Shadows of Bankor

(expecting. Some privacy preferred. Teenage dirtbags are warned!)

Petrus had been to Xanna's kitchen a few times before. It wasn't that hard to find it, even with the banner currently taken down. Of course, those times had been different. Back then, he'd been but a learner.

Now, he was a Junior Assistant Dishwasher.

Glancing both ways down the street, he reached up, rapping energetically on the door with his right hand. His left, of course, held a weapon: a fresh sponge.

The sound of bolts being unlocked and locks turned was followed by an opening door. A delightful smell of buttery eggs, nerf bacon, and other assorted flavours drifted into the street. Xanna's hair was tied back and she was wearing an apron. She looked him up and down, eyes drawn to the sponge.

"Well good morning to you... Petey was it not? Are you here to interview for the position? Only you see there was a run on volunteers yesterday."

Her yellow eyes sparkled with golden light.

If this had been a holocartoon, Petrus undoubtedly would have been lifted off his feet by the wonderful smells and carried inside. As it was, he tilted his head up, standing a little straighter. Although that might have also been responding to the humor in Xanna's eyes.

"No... I missed it." Tamping down a grin, Petrus brushed his hand back through his red hair, leaving it charmingly disarrayed. "But hey, how many of them brought their own sponge?" He held it aloft, still wrapped in plastic. The label read 'Spongemaster 9000'.

"That's gotta be worth an interview, right?" His blue eyes glinted up at hers.

Her ponytail swung as she shook her head, looking slightly bemused. "None, although the evidence suggests you have yet to use this one, so my assistant is right. We had better put you through the full exam. Come on in, do not be standing there in my doorway with an unopened sponge."

She turned and strode off toward the kitchen. Underneath the apron she seemed to be wearing rather tight exercise gear.

"I thought you might need breakfast before you show off your pot scrubbing skills?" There were a couple of plates of delicious-looking food being kept warm.

Ruefully, Petrus looked down at the unopened sponge. "Oof. Good point. Well, believe me, it's better than bringing the sponge from my sink. If I didn't buy this one, I was going to have to give that one a name." For his part, Petrus was wearing street clothes, although his top was a new burgundy tunic, quite flattering on his leanly athletic form

Smiling, he followed her inside, eyes trailing after her as she walked away. "Oh my." Petrus breathed, spotting the plates. "That looks amazing. Thank you, Xanna. I'd love that."

He strode to the plates, before casting her a glance. "Two plates... are you joining me, then? Looks like you've had a busy morning."

"Well, then I am glad you are not having to name a new species today Petrus. It was kind you to buy a new sponge, and a sponge master 9000 at that." She made it sound as though that was impressive, although in truth she had never seen the brand until now.

She looked at his street attire and smiled. "It is 40 degrees outside. Pantoria is a tundra world. This city is basically a sauna to me." Grabbing the two plates with the aid of some cloths she placed them on the one table that was set.

"Yes, I have been to the gym, and then running some errands. And this kitchen does not operate itself, despite what its previous owner used to tell me."

Petrus followed her over to the table, smiling wryly. "Sauna sounds pretty much right to me, too. I'd gotten used to cooler climes myself. Weather-controlled Coruscant, and then here and there. Some time on Ithor."

He pulled out the chairs, first hers, than his. Pausing a moment, he let us hands rest on the back of his chair. "But you seem to have adapted rather well." Smiling, he waved a hand, indicating their surroundings. "Even if the kitchen doesn't clean itself. Is there a story to how you got it?"

"Ithor? That is a jungle world, no? I always imagined it was one big rainforest, but then I was never a great student when it came to planetary geography." She took her seat and slid it in, placing a napkin on her lap in one smooth motion. She was still wearing the apron so it was habit mostly.

"Of course there is a story, there is always a story." She gestured to the seat. "Do not let your food get cold."

Petrus eased himself down into his seat with a grin, rubbing his hands together. "Oh, don't worry. There's no chance . of that."

Petrus ate with enthusiasm, a pleased murmur escaping him at the first bite. "Mmm. These are more eggs from the farm, aren't they" He scooped up another big bite and ate it with enthusiasm.

He was still curious about the story, but maybe he needed to give a little first. "Yeah, it pretty much is. They call it Mother Jungle. Even though you can't really go in it, you can still see it, feel it..." He paused a moment, nerf bacon on his fork, smiling. "I went there with my master, more than once. He really liked it, I think."

"Yes indeed, the tastiest eggs I have had in a long time." A smile twitched at her lips as she saw him tuck in, although it was gone when he looked up.

"Mother Jungle? It sounds nice. Although I have been more of an urban jungle person. I think I would like to experience a real one, even if it is as sweaty as I imagine." Give me a nice cold glacier any day.

"So was your Master an Ithorian? Or just a traveller?" She took a few bites, pleased with how it had come out.

"Mmm, maybe we can find you a nice tundra or something. That'd probably be cool enough." He flashed her a quick grin. "Yeah, I dunno. I like cities, I've pretty much always been in them. But..." He shrugged, "-sometimes I want a little peace and quiet. Like yesterday, at Jaklu."

Petrus moved his fork around, thoroughly coating a piece of nerf bacon in yolk, before popping it into his mouth with a pleased murmur. "Wow. You're a really good cook, Xanna."

Dabbing at his lips with a napkin, Petrus shook his head. "He was a Cerean, actually. Very calm and meditative." He grinned. "And I mean on the Jedi curve. Master Kiv Donos. I don't suppose you knew him?" His eyebrows went up.

"A tundra would be nice, yes. In its absence perhaps Sloan would be willing to show us the jungles of Bankor? I should experience one at least once, I am thinking."

She did seem pleased that he was enjoying breakfast. "It took a lot of practice, but I got it in the end. Cooking is one part science and 5 parts art form, at least for me. I had a good teacher, the old Besalisk who ran this place, he was a professional chef before he came to Bankor."

Her thoughts returned to those Padawan days and she looked off into memory. "Hmm. Master Kiv Donos? No, I do not believe so. I met Master Mundi once but he is the only Cerean master that I remember."

Nodding acknowledgement, Petrus went on. "He was a really good master. Kind, patient. Put up with my endless series of jokes, even if he didn't laugh at them." A quick smile. "He wasn't a warrior like Masters Windu, or Kenobi, or Skywalker or anyone like that, so we mostly went around providing relief. It was nice." It was also nice to talk about the old times openly, with someone who'd understand.

Petrus looked down at his rapidly disappearing breakfast. "Five parts art form, huh?" For a moment, he looked thoughtful, then he looked at Xanna with a smile. "That's right, weren't you gonna tell me the story about your teacher, and how you got this place? I'm pretty sure I remember you saying you would." She hadn't. Playfully, nudged her elbow with his.

Xanna listened and reflected on her own experiences with her Master. "He sounds like a kind soul Petrus. I would have liked him I am sure."

At one point she frowned slightly. "Actually Petrus, I think that the council awarded Jedi Skywalker a seat on the Council but they did not promote him to the rank of Master. He was too inexperienced at the time, or something like that, which seems like a fair point." It was a shame though. They could really use someone like him in these dark times.

"My teacher? Well, when I arrived on Bankor I did not really know what I was doing. I ended up in the Slums and was about to get into some trouble with some sleemo street gang when this old Besalisk appears. He had two blasters and two rolling pins and the gang just runs." She smiled sweetly. "That was old Jinxue Bintang. Supposedly JB was an outlaw on the Outer Rim but reformed himself and became a master chef. There are days when I think maybe I should have asked him how to shoot as well as cook..."

Petrus smiled. "Yeah. I think you would have." And she was right about Skywalker, of course. It seemed a bit unfair, maybe a tiny bit outrageous, but hey, who was he to judge?

"JB, huh? From outlaw to chef." Petrus chuckled. "I like that. It sounds like he was a great guy." His lips quirked. "I dunno about the blasters, though. I've had friends offer to show me how, but I always can hear the masters disapproving. So uncivilized." The last was undoubtedly Kenobi, a fairly good impersonation.

Petrus was eating slower, as he filled up, and as he grew more engrossed in conversation.

"Yes, JB the outlaw chef. No one messed with him. So no one messed with me once they heard I was working for him." She sipped some water. "He taught me a lot."

As the conversation turned to Kenobi her ponytail bobbed as she nodded. "Master Kenobi would definitely say that! And I would have readily agreed, back then. For a time I thought about learning how to shoot, to fit in more on the streets. I think that ship has sailed though." These days using a lightsaber was a quick route to big problems, but to defeat Inquisitors, maybe it would help...

Petrus' lips quirked. "I bet not too many people mess with you, either." The way Xanna had stood up to the captain continued to impress him. A strength that he still wasn't sure he had.

He grinned, reclining in his chair, one arm coming up to rest on the back of it. A few more bites, though... He took one. "Yeah..." As they went from reminiscence to practicality, the smile slowly faded. "I guess there's lots of stuff that's different now. Things I'm doing I didn't imagine. Learning to blend in, avoid notice. Tell people that I'm Petrus Karath, Junior Assistant Dishwasher, instead of Petrus Karath, Jedi Padawan, and have them believe me..." He sighed. "I guess we do what we have to..." He looked curiously at Xanna; it was clear that it was at least half a question.

She watched him carefully before replying. "But why would they ever believe you Petrus? You still haven't washed a single dish..."

"Ooooh..." Petrus winced dramatically, before his hand came up to hide his grin. "Good hit, Xanna. Good hit."

He tossed his napkin dramatically down on the table. "Is it go time? My chance to shine? Time to break out the Spongemaster 9000, and show you what we can do?"

Pointing in the direction of the kitchen she said: "Goodness, you are far too excited about this. I trust you and your sponge can find your way there?" She finished her eggs and started to tidy up.

"Oh, and Petrus, do not forget to take it out of the wrapper."

Petrus shrugged. "Hey, what can I say? I'm just ready to step up and do my part. And ha ha." He grinned over his shoulder. Slowly, holding it up so she could see, he tore the plastic off.

Moving over to the kitched, after taking a moment to toss the wrapper, Petrus took a deep breath. The sink and rack were rather full... "I guess a full service kitchen does make a lot of dirty dishes, huh?" He shrugged. Well, no problem. Reaching out, he turned the knob for the faucet...

There was a creak. But no water.

Petrus cleared his throat. "Uh... Xanna? This turn on somewhere else?" He gave her a half-apologetic smile, brushing one hand back through his playfully disarrayed hair.

Over her shoulder she said: "Ha ha, you are being very funny." Gathering up the breakfast plates she brought them through and placed them beside the others.

"Lots of work there for you now Mr Turbo 9000. You will need water and cleaning liquid though. I feel that someone with your experience level might find these to be useful details." She winked and walked off to check on the supplies.

Petrus couldn't help but smile at the wink. A tactical error. It meant that she was too far away before he could object. "Xanna, wait..." But she was already gone.

Frowning, he turned the know a few more times. Creak, creak. And just a creak of metal, not of pressure. Petrus looked at the fresh dishes, and down at his dry sponge. "Kriff." He murmured.

Well... nothing to it. Kneeling down, he turned onto his back, sliding under the sink, his legs sticking out into the kitchen. Even without tools, he could still check valves... he began doing so, fingers tapping and twisting against the pipes.

A few minutes later she returned from the storeroom, tapping info into her datapad. "So, how is the new sponge? Are you managing... Oh. That is not dishwashing. That is not dishwashing at all! Did you break my sink?"

Her left hip raised a little as she shifted her weight. A hand moved to her hip and she threw a look at him. Or his legs anyway.

"Uh... hey Xanna." Petrus peered out from underneath the sink. He paused a moment, taking a breath. In fact, at this angle, he was looking at her legs, too, and the expressive curve of her hip. Eventually his eyes made their way up to her face; Petrus grinned as he as The Look.

"I," Petrus began, an innocent expression on his face, "-did not break your sink. One of the valves is stuck. Over here." He reached up, tapping the pipe with one finger.

He looked up at her again. "Have you got any tools? And hydrogrease? I think we can fix this pretty quick."