The first thing she remembered from the morning was her Master smiling down at her, the proud yet exasperated smile she knew so well. A look she had only ever seen across the blue-skinned woman's face. "I see you decided the sleep was not for you in spite of my instructions." Returning her Master's expression with a sleepy smile she said, "well orders aren't for everyone." Sitting up she saw the datapad in the woman's hand as she pulled her hair back up into its normal bun.
"I found your little project, and I have to say I'm quite impressed." Her face flushed, and she lowered her head, "it was just an idea. Nothing more Master." She stood and as she turned to the small square of sunlight lighting the room deciding to let her braid stay free of her chosen hairstyle. "Well, Ara what do you say about putting that idea to fruition?" The same smile split her face as she turned to face her Master and said, "I'd say it's time to get to work."
Time passed in a blur as she worked alongside her Master, she loved these lessons where she learned anything new about the art she had chosen to study. Her mind was still running free when she headed to the second meal. And nearly ran straight into someone, only to stumble tripping to avoid running right into a familiar figure.
"Ashoka!" She said happily getting to her feet with a massive grin on her face. "Ara!" She threw her arms around the Torgruta hugging her tightly stepping back and saying, "I thought you and Master Skywalker were deployed to Felucia." Her friend frowned, "we were, to find out why the Republic lost contact with the medical station there. The seppies sent vulture droids to destroy it. I was called back to the temple Anakin is on a separate mission."
They had already started walking again both clearly headed to the same place, "I missed you, you're off galivanting with Master Skywalker and the 501st while I'm here."
"Well if it makes you feel any better I think I'd rather stay here for a while, cruiser rations are gross." As they came to the door she flicked her wrist activating the control on the panel, "show off," the door shot open and she said. "Well then let's eat, and tell me everything, there's clearly more to that story."
Aralia was still laughing when she said goodbye to her friend and closed the door promising to meet her for a training match later in the day. Then she ducked into one of the doors lining the far wall, to the door with six clone commandos waiting outside, clearly fresh of a scolding for one of the healers. The smooth door closing with a soft, click. Routine visits, she thought as she approached the girl lying in the bed, checking vitals and on how the girl's recovery had progressed. A pale face haloed by brown hair similar to her own golden brown. The white sheet pulled over her sleeping form, but Aralia knew what lay under that curtain of white. Her calm face stared back at her while she moved through the room. She was soon preparing to leave, as the girl's vital signs were steady, when a hoarse voice asked, "where am I?"
hurrying back over she placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder, "you are at the Jedi temple, on Courscant, in the medical bay." She spoke calmly and firmly just as she had been trained meeting the girl's green eyes with her own lavender ones. "Fin, Van," the girl met her eyes fearfully, and she encouraged her to sip from a glass of water. "I can only assume you are asking about the clone commandos who are outside your door at this very moment. They are alive and well."
Aralia saw the panic fade from the girl's eyes only to be replaced with hesitation and knew what question was coming next. "And," she heard the brief gap in her question, "my leg, what happened after I lost consciousness?" With this, she moved to the edge of the bed and grasped the smooth white sheet in her fingers pulling it aside.
Beneath beside the white cloth clad leg was a beautiful prosthetic, formed of silver and Porcelain metal. Engraved with a flowing design of lines and dots that despite forming no coherent image, seemed to carry one nonetheless. "Master Che tended to you personally but even she cannot regrow a limb. She also designed the prosthetic," placing a hand over the girls.
"Who are you, since you are neither a Twi'lek nor Master Che," helping her to sit up she answered. "Padawan Kryze, but you can call me Aralia," receiving only a nod in return she smiled comfortingly and said. "I think it's about time I let your squadron in before one of them breaks down the door. Wouldn't you agree?" This got a small chuckle and she pulled the blanket back over her leg and ducking out of the door.
"Troopers quiet down," she sighed as the questions continued, then she held up a hand and barked. "She's waiting for you all to shut up!" Her glare reached each of the now sheepish clones as she asked, "or should she have to wait because you cannot stop acting like cadets?" Her voice sharpening on the last word as she asked before opening the door, warning. "Agitate her and you are all going to be polishing the temples R2 units. Commandos or not."
"They can polish my D unit Aralia," this was the first thing she heard upon entering again and she had to work hard not to smile. Even when a collective groan of protest came from the clones behind her. She stepped to the side and listened as the group began talking. A small light lit up beside the door and she walked over opening it and stepping out of the room only to freeze.
"Young one, I am here to see Padawan Ream." Looking up into the piercing eyes of Jedi Master Mace Windu, she schooled her face into one of calm neutrality. "You can speak to me on her condition Master Windu," her hands hung loosely at her sides. But her heart raced, betrayed her nerves, something had always made her nervous when she was around Master Windu. "The Republic needs her squadron back on the field, they're being deployed to help in the defense of some of the Mid Rim systems."
Her head nearly spun, "Master Windu Padawan Ream is in no condition to return to the field of battle. She needs rest," then the man looked down at her and her arms moved to perch on her hips and she met his gaze with her own. "I'm sorry Padawan, but they are to depart at 0600." Her gaze hardened to a stone-cold glare and she said, "she will not be going anywhere. Not at 0600, and not any, time, soon." Emphasizing the last three words with a powerful glare she stepped back into the room.