Chapter Thirty
Cian collapsed into the blue over-stuffed couch in the sitting room of her suite at the Residence Hall. She quickly kicked off the heeled slippers she had worn to the audience. Qui-Gon sat in a chair across from her. He watched her wince as she wriggled her toes.
"My feet are killing me," she groaned. "Whatever possessed me to wear those shoes?"
Qui-Gon quickly stood, walked across the room and sat on the couch next to her. Without a word he lifted her legs and placed her feet in his lap.
"Qui-Gon!" Cian cried. "Whatever are you doing?"
Qui-Gon rubbed her feet.
"It is a Jedi massage. It will help to ease the pain."
Cian giggled. "That tickles," she said.
"It is not supposed to tickle," Qui-Gon said reproachfully.
"Well, it does." Then she let out a low moan which set a shiver of electricity through Qui-Gon. He glanced up at her. Her eyes were closed.
"Oh, that feels absolutely delicious," she said softly.
"It's not supposed to feel that way either."
Cian's eyes snapped open.
"Well, by the Lady, what is it supposed to feel like?"
Qui-Gon firmly pressed his hands into the soles of her feet.
"It is supposed to feel like nothing. The purpose of the massage is to put you into a state of emptiness so that the pain will flow into that space and leave your body."
Cian settled her shoulders deeper into the couch.
"State of emptiness," she scoffed softly.
As Qui-Gon continued to massage Cian's feet he saw that she was almost purring.
"Qui-Gon," she murmured, her eyes half-closed.
"Yes?"
"How do you think Aalea and Obi-Wan are doing?"
He looked over at her. "Why do you ask?"
She tilted her head as she regarded him.
"Well, the Sylvonnans are a very erotic people. The act of love is almost a sacrament to them. And Obi-Wan is such a serious young man."
"Obi-Wan will be fine, Cian. I've trained him over the years to deal with all kinds of cultures and customs."
"Hmmm. And then there's Aalea."
"What about her?"
"She's incredibly beautiful and the Sylvonnans worship physical beauty. Aren't you worried about that?"
"Should I be worried? Do you think she'll be harmed in some way?"
"Oh, no," Cian said quickly. "The Sylvonnans are not like that at all. Physical love is never forced on anyone, but she may receive a lot of attention because of her appearance."
"And?"
"And I just hope Obi-Wan can deal with it. I hope he doesn't blame her if the Sylvonnans make a fuss over her. He's so worried about her conducting herself with the," and Cian lifted her hands and lowered and raised the first two fingers of each hand, "'proper measure of Jedi decorum.' What ever that means," she finished with a slight frown.
Qui-Gon chuckled softly as he continued to massage Cian's feet.
"Well, you have to admit, Cian, Aalea is a bit impetuous and high-spirited."
"Of course she is, Qui-Gon. She's eighteen years old. What do you and Obi-Wan expect her to act like? An old woman?" Cian said with a slight hint of indignation in her voice.
Qui-Gon shook his head, his mouth crinkling into a smile.
"Of course not. Don't worry, Cian, I can assure you they both will be fine. Obi-Wan's quite capable and nothing will happen on their mission which he can't handle."
"I hope you're right, Qui-Gon. Thought it wouldn't hurt Obi-Wan to loosen up some."
She closed her eyes as he continued the massage. After a bit, Qui-Gon noted with growing disquiet that Cian's gown had risen along her legs. He stared for a moment at the smoothness of her skin. Suddenly he felt very warm. He finished the massage, then quickly stood.
Cian's eyes flew open. She looked up at him.
"What's wrong, Qui-Gon?"
"Nothing is wrong. I have completed the massage. How do you feel?"
Cian wriggled her toes.
"I feel wonderful. Thank you." She continued to stare curiously up at him.
Qui-Gon went back to his chair and sat.
"Cian, perhaps we should discuss what happened today at the audience."
"The disturbance in the Force."
"Yes."
Cian shook her head and folded her hands in her lap.
"It was illusive, like a prickling or an itching, just at the edge of my awareness."
"When did you first notice it?" Qui-Gon asked.
Cian thought for a moment.
"When Chief Priest Rukal began speaking."
"So did I."
"Do you think Rukal is the source of the disturbance?"
"I'm not certain, but he did mention the Syad. It sounds like the Jedi concept of the Force."
"We know so little about their religious practices. Perhaps we should do some research into it. We could ask Epena to help us."
"That's a good idea."
Qui-Gon was about to tell Cian about his perception the Force disturbance had been gathering about her but, until he was certain as to its source, he decided there was no reason to unnecessarily alarm her.
"I think the audience went well today," she said.
"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed. "It will not be an easy road; however, I'm encouraged by First Minister Shiro's enthusiasm."
"I like him," Cian said smiling.
"So do I. I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight. Speaking of," and Qui-Gon glanced at his wristchrono, "I have enough time to mediate and exercise before we have to leave."
He stood and inclined his head to Cian.
"With your permission, Emissary?"
Cian looked up at him and smiled.
"Granted, Master Jinn."
He returned her smile and left her suite.
To be continued...