Shadows of Bankor

They had watched the arrival of the Dictator over Rygor and now it sat over the city, looming, ominous, powerful. It seemed like as good a time to leave as any.

Xanna had packed a few things including lunch, of which she made sure to bring plenty. Bone Town sounded like the sort of place that lacked a good kitchen, although she wasn't that interested in a franchise...

The journey through the desert gave her plenty of time to talk with Mia before they reached the settlement. Despite the star destroyer it felt like things were going their way today.

"Where were you before you came to Bankor Mia? It sounded like you have been to many places."

(OOC: Hired a Speeder for 25 credits)

That had been big, she had seen ships before but that was on a whole different scale to anything she had seen before. They had made a big victory that morning but could they really fight against an Empire that could bring such huge weapons to bear. It was almost as big as the city well it seemed like it at least.

She took a deep drag as tried to consider just what all of this meant. It had been a wild few days… this couldn’t be normal and yet it seemed very normal.

It did indeed seem normal. Years of just trying to get by. Waiting patiently for news. Making a life, crafting a cover. Then, boom! Liua and Petrus rocked up in her world and it was time to take on the Empire. Her old Master used to say that life was like waiting at a speeder stop. Long periods of nothing and then three turned up at once...

"Had you heard of this 'Bone King' before, Liua?" Suddenly it seemed as if everyone in the Slums knew. Of course that was probably because no one liked to admit being surprised by such news. It was not 'street' or 'cool' or whatever they were saying.

“Not really, think he used to be a gangster maybe?” she said to Xanna.

She nodded at that information. "It would be a good place for a gangster to hide out I suppose? You will always know when someone is coming to visit." She thought back to Master Saarth's lessons on criminals and the underworld. It had been a bit too much like book learning, she was better at spotting them in the real world.

"Been all over," Mia answered. She looked up at the sky and then to the actual person who deserved to be called 'kid.' She glanced over at Xanna, a little confused, and then shrugged. "I'm from Chandrila. Was there for most of my life.

"So is Astin, by the way. We could have asked him to give us a ride."

"Chandrila? I knew a Chandrilan, years ago." Before the dark times. Before the Empire. "Was it Athletics that took you all over? I...have seen a few places too." Of course most of them were war zones.

She snorted when Astin was mentioned. "I have already been locked up with that human today thank you very much. Twenty five credits to not listen to observations about the galactic prevalence of breasts sounds a fair price." Her eyes rolled. "I am sure he has redeeming qualities, but after this morning I think I will wait a little while before I try to find them."

The two chat as they arrive at the gates for bone town and after some brief words they are shown to the King and his court of bandits.

"Well now, this should be interesting." She gave Liua a significant look. "Remember we are here to make friends. Jays need all the friends we can find these days."

As they approached the King Xanna drew herself up to be as poised as she could. She even gave a little curtsey in the way of the Pantorian nobility. "Good afternoon, thank you for seeing us."

"Aw shucks, did you think I'd do any differently?" Mia asked as they headed inside.

The tall blonde followed suit. She wasn't familiar with the curtsy herself but it seemed like the right thing for her to do.

"So you have come to me, yes? Welcome such pretty faces, how can the King be of service?" he offered.

Xanna gave him a polite smile and touched a hand to her heart. "Thank you for seeing us. My name is Xanna Teevou and I run the #1 Friendly Soup Kitchen in Rygor's Slums. These are my friends, Liua and Mia." She introduced the others with a gesture.

"We heard that you are in charge of this settlement and the Shattered Graveyards. So we came to ask your permission to occasionally look for look for salvage and perhaps visit your town from time to time."

She looked back towards the city. "We also thought to warn you about the Imperials. They attacked the Aznuri last night and seem to be looking for excuses to show off their weapons and war machines. I expect you are reasonably safe, but still."

The King leaned back and then said, “Yes we have heard of the attack and now they have brought one of their ships down to guard the city. We are… prepared if they decide to come for us.”

“Though perhaps they will be busy chasing them sorcerers running around the city, yes?”

She raised an eyebrow at the preparedness comment. "It is very good to hear that you have a contingency plan. I think you are correct. They do seem very focused on chasing the space wizards." She could not help but say it with a tinge of amusement. "For now at least."

"But why speak of terrible things, what have you brought for me?" he asked.

"If I may," Mia added, "Perhaps it would be wise to do this 'contingency plan' early when the time comes." The blonde glanced at her Pantoran ally. "Perhaps, if trouble were to start for the Empire, there would be opportunity in it."

Xanna nodded at Mia's suggestion. "Opportunities, yes. Especially if you knew the right people." She gave a significant look at her blonde friend.

"But what have we brought for you?" She picked up the two large flasks. "Fresh nerf stew cooked by my own fair hands. All ingredients farmed in Jaklu. I would be happy to bring you more good food if that would be of interest?"

Mianerra Tavvos wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2020 11:07 pm

"If I may," Mia added, "Perhaps it would be wise to do this 'contingency plan' early when the time comes." The blonde glanced at her Pantoran ally. "Perhaps, if trouble were to start for the Empire, there would be opportunity in it."

"If you mean hitting Empire in their nethers, I am on board, yes, yes," he said warmly.

"Let me try this stew," he gestured for her to come forward.

She walked forwards and pulled out a cup that she poured some of the hot stew into. It smelled delicious.

"Here my King, please see if this agrees with you. There can plenty more if you wish it."

He tasted it and smiled, "This will do, it is quite good, I taste bullgoat.... and a hint of jabba root just like me ma used to do. This one I like."

"I'll be sure to keep you informed then," Mia said, "This needs to be a coordinated effort instead of us going in one by one."

She then smirked at Xanna.

"You'll have to prepare plenty of soup."

She laughed musically. "Well I suppose I will. It is a good job I have some experience in that regard."

A brief smile for the King. "Your taste buds do not deceive you. That jabba root really makes the flavour profile stand out. Plus a little Besalisk twelve-spice."

The King was pleased and said, "This is good, very good."

"I am pleased, as long as you keep me well fed."

Xanna nodded with a hint of amusement. "Then it shall be so. We will take a look around your ship graveyard and I will keep you well fed."

She looked back towards the city. "And hopefully the Imperials will keep out of everyone's business. Although, unfortunately, I do not believe that is in their nature."