[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.
[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.]
[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.
[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?
[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.]
[IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE BREAD. AND SOMETHING BETWEEN THE BREAD.]
The kind that involves both of us getting paid for examining a basement and a meal.
My treat.
[I'M LISTENING]
Why would we get paid for examining a basement?
[WHAT ARE YOU UP TO, OLD MAN.]
[THE BREAD WILL BE 80% NOT STALE]
The person offering the contract believes it to be haunted.
[He says matter-of-factly.]
[WHAT WILL THE OTHER 20% BE]
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.
[ONLY A LITTLE BIT STALE]
[...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.
[WAIT IS THE REMAINING 20% A LITTLE BIT STALE OR IS THE WHOLE THING A LITTLE BIT (AKA 20%) STALE]
And what are we meant to do about a supposedly haunted basement?
[YES]
Unhaunt it, of course.
[WELL THEN HOW CAN I REFUSE??]
Obviously. [If she sounds snippy, it's not an accident. Why you gotta steal her thunder, Qui-Gon?]
But how do we do that?
[YOU CAN'T]
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.]
[DAMN IT]
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.]
no subject
[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.