Chapter Two: Making Friends and Mystery

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters, ideas, etc. George Lucas has all rights.

Oh, just thought I should clarify. This is an AU story and does not take place during any specific time in the Star Wars saga. You may be seeing characters from the all time periods.

This chapter took me HOURS.

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"It is only with the heart that once can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." – Unknown.

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A few days have passed since Natan Harlak left for Nar Shaddaa. Ci'el is unsure of whether or not he has returned, but is worried for him nonetheless. After all, he has been gone longer than she anticipated, even if only a few days longer.

Stop worrying, Ciel! She thinks, He's fine. Why do you care so much anyway?
Well… he's a good friend. One of the few I've made since I arrived here. Actually, the only one I've made. Rand's intentions aren't exactly friendly. Not that they're unfriendly. They're just a little more than friendly, if you know what I mean.
And I'm not so sure I'm still enjoying the fact that those more-than-friendly intentions are being directed towards me.

Why? He's a good guy. A great guy. You're lucky he likes you.
Yeah, I guess… but what about-
No, no. Don't even let the name enter your mind. You don't have feelings for him. You barely know Natan.
Oh, poop. The name just entered my mind.
Well, either way, I shouldn't declare feelings so early. We only talked for a day, after all.
Fine, don't declare anything. Just stop standing here looking like an idiot!

Oh. Right.

Looking around to make sure no one saw her staring blankly ahead like a fool and discovering she was unobserved, she continues to wander about the Enclave quietly, unsure of who to speak to in regards to her acceptance as a Jedi. She wishes to train, to become one of the strange people she sees walking about her. These people who lift entire ships with their minds and jump higher than anyone or anything she's ever seen, these people who always seem so calm and never struggle with emotions and fight with the grace of swans but the power of acklays. These people who fascinate her endlessly.

After a few minutes of mindless wandering, she is approached by a well-known Whill known to all as Vandar Tokare, the leader of the Jedi here at the Enclave and the one who was kind enough to allow her to stay at there until she found a place for herself on Dantooine.

"Ci'el." He says, "Been here a long time, you have. Sense that you have something to say to me, I do."

She is surprised once more by the perceptiveness of the Jedi but answers him without hesitation.

"Yes, Master Tokare. I'd like to speak with you alone, if you don't mind."

He leads her into his council's chambers and brings her in front of the other Masters.

"You should say what you are thinking to all the Jedi Masters of the Enclave, young one."

Does he already know what I'm going to ask, or what?

"I… well; I guess I should just get right to it." She says, looking straight at each of the Masters present. "I wish to become one of you, to become a Jedi."

Without hesitation, Master Vrook asks, "And what makes you think we will accept you?"

Ci'el begins to stumble over her own words, unsure of what to say, but Master Zhar Lestin steps in and saves her.

"No need to scare her, Master Vrook. We can all see the light within her."

"There is light in her, yes. She has a good heart." Replies Master Vandar, "But I also see pain, and a great deal of it. From her past, I believe. This may cause her to act in dangerous ways once she has been trained."

Ci'el looks down, embarrassed that they are capable of reading her like an open book, but she stays, thinking Master Vandar speaks more as if her is warning her than as if he is going to forbid her for becoming a Jedi because of her past.

"But she also has a great deal of natural talent." Says Master Zhar, "leaving her untrained and vulnerable to the Sith could be even more dangerous in the long run."

Master Vrook nods and says, "We will think on this, Ci'el. But first, you must tell us why you wish to become a Jedi."

Ci'el takes a deep breath, preparing to say what she has recited in her head several times since she arrived at the Enclave. "As you all may know, I've been here for a few days; long enough to observe the lot of you. I've wandered around the Archives, reading of the Jedi Code and how you vow to be protectors of the peace and of those who cannot protect themselves. You may also know that I was once a slave. I was in a position where I could not protect myself, and I know quite well that no one, no matter who they are, deserves to be treated as brutally as many slaves are. I wish to be the protector of these people, and all people treated unjustly, to bring peace to the places where it is least likely to exist, and to help all those who cannot help themselves."

Master Zhar smiles fondly at her and looks back to the others. "You see, Masters? She has used the pain of her past to become a better person."

Master Vandar nods in agreement, as do the others. He addresses Ci'el, saying, "We will inform you of our decision in a few days. May the Force be with you."

Taking this as her cue to leave, Ci'el bows and exits. She begins to walk towards the student's chambers in an attempt to make some friends when a one of the Jedi Padawans approaches her.

"Uhhm, are you Ci'el Nt'aryl?" she asks.
"Yes, I am."
"Master Vash asked me to give you this. All the students have one. She figured you might as well have one, too, even though you're not a student yet."
"Oh, well, thank you."

The Padawan girl hands her a com link and walks away before Ci'el can say anything else to her, so she continues towards the student's chambers. She enters what appears to be the place where the Padawans spend time with each other and finds Rand chatting with another Twi'lek, this one blue, and a human male with short brown hair and a Padawan braid at the nape of his neck. Ci'el tentatively walks towards them.

"Uhhm… hi, everyone." She says, smiling, "I'm… uhhm… I'm new here. Figured I might as well say hello."

She smiles at Rand and waves, and then explains to the others that they've already met. Rand gives her a cocky grin like she's the only one who knows some secret he's thinking about and Ci'el scratches the back of her neck awkwardly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lee Smith, a Padawan here at the Enclave. Feel free to sit down." Says the brown-haired one, motioning towards the sofa they all sit upon.

"Oh, thank you." She answers shyly and an unbearably awkward moment ensues.

Ci'el looks at Rand. Rand looks at Ci'el. Ci'el looks from Rand to Lee, who's looking at the blue Twi'lek girl, who awkwardly looks away and happens to let her eyes fall on Rand, who gives her the same cocky grin like they both know some secret. Sensing that The Grin has been directed towards someone else, Ci'el looks at the target of said grin, who looks towards Lee who looks at Ci'el. With the words "Anything to kill the awkwardness!" in her mind, Ci'el scratches her neck again and speaks.

"So… uhhm… I never got your name." she asks the Twi'lek girl.

"Oh, hey, I'm Mission." She answers, "Mission Vao."

"Oh, that's good. Well… I don't if it's good. I guess it is. It's… uhhm… what I mean is, it's nice to meet you."

Oh, gosh, I'm making a fool of myself. Ci'el thinks, It was so much easier to talk to Natan…

"Right." the blue twi'lek answers, lifting an eyebrow at Ci'el, and yet another awkward moment ensues. Lee groans and turns to Ci'el, taking the job of conversationalist upon himself.

"How are you today, Ci'el? Do you like the Enclave?"

"Oh, I'm good, thank you. I like the Enclave very much, actually. I just went to the Masters to ask for acceptance a few minutes ago."

"Wait, you're not a Padawan yet?"

"Oh, no… actually, I'm just here because Master Vandar was kind enough to offer me a place to rest my head. I'm hoping they'll accept me and soon enough I'll be training with the lot of you."

"That's good to hear. Familiarizing yourself well within this sector then?"

"I miss my home world, but I'm still happy here. The people are kinder than on Ryloth."

"Yes they are, especially on Dantooine. It's so much better than Coruscant, my home world. I hated it there, but....that's another matter all together. Dantooine is quiet and has a certain untouched natural beauty to it."

"Yes, I rather like it here, for that reason. When did you move from Coruscant to Dantooine?"

"I'd...rather not talk about it. Suffice it to say I'm here now. I couldn't think of a better place to call home than here on Dantooine at the Jedi Enclave."

"Oh, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked. Note to self: Stop prying into people's lives."

"Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known. Just a painful memory is all."

A tall, blonde woman in the robes of a Master enters the students' chambers and speaks to them, interrupting Ci'el's conversation with her new friend.

"Padawan, it's after dark. You have much training to do in the morning. Head to your personal chambers and get some rest so you'll perform to the best of your abilities tomorrow morning."

The three Padawans groan and grudgingly reply, "Yes, Master Vash."

"Oh, you're Master Vash." Says Ci'el, "Thank you for the comlink. I'm sure it's going to come in handy."

"You're quite welcome. The other Masters wouldn't want me to tell you this, but… I only gave it to you because I haven't the slightest doubt they'll let you begin your training very soon. I see a lot of potential in you, Ci'el. Now go get some rest and get up with the other Padawans tomorrow morning and maybe you'll impress Master Vandar even more than you already have."

Blushing and quite shocked at Master Vash's words, Ci'el merely bows and says goodnight, walking towards her room. Remembering her desire to ask someone about Natan, she turns around and quickly runs into the hall.

"Master Vash, wait!" she says.

"Yes?" she asks, turning around.

"Well, uhhm… I was just wondering about… Natan Harlak. Do you know how if he's still on Nar Shaddaa?"

Master Vash lifts an eyebrow and takes a step towards Ci'el, placing a hand on her shoulder. Ci'el has an odd desire to step away, but just barely resists it.

"Why, may I ask, do Natan Harlak's whereabouts concern you?" the Master asks.

"Oh, ahh, he's a… friend of mine. I was just hoping he was alright. He's been gone a little bit longer than he said he would be."

"You needn't worry, young one." She answers, speaking in a tone Ci'el can't seem to understand, "He is safe at present, but his trip has lasted a little longer than expected. You will see him soon enough."

"Thank you." Ci'el says, bowing once more.

"Goodnight, Ci'el, and may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, also, Master Vash." Ci'el answers, and returns to her room to endure a night of little sleep but many dreams.

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All is dark in the Masters' chambers, but all is not quiet. They speak to each other in hushed tones out of concern for their two newest students, voices melding together so that none of them is completely sure of who is speaking at any given moment.

"I'm glad we've decided to accept them both. They'll be elated when we tell them. Only, I find they have… an uncanny connection to each other. This could present problems in the future."

"Yes, I observed them by the river a few days ago. They seemed to be… drawn to each other, like moths to a flame."

"Should we separate them?"

"No, no… let them be. Separating them might cause her more pain and him more anger - the last thing we need for either of them."

"But he isn't exactly skilled at controlling his emotions. What if he lets what he feels for her control him?"

"She won't let him. She is skilled at controlling her emotions, and I sense soon enough she will have a strong hold on his, also."

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Review, please. Criticism welcome.
HoFSoW