__Reflections of the Past__
The mission started like any other, just a quick in and out theft. No problem. But something was bound to go wrong eventually, and this time, her past caught her off guard.
The small Rutian Twi’lek made her way through the small settlement. The little town was a slapped together eyesore on the outer rim world of Bandomeer. It’s only purpose, to house the miners and families sent to extract the plentiful minerals the small farming world had been plagued with.
At one end of town stood the mine entrance. Its gaping maw swallowed the miners whole every morning before spitting them back out at the end of the day. At the other, a large walled structure dominated the landscape. There were no signs or placards telling people what it was, but Sinya could read between the lines, and the heavily fortified wall clearly said “FUCK OFF”.
It wasn’t the first time she ignored such a warning and it wouldn’t be the last. Her target was the maps in the overseer’s office–buried behind that wall. But first some reconnaissance. The small Twi’lek was clothed in a ratty brown cloak and was blending into the everyday bustle of workers. If anyone noticed her, a brief wave of a hand and a soft word convinced them she was where she belonged.
It was on her second day of blending in with the locals that things took a turn. She was pretending to work at a street vendor while watching the changing of the guard, when the shop owner exploded out of the stall–
“Stop right there, you street rat!!” He bellowed at a young human girl. The juvenile glanced back at the enraged Abyssin. His one eye filled with hatred.
Sinya’ni watched the exchange, willing herself not to get involved. However, it was too late. The little human had reminded her of her own past. She couldn’t just turn s blind eye.
The Rutian left the stall and slipped through the crowd of onlookers. Using the Force and her knowledge of the settlement, she moved to intercept the little thief. She didn’t have to wait long. The little street urchin ran right into her.
“Leave me alone! I didn’t do anything!” the girl yelled when the Twi’lek caught her.
“Hey, now. Slow down little one. A stunt like that could get you killed–or worse. What is your name?” Sinya’ni asked.
“Why should I tell you?” the young human inquired.
“Fine. Have it your way. We don’t have to be friends, but come, let me show you something.” Sinya’ni walked out of the alley, beckoning the youth to join her. “If you’re going to survive on your own, you need to do better.”
“First thing you need to know...it’s better to blend in than to disappear. Act like you belong. As a child, wait for an adult to walk up to your target and follow them. Close enough that the clerk thinks you’re with them but not so close as to elicit a response from the adult.”
“The most important thing is to look like you belong.” She walked up to a stall and started looking at things. Picking them up and setting them back before turning away and walking back to the shadows. “See, the vendor just saw a customer looking over his wares. What he didn’t see was my left hand subtly picking things up as well.”
Sinya’ni handed the child some stolen fruit. “Take care young one. It’s a hard life, but you can survive it.” She walked away leaving the little human to her meal. It was time to get her mission back on track.