Chapter Seven - Relations of Marriage
After Lili had found what she determined to be the shower, or 'fresher as it was called here, she felt better. She had taken the longest shower possible. It was one of the pleasures she was glad had followed her here. She had discovered a wonderful smelling soap, which also lightened her mood. After her shower, she found fresh clothes in a dresser; brown pants like the typical Jedi garb, and a white gauzy top. She was prepared to start the day as a new person. I'm here and I have to accept that. Besides, how many Star Wars nerds get to live their fantasy? I should be thankful I have this chance! Lili took one last look at her appearance in the vanity mirror and headed towards the door. She stopped suddenly and went back into the 'fresher. She picked up the dress she had worn earlier and looked for the hidden pocket. When she found what she was looking for she heaved a sigh of relief. The photograph. It was her only link to home and she didn't want to risk losing it. She placed it in the pocket of her pants and left to find Sabé.
She had just stepped outside her room when Faydra rushed past by without saying a word. Lili had to step back to avoid being knocked down. That was odd… She shrugged it off and was about to set out to find Sabé when the door across from her slid open. She liked the thought of her room being across from Sabé's.
"Lili! Hello! Are you feeling any better?" Sabé said as she stepped out to join Lili in the hallway.
"Yes, I am. Thank you."
"You look lovely today." Sabé said.
"Thank you!" Lili said with a smile. She was enjoying Sabé's company already.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I am actually," Lili's stomach growled and her hand flew to it. "Very hungry, I guess!"
"Then follow me. I was told that the cafeteria is just below us. Let's see what we can grab," Sabé said and led Lili down the hallway. They passed several students and teachers, each one nodding to Lili and Sabé. Just before reaching the top of the stairs, a group of children came from behind them and all but one ran down the stairs. It was a little girl. She had stopped in front of Lili and had a very puzzled look on her face.
"Are you the stranger?" she asked from behind big blue eyes.
"Well, I guess I am," Lili concluded as she crouched down to the little girl.
"What's your name?" The little girl asked with an impish grin.
"Lili. What's yours, little one?"
"You're not a stranger. I've seen you in my dreams."
And with that the little girl ran down the stairs to join her group. Lili stood up quite confused.
"Well, that was odd," Sabé said.
"Everything here is odd to me," Lili muttered, shaking her head.
They continued down the stairs. Lili followed Sabé around several corners and hallways until they reached an open, circular common area. A kitchen was adjacent to where they were and there were several tables in the room. Glass panels that went from floor to ceiling brought light into the room. Several walkways seemed to hang above the common area. There were glass doors in all the panels and off the walkways leading out to the beautiful garden Lili had seen earlier. The garden was rich with colors and exotic plants that she couldn't recognize. It was a breathtaking and magical site.
"Stay here. I'll go see what I can find to eat for us," Sabé said as they found a table. Lili sat down while Sabé went into the kitchen. There were many students, Jedi, and Padawans in the room and sitting at tables. The group of children she saw earlier were now outside playing in the garden while an older student watched. It was a lovely site to see. Many of the children were focused on chasing what looked like a butterfly.
"Are you Lili?"
Lili looked away from the children to see a young woman standing next her.
"Yes, how did you know?" Lili asked.
"You're the only one without a Force signature and word gets around. Mind if I sit down?"
"Oh, of course not! Hello!" Lili said and pulled out a chair for her. Guess gossip does travel fast...
"How are you? My name is Jenice," the young woman said with an angelic smile as she sat down.
"Everyone keeps asking me that. I'm fine really…considering…" Lili said as she spotted Faydra across the room. She was leaning against one of the panels looking outside. Faydra looked deep in thought. Lili wanted to say something to her. She felt the need to explain herself. She was unsure how Faydra felt about her, although Lili questioned why she cared at all what others thought of her. She hadn't ever before. I should say something.
"I'm sorry. If you'll excuse me…" Lili stood and was just about to go over and speak to Faydra, but froze when she saw Anakin approaching her from the other side of the room. Lili watched as she saw Anakin come up behind Faydra and wrap his arms around her waist. He said something to her and she giggled. Lili's mouth dropped open as she saw Anakin begin to nuzzle Faydra's neck. She tugged on Anakin's braid and turned in his arms to embrace him.
"Oh yeah…there they go again. They are always doing that, even when the Masters don't approve. They do make a cute couple," Jenice said as Lili slowly sat back down.
"You mean…they are…together!" Lili was incredulous. She couldn't stop staring at the couple giving a generous public display of affection. Wasn't affection and attachments forbidden? Faydra trying to shove her tongue down his throat had to be forbidden!
"Oh yes. After Padawan Skywalker reaches his Knighthood, they are to be joined."
Lili's head snapped around to face Jenice.
"What!"
"You know…married?"
Lili was not only shocked, again, but now it was her turn to be furious. She pursed her lips and took a deep breath. No…NO! This is NOT how it is supposed to be. This isn't right. It can't be! Lili closed her eyes and took another deep breath. Something is so wrong about this…
Sabé returned to the table with two trays to find Lili digging her nails into the table and a young woman asking if she was ill. Sabé set the trays down and focused her attention on what Lili was staring at. She saw a young couple in love kissing. She thought it was sweet.
"Lili? What's wrong? You're going to break a nail if you keep doing that," Sabé said gently lifting Lili's hands from the table.
"It's not supposed to happen this way!"
"What's not supposed to happen?" Jenice asked, confused.
"Lili? Lili!" Sabé said, shaking Lili when she didn't respond.
Lili turned wide-eyed to look at Sabé. "I can't…I don't…" Lili turned back to look at the couple. "Why aren't things the way they are supposed to be?" She continued to watch Anakin and Faydra, wondering when they would stop to breathe. Her hands became fists. She was angry. Angry that her life had changed and now angry at what she saw.
Sabé and Jenice were thoroughly confused by Lili's reaction. They watched as Lili's skin flushed and her eyes clouded in anger. She chanted the word "no" again and again. They both jumped when she slammed her fists down on the table. The utensils on the trays bounced and it was loud enough to make others around them turn and look at Lili. Anakin and Faydra didn't notice.
"Lili, please calm down," Sabé begged quietly.
"Um, if you'll excuse me…" Jenice got up and slowly walked away from Lili and Sabé.
"I'm fine, Sabé. Perfectly fine." Just as soon as I get my life in order. This isn't right, but I will make it right. Lili folded her hands in her lap and cleared her throat.
"What's for breakfast?"
Sabé was about to say something, but decided not to. Instead, she sat down and passed Lili her tray. Lili ate quietly, but glanced up periodically to look at Anakin and Faydra. They had paused often during their make-out session to laugh, cuddle, and whisper to each other. Sabé said nothing about Lili's strange behavior. She must have a reason…
Lili continued to eat the strange food, until she saw Anakin abruptly pull away from Faydra. He turned away and just stood for a moment. Faydra looked confused, but left Anakin alone. Lili finished eating and continued to watch as Anakin turned back to Faydra, said something, hugged her, and left the cafeteria. Faydra watched Anakin leave and then went through one of the doors to the garden.
Lili folded her hands in her lap again and looked at Sabé, who was still eating her breakfast.
"Sabé? Does that seem weird to you?"
"Does what seem weird to me?"
"Anakin and Faydra?"
"No, why would it seem weird?'
Lili didn't answer, but instead started to bite her lower lip. She had to find a plan. A plan? A plan for what? What business of hers was it if Anakin and Faydra were together? It wasn't like Anakin was in love with Padmé. He probably had never seen Queen Amidala for that matter. He would have been a child when she died and if he had seen an image, she would have been under white makeup and heavy costumes. Well, if that's the same in this universe… So, why then, did she still feel the demon of jealousy?
"Sabé, if you'll excuse me," Lili said and got up, leaving a still confused Sabé at the table. Lili left the cafeteria to seek out the pride-injured Anakin. She needed to talk him. She would just have to ignore the fact the he and Faydra had been practically tearing each other's clothes off in public. She didn't know why it bothered her so much. She had no right to Anakin. That's a lie. He's supposed to be with Padmé, not Faydra…
