[Jedi Apprentice] - 11(7)
She thrust a spoon at Obi-Wan. “Taste this, will you?”
Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon, mindful of his directive not to eat the food.
“Don’t be shy. Here.” She pushed the spoon toward him.
Obi-Wan had no choice. Tentatively, he spooned up the soup and swallowed. A smooth, tangy liquid slid down his throat.
“It’s good,” he said, surprised.
“Really?” Didi and the young woman said together, also surprised.
“Really,” Obi-Wan told her.
She turned and saw Qui-Gon. “Qui-Gon! Didi said you were here. How good it is to see you.” She placed the pot on the desk, spilling a little over the top. She took the edge of her apron and wiped the spill, knocking a shower of durasheets onto the floor. “Oops.”
Didi shot Qui-Gon a warning look that she did not catch.
“Just a friendly visit,” Qui-Gon answered. “You’re right, Astri. It’s been too long since I visited your father.”
“Have you seen the improvements?” Astri asked. “I painted everything myself. It was hard to persuade my father to spruce up the place.”
“I don’t want to scare the regular customers away,” Didi said.
“If only we could,” Astri groaned.
“I don’t know what was wrong with my cooking,” Didi went on. “Nobody ever complained.”
“Sure,” Astri said cheerfully. “They were too busy being sick. Meanwhile, I’ve decided we must spend money on new napkins, and cloths for the tables - “
“Who needs a cloth? It just gets dirty!”
Astri turned to Qui-Gon and spread her hands. “Do you see my problem? I want to make the place better, and all he does is complain. He welcomes back the dregs of the galaxy. He promised to give up buying and selling information, but he can’t resist feeding them. How can I attract a better class of customer when the place is full of gangsters?”
“Everyone likes to eat with gangsters,” Didi observed. “It adds spice to the food.”
“I’ll add the spice, thank you very much,” Astri said crisply. “I’ve landed a big client, Father. This could be our big break. There’s a medical conference coming to the Senate, and scientists are arriving from all over the galaxy. Guess who booked the cafŠ for a small dinner?”
“The Chancellor?” Didi guessed.
“Not yet,” Astri said with a grin. “Jenna Zan Arbor!”
Obi-Wan had heard of Jenna Zan Arbor. Years ago, as a young scientist, she had achieved fame by inventing a vaccine for a world threatened by a deadly space virus. She focused her attention on helping planets with low levels of technology. Her last project was to triple the food supply on the famine-stricken planet of Melasaton.
“Who?” Didi asked.
“Jenna Zan Arbor!” Astri cried. “She reserved the entire cafŠ for her party!”
“Did you say elegant?” Didi asked. “Now that sounds expensive.”
“Just… don’t… ruin it,” Astri said through her teeth. Then she picked up the soup and left the room, curls bouncing, apron swinging, and soup dribbling onto the floor.
“Isn’t she marvelous?” Didi sighed. “But she is driving me into bankruptcy.”
“You promised her not to buy and sell information anymore,” Qui-Gon said.
“Well, I suppose I did, yes. But can I help it if this one or that one whispers something to me in exchange for a few credits or a meal?”
“Maybe Didi should go away for awhile,” Obi-Wan suggested. “Some other planet where the bounty hunter won’t find him.”
“Now that’s an idea!” Didi said cheerfully. “Running away is just my style!” Then he frowned. “But I don’t like to leave Astri.”
“Of course not,” Qui-Gon agreed.
“She will spend all my money,” Didi said. Qui-Gon sighed. “I don’t think you should run away, Didi. The bounty hunter is undoubtedly an expert tracker. And it is better that we face the problem here and now. Obi-Wan and I will do some investigating for you.”
“But we’re due back at the Temple!” Obi-Wan protested. “Tahl said Yoda was expecting us.”
“We can spare a few hours,” Qui-Gon said. “I’ll contact Yoda on the way and tell him why we are delaying our return. He’ll understand. He’s a - “
” - friend of Didi’s,” Obi-Wan supplied.
Qui-Gon’s eyes twinkled. “Besides, it will give you a chance to see the seamier side of Coruscant.”
“Just what I always wanted,” Obi-Wan grumbled.
“And when you return, I’ll treat you to a delicious meal!” Didi announced.