reyofsunshine | IC inbox

[Qui-Gon knows better than to barge into Rey's room like he would Obi-Wan's, so he gives her door a good knock before speaking up.]

Rey, it's Qui-Gon.

Do you have a moment?

[Not barging in is a wise choice, considering all the various traps and locks Rey has on her bedroom door. Sure, it's a little paranoid, but old habits die hard. And in case Qui-Gon needed any evidence of his good decision, the sound of several latches and a few other mechanical devices being undone may suffice, before Rey opens the door and peers at him with the usual moderate amount of suspicion.]

A moment for what?

[The suspicion, as always, does nothing to ruffle Qui-Gon's proverbial feathers. Instead, he stands there, arms crossed and shoulders relaxed, as he catches Rey's eye.]

A proposition.

[Wait. That alone is pretty suspicious. Best to clarify it isn't something crazy like gambling in some underground casino or taking part in some illegal trading as part of a mission. Not that Qui-Gon Jinn, exemplary Jedi Master, has any experience in either.]

For a job. One that I can't do alone.

[It is pretty suspicious, as proven by Rey narrowing her eyes at him just a bit more at his first answer. And they don't get un-narrowed more at his second, either.]

A job.

[Really, at this point a suggestion of gambling or illegal trading would be welcome. At least it would be specific and not vague or mysterious. Rey doesn't know what you're selling, Qui-Gon, but she ain't buying.]

What kind of job.

[At this point, it's practically tradition for Rey's skepticism and Qui-Gon's good-natured (if not poorly-positioned) intent to clash. It's like a game.]

The kind that involves both of us getting paid for examining a basement and a meal.

My treat.

[Best way to get Rey's attention: talk about free food. It never fails. But it still sounds way too good to be true, and Qui-Gon has an awful lot of room in those robe sleeves to hide things.]

Why would we get paid for examining a basement?

[WHAT ARE YOU UP TO, OLD MAN.]

[His giant sleevies are where he hides his giant armies. Also some lies with a hint of deceit.]

The person offering the contract believes it to be haunted.

[He says matter-of-factly.]

[Alright, well... not exactly what Rey was expecting. And in fact she looks a bit unsure of how to react for a moment.

She's still pretty sure somebody is getting scammed, judging by how shifty Qui-Gon is being about this. She's just not certain if that somebody is her, or if it's the owner of the house. She has Questions. So, first things first, she furrows her brow heavily at him and asks the most telling question of all.]

So do you believe it's haunted? [Oh right also gonna just circumvent this nonsense before it comes.] And don't tell me you believe they believe it. Yes or no.

[She asks good questions!]

[...and she's pretty good at heading him off. Qui-Gon smiles and dips his head in deference.]

I believe there is a very real possibility that they could be haunted, and it wouldn't hurt for us to at least take a look.

[Damn right, old man. Rey can't help looking a bit too self-satisfied about accurately predicting Qui-Gon's nonsense and getting a straight answer out of him, and she folds her arms smugly.]

And what are we meant to do about a supposedly haunted basement?

[Hubris, Rey. The word is hubris.]

Unhaunt it, of course.

[Damn it. Rey's face falls faster than a Sith into a bottomless chasm.]

Obviously. [If she sounds snippy, it's not an accident. Why you gotta steal her thunder, Qui-Gon?]

But how do we do that?

[See? Hubris. She got to learn a lesson before they even headed out!]

I would have to do some research first and see how the locals would handle the situation.

If you'd like to accompany me, you can. Otherwise, I'll return with what I've found before we head out.

[He says as if their plans are already cemented.]

[This isn't the kind of lesson she wanted to learn!

Rey eyes Qui-Gon critically. On one hand, she didn't actually commit to doing this job with him. But on the other, if she did decide to do it and had to rely on him to give her the information he found while doing research....]

I'll go.

[She doesn't sound excited about it by any means, but it's definitely better than spending five hours asking increasingly frustrating questions from the least straightforward person Rey has ever met.]

I'm happy to hear it.

[Even if she doubts Qui-Gon's sincerity with most other things, the smile that he gives Rey is fully genuine.]

Meet me by the front door when you're ready. I assume ten minutes will be enough time.

IC inbox

[ACTION WITH PROMISE OF SANDWICHES]

[SANDWICHES??]

[MAYBE]

[TELL ME MORE]

[IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE BREAD. AND SOMETHING BETWEEN THE BREAD.]

[I'M LISTENING]

[THE BREAD WILL BE 80% NOT STALE]

[WHAT WILL THE OTHER 20% BE]

[ONLY A LITTLE BIT STALE]

[WAIT IS THE REMAINING 20% A LITTLE BIT STALE OR IS THE WHOLE THING A LITTLE BIT (AKA 20%) STALE]

[YES]

[WELL THEN HOW CAN I REFUSE??]

[YOU CAN'T]

[DAMN IT]

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