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"Wake up. We have company."
Upon hearing those sobering words, Arella sat bolt upright and grabbed on tightly to Obi-Wan's arm. Surrounding the twosome was a trio of very unusual looking people, the likes of which Arella had never seen before. The leader was a very tall and muscular older man-- easily a head above Obi-Wan. His hair, or what there was of it, was a halo of brilliant silver that reflected the rays of Shreeana's morning sun and contrasted nicely with his deep violet eyes and bronzed skin.
The other two were very similar in appearance, not only to the first man, but also to each other, even though one was a female and the other a male. The girl was as tall as Obi-Wan, Arella estimated, and her silver hair was cropped short, her lavender eyes piercing right through whomever they set themselves on. The boy, her twin Arella concluded, looked exactly the same...... yet totally different. His silver locks were long and hung in a loosely tied ponytail down his back. He, too, was as tall as Obi-Wan, but his build was already showing hints that he would soon be more similar in size to his male companion. However, the biggest difference between the two younger members of this visiting group was in the expression each wore on their faces. While the girl maintained a threatening frown etched on her face, the boy seemed to wear a perpetual smile which showed off his charming dimples.
Arella had never seen a person with such unusual physical traits on her home world, much less three of them in one place.
"Who are you, and how in the world did you get all the way out here?" the elder man asked with a grin.
"Yes. We can tell you sure don't belong here," the girl added with a heavy hint of sarcasm. Her fierce eyes perused Arella slowly, her lip curling in obvious disdain.
//If this lowlife knew to whom she was speaking, she'd not be so snide!// Arella thought. Offended by the girl's tone, she was, as usual, quick to react.
"I am A---"
"A-mazed that you found us!" Obi-Wan quickly interjected, placing a firm hand on her right shoulder as he stepped up beside her. Arella glared at him as if to say, 'What are you doing?!', but he just grinned and continued. "We had some speeder trouble several miles back and were just trying to find help. Our comm unit was.... accidentally incapacitated." With his last words, he shot a glance at Arella, daring her to open her mouth.
"Well, then," the man said with a kind smile, "you're lucky we found you. I'm Mylo, and this is my daughter, Mahlee and my son, Del." The two bowed respectively, once again the frown and smile painted on their tanned faces. Something in the girl's fiery eyes told Obi-Wan to be wary, even though the trio seemed to mean them no harm. He had learned long ago to pay heed to the gentle warnings of the Force.
"I am Ben, and this is," here he stumbled as he tried to think of a name for Arella. He didn't want to reveal her true identity, even way out in the middle of nowhere. "This is Ana," he finally settled. That was all the information he was willing to give up right now.
"Well, Ben and Ana, let's get you two out of here and back to our home for a hot meal. Then we'll see about that speeder of yours. How's that sound?" The twinkle in the man's violet eyes put Arella completely at ease, and she smiled back.
Finally, she would be going home.
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"Where is your speeder?" Arella asked innocently. They had been walking for several minutes, and she assumed their vehicle was parked somewhere safe.
Mahlee snorted back in contempt. "We have no speeder," she spat, shooting a malicious glare at Arella. "Out here, we use our own two feet."
Arella bristled at the hostile words, and was just about to respond when Obi-Wan gently touched her arm and shook his head 'no'. She got the message loud and clear, and hesitantly bit her tongue.
"Oh, don't let her bother you," offered Del as he slowed to walk next to Arella and Obi-Wan. "She's always like that."
"What?--- Rude?" Arella couldn't resist. The other girl snapped around and snarled, and Obi-Wan was ready for a fight. Del just burst into laughter, his dimples becoming even more pronounced with each chuckle. Mylo paused to urge his daughter forward with a gentle pat on the shoulder, and she reluctantly obeyed.
Del picked up his pace and was soon out in front of Obi-Wan and Arella, leaving them safely out of hearing range.
"Arella, you must control yourself. We don't know much about these people except that right now they are our only way out of this wilderness. Ticking them off is not going to work to our advantage," Obi-Wan added in a whisper.
"Well, if you think I'm going to be spoken to with such disrespect, then you are sadly mistaken, Jedi Kenobi." All mushy feelings about him were gone for the time being. Only her wounded pride was present. "And what's with this 'Ana' thing?"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath before continuing. She was immensely exasperating. "Remember what I told you about the men who were chasing us?" Arella nodded. "Well, we don't know exactly who is for or against your father, so it's safest not to let anyone know who you are right now. It's for your own good. Agreed?"
Arella mulled it over for a few seconds before agreeing. "All right, but---"
"Oh no.... not that word," Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.
"But--- I am not guaranteeing that if she talks to me like that again that I'm going to hold my tongue. I just.... can't."
Realizing that was as good as it was going to get, Obi-Wan shook his head, and their deal was made.
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After walking through the forest for about an hour, the group ended up in a small village. While Obi-Wan had seen all kinds of people and cultures in his time as a Jedi, he never expected such a primitive place could exist on the planet of Shreeana. Compared to the high-tech, opulent capital city, this place was several hundred years behind the times. All of the buildings were made from wood and other natural materials the people must have collected from the forest. The shelters were formed in a circle, for protection, Obi guessed. By the look on Arella's face, he could tell he wasn't the only one in shock.
As the small entourage entered the encampment, several barefoot young children ran out to greet them, all with the same purple eyes and silver hair. Arella hadn't really noticed until then that all of their clothes were very basic and worn almost to rags. No speeders or vehicles of any kind were anywhere to be seen, and she realized that these people couldn't have afforded them anyway.
//So this is poverty,// she told herself. A sudden flash of guilt filled her gut, as she glanced down at her own expensive clothes. For what she paid for one outfit, all of the little ones running around could have shoes for their feet. Shame for having money had never been something she thought she would feel, however, there it was looking at her through the eyes of the children.
One little girl of about seven years of age, ran out of one of the shelters and bounded into Mylo's arms.
"Daddy! Daddy!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Mylo's thick neck and planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek. Arella watched on with a smile and then a twinge of jealousy. Many times in her youth she had wanted to do just what this little girl did, but decorum would not allow it. A senator's daughter did not make such displays.
"You're back already?" the girl asked. Her gaze quickly shifted to the two newcomers. "Who are they?" she whispered in her father's ear while keeping an eye on Arella and Obi-Wan.
"This is Ben and Ana. They seem to have lost their way."
Obi-Wan smiled and said hello, offering his hand. The little girl blushed and buried her head in her father's massive chest.
"It's okay, Kaylee. They're friendly," Mylo assured her. Then she slowly raised her head and placed her tiny hand in the Jedi's.
"We'll help you find your way, won't we, Daddy?" Arella could see the love and admiration in the eyes of little Kaylee and remembered a time long gone when she had felt the same about her own father. Why were these crazy feelings popping up right now, she wondered.
"Of course we will, sweetheart. Now," he set her down gently, "go tell your mama that we have company for lunch." Then he gently tapped her bottom to send her on her way. "We don't have much, but you're welcome to whatever we have," Mylo declared to Obi-Wan and Arella.
"Thank you, sir," Obi responded sincerely. He glanced at Arella and noted how she studied her surroundings. This would be quite an experience for her.
Mylo graciously excused himself and left them in the care of his two older children. Soon after he was gone, Mahlee also decided to take leave.
"I have other important things to tend to," she hissed. "You can take care of our 'guests', Del." Offering one last sneer, she turned and left.
"I don't think she likes us," Arella muttered. Again, Del chuckled and Arella noticed how his eyes sparkled when he laughed.
"Mahlee doesn't like anybody," he added, "so don't take it personally. She's just too caught up in things. Come on and I'll get you something to eat."
"Sounds wonderful!" Obi exclaimed.
Del led them to one of the huts where Kaylee and an older woman were busily preparing hot food. The delightful smell filled Arella's nostrils and started her stomach grumbling in anticipation of being fed.
While they waited, Obi-Wan made pleasant conversation with Del and his mother, Daylonne, and Arella continued to take in all of her surroundings. The simple, rustic furnishings were made of wood, also, and the small size of the hut assured Arella that this family lived close. The whole place couldn't have been much bigger than her bedroom back at the senatorial estate. Again, she felt a bit guilty for having so much while these people obviously had so little.
Finally, the time came to eat, and Arella began devouring the bowl of stew that Daylonne placed before her. It took her a moment to realize that everyone else was watching her, but when she did, she could feel her face heat up in embarrassment. Again, Del was smiling while Obi-Wan was trying not to laugh out loud. The vision of her scowling over her grundeel only days before sprung to mind. Now here she was madly feasting on stew made from he didn't know what. Quite a change.
"Wow!" Kaylee finally said. "Mama, she really likes your cooking!" At that, no one could contain themselves any longer, and all of them burst out laughing, Arella included.
"I apologize for my lack of manners," Arella said once the laughter died down. Obi-Wan marvelled at her sincerity.
"Nonsense," Daylonne responded. "You're hungry, and besides... no one else around here appreciates my stew, so you go right ahead and eat as much as you like."
"Thank you," Arella said. This woman was so kind. Arella could just imagine what her mother would have to say about a guest eating in such a manner at her table. Disgust and revulsion would take the place of Daylonne's understanding. These people were definitely different in more ways than one.
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After lunch, Arella wandered around the village and soon found herself by a small stream. A few women were downstream washing clothes by hand. // You can do it that way?// Arella questioned silently. She always just left them on her floor and found them magically cleaned the next day.
She sat down on a nearby rock and sighed heavily. "How did this happen?" she questioned aloud.
"How did what happen?" came an unexpected answer. Arella looked up to see Del approaching with another grin. //Is he always so happy?// she wondered.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking out loud.... a bad habit I have."
"May I join you?" he asked. "I was just going to do a little fishing." Del pulled out a thin line of wire and started tying it to a long, skinny pole.
"Sure," Arella answered as she scooted over to make room for him on the boulder. For a few minutes, she watched him in silence as he skillfully prepared his contraption and cast it into the water. He took note of her silence and took his time before talking again.
"A credit for your thoughts?" he eventually offered, smiling at her over his shoulder.
"I don't think you have a credit to spare," she muttered, again speaking before thinking. Realizing what she had said out loud, she sheepishly peered up at him expecting the worst. Del only chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry," she said.
"No, you're right." He turned to face her, laying his pole down on the ground. "I fear, Miss, that you have discovered my secret. I am..... flat broke." Then he bowed a low, mocking bow. "We all are, in case you hadn't noticed."
Arella hung her head in shame. "I'm really, really sorry. My stupid mouth gets me into more trouble---"
"Hey! It's okay. I don't think I could have kept it from you for too much longer anyway." Again Arella was quiet, but Del was quick to drum up another conversation.
"So, Ben.... is he your, uh, your---"
"My brother?" Arella asked, knowing instinctively as a female that brother wasn't what Del was about to say. "No, he's not my brother," she replied with mischievous grin. "Your pole is about to fall into the stream." She pointed behind Del, and he spun around just in time to grab the pole and save it from a watery grave. He pulled the line all the way back in and propped the pole up by another rock. Arella could see his face turning red from embarrassment.
"I never was very good at fishing," he admitted with a sheepish smile. A few awkward moments passed with each staring anywhere but at each other before Arella felt compelled to speak.
"He's not my boyfriend either," she declared as Del snapped his eyes to look at her. Another charming smile spread across his strangely, handsome face and Arella could feel one creeping across hers as well. //What am I saying?!// She didn't even know this man and here she was making sure he knew she was 'available'. Hadn't she learned her lesson about men she didn't know? And what about Obi-Wan? Only the night before she had been dying to kiss him. Now as she looked at Del across from her, her feelings were in even more of an uproar.
"Good," he replied. "That's good to know."
Again, Arella's face turned red and she changed the subject as quickly as she could.
"Can I try it?" she asked pointing to the fishing pole. Del eagerly agreed and offered to teach her how to hold it just right. He moved in close behind and wrapped his arms around hers showing her where to place her hands. After a few tries and a lot of giggling, Arella got the hang of it and found herself catching a whole slew of fish.
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