Nanette had been in our lives for a year, and just a week before things hit the fan, I went to the shop to celebrate with Nanette. Not only to celebrate the anniversary of her arrival, but also that she had caught up in her studies and was with kids her own age in school.
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Leia found the invitation for the little tea party.
She bathed me and stuffed me into a pink kimono that was almost too small (ow), black shoes, and forced my hair into a hair style (with her attendant Winter's help) that was worthy of her own mother back in the day.
I looked like a doll and hated it.
Then she sent me on my way.
I had to tape my lightsaber to my calf, since I had to have it at all times.
The night was clear- well clear for Coruscant, anyway.
When I got to the shop, I rang the bell on the house side, and my friend answered.
She had primped, put on make-up, and was wearing a stylish new sun dress.
My jaw fell open. She was gorgeous- as always- but she looked so mature, I was somewhat caught off guard.
"Nettie, you look so beautiful!"
"No, but thanks," she brushed off the compliment.
"You do."
She glowered at the floor. "Whango had me take the day off to get a make-over, manicure, pedicure, and dress. He said I deserved it."
"You do. He's impressed with you. He wants to reward that."
"It was a hint that I'm not pretty enough. A way to improve myself."
"No. Whango has no family. I think this was his way of showing you that you're family."
She scoffed.
"He probably thought that since you're a woman, you'd appreciate it. A day to be pampered."
"Maybe. I'm not convinced."
She led me to the kitchen, where the tea was set up. It was elaborate, with a real tea service, sandwiches, and cookies.
"Nanette, it's me, Asenath. You weren't hosting Mon Mothma."
"I wanted this to be special. Plus, Whango bought me the tea service for my 'someday wedding trousseau.' Az, no one has those anymore."
"He wants you have a what?"
"Exactly!"
I picked up a small, triangular sandwich.
"Az, he is…freaking me out. I'm only sixteen, and he is worried about wedding assets."
"He probably just wants to make sure that you've got some stuff set aside for it."
"Maybe. He seemed glad I want to use it tonight," Nettie groaned as she poured the tea.
"That's good. He probably would rather you use it once in a while than let it collect dust from no until marriage."
"She's dusty enough," she giggled.
"I heard that, Nettie!" Whango called from the living room.
Nanette mimicked him.
"And don't sass me young lady, or there will be Mustafar to pay."
We both laughed
"Did you hear me, Nettie?"
"Nope. Not at all! By the Jedi Order, Whango, I don't have hearing aids."
Nanette turned pale and looked at me.
"Az, I didn't…I mean, I…"
"Nanette, it's fine. I've been this way for most of my life now. I'm not offended. "
"Still. I need to improve on checking my audience before I blurt out thoughts."
"It was funny."
"It was rude."
I shrugged it off and took a bite of my sandwich.
Whango popped his head in and saw the sandwiches for tea and near about fainted.
"Nettie, you got any real food prepared for poor, old Whango?"
"There is a rare bantha steak and vegetables in the oven."
"Thank you, Nettie."
Whango took his plate from the oven and looked at me.
"If she gives you ay trouble, pop her in the mouth," he said with a grin.
"Ha ha. Very funny, Whango." Nanette glared at her boss.
"It was funny!" Whango protested.
Nanette rolled her eyes and turned to me. "Well, I'm ready to eat. You?"
"Absolutely."
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I wasn't all that hungry at Nanette's.
In fact, the weeks leading up to the party, I had been hungry on and off, and I was occasionally in gut-churning pain.
I would be fine, be overcome, and then be fine again. This happened several times while fighting with Jun, and the pain was worse at meal times.
Jun was concerned about the pain, but I brushed him off.
I say this, because every girl comes to a time in her life where blood comes seeping from the unknown, accompanied by cramping, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, headaches (those last three are true in my case but not all), and a mood swings.
At the sight of my fingers covered with blood (as well as my pajama pants and sheets), I thought I was dying.
I went looking for an adult and found Leia.
I showed her my soiled sheets and she took them from me. Then, she handed me the products I would need.
"Let me or Mara know when you run low. You'll have this every month for the next 40 to 50 years. Enjoy your life as a woman."
That was it. She didn't tell me what was happening or why. This would come back to bite me in a few years down the line, but the matter at hand is what happened when our fears became reality.
Jun's masters came back to claim him and none of us could stand in the way.