[h2][color=coral]Hirani Blen[/color][/h2]

[hr]

Bocri’s breath brushing against the side of her frozen face was a much-welcomed warmth from the blistering cold that was Kijimi's climate and the twi’lek subconsciously leaned towards the heat he provided. While Hirani was desperate to be out of the cold, the betrayal they had experienced was fresh on her mind and she was weary of the building that stood before her. It was one of many that were the first buildings to outline the city in an attempt to protect the inward inhabitants from the raging snow storms. With her gaze focused on the door, the Jedi slowed her breathing, every exhale producing a fog from her full lips as she slipped into a meditative state. She let go of her physical discomforts and instead focused on the consciousnesses that inhabited the building in front of them.

Hirani gently brushed against the thoughts of the individuals that inhabited the building with a touch so subtle that only those gifted with enough awareness could detect her infringement upon their surface thoughts. They were mostly poor families that had immigrated to the planet, a mixture of choice and unfortunate circumstances, that lived every day counting their credits to have enough to survive. None of the people inside appeared to have thoughts in regards to the two survivors or their circumstances. It would seem word of their predicament hasn’t spread further than the clones that now drifted lifelessly in the infinite vacuum of space. 

Hirani came back to herself as she raised a white-gloved fist to knock heavily on the front door. The twi’lek hoped that the landlord would open the door themselves and be able to offer affordable vacancy where they can get out of the cold into a space safe enough for them to brainstorm their next steps. Her knock should have been loud enough to be heard above the howling winds and at any moment the door should open. Turning face toward Bocri, she filled him in on what she had discovered.

[b][color=salmon]”This seems to be a residential building, I can feel many families inside…”[/color][/b]

As the last words left her mouth, the front door opened to reveal a human man whose dark brown eyes were focused intently on the two Jedi on the doorstep. A fur-lined hat covered whatever hair he may have had on his head with long flaps that covered his ears from the elements and he wore a heavy unzipped jacket that covered most of his plain unassuming clothes. 

[b]"What can I do for you travelers?"[/b] his question was weary, filled with suspicion and mistrust for the people in front of him. The galaxy was a cruel enough place for him to be so cautious. 

[b][color=salmon]"We are sorry to disturb you, are you the landlord of this building?"[/color][/b] Hirani was sincere when she spoke and was making herself appear like a stranded person rather than someone on the run.

[b]"Why do you ask?"[/b] the man asked gruffly, crossing his arms and leaning into the doorframe.

[b][color=salmon]"My partner and I had chartered a cargo ship for transport back to Alderaan and some of the ship's parts ended up breaking down along the way so we are stranded on the planet while it is being repaired or we manage to find another ship off-world. It would be at least be a month before we can move on and we were told we could possibly rent an empty room amongst the city's outskirts that would be significantly cheaper than renting rooms closer to port..."[/color][/b] 

As the Jedi spun their tale, she used the best of her natural persuasive abilities without taping into the force to soften the man to their plight. She didn't like to push her influence on others unless it was absolutely necessary so Hirani got very good at getting what she needed without the use of mystic abilities.

The man scratched at his brown hair underneath his hat as he listened to their story and while he tried not to show it, his features softened a bit as he absorbed everything the twi'lek had to say. A man who ran a building for families to rent couldn't be so cold-hearted as he tried to appear. 

[b]"Well, come inside from the cold. It sounds like you've already had your fair share of problems and by the looks of it, you're freezing in those shitty emergency suits they let you borrow to come out here. Cheap merchant bastards. I can rent you a room and can put you two on a monthly renewable lease while you wait for your way off-planet. I don't entirely trust you, so your rent will be due the first day of every month and if you leave before the month is up, you're not getting refunded any credits."[/b] As he spoke to them, he moved from the doorway to let the two Jedi into the building and into the warmth it provided. 

While the interior was plain and made of the most affordable material that could be found, it was well maintained and the halls appeared to be cleaned regularly. The man in front of them seemed to take a lot of pride in his building and likely wouldn't take well to anyone who tried to disturb his business. As they walked and climbed the four flights of stairs to reach the top floor, he explained the general rules of the building that would be easy enough for the pair to follow as they definitely wouldn't be looking to draw attention to themselves with loud noises, destruction of their apartment, or suspicious comings and goings from the building. 

[b]"This room was recently vacated, so I can let you two use it for your short-term stint before finding a permanent resident to take it since you don't plan on sticking around. My name is Kodo and you can find me in apartment one on the first floor."[/b] As he spoke, the man slid a keycard into the door of the last room on the top floor. The metal plaque screwed into the door read '28' in bold black numbers. The door lead into the living space that shared an open floor plan with the kitchen and dining space. Towards the back right of the room were two doors that must have led to the bathroom and single bedroom. [b]"I'll leave you two to take a look around, but you'll probably want to get yourselves a few furnishings to make yourselves comfortable. When you're ready to do so I can give you the name of the guy I give abandoned furniture to and maybe he'll cut you a deal. He's pretty good for a Rodian..."[/b]

The man trailed off at the end of his sentence, looking like he wanted to ask more questions now that he saw the pair in better lighting but Hirani could see he was familiar with keeping such questions to himself when it came to newcomers. Instead, he reached out to give her the keycard since she had spoken for the pair. [b]"Here's your key card. It will let you through your room and the front door [i]only[/i]."[/b]

The twi'lek gently took the extended card with a purple hand and thanked the man for allowing them the use of the room. He gave both Jedi the full weight of his gaze before giving them a short nod and leaving them to their own devices in the empty room. Kodo must have been content with whatever he saw in them.