The Beginning of the End

I sat in a tavern, across from a bambling idiot I currently called my boyfriend, though honestly, it didn't take much for me to call a guy my boyfriend. They just kinda needed to not be from Mos Eisey and be able to tell a story different than the ones on the bookshelf in my bedroom. I was Bored. Having a guy normally made me Not Bored for a short period of time, but the length of those times was dwindling.

This guy Toro was suppose to be entertaining me now, but he was failing at his job. I met him three days ago and we introduced ourselves in his tiny room at the local inn. Well, with our bodies first, then with our voices. He entertained me then, and I was hopeful, but three days later, and I'm listening to him tell the same five stories in thirty different ways. I was ready for someone else. Actually, I was ready for something else.

I was ready to create my own stories.

Someone, take me away from here, I pushed the thought out into the universe and a small sigh escaped me.

But… my mother. I quickly tried to think the thought I flung into the universe back. I couldn't leave my mother. I was all she had and without her, I wouldn't have had anything when my biological parents died. I'd probably be dead too.

"C'mon, EJ, are you listening? I'm about to get to the really good part," Toro complained. It was my fault, I suppose. I fell into his stories, even when he repeated them the first few times, and now he thinks I'll fall into them each and every time.

"Where you get backed into a corner and magically-" I began, but he cut me off with a huff.

"With skill, not magic."

I opened my mouth, knowing I would probably regret the remark that was about to come out of it, but the grumpiness of my tone would have currently matched the grumpiness I was feeling on the inside. As I was looking at him, about to snap back, his head suddenly swiveled to the left, and his face lit up.

"Think again, Tin-Can," he abruptly called out. "Ya looking for work? Have a seat, my friend." I looked over now, seeing what had lit up his face so much. A man in head-to-toe sleek armor was standing at the bar, now partially facing us. "The name's Toro. Toro Talican. This is my girl, EJ. C'mon, relax..."

The armored man glanced at the droid at the bar, maybe for a sign on whether this was a good idea, but… it was a droid. It was as if the man didn't have a choice because he began walking over. Toro straightened in his seat, trying to make himself look bigger than he was, I'm sure, and I was also sure this one didn't notice one bit. I don't think he even noticed me, despite taking the empty seat next to mine. He was focused on Toro as he talked about the bounty he accepted for an assassin, another thing he's talked nonstop about, but hasn't made a move to follow through on. However, with this guy, Toro might actually stand a chance getting it.

I looked at the man next to me. He looked like he was focused on Toro, the angle of his head pointed to him, and for some reason my brain wanted my eyes to take in his helmet. Then for some reason, my brain wanted my fingers to touch it the smooth metal, but I knew better to give in to every whim my brain wanted at this point in my life.

Then I heard him utter his first words: "I know the name." I hadn't been listening to the conversation up to that point, but I believed it. I also believed not only did he know the name, but he knew of many things, and not just knew. Prepared for battle like he was, he'd also seen many things.

I snickered and I think that was when he realized I was there. His armored head turned to me and I was pretty sure he was looking me dead in the eye.

Toro continued, "Yeah, well, I followed this tracking fob here," after a long second, the man straightened his head back to face Toro, "and the positional data suggests she's heading out beyond the Dune Sea. Should be an easy job." He sat there, relaxed, leaning on the table. He was really playing this cool card well.

But then the man started to get up, saying, "Well, good luck with that." I looked at him, surprised. This big ol' bounty hunter didn't want this? I was surprised… and a little bit disappointed.

However, I didn't show it as Toro did. I saw a look of panic flash across his cool facade. "Wait, wait, wait, I thought you needed work!"

"How long have you been with the guild?"

"Long enough-" Toro replied, a little too firmly. More defensive than cool. Great, have I been sleeping with a liar?

"Clearly not. Fennec Shand is an elite mercenary. She made her name killing for all the top crime syndicates, including the Huts. If you go after her, you won't make it past sunrise." Now firm was a good word for the tone of this voice, there was no trying to be cool, there were just facts.

Toro sat there in shock for a moment and my eyebrows rose at this man's harsh words, but it was all I could do to not laugh again. Seeing Toro kicked down a few pegs was priceless, more so now if it gets made known he made everything up. I'd take a lie from the guy I want to entertain me, as long as I know it's not one. Refusing to look at me, he abruptly stood up and muttered, "This is my first job." Oh, there we go. "You can keep the money, all of it. I just need this job to get into the guild. I can't do it alone."

I wanted to snap at Toro, but the collected, emotionless atmosphere this man's suit provided now made me not want to lose my cool around him. So I was gonna wait and give Toro a what-for when he leaves.

"Meet me at hanger 35 in half an hour. Bring two speed bikes. And give me the tracking fob," the man finally replied. Hanger 35? That's my mother's! I bet she had a hoot meeting him. He stretched out his hand to Toro, waiting for the fob, and I wanted for Toro to give it to him. Even though I knew Toro couldn't refuse, it was a tense moment.

And then the idiot slammed the tracking device against the wall, causing a spark and the device to crumble to the ground. "Don't worry, got it all memorized," he said, pointing to his head with a grin. I rolled my eyes and stood up, preparing to go off.

"Half an hour," the man emphasized in a response.

"Looks like you're stuck with me now, partner!" Toro called after him, before turning around. The grin on his face faded looking at the pissed off face that was mine.

"Those are true stories… they just didn't happen to me," Toro tried to defend, but his defense didn't cause my expression to change. "Look, what was I suppose to tell you? A pretty girl like you wouldn't have given me the time of day if I told you the truth."

I opened my mouth to yell back, but I had no truth to yell. Yeah, he was hot, but being hot didn't do it all for me. I needed the stories. I needed to know something new about the world. When had I become that shallow?

I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was all getting too complication for me for someone who was just suppose to make me Not Bored. "Okay, fine. Whatever. Just make sure you get three bikes. I'm coming with you." The words slipped out of my mouth before I knew I was saying them. I tried to not let on that this revelation shocked me as much as it did Toro, buuut this adventure had come to me, after all… and I was going on it.

"I don't think that's a good-

I took a step closer and put my hand on his cheek, weaving my fingers through his hair. "I believe in you, baby. I believe you can do this. You told me just as much with your stories that this is what you want and I believe you can do it," I cut him off in a low voice, but for the sake of not lying, I had to add, "Well, with this guy helping you out, and you said it, it's an easy job. I'll be fine."

Now that his bravado with me has been destroyed, his face was lined with worry. "We're going to catch an assassin. That's not something you should be coming along for. Though actually, I'm pretty sure he's a Mandalorian. I'm surprised you didn't notice."

My eyebrows reached, slightly speechless. I've heard quite a few stories about Mandalorians but I don't think anyone that comes to Mos Eisley wearing shiny armor was a Mando.

"But I only feel safe with you coming. You're younger than the Mandolarian, stronger, and his thoughts might be outdated. I know you're strong enough to protect me, plus I want to see you in action," I replied, hastily, ignoring the jab, and I could see the flattering working on his resolve.

He, for once, was quiet, thinking as if he had a choice in this.

"But whatever, get only two speed bikes. I'll sit in the back of the Mando's," I finished strong with a smirk. Jealously flashed through his eyes just like I thought it would.

Toro looked down at his watch. "Looks like we have 21 minutes now."

"See you at hanger 35," I grinned at him before hurrying off. I did have a gun, a few actually, and I did know how to use it. Well, self-taught but I haven't killed myself yet, so I'm gonna tell people I know how to use it.

"Hey, Mando, what do you think?" Toro called out when the door opened. "Not too shabby, eh?

"I'm not liable if she dies," was Mando's first words when he saw me, but then he began inspecting the bikes.

"Thanks. Thanks for that," I deadpanned back, but as he walked more I could see a woman following him out of the door and I froze. The women that was unfortunately my mother.

Off in the distance, Toro continued on talking to Mando, but my eyes had locked with my mom and all I could hear was myself swallowing. I tore myself away first, guilt-ridden, and looked at the baby in her arms. It was green with floppy ears and big dark eyes that melted my soul when it looked at me.

"Elara Jyrenn, what the hell do you think you're doing?" She screeched, causing the child in her arms to look up at her in terror. Mom felt him flinched and looked down, "Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart, I didn't mean to scare you, but I had to mom-voice my daughter here to get some sense back in her."

Both Toro and Mando looked at me, with at least Toro with raised eyebrows. "This is your mother?" he exclaimed.

I swallowed again and looked back at her. "I'm sorry, Mom," I said, swinging my leg around the closes bike and taking off.