Signs of a Bad Day

[Roxis]

Shorya adjusted her black hood, the damp weather made her glad she had decided to wear it, there were other reasons as well of course. She still felt out of place in her clothing a black shirt and pants along with black leather boots, chosen to allow her to blend in with the crowd. But, --- was used to silks and jewelry. However, her simply braided hair and dark bruise decorating her left cheek, it was starting to swell and rather large taking up most of her face. She had other wounds as well but this one was most notice able upon casual inspection. She took a moment to steady herself before moving down the street, her hand resting on a wall as the world spun briefly, she was aware that was not a good thing, but not all together unheard of for some on with a blow to the head. Her ribs were aching as much her head, causing breathing to be as painful as thinking was at the moment.

She did her best to move down the street as a normal person might. She was fairly certain she wasn't being followed by this point, but she wasn't entirely sure.That fact along was what kept her moving forward. There something in her favor however, most people who were out at this time of night were more wrapped in in their own affairs and it was every easy to over a lone woman in the street. For most of them at least. She was also aware those who might notice her in the middle of the night might not have her best interests in mind. Not only that they might have followed her, she was the only one who made it out as far as she knew, she was counting on herself traveling faster than news did.

Shorya's vision was starting to swim however, that and the nausea forming in the pit of her stomach told her she clearly needed to find a doctor/healer sooner rather than later. In some corner of her mind she hoped it was simply the lack of sleep getting to her and nothing more serious. She had fled head long for most of the night, and the lack of rest certainly wasn't going to work in her favor. Regardless of what it was that was effecting her, she stumbled for a moment before catching herself and moving forward. She didn't manage to get much further however, a life time with out much need for psychical strain was working against her, the world spun for the last time and Shorya spilled ungracefully forward as her vision finally faded into nothing-ness.

 

[Topher Ridge]

So it seemed that the moon of Pantora was having issues with their crops. Well at least that's what Barad was told before he made his way to the moon. A terrible drought had apparently fallen over the place and Barad was here as a representative of the Jedi to see what aid his order could provide. So far he could see the affect the drought was having. He'd arrived at night to get a better understanding and if the rubble, damaged property, and downtrodden people were any indication, things were bad. He made his way slowly through the darkened streets with his cloak pulled close around him and he let his feelings reach out through the force. He almost instantly felt the wall of hopelessness and dread hit him. It was sad to see the place in such a state as Barad had always heard that Pantora was usually a beautiful tourist destination.

He kept his slow pace through the quite streets until he felt a darkness in the force that was soon followed by hushed voices. Barad hadn't come here to get involved in anything like this, but he knew he had to to investigate. He made his way toward the cloud of malcontent that he felt and soon came to the entrance of a small alley. He took cover around the corner and peeked down it. 3 figures looked to be kneeling over another form, a person. From the looks of things they were trying to rub the unconscious being. Barad simply sighed as he knew what he had to do. He stepped into the alley.

"Hey fellas, is that really the best idea?"

The 3 startled thieves stood and faced the Jedi.

"Yeah well what's it to you! Get lost or you'll be on the ground next."

Barad simply walked toward the trio.

"I doubt it boys, now why don't you leave the....lady alone and leave anything you might've taken that isn't yours"

"Yeah whatever you idiot there's 3 of us and 1 of you, you gonna make u...."

The thieves words trailed off as Barad came closer and his hand rested on his hip, directly above the lightsaber than hung from his belt. Barad simply raised an eyebrow and the 3 ruffians nearly tripped over each to get away. As they ran the one that spoke threw down a piece of jewelry next to the woman's feet. Barad stepped closer and knelt down next to her, he face was bruised and her breathing was shallow. Barad put a hand out and let the force flow from himself. He looked inside her through the force and could tell she had some internal injuries. He closed his eyes and focused harder and could feel the fracture in her rib cage. He wasn't sure how much he could help but he placed his hand on her side and let the force flow into the wound. At the very least any internal bleeding would be staunched, though the bone would take longer to heal. He then went about easing the pain damage he could feel to her head. It was likely a mild concussion. At the very least his work would speed the recovery and ease her pain for the time being, though she was definitely going to need a proper doctor soon.

He looked up and down the ally and then to the girl again. From the marks on her clothing and scuff marks on the ground she'd been dragged into the alley. He applied a bit more force energy into the girl to ease any exhaustion and tried to wake the girl. He needed to know what happened if he was going to help her any further.

@Roxis

 

[Roxis]

Shorya for her part hadn't witnessed any heroics or and rescue attempts nor the thievery around her, lying in an ungraceful heap on the ground tended to do that to a person. However, not being fatally wounded meant sooner or later she would start to come around. Shorya seemed to choose this moment to do so. As far as her injuries went they weren't likely to be fatal and with the first aide, of sorts, she began to come around. Of course the world seemed like it was spinning even before she opened her eyes, but that was likely due to the blow to the head and collective injuries.

This was not a pleasant feeling and she could only fight it for so long before she opened her eyes in an effort to try and alleviate the feeling. Of course, opening her eyes also brought it to her attention that she was not alone. She jerked hard more out of surprise than pain at this point, although she was far from comfortable. However, given what had happened just before she had collapsed on the ground she wasn't likely to assume every one present had her best interests at heart. It took a moment for her to make sense of what she was seeing. If she hadn't been attacked while she was on the ground she might be better off than she thought she was.

"Who are you?" She might sound a little suspicious despite her more or less in tact state, though she winced at the raspy sound of her own voice, due, not doubt to the fact she had laid out in the open for a while.

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad offered the girl a warm smile as she came to. He helped her sit up against a the wall of the alley and took a step back then knelled down in front of her so he could make eye contact.

"Well glad you're awake. You looked a bit roughed up when I found you. I'm not gonna hurt you, so don't worry about that. Names Barad and I'm a Jedi. I came here to see if we could offer any help to your people during this famine. Though first I'd like to know what happened to you."

The girl was obviously suspicious, but Barad hoped she'd trust him enough to let him help. His natural curiosity had been triggered as well. Especially now that he could get a better look at the girl. She wasn't wearing anything fancy, but her skin, especially her hands, looked soft and smooth. It was a contrast to her common clothing. He glanced over at whatever it was that the thugs dropped when they ran off. It was a silver pendant in the shape of a crescent moon.

"That pendant belong to you? Found some thugs trying to take it off you while you were out."

@Roxis

 

[Roxis]

She allowed herself to be helped to the wall. She was fairly sure she could sit under her own power, she was not willing to be certain about that, and face planting in front of a stranger, even given her current state was not something she wished to do. She still had some sort of pride though in the back of her mind she was sure she looked as bad as she felt and that was pretty sore, bruised, and all together disheveled.

Upon hearing the questions, Shorya took a moment to try and collect her thoughts. A lot of it was still blurry, which, she supposed was normal on some level. She was sure it would make more sense when she could look back on them. "What happened? People tend to get angry when they don't have enough to feed their children I suppose. They also tend to want to blame any one who they can find to take out their anger on. More so when they are more politically powerful than them. Although, in fairness, people could have handled the situation better, but it was thought if they were feed it could cause a bigger crowd the next day."

She gave a sort of one shouldered shrug. "I think they began to to encourage each other, it was how things began to get out of hand."

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad nodded as she explained. Seemed the more powerful of the planet were becoming targets. The populace was were starting to take out their frustration on those that still had the means to feed themselves. He'd seen such things on other worlds, but it seemed that it was about to hit a fever pitch on Pantora. Though this girl seemed like this girl maybe had connections he could use.

"Well you seem to be ok. I'm assuming you came here after an attack on your place? I was sent here to offer aid to your people, but I'll need access to some of your leaders. It's a bit to ask but do you think you could come with me and set up some kind of meeting? It could help put a stop to the suffering of the people."

Barad gave her a hopeful look, hoping she would agree to come with him.

@Roxis

 

[Roxis]

She debate for a few moments when the question was posed. Clearly, she wasn't going to do any favors for herself. On the other hand wandering off with random people who she just met might not end well either. Then again, she couldn't be much worse off than she was now, if she was being truly honest with herself. He did on the other hand offer some sort of a way, well away and she did need that. Anything else could be handled later when she had time to plan her next move.

"Perhaps. I'm not sure how effective those meetings would be, however, it would not hurt to try. As far as the suffering of the people, it would take more than a meeting I suspect. Let us be honest, most of those who are in power are more concerned with lining their own pockets than ensuring their people are not suffering." She might be some what more pragmatic than her present company, but it if her present situation was any clue, it might not hurt to be doubtful.

"I'll help you, it would behoove me to return the favor at least. but I would strongly advise you not to get your hopes up when it comes to how helpful these people will turn out to be."

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad smiled warmly at the girl.

"Well way I see it, all we can do is try. As far people in power are concerned, they tend to listen a bit better once they see the saber."

Ju offered her a chuckle to ease the situation, though he too had his doubts that the powerful of Pantora would care too much. They could've began to import food a long time ago to ease the suffering of the common people. Hell as far as he knew the politicians of the planet hadn't even reached out to find solutions. Though the galaxy being under the grip of Sith couldn't have helped with that. There was no helping that for now however so he was here to help in anyway he could. He stood and offered the girl his hand.

"Don't think I got your name?"

@Roxis

 

[Roxis]

She had to admit he had a point about the saber and making people at least pretend to pay attention at the very least. "Hopefully they will listen, I don't know how well a saber will work. Unless you turn it on and wave it around, maybe then some one will listen." She seemed amused at the reactions such an action might cause. Not that she was calling for any one to be stabbed, at least not yet.

She just might have sounded hopeful at the idea. "My name? It's Shorya." She allowed herself to be helped to her feet. "Before you do find them, I'd advise making sure you have a good story worked out. If you play the crowd, so to speak you'll have a better luck if they think they can relate to you on some level." She seemed to be thinking on that one for a moment, before adding. "If they're in a listening mood."

 

[Topher Ridge]

"Hmmm good point. Eh I'll think of something. It'll at least help to have a local girl along. It's still night so I doubt this'll be the best time to approach anyone. I passed an inn down the street. How about we hold up for the night."

He gave Shorya a good look over.

"Besides from the look of you, you could use a good rest. We'll head out first thing in the morning and try and get things handled. Sound good?"

If she agreed then he would lead the way back out into the street to make sure the thugs hadn't regained what little bravado they had and returned. It seemed clear and he would motion for Shorya to follow. It would only be a short walk to the Inn, that had clearly seen better days. The duracrete walls had several cracks and the paint was visibly chipped. It'd get the job done though as the vacancy sign was lit up.

@Roxis

 

[Roxis]

"You have a point, nothing will get done tonight at any rate." Likely every one who would be in the kind of meeting he wanted would be asleep at this hour and not taking kindly to people showing up on their door steps. At least in theory there would be people who might take pity on her and listen, though she was not going to get her hopes up. None the less there was a big difference between listening to a problem and rolling out the spare bed to let them spend the night.

"Besides, I'm sure every one will feel better after a good nights sleep, I know I will." She didn't like to admit it, but a bed and blankets pulled up tp her chin sounded better than she would like to admit. She did in fact follow behind him, fairly certain he had some sort of plan in place when it came to some where to sleep. Either that or he was simply very good at walking like he had some sort of purpose.

 

[Topher Ridge]

Barad turned to Shorya and smiled.

"I think this place'll do us right."

He entered and the place looked even worse on the inside. Seemed the place was in need of a good cleaning as the walls inside were caked in some kind of grime. He approached the teller, who was watching something on a holonet terminal. He barely even looked up as Barad stood over the counter.

"Hey there friend, looking to get a couple of rooms."

Without looking up the Pantoran teller simply slid a datapad over to the Jedi.

"Only one room open, it'll be 90 credits for the night. Complementary breakfast is served in the morning."

With that the teller went back to watching his holonet program. Barad simply filled out the info and slide a credit chip over. The teller passed back a datapass to the room. Barad turned to Shorya and handed her the pass.

"You take the room. I'm used to roughing it anyway. I'll see you in the morning and we'll see what we can do."

As he handed over the pass, Barad noticed the teller eyeing Shorya. He'd have to keep an eye out and hope that it wouldn't lead to anymore trouble.

(OCC: Sorry it took long to post, been a bit hectic this week)

@Roxis

 

[Fantasy Liver]

"Barad - it's Moku. I've just finished taking stock of the Pantorans' main grain storage facility. Have you found a place to stay yet?" the voice of Moku the nomadic, Rodian Jedi would pop up on Barad's commlink. The Rodian liked Barad and was glad the Council had assigned the two to help Pantora out together. Barad was a wanderer at heart too and had also taken a leave of absence for a few years from the Jedi. Those similarities coupled with the fact that the two had already encountered each other once before made Moku confident that the two of them could help save this planet. Given the focus on offensive pushes into Sith territory, Moku took any opportunity he could get to snag a peaceful mission when he could. Of course, the Council had mentioned that the Pantorans might be willing to shore up the Jedi's ground troops with some of their own but still...helping hungry people was still helping hungry people. Nodding at the Pantoran who had shown him around the grain area, he began heading deep into the city, waiting for Barad to answer.