Open Event Little "Treasures"

[Izel Thral]

Izel chittered softly as the younglings began to argue, raising her hands to try and calm them down. "Alright, alright. That's quite enough. A Jedi doesn't need to tell anyone how strong they are. They show it in how they behave. So let's try to behave like proper Jedi shall we?" She implored them. Of course they were just kids being kids, but the sooner they started to get over that natural boastfulness the better.

She would then get up and move over to the next room to hear Nara out as she explained the situation, nodding in acknowledgement. Still, she couldn't help but cringe a bit in distaste as her friend started setting up for them to have a hearty meal of barely-edible ration packs. She would look back the children, then make her way over to start inspecting the cupboards.

"Well, if we're staying the night we'll have to do better than that..." She said as she fished around for any kind of supplies they might have. "Did your friend Dayla keep anything here other than ration packs?" She asked the younglings. "I'm sure I can fix us something a bit more appealing..." Izel was no trained chef, but she'd done her fair share of cooking back on the family homestead before joining the Jedi. And she was certain they'd all agree anything was better than ration packs.

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

"What's wrong with my cooking?" Nara asked, looking over her shoulder. There was a smile on her face though, even she knew that ration packs weren't exactly the most tantalising of meals. She did wonder how the kids kept themselves alive during all this.

They were all looking suitably chastised, with a lot of folded arms and staring at the floor. Very little was said, but the Pantoran girl had the good grace to blush after Izel's slight telling off. They all shared a look between each other. Something that was caught halfway between apologetic and stubborn.

"There wasn't much left, we ate a lot of it," Finla finally said, moving over to the containers at the side of the room. "We were starting to get worried we'd run out."

"I could've caught somethin'..." Jhes mumbled, clearly bluffing as much as she could.

"We've got enough for a stew. Knight Dayla said I was real good at makin' them," Riz suggested, opening one of the containers. All that was left were a few packets of ingredients, mainly different vegetables. Nara stepped back from her little stove, taking the ration pack off it.

"Why don't you and Izel make something then? It'll taste better than this stuff, for sure," Nara said, smirking at her friend. As she said that, something beeped on her datapad. She pulled it out, taking a quick look at the notification.

Oh. This might complicate things.

"I'll see if Kori needs some help," Nara said, shrugging as she walked out as casually as she could. Saying anything in front of the kids might cause panic. Besides, she didn't know that it was dangerous. Not yet anyway.

She stepped out into the cold again, pulling her coat around herself. Kori had already built up a good pyre, the wood stacked fairly well. Kori looked like she'd put in the effort. She also looked bloody freezing.

"Nice," Nara said, nodding to the pyre. "Uh, I hate to interrupt your focus but my ship just got pinged. Something is scanning the area. We maaaay have incoming. May." She moved a little closer to show Kori her datapad. Straight from the ship diagnostics: a scanning attempt.

"This is the part where I feel super happy I didn't register the ship as a Jedi vessel, right?"

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Lucky for Kori, the cold didn't feel as terrible while she was putting in the work. Clearing her mind, at one with the universe... With all the things going on, the Zeltron had paid little attention to the spiritual side of the Jedi Order. Of all places, she had found peace chopping firewood in a winter forest. Who would have thought? In that state, even the cold wasn't disturbing—the Light inside kept Kori warm without the Zeltron realizing it. That is, until Nara showed up and addressed her, pulling Nykoria out of the zone.

Suddenly, cold cheeks and empty stomach began to matter. The few floating pieces of wood fell into the snow. The Zeltron shuddered as she took off her gloves and breathed into her warm palms in an attempt to give the cheeks a little reprieve from the cold. Meanwhile, Nara approached, showing Kori what she was worried about.

A scanning attempt. Is it troubling when someone is trying to scan you? Usually not. But with a dead Jedi nearby, and the mention of treasures from the garbled transmission... "Hard to say, Nara," the Zeltron replied after some contemplation. "On the one hand, it helps to keep a low profile. On the other hand, people might think twice before messing with a Jedi." It was like carrying a lightsaber: on the one hand, it drew attention; but even when inactive, it could defuse a potentially volatile situation.

"We'll just be extra careful about those peepers, eh?" she patted the younger Knight on the shoulder with a sisterly smirk. But moments later, the smirk dulled down, along with Kori's tone. "Could you finish the pyre? I'll... go bring Knight Dayla."

@Reyn, @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel gave a little chitter as Riz offered to help her make something to eat. Work did well to keep one's mind off of more somber feelings after all, and she was glad to see him brightening up a bit. "A little cook eh?" She asked cheerily. "I knew I liked you." She would then bring out a pot and set it on the stove, moving over to give the young Twi'lek room to join her. As they started to make preparations she would look back at Nara, sensing a shift in her mood as she looked at her datapad. Something seemed to be riling her, but it was better not to panic the younglings. The Vratix would simply give her friend a subtle nod as she left to show she was aware of the possible danger.

Meanwhile she made herself busy cooking up a stew with Riz's help. The kid seemed to have some natural talent in more than just the Force. Together they'd make a much more appetizing meal than anything you'd find in pre-packaged rations. And honestly Izel found the work quite relaxing. More often the work of a Jedi had her pulling her antennae out. It was nice to do something simple for a change.

As she sensed Kori entering the house again with a general aura of discomfort it was fairly clear to the Vratix that Knight Dayla's funeral would be properly commencing soon. "Jhes, Finla. Give us a hand and start setting the table will you? Whoever does the best job get's an extra helping." A little competition between those two should do well enough in keeping them distracted. Although... Hopefully not too well. Izel really didn't want to have to clean up after their mess if things got out of hand. A fight between two Force sensitive children wasn't her idea of a good time.

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

Nara pulled her face a little, but nodded. "Yeah, sure thing." The last thing she wanted to do was be stood out there in the freezing snow, gathering up the last bits of wood for the pyre, but it wasn't something you argued about. Instead, she took her saber from her belt and moved towards the thicket of trees, looking for more wood. The blue blade flashed and hissed as she carved through more dead wood, bringing more up to the nearly-constructed pyre.

I'm going to leave a note in my ship somewhere, if I die, please just use starship fuel to burn me and save an afternoon's work.

* * *​

Inside, Riz helped Izel with the stew. He helped get all the ingredients that were left over from their stocks, working with her to collect it together in the pot. Soon enough, the little cabin was filled with a much fresher, nicer and warmer smell than prepackaged rations. An actual stew.

"You've gotta put a little bit of spiciness into it too, makes it taste better," Riz explained to Izel quietly, tapping a half-torn packet. A few flakes of something orangey-red fluttered down into the stew mixture. "But we don't have lots left. An' it's not the best, you can get some really good peppers and things at a market." He seemed much calmer, much more serene and focused as he stirred the stew, making sure it all blended.

Meanwhile, the other two set to their task with great 'enthusiasm.' They both shared a look, each knowing that they weren't going to be beaten. Instantly, they made for the cabinet with the cutlery and dishes. There was a little scuffling and clanking of plates as they wrenched as much as they could out of each other's grips. Both jumped as a loud CLANG rang out from a dropped plate. They both instantly looked up at Izel, as if waiting to be chastised.

One thing they had learned though? They'd keep their bickering quiet.

"I'm gonna get it done first," Jhes whispered as quietly as she could.

"No you're not, that's your plate on the floor," Finla replied, clearly irritated.

"That's yours. You pick it up."

"No, you... just shut up."

As the two of them set out the cutlery, plates and dishes, they continued to hiss at each other.

"That's not how you set out spoons."

"What?"

"You set them out-"

"Who cares?"

"Huh, you would say that."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothin'."

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Kori noted Nara's reluctance. Her friend was always frank about her thoughts, even if it only showed in her tone or expression. The pyre was more of a tradition than anything else. It might not have mattered for Nara, but could matter for the deceased Knight. No doubt Nara knew it too; and she never shrank from duty, no matter how unfortunate it was. So, Nykoria simply nodded and proceeded inside the house. Force knew she could use some warmth for a change. Even if it would only last as long as it would take the Zeltron to bring Knight Dayla's body outside.

Lucky for Kori, Izel seemed to be keeping the kids busy pretty well. She obviously had a way with children. Unlike Nykoria, who had a hard time looking after and dealing with one younger sister back on Coruscant. Hopefully, Riz would be busy helping Izel cook, while Jhes and Finla would be preoccupied with fetching the dishes.

Kori walked into the cold room again, looking at the covered body. How long had he been there? How long had the children known him. A part her wanted to just slip away with the body unnoticed, and spare the children the pain of seeing the Jedi brought outside like that. It was one of the most painful moments, after all. On the other hand, if she were to be caught, it would definitely be worse.

A compromise had to be found. Closing her eyes and calling upon the light within her, Kori let her senses reach throughout the house. Riz was fascinated with the stew already, so the Zeltron just tugged at the boy's attention towards the stew a little more, praising him mentally for a work well done. It wouldn't manifest as words, but rather as a warm feeling of accomplishment inside. Jhes and Finla were too busy bickering. All it would take to distract them was to incite more conflict... "No. Not like that."

Instead of fueling the fire, the Jedi Master tried to reach their minds subtly and call out to the things they had in common. The ordeal they went through together. The fate they would've shared if it weren't for the selfless Knight Dayla. But putting out that smoulder between them wasn't what Kori could do alone. Not without words... In the meantime, Knight Dayla's body wrapped in cloth would float towards the exit and the pyre outside, Kori stepping softly by its side. All she needed were a few moments of the children focusing on something else. At least for now...

@Reyn, @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

As she continued her work on the stew with Riz, Izel could sense what Kori was doing to try and keep the younglings distracted. A part of her felt somewhat guilty. Sad as it was, the children should have the opportunity to say their final farewells. But she supposed that could be saved for after the ritual had gotten started, so as to avoid protest. So for the time being she kept her focus on the kitchen.

"Mm, that is good." Izel commented, tasting a bit of the stew after Riz had added the spice. "I'll have to remember that." Then their attention was drawn to the plate shattering, and the girls' bickering. The Vratix just sighed and lifted a hand, using the Force to pick up the broken pieces and gently put them up on the counter, so as to avoid cutting anyone. As Finla and Jhes looked to watch her do so she spoke to them.

"You know what makes a really powerful Jedi?" She asked them, giving the young girls a sly glance as she continued to stir the pot. "A cool head. The more calm and in control of your actions you are, the stronger your connection to the Force will become. When you argue with each other like that, you're only making yourselves weaker." She looked back at the pot, still speaking loudly enough for them to hear. "You know being a Jedi is like making a stew. You have to have balance. Too much of one thing, or not enough of another, and you ruin the whole pot." Again she glanced at the girls. "I think you could both benefit from a little more friendliness and a little less squabbling." She turned her attention to Riz. "Wouldn't you agree?"

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

The effect was noticeable. Between the subtle influence in the Force and the encouragement of Izel, the two girls managed to stop their bickering for a few moments. They even managed, somehow, to show the tiniest trace of humility and shame.

Besides, neither of them wanted to make themselves weaker, right?

"Yuh-huh," Riz replied, nodding as he tasted the stew a little bit more. "More friends. And more stew," he added quickly, stirring it a little bit more. The girls looked away from each other, pausing only to watch Izel lift the pieces up off the floor.

"That was kinda cool."

"Yeah. Pretty cool. Sorry."

"S'okay."

"And...?"

".... sorry."

"Thanks."

And with that, there was a moment's peace as Riz smiled up at Izel.

"Master Jedi, it'll be ready soon," he said, with a small note of pride. The girls made their way over to the pot, both of them taking in the scent coming from it.

"Smells pretty good," Jhes admitted.

"Yeah it does. You did good, little guy," Finla said, playfully punching RIz's upper arm.

"I'm not little," Riz complained, with a sigh.

* * *​

Nara huffed as she piled more wood on the pyre. That'd have to be enough. It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world but did it really matter? They were only going to burn it. Besides, if Knight Dayla had a problem with it, he could haunt her dreams afterwards with the other nightmares in her brain. The walking dead on Nar Shaddaa, little Sith fuzzballs with murder in their eyes... and that slightly disturbing one with Oren in a designer dress.

The thought of that last one made Nara shudder.

Just get the poor guy on the pyre, let the kids say their goodbyes and go to bed. In the morning we can head back to the Condor and...

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

So much for that.

Her communicator beeped with a message from the Condor. Whatever'd pinged her ship earlier? The computer had finished decoding and collating the information.

Another ship. Suspiciously common and non-specific details.

"Oh crap." Nara bit her lip as she looked back over the snow covered hill. Already, her eyes were marking up defensive positions they could use. They'd have to approach by foot, the weather was too bad to try and land there. Unless they were insane.

Which, y'know, slavers and criminals certainly could be, sometimes.

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

The children seemed to be preoccupied with Izel. Good enough for Nykoria to slip away. Her intent was to set everything up quietly, so that the children would be able to say their goodbyes outside. Nara had already prepared everything, so Nykoria levitated the deceased Jedi onto the pyre. Now, to tell Izel and the kids...

However, Nara's sudden shift of mood—from slight annoyance to not-so-slight anxiety—didn't elude the Zeltron. Not that Nara and her communicator were silent about it either. So instead of going back inside and asking the children to come out, Kori approached her friend first. "What's going on, Nara?" Nykoria approached to stand by her side, looking in the same direction as the Knight did.

Instinctively, the Zeltron's left hand slipped to a lightsaber hilt. Somehow, Kori was getting a bad feeling about things.

@Reyn, @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

It seemed the younglings were getting along better now, which was satisfying to see. From outside however Izel could sense some distress among her friends. After Riz said that the stew was almost finished she turned to him and spoke in the same friendly tone, not indicating any level of worry.

"Good, why don't you three take your seats and I'll go get the others..." With that she would calmly turn and leave the house, picking up her pike as she stepped out into the cold again. The weather only seemed to have deteriorated, and from their expressions and aura the Vratix could tell something was worrying her fellow Jedi.

"So... who's trying to kill us this time?" She asked casually. She knew things were definitely about to go sideways, it only remained to be seen just how sideways. Pirates and slavers they could handle. If the Sith or some other dark siders had sniffed out the Force sensitive children as they had, well, that could be problematic. She hated being right...

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

The kids all nodded as Riz just stirred it a little more. The atmosphere in the cabin had calmed significantly, leaving the children all ready to eat, nicely and calmly.

Which left the grown-ups to panic about what was about to come for them.

Nara scrolled through her datapad and pulled up what information her ship'd gathered.

"Okay, so, about what... fifteen-ish minutes ago, my ship was scanned. It tried to scan back but y'know, transponder frequencies and gathering information," she blathered, waving her hand frantically. "So, our scan came from a Rambler-class, which isn't exactly a bad sign it's just... it has no declared commerce link, some bullshit owner details, no declared allegiance. And it's not like we're on a busy trade route here, out in the blizzard."

She turned over her shoulder, looking at both of her friends.

"My gut says slavers or Cartel. Maybe they managed to track Dayla back here after he picked up the kids?"

They didn't have to wait long. As Nara finished speaking, she heard a noise in the distance. A strange, constant churn that was growing louder. And louder. And louder.

The first swoop bike broke through the tree cover with a roar, the rider twisting it to the side to slow it down. Snow blasted up around him as the bike scuffed a little in the drifts. A scarred zabrak stared right at them for a second, both sides seeming dumbstruck.

"Found some people..." he growled, obviously into a radio on himself. Nara's hand reached down for her blaster, steadying herself. Breathing slowly and trying to concentrate. The man walked towards them, putting on a smile that'd curdle milk and could scare off a rancor.

"Well. Ladies." He smirked as he looked over them all, only faltering a little when he took in Izel. "Uh... we're looking for a bunch of kids. Been taken from their folks by some ah... freaky priest, you know what those Force freaks are like, huh," he said with a laugh. All the time he spoke, his fingers drummed gently into the grip of his blaster.

"Hah, yeah, right?" Nara replied with a smile that was clearly forced. "No kids though. Isn't that right?" she said, looking at Kori as she waved her hand in front of her, eyes flicking from Kori to the sketchy thug.

As she did, the air filled with the noise of more swoop bikes, starting to breach the tree line...

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Izel must've caught on to the disturbance outside and joined the company outside just as Nara explained the predicament. So much for a calm Boonta Eve. Nara's guess seemed the most logical, and was soon proved correct by the arrival of the Zabrak. Though hopefully, Izel's guess could still be proven wrong. Especially since the Zeltron caught on to Nara's hint. Left hand still close to the lightsaber hilt, the right hand making a motion similar to Nara's: "Correct. No kids with us."

"Huh," the Zabrak was still clearly dumbfounded by the Mind Trick. As he scratched his horned head, his gaze briefly shifted to the pyre with a dead body on it. "I mentioned a freaky priest, not you." The man paused, as if trying to sort through his thoughts and feelings, and figure out the next move. "Got shot when he tried to run off."

The man walked towards the pyre, glancing at the house windows, the lights inside clearly visible through them. "You locals? Just the three of you out here?" The question about the pyre and the body on it was still unasked, but it would no doubt follow.

@Reyn @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel's antennae twitched as the standoff between the Zabrak and the three Jedi continued, staring daggers at the stranger. Given his resistance to Kori's mind trick he was clearly no fool. As he walked towards the pyre she followed him, putting herself between the stranger and the window to obstruct his view.

"We stopped by to say our farewells to an old friend." She explained. "The rest of our family should be arriving for the ceremony shortly." The Zabrak nodded with a grunt, still suspicious. He turned his eyes on Dayla's corpse, slowly reaching out a hand to try and pull back the cloth covering him. He quickly found the Vratix taking a firm hold of his wrist and pulling his hand back. As he looked up at her the insectoid loomed over him somewhat threateningly and spoke with power in her voice, using a mind trick of her own. "It's disrespectful to disturb the dead... " She insisted.

The Zabrak paused, then smiled as she released him, raising his hands as if to show he was no threat. "My apologies." He said unconvincingly, then scanned over the house again. "You know... Me and my buddies have been traveling for a while... You wouldn't mind if we stayed for dinner would you?" Izel just stared back at him silently, her grip slowly tightening on her pike. This guy just wouldn't take a hint would he?

Dice
@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

Well, this is going well.

Nara never tried a mind trick. She didn't really have the knack. She supposed you had to be at least somewhat charismatic for that and... well. Yeah. Kori and Izel tried their best as Nara kept on her toes, ready in an instant to pull out her blaster and 'pacify' the situation.

The Zabrak seemed to be taking them a bit less like a threat. For now. Too bloody insistent though. He mentioned about staying to eat. What kind of asshole asks if they can stay and eat at a memorial ceremony? Rolling her eyes, Nara stepped forwards. Perhaps it was time for a little more old-fashioned tactics.

"I don't think you understand what we mean," she said, glaring right at him, "When we say our family is coming." She called back on her past, her patchy understanding of Huttese. Glaring harder at the Zabrak as she carefully stepped forwards. "I don't think you want to cross into Hutt business," she said in accented Huttese, trying her best to give off the impression of someone nested deep within a Hutt's employ.

The Zabrak looked back, his confident glare fading into a little uncertainty as she started speaking. Then, as she spoke in Huttese, fear started to pepper him. His eyes flicked over the three of them as he tried to size up the situation. Making a judgement call. Eyes moved back towards his friends... who approached very, very quickly.

"Hm... we did not mean to mess with Hutt business," he said finally, each word carefully chosen. Seemed like he was erring on the side of caution. "Who do you work for?"

Nara had to think fast. "Mighty J'agga, he that rulkes the Corellian sectors of Nar Shaddaa," she said, brain instantly landing on the only Hutt she knew. "He will not be happy with this interference in his family affairs."

The Zabrak sized them up some more. Nara hoped that he'd heard of J'agga, otherwise it'd be for nothing. Or that they weren't working for another Hutt clan. That could get real awkward. By now, the rest of them had arrived. The five other thugs climbed off their swoop bikes, unloading their weapons. They'd spent so long trying to persuade the Zabrak that they were getting surrounded.

The Zabrak chewed something over in his mind. "Maybe we can work something out then." He turned to look at one of his friends. "Hey, Tkayhn! Who's that Hutt we're workin' for?" he yelled out. Nara's eyes opened wider, the stern look fading into surprise.

Oh shit.

She looked at her friends and nodded. Patting her blaster. Now, she thought, bright and clear and loud as she drew her pistol. She drove her boot hard into the back of the Zabrak's knee whilst he wasn't looking, curling her elbow tight around his neck, holding the pistol to the side of his head.

"BACK OFF AND DROP YOUR WEAPONS, WE'LL LET YOUR FRIEND GO!" Nara yelled, hoping that her friends were ready to fire.

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Things went from normal to poodoo in a matter of a minute. First they almost convinced the Zabrak to back off. Even found out he worked for the Hutts. That would make an ignited lightsaber easier to justify. But then the Zabrak's friends arrived, and Nara talked herself into a situation where she saw no way out, other than taking a hostage. At least she had the decency to warn her friends telepathically. That was a good idea, so the Zeltron followed suit with: "Izel, right."

When Nara grabbed the Zabrak, Kori made her move. As she stepped to Nara's left side. The azure blade ignited, searing the darkness around them, and would also serve to cover one of the flanks. If the Vratix Jedi understood Kori's thought, she would cover the other flank, making it all the more difficult for the mercs to try something.

Nara already had the front covered with the Zabrak's body. But there was something else Nykoria could do for good measure. The other lightsaber slipped off her belt, flying through the darkness. It would ignite mid-air into dual-phase mode, producing another two-meter long azure blade. It would hover like a police line, half-a-meter away from the two thugs who approached from Nara's left.

"I suggest you do what she says!" the Zeltron added, her voice raised. "Drop your guns, grab your friend, leave this place, never return, and this won't get ugly." If any of them would even think as to train their guns at the Jedi or make a move, the blade would change its angle and start cutting through weapons... in the best case scenario.

@Reyn @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

Unfortunately the jig was up. The strangers were too persistent, and their deceptions were poorly planned. It didn't help that they worked for the Hutts either. Izel didn't like the thought of drawing their ire, but what was done was done. She had no intention of letting them take the younglings, or harm her friends.

As Nara grabbed the Zabrak and Kori took up the left flank Izel turned to the right, igniting her pike and taking up a defensive stance. For the moment at least the strangers seemed frightened into hesitation by their display. No doubt they were weighing their options now and considering whether or not it was worth the trouble. Izel decided to make one last attempt at warding them off.

"No doubt you've heard stories about the Jedi?" She shouted for all of them to hear. "I assure you they're far more than just stories. We slew the son of Durr the Hutt. What do you think we'll do to lap dogs like you?" She hoped bringing up the assassination of the Hutt Clan's heir would be enough to dissuade their attackers, even if in reality none of the three had anything to do with the long past slaying. It would still be an event burned into the minds of the Syndicate gangsters. And if they chose to fight? Well, Izel wasn't lying. Even if it was six on three. It was six rank and file grunts against two Jedi Knights and a Jedi Master. She had little to fear.

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

It wasn't the best of situations. Her attempt at talking her way out of things had cornered her, so she'd gone for the direct option. The direct option that fell just short of shooting them, but this was better. Perhaps. The others had drawn their weapons already, looking from Jedi to Jedi.

And... unfortunately now they all knew who they were. First it was Kori's saber, held in the air to block them off, then it was Izel's pike. The blades hissed in the air with the gentle snowfall as they stood off, facing each other. The Zabrak squirmed a little. Nara wasn't particularly heavy, or strong, but a blaster to the temple and two sabers in slashing distance made him cool down a little.

Jeez, Izel, just announce that we butcher Hutts to the criminals, Nara thought, but it had the intended effect. With all that, the thugs looked to each other. Sure, they outnumbered them. But they'd all heard stories of the Jedi. And they sure knew how dangerous a lightsaber could be, especially in close proximity.

The Zabrak nodded and the men lay down their weapons. One by one. Placing them into the snow with soft crunches. As they did, Nara peeked from man to man. Once she was sure they'd disarmed, her hand moved around the Zabrak and slipped his blaster from the holster. With that, she shoved him forwards, still aiming right at him.

"You can leave now. But you'll leave behind three of the swoop bikes with your blasters. Consider them a friendly donation to the rebuilding of the Galaxy," she said, daring any of them to raise an objection.

Hopefully they'll leave us alone and lick their wounds somewhere else now. I'd hate to slice up some low-life thugs in front of the kids.

@Catbert @Reyn

 

[Nykoria Tallis]

Some say that "intimidating" is the last thing a Jedi needs to be. The Jedi teachings would claim they'd be right... but only in an ideal world. No plan or ideal survives contact with harsh realities. Even a terrific Jedi Master like Maxims Tionson once threatened to cut off a thug's limbs and bring him back a cripple. And if a threat of violence prevents the actual violence, would it be a Jedi thing to do?

Regardless, it was done. And although Nara might've disagreed with some of the decisions, they seemed to be working. Still, Kori didn't mind that Nara took over. Especially after she brought up the speeders in a rather cocky manner. Something that the Zeltron wouldn't have come up with in the heat of the moment. But something that the Jedi would definitely need to get the children out of there. It would sure beat trudging back through the snow. Kori's grin got almost as wide as her ears, as she almost said outloud: "You're the best!"

On the outside, however, the Zeltron retained the focus. As the thugs lay down their weapons, the floating lightsaber would take turns and jump between them. Point at each of them, almost accusingly so. Whoever got second thoughts about Nara's conditions would be swiftly dealt with. "Izel, collect their weapons?" Communication at the speed of thought sure had its perks. "We'll wrap everything up, say goodbye to Dayla, and get the children to safety."

@Reyn @Charndley

 

[Izel Thral]

She couldn't believe it. For once their opponents actually had the good sense not to start a fight with Jedi and were backing down. At Kori's behest the Vratix nodded and held out her free hand. Calling on the Force the blasters jumped up from the snow and flew to her feet, well out of the reach of the pirates. They clearly didn't look happy about it, especially the Zabrak. As Nara shoved him away he stumbled a few steps to gain distance then whipped back around to face her, a vicious look on his face.

"You're gonna regret this..." He assured them, pointing a finger between the three Jedi. "Yeah... I'll remember your faces..." He looked directly at Nara. "Especially you. Better learn to sleep with one eye open, Jedi." Despite the threat, he still turned and hastily walked away with the rest of his companions, begrudgingly leaving three of their swoop bikes behind as commanded.

Once the pirates had disappeared over the hill again Izel sighed with relief and extinguished her lightsaber, turning to the others. "Well... That went much better then I expected." She said, seemingly undeterred by the pirate's promise of reprisal. "I know we're on a time limit now but do you think we could still stay for dinner? I'd hate to let a good stew go to waste..." Not to mention she was starving.

@Charndley @Catbert

 

[Juniper]

The blasters were gathered up and the thugs? Well, they looked particularly ticked off. Especially the Zabrak, who hissed a thread to them all.

"Bring it, bitch, I'll be waiting," Nara snarled back in Huttese, rolling her eyes at the cheapest threat she'd ever heard. Nevertheless, her blaster remained up until the rest of them piled onto the remaining swoop bikes. Nothing but the increasingly distant sound of swoops... and then Nara took a breath.

"Thank the Force for that. If you're going to eat something, Izel, we better make it quick. I would not put it past them to try and hit us later on, thinking we'll be sleeping." Staying for too much longer would be inviting more heat. Who knew what other shady groups had managed to patch into that transmission.

Just how many groups can get access to our communication bands? she wondered but that was a question for another time. She put the blaster away and moved towards the door to the cabin. "We'll eat and then get the funeral done and..." Nara started to say, until she was met with more noise.

"- your fault, you IDIOT!"

"I. Didn't. Touch. It!"

"You pulled it down and now it's everywhere!!"

The three kids stood arguing, all of them looking very upset. Finla with a glare that could kill. Jhes with a pout that you could land a starship on. And Riz, eyes full of tears. Lying between them, with steam coming up from it, was the remains of the stew. Spilled out on the floor, running across the ground and staining everything.

The kids fell silent as they saw her. Nara looked from the stew, then to each of the kids, then back to the stew.

".... I'm gonna go get the bikes ready," she announced, turning on her heel. This was most definitely not her job.

@Catbert @Reyn