Trouble with Frogs

[kali]

Kali landed her ship in a landing dock in Mos Eisley space station. Letting out a huge sigh, she ran her hands through her now shoulder-length black and gold hair. She hadn't returned to her home planet since she'd left to become a bounty hunter a long time ago. Fingering the long scar on her left arm, and remembering the price she had to pay for her freedom, she stood, and left for the nearest public place, trying to avoid the Hutts. The last thing she wanted was to run into her old master, the one who had treated her terribly. It was a good thing there was so much diversity on this planet.

"Gosh, it's good to feel the desert again," she thought as she soaked in its warm rays like a plant does sunshine. She never realized how much she'd missed it up to now.

[kvotha]

Kvotha stood in the shade of a building, casually watching the hustle and bustle of the town. Dust rose thick on the streets. Merchants bartered with customers - trying to sell their wares for the best prices. She smiled to herself, realizing she had come to love this planet that had lent an escape from her father and the Jedi Order.

Wiping sweat from her neck, she continued to eye the crowd. She had just finished her most recent commission repairing old R2 droids and was ready for a break from the heat and the questions of curious farmers who wanted to know how exactly she used her psychometry for repairs.

Though, if only she'd allow herself to admit it, what she really needed was a reprieve from the guilt that had recently been plaguing her thoughts. Running away only gave temporary relief. After that, reality would begin to pick at the mind.

[kali]

Kali walked among the crowd, pulling a white hood over her head, hating how it affected her peripheral vision. She wore white sleeveless robes now, and gloves to hide her feline features. Cathar were prized slaves in Tattoine, so it was important not to be recognized by a Hutt as a Cathar. This was also the only place in the galaxy that had her listed as a known bounty hunter. She just had to hide her face as best she could. There were so many people out here.

Her communicator beeped, as her current contact decided to make himself known, so she ducked down in the shade of a building, ignoring the girl with tattoos that stood a few feet from her. This was a stupid mission. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Yes?" she said, as soon as she activated the hologram, holding it with her left hand.
"Have you located the subject?" asked her employer.
"It's a giant frog," said Kali.
"So you haven't yet?" he said coolly. "I am very disappointed, there are others who spoke very highly of you."
Kali glared into the hologram. "This is a waste of my talent, so unless you have a real reason to bother me, besides tell me right after I've landed that I have not lived up to your expectations, I suggest you let me do my job."
"You will regret saying that to me," he said. "Let me know when you have it."
Kali snarled as his image faded out. How dare he! Then again, it was all part of being a bounty hunter.

[kvotha]

Watching the woman shrouded in a white robe talk in frustrated tones reminded Kvotha of someone she knew. Perhaps she should not be eavesdropping, but it wasn't like she could have helped it.

"Do I know you?" She asked, turning to the mysterious person. She really hoped she did know this person, there was no other way she could explain feeling the aura of familiarity exuding from the woman. "And... a giant frog?"

[kali]

Kali still held the communicator in her hand as she turned her head. She knew that voice.

"Why hello, Kvotha!" said Kali. "Fancy seeing you here!" She gave her a warm smile as she pulled her hood off of her head just enough for the woman to see her face.

[kvotha]

"Kali!" Kvotha stepped closer to her, happy to see the feline lady. "I'm surprised at you, coming back to Tatooine. You know I work here - repairing droids. But WHY are you here? And you never answered my question. A giant frog?" She wiggled her eyebrows in a silly manner.

[kali]

Kali pulled the hood over her head again, as she put the communicator away. She was not the affectionate type, but she smiled as she did, and was very glad to see her friend.

"I guess I work here for now, too," she replied. "I have a job to collect a frog-dog from Bantha Country for a private collector. Waste of my talents if you ask me. At least he's well-paying." She let out a wry chuckle. "Fixing droids? Yes, you were always good at that. You should take yourself to Coruscant, they'd make some good use out of you there. Unless you prefer the quiet and the desert, that is."

[kvotha]

"I've come to love this awful heat, as silly as that sounds," she answered with her own laugh. "And the quiet, of course. Among other reasons." She shifted her eyes to watch the crowd for a moment. "I'm taking a break from all of that though. Perhaps I could help you with your current job? Sounds interesting enough, and I won't expect payment or anything of that type. Seems like you could use someone to help you finish the job as quickly as you can." She added the last bit with a gesture towards the communicator Kali had just put away.

[kali]

"Oh, I'd love that," said Kali. "And I was going to offer you a ticket out of here, but if you like it, well, all right. If you need anything, let me know, trust me, I can get it. I'll pay you, because payment is the only thing you can trust nowadays." She smiled. "Ah, this place brings back so many memories...where do I begin?"

[kvotha]

"Well, thank you for the offer, but no thanks. There's someone I am trying to avoid." Kvotha winced as she finally voiced her worries about leaving Tatooine. "As for where to begin.. I believe that would be where this giant frog of yours resides. I've never seen one in my life. Do you have a plan yet? What do you usually use to keep such a creature?" She stopped as she realized she wasn't in charge in this particular situation. "Well, I suppose I should leave the details up to you. You're the bounty hunter." She smiled warmly. "Just tell me what to do!"

[kali]

"I have everything I need in my ship," replied Kali, "I just need to scope out its whereabouts. I'm thinking of starting in Bantha country, that's where all the nasty critters are. I know the Hutts tend to use them as guards, but I'd rather not deal with them." Kali shook off the memory. "Wait," she began her brow furrowing. "Kvotha, who are you possibly trying to avoid, and what trouble have you gotten yourself in?" Her eyes twinkled with humor, but remained wide with surprise.

[kvotha]

"Ah..." Kvotha began, surprised at someone catching on to her guilt. "It's not important. No trouble, not anymore. I just left something unfinished, and I'd rather not have to finish that argument." She shrugged it off, thoughts of her father filtering into her mind. "Well, what are we waiting for? Lead on!"

[kali]

Kali began to walk. "Are you kidding, Kvotha?" she said. "I'm a bounty hunter, people run from me. I can help you, you know." She looked around. "I need a speeder...and a bigger gun I think. Although the bigger gun is for personal reasons." She smiled.

[kvotha]

Kvotha followed beside Kali, her thoughts still on her father. "It's really not that sort of problem, though I do appreciate the offer. It's more of a personal battle." She let out a soft sigh and shook those things from her mind.

"Why do you need a gun?" Kvotha asked, revealing the pacifist side of her. She was excited for adventure, but couldn't they avoid trouble that involved killing?

[kali]

Kali decided to let the matter drop. She could tell it was bothering Kvotha, but she knew it was best to wait until she revealed it in her own good time, otherwise she'd never get anything out of her.

"I need a bigger gun because I like them, my other one's kind of broken," she told Kvotha, "and I'd like to be able to kill anything that might attack us in one shot. I don't know what we'll be facing, and I hope I'll never have to use it, but I honestly don't want to be eaten by a wamp rat or captured by the Sand People. If we're careful we should be okay, I just don't want this to be more trouble than it's worth." Kali tried to ease it to Kvotha. She'd seen how terrible these things were, and wanted to be careful not to get either of them hurt on this silly adventure.