Chapter 4 – Our Courtship Part Two
"Qui-Gon. Welcome."
I had arrived at Obi-Wan's home a little late. As I had left the embassy, Travin had cornered me, asking questions, bringing unimportant matters to my attention and in general just nosing around. It had taken all of my patience not to simply brush the other man aside. Travin may be my subordinate but he could get word back to King Palpatine if it seemed I wasn't doing my job correctly.
"I apologise for being late. Something came up at the embassy."
"Perfectly alright and totally understandable. You're a busy man with lots of responsibilities." Obi-Wan paused for a moment before gesturing to a wing chair. "Please, won't you sit down?"
"Thank you." I sunk into the offered chair. It fitted my form perfectly.
"Would you like a drink? Tea?"
"Please, it would be a kindness." Obi-Wan spoke quietly to the servant who had shown me in and had remained in the room. At his master's words he bowed and left us, closing the door as he went.
"How goes the investigation?" I hesitated before answering, trying to determine Obi-Wan's motives for the question. He sat opposite me and seemed politely interested.
"I have a few leads, but nothing I can talk about." I felt as if I should say something else so I added, "Sorry."
"That's alright. I wouldn't expect you to talk about it, really. But one thing I'm sure you can answer for me though; how much longer do you think you'll be in Coruscant?"
"I really don't know. It could be months or I could leave tomorrow if there was a sighting of the Jedi in Naboo. I have to go where he is suspected of being." As I spoke the words, Obi-Wan seemed saddened, but whether it was because I could leave at any time or because I could be in Beli'ay for a long time, I wasn't sure.
"The I better make the most of it while you are still here." Obi-Wan smiled at me. However before he could speak again, we were interrupted by the return of his servant.
"Thank you Bant, you may go, I'll serve Lord Jinn."
The hot tea was placed on a small table by Obi-Wan. On the tray I could see a plate piled high with cakes and cookies and nestled under a cup was Obi-Wan's afternoon mail. I surreptitiously tried to see the letter as Obi-Wan poured the tea; interested to see who he had received correspondence from.
"Can't curb that curiosity can you?"
"Sorry." I felt myself blush at being caught.
"Don't be, it's your job. If you weren't so curious you probably wouldn't be the investigator that you are."
"You're not angry?" I was genuinely surprised, as my presence in Coruscant had created little else.
"Of course not. People should never pretend to be something they are not."
"I quite agree." I took the cup of piping hot tea offered to me and took a sip. It was an interesting blend and I told him so.
"It comes from Dantooine."
"Where you were born." Obi-Wan smiled brightly at my remembrance of his place of birth.
"Yes, that's right."
We began a game of chess after we had eaten which lasted well into the afternoon. We laughed and chatted as we played, both of us making tactical errors in our silliness. I enjoyed it enormously. I already knew Obi-Wan had a quick wit and lighthearted nature and I basked in it all that afternoon. I think he enjoyed it also, the opportunity to be free of the assumptions made about him in court. He was clearly an intelligent man; he had taken over his family's estate at a young age and had learnt to manage all that his father had left him, become a valued member of court in his own right and beat me at a game I considered myself good at. He was friendly with me in a way I think he hadn't managed before. To me, he was not Lord Kenobi, he was Obi-Wan.
"The day has flown by, Qui-Gon. You are indeed good company and a worthy adversary."
"And you, my Lord, are a considerate host. And as for the game, I insist upon a rematch."
"I'd like that," He said and smiled that smile again. We sat silently for a while, unsure how to proceed and as always it was Obi-Wan that saved us, as he is of course the perfect gentleman.
"I am returning home to my estate on Thursday for the weekend. I would be honoured if you would accompany me and see my home." The young Lord would not look me in the eye and I found his sudden shyness strangely endearing.
"It would not be an inconvenience?" I asked.
"No." He was certainly keen for me to see his home and in all honesty I was eager to see it. "I mean, that is to say, your presence would be welcome."
"I wouldn't want to be in the way. An old man such as myself." I was excited, however, that did not mean I could not tease him.
"Of course, please come Qui-Gon, you're not old, very handsome in fact and able and I'm sure you wouldn't be in the way…" Obi-Wan seemed to pull back for a second and frowned, he then looked at me from the sides of his eyes in serious contemplation. The look clearly said 'you're making fun of me aren't you?' I smiled. The look become sly and calm but it was nice to know I could have such an effect on the usually unflappable man.
"It is my house, after all. My rules."
"Your rules? Such as?" I played along and unfortunately it was my folly. The smile I received after I had spoken was not one I had seen before. It was mischievous and had the look of a spider with a fly in its web.
"You'll only find out if you come, won't you?"
Oh yes, I was the fly and I knew I would enjoy being caught.
-
We stood together at the door, both of us reluctant to part and eager for the weekend to arrive. We chatted, putting off the inevitable.
"I must go," I finally said, not want to leave at all. "We both have business to attend to."
"Yes, I suppose you are right. We must both do our kings' bidding. Go find your Jedi, Qui-Gon. I will see you Thursday." He was the only person I had encountered in Coruscant who encouraged success in my search. The others expressed interest but did not want me to find my elusive foe. Obi-Wan only saw it as my duty not a personal attack on his country.
"Good bye, Obi-Wan." I had reached the bottom of the steps when I heard him call me back.
"Qui-Gon?" I turned to see him standing in the doorway looking down at me.
"Yes?"
"There is a performance of the Endor Opera tonight, will you go with me? Please."
"I would like nothing better. I shall return later." We did part then and this time it was eager, knowing in a few short hours we would again see each other. The time until then I would spend with Travin; after all I had to be seen to be doing my job.
Travin behaved as normal but I could tell he was watching me closely. He knew the approach King Palpatine had chosen for us was a slow process that required patience. Still that didn't mean we could sit back and wait. We had to work.
Travin and I went back on the streets for an hour or two, visiting taverns and bars, familiarising ourselves with the people. Any one of them could have been within the Jedi League. By that time I was still keen to catch the Jedi, though I hoped it would take a long time so I could remain in Beli'ay for a while. I liked it in Coruscant's capital city. I liked the people, their freedom, their beauty and their ways. I liked the feeling that was always in the air. I loved that place because it wasn't Naboo and because there was someone who understood me.
-
When we returned to the embassy I locked myself in my rooms, wanting to keep Travin away while I got ready for the evening's concert. I did not wear my usual black. I was tired of the image; I wanted to look different, so when Obi-Wan looked at me he wasn't constantly reminded who I was. I chose a stylish blue waistcoat with a matching frock coat. My cravat that night was pure silk instead of my usual dull, rough cotton. Simple but elegant. The blue of my clothes was dark like the night sky and my jewels like the stars. Still dark and mysterious but no longer an NIA agent.
I put a diamond clip in my hair allowing half of it to blow free. I put on a heavy coat trimmed with gold. I admired myself in my mirror and smiled. I opened the door to my rooms and there stood Travin, waiting in the corridor.
"Going out, sir?" His tone was not respectful and implied something I did not wish to discuss at that moment.
"Yes," was all I said and walked past him. He followed me down the hall.
"Sir, do I need to remind you why we are here?"
"No."
"I beg to differ, sir. We are here for the Jedi, not for your personal enjoyment." I stopped walking and turned on him abruptly.
"I suggest you think carefully about what you say next. I was ordered to infiltrate the Proud of Coruscant, which is exactly what I have done, to the extent that they invite me to events without you bullying them into it. They do not trust you, Travin and for that reason I will succeed where you have failed. Now was there anything else?"
"No, sir."
"Good." I left him standing helplessly in the corridor while I made my way to Obi-Wan's townhouse in a carriage I had hailed after I had stormed out of the embassy.
"What happened to your private carriage, Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan stood waiting for me on the pavement as the taxi pulled up to his house.
"Nothing. You getting in?" I barely noticed the odd look he gave me as he got in next to me.
"Are you alright, Qui-Gon?"
"Why?" I still cannot believe what he did next. He actually laughed and reached out for my hand
"I can tell." He had spoken those words to me before and at their reminder the tension drained from me and I smiled too. He knew what to say to me. We had known each other for such a short time, yet it was as if he had known me forever.
"I had an argument with Travin."
"Ah," Was all he said.
The carriage continued on to our destination and I realised Obi-Wan must have told the driver where to go when I had been distracted by my anger.
"What was your argument about?" The question surprised me at first because he had not asked it straight away. He continued to look out the window and even when I answered he did not turn to face me.
"He believes I am being distracted."
"Are you?" At the time, I thought I heard a touch of melancholy in his voice, but now I am not sure. He refused to look at me, so I could not see his ever-telling eyes.
"Quite possibly."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him I was doing my duty." I knew it was the wrong answer as soon as I said it. He flinched and became so tense that even in the dark I could see the strain in his body.
"That's what I was afraid of." It was a whisper, almost inaudible over the rattling of the carriage wheels over the cobbled streets.
"I'm not Travin, Obi-Wan." When I said those words he finally turned to look at me and I was once again struck by the youth of his features. And in that moment he allowed my to see the age of his experience in his eyes.
"We shall see." The rest of the journey was silent, but he held my hand tightly and sat as close to me as he could get. I could feel his leg pressed up against my own and the heat of his body made me shiver, its warmth making me acutely aware of the cool evening air.
-
It took us a little over half and hour to cross the city and arrive at the Duchess Theatre. The place was a huge round building surrounded by carriages and market stalls. Inside, I was struck dumb by its sheer beauty and finery. Obi-Wan and I were led to Lord Kenobi's private box that overlooked the grand theatre, which was already full of people. The stage was hidden behind a velvet curtain. The roof of the theatre was painted like the sky filled with angels watching the audience as they in turn watched the stage.
Gold leaf was used in excess overemphasising the country's wealth and power. I suddenly felt out of my depth surrounded by these people, who knew such glamour that I could barely dream of and only now was beginning to see. These were good people, despite what Palpatine said to the Nabooan people. They may be rich and over-privileged but their compassion was great and I was here to find a man hidden within their midst who embodied everything I hoped one day Naboo would be.
My nemesis was the Jedi, the one I had always dreamed of catching. Yet suddenly I was at a loss to explain how such a man of morals had become the man I most wanted to see imprisoned. When had I become the man I vowed never to be; a man like Palpatine.
I looked at Obi-Wan, who had removed his coat and now sat in one of the three chairs. He wore a forest green suit much like my own. He looked at me expectantly but I was unable to speak, to say the words I was thinking and I dared not voice the thoughts in my head that were beginning to come clear. The idea of betraying my country had not entered my head; I would do my duty. Standing there though, I was starting to question that duty and pledge I had made to my king.
"Sit down, Qui-Gon, and take off your coat." I did what he said, still stunned into silence. "It is not all that it appears to be, Qui-Gon, all that glitters…"
I nodded, hardly able to understand what he was saying. As soon as I thought I had seen everything this country could offer, something else was revealed to me. And the Jedi was here, amongst it all. I thought of the poor; did they suffer so the Proud could have all this? As ever, Obi-Wan knew what I was thinking.
"We are not bad people, Qui-Gon, despite our money. Your King condemned the rich of Naboo as traitors but nothing is that simple. The seats at the front of the house are not the best but they are cheap and reserved for the poor. Art should not know wealth. There are other theatres in Beli'ay, less grand perhaps, but equally good in the quality of performers. Some of us, the Proud, try to make sure of that; the world is not an equal or fair place. I have long since tried and failed to make it different and instead I do what I can.
"They do not want handouts. We may be called the Proud but it is they who are proud. They do not really want our lives and if they can experience it from time to time in places like this theatre, then they are if not happy, at least not quite so bitter."
I didn't respond, wondering if he really believed what he said. Perhaps here it was true, because here everyone was free, even the poor. The Nabooan people had risen up and supported Palpatine to begin with, yearning to be free and for a time he seemed to promise that very dream. However when he rose to power, he twisted his words to mean something else.
Yes, in Coruscant poverty still existed and although they half-envied the rich and did not trust them, they did not loathe them the same way the Nabooans had come to hate those in Naboo. What made it worse in my home was that they were not even allowed to express their anger; instead they were tried for treason and executed.
The lights began to dim and the waiting audience fell silent as the soulful music of the Endor Opera filled the air. I watched the whole performance unable to breath. This feeling was the same as it was everywhere. Music; it could touch places unseen by men and it could convey meaning without saying a word.
There was a reception after the performance but we did not attend, choosing something more private instead. We walked along the banks of the river that ran through Coruscant. It was the largest river in the country and Beli'ay was built at its mouth. The capital city had been built mainly on the eastern shore, however, in recent years as the population grew, it had spilled over to the opposite bank. Ahead of where we walked I could see one of the four bridges that crossed its vastness. It was nothing more than a shadow in the dark, nevertheless it was still an architectural wonder to behold.
We stopped for a time, looking over the water, leaning on the railings. We laughed like mischievous schoolboys. It was nearing two in the morning by the time we returned to Obi-Wan's home.
"Thank you for going with me, Qui-Gon."
"It was my pleasure."
"I look forward to this weekend."
"As do I." The awkwardness of leaving never arose as Obi-Wan kissed me. I had not been expecting it and had been ready to mumble my goodbye and go back to the embassy. His touch was delicate but sure. His hand came up and tangled in my hair as the kiss became more passionate. My own hands weren't idle and found their way under his coat to snake around his waist.
"Come in?" he whispered into my ear. I pulled away enough to look at him, to see his eyes. I didn't speak, only nodded. He took my hand lightly, as if he was afraid I would fade if he held on too tight. The house was warm and lit by a few burning candles, making his skin look darker, or was that a blush? He took me upstairs and there I stayed until the next morning.
-
I had a late breakfast with Obi-Wan before heading back to the embassy and Travin's inevitable questions. I had enjoyed the night with Obi-Wan and looked forward to more of the same at the weekend.
I did not see Obi-Wan on Wednesday and on Thursday, as I was packing, I received a note from Lord Kenobi.
Dear Qui-Gon,I must apologise, for something has arisen concerning my business investments and I must attend a meeting to settle some dispute, so I will be unable to go to my home today. If you still wish to accompany me, I am leaving tomorrow morning, instead. I hope you can forgive my delaying our trip, I do however, continue to look forward to having you to myself for a weekend.
Yours, Obi-Wan.
I was a little disappointed that out trip was delayed, but it was only for a day. I hadn't told Travin who I was to spend the weekend with, however, he knew I was due to leave today. I've always been careful with my work and who I work with and I knew Travin could soon get out of hand and report something to Palpatine. Obi-Wan's note gave me the perfect opportunity. I had promised Lady Naberrie I would pay her a visit and it was a promise I could now fulfil. It was business, so inevitably Travin was required, it would also prove to him I had not been distracted.
When I told Travin what I intended, he seemed to smile with glee. He hated the people of Coruscant and the only people he hated more were the Fallen and their rescuer. Amidala Naberrie was a true traitor in his eyes; she was a blood relative to the king and should be loyal. He was going to enjoy her interrogation. I did not wish to take him, Amidala was already distrustful of me, and his presence was not going to improve that, but to save myself I needed him there. I had long ago learnt self-preservation and with Naboo's King, it was the most valuable of skills.
-
We arrived a little after eleven. The Skywalker stately home was several miles outside of the capital and took over an hour by horse and carriage. I was glad for the journey's time, it gave me a chance to plan what I was going to say, and I could also brief Travin on what I wanted of him. Our reception at the house was welcoming enough, but Amidala's greeting was nothing if not cold.
"Greetings Lady Naberrie. I said I would talk to you soon and here I am."
"So I see," she said. "Won't you sit down?" Lord Skywalker had brought Travin and myself to Amidala, who had been in the garden. We sat together in the middle of the lawn on chairs shaded by an awning. Anakin Skywalker was nowhere is sight though I was sure he would turn up sooner or later.
"Ask you questions, Lord Jinn and then be gone."
"What can you tell me about the Jedi?" There was no point in beating about the bush; she knew why I had come to see her.
"Not his identity, because I do not know it. He is brave beyond any other man and he is compassionate."
"How tall was he, weight, height, age? Anything, please."
"I will tell you nothing." Her jaw was set and her eyes flashed defiance and victory. I had hoped not to use the King's threat, however, she left me with no other choice.
"King Palpatine told me to remind you that you still have family in Naboo."
"He wouldn't dare." I didn't say anything to that. I didn't need to. I kept my face neutral and sipped the cool water a servant had brought me as she settled with herself what she already knew.
"I don't know much, I swear." Her voice was no longer cold; it had changed to beseeching. "He was average height, I guess, muscular. I never saw his face, but from what I could see his were his eyes and his hands. His skin was smooth like a young man's. I only saw him at night, but I think his eyes were green."
"Tell me of your escape."
"Not much to tell. I'm sure you already know how he got me out of my home. After that he moved me around a lot, never longer than a couple of hours in one place. And it wasn't always him moving me; sometimes it was League members. Once the search died down, my journey for the coast began. We only stopped to change the horses."
"Did any one else travel with you?"
"Yes, two other escapees. Ric Olie and Sei Taria, I believe." I searched my memory for the names. They had been rescued three weeks and two months, respectively, before Amidala, which meant they had been in Theed all that time, or at least nearby. I remembered Olie had been rescued from Bondomeer, Naboo's most southern region.
Throughout the questioning Travin had remained silent, as I had instructed him to do. I had said he was only to speak if she proved difficult which she had not, however there was one thing that puzzled me and obviously Travin also, because finally he asked, "It is rumoured you are engaged to Lord Skywalker's son, Anakin. Is this true?"
"Yes."
"But you have just met."
"Love is a many splendoured thing. You may question love when it looks you in the eye, but we could not." I thought of Obi-Wan then, I now know why, of course, and to you I'm sure it is obvious. My duty would not allow me to love him, except my heart and soul had been screaming at me from the beginning to accept it and embrace it. I did not listen then and when I finally did, somehow it had become to late.
Travin and I spent lunch with the Skywalkers and once the questions were out of the way, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Amidala and Anakin did indeed seem very much in love and for that I envied them.
The journey back to the capital was spent in deep concentration. Amidala had said she was moved around a lot, which meant either the Jedi had more collaborators than suspected or he simply owned a lot of property in Naboo. Either way finding the people or the property was going to be difficult. There was no way to check and interviewing everyone in Theed was impossible not to mention a waste of time since the League members were not going to admit to treason and join the Fallen of the block.
A solution to what I should do so that I could move forward in my investigation had not been found by Friday morning. I was sure Amidala would know something of help but the Jedi had been just as careful with her. I was only left with continuing to worm my way into the heart and soul of Coruscant's nobility, something I was having a success at even though it had yet to give me any leads. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was called back to Naboo because of another Jedi rescue, or the King would become impatient. The question was, which would happen first?
Friday morning came quickly and with it my excitement returned making me forget about the laborious problem I was faced with in my Jedi pursuit. Perhaps forget is too strong a word, though it was certainly pushed to the far reaches of my mind.
Obi-Wan sent a carriage for me, which arrived at the embassy at 10am; it took little time to load my belongings onto it and to give my instructions to Travin. I wanted to keep him busy while I was away so I asked him to write a report and compile everything we had learnt so far. He could, if he wished to, question some more of the locals but he was to leave the nobility to me.
Obi-Wan smiled at me as he got into the carriage beside me. I had barely noticed the journey from the embassy to his townhouse. I was looking forward to our time together and could hardly keep still. He sat down next to me and before he settled into his seat I reached out and brought our lips together in a lustful kiss. He seemed a little dazed when I pulled away, even though he was still smiling. I guess he was pleased.
It only took a couple of hours to reach Obi-Wan's manor house. It was outside the capital, like many others I had seen and attended balls at. It was large, especially for one man, but it had been the Kenobi Hall for generations. It was not the family home in Dantooine, but it was a home away from home, close to the capital and the King. In recent years, ever since Obi-Wan's family had been killed, the house had become the main seat of power of the Kenobi legacy. Obi-Wan was important and needed by his country; he was unable to live in his childhood home, so he lived in Kenobi Hall.
We arrived in time for lunch and enjoyed a picnic in the shade of a great oak. It was very hot that day, I remember, and extraordinary beautiful. The house's grounds were stunning, a lovingly attended garden with terrace and patio area gave way to natural rolling grassland, a lake ideal for swimming and acres of woodland and hillside.
"Do you like it here, Qui-Gon?" he asked me. I had had a quick tour of the house when we arrived which in of itself was impressive. A vast library, a grand hall, dining room, numerous sitting rooms and Obi-Wan's study. I had yet to see my bedroom or find out if I would be sharing my host's room. And the grounds, the grounds I found to be very peaceful and I told him so.
"I'm glad. I have found that this place feels just as much like home as Dantooine."
"I would very much like to see your home there, too." He laughed.
"Yes, so would I, but I am afraid that time will not permit."
"That may change," I reminded him.
"Yes." He suddenly seemed so sad; his green eyes dulled and the smile disappeared. I did not ask what it was that troubled him so all of a sudden and now I wish that I had. Looking back I could guess; perhaps he knew I would leave soon, or perhaps he began to suspect my motives or maybe it was even more closely connected to the Jedi. I will say, though, is that from that moment that sadness remained for the rest of our courtship. If there were not so much of my story left to tell, I would linger here and tell you the reason I have since learnt. But alas, there is not time and I fear anything I would tell you would ruin the story that remains to be told.
We spent that weekend together both days and nights. We rode and strolled through his lands, exploring woods and hills. We swam in the lake and made love in the open air on its bank. We read together, cuddled close under blankets even when it was too warm to do so, enjoying the excuse to have to be close to each other.
We spoke of unimportant things, literature, the arts, music, and theatre and never once did we talk about our duties; the Jedi or the Coruscant court. We did however speak of past things. Obi-Wan finally told me little about Travin and I told him the embarrassing episode I had with too much alcohol and a man named Mace Windu, a guard of Palpatine.
"Do you enjoy your work, Qui-Gon?" the question was a surprise to me as we had spent the weekend avoiding the subject. It was Sunday afternoon and that evening Kenobi Hall would host a royal ball of its own.
"Yes," I answered simply.
"Why?" I suppose it was a fair enough question with an easy enough answer.
"Because I love the chase." I said, "To have an opponent as cunning and devious as the Jedi is a rare thing. I love a challenge."
"As do I, But Qui-Gon, from what I understand, you have never gotten close." Spoken by any one else I may have become angry, yet coming from Obi-Wan, his innocent desire to know me better, it was just a question like any other.
"That is true, except one day he will make a mistake and I intend to be around when he does."
"For the glory?" For an instant he appeared not to understand me at all. I looked at him and saw the usual curiosity, the sadness that had yet to leave his eyes and something else; his eyes seemed to beg me for an answer that would ease a pain in him I did not know the name of.
"I wish to see his face and finally know my opponent. I have been pursuing him for some years now and in a way I know him very well and he is like an old friend. Since coming to Coruscant and talking to his 'fans' I have really began to appreciate him for what he is."
"Do you agree with his cause then?"
"To say yes it is treason, so of course my answer is no, however that does not mean I do not understand his reasons."
"That sounds like a yes to me. You are safe with me, Qui-Gon, I shall not betray your trust." All at once the sadness that had lurked in his eyes was all I could see in the stormy green depths.
"What is it Obi-Wan?"
"You will leave me soon." I had nothing to say to that because it was true. Something in the way he spoke said to me 'please, do not believe me.'
The day rolled on and evening soon arrived and with it came music, laughter and dancing. It was easily the most splendid ball I had attended. Kenobi Hall was rich in appearance and its owner a connoisseur of style. There were many lords and ladies in attendance including the Skywalkers, and Amidala even talked to me and asked me to dance with her. It seemed the good humour of the host spread to everyone. Once again I only saw it as an act, it did not seem like Obi-Wan, and yet it did enough for people to believe it.
I spent the ball a respectful distance from Obi-Wan but come nighttime when all the guests had left, I caught him up in my arms and we danced around the empty hall, just us to the music of silence. The light was dimmed and the candles that still burned flickered in a gentle draft. We danced until the sun began to rise above the horizon and then I took him by the hand and led him upstairs where we stayed until it was time to leave, time to return to the real world where I am a Naboo agent and he, a lord of the enemy.
-
After that weekend things returned to how things were before. We saw each other often and spent nights together but back in the city things were different. I had Travin to consider and Obi-Wan, well Obi-Wan had other things to consider.
We became a couple in the eyes of the upper society. When one of us was invited, so was the other. With the understanding we would be going together, which we did, there was a little resentment from some fearing I would do as Travin did. I had not lied to them as to why I was there, so their disapproval was restricted to a few ambiguous comments and some hostile glances. Obi-Wan noticed, of course, but paid them no mind. Prince Xanatos, however, was another story. He was Obi-Wan's closest friend and it was at a royal banquet that he pulled me aside for a quiet word.
"What are your intentions?" he asked me bluntly.
"I don't understand," I said, making it clear I had no interest in the conversation.
"Do not play games with me, Jinn. I see how he looks at you." Those few words made me suddenly very interested in what he had to say.
"How? How does he look at me?"
"Careful Jinn, I will not hesitate to send you home in a coffin if you do something… foolish." With that threat he left my side smiling and laughing as he went, greeting his guests. Throughout that evening I studied Obi-Wan, trying to see what Xanatos was talking about. How did he look at me?
By evening's end I was no wiser. We left together as we always did. What was in his eyes? There, suddenly something was there. Lust? Happiness? Love? Yes, denial is an amazing thing. Of course it was not love and of course I did not return such feelings. It was preposterous. He was my contact to the nobility, nothing more. Nothing more.
Three days later, I received the worst news possible. There had been another Jedi rescue. I sent a short note to Obi-Wan explaining; I had not seen him since the banquet due to some court business that required his attention, so the news that I must leave was twice as bitter. The day we knew was coming had arrived. I was going home and I did not even have time to say goodbye in person.