I am Noela Asenath Ovorp. I was born 14 years ago on the 24th day of the 10th month, galaxy standard years. My home world in my humble opinion, (this is an oxymoron, for most often my opinions are anything but humble) is the most beautiful of any, even Naboo.

I survey myself critically even as I write this in the old-fashioned hand my grandmother took great pains to make sure I understood, over all the technological advances of our worlds. I am not a great beauty, and as many mornings as I pray it will be different, I have come to accept that galaxy-shattering looks will never be mine. I am however, pretty in that wonderful non-descript way that allows me to indulge in my favorite entertainment of people watching. I have hitched my mass of brown hair up into a clip, and what I do see that I like are the eyes I was granted by genetic blessing from my grandmother.

Grandmother. Our family is of two minds on this extraordinary lady. Mine is the same as my father and grandfather. We adore her and believe her utterly, even if much of what she says has no context for our understanding. Others think she is merely a very charming, safe but insane eccentric. You see, my grandmother believes that she is from a place very far away, so far that we have not even been to her world of birth. It was from this world that she granted those in our family that asked, names from her tradition. My father of course asked, over the protestation of my mother, who loves my grandmother, but does not believe her and is still peeved that my father encouraged my belief in my grandmothers' stories, so my middle name became Asenath: She who belongs to Neir, goddess of Wisdom.

This is all becoming too serious; somehow I have to stop being fifty in a 14 year-old body. . Yes indeed, I can relate more of this as this journal proceeds, but it doesn't match the flip-flop of happiness the flitterbugs in my stomach are accomplishing. I met someone today here on Coruscant and I have finished reporting the events to my grandmother by commlink. That venerable lady told me that something momentous had happened and if I did not have a journal just for this relationship, I would regret it in my future.

I have been working at an aide in the office of the Alderaanian embassy here on Coruscant, and I was informed last week that I was the perfect age for an agonizing tradition between the diplomatic offices and the Jedi Temple. I of course protested that I would be perfectly fine without this mercy date forced upon me, and that surely there would be some daughter of a senator or other such dignitary that would be far more appropriate.

No such luck. Said daughters had all refused, leaving various office staff, including myself and since I was deemed semi-presentable, I was the one chosen. I hate that clause 'other jobs as assigned' written into my contract. I swallowed my frustration and waited for the call. Who knows what I would find myself having to spend the evening with. I only prayed to the God of my grandmother that it wouldn't be something that would mistake me for dinner.

The next several days the other office clerks regaled me with every tale they had ever heard about Jedi, and my presumed fate. At first I found it absurd, but then I could not ignore some of what they were telling me. Would my 'date' mind control me and make me do things I would not normally do? I had called grandmamma in a panic, and she reminded me that once she had been a member of a people that lies and myths were told about. "Little one, you have been trained well to accept and make friends with all living beings. Just remember those rules of life I have taught you. You will succeed beautifully and you might make a wonderful new friend. Concern yourself with only being the best friend to all living things, and nothing will go wrong."

Still I was nervous when my commlink went off on the 12th day of the 2nd month, and the other office clerks surrounded me to listen. I tried in vain to wave them away.

"Lady Ovorp?" The voice was low, quiet and cultured. This was worse than something that could eat me for dinner.

"Yes, please just call me Noela. Lady Ovorp is my mother's name." A chuckle escaped from the voice on the other end of the commlink.

"Noela, my name is Qui-Gon Jinn and I am to escort you two days from now. Do you have any idea what you would enjoy doing? I had thought dinner at the very least, but I had heard that you enjoy music. The Temple musicians are having a special concert that night, and I could show you around the Jedi Temple. If you have something you might like better, however I am at your service." A gentleman. Yes indeed, I was finding this more frightening by the minute. I prayed that I would not be found as lacking as I was feeling listening to that beautifully modulated voice.

"No, thank you, that sounds wonderful." I managed to croak. I knew at that moment there was nothing worse than being a gawky, 14 year old girl. I could have cheerfully murdered the person that thought that this would be a good idea, and done my time for it as a badge of honor.

"Where shall we meet?" Gods, I wished my heart would stop catching a beat whenever he would speak. I wanted to live at least until 15. I reminded myself he might not match his voice.

"My quarters are not far from the Embassy gardens. We could meet there. But then you don't know what I look like do you?" I kicked myself for stupidity, but he interrupted my bout of self-torture. "I will be able to find you, Noela."

I remember blinking. What did that mean?

Now it is very late, and I want time to savor our evening, before I write on it. Besides I have some words of wisdom from my grandmother that I need to also ponder and make mine. It could mean the difference between having something very special and throwing it away.