Out of her League

[Solia Tala]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

This was all rather embarrassing, how old was she and she was still messing up these sorts of tasks?

Solia couldn't help but chastise herself for bungling her task already. Of course a bunch of thugs were going to disperse and run for the hills when they saw a Jedi coming, and she wasn't exactly very subtle. Well they always said their robes were supposedly to reflect those commonly worn by wanderers, but honestly Solia was certain by this time they stood out rather obviously by now probably with a distinctive pattern. Well that. . . .or it had something to do with her lightsaber standing out clearly on her utility belt. Although the blaster there was also rather unfriendly. Walking straight up to people obviously peddling something suspicious was probably a poor idea too. With a sigh she kept listing all the things wrong. She had been indecisive on who to pursue when they split up and then was unable to catch up to them before they got to speeders hidden around the corner. Then when she had thought of cacthing the buyer the person had already vanished by the time she returned to the scene.

So now the young girl was leaning against the wall biting her lip, trying to ignore the fact some people in the crowds looked her way after the scene she had caused chasing after people. She was torn between calling in and admitting she messed up to seek support, or figuring out a new way to find the next location a purchase would occur. Neither prospect seemed easy. If she took too long and kept messing up things would get worse, but if she called it in she would look bad and have to admit another failure rather than if she finished things up herself. It was supposed to be so easy, just show up on Onderon, enter the city with coordinates given, and hang around the market plaza near the alleys until shady folk showed up for an exchange,

The criminals weren't even being subtle about it. Then again considering they were only really aware of things because an inside agent had snitched on the group and given the information for safe passage off world. A gang selling illegal weapons on the Republic world wasn't exactly a good thing, and she had probably just messed up the quickest and easiest way of locating their hideout or getting information on where they were getting the weapons from. . . .so what was she going to do?

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer wandered down the street, she wasn’t the type to just swoop in and rescue people, but it seems today might be one of those days. Continuing down the road to the market, Spencer dug into her pocket and pulled out a couple of peanuts. Standing in the middle of the market, Spencer looked around. She had caught wind of illegal sales of weapons and decided to investigate. Though sadly, the market seemed pretty clear of anything illegal, which made her think that the statement was a lie. That was great, she had flown out here to check things out and there was nothing. Groaning under her breath, she adjusted her jacket. Unlike a typical force user, she didn’t wear a robe or carry her lightsaber so obviously on her belt.

The blade clung to her thigh, which could be easily mistaken as a blaster. Looking around once more, she attempted to try and pick up on anyone or anything that might give her some sort of lead. The only thing that caught her attention was a young girl leaning against the wall. Being an empath, she was capable of feeling the emotions pouring off of her. Sighing softly, she shoved the back of peanut along with her hands into the jacket pockets. Making her way towards the girl she leaned forward slightly and looked at the young Jedi.

In a soft voice and a tender smile, Spencer called for her attention. “So what’s going on kid? Why the sour face?” [member="Solia Tala"]

 

[Solia Tala]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Lost and thought and still debating on how she was going to deal with her dilemma, Solia didn't notice the older woman's approach until she spoke, once more sending a thought through her mind to add another failing to her tally. Apparently being so self absorbed she didn't keep her senses extended outward, even if she wasn't really sure if it was necessary since the thugs who probably were any threat had already left. So it was that she laughed nervously a little at the question as she looked up while trying to sense if there was any threat nearby she wasn't paying attention to. "Oh nothing I may or may not be a little lost is all. . . ." It wasn't as if there was much time to take to notice the woman in front of her was force sensitive once she started reaching out, but it came as a bit of a shock when Solia felt it.

The person in front of her felt trained, at least it didn't feel normal and it was certainly a presence far beyond her own. Had someone been sent to take of this aside from her? From the feeling she got, the woman in front of her was fairly strong. Had she been sent by mistake then when this woman was supposed to handle the illegal weapon problem? Or had it been deemed too much and they had sent her after to take charge? It left Solia feeling doubly like calling back to the temple and getting clear details on what was going on, but if she did would they refute her for doubting their decision. . . . .or would they tell her they had tried informing her but she had missed their communication. She didn't think she had, but it would be just her luck if she did. "Oh, I guess you're probably here for the situation too then. I found the gang handing out the illegal weapons doing a drop off, but. . . .they got away as I showed up. I was just trying to figure out how to proceed when you appeared."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Leaning back up, Spencer gave the girl some room. Looking around she could feel the remnants of the exchange and then the sudden shock when a young Jedi waltzed up to try and do something. Musing over what she was discovering and the story the girl had told her, she reached into her pocket and dug out a couple of peanuts. Popping each one into her mouth with a flick of her thumb, she continued to remain silent minus the occasional crunch of the peanuts in her mouth. Swallowing the last bit of the handful she had pulled out she dusted her hands off and returned her attention to the younger girl.

“I heard about it at the cantina down the street. Some guys were complaining that their routes were being blocked off because of these exchanges. I decided I’d be a good Samaritan and help em out. Though if someone is already on the job then I can return to the cantina and finish my vegebantha burger.” Stretching her arms a little she adjusted the spacer jacket and began to walk back down the street. Stopping, she remembered something and looked back at the girl. Examining the clothing once more, Spencer took a few steps back towards her and narrowed her eyes.

“Jedi? You’re too young to be a Master or a Knight. Where is your Master?”

[member="Solia Tala"]

 

[Solia Tala]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

"W-wait so you weren't sent here to. . ." Trailing off, Solia bit her lip nervously realizing she had probably just told someone something she shouldn't have. However, if this person wasn't a Jedi then who were they? They didn't seem like a Sith, but they definitely had a presence about them that felt like power and training. From the sounds of it the older woman was only intending to get involved on their own and weren't sent by the Order, which meant Solia had likely just confessed there was an issue the Jedi were handling. . . . and that she had been sent and seemed to have botched it up. Although considering how unsubtle she was the fact that she was a Jedi likely wasn't much to figure out even if she hadn't let it slip, especially when the follow up to the comments about the cantina were about where her master was.

Sighing as she decided hurting her lip wasn't getting her anywhere, Solia wasn't sure how to really before she started speaking, the only thought being she couldn't make a mess or panic of things. "My master isn't here now. This. . . . assignment wasn't deemed dangerous or difficult enough to require the added presence of someone above an apprentice or Padawan. . . . I let it go to my head and made some bad calls when I showed up, and now I'm a little unsure what I should do before I mess it up."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed the Order was back to their old ways of sending out padawans before they were ready to even handle a lightsaber. She laughed though, mostly because she had been put in this situation before when she was a padawan, which lead her straight into Ashin’s arms as she became the first apprentice to the woman who had conquered over ten thousand worlds. Despite the similarities to herself, Spencer knew there were differences with this kid’s story and her own. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she stifled the remaining giggles and nodded understanding the delima that was being presented.

“Stuff happens it seems. So no master, no knight to help you out. Just you and me it seems. Hope you’re okay with an Order reject tagging along and helping you out.” Spencer offered her hand, but noticed bits of salt clinging to her fingers. Quickly drawing the hand back she wiped it on her tight fitting brown pants and then offered the hand again. “Spencer Jacobs at your service, you are? If you don’t tell me who you are I’m just going to call you runt. So best give your true name – I have my ways of finding out who you are.” Pausing she gave a dark look and a mischievous grin cracked against her flawless face. “Trust me you don’t want me going in there.” She poked the girl straight in the forehead between her eyebrows.

“Tell me what you know about the case.”

[member="Solia Tala"]

 

[Solia Tala]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

The laughing was not what Solia had been expecting when she made her explanation, but it wasn't a complete surprise either. After all, the young Padawan knew how thoroughly she had messed things up already. It probably sounded like a big farce to anyone else. Still, it hurt a little all the same to hear the older woman laughing. It probably had only been made worse by the fact that Solia had mistaken the other for a master from the temple sent to handle the matter. However, the laughter didn't last long, and quickly enough the older woman began to offer her help actually, although it was said rather. . . .disconcertingly.

A order reject? Was this person a failed apprentice then? They felt so strong though! Were they a fallen Jedi? Or were they just someone who dropped out of their duty? Some Jedi retired technically. . . sort of. The name though. . . .ahhh she wasn't sure if she was supposed to recognize it or not! Did it sound familiar? Or was she just assuming it did because if it was supposed to be one she heard of then it would be pretty bad she didn't. For a solid minute Solia let herself toss and turn internally over what she was supposed to do and didn't notice the grin on Spencer's face as she spoke until she was poked between the eyes and she caught what the older woman was saying. "Ah! I'm Solia Tala! And I. . . um I know that there are a lot of instances of local gangs selling weapons in small black market dealings around the city, but there's a good chance they have bigger sales in secreted locations. The order isn't sure who they're supplying or why but people selling illegal weapons within the Republic isn't normally good so they sent me to put a stop to it. They. . . .thought it would be easy since the gang is bold in some places like today. . . .they figured I could catch some and question them for their hideout's location easily."

Wait. . . . did she really just give up a bunch of information about trouble in the Republic. . . .what if she really couldn't have read her mind! Oh dear. . . .

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer watched the young padawan think, it was obvious she was wondering and trying to dissect Spencer’s words. Allowing her to finish, Spencer nodded taking in everything and looking about their location. It was going to be difficult now that the gangs knew that there was a Jedi on the streets. If only the kid had remained quiet and undercover she could have done this probably by herself and Spencer could have enjoyed her day off at the bar watching the arena matches and eating a vegan bantha burger.

Oh well, she was getting bored with the matches anyways. After Solia finished talking, Spencer grinned and patted the kid on the head. “Well there’s not much more we can do here now since they know you’re a Jedi. We’ll have to collect intel in a different area. Hide your lightsaber and lose the cloak. Should probably get you out of those robes too.” Spencer reached over completely ignoring the personal space of the girl and grasped the fabric pulling at it. “You’re small like me, you might be able to fit into something I have back in my room at the cantina.” Grabbing the girl’s arm, Spencer dragged her back down the street to the cantina. “I’ll get you some food and we can talk more about what you know so far and we can probably get some information from the drunks down at the cantina hahaha.”

It didn’t take them long to return to Spencer’s room, she locked the door behind her and left Solia to stand near the door. Nodding towards a chair, Spencer spoke as she dug in her small bag. “Make yourself at home while I try and find you something. You got any questions for me? I’ve been bombarding you with mine so its only fair.” Casually the older woman started tossing pants and shirts towards Solia, they looked worn and had nothing special about them. Typical spacer gear, great for blending in – totally not something you’d find at a Jedi temple. Spencer was unorthodox in everything she did, even being something of a Jedi.

[member="Solia Tala"]

 

[Solia Tala]

[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Well this was a day shaping up to be something that Solia would never forget. As nervous as she was, getting pat on the head by Spencer as the other woman continued to talk about handling things together made the young Padawan sigh with relief and begin to relax. Though she regretted relaxing so much a moment later as she soon found herself grabbed and held rather tightly as the older woman began to drag her off and tell her that her robes and cloak had to go and that since they were both small something about clothes fitting her and a cantina and she was just becoming very confused and flustered and lost as she was pulled along. "W-wait Maybe I should call this in I mean what if I'm breaking a rule or umm."

Honestly the more she thought about it the more she resigned herself once they finally reached the cantina and Spencer's room after that. After all, she had already messed things up quite royally, so at this point whatever else she did couldn't be that much worse. Accepting help at this stage couldn't make things any worse, so the Padawan stood to the side as Spencer locked the door until a chair was pointed out to her. She hadn't really thought of many questions to ask her newfound ally really by the time she was asked, but then Solia had been more preoccupied with worrying, and still was until she took notice of the clothes Spencer gave to her. ". . . .why do you feel like helping me I guess? Isn't it a bother to get involved when you don't have to? And um. . . .um. . . .bantha or nerf?"

Trying to smile as she attempted the poorly thought up joke and diversion from her lack of questions, and also because Spencer mentioned food before, Solia picked up the outfit given to her and felt a pang at the thought of changing. "Give me a sec I'll go change quick."