Shadows of Bankor

What did you do after breaking a bunch of people out of an Imperial prison camp, meeting new Jedi, and then watching some bizarre holo-show?

In Xanna's case there was a kitchen to run, but the return to normalcy was quite unexpectedly jarring. She spent a few minutes calming her thoughts with meditation (although if previous days were anything to go by, maybe not that calming) before getting down to the business of preparing the next day's meals. Perhaps there would be an influx of hungry ex-prisoners?

It looked like bullgoat stew leftovers, curried bullgoat, and Jaklu vegetables. Maybe a chicken ramen with noodles and fresh eggs? She busied herself with preparation, signing some songs from her childhood as she moved around the kitchen.

Soup. Soup was needed, now more then ever. Bowze could smell the aroma of the spices nearly as soon as he stepped into the building itself.

It smelled delicious.

''Good morning Miss Xanna''

"Good morning Bowse, it is so nice of you to come and help this morning." She looked over from where she was preparing spices for the bullgoat curry.

"How are you today?" Especially after yesterday's events. The Nemoidisn was proving to be very reliable. Unlike a certain red haired human...

''I cannot complain.'' he said ''I needed a good night sleep and a few glasses after the events of yesterday.''

He looked over the area

''Where do you need me today?''

"Of course, I think we all did my friend. Although my version of glasses was a fruit smoothie." And another shower after that vision...

"Would you like to help with preparing some vegetables today?" At this rate he was going to be Liua's assistant by the end of the week.

''I am quite fine with cutting the vegetables'' he said with a nod ''I warn you that I might not be the fastest with a knife though.''

Looking around the kitchen he rolled his sleeves and moved to the sink to wash his hands

''What is on the menu today?''

"Thank you Bowse, that will be very helpful." She gestured to the spices. "I am making the rest of that bullgoat into a curry. Then we still have leftover stew. Grilled vegetable salad, and a ramen I think."

There was a gentle push on the front door as if someone were testing whether or not the door was locked. As it gave way a green face popped itself into the room and looked around.

"Saw the lights still on... You all still open?" the man asked with his body still halfway out in the street.

Xanna looked over and recognized the Mirialan from a few days ago. "Oh yes, come in, welcome!" She washed her hands and went over to greet him.

"You came in a few days ago, yes? Liua said she took you somewhere. I hope you found what you were looking for?" She gestured around with both hands. "With everything that has happened recently I thought I would stay open late. Bowse and I are preparing for tomorrow but there is plenty of food. We have bullgoat stew, Jaklu bread and Cramberry smoothies ready to go."

"Oh yeah? That's mighty kind of you. And yeah, Liua was super helpful. She's a keeper." He said with a nod and a smile.

He glanced at the woman's face for an extra second as if something was misfiring in his brain, but quickly realized he didn't want to be staring at the nice lady so he found himself a seat.

"Name's Rannek. Would you happen to be the Miss Xanna lady who I hear is in charge of this joint?"

"Well, we do try to bring a little kindness to this place. Liua is becoming a real fixture here, I am glad she could help you Rannek." She went off to get him a bowl of stew and a large chunk of bread before the stare could register.

"Yes, I am Xanna Teevou. It is nice to meet you. Are you new in town?" She kept up the conversation while returning to prepare the spices for the curry.

"Yup... got in that day you saw me. Had a bit of an unfortunate run-in like lots of folks did that mornin'. Was lookin' for the kid of a woman who didn't end up makin' it." He took the first bite of his food.

"Been a lot of that the past few days, eh? It always this hot here?"

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Ah yes. This Inquisitor seemed to be busy harassing people that morning. Oh." The meaning behind the description filtered through. Didn't make it. It was hard to parse the idea of Valus doing these things, but it was what it was.

"Yes. There has been a lot. And yes, this city is like an oven. I recommend taking a trip to Jaklu on the coast. It is much milder there." She finished grinding spices and started to marinade the bullgoat. "For a Pantoran I am feeling like Bankor is just a sauna. I might have to visit the ice caps one day to cool down again."

“I actually went to Jaklu today... heard it was a bit quieter. Was a nice change of pace. Went into those hot springs they got out there... felt cooler than walking down the street here.” He chuckled.

“So you born here on Bankor? Commander lady said you knew most everyone.”

"Onions and potatoes done" Bowze chimed in, eyes red...very red...and humid.

"What other vegetables go into the curry?"

He hoped it was not more onions

"Thank you Bowse. There are some Jaklu bluebeets that will work nicely. Just be careful, they will stain your clothes so wear an apron." Everything was set out on one of the other counters.

Rannek Nire wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:15 am

“I actually went to Jaklu today... heard it was a bit quieter. Was a nice change of pace. Went into those hot springs they got out there... felt cooler than walking down the street here.” He chuckled.

“So you born here on Bankor? Commander lady said you knew most everyone.”

"Oh goodness yes, the sea breeze helps very much. But, no, I was born on Pantoria. I arrived here a few years ago and found myself at the heart of this community. The former owner treated me like a daughter, and no one messed with him." She shrugged. "So I know most everyone, yes, and they treat me as though I was born here."

"Well that's great. Never easy going and trying to settle down somewhere. I should know... This is my third... nah fourth place in the past few years."

"Oh goodness me. Then you have seen a lot of places." She gave him a curious look. "What was is it like. Out there?" She looked up even though they could not see the sky. "I did travel for a time, but that feels like a lifetime ago."

She looked over towards the Nemoidian. "Do you need any help Bowze? I am going to have to promote you at this rate." She threw him a warm smile. She had taken to him, he was kind.

"It's... varied. Some good, lots of bad. I'm still lookin' for that place to set up camp for a while." He looked over to the Nemoidian and then back to Xanna.

"Where you been? Maybe we've seen some of the same places?"

"Oh. Well... I had a good friend on Devaron and spent some time there. Umbara, Bardotta, Malastare, lots of places." She had seen more worlds than she wanted to remember. "So, what do you do Rannek?"

"Been to Malastare once... been a long time though... almost 10 years or so probably..." He said as he tried to find some connection for polite conversation.

"I'm a bit of a freelance... uhhh... Well mercenary is probably the best way to say it actually. Wish there was something a bit more tactful than that... but yeah... I go around and try and use the very few skills I have to help people out in need. Bodyguard work, petty bounties, protecting villages from predators and stuff..."

Ten years ago she was almost 10 and ensconced in the Temple on Devaron. She tapped her chin as he spoke.

"It sounds like your mercenary work has certain principles. More so than the name usually implies anyway. You protect people. So we both help other beings, in our own way." She gave a nod, it made sense to her at least. "Do you think you will stay on Bankor long?"

He tilted his head, "I dunno... It's pretty dangerous around here. Guy like me doesn't necessarily run from danger... but certain types of danger are a bit too... uhh... dangerous, if you know what I mean."

He paused, "I mean... day one I get off the ship and get dragged into an interrogation with that Inquisitor dude asking me about some Jedi or something... Right now all that's keepin' me here is that lady who he killed's little boy that needs someone to help look after him."

She nodded. The arrival of the Star Destroyer could attest to that. "It has been getting more dangerous, this is the truth. And I do know what you mean. I stood up to an Imperial Captain, and got away with it, but he was not happy and I doubt I will be so fortune a second time."

His talk about the Inquisitor drew a solemn expression from her. Oh Valus. Why? "Yes. I have heard of this one's single minded obsession. Many were questioned. It is kind of you to look out for this boy though Rannek. There are many orphans on these streets, but there is also much kindness if one knows where to look."

He nodded, “People keep sayin’ I’m such a nice guy for what I’m doin’... But really it’s such a small thing. There are so many others doing so much more around here... Don’t know why they don’t get the same praise as others.”

He sighed, “I wonder if this Jedi dude is even real... or just an excuse to put people under their thumb. The Jedi I knew as a kid probably wouldn’t just sit around while everyone else around them suffered. Self-sacrifice was their thing... So if they aren’t showing up to protect the regular folks who are dying in their place... maybe that means that they just aren’t around... Makes me wonder if the Empire will ever stop... I mean if they’re doing this without a real Jedi around... they’ll do anything.”