Blade & Teacher
Ran had come to the Unknown Regions in search of other Jedi. What she found was a hunter, and an expert one at that. The hunter had concealed themself well, leaving Ran only with an inkling of their intention felt through the force. Ran assumed the hunter was watching and waiting. No doubt waiting for the moment Ran would drop her guard, but the Jedi Master was a resilient and careful sort, one who would not be dropping her guard until she was ready. So Ran continued on with her self-appointed mission, searching for clues of any Jedi exiles, outcasts, or survivors living on the fringes of space, despite her mysterious stalker.
The Mirialan Jedi Master walked the crowded streets of Kinkosa City, asking around if anyone was aware of any Jedi who had passed through. Suspicion and negative sentiment of the Jedi was low on Kirtania, so she felt safe in doing so. Ran couldn't tell if it was the planet's distance from the core or their nearly non-existent history of Jedi on Kirtania that did it, but it was a welcome change from the parts of the galaxy where Jedi were being hunted on behalf of several different galactic powers. On Kirtania she only had to worry about the one hunter, and not the entirety of a planet.
She worked her way from the inside of the city out. It wasn't until she entered a bar on the outskirts of the city, where the city met the jungles of Kirtania, that she began to make any headway.
"So you've seen a Jedi come through here in the last week?" Ran asked the bartender somewhat surprised. After questioning almost an entire city, she was beginning to lose faith that she would find any trace of another Jedi.
"Seen him? No," The grizzled older human man explained as he polished a tankard. "I served him. Polite enough fella, but kept a hood on while he was here. I never saw his face." He paused to think. "I did hear him talking to one of the regulars. They were talking about recruitment strategies. Recruitment for what, I don't know, but he did say he'd be in system for a little while longer. Maybe he'll be by again, him or the regular, if you wait around long enough. Can I interest you in a drink or did you just want some info?"
It sounded like a long shot to Ran. She decided she wouldn't waste too much time waiting around in the small-ish dive bar, but she was already there and would have a drink. "I don't think I'll be here too much longer but let me have your finest."
The man put a fine tea spiked with alcohol in an ornate clay cup in front of Ran. She pulled up a stool, crossed her legs under skirt, and sipped at the drink. It was rich, warm, and potent. Still she did not drop her guard. Still she felt the eyes of the hunter on her. Were they in the bar or somewhere else?
