Ask Trouble in Paradise

[Oren Zapan]

​

Even a Jedi needed to escape for a bit of a break, and Oren was no exception. With everything that had been transpiring the past few months, and the constant challenges, it was nice to get away and be alone. He had told everyone he was going on a mission, which was true. He had already helped the Jawas on Nevarro and had decided to stop for a short rest and meditation and the sound of gentle waves, white sand and tropical gardens seemed too good to pass up.

Oren had made it to Ruul a few days earlier, The Centennial Convor stowed away in a small resort town. Dressed like a smuggler, the Knight simply blended in, enjoying the waves and the drinks. He tried a few times to flirt with a few different patrons over the past day, but had little success. He figured it was a sign from the force that it wasn't likely meant to be. He was planning on leaving the next day, but a few drinks at the beach side cantina couldn't hurt. With his feet kicked back and a drink in hand, Oren dreaded returning back to all of his duties. Passion, yet serenity.. He'd remind himself.

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

Though the Jedi wasn't exactly here on business, the Twi'lek was. A fledgling bounty hunter, the woman had been following the Centennial Convor on the promise of bagging a smuggler that was known to own the vessel. Said smuggler was worth a pretty penny as far as bounties went, and he also was known to not particularly be the best guy. Riz'kacha had tracked the ship once she had gotten a tip off from a.. Not so trusty contact after a small exchange of credits.

Her Power-5 set to stun, the woman made her way to some of the rest areas offered by the resort. There were a few people dressed in a way that fit the bill, but, the 'smuggler' at the bar seemed particularly interesting to her. She had been watching him for a little while and silently noting the various... Odd endeavors that he seemed to give the other patrons of the bar, but didn't seem to understand what he was trying to get to from them. After just a little bit more of watching him, she finally approached the bar and ordered a drink of her own. She took up a seat close to the man, making sure that her purple lekku rested on her chest as she leaned back in her chair. He wasn't going anywhere without her knowing it.

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

Oren definetly looked like a notorious smuggler. His wavy brown hair had grown out slightly, and had been slicked and parted to the sides as a slight shadow began to form on the edges of his face. His traditional robes had been replaced with a captain's flying vest and a short sleeve white button down underneath, wearing standard flying pants and a set of shining black jack boots, he certainly looked the part.

His brown eyes would shift towards his left as a purple skinned Twi'lek took a spot next to him, a brow raising slightly as she placed a Lekku across her chest. A slight chuckle would escape his lips as he took another sip from his drink, his words slightly slurred, "You new around here?"

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

At the question, the Twi'lek raised a brow, thinking for just a second before she answered him. She didn't quite see the need to lie to the man, necessarily. She just didn't need to tell him everything about her circumstances, was all, "Yes, I am. I have arrived aboard my ship very recently." Was the response she gave, her best imitation of a friendly smile being given as a sort of punctuation to her sentence.

Her words weren't hostile, really. And they didn't carry any ill-intent with them. At least, not on purpose. How the man was to interpret them was up to him. She gave a small shrug and attempted to look busy, taking a drink of her own beverage before she adjusted her gaze to other sights around her.

 

[Oren Zapan]

​

Oren would chuckle, "Your ship huh?" He'd shake his head as he leaned back on the stool, "For a second there, I thought you walked here on your two legs," he'd say with a wink as he ran his hand through his brown hair. The undercover Jedi would spin in his seat, resting both of his arms on the top of the bar as he peered out of the open air windows towards the sea below.

"Quite beautiful," he'd quip not specifying if he meant the water or her, "I spend so much time on my ship, flying from place to place, it's nice to get away and relax." He'd chuckle as his words slightly slurred. He'd turn towards the woman with a devilish grin, "So what brings you here?" His brow raised slightly as the markings on his face pulsed slightly red, "Looking to runaway with a handsome smuggler?" Oh Oren, what were you getting yourself into?

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

"Walking here on my own legs would be impossible, given the vacuous nature of space." She returned, seeming confused at his words. Riz tilted her head slightly at his wink, trying to figure out what he was trying to get at. At seeing his gaze shift towards the sea, she gratefully followed it and nodded at the man's assessment, "Certainly. The resort does offer many beautiful views. I imagine that is why people come here to relax, much like both of us have. As for running away with someone, my ship is my home. I do not need to run away from anything."

Well, this certainly seemed like her target, but she had to be sure. Time to probe him for some answers, "Tell me about your travels on your ship. I imagine that smuggling is an interesting affair." Hopefully this gave her the answers she was looking for. If he talked about the ship that she had hoped he would, she could comfortably pursue her endeavor.

 

[Oren Zapan]

The Jedi would tilt his head as she took his original joke a little too literal, an awkward laugh escaping from his lips as he shook his head. Is she serious? Or is she playing a joke with me? The Jedi was perplexed to say the least. "Yeah...I guess you're right about that," it seemed any sense of enjoyment in his lips deflated, surely that line had to have worked on someone? He hadn't planned for a follow up line if the first plan went to kriff, so he sat there awkwardly silent for a few moments.

"Oh...uh you want to know about my job?" He'd shrug, attempting to take on the cool guy persona he so often failed at, "Oh it's nothing really," he'd huff, "You know just running around, doing uh...smuggling things," his eyes would shift away from her glare. Man she totally knows I'm a phony, doesn't she. He'd turn back to her with a wide grin, "But, yeah I'm a pretty big deal you could say. I know a lot of important people in the galaxy." He was totally lying.

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

Despite the man's assumptions, the Twi'lek clearly wasn't joking. Unfortunately, her tone was deadpan throughout her words. She sat there in the man's awkward silence, taking a drink of her beverage and generally not offering much to interact with him until he spoke up again. Luckily for both of them, he did, and he saved them from having to deal with the silence once more.

She listened as he spoke, adjusting a lek casually as she took in and processed his words. Something seemed off. Did he know she was onto him? Surely not. Whether or not he was onto her or not, his words spoke of a famous smuggler. Despite his strange demeanor, he seemed to be the part if his words rang true. Finally, she spoke once more, "I imagine that your ship must be rather quick if you are such an accomplished smuggler. I have read that smugglers often rely on their ships to secure jobs. You must be no different."

 

[Oren Zapan]

Would raise a brow as he choked slightly in laughter, "My ship?" He'd shake his head as he took another hit from his drink, his face burned red and he could feel everything slowing down around him. He had rarely ever drank like this before, and slowly his tough guy mentality was fading. Was she really just saying all this stuff to muse and play with him or was she really falling for it? Oren couldn't really tell.

"It was my master's ship," he'd say in a low tone, breaking out the truth, "He claimed to have gotten it from some notorious smuggler, some...Sol Wren or something.." He'd shrug, "I'm just claiming to be him, hoping to score, some sly points with the ladies" he'd say with a slurred laugh, "I'm really just a teacher..." He'd pause as he thought about the ship, "That ship is kriff and bolts, my bloody student crashed it into a swamp a few weeks back." He'd smile, "The Centennial Convor, my master claims it's some big deal, but I don't see what's so big about it."

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

She listened to the man with pursed lips, trying to hide her annoyance. She didn't care that the man was drunk, she was just upset that she wasn't going to get paid. After a few moments of silence, she gestured to the man's drink, hoping to get him to put it down, "...I believe that it is for the best that you cut yourself off from drinking. Hangovers only get worse with time."

The Twi'lek paused as she considered her next words, parsing together snippets of his information that suggested he was something else entirely, "...Master, student... Are you a Jedi? If so, what are you doing on a planet such as this engaging in these actions? From what I've read, Jedi are supposed to abstain from such luxury." She stopped herself from continuing her rambling, finally deciding that something else was important, "...My name is Riz'kacha, by the way. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier."

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren could tell she was growing annoyed, he figured she would. I mean what woman would want to bed a teacher? They always wanted the bad boy smuggler, or so that's what he believed. He'd finish off his glass before placing it down, his feet kicking back as he leaned up against the bar. He'd shrug, "That was my last one," his words would slur slightly.

When she brought up the idea of him being a Jedi is when he'd freeze. Oh Kriff, here we go.. The markings on his face would pulse slightly red, as he turned towards the woman attempting to make a totally not a Jedi face. "Me a Jedi?" He'd raise his hands, "No...I'm a droid maker," he'd tease before forming a serious face, his eyes shifting to the sides, "Okay..okay, I'm a Jedi." He'd say with a soft tone, "And what you read is old stuff," he'd chuckle, "That was the old way of the Jedi. Things have changed, it's okay to enjoy yourself in moderation, or to even seek companionship and love...as long as you don't let it define you," he'd turn towards the girl, shooting her a wink.

"Riz'kacha..." Her name would escape his lips, "I'm Oren," he'd say holding out his hand towards the woman.

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

Considering the man had given up on his drinking, she seemed a little bit happy at first despite the situation. Now she was just curious as to what his responses would be. She furrowed her brow a bit at his color changing face, but didn't really get caught up on it when he started speaking.

She didn't really buy the droid maker quip, joke or not, and instead tilted her head until he began to talk about the Jedi. The Twi'lek found herself very interested in what he had to say about the teachings of the newer code of Jedi, mentally contrasting it with her image of what Jedi were. She also didn't seem to notice his wink. At his outstretched hand, she shook it with a gloved hand, though her grip wasn't particularly strong,

"It is nice to meet you, Oren. Going backwards a moment, people are after that ship because of its history with the smuggler it used to belong to. I was among them, before I learned your true identity. As much as you may like the name of your ship, I would recommend changing it or at least making it known that the smuggler that was once associated with it is no longer. That way there are no more complications for you down the line."

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would raise a brow at her honesty. It seemed brutal honesty was her go to social interaction, and the Jedi found that to be refreshing, though a little naive. He'd pull his hand back, running it through his hair as she went on to explain how she was hunting down the ship. His face would form a visible frown, as he let out a heavy sigh, "Everyone is after that ship," he'd shrug, kicking back his feet.

"To be honest with you, that ship's ID code is in almost every known database out there. You should be looking for Sol Wren, not the ship," he'd chuckle, "I would get rid of the ship, but I made a promise to someone and I don't plan on breaking it."

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

She frowned a bit, a bit upset about the bounty seeming to come to an end. That was it. That was the end of the road for it. She had no other leads. Maybe that's why the bounty had remained active for so long. "I... See. I apologize for the inconvenience, then. You must get this a lot."

Riz'kacha had to say something to the man, though, lest they be left alone in silence once more, "Well, I appreciate the help, though I am afraid I will be left unpaid from this venture. Not something that is helpful, considering my situation. However, I would not burden you with that, as it would likely not be interesting to a Jedi."

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren would shift his attention and body towards the woman, his head tilting as she went into what he assumed was some sort of emotional sob story. But, he couldn't quite make it out. Was she trying to make conversation with him? Did she like him or was she just as awkward as he could be at times?

He'd sigh as he ran both of his hands through his wavy brown hair. A small frown forming on his face, "I'm sorry you're not getting paid, but I'm sure there are four other blokes in here that could get turned in," he'd smile, placing a hand on her leg--letting the force flow through it with happiness, in an attempt to lighten any negative feelings she had. "Is everything alright? I may be able to help."

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

"I am fine." Was all she said at first, though the hand on her leg seemed to startle her at first contact. It wasn't so much that she didn't trust him, but she wasn't used to contact with other people. At least not in a friendly manner. Her job sought to that. Besides the slight feelings of discomfort and anger melting away as the man's power coursed through her, she still seemed a little bit on edge nonetheless.

"What are you doing? Why do I feel strange?" She asked, looking to his hand at first then shifting her gaze to his face, "...Are you using some sort of Jedi power on me?" In the scant few moments she had before the man answered her, she looked around the bar for anyone that looked like some of the other bounty targets.

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren could feel her leg twitch slightly, as his fingers pressed against her thigh. His markings on his face blushed red as he awkwardly laughed. "I'm sorry," he'd say in a gentle tone. It probably looked creepy, or well scummy to say the least. Hopefully she wasn't taking this the wrong way about who he was as a person.

His fingers would feel out, calming her for the most part, but he could sense something on edge with her. It seemed her body was hiding something from her and the public, Is that the force...her count it seems quite high. His eyes would shift up towards the woman, as he pulled away, laying his hands back in his lap.

"That was a force ability, it's a simple calming technique," he'd smile. He'd lean in slightly closer to the woman, "I found something interesting," he'd whisper, "You share the same gift that I do." He'd peer around, hoping no one was listening, "Were you aware?"

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

While the touch was strange to the woman, she didn't necessarily think that Oren was up to no good. He was a Jedi, after all. Those sworn to protect others and keep order across the galaxy. Her gaze shifted back to the man as he spoke once more, seemingly not finding the smuggler she might've been looking for.

His words, however, surprised her. A gift? What was he talking about? She wasn't force sensitive- not to her knowledge at least. Surely there was something else he was speaking about, but she didn't seem to come to her own conclusion about what it might have been. Instead, she rose her voice to his own tone, keeping it hushed as she replied, "...What gift? What are you talking about? I am not aware of any gifts that I possess, other than what I consider to be a good work ethic and intelligence." Though her tone could've easily been taken as arrogant, that hadn't been her intention. Frankly, it was all she had going for her right now, as far as she was concerned.

 

[Oren Zapan]

Oren smiled as a heavy laugh slowly escaped his lips, "Well you do seem kind, and dedicated to your craft," as he leaned back in his seat. "Those are definitely promising skills to have, skills that Jedi should have." The words lingered in the air, as he turned to watch a few gliders out along the sea.

Being a Jedi was not as easy as one would think, the responsibility of the force, the ripples that each action had on the galaxy. It was enough to make one sick, but it was worth it in the end in his eyes. The kindness and the good he helped to bring to those that needed it most, the people he met and the places he's seen. It would take some people multiple lifetimes, yet here he was on a tropical planet, alone and enjoying his day.

"Your midichlorians. I could sense them in you.." He'd smile, "They're quite high, you might not realize it...But, you could become a Jedi." He'd smile, a warm bright smile for the woman, "You wouldn't have to worry about this life, the looking over your shoulder. You would have a home and food, and friends. We could train you, and I would be there for you." He'd place a hand back on her thigh, "Only if you want to. Say the words and I can take you there."

tag: @WiffWaffs

 

[Rizkacha]

Riz'kacha's head started spinning at the man's words. This didn't feel real. Jedi were... They were important. Way more important than some low grade bounty hunter. She stared at him for a moment, not even seeming to notice his hand on her thigh this time. Was this man's offer legitimate? She knew the man was a Jedi, assuming his previous responses were truthful.

Finally, she spoke up, "This... Is quite the development. I will have to take some time to think of the repercussions of such an action. Is there any way that you could provide me with a navicomputer coordinate set so that I may visit? I can give you the specifications of my ship if security is a concern." She paused, thinking for a moment, "...What are midichlorians? Is having a high amount of them good or bad?"