A Jedi's Day Off

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey smiled and laughed as Locke carried on the mock argument.
"A master of deception huh? Then what was all that stumbling around about with the last exchange?" Tey laughed with an obvious glee at finding someone that enjoyed what many had come to call play fighting and carried on the conversation with his own fake insult "Oh I know I had you with that last swipe! Otherwise you wouldn't have felt the need to suck in that gut of yours or even trip over your own feet!".

Tey looked up at the ceiling, making it seem like he was considering Locke's generous offer, and then exaggeratedly shook his head making his lekku reach for Locke. "No, I think Locke- 0.25 and Tey- 0.75 sounds better. Seeing as I lost two Masters and all. Oh, and I admit to having an ego by the way but, atleast mine isn't as big as yours" Tey said in a obnoxiously childish tone after which he smiled and laughed.

"Y'know, I don't if I've had this much fun since Master Sidus! and to be honest I'm getting a bit hungry, how about you?" Tey looked at Locke with an embarassed look on his face as a moment later his stomach made a growling sound fit for a Wookiee.

[Rugs]

"Now you wait just a minute," Locke said at Tey's counter to his claims of deception. "That stumbling was an advanced unexpected retreat, I'll have you know, and it's a very complicated thing to do, and easy to mess up. What's more, I pulled my stomach in for dramatic effect. Clearly you lack the taste for artful fighting with a lightsaber." Locke laughed. Nothing like a good verbal fight, even if it is a little... silly. When he had first met Tey he hadn't been sure how they'd get along. In fact, Locke hadn't really expected to get on with Tey nearly as well as he was. But now, he saw a new friend in Tey, and felt that the new friendship would last for a long while to come.

Locke laughed even more when Tey claimed that Locke was the one with the bigger ego, shaking his head in an over-the-top fashion. "An ego I may have Tey, but trust me, it's nothing compared to yours." He shook his finger at Tey. "You children and your thinking that you're better than Everyone. For shame."

Locke smiled at Tey's comment on how much fun he was having, and at the suggestion to get some food. "Yes, this has been a good time, hasn't it? And as far as food is concerned, what do you have in mind? Somewhere out in the city?"

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey laughed as Locke reiterated how advanced his unexpected and complicated retreat was as well as making comments about Tey's ego with an exaggerated mocking tone and shook his finger at Tey pretending to scold him.

Then agreeing that food was in order Locke asked what he had in mind and the possiblity of eating out on the town was an option that Tey didn't miss. Tey thought about taking Locke up on eating out of the Jedi Temple but, then realized that he didn't have any money. He'd originally planned to eat here in the Temple anyway.
"Well....I'd like to but, I don't have any money and I was just planning on getting something from the Temple's cafeteria. However, if you're treating then I'll take you up on your offer to eat out" Tey said getting up with an obvious smile and a you know you want to look in his eyes.
"I don't get out very much to be honest, there's really no reason for me to leave the temple yet, seeing as I don't have a Master. Besides the other Masters kinda look down on Padawan's exploring outside the temple without someone to accompany them" Tey said honestly and shrugging. The Togruta looked to Locke and awaited his decision with the best puppy face he could manage and inwardly tried not to laugh.

[Rugs]

"No reason to get out? To learn the ways of the galaxy, my friend." Locke was truly a little surprised at Tey's admission of not getting out of the Temple. Although I shouldn't be. He's got to train himself now that he's masterless. "You need to know the common people if you're going to protect them. Doesn't do much good to try to protect people you can't understand. Or least, that's my philosophy on the subject. Besides, you won't always have a master to hold your hand, now will you? But the Masters will hold their views, and there's not much to be done about it, I suppose."

Locke chuckled, shaking his head a bit at Tey's faces. "Look, I'll pay for you're food, but the faces aren't really helping you." He stood up, stretching and laughing. "I mean, I know you're joking and all, but the uh... puppy look doesn't really suit you." Locke went over to where he left his things when the two had entered the room. He threw his cloak around his shoulders, and hung his satchel across from his body from his left shoulder. He looked at Tey and smiled mischievously. "Well don't just stand there with a stupid look on your face. Let's go." With that he turned and walked out of the room, laughing as he went.

He paused out in the hallway as he waited for Tey and looked out of one of the great windows. Night had fallen. Locke smiled. My favorite time of day. Coruscant was a magnificent place at night. The sights, the smells, the crazy people that were about... Locke loved it. This will be fun.

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey smiled and rubbed the back of his head as Locke told him that he'd pay for his food but, the puppy look didn't really suit him. Then Locke was up and gathering his things and telling Tey to quit standing around. With that Tey jogged out into the hallway where Locke was waiting with a smile on his face.

"Are you sure I don't do a good puppy face? I mean you gave in pretty easily back there" Tey said chidingly and nudging his friend in the shoulder as they walked down the Temples halls.
"So, where are we going to eat? All I've ever had is Temple food, well that and the rations they give you when you go out on a mission. Oh by the way, I might get to become a Knight soon, I've been scheduled to take the Trials! They haven't set a date yet though" Tey said with an obvious bounce in his step "I just found out today in fact". Tey looked out the windows they passed and admired the city beyond.

"So, you've been out in the city, what's the night life like? Anything I should be prepared for?" Tey asked as they continued their walk.

[Rugs]

Locke grinned as the two made their way through the corridors to exit the Temple. "Well, there's this one place out in the lower levels of the city that I frequent. It's a cantina. Got a few contacts there actually. It's a little seedy, but as long as you keep your wits about you, you should be fine." He looked out through the windows once more as the two continued down through a hall, and then turned into a stairwell.

He nodded as Tey asked about the nightlife on Coruscant. "Well,it really depends on where you are. Some areas are pretty normal, and others can be dangerous if you get careless. Where we're going is somewhere towards the middle of the spectrum. But, as with any big city, there's always the potential to run into a loony here or there." Locke rubbed the back of his neck; he was still a little sore from his duel with Tey. "And Locke's rule for being out in a city at night is this: Always expect the unexpected." He grimaced right after he said it. "I know it's cliched, but it's really the best general advice I can give. Nothing bad is likely to happen, especially since we are quite noticeably Jedi," he motioned at their robes. "Butit's always good to be prepared, so you aren't caught unawares."

[Cirith An'Gol]

"Ok, but, I was wondering about....well" Tey Shaak wondered if he should even bring it up, it was rediculous to think about since the Jedi forbade emotional attachments. Nevertheless when Tey Shaak wasn't studying, practicing or sparring the subject always came up in his head. Women. Tey Shaak didn't know any personally and he'd heard alot of stories about the night life of Coruscant but, he didn't know if any were true.
Tey began to get a rosey tint to his cheeks, barelly perceptible due to his orange skin but, it was there, as he thought of the stories he'd heard.
"Well....you see, I've heard....stories ..about the night life and....ah..nevermind, I shouldn't be thinking about that anyway" Tey Shaak shook his head as if he were trying to get something off of it."A Jedi has to be in control of both his mind and body, if one falters so will the other" Tey Shaak said to himself more than to Locke.

He'd been out of the Temple before, so why was it affecting him this way now? Then Tey realised as he walked with Locke down the stairs and into the huge lobby that this would be his first time out of the Temple at this hour. Tey shrugged off the improper thoughts and tried to think of something else to ask about. After a few minutes Tey had calmed and said "So, who are the contacts you were talking about?". Tey felt ashamed for his behavior just a few short minutes ago and hoped that Locke hadn't noticed.

[Rugs]

The only thing Locke could do in response to Tey's awkardness wad to throw his head back and guffaw. "That's funny. Got some thoughts of the more, uh... risque aspects of the night, Tey?" He said this in a matter that made it plain he was teasing Tey, and then chuckled some more to himself for a few moments. "Don't worry, I'll be there to be sure that you stay in control of yourself completely, especially your body." Locke burst into laughter again, as the two exited the Temple. "Ah, don't worry Tey, I'm just playing with you." He wiped a tear from his left eye. "But you are funny."

The night air was comfortable, with just the barest touch of chill to it. A strong wind blew, and Locke's cloak flew out to his left, the direction the wind was blowing, completely revealing the symbol of the Order that was embroidered in cream thread on the back. "I doubt my contacts would appreciate me telling who they are," he replied to Tey's question. "Nothing personal, mind you, it's just business. Suffice to say that they come from various circles: freighters, gang members, merchants, security personnel, anyone with a bit of information to share. However, one of the requisites to me getting information from them is that they remain anonymous. Some of them could get in trouble with their superiors for ratting out to me, so they ask to remain hidden. And I honor that request." He shrugged. "Like I said, nothing against you, just the way things work. Although, we might run into a few while we're out, so if they reveal themselves to me while you're along, it's on them."

Locke looked around scanning the skies for a vehicle. "Now, we need a taxi. I don't particularly like the the thought of walking t our destination. It'd take a week."

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey blushed as Locke saw right through his sloppy attempts of covering up what he was thinking about. Locke simply laughed it off, telling him that he'd be right there if anything should happen. Well, atleast he understands.. Tey thought as they hailed a taxi.

"I understand that, otherwise you would've used a different word than "contacts", I'm sure. I appreciate you just sweeping that under the rug too by the way. I used to get in trouble with the teachers when I was still in the academy because I was..." Tey thought for a moment, scrunching his nose up as he tried to think of the term the teachers had used "I believe they said I was too.. "carefree" around members of the opposite sex. I didn't understand what they meant then, I mean, I was a product of my race and my parents love. How was I supposed to know there are rules for casual conversations when it comes to girls?" Tey shook his head and laughed a little recalling an incident "I think I understand what they meant now though. They didn't want anything to happen to any of us. Including being tempted with our own natural desires. Anyway, lets move onto something else...I think this'll lead to a very uncomfortable conversation".

"So, where are we going? You said it'd take a long time to get there on foot and that you might run into some of your contacts" Tey's eyes widened and then he recalled some of the contacts day jobs and sighing, his face took on a "oh well" expression.
"You're taking me to a cantina aren't you? make me learn about the people I'm going to save sometime? and here I thought you weren't gonna rub that in my face" Getting into the taxi Tey hoped he was wrong and that Locke had something else in mind.

[Rugs]

Locke laughed as Tey spoke of his past experiences with the more... amorous side of life. He decided that further talk of the subject could lead to awkwardness, and decided to let it go. Although he laughed at the thought of Tey being reprimanded for the subject. It's something we all deal with. I'm sure he'll handle it fine. And if not... Locke started to laugh again.

"Well, Tey, We're going to a place called the Star's End Cantina. Truly, it's not that far away, at least on a map, but given the layout of the city, it would take a very long while to get to where we're going." Locke turned to the taxi driver as he shut finished climbing in and said, "You hear? We're going to the Star's End." The driver nodded curtly and Locke returned his attention back to Tey as the craft went off into the night.

"And no, I'm not taking you to meet the people that you will spend your life protecting, per say, but I think you do need to get out of the Temple and see what life is really like." Locke looked out of the window on his side of the small craft and smiled a bit. "Living in the Temple is well and good, but you develop a somewhat distorted view on the real world. Not everywhere is as nice as the Temple; few places are, and the almost no one acts like Jedi. Well, except for other Jedi." Locke turned back to Tey and laughed. "And I barely act like a Jedi. But, really, it's good to get used to the ways of the galaxy, so you won't have any major culture shock when you're out on your own." Locke thought about the picture he was painting of the galaxy he must have been painting and quickly added "Not that I'm saying the galaxy is some kind of festering hellhole or something like that... You know what I mean."


Locke sighed before continuing. "But ultimately, I'm taking you there because you suggested getting something to eat, and it happens to be my favorite place to eat." He shrugged again. "So I figured, why not?"

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey smiled and shook his head as a relief of sorts washed over him I knew it! He is taking me to a cantina. Y'know come to think of it, I've never been in a cantina before.

Tey looked out the window on his side and watched as they flew over building after building and tried not to stare at the drivers they flew beside. The dress code at the temple was pretty much the Jedi robes and modest clothing. Even as they flew towards the Star's End Cantina Tey Shaak had the feeling that pretty much anything went when it came to clothing and hair styles. This was reinforced when he looked at the people driving the various speeders and other ships as they flew through the sky lanes.

Which only made matters worse as Tey's imagination filled in what some of those clothing and hair styles might be, both for men and women. Tey shivered as he thought of a man wearing skin tight leathers and quickly shifted his gaze to the front to distact himself, and watched as people zoomed in and out of the sky lanes, without seeming regard for anybody else in their lane or for themselves. At that Tey found himself muttering louder than he intended "How do people survive flying from one end of the city to the other!?"

As Tey looked back on his side window he found a human male with black hair and peircings all over his face staring at him through his speeder window and squishing his mouth into a small "O" over and over again. Tey laughed hard, thinking the man was just being silly but, in truth the man probably had too much to drink and took Tey as a female Togruta instead of his true male gender. Tey Shaak pulled on Locke's cloak laughing and pointed at the driver beside them, the man with the peircings. "He's pretty weird huh Locke?".

As they neared the Star's End Cantina Tey asked "So, Locke, what can I expect to see in the Star's End? I mean, should I be prepared for anything in particular?".

[Rugs]

Locke laughed at the strange man making the faces in the speeder Tey was pointing at. "Yeah, he's a strange case, though I've seen weirder. You think Coruscant can be bad? Just try Nar Shadaa." Locke let a fake shiver run over him. "And, I'm not just saying that because it's my homeworld, either. Crazy stuff there."

Locke considered Tey's question for a while, looking out into the city as he thought. He watched the life on the ground; he saw people out enjoying the night: a pair of Twi'lek's walking with their arms entwined, a group of children playing outside of an apartment under the watch of what he assumed was their caretaker. He smiled to himself. At least they can have a happy childhood, without the fear of gangs ruining it. I'll make sure of that.

After a long moment had passed, he had become so entranced in watching the nightlife, he had forgotten about Tey's question. He was jolted back to remembrance when the taxi abruptly took a turn and started to head for the lower levels of the city. We must be close. Locke turned to Tey, hoping he hadn't noticed his lapse in attention. "Let's see... There's nothing to really worry about. These robes we're wearing will keep all but either the dumbest or drunkest fools away, and they're usually fairly easily disuaded before things turn violent." The taxi started to decelerate, pulling in by a wide, two level building with. Light poured out of the windows of the two floors, and the building was covered in neon signs, the largest of which read 'The Star's End Cantina' in huge blue letters. Busy night, Locke thought as he fished some credits out of his satchel to give to the driver.

As he stepped out, stretching, he added one more thing to what he had told Tey. "Oh, occasionally gang leaders will be here. You'll know if we're approached by one by their attitude. They're all the same: arrogant, act like the galaxy revolves around them. You'll know, trust me. If that happens, be polite. Take whatever insults they may throw at you in stride, and try to ignore them. If anyone's gonna be an insolent idiot, let it be me, I've had plenty of practice over the years. Trust me. We could take them in a fight yes, but an angry gang is not one of the things you want to have on your enemy list, got it? They can make trouble, even for Jedi." Locke clasped his hand on Tey's shoulder. "But, that usually doesn't happen, so you shouldn't have to worry about it. Just keep your head on straight and you'll be fine."

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey nodded as Locke told him of gang leaders sometimes inhabiting the establishment and how to deal with them. Tey looked the building up and down, trying to determin if this was one of the nicer places in the Lower District. Tey looked around as they walked towards the entrance, in bright blue neon lettering the building advertised it's name and every three minutes or so a hologram would advertise the band that was playing for the night.

Tonight the band that was playing was a Human and Twi'lek band called The New Divide or something like that. The music boomed and Tey was surprised he could understand the majority of the words even from 10 feet away from the entrance. After a few minutes of singing the pounding music started up again and cheers arose as the song reached it's apex.

Well, maybe this won't be as bad as I thought Tey thought as he found himself tapping his hand on his hip to the beat. Tey found himself walking in step with Locke as the approached the entrance even as he looked around the street and taking in the people walking around. Suddenly his senses sounded an alarm in his head and he leapt back missing the poor blue female Twi'lek by bare inches. To his shame he'd almost run into her while he gawked at everthing. There were so many sights, sounds and smells to take in.
"Oh, uh..I'm sorry miss" Tey said trying not to stare, the twi'lek girl wore a white dress cloak that only seemed to enhance her figure.

"Oh, it's certainly alright young man, no harm done" Tey Shaak almost blanched, she didn't look any older than he was and yet she called him young man, not "sir", "mister" or even take note of his race. She simply smiled and asked "is this your first night out on the town?". When Tey didn't responde and simply shook his head in the affirmative, she just giggled and said "Well, enjoy your night" before walking on. It was only then that he saw the dark green Twi'lek male that held her arm in a romantic fashion. Suddenly embarassed at his actions, Tey looked at Locke sheepishly and said "Smoothe huh?".

[Rugs]

Locke laughed at Tey's predicament. "So smooth, my friend." The two moved deeper into the cantina. A haze of smoke pushed at the ceiling of one of the main rooms, though the ceiling was high, so there wouldn't be too much danger of inhaling something toxic. Locke spotted a table over the stairwell up to the second floor, where there weren't too many people. Got Tey's attention and motioned at the table. "There's a place we can sit. Let's go." He almost had to yell to be heard over the din of the crowd.

While the two made their way through the press, Locke reached out with the Force, probing at the area around him. It was difficult to focus in on one particular person in such a crowded place, and he wasn't able to really gather much. No blaring alarms at the moment, so I guess that'll have to do.

As they approached the table, a Rodian approached them. His skin was a bluish green, and he staggered in a way that indicated he had been drinking just a bit too much. "Hey, what are you doing?! That's my table you're trying to take!" Locke looked at the table. It was quite clearly empty. "Doesn't look that way to me, friend." He stopped, turning to look the Rodian in the eye. The, with the smallest motion of his hand, he employed the famed Jedi Mind Trick. "You want to leave this place, and leave me and my friend in peace."

"Like hell I do!" the Rodian screamed. Why does that never work when I need it to was all Locke had time to think before the Rodian was charging him in a drunken furor. Locke thought fast, pulling out his pistol and holding out in front of him. The Rodian, who was too drunk and too angry to stop in time, ran into Locke's gun, leaving a painful looking mark on his forehead. When he stopped screaming expletives, he found himself looking down the barrel of Locke's gun. "Now, let's try that again." Now Locke did not speak with the Jedi Mind Trick, but his voice had changed. It was no longer the friendly, somewhat cocky voice he normally spoke with, but it was now firm, almost cold. "You are going to leave this place now. You are going to forget what happened, and you will not bother anyone again. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, yes! Please, just don't hurt me, I-" Locke reached out to the Rodian, causing him to flinch back. Instead of hurting him, Locke pressed 50 credits into his hand. The Rodian simply stared at Locke, and at a dismissive motion from Locke, scampered away.

Locke looked about at the crowd, which had gone silent. He put his pistol back into its holster. "What are all of you looking at?" He shouted this, but it was in a friendly fashion. "Get back to your own business, you act like you've never seen a drunk before!" There was a ripple of laughter, tense at first, and after a few moments things returned to normal. Locke looked at Tey and motioned him onward to the table.

"So, whaddya think so far, Tey?" Locke asked once he was seated, grinning mischievously.

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey followed Locke up the stairs and to a table, no sooner had they got to the table a drunk Rodian claimed that the table was his. Locke had tried to resolve the situation peacefully via the Jedi Mind Trick but it hadn't worked. Tey began to reach for his lightsaber when the Rodian charged but then it was over. Locke hadn't even reached back to hit the Rodian, the blue green bug had run into the gun's barrel! Then Locke reached down gave the Rodian 50 credits to walk away and leave them be. 50 credits! Tey couldn't believe it at first. Locke had just given the drunk 50 credits. The Rodian running into the gun replayed in Tey's mind though. Then Locke had shouted at everyone to go back to their drinks and said something about drunks which made a ripple of laughter go around the room.

When the Rodian had left, then Tey released his restrained laughter. "I think this'll be an interesting night" Tey said when he stopped laughing. Tey sat down and looked around the floor they were on and the floor below. There were a few people up on Locke and Tey's level but not too many, some were rich and fancible citiczens and a few were just mercenaries and bounty hunters that had alot of credits. Tey couldn't tell which was a mercenary or a bounty hunter, heck for all he knew they might've been well equipped smugglers.

Most of the people on the floor were enjoying the music, dancing or hanging out at the bar and drinking. A couple minutes later a very cute Human girl with green eyes and blonde hair, with what Tey thought was a really low top and a really short black skirt, came up to get their drinks. Tey didn't know what to get so he just ordered some water but, he couldn't help but follow the girls movements with his eyes. Then he stopped staring and looked to Locke embarassed and hoped Locke hadn't seen him checking the girl out.

"So, Locke, what's good here?" Tey hoped to distract Locke with the querstion in case he did see and spare himself from further embarassment.

[Rugs]

Locke only laughed to himself for a moment at watching Tey ogle the serving girl that had come to ask what they wanted to drink. He had placed an order for some Reythan berry juice himself. He thought for a moment, considering the things he usually liked to eat from the cantina. "Well, they have a really good nerf steak. That's what I usually get, myself. They also have a soup with chili dumplings in it." Locke thought some more for a few moments, and then shrugged. "Anything here, really. I've yet to eat something here that I didn't like."

Locke relaxed, leaning back in his chair and looking around. Tonight was a good night. Everyone in the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves, and as far as Locke could see, there weren't any ne'er do-wells out about, at least on the ground floor. The second floor was the favorite floor of those types, but as long as they didn't cause any trouble, Locke would leave them be. He continued to look around, feeling the music's boom reverberate through his body. There were a few people that shot strange looks and him and Tey, but that was to be expected with their robes. And with the whole incident with the drunk.

After a few moments, the serving girl returned. Well, what do you know, it's the same one Tey was leering at. Locke had to strain to keep himself from giggling or making inappropriate remarks. Locke ordered a nerf steak and then stared at Tey with a stupid grin on his face, wondering if it would perhaps make Tey more... awkward.

[Cirith An'Gol]

Tey Shaak started to relax to the thrum of the beat and the feel of being out of the Jedi Temple, he felt...free. Locke told him of some of his favorite meals and then said that he honestly hadn't had anything yet that he didn't like.

A second later an amused feeling hit Tey in the force as he strectched out his senses for fun, he needn't have looked anywhere though, since the scource was sitting with him with a grin on his face. Then the blonde serving girl came back with their respective drinks. Tey made a visible effort not to stare as she bent over to put their glasses on the table. She seemed to notice because she smiled a second later. Interested in what she was thinking when she seemed to notice Tey gently probed her mind I hope she doesn't think I'm a pervert he thought as he stretched his senses in her direction. He was surprised to find that the serving girl thought that it was cute, the way Tey was acting, and that for an alien he wasn't that bad to look at.

"I'm sorry, I need to take care of another table. Please excuse me, I'll be back in a moment to take your orders" she said with a bright smile and throwing warm glances both to Locke and lingering on Tey. Tey watched her go again and noticed this time she looked back and grinned as she caught him looking. Then she dissapeared down the stairs.

Tey Shaak grinned and then remembered that Locke was there too and his face turned redder than ever, which was saying alot.
Locke's reaction puzzled Tey, and it showed on his face. Shouldn't Locke have been outraged? Instead of outrage Locke just seemed amused by it all."What's so funny Locke? and why are you staring at me?" Tey Shaak asked as he studied Locke for a moment.

[Rugs]

Another burst of laughter fought to get out as Locke strained the best of his abilities to hold it in. I need to bring this kid here more, this is some great entertainment. He took a few quick breaths, along with a quick sip of his drink to calm himself before trying to talk. "Why am I staring at you? What's so funny? Ha! I told you before, my friend, you are funny. You should be proud, I don't say that to just anyone." Locke laughed some more, as he looked around, watching the haze of smoke from various tables pool around the ceiling as it tried to escape through the many vents that dotted the ceiling.

"Ahh, to be in the throes of youth," he said in an over-exaggerated sighing voice. "Wait what am I saying? I'm barely older than you." He furrowed his brow and studied Tey, trying to gauge the Togruta's age. "I'd guess by 3 or 4 years maybe. Anyway, it doesn't matter." He leaned back, taking another gulp of his Reythan berry juice and thought for a short moment. "Now I'm sure you're thinking 'why is he so amused,' right? After all, we're Jedi, and for Jedi, this whole leering-awkwardly-at-the-serving-girl thing is a big no-no, right?" Locke leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Well my view on it is this: it's a part of growing up, you know. Everyone has that time where we get out of the temple and we discover there are uh... attractive people out there that wear more than bedsheets, like in the Temple. I know how it is, trust me. You think I'm having a good time with this, you should've been there when my master was giving me a hard time when I was ogling some girl, just like you are." Locke leaned back, putting his hands up in a dismissive gesture. "Anyway, you'll get past it. The masters will see to it. But me? I'll make sure you don't do anything stupid, of course, but this is some great entertainment."


Locke was quiet for moment, continuing to take in the scene around a him and then leaned over to Tey. "You know Tey, she's not even the same species as y-" While he had been saying this, he reached for his drink and took a small sip, and almost sprayed it everywhere from an eruption of laughter at his own ribald joke. He was saved the embarrassment by grabbing a napkin and turning away, though he felt it was Tey's turn to laugh at him. When he turned around, he had that same stupid grin on his face.

[Cirith An'Gol]

After Locke almost sprayed his Reythan berry juice in response to his own joke, Tey had to laugh. He truly appreciated Locke's understanding of his situation and not berating him for it.
Tey grinned as Locke wiped his face and tried to think of something to do while the waitress was away. Grabbing up a menu Tey began looking at the meals and noticed they could get fairly pricey. Deciding to try out something called "Hutt's delight", it was a meal that consisted of a big steak lathered with some kind of spicy green gravey, vegetables and it came with a side, all for a fairly cheap price Tey thought, only 5 credits. After deciding Tey put down his menu and slid it towards Locke so he could look at it.

"Um..I dunno if money is an issue for you or not but, I was thinking of trying out the Hutt's Delight, is that ok? I checked the price and it's 5 credits" Tey didn't really know if that was expensive or not, it didn't seem like it was, especially since Locke had just given away 50 credits. Tey smiled as another song started up, this one with more of a fast and up beat tone, as Tey looked down to see who the musicians were he spotted someone harassing a waitress, grabbing her wrist and keeping her in their orbit. Tey stood up and walked to the stairs. Before he could make it halfway down the stairs however, a band of gang members walked through the door and pointed at the man harassing the waitress and shouted something before raising his blaster rifle. "Uh-oh! This can't be good" Tey said before running down the stairs, shouting Locke's name to grab his attention and pointing towards the entrance to the cantina. Using the force to slap his lightsaber into his hand, Tey hoped that he wouldn't have to use it. He was dissapointed however, when the rival gang member at the entrance fired his blaster rifle at the man holding the waitress.

Tey sped himself up using the force and shouted for the gang member to stop as he launched himself in between the waitress, the man holding her wrist and the lazer bolt coming at them.
Tey's lightsaber sprung to life and his hands manuevered the lightsaber to reflect the lazer bolt safely into the ceiling above. There were screams, men and women scrambling to get away from the scource of the blaster fire and shouts of "No Blasters! No Blasters!" from the barkeep. The Cantina's hired security tried to move past everyone to get at the cause of the trouble but, was being slowed by the waves of people trying to get past them. Tey tried to look for Locke in the confusion but couldn't spot him, much less hear him. There was so much noise.

Deciding that Locke too would be trying to put an end to the violence, Tey moved toward the gang members who were trying to get at the man Tey had protected and having a hard time of it. Then another shot rang out and again people scattered, screamed and tried to stampede their way to something that might give them cover. Tey was close enough to hear the gang members screams of "Move! Get outta my way!" and "Get that pig!"

Tey tried shouting for the men to stop and put their guns away but either the men didn't hear him or they were ignoring him. Either way Tey had to put a stop to this for everyone's safety.

[Rugs]

Locke had been going to tell Tey that 5 credits would be fine. After all, he had worked undercover in gangs for a few years, and gangs paid competent people fairly well, so over the years, he had grown a decent store of money. But, the words never got to leave his mouth. It all started when Tey left to go down to see the band playing. After that, there was some man harassing a woman, Tey moved to stop him and then some gang members came into the building. Almost immediately after, a shot from a blaster rang out.

And then everything erupted into chaos.

Locke lost sight of Tey in the craziness that ensued, though he assumed he was downstairs, where the waitress had been. He reached out with the Force, trying to find Tey, but his senses were clouded by all of the emotions running wild in the building. Still sitting, he calmly took a drink of his Reythan juice as madness swirled around him, determined to finish it off before getting involved himself. Of course this would happen on a night like tonight. All I wanted to do was relax. Locke shrugged to himself, setting his glass down on the table. C'est la vie.

Bar room fights were nothing new to Locke, he had been in more than he could count during his time as an Investigator, and that wasn't even counting the time he had spent with his master when he was still a padawan. With the calm assurance, almost indifference of an expert, he stood up and took off his cloak, laying it on the table. The satchel stayed with him; there was too much valuable information in that to lose it. Locke looked around, taking in the scene around him. It was chaotic. It was loud. Well, there's an easy way to fix that.

Locke grabbed his pistol with his right hand and held it up over his head. Three shots rang out and flew into the ceiling. There was a moment of shocked silence in the area around it that Locke immediately jumped on. "All of you, be calm! There's no need to stampede over each other trying to get out!" Locke was shouting to make himself heard. "If you will all be calm, you will be okay, I promise. My friend and I are Jedi, we have everything under cont-"

Through a split in the crowd, Locke could see a number of speeders pull into the area outside the cantina. All of them had some strange symbol on them, not one Locke was familiar with. But he didn't need to know the symbol to know it meant trouble. Those aren't Coruscant Security vehicles. That would more than likely make them gang speeders, but for who? When he saw them open fire in the direction of the entrance of the cantina, he had his clue. I'm guessing that would put them in the gang with the one that was fondling that woman. Great.

The sound of laser fire from the main lobby of the cantina sent the crowd Locke had been trying to calm into another frenzy, running and screaming in terror. Screw it, Locke thought in irritation, I've got other things to worry about. He started trying to push his way through the crowd to get to the main lobby when motion on the stairs to the upper level caught his eye. A Trandoshan, flanked by three heavily armed guards- another Trandoshan, a Human, and a Twi'lek. Well damn was the only thing Locke could think.

"Heard there was a Jedi down here," the Trandoshan said as he continued down the stairs towards Locke. "I don't really like Jedi." He spat to emphasize his point.

Locke threw on an insolent smile and swaggered over to meet the Trandoshan and his guards. The guards pointed their guns at Locke, but the Trandoshan made a signal for them to put the weapons down. "Evening, gentlemen," Locke said amiably. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He clapped his hands and rubbed them together, to appear eager to get on with business with the obvious gang leader.


"I'd keep that tongue from running away before it kills you. And don't even try that Jedi Mind Trick on me, or I'll have you dead. Got it, Jedi?" At Locke's nod he continued. "I am the leader of The Lower Regents, and my name is of no importance to you. Tonight is the culmination of a lot of work. Very delicate, tedious work. One of our,... spies, you could say, made her way into the ranks of our rival gang, The Black Lasers. She has been feeding them false information for a very long time, and tonight, we have lured them to The Star's End Cantina to die. Those speeders that just arrived are more of my men, and we're expecting their leader to show up with an entourage of guards any moment now." The Trandoshan smiled, baring his teeth sadistically. "Fitting, isn't it? To be wiped out at The Star's End?"

"This is all very nice Sir,... uh... Trandoshan, but why exactly are you telling me this?" Locke made sure not to sound arrogant or haughty, but at the same time, he spoke with confidence. Insulting the Trandoshan wouldn't do, but neither would showing that he was afraid. However, Locke had a feeling he knew want the Trandoshan wanted without having to ask. Two gang leaders at the same place trying to kill each other? With Tey and I stuck in the middle? Did we anger someone's god?

"You are going to help us kill him," the Trandoshan said matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Locke smiled weakly. So my options are kill one gang leader, get the gang he's from mad at me, kill this guy, have his gang mad at me, or kill or arrest both of them and have both gangs mad at me. Fantastic. He'd have to play along for the moment, until he could meet up with Tey once more and perhaps have different options. Although if the fighting was still downstairs, Tey would have his hands full. "Well, that sounds like an absolutely lovely idea, Mr. Trandoshan." I hope Tey's situation is going better than mine...