maskormenacelogs | [closed] at cops and robbers time, i hope the bad guys win

WHO: Boba and Kanan!
WHERE: Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Mid-December
WHAT: Kanan gives Boba a fright. Boba does nothing to reassure him about clones. General miscommunication and misunderstandings likely ensue.
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of juvenile delinquency and clone issues. Will update if needed.

[It’s not a great day to be a courier in Maurtia Falls. Or a great season, to be honest. There are plenty of jobs available, but pretty much every single one involves waiting around in the cold to either pick something up for delivery or drop it off with its recipient.

Boba’s doing the former now. He’s been shivering in this grimey alleyway for the better part of half an hour, hands shoved in his pockets as he wonders resentfully whether he can get away with charging extra for clients who make him wait. They always say time is money, after all.

He’s just about to stalk off when he hears footsteps approaching. Finally. He shutters his annoyance behind an indifferent expression and peers around the corner, expecting to see some familiar face from Maurtia Fall’s underbelly. But the man he sees approaching is familiar in a different, much more alarming way and Boba feels his irritation quickly give way to a rush of anger and fear.

It’s been a few months since they ran into each other at the convention in Heropa, but Boba isn’t stupid enough to forget a Jedi.]

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[ Kanan doesn't consider himself a vigilante, or a crime fighter, per se. There are people here who make it their job to do that kind of thing, whether as part of the police, or a group like Aegis, or just as independent agents. Kanan, for his part, rarely seeks such things out. On the other hand, he's made it his business to protect the most vulnerable of Maurtia Falls, knowing full well that a lot of bad sorts would love nothing more than to exploit those same vulnerable people.

So he has run-ins, from time to time. And, from time to time, some of the kids he protects let him know about... certain operations. Operations that seek to use, abuse or exploit children, in particular. This is one such.

Tonight, he's just doing a bit of reconnaissance - not planning to go in, lightsaber blazing, all by himself, to take out some thugs. Just scouting, really, getting a feel for the level of security and how many people they have here.

He's not expecting to sense the young clone he met at the Fanport Convention a couple months ago. ]

What're you doing here?

[ He keeps his voice to a low whisper. ]

[Boba’s mind is racing as the man draws nearer. Had the clones told the Jedi about him? Is that why he’s here? Or had whoever told the clones also informed the Jedi? His gaze darts towards Kanan’s waist, looking for a lightsaber, and then back up to the Jedi’s face.]

Don’t come any closer! [he snaps, radiating agitation. He could switch off—deaden his emotions like the first time he’d encountered the Jedi. But he’d known the Jedi didn’t know who he was then. Now, he isn’t sure. For all he knows, he needs that anger and fear to get out of this unscathed.

He doesn’t answer the Jedi’s question, instead throwing it back at him.]

Why are you here?

Investigating. [ He says that without hesitation, but holds a finger to his lips to indicate they need to keep quiet. ]

Were you brought here against your will? Have you been harmed, or threatened?

[ His first thought, of course, is that the kid is in trouble, in which case he'll help him. He'd never do anything to put a child in danger. ]

[The Jedi’s answer doesn’t reassure Boba at all. If anything, it only alarms him more. After all, if the Jedi had followed him, then he has a pretty good guess of what he’s “investigating.” And he knows that for people like him, Jedi investigations don’t end well.

As for the questions, Boba sees them for what they are: bait..]

No. I don’t need your help.

[His father had told him about what happens when Jedi offer their “help.” Boba knows better than to accept it.]

[ Kanan holds up his hands, a placating gesture. This clone - or maybe not a clone? He seems younger. More like Ezra, honestly, as angry as he is. Whatever. Kanan isn't here for him, and he doesn't seem to be in immediate danger. ]

If you don't need help, that's fine. But you shouldn't be here. These people are dangerous criminals.

[That response is… not what Boba had expected. The Jedi is telling him to leave—though the reason he gives is laughable. But if he’s warning Boba about “dangerous criminals,” that means he likely doesn’t realize Boba is one of them. And that means he doesn’t realize who Boba is.

Boba stares at him for another beat, fear and anger settling into mixed hope and suspicion.]

Okay, [he says, watching the Jedi carefully as if half-expecting him to change his mind at a moment’s notice.] ...I’ll leave then.

[Is this really going to be that easy?]

[ Kanan is not changing his mind, though he is somewhat curious. ]

Can I ask what they're paying you? And if it's worth it?

[The Jedi’s questions raise another brief frisson of alarm, though the man still isn’t making any move towards him. Still, Boba has a choice now: play dumb or answer. He’s quiet for a moment and then:]

Enough that I don’t have to depend on anyone else. That’s worth it.

[The Jedi knows he’s here for a reason—the innocent bystander charade wouldn’t work, even if Boba felt like trying it. More than that, though? He's sick of coming up with cover stories.]

[ He's either here through coercion, or he's been misguided in some way, that's for sure. He's young, though, and clearly not a clone. Maybe Kanan can get through to him. ]

You can do that without getting involved with criminals. Besides, these guys? They wouldn't ever let you be actually independent. They'll make sure you're beholden to them, one way or another.

[Boba bristles at his words. As much as his safety depends on the Jedi not finding out his true identity, part of him wishes the man knew exactly who and what he is. He’s not some naive kid; he’s a bounty hunter and one who’s worked for the crime boss of an entire planet. He can handle a few small-time criminals who want some packages delivered.]

I’m not afraid of them. Anyone who tries to control me will learn to regret it.

[The cold stare he levels at the Jedi says Boba doesn’t consider him exempt from that threat.]

[ Kanan can certainly sense the hostility, though he has no idea where it comes from. ]

That's all well and good, but they outnumber you.

Also, they're not gonna be in business for much longer, so you should probably find another job soon.

[Boba remains undaunted and, as unwise as it is, he can’t stop himself from saying as much.] They usually do.

[He’s made it this far with the vast majority of the galaxy against him—and that majority had been bigger and better armed than anything this planet had to offer.

The Jedi’s warning gets a scowl.] Thanks for the tip, [he says sarcastically. Looks like he’ll be informing his clients of a new threat to their business.] Are we done here?

[ It's a risk, but not a big one, so far as Kanan is concerned. Obviously, he's not about to give over any details about how, when, who, etc. If they're alerted that someone is after them, they might pick up and move their headquarters, but that would be a setback, not a deterrent. And if there are any people in the organization looking for an excuse to get out, then they can. That is more important to Kanan than the element of surprise, or even his own safety.

After all, what are they gonna do, kill him? ]

There are other paths. Being beholden to thugs and murderers isn't freedom. Hopefully you'll see that sooner rather than later.

We're done. But NeoJedha is always there, if you find yourself in need of help.

[ The kid is so hostile, maybe even expecting an attack. It's possible he's not expecting Kanan to simply turn to leave. ]

I’m not beholden to anyone, [Boba retorts, not a trace of doubt or uncertainty in his voice—or his mind. He does what he does because he chooses to, not because he’s been coerced or forced into it. He could stop if he wanted to. But he doesn't.

The Jedi wouldn’t understand. They sign away their very emotions to their Order. Who are they to lecture him on freedom?

The mention of a “NeoJedha” is the only thing that raises any uneasiness in Boba’s mind. He’s never heard of it and isn’t sure what it is. Some kind of sanctuary, by the way the Jedi phrases it. A trap, no doubt.

To Kanan's credit, Boba isn’t expecting it when he simply turns and walks away. Boba watches him leave, still on high alert. He’ll wait until several minutes after the Jedi is out of sight to make his own exit—and keeps an eye open for any sign he’s being followed as he does.]

[closed] at cops and robbers time, i hope the bad guys win

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fin!