𝕮𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡
━━ 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙋𝙄𝘿𝙀𝙍'𝙎 𝙒𝙀𝘽

━━ 𝘊𝘙𝘠𝘓𝘓𝘌𝘚
𝟸𝟹 𝙱𝙱𝚈

The light changes from red to orange and then to blue as Anakin and Selyn pass from stand to stand in the market. Each of them has put up a coloured cloth as a cover from the merciless sun beating down on the dwellers, offering cool shade to those interested in their goods.

Selyn's mother has hesitantly asked her if she could pick up some fresh meat and other ingredients from the market in her spare time, and she has gladly accepted the task. Selyn appreciates every opportunity to claim at least partly what once was her everyday life.

So far they haven't bought much and mostly just ventured through this labyrinth of colourful fabrics, shiny jewellery and baskets of ripe fruit. But Selyn doesn't mind, in fact she enjoys this slow approach and wandering around lazily side by side with Anakin, baked goods in their hands. She has grown so used to his company in the past few days and truly enjoys it now, the easy banter and their thoughtful conversation. And something has shifted in that space between them after Nedyr's celebrations, it has become more comfortable, more settled.

A bantha trots by, loaded with containers of water and leaving a small trail of puddles on the dusty cobblestones. Anakin quickly pulls her to the side, his hand lingering on her arm longer than it would have needed to.

Selyn quickly looks around to prevent her cheeks from heating up. They are at a stand selling artfully crafted jewellery now, mostly made from beautiful crystals. Her eyes roam over the table and its contents and her eyes fall onto a necklace consisting of a simple golden chain and attached to it with delicately wound wire is a smoothly rounded crystal that seems to glow faintly in hues of gold and orange. As if someone took the colours from sun and captured them in the stone.

"This one reminds me of you." Anakin points to the same one Selyn is examining. "I like the colours."

"You have a good eye, young man. This stone was harvested from the desert itself and is said to have healing properties," the seller adds eagerly.

"Highly doubt that," Anakin mutters under his breath and Selyn grins.

The man eyes them closely, thrilled to have potential buyers, and presses on: "I'm sure your girlfriend would appreciate-"

"My friend," Anakin corrects him smoothly and Selyn is suddenly very keen on avoiding his gaze.

"Whatever, whatever! Try it on!" He urges, handing them the necklace.

Anakin fumbles with the clasp for a while but finally manages to open it. He pushes her hair aside, a concentrated look on his face as he bends closer, his fingers brushing Selyn's neck as he puts it on. Goosebumps spread from the feathery touch.

He lowers his arms slowly and Selyn is alarmed by how close they suddenly are. Her heart seems to be beating twice as fast as usual, and she wouldn't be surprised if Anakin could hear it thunder inside her chest. The crystal is cool against the skin of her neck.

"Looks nice," Anakin says, which he can't possibly know since he hasn't averted his eyes from hers. Selyn finds that she can't look away either, she has never noticed that clearly before what striking blue colour his eyes are.

She swallows hard, each second heavier and more intense than the one before. Anakin reaches up, tucking one of the small braids she's made to keep the hair from her face behind her ear. Selyn closes her eyes as his thumb caresses the skin of her cheek, light and gentle like butterfly wings.

"That would be twenty-three credits," the trader's voice interrupts them, cutting through the fuzzy cotton that seems to be filling Selyn's brain now.

Her eyes fly open just in time to see deep annoyance cross Anakin's face as he pulls his hand back. Without his touch her skin feels suddenly vacant, and she's scared she might just lose her balance and stumble.

With shaky fingers she opens the chain and lays it back. "Maybe another day."

Selyn doesn't dare to look at Anakin.

He turns her brain into cotton. She doesn't like that. So she has to stay away from that Skywalker boy at all costs, she decides.

That's what she tells herself at least.

Heart still beating furiously, Selyn steps back from the stand. The mood between them has shifted, something strange and unknown has now entered the space between them. Something that Selyn doesn't know how to handle, and so she says nothing and avoids to meet his gaze.

Luckily, they are rescued from this situation by her sister. Selyn could have thanked the spirits on her knees for that welcome interruption.

"Selyn! Anakin!" Cleodys hurries through the crowd in the market towards them, pushing through people in colourful robes and narrowly missing braided baskets filled with dried fruit.

She has been patrolling the eastern parts of Sol City alone and apparently found something worth investigating. She comes to a halt before the two padawans, still panting and leaning forward to catch her breath, hands on her knees for support. Selyn notes the displeased look on her face and her tense shoulders. Whatever happened, her sister is not happy with how it went.

"I saw a member of Serpent and Bone so I followed them. But they noticed me after some time and started running." She scoffs, evidently furious with herself. "They escaped me somewhere around the ports."

"Which one?" Selyn asks.

"The shady one," her sister answers. "I was hoping the three of us could split up there and find their lair."

This is the best lead they've had in days. Selyn, who has gotten increasingly impatient due to their lack of progress with the mission, feels excitement rush through her veins again and eagerly fastens her braid.

The trio ventures towards the Eastern quarters, splitting up to cover the narrow alleys filled with pubs and tiny shops around Crylles' smallest port. The colours seem to have faded since they left the marketplace where everything was bright and vivid, now they have embarked a world of greyish and dull brown tones. The clanging from metal hitting metal fills the smoke-clouded air as they pass junk shops and repair services, and the sharp stench of engine oil mixed with human odours gets stronger and stronger as they dive into the crowd of rather dodgy-looking people.

Most of them are probably up to not so legal activities. Since it is the least important and often ignored by the authorities it has become a thriving centre of criminal activity and smuggling. It would only make sense to be controlled by the Clan of Serpent and Bone.

As they meet up by the port and everyone has searched their designated area, Anakin has news. "I saw someone with a tattoo – I think it was the symbol of Serpent and Bone – so I followed them. Unlike Cleodys-" he looks rather smug as Cleodys' expression turns sour, "-I wasn't noticed so I watched them until they disappeared into a small building next to a repair service."

"Can you take us there?" Selyn asks eagerly.

He nods. "Follow me."

Cleodys and Selyn trail after him and they hide behind a corner next to the entrance Anakin had spotted.

"Alright, Selyn and me will go in, Cleodys, you stay outside as guard," Anakin orders.

"I want to go in with you!" Cleodys protests.

"But someone has to notify us if there's any activity," he argues.

"Then you stay as guard," Cleodys offers. "I go in with Selyn, I'm older than you and more experienced and most likely smarter."

"Wait, how many star systems did you save from certain doom then?" Anakin pretends to think. "Oh, right, none."

"Rude," she scolds him. "Rude is what you are. But fine, if you're so awesome then you go inside with Selyn and I'll stay here."

Anakin nudges Selyn, urging her to go, and she snaps out of her passive observance of their discussion. It feels funny, watching Anakin and Cleodys argue like siblings, and suddenly she wonders what they've been talking about during their guard duties together. Hopefully not about her; Cleodys telling Anakin about all her embarrassing childhood stories does seem positively terrifying.

But a second later her thoughts are interrupted by a man making it's way to the corner they're hiding in, apparently intending to enter the quarters. He hasn't noticed them yet, but they can't go back onto the street now drawing his attention. The only way is into the dimly lit building.

"We all have to go," Anakin decides. "Now."

Selyn has come to the same conclusion, and so all three of them start running. Along the corridor and deeper into the building, not sure what will be waiting there for them and hoping that there will be a place to hide.

They round a few corners – the house seems to have a larger structure than it appeared from the outside – hoping to put as much distance between themselves and the man. Finally they come across an alcove filled with metal boxes, large enough to hide behind them. Holding their breaths, they wait until he has passed. As he does, Selyn can make out the Clan's symbol tattoed on his wrist.

They wait for a few more seconds to make sure he's not coming back and then leave their hiding place to follow him. Their feet don't make a sound on the sandy floor, Selyn, who is leading the others, has her lightsaber in her hand, ready for combat.

They pass a few more dark rooms and search them quickly, but apart from smuggling goods and some liquor they find nothing of interest.

"We have to find some sort of office or the leader's quarters. Maybe we will find some evidence there," Selyn suggests.

Anakin views the slim corridor questioningly. The light is dim but they can all see that it divides into two more corridors, leading left and right. "I think we should split up," he says. "Two go to the right and one to the left."

The idea of splitting up gives Selyn an uneasy feeling. "I don't think that's a good idea. I say we stay together and search the left corridor first."

She gets going, ready to lead them again.

Anakin looks crossly, but follows her begrudgingly. "Alright princess, whatever you desire."

Selyn turns around, jabbing her finger at him. "Do not call me that!" She knows he must have picked it up from a mission about a year ago where Nadia and Obi-Wan had been sent to Casarees with both their padawans. The rodian guard they'd encountered there had delighted in calling her "princess" which she had found terribly annoying.

He raises his hands defensively. "Sorry. I'll shut up."

„You better."

She continues walking again, leading them into the darkness and she could swear that she hears him mutter princess under his breath.

Cleodys snickers behind them. Selyn grinds her teeth. When they get out of these damned headquarters she swears she will kill them both.

Selyn begins to fear they will never see an end to this labyrinth, but after a few more turns and deserted rooms they are lucky. A door leads to some kind of study with a tiny skylight. Dust particles dance in shafts of warm sunlight that paint a funny pattern on the floor. A kowakian monkey-lizard rustles from time to time in a corner, but apart from that their only company consists of wilted books, sachets filled with strange powders and a wooden desk littered with documents and various devices.

"Perfect," Cleodys mutters, attaching her spear to her back. "Let's get to work."

Each of them covers different corners of the room, flipping through pages and the leader's belongings. It doesn't take long until they get lucky.

"Jackpot," her sister whispers excitedly, pulling a holoprojector with a recorded message from under a pile of smuggling reports.

They gather around it to see a tiny figure compose out of thin air, a man probably in his seventies, hands folded neatly behind his back, showing a troubled expression on his bearded face.

Recognition dawns Selyn, she knows this elegant clothing, knows the charismatic voice in which he begins speaking.

"I salute you as a man who shares your concerns. It appears we have a common adversary and I humbly ask you to listen to suggestions on how to improve the situation for us both."

The man nods respectfully, and Cleodys whispers: "That's Count Dooku of Serenno."

Now, Selyn recognizes him, too, she has seen him in the holo-news before. The ideas of his Seperatist movement have reached her, too, she knows of his intentions to leave the republic and its ineffectual governance and overbearing bureaucracy. Many star systems who share his feeling of neglect from the Core worlds have joined his alliance already. The thought of his interest in her home makes her anxious.

"The laws that are soon to be imposed on hyperlanes by the republic would lead to a great decrease in Crylles' profit off your export of holometal. I know I am not the only one who is troubled by that. I also know that you're a smart man who plans ahead and surely wants to keep its planet's wealth. I offer a solution and merely ask to consider it fully."

"Prick," Cleodys swears under her breath.

"The Queen is about to renew the contract of Crylles' shipments of holometal to the republic and by that prolonging the planet's harmful membership of this corrupt democracy. We cannot let that happen. Take out the Queen with whatever means possible, and we will ensure your leadership in return. I know that your Clan already supervises large parts of Crylles' trade, so you will be suited perfectly gain even more control. If you join our Alliance and sign a contract that ensures the holometal's shipment to us instead, I can assure you that we will pay you generously to compensate for the tax' loss. I'll be awaiting your answer."

With that, the projection flickers and vanishes. For a moment they stand quietly around the now empty projector, Cleodys swearing quietly.

But something isn't right, Selyn can feel a nervous feeling spread throughout her limbs.

Anakin feels it, too and voices her concern. "This seems almost too easy."

"What do you mean?" Cleodys asks.

"The dropped pin by the assassins, and now this message, put where we can find it easily...it feels like someone is manipulating us."

Selyn agrees, but before they can discuss the matter further, she hears drumming of multiple pairs of feet hitting the floor. It comes closer and closer and before they have as much as a chance to hide, a man storms in, closely followed by numerous guards that line up behind him, facing the three of them.

Selyn feels Cleodys grow more tense next to her, lifting her spear, but before she can do something reckless like attack, Anakin speaks. "We mean no harm." He calmly deactivates his saber, raising his hands to indicate he's no threat. Selyn follows his suit, and in her periphery she can see Cleodys reluctantly lowering her spear, too.

A bald man, small but broad shouldered and robust-looking, steps forwards, his tiny eyes fixating the three of them viciously.

"Thought we wouldn't notice you kids breaking in our headquarters, eh?" The guards behind him raise their diverse assortment of rusty guns, pointing them towards the trio. "But you weren't smart enough to notice the sensors behind the doors, huh?"

Selyn wants to smack her own head. Stupid. In fact she didn't notice the tiny lenses, she's been too caught up to search the room for possible evidence.

But Anakin steps forwards slightly. "I'm sorry for trespassing," he says evenly. "We're Jedi and we're merely here to uncover the truth. I fear there has been a misunderstanding, and if you help us we will be on our way in no time."

"A misunderstanding, eh?" The leader eyes Anakin suspiciously, but the padawan's friendly tone must have eased his aggression since he gestures the guards to lower their weapons. Selyn finds it a little easier to breathe now, mostly because of the sudden decrease in guns being pointed at their heads.

"There has recently been an attack on the Queen," Anakin continues to explain and Selyn is glad that he is manoeuvring the situation so calmly. "We have been assigned with the task to find the person responsible and our investigation has led us here. However, we believe that it is not your Clan who orchestrated the assassination."

"Hmpf," the leader grunts, his eyes falling onto the holo projector. "I see you've found the Count's message. It arrived yesterday, and in the light of what you just told me I'm guessing it's been planted to make us appear suspicious."

"That's what we figured," Cleodys chimes in.

"Well, then let me tell you this: I have no interest in killing the Queen whatsoever. I wouldn't profit off the Count's offer since our business is mostly smuggling and...let's say less constricted by legal norms. The republic's tax won't affect us. And the confusion and chaos following the Queen's death would only harm our business."

He looks at the three of them again, sizing them up and apparently coming to a decision. "Here's the deal, kids: I let you go unharmed and in return you tell your little guards and the Queen and whoever else is interested that my Clan has nothing to do with those attacks. I don't want to see any prying noses here again, is that understood?"

They nod in unisono, giving the impression of children being let off easy after a parent's scolding.

"We thank you for your cooperation," Cleodys says.

"You can thank me by finding the ones responsible, and now get out of my sight!" The Clan leader jabs his thumb towards the door rigorously, and Selyn, glad for the new gathered intel and the peaceful resolution of this situation, follows his order.

It is only when they step out of the dim headquarters into the sun and onto the noisy street again, that she allows herself to relax. But this new reality settles too soon, and she can see in the worried expressions on Anakin's and Cleodys' face that they feel the threat looming. A new player has entered this riddle, and he has taken everything to a whole new level. One that is far more dangerous and bigger than they anticipated, like waking up in a spider's web and finding everything connected by sticky strings they yet had to unravel.

✧･ﾟ:* 𝕬𝘜𝘛𝘏𝘖𝘙'𝘚 𝘕𝘖𝘛𝘌 *:･ﾟ✧

me writing the market scene ^

DAMN. What a ride, what a ride. A lot happening again in this chapter and if you can't tell already I had insane fun writing those tension scenes like damn they just can't handle it anymore 😭

also plot moving forward! mysteries, mysteries...

thanks for reading my loves!! ❤️

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