Blake is someone who in practice knows what social behaviors are, but fails to use them a lot.  To him, Beth certainly feels like somebody got that backwards, though he could see why if she is the end result.

  "What passed for my family was well meaning.  Though most of the good they did for me was in spite of expectations rather than because of them.  Better living by telling people who know better to go **** themselves, isn't the sort of moral you get to put in a children's show, though."

OOC: While it doesn't scream, I'm aware of at LEAST a sushi eating contest based combat game released in the US.  But even that's less crazy than current game me and my brother are playing with gameplay elements such as "Don't worry, this baby in a bottle lets you sense ghosts.  Now get out there and deliver mail and rescue your Sister the president from zombie terrorists. In that order."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:39, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

Bethany ohs! She puts her finger to her mouth and rolls her eyes upward in thought, as if pondering Blake's words.

Ulchi looks down at Pyrus and says, "...what's so funny?"

Tanai is staring at his pizza and looks away like he doesn't wanna eat it now.

Crystal glances at him. Then, although trying to be subtle about it, breathes slowly and gets to nomming her pizza.

Tanai slowly glances back to his pizza and starts nomming. "Hey Nathan... do your records show there ever being a zeltron jedi?"

Meekla nods proudly at Mittens realizing how cool togorians are. Then at the mention of All You Can Eat Extreme being fun, she grins and nods. "Especially for people frustrated by their physical limits for stuffing large amounts of food into their faces."

Mits blinks in surprise at Blake.  "You're on a Holonet show?!  Which one?!"

Nathan chuckles.  "I think he's making a comparison to our current gathering."

He ponders Tanai's question and checks his datapad.  "Dunno.  It says, 'Visit the archive for a more complete database of the Jedi roster.'  But I imagine so."

Pyrus grins at Ulchi.  "Mittens' silliness and the way you reacted to it were unexpected."

He'll lick her face if she allows.  Maybe not all that unexpected, but hopefully the point will be made that the unexpected makes one laugh.

"Mits wonders if there's a Force power for binge eating.  Probably requires you learn a separate one first.  'Before one can binge, one must know how to purge.'"

  "Sorry Mittens, but I was not secretly a famous sitcom actor the whole time.  I'll be sure to mention it if that somehow happens." Even if his life practically is one, just with more explosions.

Tanai says, "I would be curious enough to go with you to check the archives..."

Mittens' comment about purging, however, causes Tanai to laugh while the girls are mostly being all "eewww". Tanai's laughter idles out into nervous chuckles.

Bethany continues with idle chat. Meanwhile, Nathan gets a message from the jedi. It reads, "Need you to investigate an occurrence on Tatooine. Coordinates included. You can take whoever you want, but be informed the location is dangerous."

Mits's disappointment that she doesn't actually know a Holonet star is short-lived.  She grins mischievously because her joke went over so well.  And well... it's nice to be able to mock The Force and get away with it.

Pyrus doesn't really get Mittens' joke, but is happy that everyone is apparently having a good time.

Nathan looks at his message and shows it to the adults.  "I'm tempted to pretend I didn't notice this message.  At least for a little while longer."

Mits is of course in immediate and extreme need to know what's on his datapad, so she grabs at it.

Nathan frowns, but allows her to take a look.  "Mittens, please try to be more polite.  Such as asking first."

Apparently ignoring him, her eyes go wide upon seeing the message.  "OoOOOooh!  A secret dangerous mission so secret and urgent they expect you to go there without even a boring briefing to tell you what happened!"

But she's thankful enough that he allowed her to satisfy her ravening curiosity that she'll consider his polite request.

Nathan chuckles.  "Not hardly.  'Take whomever,' does not a secret mission make.  Tatooine is in Hutt space, and that would be why it's dangerous.  Whatever this occurrence was is clearly nothing of great urgency, or they'd have used voice, not text."

"Pretend it's urgent and secret!" Pyrus answers.

  Nathan is a big boy who can clearly avoid from getting themselves killed. Probably. Maybe.  "Did you actually want any help, though?"

  If Blake doesn't remember anything significant about the coordinates, that's what cyber linked Not-Google is for.  He wonders if people skimp on anything but 'Here is the X/Y location' just to gloss over how mission reports don't sound as official with 'next to the bowling alley' or such in them.

Meekla says, "Pff. Why face real danger when you can be perfectly safe facing fake danger in the safety of an arcade?"

Tanai nods. "I'm with Meekla on that one."

Ulchi is too busy playing with Pyrus to really pipe in.

Crystal is quiet lest she look less cool by opting for safety over adventure.

Bethany says, "I'll go if you want. I always enjoy going to places I haven't been to and I'm sure I'd be safe as long as I stick with you."

Nathan thinks on Blake's question.  What's a nice way to say, "It's not the Hutts that worry me, it's having to babysit Mittens without anyone to keep me from losing my mind that worries me?"  The answer to that question doesn't present itself, so he simply gives a nonchalant nod.  And smile pleasantly at Beth's offer.  "Thanks."

Pyrus is too busy playing with Ulchi to really pipe in.

Mits blinks in surprise at Meekla's question, as if she were speaking a foreign language.

"Um...  Gee.  Never really thought of that.  Evil Dad said that danger is just a fact of life.  You can either cower and die, or sink your teeth into danger's throat and survive.  And then he'd toss me into nightmarish struggles for survival.  Then Master Wrinkleface came along and um...  Danger was STILL a fact of life.  Only difference being that you now had to face it calmly lest you fall back to the Darkside and wind up just as nasty as Evil Dad."

Nathan looks surprised at Mittens lack of understanding and reminds her, "Jedi face danger so that your friends don't have to.  But if you think you'd be better suited to the safety of The Service Corps of the Jedi Order, you can choose to abandon the dangerous path of becoming a Jedi Knight.  In fact, it would probably be the wisest-"

"DANGER IS YUMMY!" Mittens interrupts nervously, "Mittens loves calmly sinking her teeth into ravenous monsters!  No need to bring up farming as an alternative."

Nathan isn't surprised, but is sad for her none the less.  Is Beth a member of the Service Corps?  Probably.  He's never seen her with a lightsaber and would be shocked if she has it in her to do another person any harm.  Maybe her example will persuade Mittens.  Was it really wise of the Council of Reassignment to allow a Darksider's former apprentice to be handed over to a newly Knighted Jedi?  Must be they saw a premonition and were following the "Will of the Force."  But to be fair, could be they didn't know.  He's only found out just now himself.

"I'm a monster!  Rawr!" Pyrus playfully exclaims.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Tue 03 Dec 2019.

  Well, that nod answers that then. Cyborg Mercenary Babysitter, sounds like a Hulk Hogan movie.

  "I can hardly fault people for wanting to pursue a lifestyle that means getting shot at less.  Even if I tend towards the contradiction that is 'I hate getting shot, but other people getting shot is fine' in my own."  Granted, it's a very COMMON contradiction.  Just not one may people take an active role in.

  "If it helps, the Service Corps tends to send you to the horrible places that most sane colonists would avoid.  Lots of boredom mixed between moments of fending off swarms of bugs the size of womp rats when the static field generators break down. They don't get the cool monsters like Pyrus."

FAST FORWARD!

A ship is waiting for the group at the jedi academy. Basically a taxi, and large enough for a few people while also not being overly big.

The taxi pilot is a sullustan named Numnor. He's fine chatting or being quiet. Which means Bethany makes it a point to talk to him at some point.

The trip is relatively uneventful, but soon the group is on Tatooine. When they arrive, Bethany is asleep.

Pyrus smiles and tail-wags proudly at being called "cool."

Nathan can't help but chuckle at Blake's jab at the Service Corp's tendencies.  It's funny because it's true.  Though he understands the reason for it.  Boredom is from the Darkside and will usually turn a force user to mischief much faster than if they felt like their special powers were needed at their post.  Such is the catch-22 of Mittens' case at least.  Risk of slipping to the Darkside through dangerous missions verses the certainty of her falling if she didn't have that excitement.  But Meekla's idea is worth pursuing.  Nathan writes a formal email to the Council.

"I'm writing you because I have just learned that my apprentice Mittens was once the apprentice of a Dark Jedi.  I was unable to look into her mind to verify it, but judging from the way she brought this up, I'm convinced that it is not one of her pranks and something to be taken seriously.  I'm recommending she be assigned to a Master with more experience with guiding a former Darksider..."

Mittens snatches his datapad.  "May I see what you're writing thank you!"

Nathan skews his lips.  "I appreciate the effort in trying to be more polite.  I'm sure you know that you have room for improvement."

Mits stares at the datapad and pouts, "You don't want me as a student anymore?"

Nathan sighs and shakes his head, "I've never had an apprentice before.  I feel like I've been dropped into the final boss fight without ever having had a chance to get used to the controls much less grab any power-ups.  Nothing against you personally, Mittens.  You are aware that you're at a higher risk of falling back to the Darkside with an inexperienced teacher such as myself, aren't you?"

Mits looks stunned. "You're a gamer?!"

Nathan laughs.  "Don't act so surprised.  Not like gaming hasn't been around for thousands of years before either of us were born."

Mits thinks on it and looks at the datapad again.  "Well...  Lemme predict the future of what you're suggesting, then.  I get reassigned to a new master.  He's had experience with former Darksiders.  And they usually turn out bad.  So right out of the gate he refuses to let me experience life outside the Achademy until I stop being so Mittens-like.  So I either learn to master faking being a boring old Jedi in order to escape, or I lose my mind from boredom and the Council uses their powers to brainwash me.  Either way, I lose who I am.  And I can tell you with certainty that without Mittens' Mittensyness, Mittens will become a very miserable thing indeed - perfect for going Darkside!

"You haven't filled my brain with visions of being torn apart.  More than that, you don't even threaten ultimatums like, 'No new lightsaber techniques for a year if you do that again,' when I snatch your datapad.  You're doing better than even Master Geriatrics!  Hold off on this email."

Nathan thinks on her words.  What's a nice way to say, "My Knight Trials were a breeze by comparison.  The frustration of putting up with you has done more to tempt me to the Darkside than anything else I've ever experienced?"  The answer doesn't come.  But he's pretty sure he can keep her from reading those thoughts, at least.

  Blake wonder if there have been budget cuts, or if the true reason for 'Personal ship? No, you get a taxi!' is specifically to annoy Nathan, like the Jedi might suspect Mittens specifically was assigned to him because somebody knew she would drive him crazy.

  "Beth, We're here."

Bethany wakes up, startled and looks around. Then to Blake. "Oh... heh. Thanks, Blake... sorry, I was dreaming."

She yawns and gets up before following the bunch. She looks at Mittens and says, "C'mmere." and hugs her for no apparent reason. Then looks in Nathan's direction and says, "Hey Nathan, you ever have any experience with younglings in the academy?"

Nathan's landing location is still not quite the location of the coordinates. Following the coordinates will bring him to Mos Eisley. Specifically, Chalmun's Cantina.

Nathan hears owning your own ship is a severe inconvenience.  Constantly having to pay for fuel, pay for piracy insurance, they break down a lot, etc. etc.  Just not worth it.  Space Uber is way more convenient.

Mits was riding on Pyrus' back, so she thought she was safe from surprise glomps.  Pyrus made no effort to save her from Beth and grins at the pair.

He's loooving the heat of this planet.  Like being wrapped in pajamas fresh out of the drier and walking on radiant heated floors.

"Mittens will have you know that she is an adult in her culture and does not want to be called a 'youngling.'  What's with the random hug?  Don'tcha know that surprising teenagers with grimdark pasts is dangerous?  Rawr!"

She pretends to strangle Beth.

Nathan too smiles at the pair, "I'm guessing by that you mean looking after persons younger than myself.  My only experience is with Mittens, so very little."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:51, Fri 06 Dec 2019.

  Blake's player then remembers the experiences of 'ships in a campaign' vs  'ships in the movies' and is suddenly very thankful for Space Taxi.

  "Edgy, you may be. But Edgelord you are not yet." Blake, that's a terrible Yoda/Vader impression.

In a tone that suggests Mitts just taught something new to Beth, Bethany says, "I did not know that, Mittens! But the hug was to let you know you are loved." bright smile. "And Bethany will have you know that she didn't call Mittens a youngling in the first place. Besides; I was using the jedi definition of youngling, which is children from age two to age ten, who train at the jedi academy, but have not yet earned the status of padawan."

She looks to Nathan as she pretends to be strangled by Mittens, flailing her arms! *choked voice* "So that answers my question. Wowie it's hot here!" her smile betrays that this does not annoy her.

Thankfully, it isn't that far to walk to Mos Eisley. Nathan can sense someone strong in the force in the direction of his destination.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Fri 06 Dec 2019.

Mits echoes in a skeptical tone, "Loved?!  You hardly know me!"

But she grins that Beth is playing along with her silly gag.

"Mittens is a FUN Lord!" Pyrus counters.

Mits beams at Pyrus' praise.

Nathan chuckles.  "I sense something strong in the Force at our destination.  They can probably sense us.  So let's approach slowly to give them the opportunity to choose whether they want to approach us."

Mits rolls her eyes and telepaths in the direction of the destination what she's saying out loud, "Helloooo!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:21, Fri 06 Dec 2019.

  "Some people find it easier to move past casual acquaintance than others.  So I think it's less about you, and more about Beth there."

  Meanwhile, some people find it easier to use adorable girls as potential cover than others.  Like Blake, slowing slightly as they approach the oncoming plot point.

There is no telepathic response from the person at the cantina. However, the group can sense the person is moving away from the group immediately after Mittens yelled.

Bethany nods to Blake as if he answered for her just fine.

"Shut up, Evil Dad.  I like Beth, and I like that she likes me.  Erm.  Not directed at you, Mr. Blake.  Mittens was talking to the imaginary ghost in her head."

Nathan turns an unamused look to Mittens.  "You spooked 'em.  Please try and restrain yourself and let me take the lead when we encounter new Force users."

"C'mon, Pyrus!  Let's cut 'em off at the pass!  Onward!"

Pyrus grins and takes off flying with Mits on his back to try and get past the mystery person!

Nathan sighs and telepaths in the general direction of the person while speaking aloud for the benefit of the adults present, "Please forgive my over-eager companion.  She means well.  To prove that I mean no harm, I will now stop advancing on you."

As promised, Nathan stops.  He coms Mittens, "Please come back.  You'll only make them all the more nervous."

  "Well, be sure to let me know if they become a non-imaginary ghost in your head Mittens.  I can't hurt their feelings if they aren't actually there."

  Well, that's Mittens and Pyrus doing the expected of Mittens and Pyrus.  Blake isn't quite sure yet if it will mean it's safe or not if Beth decides to continue onward, but if so it would proooobaly work out to follow her.

Bethany decides to follow Nathan's example and stops walking.

For those who can sense it, the person begins changing direction and is heading deeper into Mos Eisley. A telepathic message is sent to the group, "What do you want?"

Mits laughs upon hearing Blake's comment through her com.  "Will do!"

To the question from the mystery person she answers, "Fun!  But chocolate will do.  Why, you offering?"

Mits indicates to Pyrus to return to the group since her quarry has decided to make things difficult.

Nathan is relieved that communication has been opened.  "A civil conversation was what I had in mind before my chocolate-loving friend jumped the gun and hollered at you.  Apologies for that.  Outgoing, isn't she?  May I ask what it is that you want?"

  Clearly not a Maverick then (unless that's what Maverick WANTS you to think) if whoever this is shows up as a loud presence on Force radar.  Clearly they should learn to quiet themselves to blend in with samey NPCs rather than become an obvious blank spot in the force.  Not that Blake would know anything about that, that would be crazy.

  "So," He asks out loud, "Things are not horrible yet?"