Inevitable {Tech}

Chapter Thirty: Leaving So Soon

"So where are we supposed to go?" Omega chirped into the warmth of Tech's neck.

"I don't know exactly," Cass bit the inside of her bottom lip as she peered around the market carts.

"The temperature has dropped a few degrees, I suggest we find the lakes soon," Tech suggested to Cass in a hushed tone as Omega shivered against his armor.

"Right...oh! Look over here," Cass pointed towards a frail Cosian woman with her fingers weaving through dark orange yarn, coats and ponchos hung on small rack displays above her head.

The three of them shuffled towards the woman, keeping their heads down to avoid the continuing pick up of snow. Cass ran her fingers along the edge of a deep brown cloak with loose weaving and fringe trailing the bottom edge. It was Cass' size, but it would no doubt engulf Omega's small body and warm her for the rest of the trip.

"Excuse me," Cass piped up and shoved her hands into her pockets. "What material is this?"

The woman slowly drew her versed eyes towards Cass' gaze.

"Hand-spun nerf wool. Very comfortable and breathable, but it'll keep you warmer than a bantha in the sun," the woman chuckled feebly.

"It's very beautiful, I can tell you put a lot of work into it," Cass applauded gently, causing the Cosian to grin proudly. "How much for it?"

"Ten credits," the woman answered and relaxed her hands in her lap, revealing one hand to be some sort of mechanical replacement.

Cass and Tech exchanged looks. Tech had only eight credits stashed away in his pouch while Cass only claimed the coins from Cid's parlor. Hunter had the rest and half of it was given to Wrecker.

Damn Wrecker for ordering five rounds of alcohol.

"Unfortunately, we only have eight credits," Tech prompted regretfully and tightened his palms against the child in his arms.

The woman sighed and lolled her head as she averted her eyes from Omega. "I wish I could help you but..." she trailed off and lifted the billowing sleeve of her tunic.

The metallic hinges of her hand were skewed slightly and the cover plate was broken, displaying a scatter of small wires.

"I need the money to fix this," the woman murmured dismally and rotated her hand over. "It's slowing my work and if I don't get it fixed soon, I will have to shut down my shop."

Tech and Cass shared the same thought and spun to each other. Cass' eyes lit up and Tech hurriedly handed Omega over to the Jedi. Omega naturally bundled into Cass' arms and snuggled into her jacket, keeping her eyes to the side to observe Tech.

Tech kneeled beside the woman, who took another look at his white armor and sunk into her chair.

"There's no need for alarm, I just want to help," Tech reassured and began digging through his pouch belt.

"I need to go to a professional, I can't have this thing breaking on me again," the woman whined and protectively brought her hand close to her chest.

"I can promise you he's the best person for the job...his name is literally Tech," Cass chimed in from behind the engineer.