Chapter Sixteen

Cian Nyal cursed in all three levels of the Quilekian sub-language as she struggled with the cosmetic stick. She was trying to line her eyes with it but had only succeeded in making herself look like an Endorian tree sloth.

She sighed and quickly wiped the liner from her eyes. Then she looked closely at herself in the mirror. She wondered if Qui-Gon would notice the changes in her; the slight creases beside her dark gray eyes, the little lines along the side of her mouth.

She tilted her head. Her long copper-colored hair was piled up in soft ringlets which framed her face. Then she looked down at the rose-colored gown she was wearing. She had always been terribly thin as a child, but had filled out as she had gotten older. Now she was afraid she may have filled out too much. Her waist was still slim, but her hips were a bit too round, she thought, and her breasts....she grimaced and turned away from the mirror. She didn't even want to think about her breasts.

Cian turned and went out into the dining area. The table was set for four, candles glowing on the white tablecloth and her parents' best china sparkling beneath the lights. She took a deep breath.

Then her comlink chimed. Cian hurried into her bedroom, sat on the bed and activated the holoscreen. The image of a dark-haired man in a military uniform appeared. It was Jeffron Sundancer.

"Cian," he said warmly to her.

"Jeffron."

His gaze moved over her appraisingly. "You look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you," she said smiling.

"I think I should be a little jealous," he said, his voice teasing.

Cian blushed. "I wish you had been able to come tonight, dear."

"So do I. I've heard quite a lot about this Qui-Gon Jinn. But, I still have much to do before I leave tomorrow for the war games. And I'd be a fifth wheel anyway. I know how much you've wanted to spend some time with your friends. How long have they been back?

"Two months, but they've all been terribly busy at the Temple."

"Haven't we all. So, it's Master Jinn's birthday you're celebrating tonight?"

"No, his apprentice. Actually his birthday was last week. A formal celebration was held at the Temple, but I wanted to do something special for him."

"Well, I won't keep you. Just wanted to say goodbye."

"When will you be back?"

"In about three weeks."

Cian nodded.

"Have fun tonight," he said.

"Thank you. Goodbye, dear."

He signed off and Cian sat for a moment, her thoughts churning. She had been thinking so much about Qui-Gon she had completely forgotten about Jeffron. Suddenly she worried that having the dinner was a mistake. She shook her head. Nonsense. It wasn't a date and Obi-Wan and Aalea would be there.

Cian stood up and hurried back into the dining area, surveying the room one more time. Something was missing. The glassware.

She hurried into the kitchen. She opened one of the cabinets and took out four thin-stemmed glasses. Then she saw the bottle of Alderaanian wine her colleagues had given her when she left the university. She took it down from the shelf. It was from the monastery of Churon on the western continent of Alderaan. Cian had been saving it for a special occasion, but she could think of no more special occasion than this.

She went back into the dining area and placed the glassware and wine on the table. She was a bit worried about serving the wine. Although alcohol was not forbidden to the Jedi, it was something most rarely consumed. But, it was Obi-Wan's birthday, and if Qui-Gon thought it best it not be served, he would let her know. Then her door chimed.

Cian's heart beat hard in her chest. She went to the door. Before she opened it, she ran her hands quickly down the front of her gown, then lightly touched her hair. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the door's lock. It slid open.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Aalea stood at the door's entrance. Before Cian could say a word, however, Aalea brushed past Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. She ran to Cian and threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"Cian. I'm so glad to see you," Aalea cried. She pulled back and looked at her. "Oh, and you look so pretty. I wish I could have dressed up."

Cian saw all three were dressed in traditional Jedi attire.

Aalea turned towards Qui-Gon.

"Doesn't she look pretty, Master?"

Qui-Gon smiled warmly at Cian and at the appreciation she saw in his eyes, her heart melted.

"Yes," he said softly in his deep, musical voice. "She looks very beautiful."

Cian blushed, then noting Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were still waiting politely for her to invite them in, she gestured for them to enter.

"Please, come in."

The two Jedi walked past her. Cian pressed the door closed behind them.

"Let me take your robes," she said. The three took off their robes and Cian carried them into her bedroom.

"Something smells good," Obi-Wan said as Cian came back into the dining room.

"I hope you like it. It's something new I decided to try. Please, sit down."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon sat adjacent to each other at the table, but Aalea grabbed Cian's arm and pulled her.

"Let me help," she said.

Cian laughed and accompanied Aalea into the kitchen.

"Aalea, you really don't have to help me," she said as she picked up one of the serving dishes.

"But I want to. I've missed you so much."

"And I you," Cian said warmly.

Aalea picked up the bowl that held the vegetable salad. Then she turned and leaned close to Cian.

"Doesn't he look handsome tonight?" she whispered.

"Yes, he does," Cian agreed, "but then I've always thought Obi-Wan was handsome."

"Obi-Wan?" Aalea laughed as if what Cian had said was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. "No, not him. Master Qui-Gon."

Cian looked over at Aalea and saw the unabashed love shining in her violet eyes. The little girl who had risked her life ten years ago to save both her and Qui-Gon was gone. In her place was a young woman and that young woman was in love. It shone from Aalea's face like the sun and sparkled in her eyes like stars.

"Yes, Qui-Gon looks very handsome," Cian said. "They're both two very handsome men and we," and Cian reached over and squeezed Aalea's arm, "are two very lucky women."

Aalea beamed. She turned and hurried back into the dining area.

Cian sighed. As she picked up the serving dish and followed Aalea, she wondered if Qui-Gon knew Aalea had a crush on him and how he felt about it.

To be continued....