milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Tyrannus?" Bonzo says that with a momentary look of confusion, not immediately recognizing the name, and then facepalms when he finally does. "Sorry." Pause. "If Fett was unbound, I think he'd have just taken me then. He's probably waiting to come unbound before...uh...calling me in as he leaves."

Dooku shoots a little look at Michael. "I am not now, have never been, nor do I ever intend to become a Sith Lord by that or any other name." Let's say that he does a pretty decent job of disguising his frustration at that title cropping up again. "And the fact that Fett hasn't moved tells me that he is unbound. There's no reason that he would wait to bring Bonzo in if he had the choice unless he wanted to bait me." Pause. "And his past experience in here with the Jedi should make him wary of that."

Dooku may hide his frustration at the mention of his averted future self, but Michael looks suitably abashed nonetheless. "I know he's not you, Master Dooku; that's why I spoke of him in the third person. Sorry for not being clearer about that; my brain works much more efficiently than others', and sometimes I forget to unpack my thoughts before I articulate them."

Obi-Wan barely acknowledges this. "Perhaps whoever speaks to Fett can mention that past experience, along with the fact that he's currently aiding and abetting a violation of the rule against outside business."

"If it's going to be me," Michael points out, "I'll need to know what his past experience was."

"Among other things, he challenged Mace Windu to a duel, obviously fought outside. Mace won, and even managed to refrain from harming Fett too badly."

Michael whistles. "Yes, that should induce caution indeed."

"It's alright, Michael." The comment is both reserved and understanding; he's just uncomfortable at unpleasant reminders.

Bonzo looks up. "Uh...I think Mace killed his father."

Dooku sighs. "That would do it, if I know anything about the Mandalorians." Pause. "And they all have a tendency to dislike the Jedi." There's a bit of a 'sorry-for-getting-you-into-this-little-fight' look tossed to Bonzo.

Bonzo takes a deep breath. "I'm...willing to take on Achilles if someone can back me up." Translation: Somebody keep a lightsaber handy if he tries have me killed.

"He did indeed," Obi-Wan confirms re: the death of Jango Fett. "Though, as you point out, Mandos don't exactly get on with Jedi anyway." He turns to Bonzo. "I can back you up, but I'm still debating whether I ought."

"If you won't, I will," Michael volunteers. "In fact, I think I will even if you will. Something tells me Achilles won't respond to any force that's not clearly overwhelming."

Dooku glances between Obi-Wan and Michael. "Master Kenobi..." Pause. "...I understand your concerns, but I do not believe you to be nearly as brash now as you once were. Michael, your help would be welcome...and I tend to agree with your analysis of what Achilles will and will not respond to."

Bonzo looks slightly nervous again at Obi-Wan mentioning his concerns. "Michael..." Pause. "This may sound crazy, but..." Deep breath. "...would you feel comfortable stopping me if I lose my temper in there?"

To be fair, the kid is just scared stiff about coming close to that point again, and everybody should be sensing his apprehension to some degree or another...it's probably audible in his voice.

"I appreciate your words, Master," says Obi-Wan. "I'll keep them in mind if it comes to a confrontation; that should make it easier for me to be worthy of them."

"And I thank you for the invitation," Michael adds, "and accept it with pleasure." He turns to Bonzo. "And I accept your invitation as well. Having recovered the ability to be scared of myself, I'm happy to help those who share it."

Bonzo looks between the two older men and Michael. "Thank you...Master Kenobi, Michael." And he takes a deep breath. "I'll approach Achilles with you backing me up, then?" Pause. "How do I contact you wh...if I need help?"

Dooku glances over at the Bar. "I can obtain a communicator for you to signal us with from the Bar." He takes his off his belt and shows it to Bonzo. "You can talk into it, but activating it will be an easy enough signal if things go south..." Pause. "...or if Fett shows up."

"Assuming there's a difference between those two results," Michael remarks dryly.

"Be nice," Obi-Wan mutters.

Dooku rolls his eyes. "I suspect they can go sour without Fett coming into the equation. Achilles did...well enough once before without his help." And that will not be happening again. Understood?

Bonzo nods as that message is put into his mind...rather firmly. Consider it the mental equivalent of a lecture. Understood. Bonzo figures if Dooku can jam it in like Corran did before, he can pick up a few thoughts as well. He also looks down at the floor...Achilles previous 'accomplishments' are a source of very deep embarassment (if not outright shame) for him.

Obi-Wan overhears the mental byplay between Dooku and Bohn-So, but opts to stay out of it. He only nods sadly to the verbal component. "Let's all keep an eye out for him, shall we?"

"Agreed," Michael nods back.

"Then it sounds like we are agreed." At least from what he can tell, they are.

He steps quickly over to the Bar and obtains the communicator (at a not insignificant cost, but nothing too bad). He's back in a moment, and Bonzo accepts the communicator from him... "Thank you, Master."

"I'd say we are. Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan nods. "It seems that way to me."

"Then I guess we should go our several ways for now," Michael allows as. "If I don't see you around, I hope to see you asquare." He gets up and waves to them all.