[Day 4, EM] For the best soup, you need Bones

[Xanna Teevou]

The early avian catches the invertebrate. At least that was what she thought her Xenology teacher had said back at the temple. The important thing was to get up and get on with it.

Locking up the shop, Xanna took a walk. The good thing about the Slums was that, once you were known to be useful, they looked out for their own. It was all about rep.

If they were going to continue to take on the might of the Empire the Jays were going to need allies. Master Hin was always making the point that diplomacy came first, so Xanna decided it was time to track down someone she was sure could be convinced to help them. After all, she had given him a personal warning. Also he liked her stew. Finding him would be the trick, but someone here would know.

So she started speaking to her people. Did anyone know where the Bone King had gone?

[Dapper Dog]

An old man that visits the soup kitchen when he can was sitting outside a small shack. He said he used to be a soldier and then a local security officer but due to his bad leg he couldn’t work and now lives off the kindness of others. The old twi’lek scratched at his light blue skin and waved at Xanna and said, “Why you look as pretty as sunflower, miss, what brings you out of the kitchen?”

[Xanna Teevou]

Helping people like this old twi'lek was what had kept her hope alive in these dark times. She flashed him a smile of recognition and walked over to sit with him.

"Why thank you Chib, it is lovely to see you. How is that knee? Not giving you too much trouble I hope?"

It did not look as if anyone else was around, or cared particularly. She leaned in a little. "Actually, I am hoping for some help with a certain matter. You know how much I like to help people around here, but in these days" she threw a look up towards the Star Destroyer, "it is not as simple as it once was. I am looking for someone who might be able to help the people more than he realises. I am hoping to find where the Bone King has gone. I know that he has other names, and was once a gangster, but I have a good feeling about him." She shrugged, maybe it sounded silly but allies were rarely what you expected.

[Dapper Dog]

“Well young miss, the knee is acting funny… just means the rains are coming, I reckon,” he said with a gap toothed pointy smile.

“Bless them rains.”

“Now the Bone King, well I was playing cards with Juyti, one of them Aznuri, he’s a cheat but he’s good people. Anyways did I mention that I used to be a soldier, did some fighting but was too old when them Clone Wars started or I would have given them Confederates what for, called me Barn Side Chib they did, wasn’t the best shot but with enough blasting I made do.”

He scratched hi chin and said, “Now where was I… oh yes Juyti tells me them Bone Pickers moved out to the wound in them deserts. Probably around that town where them outlaws be holing up, guess Juyti used to run spice and booze for the King. King ain’t no friend of the Imps, I tell you what, bet his people even less so now.”

[Xanna Teevou]

Xanna nodded encouragingly and placed a hand on his arm. "You know the best cure for aching joints is a proper Nerf bone broth. I will bring you some. 'Barn Side Chib', now that is quite the nickname my friend. You would have sent those droids packing I know it."

She thought back to her trips to the Wound with the Resistance and with Daunt a few weeks back. "Juyti was a spice and booze runner? I suppose we all have our secrets. Do you happen to know where this town of outlaws is located Chib? I think I will make up a special batch of Nerf Stew for them. You know what I say? Kriff the Imps." She smiled affectionately at the old twi'lek.

[Dapper Dog]

"I reckon Juyti has told me enough times about it, it's supposed to be a secret but he is about as bad as them fish wives at keepin' secrets," he replied and then gave his best explanation of the location.

[Xanna Teevou]

She smiled encouragement and listened carefully, pulling out her datapad and making notes. Once he was finished she patted his arm.

"Thank you so much Chib. I really appreciate your help. Now you have a lovely day and I will be making you some broth for those joints of yours." It seemed that if you gave a little, you got a lot.

[Dapper Dog]

"You are just the sweetest, young miss," he said with a nod and then continued doing his old man on the stoop thing.

[Xanna Teevou]

"And you are a charmer, Barn Door Chib." With a wave she set off back to the kitchen to prepare. It seemed Nerf bone broth was going to be on the menu.

Screen wipe
/end scene