This chapter was edited on May 13, 2018
Although Ben had planned on talking to Lirri about it, he rushed to accept Snoke's offer only minutes after he separated from Lirri. Even though she tried to assure him things would be fine, Ben disagreed. With the unlimited power, Ben could keep things the way he desired. Not to mention it would give him the capability to prove his worth as a Skywalker. There was a lot of expectations to live up to.
After all, his grandfather Anakin, was around his age and was married to Padme, who was a Senator. His Uncle Luke had become a Jedi, fighting against the Dark Side, alongside his parents. Although Ben knew that the 'Good Side' was a very loose concept since they had done their share of terrible things proving the world wasn't black and white. People loved to make it that way though.
When he accepted the offer, Ben was unaware that it came with a catch. Ben had to prove to Snoke that he was willing to do whatever it took. After hearing the task, Ben was shuddering and full of worry. How could he possibly complete this? Ben was told that he needed to 'dispose of a Padawan' for Snoke and become a murderer. It was quite busy at the temple so Ben knew it'd be quite the feat on this property. Not even getting into the way he'd be changed to the core from just this, Ben was stressed out.
As Ben was trying to wrap his mind around the concept, a quiet knocking came from his door. Sitting up, Ben looked around as he tried to see if this was real or another thing in his mind. When the soft knocking was heard again, Ben walked over to the door and opened it with caution.
Outside was a girl that he recognized from his visions. She was the unconscious girl that Lirri had dragged out of her the water in it. The girl was a Twi'lek, one of the few that was currently training-the only female in Twi'lek group. If Ben was right, her name was Igni or Iggi, he was unsure. Perhaps it was fate, Ben thought as she literally arrived to his door.
"Yes?" Ben questioned, looking down at her as she smiled up at him, playing with one of her lekkus- like how Lirri would twirl her hair.
She didn't say anything as Ben raised his eyebrow and looked at her. "What can I do for you?"
"Master Skywalker is doing a relaxing night under the stars since there's supposed to be a visible meteor shower. He thinks it'll be great to relax and meditate with." Igni/Iggi spoke as Ben nodded.
Ben could see that she was bubbly, as shown by her tone and constant bouncing between her feet. Her eyes roamed over his body with a dark hue on her cheeks. Ben was pretty sure that Igni/Iggi was fawning over him.
Glancing down at his wardrobe, Ben realized he was shirtless.
"Oh right, that. I'll meet you guys out there." Ben spoke, giving her a small smile that was completely false before shutting the door on her face.
On the other side, he could hear a small voice on the other side." Oh- okay."
After everything that had gone on earlier, Ben knew that he should work on his image while he was still there. Being social and open would give him a better diversion. However, he knew that required more clothing.
Ben pulled on a thick long sleeved shirt, wishing for his black one that was missing as he slipped on shoes. He waited until the hallways were empty before leaving. As he stepped out, a sweet smell and the light spilling out to the hallway alerted Ben to someone in the kitchen.
Walking in, he noticed Lirri trying to juggle things once again. It was almost normal. Lirri hated asking for help, or using the force to carry things. Over her shoulder, she had a large bag slung over it with trays in her arm overflowing with cups, and some condiments needed for the hot drinks.
Her free hand was inching towards the large container of hot water to carry it as Ben stepped in to grab it before Lirri could as he smirked, looking down at Lirri.
"You do know that one benefit of using the Force is using it to carry things." Ben teased, as Lirri stuck her tongue out.
Ben jokingly leaned forward making a biting motion as Lirri put her tongue back in her mouth. "Using the Force requires great concentration for a long period of time." She started moving as Ben followed. "With the slim hope that I wouldn't be distracted. You've met the people here, I am constantly distracted."
"Oh? What sort of distractions?" Ben cheekily asked as he saw her turn just to make sure that Ben saw her eyes roll.
"Well Padawans have a lot of questions, then there's animals. Or more likely this boyfriend of mine who likes to suddenly grab me and pull me into the pushes for a lot of things."
Lirri shifted the tray in her arm so that she could hold open the door for Ben, as he chuckled.
"So, we have some titles now?" Ben asked curiously as he slowed his pace so Lirri could keep up with him. Compared to his, her legs were tiny and had to work harder.
Nodding, Lirri looked over. "I thought so, why? What would you call us?" Her tone was worryful as she started guiding Ben down the path.
"That. I just haven't heard you ever say it. I like it a lot." Ben responded, as he let himself be washed over the jo of this title. "Just like I enjoy the idea of you being my girlfriend." Even if it was secret still. Lirri was great to raise his mood to a positive one, especially when he was dealing with the chaos of Snoke.
As they walked, Ben looked down he recognized the black shirt she was wearing. It was his soft long sleeve shirt that kept him warm and was the one he'd been looking for. "Is that my shirt?" Ben questioned, speeding up so he could look back and see the guilty blush on her face.
"Maaybe." Lirri began, before shrugging. "I don't know, I just grabbed the first clean shirt from my room."
"Sure," Ben spoke as they could hear the chatter of voices growing louder as Ben and Lirri grew close. As he walked past her, he whispered loud enough for only hear to hear. "I like you in my shirt; may need to have you wear just them more often." Ben winked as he moved faster so he could go set down the container of water.
Ben looked around to see everyone in little groups around the fire with blankets and logs around. Some Padawans even chose to brave the cold water for a swim as others talked at the bonfire. Luke was sitting on a bench with a pile of extra blankets as Lirri headed that way so she could place the tray down and remove the bag.
Ben picked the water up again so he could set it where Lirri wanted, hands overlapping for a moment as Ben smiled at her.
"Thanks Ben."
He began to look around for somewhere to sit as Igni noticed this, she started waving at Ben and pointed to the empty seat near her. The other logs were already taken for, by people or their items as he chose to sit on the same log but at the far end which was the closest to Luke and Lirri's log. If he stretched out his leg, the two could nudge one another's feet.
As she sat down, Lirri was unpacking containers full of treats, each labelled as some of the older Padawans were pouring tea for each of the group as others picked out their own treats.
Ben waited for the others to go through before grabbing his own; as he sat down, he noticed that Igni had scooted closer. Shoving the cookie into his mouth, Ben listened to Master Skywalker. His Uncle was telling different stories of his life as they asked.
Almost immediately, one of the girls Igni was close to started asking about Han and Leia's love story. To those on the outside, it was a wonderful story with the renowned player seeming male falling for this princess. Such a tale of glimmer and hope. When in reality, Ben felt different. Maybe they were in love at some point, but by the time Ben was around the love seemed to be gone. Replaced with arguments all the time and Han leaving frequently without reassurance that his father would come home. In turn, Leia would drown herself in work. If Ben was being honest with himself, Ben sometimes wished his father could stay away so his mother could move on. Sure there would be a brief moment of happiness, it was guaranteed to be followed by another argument the next day. Only to repeat more frequently with each year.
Ben tuned the words out as he watched Lirri listening quite intently to Luke. She was fiddling with the cup in her hand, and had the same kind of dopey love struck look on her face. However, she kept glancing over to Ben with a small smile.
Ben smiled back at her as he realized that at the end of the day, it seemed like Lirri was a romantic at heart.
As the meteor shower began to slow down, the Padawans began to leave one by one with a few requiring an encouraging nudge by Luke or Lirri to head to bed after falling asleep. Everyone was assured that tomorrow would be a light day for classes to give them a bit of a break after all the fantastic progress that was made.
Eventually, Ben and Lirri were the only students left, promising Luke that they'd clean up to give Luke a break too. Although the students missed it, Ben and Lirri could see the tired bags under his eyes.
Lirri was grabbing all the blankets and leftover supplies; thankful the load was lighter since the Padawans took their used dishes with them. As Ben helped her shove the items into the bag, she looked up at Ben with a smile. The fading glow of the fire giving Lirri a warm touch.
"Tonight was great. I think we need to do this more so we can all open up and form better emotional relationships with one another." She was beaming as Ben smiled.
"Yes, but if I remember the Jedi Code correctly, it says 'There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force" Ben rhymed off before pulling Lirri to his chest.
Lirri's arms wrapped around his neck, as one hand rubbed the back of his neck as she tilted her head. "Yes, but I grew up with Master Skywalker's version. Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force."
Lirri paused for a moment, before she continued. "The world could never be purely a black and white issue. So the way of the Force must adapt or we shall all fall."
Pausing for a moment Lirri continued. "The world could never be black and white, so the way of the Force must adapt to this."
Ben was happily shocked when Lirri voiced something about the shades of grey as he smiled and kissed her softly. His voice was quiet as he spoke.
That's one thing I love about you, you understand. There isn't just a light side or a dark side. It's an old fashioned system."
Lirri was looking up at him with a smile as he saw her keeping her mouth shut, curling in her lips a bit to be an obvious attempt to hide her yawn. Ben kissed her forehead before pulling away to grab the container. He turned and dumped the remaining water on the fire to smother it as he pulled the tray towards himself using the Force. This left Lirri to carry the folded pile of blankets.
"Why don't we head back before I have to carry you too since I'd leave all these other objects here."
Lirri led the way as Ben followed, enjoying their slow pace through the dark as their trail was only lit by small lights every few meters or so. Lirri had been too tired to put things properly back as they dumped the items in the kitchen before she padded towards the soaking mugs trying to get a headstart on cleaning.
Ben knew that in her tired state, Lirri would likely fall asleep over the sink incredibly sore in her attempts to clean everything. With his mind set, Ben went behind her and scooped the lighter girl up in a bridal style hold. "Ben I'm not tired-" Lirri began as Ben looked her in the eyes as he focused.
"Just sleep." Instantaneously, Lirri fell asleep with her head against Ben's shoulder. He didn't want to carry Lirri back to her room, knowing it'd be simpler to just get to his room and if he were being honest, Ben slept better when she was near.