Tears for Tyrena
Tears for Tyrena
There was no need for him to be here. There was no desire to be here. And yet here he was. But why? A sense of duty? Perhaps the Jedi was more sentimental than he thought. Tradition was something the weary Master had never truly valued. Even among Jedi traditions. But for some reason, he felt he should be here. It was an odd situation. Almost a rite of passage. A way for Ton Phedi to say goodbye to his old life. His old family. His old home...
But that wasn't what he found baffling. What perplexed him the most was the fact that he'd come all this way, left Osarian, taken time from his teaching and now that he was here, he couldn't take the last step. Instead he stood in front of the large heavy open doors, staring at the inside. The building itself was enough to arouse emotions in most individuals. Those that still held onto a shred of decency.
The pyre was the first thing to draw his eye. Followed by the rows of empty benches. No one seemed to come to pay their respects. Then again, from what Ton could remember, the figure laying atop the pyre deserved nothing of the sort. He was a thug. A criminal. And an embarrassment. To even consider he'd been cut from the same cloth was something of an insult. However, stood there, staring at him, there was an uncomfortable sensation in his stomach. He barely knew the deceased. And based on the lack of people populating the benches, he doubt he'd regret that.
Ton hangs his head, his messy black hair falling in front of his brow. A heavy sigh escapes his lips, condensation spreading into the cold air. He takes a moment. Closes his eyes. And says his goodbyes. The last of his family tree. His cousin. Ton was the only living next of kin. The Phedi Family tree was no more. That thought alone filled him with an odd sadness...
And then he thought of his daughter. Of Tamme Phedi. The apple of his eye.
And he smiles. The smile grows wider, a laugh escaping his barely parted lips. This was not the end of his story. It was the end of their story. No more was the Phedi name tethered to the thuggish syndicate that tainted Corellia's larger cities. Now, the only remaining Phedi were Jedi. A symbol of hope. Ton could think of nothing nicer. The only way to erase their history was to make the future burn brighter. He smiles wide, looking up. His eyes land on his cousin. And a tear rolls down his cheek. A passing sadness.
A rumble echoes through the clouds, a heavy rain falling from the skies with reckless abandon for all that lay below. Rain pelts off the ground, causing loud splatters to echo through the quickly dampening streets. Ton turns, sticks his hands into his coat pockets, and takes a few casual steps. He decided he wouldn't return. His past could remain here and rot with his cousin.
The rain grows heavier, casting a blue wet sheen over the city. Ton's hair soaks through, hanging down heavily over his features. Dark wet stains cover his shoulders and arms as he makes his way back to his Airspeeder. The rain seemed oddly comforting to Ton. He didn't rush, made no attempt to shelter himself from the downpour. He just continued as if it wasn't even raining. The sound of the heavy drops tapping rhythmically on the concrete brings a wry smile to his lips.
However, Ton's trip was not quite over...
Re: Tears for Tyrena
The pain was unbearable. Every stone they threw sending a blinding pain through her weak, starved body. All she could do was hug the boy tightly, protecting him from everything those thugs cast. The rain didn't help, coating them both in the cold shiny damp. She cries out, arcing backward as a particularly hard stone strikes her spine. The young Elomin grits her teeth and screams through them, her tired hands gripping the trembling boy beneath her. The laughter of the ruffians behind her only causing her more hurt.
"What's the matter, luv? 'ad enough?"
The voice angered her. The cocky excuse for a Human taunting her in such a way. All they wanted was to be left alone. "We have no money. Please leave." Her voice was weak and broken, the sound of the rain splattering onto the cold ground nearly drowning her out entirely.
"No need tah be like that, sweets. 'sides, I can think of plenty 'ther ways you can pay 's."
The men erupt in laughter, one of them casting another stone at them. Her hearing is suddenly drawn to the cries of the boy she was protecting. The boy she always protected. She looks over her shoulder, her orange skin torn and bruised from the stones they'd cast.
"Now tha' ain't no one tah protect yous', how about ya come with me? We could 'ave some fun? An' after, I'm sure some nice slaver would pay well for a darlin' such as yous'elf."
He disgusted her. She was angry. She was tired. She was hungry. "...The boy-" "Sweets, 'ah really don' care. He ain't worth squat at that age. Righ' fellas?" He turns to look to his menagerie, who grumble amongst themselves. She could feel the boy trembling terribly. However, she was weak, her arms could barely support her. She wobbles a little, her legs giving out. The orange skinned girl drops to the ground, her world fading in and out of black. The boy gasps, watching her land with a wet splash as he's revealed to the thugs. He looks up to see the men grinning, two of them beginning to walk towards them. The boy cries, taking a step to stand in front of the girl. She always protected him! Now it was his turn! With tears in his eyes, the boy takes a step forward, standing in front of the girl.
"Y-Y-You can't... c-can't... ha-have her... I-I w-won't l-let you take... m-my s-sister!"
The men burst into fits of laughter. "Yer sister?! Ha! She ain' 'ven Human, you dumb little shit!" Taking a step closer, the thug swings his leg outward, kicking the young boy in the stomach, sending him flying back and landing atop the barely conscious girl. The Human boy cries, tears streaming from his face, hidden only by the encompassing rain. Another stone pelts him hard, forcing another yelp from him. Then another. And another. Why wouldn't it stop?!
And then suddenly, it did. His eyes clenched tightly shut, the boy didn't know what had happened. But the insults and the stones, they were no longer coming. He opens his eyes weakly, the summer light blinding him. He squints to see a cloaked figure standing between him and the thugs. There was something about him. A calming presence. Something that made the young Ton understand that everything was going to be OK. The thugs suddenly charge at the man, Ton yelping out in fear. This man was going to get hurt because of him. "Mister, no!" But the cry fell on deaf ears. Ton stood is disbelief, watching as the man dodged both attacks thrown at him, only to return a flurry of punches into the thugs. A swift kick to both of them send them flying backwards, landing on the scorching pavement below. They both look flustered, panicked with no clue how to react. As they sat there in the puddle, the blue coated man turns to the boy and smiles at him.
A warm smile.
"What's the matter, luv? 'ad enough?"
The voice angered her. The cocky excuse for a Human taunting her in such a way. All they wanted was to be left alone. "We have no money. Please leave." Her voice was weak and broken, the sound of the rain splattering onto the cold ground nearly drowning her out entirely.
"No need tah be like that, sweets. 'sides, I can think of plenty 'ther ways you can pay 's."
The men erupt in laughter, one of them casting another stone at them. Her hearing is suddenly drawn to the cries of the boy she was protecting. The boy she always protected. She looks over her shoulder, her orange skin torn and bruised from the stones they'd cast.
"Now tha' ain't no one tah protect yous', how about ya come with me? We could 'ave some fun? An' after, I'm sure some nice slaver would pay well for a darlin' such as yous'elf."
He disgusted her. She was angry. She was tired. She was hungry. "...The boy-" "Sweets, 'ah really don' care. He ain't worth squat at that age. Righ' fellas?" He turns to look to his menagerie, who grumble amongst themselves. She could feel the boy trembling terribly. However, she was weak, her arms could barely support her. She wobbles a little, her legs giving out. The orange skinned girl drops to the ground, her world fading in and out of black. The boy gasps, watching her land with a wet splash as he's revealed to the thugs. He looks up to see the men grinning, two of them beginning to walk towards them. The boy cries, taking a step to stand in front of the girl. She always protected him! Now it was his turn! With tears in his eyes, the boy takes a step forward, standing in front of the girl.
"Y-Y-You can't... c-can't... ha-have her... I-I w-won't l-let you take... m-my s-sister!"
The men burst into fits of laughter. "Yer sister?! Ha! She ain' 'ven Human, you dumb little shit!" Taking a step closer, the thug swings his leg outward, kicking the young boy in the stomach, sending him flying back and landing atop the barely conscious girl. The Human boy cries, tears streaming from his face, hidden only by the encompassing rain. Another stone pelts him hard, forcing another yelp from him. Then another. And another. Why wouldn't it stop?!
And then suddenly, it did. His eyes clenched tightly shut, the boy didn't know what had happened. But the insults and the stones, they were no longer coming. He opens his eyes weakly, the summer light blinding him. He squints to see a cloaked figure standing between him and the thugs. There was something about him. A calming presence. Something that made the young Ton understand that everything was going to be OK. The thugs suddenly charge at the man, Ton yelping out in fear. This man was going to get hurt because of him. "Mister, no!" But the cry fell on deaf ears. Ton stood is disbelief, watching as the man dodged both attacks thrown at him, only to return a flurry of punches into the thugs. A swift kick to both of them send them flying backwards, landing on the scorching pavement below. They both look flustered, panicked with no clue how to react. As they sat there in the puddle, the blue coated man turns to the boy and smiles at him.
A warm smile.
Re: Tears for Tyrena
The boy watches, frozen in shock at what had just happened. This stranger had come to his aid, and protected them from the thugs picking on them. And yet the look on the man's face was one of warmth and kindness, even through the cold damp rain that had coated everything it fell upon. He nods to the boy before turning his attention back to the men, who looked equally as shocked. The three of them get back to their feet, wobbling and steeling themselves. It was clear they weren't expecting to be knocked back like that. The roughest and most undoubtedly the stupidest one of the group waves a finger in the direction of the man with the blue coat.
"You're gonna regret that!! D'you know who you're messin' with?! Huh tough guy?!"
With a harsh grunt, the thug charges at the man, reaching inside his jacket. Lunging at the stranger, the humiliated thug pulls out a knife, stabbing violently at the man's chest. Without a moments hesitation, the man leans to his right side, the knife stabbing thin air. Without missing a beat, his left hand grabs the thug's wrist and grips it tightly, before his right fist punches hard into the straightened arm of the thug. The boy wasn't sure which was louder, the thug's scream, or the crack of his elbow snapping. The knife drops, clanking loudly on the wet pavement. With a sharp tug on the wrist, the stranger flips the thug over, slamming him onto his back with a loud thud. The thug wheezes, reeling in pain as the other two look to each other.
"DON' JUST STAND THERE! GET 'EM!"
With a renewed vigour, the other two men charge at the stranger. The man steels himself, his blue coat swirling with his movement, sending droplets of rain upward around him. He takes a fighting stance, readying to meet the attackers head on. He sweeps with his leg, knocking the legs out from under the first attacker, before slamming his elbow into the chest of the second, pushing him up and into the air before he slams down onto the ground with a wet slap. He pauses for a moment, ensuring all three of them were sufficiently winded. With that, he leaps over to the girl, and lifts her up. She was unconscious still.
"I need you to climb onto my back. Can you do that for me?"
The man's voice was low and gruff, but it carried a gentleness to it. The boy stares at him, rain streaming down his face as he trembles. It takes him a second, but he nods. The man turns around, allowing the boy to climb onto his back, clinging to him as best his weak tired arms would allow. And before he knew it, they were running. Flying through the streets of Tyrena, rain smacking them in their faces. From his position on the man's back, the boy could see his sister stir. The man seemed to be running incredibly fast for someone carrying two children, but the boy could hear the angered shouts of the men pursuing him. He whimpers, fearing what might happen if they were to catch up.
Closer and closer the pursuers grew, the man ducking onto another street. They were now running underneath the tram lines, underneath the cold durasteel pylons that made up the foundation for the station. The grated metal doing very little to protect them from the unending downpour of rain. The boy grips the man tighter, hearing the attackers grow closer. They were getting too close for comfort. Until...
The man spins around, diving backwards and narrowly missing a grab from one of the ruffians. The two thugs do their best to reach and grab for the encumbered man, but even holding two kids he seemed fast enough to dodge them. However the boy could tell that he was struggling. With every dodge, their protector was groaning, struggling to keep up this pace in these conditions. Until finally, with one final lunge, one of the rogues manages to lay a hand on the girl in his arms.
The boy's eyes go wide, the man falling backwards as the girl is torn from them. The man stumbles, falling backwards. As he falls, the turns himself to land on his side, his arm swinging the boy around so he'd avoid the impact. The man lands hard, sliding along the pavement with the boy clinging to him for dear life.
"GET ON THE TRAIN! QUICKLY! SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WORTH ANYTHIN', FORGET HIM!"
A shadow is cast from overheard as the big bulky tram and it's attached cars pulls into the station above them. The two thugs, followed by their rather crippled leader, heft up the girl and begin climbing the rickety staircase to the station. The boy whimpers, crying as they carry her away. The man groans under him, taking a moment to reassess the situation. He sits up, looking to the boy he held, and then back to the thugs as they boarded the tram. Setting the boy aside, the man leaps to his feet, lunging for the staircase. But it was too late. The tram was already pulling out of the station. His eyes dart around frantically. Where were they?
The man suddenly bursts into a run, running past the boy and scooping him up as they went racing back down the street. They had to hurry.
"You're gonna regret that!! D'you know who you're messin' with?! Huh tough guy?!"
With a harsh grunt, the thug charges at the man, reaching inside his jacket. Lunging at the stranger, the humiliated thug pulls out a knife, stabbing violently at the man's chest. Without a moments hesitation, the man leans to his right side, the knife stabbing thin air. Without missing a beat, his left hand grabs the thug's wrist and grips it tightly, before his right fist punches hard into the straightened arm of the thug. The boy wasn't sure which was louder, the thug's scream, or the crack of his elbow snapping. The knife drops, clanking loudly on the wet pavement. With a sharp tug on the wrist, the stranger flips the thug over, slamming him onto his back with a loud thud. The thug wheezes, reeling in pain as the other two look to each other.
"DON' JUST STAND THERE! GET 'EM!"
With a renewed vigour, the other two men charge at the stranger. The man steels himself, his blue coat swirling with his movement, sending droplets of rain upward around him. He takes a fighting stance, readying to meet the attackers head on. He sweeps with his leg, knocking the legs out from under the first attacker, before slamming his elbow into the chest of the second, pushing him up and into the air before he slams down onto the ground with a wet slap. He pauses for a moment, ensuring all three of them were sufficiently winded. With that, he leaps over to the girl, and lifts her up. She was unconscious still.
"I need you to climb onto my back. Can you do that for me?"
The man's voice was low and gruff, but it carried a gentleness to it. The boy stares at him, rain streaming down his face as he trembles. It takes him a second, but he nods. The man turns around, allowing the boy to climb onto his back, clinging to him as best his weak tired arms would allow. And before he knew it, they were running. Flying through the streets of Tyrena, rain smacking them in their faces. From his position on the man's back, the boy could see his sister stir. The man seemed to be running incredibly fast for someone carrying two children, but the boy could hear the angered shouts of the men pursuing him. He whimpers, fearing what might happen if they were to catch up.
Closer and closer the pursuers grew, the man ducking onto another street. They were now running underneath the tram lines, underneath the cold durasteel pylons that made up the foundation for the station. The grated metal doing very little to protect them from the unending downpour of rain. The boy grips the man tighter, hearing the attackers grow closer. They were getting too close for comfort. Until...
The man spins around, diving backwards and narrowly missing a grab from one of the ruffians. The two thugs do their best to reach and grab for the encumbered man, but even holding two kids he seemed fast enough to dodge them. However the boy could tell that he was struggling. With every dodge, their protector was groaning, struggling to keep up this pace in these conditions. Until finally, with one final lunge, one of the rogues manages to lay a hand on the girl in his arms.
The boy's eyes go wide, the man falling backwards as the girl is torn from them. The man stumbles, falling backwards. As he falls, the turns himself to land on his side, his arm swinging the boy around so he'd avoid the impact. The man lands hard, sliding along the pavement with the boy clinging to him for dear life.
"GET ON THE TRAIN! QUICKLY! SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WORTH ANYTHIN', FORGET HIM!"
A shadow is cast from overheard as the big bulky tram and it's attached cars pulls into the station above them. The two thugs, followed by their rather crippled leader, heft up the girl and begin climbing the rickety staircase to the station. The boy whimpers, crying as they carry her away. The man groans under him, taking a moment to reassess the situation. He sits up, looking to the boy he held, and then back to the thugs as they boarded the tram. Setting the boy aside, the man leaps to his feet, lunging for the staircase. But it was too late. The tram was already pulling out of the station. His eyes dart around frantically. Where were they?
The man suddenly bursts into a run, running past the boy and scooping him up as they went racing back down the street. They had to hurry.
Re: Tears for Tyrena
The boy didn't understand. He was struggling. Still physically weak from the attack he had endured earlier, starved and delirious, he was finding it hard to focus and think straight. And then there was the rain. Battering and blinding him. For a moment he fears he might throw up. But he dared not lose the little food he held in his stomach. It was all so much to take in. He needed his sister. He wanted his sister. And she was gone. How could she be gone? She'd always been there. For as long as he could really remember. What would happen to him now? His thoughts return to the moment, his world bouncing up and down as this stranger held him in his arms, carrying him through the streets of the rugged Tyrena. Who was he? And why would he help them? In truth, the boy was too weak to reject any of this. In his current state, he could barely move. And what could he do? She was gone. Lost to the train forever. There was no way he could catch her. No way the stranger could catch her by running. Everything was so dark. So wet. So lost. His body tenses a little, the boy coiling up slightly as he begins to wail, tears bursting from his eyes as he begins to cry. What else could he do?
Where were they? They had to be close. The chase had led them astray a little, but he knew the tram station wasn't far from where he'd left his Airspeeder. Overhead he could see the shadow of the tram fade into nothing, the mechanical beast lurching further and further away. Still, he knew how this city worked. He knew where it was going. He knew it didn't stop for another few miles. It's next destination was out towards the tourist district, out towards the beach. That gave him some time. He knew they couldn't leave the train for a short while, at least. Ton just hoped it was enough of an edge. He clutches the boy to his chest as he ran, partly to help him run faster, partly to help comfort him. In truth, Ton hated seeing an innocent suffer, but he knew he didn't exactly have the time to calm him. If only he could remember the street he'd stopped in. Ton's reckless attitude towards parking regulations was now biting him hard in his ass. Of all the times.
His eyes widen. Crust the way I like it. The old bakery by the abandoned 'Health Spa'. Ton remembered it well. It had been open when he was a kid. The old couple that owned it had always been nice to him. It was one of the few pleasant memories he had from his childhood. Of course, now it belonged to their step-daughter, who was a bit of a grumpy spinster. It just wasn't the same. Still, a smile spreads across Ton's lips. The land mark was all he needed! With a cheery cry he lunges past the bakery, and dives into the alleyway behind it. Ton's odd cry causes the boy to look up to him, confused as to what was going on. And that's when he saw it. Glistening in the rain, shining like a beacon of hope. Ton's Airspeeder.
The Narglacth XJ-3 Airspeeder, heavily modified. The vehicle had been a custom build to start with. Inspired by an old XJ-3 Ton had used in his childhood. In this very city, as it happened. But this one, this machine was a labour of love. Unlike the junker he'd used in his past, this one was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, engineering and love. Retrofitted engines, putting out nearly twice the raw power as the originals. To most people, it was archaic. A relic. But to some, it was a classic. To Ton it was perfection. Those heavy engines mounted to the front, pouring raw unadulterated power to the rear thrusters. It handled like someone had placed a saddle on a Rancor. Controlling that much power was impossible for a ship that size. Ton however knew exactly how to wield that power. His flying style was always a joy to behold. Heavy acceleration, wide sweeping turns. With the front end so heavy, the back end would often slide out through the air, threatening to hurtle the speeder through the air. But Ton had learned to control it, to ride the momentum and centrifugal forces that threatened to tear it apart. It's design was muscular. Large and bulky, clunky even. Higher at the back to support it's boosted thrusters. And then there was Ton's most boastful feature. The rich blue paint job, topped with slick white stripes which accentuate every curve and angle. It was beautiful. And Arthree was there.
Ton couldn't help but be happy to see his little companion next to his craft. The little Astromech whirs it's dome around to see the soaking Jedi sprint down the alleyway clutching a young Human boy. A concerned warble emanates from the droid as Ton approaches, placing the boy onto his feet and kneeling down to address both the boy and the droid.
"Alright, we don't have much time. Arthree, I need you to take this boy, lead him up through the Nara building, alright? Get up to the roof, and keep him safe. I will be there as soon as I can." Arthree nods, rotating his body back and forth with an confirmatory whistle. In truth, Arthree had no clue what was going on, but he knew Ton well enough to sense the urgency in his voice. He could ask questions later. Ton turns to the boy. It was the first time he'd taken a second to actually look at the boy. The poor thing was barely five years old. Auburn hair, messy and thick, and wide innocent blue eyes. His clothes were so dirty he couldn't really discern their original appearance, torn and soaked by the rain. Ton couldn't help but be saddened by the boy's appearance. Yet he refuses to show it. Instead he smiles. "This is my friend, Arthree. Follow him and he'll look after you. I promise I will do everything I can to save your sister, and then I will find you. But I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that?"
The boy takes a moment, his tears hidden by the rain. He looks between the man and his droid. He had no idea what was going on. What was happening. Why was this happening? What had he done? Did he deserve this? His mind starts spiralling, tears welling up inside of him again.
"...My name is Ton. And I'm a Jedi. I just want to help you and your sister. I promise there is nothing to be afraid of. You're safe now. And as soon as I find your sister, she will be safe too." The boy gasps, chest heaving at those words. A Jedi? Like the stories? "What's your name, kid?"
"...R-Renn."
His voice was quiet and unsure of itself. But he'd spoken. And that was all Ton needed. He grins a warm smile, placing both hands on the young Renn's shoulders. "Renn... I need you to be brave. Just for a little while." The aura emanating from the man was relaxing. It was reassuring. It was safe. Renn didn't know what it was, but he felt like he could trust this man. Finally, he gives a gentle nod. Ton smiles, standing up as the rain bounces off of him. Arthree wheels himself around next to the boy as Ton folds back the Airspeeder's cockpit cover, and leaps into his Speeder.
"Everything will be alright. I'll be back as soon as I can."
A guttural roar echoes through the alleyway as the Speeder powers up into life. It's engines sounded raw and powerful, untamed and unpolished with every metal clunk and and turn echoing loudly. Just the way Ton liked it. With one last grin, the speeder bursts into acceleration, kicking up gusts of wind and rain as it speeds hastily down the alleyway. The boy could only watch with wide eyes as the man vanishes.
A real life Jedi.
Where were they? They had to be close. The chase had led them astray a little, but he knew the tram station wasn't far from where he'd left his Airspeeder. Overhead he could see the shadow of the tram fade into nothing, the mechanical beast lurching further and further away. Still, he knew how this city worked. He knew where it was going. He knew it didn't stop for another few miles. It's next destination was out towards the tourist district, out towards the beach. That gave him some time. He knew they couldn't leave the train for a short while, at least. Ton just hoped it was enough of an edge. He clutches the boy to his chest as he ran, partly to help him run faster, partly to help comfort him. In truth, Ton hated seeing an innocent suffer, but he knew he didn't exactly have the time to calm him. If only he could remember the street he'd stopped in. Ton's reckless attitude towards parking regulations was now biting him hard in his ass. Of all the times.
His eyes widen. Crust the way I like it. The old bakery by the abandoned 'Health Spa'. Ton remembered it well. It had been open when he was a kid. The old couple that owned it had always been nice to him. It was one of the few pleasant memories he had from his childhood. Of course, now it belonged to their step-daughter, who was a bit of a grumpy spinster. It just wasn't the same. Still, a smile spreads across Ton's lips. The land mark was all he needed! With a cheery cry he lunges past the bakery, and dives into the alleyway behind it. Ton's odd cry causes the boy to look up to him, confused as to what was going on. And that's when he saw it. Glistening in the rain, shining like a beacon of hope. Ton's Airspeeder.
The Narglacth XJ-3 Airspeeder, heavily modified. The vehicle had been a custom build to start with. Inspired by an old XJ-3 Ton had used in his childhood. In this very city, as it happened. But this one, this machine was a labour of love. Unlike the junker he'd used in his past, this one was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, engineering and love. Retrofitted engines, putting out nearly twice the raw power as the originals. To most people, it was archaic. A relic. But to some, it was a classic. To Ton it was perfection. Those heavy engines mounted to the front, pouring raw unadulterated power to the rear thrusters. It handled like someone had placed a saddle on a Rancor. Controlling that much power was impossible for a ship that size. Ton however knew exactly how to wield that power. His flying style was always a joy to behold. Heavy acceleration, wide sweeping turns. With the front end so heavy, the back end would often slide out through the air, threatening to hurtle the speeder through the air. But Ton had learned to control it, to ride the momentum and centrifugal forces that threatened to tear it apart. It's design was muscular. Large and bulky, clunky even. Higher at the back to support it's boosted thrusters. And then there was Ton's most boastful feature. The rich blue paint job, topped with slick white stripes which accentuate every curve and angle. It was beautiful. And Arthree was there.
Ton couldn't help but be happy to see his little companion next to his craft. The little Astromech whirs it's dome around to see the soaking Jedi sprint down the alleyway clutching a young Human boy. A concerned warble emanates from the droid as Ton approaches, placing the boy onto his feet and kneeling down to address both the boy and the droid.
"Alright, we don't have much time. Arthree, I need you to take this boy, lead him up through the Nara building, alright? Get up to the roof, and keep him safe. I will be there as soon as I can." Arthree nods, rotating his body back and forth with an confirmatory whistle. In truth, Arthree had no clue what was going on, but he knew Ton well enough to sense the urgency in his voice. He could ask questions later. Ton turns to the boy. It was the first time he'd taken a second to actually look at the boy. The poor thing was barely five years old. Auburn hair, messy and thick, and wide innocent blue eyes. His clothes were so dirty he couldn't really discern their original appearance, torn and soaked by the rain. Ton couldn't help but be saddened by the boy's appearance. Yet he refuses to show it. Instead he smiles. "This is my friend, Arthree. Follow him and he'll look after you. I promise I will do everything I can to save your sister, and then I will find you. But I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that?"
The boy takes a moment, his tears hidden by the rain. He looks between the man and his droid. He had no idea what was going on. What was happening. Why was this happening? What had he done? Did he deserve this? His mind starts spiralling, tears welling up inside of him again.
"...My name is Ton. And I'm a Jedi. I just want to help you and your sister. I promise there is nothing to be afraid of. You're safe now. And as soon as I find your sister, she will be safe too." The boy gasps, chest heaving at those words. A Jedi? Like the stories? "What's your name, kid?"
"...R-Renn."
His voice was quiet and unsure of itself. But he'd spoken. And that was all Ton needed. He grins a warm smile, placing both hands on the young Renn's shoulders. "Renn... I need you to be brave. Just for a little while." The aura emanating from the man was relaxing. It was reassuring. It was safe. Renn didn't know what it was, but he felt like he could trust this man. Finally, he gives a gentle nod. Ton smiles, standing up as the rain bounces off of him. Arthree wheels himself around next to the boy as Ton folds back the Airspeeder's cockpit cover, and leaps into his Speeder.
"Everything will be alright. I'll be back as soon as I can."
A guttural roar echoes through the alleyway as the Speeder powers up into life. It's engines sounded raw and powerful, untamed and unpolished with every metal clunk and and turn echoing loudly. Just the way Ton liked it. With one last grin, the speeder bursts into acceleration, kicking up gusts of wind and rain as it speeds hastily down the alleyway. The boy could only watch with wide eyes as the man vanishes.
A real life Jedi.
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