>>5552320>>One takeout order later, the nearby public park…It’s a dangerous time for Jedi. Even more so for anyone matching the description of those in attendance for the Kessel Conclave. If you were the Empire, you’d put out an interdiction on any and all ships around the trade route. Given that Bultar Swan and Tsui Choi were late to the party, they’d have to work doubly hard to make it to Rion. A human and Aleena make for very distinctive travelling companions, and redirection via the Force can only get one so far.
The bad news is that Swan and Choi commit the cardinal sin of being <span class="mu-i">early</span> to the rendezvous point, and throw the perfectly-constructed timetable out the window.
The good news is that they make it relatively unscathed, and the Rionish authorities and the Empire make no notice of them.
The pair of them certainly…look the part of vacationers. Swan at least looks somewhat inconspicuous with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, halter top, sarong-shorts combination, and a pair of flip-flops. Nary a lightsaber in sight, but you’d bet that it’s easily within reach. Alas, Master Choi’s…choice of clothing looks so stereotypically <span class="mu-i">tourist</span> that it bends straight back around to being inconspicuous.
“Dark blue and orange floral print doesn’t suit you, Master Choi,” you say, guiding them to the picnic table, just as Ceyla finishes assembling a late lunch. “And if I were to make an educated guess, the fanny pack has your ‘saber?”
Swan laughs, but there’s no missing the tinge of hysteria at the edge of her voice. “Hey, you try coordinating a vacation outfit at the last minute!”
You have. Multiple times. One does not experience (suffer) an apprenticeship with Brethon Larid without plans being made at the literal drop of a hat, and missions that require drastically different wardrobes. The <span class="mu-i">Bantha’s</span> armory contains just as much costumes as it does weapons and other combat instruments.
But you don’t say any of these things. Dropping the flippant act, you clasp their hands together. “It’s good to see you in person. I wish the circumstances had been better, but…here we are.”
Ceyla punctuates the moment by offering them sandwiches. They are gratefully accepted as they settle down at the table.
“I’m afraid that I know your master more than you, Gaelle,” Choi muses, “And only by reputation. But the feeling is very mutual. It is good to see you. I’m glad to know that more of us survived than I initially feared.”
“No thanks to Potkin.” Swan drops the easy-going smile, sighing as she pinches the bridge of her nose. She takes a very long swing of bottled blue milk, grimacing as she shudders. “…I almost didn’t want to believe it. Because that would’ve meant…”
That she was leading Choi into a trap as she was Potkin's point of contact. And that they and the others were bait to lure in Vader. But that’s water under the bridge. They're both victims.
(cont.)
