such a villain and then casually dress in a ridiculous getup to perform for a crowd was beyond Prani. People could be monsters beyond what Prani could ever conjure up in her wildest imaginations. She walked with Shaw as he asked questions, “Well we know the pageant is a huge deal for this planet,” Prani recalled the Baron constantly referring to what a disaster it would be if the pageant fell apart and how it was such a disgrace the judge was murdered.

“We need to corner that guy after the show,” Prani whispered as she watched the performance with distaste. How could he nonchalantly do all this with a girl locked up somewhere terrified for her life? She felt way out of her element, but she also felt a surge of anger. Prani was normally a very pacifistic individual, and she always sought peaceful resolutions. However, this situation in particular triggered her and she had to actively lean into the Jedi teachings to calm herself, “We really need Knight Brebic…I feel so overwhelmed by all this,” Prani admitted out loud. While Shaw was concerned with making a show of bravery, Prani was not afraid to admit when she was completely out of her depth.

After the performance was done, they were given a window to sneak backstage to follow Chaz. He stepped outside into an alley to have a smoke when Prani finally called out to him, “Hey!” She said, “Stop!”

“The fuck? Look, I’m not doing meet and gr-”

“Where is Elyna?” Prani asked flatly with a more severe tone than she thought she could muster, “We know you got her so skip to the details.”

“Little girl I dunno what you’re smoking but-”

Prani sighed and held up the datapad with the footage. Chaz began to choke on his smoke.

“We know she’s missing and this is the last footage of her,” Prani said, “And we overheard you talking about killing her.”

Chaz began to chuckle, “Oooh solving a big bad mystery huh? Two little kids that should be in school getting up in my business?” He took a long drag of his cig, “Get outta here and back to class,” He said as he blew a cloud of smoke in their faces. Chaz turned to walk away.

@throwitintothefire

 

[Shaw Amaris]

This was so not Shaw's scene, but the crowd really seemed to be digging it. Chaz had moved closer to the crowd, crooning, "Something is burning inside... Something that can't be denied... I can't let you out of my sight!" to one of the women closest to him, holding her hand in his and pressing it to his extremely hairy chest right where his jumpsuit dipped at the neck. Dude's chest had no right being that hairy. Chaz was only on his second number and security had already been forced to get involved when two women attempted to vault the railing and rush him. The rest of the crowd seemed content to sway to the music or throw some of their more personal belongings at the performer.

Chaz had everyone's attention. All eyes were on him. Except maybe for Shaw's. He was looking over at Prani when she said she was overwhelmed. "Don't worry," he said, but he really didn't have anything to follow it up with. No rousing speech or inspired wisdom to share. Shaw really wasn't that kind of guy. His buddy Macote was the one that was good with words. Wasn't don't worry the same thing he had told Brebic earlier that day? A lot of good that had done them. Shaw was getting a little worried himself now that they were down to the wire, but he wasn't going to admit that. He gave Prani his best animated smile and nudged her arm. "We've made it this far, right?"

Outside in the back alleyway behind the Grove, Chaz was just as unwilling to cough up information as Elyna's roommate had been. But there was no fear in his eyes. Only contempt. He wasn't scared of them. Not really. But they couldn't just let him go. Not when he was their last lead. Possibly their only chance to find Elyna alive.

"Not so fast!" Shaw said, sounding a lot braver than he felt. He grabbed ahold of the hem of the performer's bedazzled jumpsuit and tugged. "We've got a few more questions for—"

There was an audible riiiiippppp. Chaz turned back toward the teenagers, gasping as soon as he was that the sleeve of his jumpsuit had been torn. The bedazzled fabric was in Shaw's outstretched hand. "How dare you!" he spat. He looked like Shaw had just stabbed him through the heart or something. "Have you any idea what you've done? How priceless this material is?" He glared at both of the teenagers and flicked some cigar ash their way. "Just how do you two little creeps thinks this plays out? 'And I would've gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids?' This isn't some Saturday morning children's cartoon. Grow up."

There was a commotion at the end of the alleyway, and dozens of adoring fans poured into it headed straight for Chaz. They waved glossy portrait photos of the performer. "CHAZ! CHAZ! GIVE US YOUR AUTOGRAPH! SIGN MY UNDERWEAR, CHAAAAZ!"

Chaz gave the teenagers one last look and one last warning before he retreated back through the door he had come out of. "A word of advice if you don't want to end up in the morning obituary? Stay out of my way." Then he was gone, and there was very little either teenager could do with the crowd of women that chased after the performer and banged their fists against the backstage door.

Shaw turned to Chani, torn fabric still in hand. Then he remembered something the doorman had said. "Come on. I've got an idea, but we've got to hurry." Before Chaz changed out of his outfit and made it back outside. Hopefully his adoring fans would buy them some time. @Sreeya

 

[Prani Shalrazi]

Prani sighed as they returned to square one. She almost considered trying to channel some of her powers to make the nearby tree attack Chaz, but it would have drawn far too much attention. She barely avoided getting trampled by the adoring fans, jumping out of the way. Prani looked over at the sleeve that Shaw tore off, the sight lifting her spirits at once. For some reason, she started to giggle, completely losing it at the sight of the other Padawan standing there awkwardly brandishing the glitzy sleeve as if it were a souvenir, “You can prolly sell that on StarBay,” She said after she calmed down from her giggles.

She focused back on the mission after the tiny moment of distraction, eyeing Shaw curiously when he said he had an idea, “Whatcha thinkin’?” She asked, genuinely feeling as if they ran into a dead end.

@throwitintothefire