Scepter Park -- Coronet (Corellia)
The park spans a mile across and several miles deep. Pathways weave in and out of trees bushes, and well-groomed grass along the edge of one of the largest lakes on Corellia. Benches and Ramada's are strategically placed to take advantage of the most scenic areas. Paddleboats can be seen dotting the surface of the lake, and off in the distance is a small stall, which rents them. A plethora of wild bird-life can be found in the park for the avid birdwatchers of Corellia.
Meryl
This human woman is of just above average height for her species, a few cents under 2 meters tall. She carries herself with confidence supported by her years, which appear to be some 25 to 30 standards. Her warm, sun-kissed complexion exhibits fine lines around her expressive hazel eyes that sparkle with mischief. Long brown hair is worn in a loose braid down her back. It is warmed with yellow highlights and hints at graying early near her temples. Some strands stray despite her efforts to tuck them behind her ears. Generally, she appears to be quite fit and very healthy. She wears a soft over-shirt of cinnamon brown suede. The shirt is split at the neck. The split runs down to a seam that crosses her chest and from that seam, subtle fringe of about 2" in length hangs down. Her trousers are of a similar material, but smoothly finished and dark brown in color. Both garments show significant wear yet careful maintenance, fitting her well and while practical also flatter the feminine parts of her form. A simple belt supports a thigh holster when worn and a few other essential tools for frontier survival. Her boots are black, simple and fit under her trouser legs. She also wears a jacket on occasion, which is more like a long coat of a thick, finely woven material. The coat looks very warm and can hide a myriad of implements beneath it if need be.
Dusk is so lovely when one isn't in a hurry and can enjoy its lavender cast on the lake. Meryl strolls with leisurely ease, a half dozen books tucked under one arm as she makes her way through the park. Class went well tonight. She felt inspired and thought her students did too. The lecture on ancient Ithorian religious practices, while some might find it try, inspired the University's visiting professor Starrunner and her enthusiasm for the lumbering sentients' wild solstice celebrations in turn inspired her pupils who found her tales of mud bath banquets at the least, amusing. Chuckling to herself, she pauses midpoint along the lakeside to lean over the iron fence railing and watch the sun go down behind the trees, to only leave pale twilight and the scattered walk-way lamps to guide her home to her apartment.
Katrick enters from Meteor Way North -- Coronet (Corellia).
Katrick has arrived.
Katrick
The being before you stands about 6 feet tall. Currently he is wearing the traditional Jedi cloak. Brown in color, it extends from his neck all the way to his feet, keeping them hidden from view. Linked to a small leather belt around his waist is the weapon of a Jedi, a small compact lightsaber. Nothing else can be seen. When the cloak is down, the pleasant features of this man belies the age that can be seen in his eyes. Deep and inset, his brown eyes are bright with intelligence and vitality. Small wrinkles have formed around his eyes and mouth, showing how much the man enjoys smiling. His hair, which holds a tint of brown still, is gray all over and long. Kept in a ponytail at most times, his hair flows freely even when tied up.
"Ahh, the beauty of the world. It is so refreshing to see someone enjoying it for what it is," A voice says behind you, and to the left. Katrick stands there, looking out upon the same view as you. His hands are hidden under the folds of his cloak, though he puts off peaceful vibes to those that may be open to it. He inhales deeply, and seems to take all the peacefulness into himself as he does so. His eyes close as he just stands there and FEELs it. And then he turns to you again, and smiles warmly.
Meryl wonders if the warmth in her heart has the power to turn the universe aright, for it certainly has brought her a friendly companion for lake watching. She sighs, a pleasant, satisfied sound, as she nods to the affirmative. "Mmmm-hmmm. A gal never knows if she'll get to see another like this, so..." She shrugs easily, turning her smiling hazel eyes towards the stranger. "Better do it when you can." She shows mild surprise, noting the man's robes and being quite familiar with their meaning. "Good evening, master," she addresses the Jedi with respect, tipping her hat brim with a finger as if she were a gentleman. "I am honored to share the view with you."
Katrick chuckles and waves a old hand to wave the honors away. "Thank you, Ms Starrunner, but there is no need for formalities. My name is Katrick Jarfet, and I come to you as a fellow xeno-anthropologist. Though rather an amateur, in the extreme. " And he offers you his hand with a smile, and continues with, "I really do not want to disturb you this late, but I was wondering if I could schedule an appointment with you on the marrow to discuss something that has come to my attention. You may have already heard of it, but it seems the Hutts are offering quite a reward for some ancient statue of some sort. I was seeking some information on the subject..." He looks as if he is truly worried about disturbing you at the moment, and his voice shows it as he speaks respectfully, and hesitantly.
The Jedi's hand is taken, and almost absently held. Meryl feel far from bothered, in fact she's extremely intrigued. No amount of nonchalantness displayed outward can hide the intrigue that raises within her. The fact that the great leader of the Jedi Council had sought her out, she just a lowly scholar is nearly lost on her at the mention of his subject matter. "A statue?" she asks, beginning to shake Katrick's hand more vigorously. "Master Jarfet, I...I would be glad to help you in any way I can. You could come to my apartment right now, if you wished, or we could go to a restaurant, or..." Her enthusiasm for a meeting becomes more obvious as she begins to lose her aloof facade to eagerness.
Katrick chuckles as his hand gets pumped faster than water out of a boat. Though he doesn't take his hand away, letting you keep at it as he says, "As a matter of fact, I would enjoy buying you dinner and discuss it. And you should know how important the Hutts seem to think this is, as they are offering 100,000 credits to the person who finds it. You choose the place, and we shall go."
Rewards do not motivate Meryl to brave deep jungles, harsh mountain ice, or parched desert miles to find what treasures the universe hides from seekers like herself. "One hundred thousand?" she ponders as she let's loose Katrick's hand at last. "Some one will be very lucky indeed." She's dying to ask more questions, but knows this is not the place for such a discussion. "Actually, I'm expecting some downloads from the University-net. Student projects to grade, and...our technology is rather limited. I need to be home to receive them. Would you be terribly offended if I offered to cook for you?" Fearing his hesitation she adds quickly, "I promise, I've never killed anyone with my nerf stew."
Katrick face brightens at the mention of nerf stew. "Nerf stew? You must be empowered with the Force, Ms. Starrunner. That is my favorite meal out there, and it's even better when home cooked. I would be more than honored."
Meryl's apartment is not far, only a few blocks from the other edge of the park. She'd picked the place merely for the fact that she wanted the daily walk by the lake to and from the University. It's small, modest, but adequate. The furnishing are simple but comfortable and inviting, much like Meryl herself. Upon entering, she ignites the small fireplace, which cozies it up quite nicely and sets to work in the small kitchen after serving her special guest a beverage of his choice, having offered wine, or beer or coffee. Over the counter, she speaks to him as she slices root vegetables with nimble hands, the smells of steeping meat spices already permeating the small abode. "Which clan is offering this reward," she asks the Jedi.
Enjoying himself more than he has in years, the Jedi Master watches pleasantly as you create the great concoction. As he hears your question, he moves towards your small kitchen with his water, and says, "The Besadii. They are saying that there exists a solid gold statue of some ancient leader of theirs, Dalgorna the Hutt? Anyway, they are wanting its return and are even offering to make the person, or group, that finds this their prime contractor. Quite a hefty deal. I am attempting to find out exactly why. I know a bit about their past, but I have never heard nothing about this."
Meryl slides the rest of the ingredients into the pot, stirring it. She pokes a finger in to taste, extracting it from her lips with an approving smack. "Mmmm...oh, yes. The Besadii, hmmm? Decided they need to recover everything they hocked for cash long ago, hmmm? Now that they're back in the black." Gathering up a stack of plates and utensils, she slides past the robed man to her small table to set places for them both, leaving the stew to simmer for a bit. "Well, the story you're telling of the statue is true. It did exist, as did a lot of Besadii wealth before it was all sold off. But I've not heard anything about who ended up with any off it." She finishes her fussing with the table, placing a hand on her hip and smiling dreamily at Katrick. "But I'd sure like to see it. Too bad I'm wrapped up at the University right now...I wouldn't take any money. I'd just ask that the piece be displayed for a while, before it went back to some Hutt's treasure house never to be seen for another several hundred years." Taking up her glass of home-brewed ale, she comes back to the counter and leans on it. "What exactly did you think I could help you with, Master Jarfet?"
Katrick chuckles a bit as you reveal more information that he knew already, "Well, already you have helped me out a great deal. I knew nothing of the sell off, as it were." And he takes a small sip of his drink and frowns, "So I take it the Besadii were powerful before and then lost it all? Sounds about right. You can never know who you are dealing with when it comes to the Hutts, especially in the political arena." And he sighs as he thinks a bit. "I still can't see why they want this statue so bad. I mean, solid gold and all. It couldn't be worth all that much, other than some sentimental value. And I don't see that happening."
"Pride is worth more than sentiment, with all due respect, Master." Meryl sips her amber brew, considering all she knows of Hutts and their ways. "Clans have risen to power and fallen many times over. Hutts life spans alone see several other sentients' dynasties come of age and die off within their time. "But you're right. Hutts are usually motivated by one thing and one thing alone. Credits. Maybe this statue is the key to something else? Maybe it's more than a statue. Maybe it's a clue?" Her theories come to a boil along with her stew. It's spurting, popping, lid-jumping antics draw her attention and she swiftly goes to the stove to ease the heat.
Katrick shrugs as he watches you work at the meal, "I dunno. It seems to me though, that it might be the value of the statue. Maybe this thing is bigger than I am thinking." And he sips his drink. "I'm more of a language person, and I have studied some of the ancient dialects of Huttese, but you'd think something as important as this would have been more prevalent before now."
Serving up the stew and a generous portion of warm soft bread, Meryl invites the Jedi to sit at her table, still a bit awed at the fact that such a important man is sitting down to her humble, yet tasty meal. "I'm sure information exists somewhere. The Hutts are too proud not to have recorded something about it. Access to the information is always the problem however. But...really," she says while spooning some stew into Katrick's bowl and setting it before him. "If you want to know why they want the statue, the best thing to do is find the thing and find out what it's all about, you know what I mean?"
Katrick eyes widen as he sees the bowl laid before him, and his mouth begins watering as the smell fills his nose. He grins at you and then takes a spoon full before answering. He blows on the stew, takes a sip of in, grins even wider, and downs the spoonful. He wiggles his eyebrows in appreciation of the good taste, dunks a piece of bread into it and bites in. After chewing and swallowing, he looks as if he is in heaven. "Oh this is so terribly good, most excellent stew, Ms Starrunner. "And he dunks his bread again and scarves down another bite. In between eating, he speaks, "Well...yeah." And he washes down the bread & stew with some more water. "But I'm usually busy doing Council things that I could never find the time for something like that. Most of the studies I do are a 'when I can find the time' type thing. And there's not a lot of that." And he takes another spoon full, eating the stew and savoring every bite as if it is the best tasting stuff in the world, which to him it is.
Meryl grins a little, glad to see the elder man enjoying his meal so much. She sort of wonders if being the victim of uninspired cooking goes hand in hand with defending the galaxy against evil. "Well, if research is what you need...I could easily shift my focus for a time, set a couple of students on a chase after it as well," she offers. When Katrick finishes his first bowl, she readily offers him another.
Even if he could refuse such a great tasting meal, he wouldn't. And he takes the offer of seconds readily, having already mopped up his first bowl. After getting his next helping, and eating about half of it in a matter of seconds, he grins and shakes his head, "No no, I wouldn't want to take away from your work now. This is not a major mission for the Council or anything like that. Just a personal whimsy, as it were. Any information you can come up with would be helpful, but I wouldn't change your focus just for this." And he takes a few more sips, nearly finishing off his second bowl in the process. "If you come by anything, all I would ask is that you drop me a quick note. I'll be more than happy to compensate you for any time spent, just send me the bill." And then he cleans out his second bowl, and leans back, sighing in happiness at his satisfied belly. "My lady, that has to be the best nerf stew I have ever eaten. I cannot thank you enough for that lovely meal."
The hostess doesn't press the issue further, though no doubt Meryl Starrunner, her curiosity having been piqued, will not be able to keep from pursuing this as much as her schedule will allow. She simply enjoys Master Jarfet enjoying her simply cuisine. "It was my pleasure," she answers his compliment humbly. It was nice to have company, nice to share her simple meal with good conversation. Until she sat across the table from Katrick, she hadn't realized how isolating the scholarly life had become, a far cry from her days running tramp freighters from one side of the galaxy to the other. Standing, she clears the dishes from the table and finds no leftovers to be put away. She leans back from the sink, peering over the counter at the sated Jedi and offers more temptation. "Now...how about dessert?"
Katrick chuckles at the offer and stands up. He once again pats his protruding belly and says, "I am afraid I can hold no more, Ms Starrunner. I can only thank you for the offer though, and counter it. When next you are on Coruscant, please look me up. While I cannot cook near as well as you, I would be eternally grateful if you would allow me to take you to dinner." And he gathers himself, getting ready to leave. "I shall not take up any more of your time, though, as I need to get going back to Coruscant." And he steps nearer to you and holds out his hand to you. "Please accept my most gracious thanks to you for your help, and the best meal I have had in years."
Meryl takes his hand warmly, this time only patting the elderly limb instead of pumping it. "Your welcome, Master. The honor was mine. I'll keep in touch." Graciously, she allows him to depart only to be greeted by a beep from her console. Her third shift of the day is to start as she sits down to begin reading several thesis's on comparative Corellian mythology with a sigh.
End log.