Today is one of the happiest days of my life.
No, really, I'm not kidding. What, did you think I was? She's my best friend, for Force sake! Well, maybe besides Skyguy, but that's not the point. The point is, Barriss Offee is having her Trials of Knighthood today (or at least the ones she didn't pass with flying colors during the war), and I'm en route back to Coruscant after all that Shili stuff involving getting my leg broken to help her prepare! And then if she passes, which I'm sure she will, I get to go to her Knighting! And have the inevitable party afterwards! Master will probably make me wear my formal robes to the ceremony, but if it's only for the ceremony I don't mind so much. They're a drag any other time, though, which I think is how Master feels too.
Speaking of Master, he's demanding that I get out of the cockpit and get some sleep. Yeah, right, Skyguy. Like that's going to happen when we're only five hours out and I'm so excited and those hard little shipboard pillows hurt my lekku anyway. But it's no use arguing with him, as I found out in the first five minutes of being his Padawan, so all right, all right, I'm going. Hold your dewbacks, Master. Girl with a broken leg here. It's not like I can run.
She did it! Shediditshediditshedidit! In four days' time, at precisely 1200 hours, my best friend will become a Jedi Knight! The Council was nearly sure she'd already passed Courage, Skill, and the Flesh several hundred times during the Clone Wars, so it only took a little lightsaber demo (her Niman is perfect as always) to convince them. Insight and the Spirit were the only ones she really had to take. Her Insight trial involved solving a really tough maze with an equally tough riddle as the key to success– until she realized it was all a trick and got out by sitting in the exact center of the maze and meditating. For the record, I have no idea how that worked. I don't know what she did for Spirit, since that one's supposed to be private, but she did come out looking a little bit shaken and muttering about Ventress. She passed, though, which is the important part.
I got a little bit giddy and acted, according to Obi-Wan, like a much younger Anakin in a speeder for the first time when I heard the news. I spent a little while bouncing around Barriss' quarters on my good leg until Master Luminara complained of headache, at which point we vacated to my quarters and I bounced around those instead! Yes, I really am that happy for her! Padmé dropped by and suggested a party at her apartment in 500 Republica, an offer which Skyguy and I accepted in unison. Barriss agreed too, with the one caveat that Padmé not overexert herself too much. She's eight and a half months pregnant with twins, after all. I think we were all relieved when she said Artoo would be handling the food. I've heard enough horror stories from the Senator's kitchen, overexertion be karked!
Oh, whoops, that's Master. I guess I shouldn't be saying karked. Don't see why, though. He says that and worse on a regular basis. Not that I'd say it to his face when he's giving me That Look, of course. Uh-oh.
Well, that was...interesting. Master, you didn't even tell me that was a sim beforehand! If you'd at least told me, I coulda gotten that whole thing over with a lot quicker! All those battle droids weren't real and you knew it! And...Hey wait a sec, you're hiding something. There's something about that underhanded and ridiculously hard exercise you aren't telling me. Don't bother playing innocent, you're as bad an actor as General Grievous. So I'm going to ask you honestly, like a good Padawan, what the kr– I mean, what in the name of the Force that was all about. I mean, facing down a battalion with you and the 501st is one thing, but facing down an entire jah kra'in legion completely alone, and then all the droids and blaster bolts and everything turn out to be holograms? That's just...that's just mean!
Yes, jah kra'in is Togruti; no, you don't want to know what it means. And I'm not going to tell you, because then you'll tell Obi-Wan, and he'll put me on gardens duty for a week 'cause he's on the Council and he can do that. Yeah, I know you're on the Council too! What do you think I am, deaf? 'Cause I'm pretty sure it's impossible for a Togruta to be deaf unless they're really old or get their montrals punctured somehow! Yeah, yeah, all right, fine. I may have been ranting a bit. But seriously, I thought you said this morning's exercise was gonna be fun, not completely overwhelming!
Okay, have to admit you got me there. Traladon steak the way Master Ti does it is delicious. So yes, Master, there will be at least one aspect to this day that's amazing. Besides Barriss almost being a Knight, that is. Can you tell Master Ti thanks for the lunch invite, and I'll be up on the turbolift in a sec? I know the stairs are faster, but my leg is still in a cast!
That was nice, what Master Ti talked about at lunch. She said to tell Barriss congrats from her, of course, but then she told Master and Padmé more about what happened on Shili. I already knew it was a big deal, but I had no idea it was that big a deal– among the tribes, to be a Master Huntress at age twenty standard is all but unheard of! My father was absolutely flabbergasted afterwards, when I came barreling into the village with my leg broken, riding a live akul and dragging a dead one behind my mount! I didn't really care at the time how sensational it would be, for the youngest Master hopeful in a couple decades to bring home not one, but two akul. I just cared about staying alive, after the fight with the first one broke my leg and made walking, let alone carrying or dragging a huge corpse, almost unbearable. So I made a harness-type thing out of grasses, called and tamed a second akul with the Force, and tied the dead one to it, then mounted up and headed back for the village. I was so tired from keeping the akul under control that by the time I got back, I only had the energy to dismount and pass out in Master Ti's arms. Not one of my high points, but at least she didn't care.
We set the bones in my leg, and the entire village had this huge party after I'd been in a healing trance long enough to walk a bit. My mother formally pronounced me a Master Huntress under tribal law, and then there was a feast. No vegetable matter, thank the Force. It was all Togruta so of course there wasn't any. Master Ti fit right in, especially with the shaman who we think might be just a little bit Force-sensitive. I spent most of the evening talking to my parents. Their names are Hattori and Thiaya, which I didn't remember from when I last saw them at age three, and they became Chieftain and Chieftainess about seven years ago, at least by Shilian time. That works out to six standard years, which – total coincidence – is around the time I became Skyguy's Padawan! I liked them a lot, and might have stayed longer, except that Barriss was about to take her Trials and Master Ti wanted to get me to a real medcenter.
Also, Master Ti took my usual clothes right when we got back to the Temple. I've been having to wear borrowed tunics, and the funny thing is she never told me what she needed a little red synth-leather dress and leggings and akul-tooth headdress for. I know she'd never be caught dead wearing them; they wouldn't fit her anyway. Weird.
Okay. Master. I don't know which one of you came up with that sim program, whether it was you or Obi-Wan, but whoever it was, I'm not sure if I want to thank him or make him swear at 'saberpoint never to do it again. That was one of the creepiest things I have ever faced in my entire life, but it was also...I don't know, enlightening? Felt good? Oh Force, now I'm sounding like Obi-Wan with his "I've got a bad feeling about this" stuff. Anyway, I can't say it was nice to see her again, but I was able to get her to go away without actually killing her (though how anyone can kill a hologram I'm not sure). A lot has changed since Mortis, and she only serves as a reminder of that. I realized I don't hate her, I just pity her, and think she's stupid and not to be trusted. I only hope I never go that way again. I can't think about what it would do to you and Barriss, never mind me.
Heeey, wait Master, you're hiding something again! You can't possibly pretend that program wasn't tailor-made for me, for right now! There wouldn't be a program for Dark-Sider Ahsoka from Mortis just floating around in the Archives, and you wouldn't spring her on me randomly. So come on, 'fess up. You know more about this than you're letting on.
Okay fine, so it was Obi-Wan's idea, so what? Still happened, and I'm still not getting the full truth. Didn't we take an oath as Master and Padawan that we'd be honest with each other, always? Huh, Master Skyguy? Didn't we? So why can't you tell me the reasoning behind a sim program, of all things?
All in good time. Huh. Yeah, right. I've heard that one before.
Hey Barriss. Welcome to my humble abode, and sorry about the mess. I've been trying to clean my room, but it isn't working. What's that you've got there? Nerfmeat strips with anseki-tree syrup? How the Sithspit did you get those?! Yeah, I know they're my favorite! Thanks so much!
Oh kriff! You're right! I completely forgot about the party at Padmé's! You say Skyguy's over there already? Okay, lemme comm him and ask for permission to borrow a Temple speeder.
Or not. Sure I'll come with you. I can really be a laser brain sometimes; how would you have gotten back over here from 500 Republica if you didn't have a speeder? Here, I'll help you with the snacks. You don't mind if I eat one, do you? Good.
Wow, Barriss, you really have gotten better at piloting! I know you got plenty of experience after...well, you know, but I had no idea you were capable of making good time on this flyway while simultaneously avoiding a collision! Careful here, this turn-off is a little tough with the intersecting traffic from the Senate...there. Thanks, but I think I can get out of the speeder on my own.
Hi Senator! How are the babies? Oh, that's great. Sure thing, I think I can remember to call you Padmé instead of Senator, but no promises. Wow, the place looks great! Who did the décor? Threepio? In any case it's very tasteful. Yes Master, that may just be the most diplomatic thing I've said in my entire life. And hey Artoo, you little rascal. The food looks great. Aw, man, are you still sore about that Arthree thing from the war? Fine, I'll admit I was wrong about Goldy. What a little Seppie sleemo he turned out to be. No Master, I wasn't calling Artoo a sleemo, I was saying it about that traitorous tin can Arthree! Remember him? Goldy? The spy?
Hi Master Unduli. No, I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her here. You're right, it is awfully strange for Master Ti to say she's going someplace and then not show up! I haven't seen her since I ate lunch with her and Skyguy. But I've seen Barriss, and yes, I told her in no uncertain terms how amazing she is! I'm so happy for you two!
Wow, these nerfmeat strips are really good!
A/N: Nerfmeat strips with anseki-tree syrup are basically supposed to be maple bacon. Next chapter will be from Barriss' POV. Can you guess where this is going? As always, R&R appreciated!