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

[myownprice]

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.]

Comments

[kanyounot]

[ 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.

[myownprice]

[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?

[kanyounot]

[ 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. ]

fin!

[myownprice]

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.]