"Is something wrong with Saché? She's not ill or extremely depressed over the Minister's condition, is she? I know how close they are," the orange clad guard began.
Yané slung the sack containing all her training texts and the datacard reader over her shoulder and glanced up at him from her seat at the rec hall table. "What do you mean?" she asked casually, as if there was no reason at all to be concerned.
"Well, usually when one of us asks her out for a drink, she's ready to hit the town as soon as she's off duty. The last few days she's politely refused and retreated. I was just wondering if she's all right. It's not like her."
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. As the healer in training, I'm also concerned and I'll look into it immediatley. Don't trouble yourself, and please reassure the other guards as well. We'll get to the bottom of it."
"Thank you, Lady Yané," replied the guard, giving a short bow and leaving.
The handmaiden looked around, making sure she was alone before she slipped her comlink out and activated it. "Eirtaé, you know what we were thinking about Saché? I just got another confirmation that our theory may be true!"
"No!" came Eirtaé's excited whisper. "What did you hear?"
"She's turning down dates with Palace guards! The game that started during the blockade seems to have come to an end. Did you ever think we'd see the day?"
"Wow! Sounds like the girl has indeed fallen for someone. The question now is, who is he?" Eirtaé remarked.
"Don't know yet, but we're going to find out! I'd better sign off before I'm caught. Later," Yané said, then switched the comlink off.
At the sound of a throat clearing behind her, Yané spun around. Saché was leaning against the door's frame, arms crossed, studying the acolyte healer with a curious stare. Her face burning, Yané waved a half hearted greeting. "Just going to the library," she chirped. When the ploy failed to change Saché's expression, she settled for slinking out of the room.
Sabé peered at the Jedi's eyes as she rose from her hospital bed. "There's something you want to tell me." Swinging her legs over the bed, she started to stand, then grabbed a cane. She sighed, frustration and determination showed in the grimace on her face. Obi-Wan picked up a long white robe and helped her slip it on.
The Jedi bit his lip and sighed quietly before he spoke. "I got orders today. Ani and I will be leaving day after tommorrow. We have a diplomatic mission and then we go back to Coruscant. As soon as I get to the Temple, I will petition the Council for the transfer to Corellia. What do you want to do, Sabé? Wait or have a ceremony in this hospital?"
Wrinkling her nose, Sabé shook her head. "Perhaps I'm too proud, but I want to finish the physical therapy before we have the ceremony. As wonderful as it would be to wed now, I would like walk down the aisle under my own power." She hesitated and looked at him, hoping for his understanding.
"I thought you might say that." Obi-Wan took her in his arms, and held her in a gentle way to avoid causing her any more pain. "Sure you just don't want more time to find a way out? I wouldn't blame you," he said in the tone he used for his jokes.
Sabé wasn't fooled; she detected an undertone of concern in his voice. "Of course I don't want out, Jedi." She laid her head on a shoulder.
Obi-Wan ran the fingertips of his left hand lightly along her spine, applying the Force to the points that would aid in her healing. He had been practicing the technique several times a day and so far it had been successful.
They remained quiet for a time, their feelings singing through their bond, expressing all they wished to communicate.
Obi-Wan broke the silence. "How much longer before they release you?"
"I go on outpatient status today. Quite a bit earlier than the physicians expected, thanks to your wonderful treatment." Sabé slid her forehead a bit more into the hollow of the Jedi's neck.
A soft knock sounded on the door. "Come in, Saché and Meira," Sabé called out.
The handmaiden peeked through the door in an almost shy manner, but Meira was a great deal more bold. She pushed against Saché, and when she was put on the floor, she eagerly toddled to her parents. They sensed her relief at being with her mother again.
"It's you she's most bonded to, " Obi-Wan quipped. "I'm just this guy that she happens to like."
"Oh, that's certainly not true! On a deep level, she knows who you are, and she loves you. It'll be wonderful when we're together, the three of us and Ani."
Saché cleared her throat. Sabé started, then nodded her head in apology to her friend. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. Thank you for bringing her over."
Smiling, Saché nodded in return. "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you're all right before I excuse myself. I'm sorry to interrupt the...uh...moment there. I should have just faded into the all concealing shadows."
Obi-Wan looked oddly at Saché for a moment, then grinned. "Nice try, but there are no shadows here." He gestured towards the window. The drapes had been drawn back admitting the bright midday light.
Taken aback by a the Jedi's gaze of examination, Saché fidgeted. "Well, I'll see you later then?"
"Of course," Sabé said. "I'll be back in the office part time soon, but I'll visit the Palace before that. Give everyone my regards."
Saché gave a curt nod and scurried off quickly.
"I sensed something going on there, right?" Sabé said, more for confirmation than for inquiry. She shifted as Meira went between the two of them to head to the corner and sing softly to Shaadu.
Wrinkling his brow, Obi-Wan thought a few seconds before his reply. "Something's going on. I thought she approved of our relationship, but it seems to have agitated her."
"Ah! Well, I've had visits from the other handmaidens that lead me to a guess about that. Her agitation is not about us, Obi-Wan. With the recent good fortune that first Rabé, then I, have experienced, certain parties have decided that she should be the next one to find such bliss."
"And I take it she's not pleased about such manipulations?"
"Not at all! It might not have gone that way if she hadn't changed her behavior all of a sudden..." Sabé paused. "Ani's coming?"
"Yes. I thought this might be a good time to reintroduce him to Meira. You've recovered enough to help her out."
"I suppose now's as good a time as any." Sabé glanced over at the child. "She seems calm."
A knock sounded. Meira stopped her singing and looked up, wide-eyed, at the door.
"Enter quietly, Ani," Obi-Wan counseled, keeping close watch on Meira.
As the boy came through the door, Meira held the Kaadu toy close, then jumped up and ran to hide behind Sabé. Clinging to her mother's leg, she peered out from behind the long robe.
Anakin knelt down and smiled, holding out his hand. "Hi Little Bit. I'd like to be friends." He tried sending out positive impressions through the Force.
Her rejection hit him in a wave. //No! Mad at Miera...Hurt Ma!// was the gist of the impressions he recieved.
"Obi-Wan, I can't quite bend down and pick her up yet. Will you hold her for me?" Sabé asked in a whisper.
When he had done so and she was face to face with her daughter, Sabé began to explain, speaking and sending through the bond at the same time. "Meira, yes, Ani was angry with you, but he knows it was wrong and he's sorry about that now. He wants to make up. He didn't hurt me when you saw him on me. He saved me. He's going to be part of our family. Try to go to him and be friends."
She only hung onto Obi-Wan harder. "Nooo," she squealed. "No! Go 'way!" Tears began flowing down her increasingly red face.
Anakin stood, hanging his head. "It didn't work. She'll never accept me. Master, what are we going to do?"
Obi-Wan stayed calm. "Patience, Padawan. I didn't think this would take right away. You may have to try several times, but with our help and working with the Living Force, she will learn to accept you. My advice is to find a quiet place and meditate. The Force will lead you in the right direction. You may leave for now. I'll join you shortly."
"Yes, Master," Anakin muttered before turning and walking out of the room. He had never felt so low in his life as he did right now. What kind of scum must he be, to continue to frighten such a small child? He gave a great sigh and began to search his feelings for what to do next.
Yané slung the sack containing all her training texts and the datacard reader over her shoulder and glanced up at him from her seat at the rec hall table. "What do you mean?" she asked casually, as if there was no reason at all to be concerned.
"Well, usually when one of us asks her out for a drink, she's ready to hit the town as soon as she's off duty. The last few days she's politely refused and retreated. I was just wondering if she's all right. It's not like her."
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. As the healer in training, I'm also concerned and I'll look into it immediatley. Don't trouble yourself, and please reassure the other guards as well. We'll get to the bottom of it."
"Thank you, Lady Yané," replied the guard, giving a short bow and leaving.
The handmaiden looked around, making sure she was alone before she slipped her comlink out and activated it. "Eirtaé, you know what we were thinking about Saché? I just got another confirmation that our theory may be true!"
"No!" came Eirtaé's excited whisper. "What did you hear?"
"She's turning down dates with Palace guards! The game that started during the blockade seems to have come to an end. Did you ever think we'd see the day?"
"Wow! Sounds like the girl has indeed fallen for someone. The question now is, who is he?" Eirtaé remarked.
"Don't know yet, but we're going to find out! I'd better sign off before I'm caught. Later," Yané said, then switched the comlink off.
At the sound of a throat clearing behind her, Yané spun around. Saché was leaning against the door's frame, arms crossed, studying the acolyte healer with a curious stare. Her face burning, Yané waved a half hearted greeting. "Just going to the library," she chirped. When the ploy failed to change Saché's expression, she settled for slinking out of the room.
Sabé peered at the Jedi's eyes as she rose from her hospital bed. "There's something you want to tell me." Swinging her legs over the bed, she started to stand, then grabbed a cane. She sighed, frustration and determination showed in the grimace on her face. Obi-Wan picked up a long white robe and helped her slip it on.
The Jedi bit his lip and sighed quietly before he spoke. "I got orders today. Ani and I will be leaving day after tommorrow. We have a diplomatic mission and then we go back to Coruscant. As soon as I get to the Temple, I will petition the Council for the transfer to Corellia. What do you want to do, Sabé? Wait or have a ceremony in this hospital?"
Wrinkling her nose, Sabé shook her head. "Perhaps I'm too proud, but I want to finish the physical therapy before we have the ceremony. As wonderful as it would be to wed now, I would like walk down the aisle under my own power." She hesitated and looked at him, hoping for his understanding.
"I thought you might say that." Obi-Wan took her in his arms, and held her in a gentle way to avoid causing her any more pain. "Sure you just don't want more time to find a way out? I wouldn't blame you," he said in the tone he used for his jokes.
Sabé wasn't fooled; she detected an undertone of concern in his voice. "Of course I don't want out, Jedi." She laid her head on a shoulder.
Obi-Wan ran the fingertips of his left hand lightly along her spine, applying the Force to the points that would aid in her healing. He had been practicing the technique several times a day and so far it had been successful.
They remained quiet for a time, their feelings singing through their bond, expressing all they wished to communicate.
Obi-Wan broke the silence. "How much longer before they release you?"
"I go on outpatient status today. Quite a bit earlier than the physicians expected, thanks to your wonderful treatment." Sabé slid her forehead a bit more into the hollow of the Jedi's neck.
A soft knock sounded on the door. "Come in, Saché and Meira," Sabé called out.
The handmaiden peeked through the door in an almost shy manner, but Meira was a great deal more bold. She pushed against Saché, and when she was put on the floor, she eagerly toddled to her parents. They sensed her relief at being with her mother again.
"It's you she's most bonded to, " Obi-Wan quipped. "I'm just this guy that she happens to like."
"Oh, that's certainly not true! On a deep level, she knows who you are, and she loves you. It'll be wonderful when we're together, the three of us and Ani."
Saché cleared her throat. Sabé started, then nodded her head in apology to her friend. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. Thank you for bringing her over."
Smiling, Saché nodded in return. "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you're all right before I excuse myself. I'm sorry to interrupt the...uh...moment there. I should have just faded into the all concealing shadows."
Obi-Wan looked oddly at Saché for a moment, then grinned. "Nice try, but there are no shadows here." He gestured towards the window. The drapes had been drawn back admitting the bright midday light.
Taken aback by a the Jedi's gaze of examination, Saché fidgeted. "Well, I'll see you later then?"
"Of course," Sabé said. "I'll be back in the office part time soon, but I'll visit the Palace before that. Give everyone my regards."
Saché gave a curt nod and scurried off quickly.
"I sensed something going on there, right?" Sabé said, more for confirmation than for inquiry. She shifted as Meira went between the two of them to head to the corner and sing softly to Shaadu.
Wrinkling his brow, Obi-Wan thought a few seconds before his reply. "Something's going on. I thought she approved of our relationship, but it seems to have agitated her."
"Ah! Well, I've had visits from the other handmaidens that lead me to a guess about that. Her agitation is not about us, Obi-Wan. With the recent good fortune that first Rabé, then I, have experienced, certain parties have decided that she should be the next one to find such bliss."
"And I take it she's not pleased about such manipulations?"
"Not at all! It might not have gone that way if she hadn't changed her behavior all of a sudden..." Sabé paused. "Ani's coming?"
"Yes. I thought this might be a good time to reintroduce him to Meira. You've recovered enough to help her out."
"I suppose now's as good a time as any." Sabé glanced over at the child. "She seems calm."
A knock sounded. Meira stopped her singing and looked up, wide-eyed, at the door.
"Enter quietly, Ani," Obi-Wan counseled, keeping close watch on Meira.
As the boy came through the door, Meira held the Kaadu toy close, then jumped up and ran to hide behind Sabé. Clinging to her mother's leg, she peered out from behind the long robe.
Anakin knelt down and smiled, holding out his hand. "Hi Little Bit. I'd like to be friends." He tried sending out positive impressions through the Force.
Her rejection hit him in a wave. //No! Mad at Miera...Hurt Ma!// was the gist of the impressions he recieved.
"Obi-Wan, I can't quite bend down and pick her up yet. Will you hold her for me?" Sabé asked in a whisper.
When he had done so and she was face to face with her daughter, Sabé began to explain, speaking and sending through the bond at the same time. "Meira, yes, Ani was angry with you, but he knows it was wrong and he's sorry about that now. He wants to make up. He didn't hurt me when you saw him on me. He saved me. He's going to be part of our family. Try to go to him and be friends."
She only hung onto Obi-Wan harder. "Nooo," she squealed. "No! Go 'way!" Tears began flowing down her increasingly red face.
Anakin stood, hanging his head. "It didn't work. She'll never accept me. Master, what are we going to do?"
Obi-Wan stayed calm. "Patience, Padawan. I didn't think this would take right away. You may have to try several times, but with our help and working with the Living Force, she will learn to accept you. My advice is to find a quiet place and meditate. The Force will lead you in the right direction. You may leave for now. I'll join you shortly."
"Yes, Master," Anakin muttered before turning and walking out of the room. He had never felt so low in his life as he did right now. What kind of scum must he be, to continue to frighten such a small child? He gave a great sigh and began to search his feelings for what to do next.