Eon Captsunami
Aggressively Chill

Aphran IV was a warm, lush planet. Located in the Inner Rim between Carratos and Bilbringi, it was historically known for its woodcraft. That export was one of the two reasons Eon Captsunami was visiting; the other was a specific tea grown only in the subtropical Feedel region of the planet where the Imbrano Sea meets the lowlands. Very little of the tea was exported, thereby increasing its value, but here on the planet itself, a body could avail itself of a hot cup in a peaceful environment. Whenever Eon visited, he felt almost as if he was going on a retreat.
The tea house he found himself belonged to an old woman named Mani. She was, in Eon's estimation, so old that it seemed she'd never been young, yet so spry one wondered where the wrinkled flesh, slower gait, and stooped posture came from. Mani always had a kind word and a gentle smile for her patrons, and for Eon even more, as she knew of his background in horticulture and his more monastic, less martial traditions surrounding the Force.
Today, though, Mani looked bothered as she personally delivered Eon's cup of hot black tea.
"My thanks, Mani," said the Ithorian, inclining his head in a gentle bow. "Forgive me if I'm prying, but is something troubling you?"
The old woman sighed. "Oh, my dear," she replied, "it's not anything I need to trouble you with."
Eon moved his cup and saucer a bit closer, picking up a spoon to ladle a bit of sugar into the aromatic brew. "Trouble shared is trouble halved," he replied.
Mani wiped her hands on the dish cloth she'd draped over one forearm. "It's one of my help. Gygun. You remember him?"
Eon grinned with both mouths. "It's hard to forget a Cragmoloid who works at a tea shop," he replied.
"Mmmm. Well, he's gone."
"He quit?"
"No, dear. He's gone. Normally I would just chalk it up to him finding work elsewhere, or deciding that after eight years the tea business wasn't for him. But there were two men in speaking to him a few days ago, and they raised the hair on the back of my neck. One was a Devaronian. The other was an Iakaru. Both of them looked mean. They cornered Gygun. Something about a fight, and money. I wasn't paying close attention, but I can't help but think the two are connected."
Eon finished stirring his tea. "I didn't know there were fights on Aphran IV."
"There weren't. Maybe eight months ago a Hutt turned up. Cleared some land that he showed a deed for, built himself a small arena. Two weeks later ships were coming in from all over the sector to watch, and I don't believe these fights are sanctioned."
Eon nodded. "So you think Gygun was gambling and owed the Hutt some money?"
"No," said Mani. "I think they took him. I think they're going to force him to fight."
Ashi Momosa

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