May The Way Be With You

Ni Kar'tayl Gar Darasuum

We are once again on Canto Bight, this time for two bounties. Din told me to enjoy my time in the city, to have fun. I have no idea what to do for fun. He said there's a center that guides people to different activities and gambling halls, so maybe I could start there. But it also seems like a waste of credits. I know most people gamble, but there's no guarantee of a win. Who finds losing all their credits on the unlikely chance they'll win fun?

I decide to head to the center, see if there's anything other than gambling. As soon as I step foot in the center, I immediately feel like I don't belong here. Everyone is dressed in ridiculously expensive clothing, and some of the style choices are questionable. People look at me like I'm the one wearing ridiculous clothing, but I ignore them. I find a holoboard that shows a map of the city, and I see there's a large shopping district.

"Excuse me, are you lost?" A voice behind me asks. I turn and see a woman who's dressed in a clearly expensive outfit that actually looks tasteful.

"I was, but I've figured out where I want to go." I tell her. She smiles and holds out her hand.

"My name is Kasina, my job is to help newcomers enjoy Canto. Would you like a guided tour?" She asks. I get a bad feeling and politely tell her I'm ok. She suddenly grabs my arm hard, her smile turning fake. "I insist. I can help you find hidden gems in the city."

On instinct, I wave my hand in front of Kasina's face, using That Feeling as I say, "I do not need to see the city's hidden gems." Her eyes go blank and she repeats my words. "You want to go home and rethink your life choices." I say, waving my hand again. She repeats that too, and let's go of my arm. She walks away, and I leave the center as quickly as I can.

Once a safe distance away, I book it for the shopping district since it's closer than the shipyard. The first store I see is a supply store for travelers, so I duck in there in case Kasina wasn't alone. I take deep breaths, certain I just escaped being kidnapped and forced to work in the underbelly of the city, or one of the clubs.

"Are you ok?" A feminine voice asks. I jump and take a few steps back. The woman in front me startles, and holds her hands up. "Sorry! Didn't mean to frighten you! What happened?" She asks. I look her up and down, using That Feeling to see if she's safe. From what I can tell, she means no ill will.

"Yeah. Pretty sure I was almost grabbed and made into a slave." I tell her, bent over with my hands on my knees.

"Let me guess, you went into the visitor's center dressed like that?" The woman knowingly sighs. I look up and nod. "Yep, that's where most people who aren't extremely wealthy get snatched. You're lucky to have escaped. My name is Lori." The woman holds out her hand. I very cautiously shake it, and she doesn't try to hold on to my hand longer than necessary.

"I don't have a name, but you can call me Purple." I tell her. She nods and brings me to the clothing section.

"Here, you'll want to upgrade your outfit. These here are passing enough without emptying your wallet." She informs me. I find an all black outfit with matching calf boots. Not as ridiculous as some of the outfits I've seen, but not out of place like my grease stained shirt and half shorts half pants. For aesthetics and warmth, I get a black cloak to go with it.

Lori lets me change in the employee bathroom, and gives me a shopping bag to put my old clothes in. "There, you should be safer now. Any traffickers will think you're high enough on the social ladder to not bother with. If you have the credits to do so, I highly suggest buying from the higher end stores. Even if it's just a bottle of perfume, having the store bag in your hand sends the message." She tells me.

"Thank you. You make me believe there are still good people in the Galaxy." I smile. Lori smiles back and points out which stores I should get bags from. I thank her again, then head out. I buy small things from the stores, like a bottle of perfume or lotion, a hat, a single shirt, and find most people really do treat me nicer. I don't like that. What a person buys shouldn't factor in how they are treated.