The Quarry

The Quarry - Part 16

Sunlight filtered in through the curtains, slowly falling on Versa's face. She wrinkled her nose at the brightness before slowly opening her eyes and stretching. Suddenly, she froze. The curtains are open. Din's helmet isn't on. She reached behind her, feeling for his body, but his side of the bed was empty and cool.

"It's alright. I'm dressed."

Rolling over, she saw Din, fully armored once again, sitting in the chair that had been pushed in the corner of the room.

"How long have you been up?" she asked.

"Long enough to take a quick shower and eat a little."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"Figured you could use the rest."

She stretched out one more time, flexing her fingers above her head and wiggling her toes. Din was watching her still, but she'd almost grown accustomed to the unmoving beskar stare. It no longer unnerved her like it had when he first picked her up. Swinging her feet out of bed, she ran her hands through her hair and over her face, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. "Alright, what's the plan?"

"Only a few places around here to ask about Jon. After that, I figure we head over to Fellen. Seems like it'll be a good place to ask around in."

Versa nodded. "Alright, let's get to it then."

----

The innkeeper hadn't recalled seeing Jon, and the other establishments they visited in the tiny village had similar answers. Din noted Versa seemed to take the answers better today. It's going to be a long day. Hope she can keep her spirits up.

They reached Fellen by early afternoon, and the festival was in full swing. Streamers and flower chains hung over their heads, weaving back and forth between the buildings. The streets were lined with vendors selling everything from flower arrangements to various fried foods. Children ran by, laughing and screaming, and music played in the distance. Versa stopped in front of him, and he paused behind her. "Everything ok, Vers?"

She turned slowly, her eyes wandering the scene in front of them before they met his beneath his helmet. "Where do we even start?" she said quietly.

Din gently reached out to take her hand, giving it a squeeze. It felt bold, but right, particularly after she'd slept in his arms the night before, and he was relieved when she didn't pull away. "We can do this. Just gotta be methodical and consistent. We can take our time. We'll hit the festival booths today and we can circle through the rest of the town tomorrow. Ok?"

Versa nodded, giving him a slight smile. "Always the man with the plan."

He laughed. "Now that definitely isn't true, and we both know it." He felt her squeeze his hand back before her attention was drawn downwards. A young girl stood before them, gently tugging on the jacket Versa had sticking out of her satchel.

"What is it, little one?" she asked, squatting down to the girl's level.

Wordlessly, the child extended her hands, holding out a flower crown to Versa. Din watched as Versa smiled, "Oh, I don't know if I could take this. It's so beautiful. It should go to someone who would do it more justice. I look like a mess." She laughed lightly, but the child shook the flower crown at her insistently. Din gave her a gentle nudge in her shoulder, and she glared up at him before dipping her head forward for the little girl to place the crown on her head. She gently took the girl's hands in hers. "Thank you. It's lovely." The girl blushed, covering her cheeks with her hands before disappearing off into the crowd. Versa straightened and reached to remove the flowers, but Din clasped her wrist.