CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Your dreams are getting worse", Master Zorro said with a concerned look on his face the next morning. He took a seat at the table across from her. "Even in sleep, I can feel your dreams put painful tremors in the Force".
"I tried so hard to pull my family together, Master." Asia looked despondently into a cup of string coffee. "But, because of me, my parents are missing their eldest daughter."
"You can not blame yourself for Iila's refusal to come with you Padawan."
"I'm trying to let go of it, Master. Only, it's all I can think about day and night!"
Zorro put a hand reassuringly on her wrist. "Each of us must choose our own path. Sometimes those paths lead in opposite directions, and we must part ways with those we love. It does not mean we stop loving, but it does mean you must stop trying to control their choices. Then you will have some peace in your heart. Does that comfort you, Padawan?"
Asia nodded, a few tears welling up in her eyes. She sniffed. "It does a little, yes".
"Good. Then wipe away your tears. I think I hear your father's return."
Asia listened intently. She, too, could hear the familiar sound of Tom's land speeder. Asia allowed herself a small smile. Tom had been so kind and helpful during her stay on Tatooine. The young man was growing on her and secretly Asia hoped he would come to Coruscant with them. But deep down she realised that may not be possible. Zorro noticed the slight change of mood in Asia but chose to say nothing. It didn't seem fair to ruin her improved mood by telling her it wasn't considered "proper" by the Council to think in such a way. Asia got to her feet and opened the hovel door. Running across the sand, she greeted Tom with a hug.
"Hey, what's that for?" Tom laughed, the embrace catching him completely off guard, forcing him to take a step back and catch his balance by putting an arm around her.
Grinning widely, Asia looked up at him with her huge purple eyes. "I just felt like it."
Asia turned to look at the green skinned twins. Thinking back to her Master's story they were obviously the two who were sold into slavery. There was an awkward silence for a few moments.
Jordi broke the silence by saying "this is our sister, Asia. It's thanks to her we're getting out of this rat hole!"
Asia readied herself. But instead of spiteful Iila-style reactions, Asia was greeted with warm embraces and "thank you". It was becoming clear that maybe the situation wasn't as bad as it first seemed.
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Obi-Wan was still sulking when he woke up that morning. The meditation the previous day hadn't helped one bit due to him not being able to concentrate. No matter how hard he had tried, Obi-Wan's thoughts always wandered to Chae. That moment they had kissed in the diner played over and over in his mind. Obi-Wan had hoped Chae would change her mind and be persuaded to fight for her place amongst the Jedi. He sighed and continued to stare at the ceiling, his enthusiasm for training ebbing away, his heart broken from Chae's cruel brush off. Obi-Wan resigned himself to the fact that maybe Chae didn't feel the same way about him after all; that he had fooled himself into thinking she actually cared about him.
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The small group made their way through the crowds to the space port where Master Zorro's hired ship was awaiting. Keturah held tightly to her son's arm as Asia and Zorro lead the way with Abbas, Tom Antilles and the twins bringing up the rear carrying the few clothes and personal belongings the family had. They attracted a few looks from curious passer-bys but nobody really cared enough to bother them. Arriving at the ship's docking bay, it became apparent that there was a problem.
Slumped on the boarding ramp was the pilot, asleep, and he stank of alcohol. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted him!" Zorro muttered angrily.
Asia suppressed a giggle. It wasn't like her Master to make a mistake like this. But then it struck her. How were they going to get home? Asia cursed inwardly.
"Problem?" Tom asked as he approached them. Then he noticed the drunken pilot. "Mmmm, looks like you managed to hire our dear friend, Deano. He has a reputation for this kind of thing in the Outer Rim. Definitely not one to be trusted to stay sober."
The group looked at each other. Tom noticed the desperation on their faces and tried to think of something. Asia had got this far to help her family and he didn't want her to be left disappointed now. Grabbing the drunken pilot, Tom dragged him back inside the ship and dumped him on the first bunk he came to. His curiosity then took him into the cockpit. The controls didn't look any different to what he was use to. Maybe he could get them home. Coming down the ramp with a grin on his face, Tom Antilles put his idea to them.
Zorro nodded. "That would appear to be the only option we have."
"It's not like we have any other choice, is it?" Asia pointed out. "We can hardly walk home!"
The group got on board. Tom and the Jedi took up their seats in the cockpit whilst the rest of the family took up places in the main hanger of the ship. Asia struggled to contain her excitement. Tom was coming back to Coruscant with them. Zorro caught her eye and smiled.
