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It hadn't taken much effort for Arella to get past the estate security. The so-called guards her father employed weren't the sharpest tools in the shed, lucky for her. Soon she was strolling leisurely down the nighttime streets of Shreeana and on her way to Big John's-- a hip club filled with plenty of people her own age. Anticipation of seeing old friends and the thrill of eluding the stuffy Jedi had her whole mind and body alive with excitement.
Unfortunately, she hadn't noticed the dark figure that began trailing her as soon as she stepped foot outside the safety of her home. The person had been waiting for such an opportunity, and quickly pulled out a comm unit to transmit this bit of good news to the others.
"The subject has left the premises. In pursuit now. Over and out."
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"I can't believe I'm doing this," Obi-Wan Kenobi repeated for about the hundredth time within twenty minutes. For some reason this mission must be punishment for some sin he didn't even know he had committed. He racked his brain trying to figure out what he had done but came up empty handed. The word 'baby-sitter' kept playing over and over in his mind, and it brought with it a flash of anger each and every time. He was above this sort of thing. He had better things to do with his time. For gods sakes, he was a serious Jedi padawan preparing for his chosen role in life. How did chasing down some rude, undisciplined, snobbish child fit as a worthy Jedi mission?
It didn't, and that's what irked him.
He forced himself to stop on a sidewalk and take stock of the situation. "The sooner I find her, the sooner this mission will be over." Then, unbidden, came another thought. Arella's life could be in danger. Despite her ill manners, she didn't deserve to die. Now he felt ashamed and was certain Qui-Gon would agree.
He took a deep breath and recalled what he knew for certain. Arella liked to have her way. When she didn't get it, she tended to run away. She had wanted to visit some friends, but her mother refused. He had embarrassed her. Someone who knew she was back on the planet had threatened her life, and now she was gone.
Not good. Not good at all.
He continued to walk, passing by buildings leaking the riotous sounds of uninhibited denizens and loud, nerve-rattling music. Suddenly he stopped in front of one and got a funny look on his face. Slowly, he glanced up at the brightly lit sign..... Big John's. Somehow he knew. This was the place.
Pulling his hood up over his head, he checked the light saber dangling from his belt. Better to be safe than sorry, he thought. Then he took another deep breath and pushed open the door.
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"Patience," he mumbled repeatedly to himself. He had been watching Arella Tenot for the past forty-five minutes while she laughed and danced without a care in the world along with a small group of equally wealthy and snobbish young girls.
//This is the chance we've been waiting for.// The others back at 'headquarters' were counting on the success of his mission. Years of oppression were on the verge of being vindicated, just as long as he didn't screw it up and reveal himself too early.
//Let her have her fun,// he thought as a sly grin spread across his lips. //..... for now.//
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Obi-Wan Kenobi pushed his way through the crowd that was hanging around the front door. He was trying not to draw attention to himself while he searched the club for Arella.
"Hey! Watch it!" a very tall youth barked at him. Obi had almost spilled the guy's drink.
"Sorry," he offered without stopping. The place was packed with wall to wall people. //How am I ever going to find her in this mess?// he wondered. Keeping his hood up would slow down his hunt, but he didn't want to give himself away before he spotted her. The music was loud and had a heavy bass beat that he couldn't help but move to, even if his moves were imperceptible under his cloak.
He decided to start on one side and work his way around the place. She was here, he could feel it.
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Arella had been sharing stories of her life on Coruscant with some of her friends in between dances.
"This is the most fun I've had in months! You know, for a place that's supposed to be happening, Coruscant is pretty dull.... at least what I saw of it." She polished off another drink, snickering at the thought of the Jedi forcing her to have water on the transport. //If he could see me now!//
Just as she set down her empty glass, her eyes caught sight of a very attractive male headed directly toward her table, his eyes locked on hers and a huge, perfect smile shining on his handsome face.
"Well, hello, hello," she muttered under her breath, mentally preparing for his arrival. All four of her other girlfriends eventually took note of Arella's body language and followed her gaze to the approaching man.
"Ooo, yeah! Look at him," Felta exclaimed. "He's headed right towards you, Arella."
Arella could feel her adrenaline start pumping throughout her veins with each step he took. As he neared the table, she could see him more clearly, and it was better than she thought. He was quite tall with broad, muscular shoulders that tapered down into a narrow waist and long legs. His slightly long black hair blew back away from his face as he walked revealing a strong jaw and well-defined cheekbones that accentuated his bright green eyes.
"Wow!" Peetra added as she leaned over to Arella. "He's hot!"
Arella swallowed hard as he stopped right in front of their table. "Hello, ladies," he said with another killer smile.
"Hello," they all managed to respond in between stifled giggles. His eyes never left Arella.
"I was just wondering if you would do me the honor of dancing with me." He was so smooth and sure of himself that not many women could have resisted his charm. However, Arella made it a rule never to appear too easy, and now would be no exception.
"Are you talking to me?" she said innocently with a bat of her eyelashes.
He grinned knowing this game. "Why, yes I am, so what do you say.... beautiful?"
Arella paused as if really considering refusing before standing up and offering her hand to the stranger. Turning back to her friends, she offered a good-bye.
"See ya later, girls. Don't wait up!" and then she winked at them over her shoulder before disappearing onto the dance floor.
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"You're a great dancer," the man shouted to Arella over the noise as he inched himself closer to her.
"Thanks," she replied, "you're not so bad yourself."
Arella couldn't believe her luck. She glanced back over to her friends and smiled wide knowing they just had to be completely envious of her. She could feel him brushing against her as they moved to the music. The dance floor was crowded, but not that crowded. //He must really like me!// she thought with a grin of satisfaction. //But who wouldn't?// Feeling on top of the world, she spun around and he grabbed her hand, spinning her back into his arms. Now he was behind her, holding her tight, the two still swaying to the music.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Why don't we ditch this dive? I know a nice little place I'd like to show you." His voice was deep and it caused her to shiver with delight.
//Oh, he's smooth!// Arella thought to herself. //But how naive does he think I am?// Spoiled or not, she wasn't stupid---not stupid enough to leave with a man she didn't know. She managed another fancy twirl and faced him at arm's length.
"While your offer is very, VERY tempting," she grinned while still dancing, "I think I'd better just stay here. I came with friends and -----"
The man pulled her back to him, this time a bit too roughly. "That's too bad," he breathed in her ear, "but maybe this will change your mind."
Arella felt something hard and cold press into her lower back, and it didn't take long to realize what it was.
"Not a sound, Miss Tenot, or you get a nice, little blaster bolt right through your back."
Arella froze. //What?! What is he doing?!//
"Good girl," he continued, still playing the part of common clubber for all around to see. "Now, we're just gonna walk right out of here without any kind of fuss. Got it?"
She just shook her head and started walking.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi sighed and shook his head. He had finished searching most of the club and hadn't found her. Arella Tenot was definitely more trouble than she was worth.
Turning back around, he headed toward the door by way of the dance floor. That's when he spotted her. She was twirling around without a care in the world, her long blonde hair flowing back and forth with each move. Actually, he had to admit--albeit very grudgingly--- that she looked quite lovely.
Then he noticed her partner. "Oh, brother!" he muttered under his breath. The man was quite tall and had the good looks that he knew many women would find to be very handsome.... if you liked that sort of tall, dark, brooding look. Getting her away from him wasn't going to be pleasant if the look of sheer ecstasy etched on her face was any indication of how much fun she was having. //Oh, well... she'll just have to get over it.// What he really wasn't looking forward to was having to deal with her once he got her home. Already he could hear her voice in his head making remark after snide remark.
//Maybe I'll just let her be for a while. It would be nice to just sit and relax for a bit.// And he almost had himself talked into finding an empty seat where he could keep an eye on her and have a nice, cold drink at the same time..... but what he saw next changed his mind in an instant.
The man had twirled Arella around and pulled her back closely to him. Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear-- something Obi-Wan was sure he didn't want to know about. However, next he noticed her jump almost imperceptibly, and then a look of sheer terror flashed on her face.
No one else around seemed to have been paying attention... except for the Jedi. He could feel her desperation and knew immediately that she was in danger. Instinctively, his hand went to his light saber, and he set his face in a battle frown. The only man Arella Tenot was leaving with was him.
