Mara's Mercy Menu

"Where's Mara?" Jarik asked.

"She and R5 are picking up a few things in the market," Ahsoka told him.

"You sent Mara off alone like that?" Jarik questioned with a skeptical look at her.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "I told you, R5 is with her. She'll be fine!"

"Exactly my point!" he retorted, waving his hands around. "I trust that droid with my life but he's a demented little menacing rust bucket!"

"To you maybe, but this is Mara. He wouldn't dare do anything," she said with a smirk. "Trust me, they'll be alright."

Jarik sighed in defeat. "Fine. But if they don't come back within the hour we're going looking for them."

"Duly noted," she agreed.

The small capitol Eladro City on the planet of Basteel was a little bit busier than usual today, which meant things were slightly tougher for R5 and Mara on their errand in the market, looking for some food items. And the astromech was complaining the whole way about it.

*::'Send me on a food run errand.' I have much better things to do!::* he grumbled.

"Come on R5 it can't be too bad!" Mara said, trying to uplift his spirit… or processor. "Mom wants us to buy a few pieces of Akul meat for her. You know how a Togruta is carnivorous! And she likes Akul meat!"

*::Then why not get it herself? She killed an Akul before,::* he retorted.

"Wait, really? That's so cool!" Mara said in amazement.

*::Forget I said anything then,::* he replied. *::But how does she expect us to get anything? You're only ten years old!::*

"So?" Mara questioned.

*::I know Master Jarik and Mistress Tano take care of you and keep you from the Empire and all that… but ten year olds don't exactly buy things on their in the galaxy!::* R5 tried to explain.

"Then how about you buy it?" she suggested.

*::Even worse! They're not about to sell meat to some 'lowly astromech,' oh no no no!::* he said, a sense of irritation directed at that fact.

"Well… we'll figure something out! Just because people my age don't buy things doesn't mean they won't give it to me." Mara said confidently. "Dad always told me that the most dangerous weapon in the galaxy, is money."

*::I wonder why,::* R5 muttered.

"...So if I'm right, then people would accept the money I give them for what I need, even if they find me too young!" she continued proudly.

*::Great,::* R5 muttered.

The pair continued searching through the markets for a proper food stand, preferably one that sold Akul meat. If they're unable to find any then they'll just have to look for the next best thing. Luckily though, they do manage to find a stand that lists Akul meat on the menu, although it seems a little bit more pricey than they would have liked.

"Hey look R5, that stand has some!" Mara said, pointing to a nearby food vendor.

*::Look at the price of that though!::* R5 points out in frustration.

"Yeah..." Mara says with a frown. "That's the only place though. Besides I'm sure you or dad could figure out a way to get more credits right? You two are the slicers."

*::Yeah, we are,::* R5 says in agreement, thinking about the fun he's had in past experiences of messing with other people using his skills in slicing.

They both head up to the vendor, and after counting up the credits, Mara places them on the counter.

"One large package of Akul meat please," she asks hopefully.

The Besalisk salesman at the counter takes up the credits offered and gets the bag ready before noticing who was buying from him.

"Aren't you a little young to be out and about like this missy?" he questions gruffly.

"Maybe, but my parents wanted me to get this quickly. Besides I have my droid here to help!" she says confidently, patting R5's dome. He beeps up in agreement.

"Hmph," he replies, placing the bag on the counter. "Well, here ya go kid."

Mara beams up happily at him.

"Thank you sir!" she says.

She grabs the bag and starts walking away, R5 right beside her as they head down a side-street as a short cut.

"See? That wasn't so bad," she told the astromech.

*::I guess Mistress Mara,::* he replied simply.

Mara's good mood is suddenly cut off when she hears a commotion nearby. Turning her head, she peers down another alley to see a kid even younger than her backed into a corner by some teenage thug.

"R5, look!" she says, pointing to the confrontation.

He swivels his dome to look before turning back to her.

*::So?::* he asks.

"We should help that kid!" she says.

*::Is that a good idea? What if we get into trouble!?::* he protests.

"Come on R5 you can't be this cruel! Mom and Dad would want to do the same thing," she complains with a frown. "I want to kick this guy's butt! If you want I'll let you shock him!"

R5 considers before giving in.

*::Fine, but only because I've been dying to zap somebody lately. And if Master Jarik or Mistress Ahsoka find out you take all the blame!::* he says.

"Great!" Mara says with a smile, rushing forwards to the commotion, where the teenager throws the kid on the ground violently, and he cries out in fear.

"You're such a wimp you little runt!" the teenager says rudely, towering over the obviously terrified kid.

"Hey! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!" Mara calls out, standing before them with her hands on her hips.

R5 rolls up next to her, and the kid looks at her hopefully while the teenager looks over with a scoff.

"Well that certainly ain't you girly," he says in reply. "Now get out before I mess up you and your little tin-can."

R5 shakes violently in anger.

*::Why that little...::* he seethes quietly.

Mara grins.

"I think you just upset R5," she says cheerfully.

As the teenager looks back over angrily, prepared to give the girl a piece of his mind, R5 rolls forwards faster than he was ready for, unleashing his electric prod and delivering a powerful zap. The teenager yelps in pain and shock, and Mara jumps forwards, smacking him on the head with the edge of her foot. He falls to the ground painfully, and R5 rolls forwards again, electrifying him quickly, and sending him unconscious, clothes slightly steaming.

"Oh that was fun," she says happily.

*::That'll teach him to not call me a tin-can,::* R5 beeps in satisfaction, putting away his electric prod.

"Thank you!" the smaller boy says happily.

"It was no problem," Mara replied proudly.

"Umm... could I have some food? I haven't had anything to eat for over a day," he says sadly.

Mara can notice how petite he looks and develops a sad look on her face. She wants to give this kid some food... but her Mom also needs it too... Eventually her kindness wins out, and she hands over a little more than half of the meat in the bag.

"This is all I can give you," she says sadly.

Apparently it's enough to satisfy him, and he smiles gratefully at her.

"Thank you thank you, thank you so much!" he says happily, scurrying off while devouring the food as quickly as possible, obvious very starved.

Jarik was starting to get really antsy, and even Ahsoka too for that matter. They were just about to consider searching for Mara when she and R5 run up to the ship from down the street.

"Mara! There you guys are," Ahsoka says in relief.

"What took you both so long?" Jarik asks with a raised eyebrow.

"We beat up some bully in the street!" Mara replied proudly.

"Wait, seriously?" he asked in surprise.

"Yup! Here you go Mom!" she says, handing over a bag of Akul meat to Ahsoka, who takes it with a small smile on her face. She checks inside of the bag, frowning slightly upon noticing how much was actually in there.

"Wow... why is it less than half full?" she asks.

R5 beeps out at Mara, and she clasps her hands together in front of her nervously, looking up at Ahsoka and Jarik.

"I... kind of gave some of it away to a kid... he was starving," she explained.

Instead of a scolding or punishment, Jarik and Ahsoka both smile at her in understanding.

"Then that's a good thing you did sweetie," she says.

"Really?" Mara asks with wide eyes.

"Yup! Plus, you also kicked a bully's butt apparently, so that counts to," Jarik. R5 beeps indignantly at him and he rolls his eyes. "Fine. You both kicked a bully's butt."

"Thanks Dad," she replies happily.

"Even if it doesn't benefit you, staying compassionate and caring is always a good trait to have. One good deed can go a long way in making the galaxy a whole lot brighter," Ahsoka advises.

Mara nods her head with a smile, taking in the advice.