Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Chapter 2: Qui-Gon Observes
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn sat comfortably in one of many overstuffed armchairs in King Jhavì's personal office, half-listening to his old friend's ramblings. As long as he had known him, Jhavì had been found of listening to himself speak, a skill he obviously had been groomed in since he'd been old enough to speak. He was explaining to Anakin the origin of a painting that hung on his wall behind his desk, a painting of a starry night over an unknown planet's forest. For his part, Anakin appeared totally engrossed in the king's grand spiel, but Qui-Gon knew better.
//Is he ever going to stop, Master?// Anakin sent thru their bond.
Qui-Gon smiled. //Eventually.//
He heard his padawan mentally groan.
Qui-Gon, however, didn't allow his thoughts to dwell on it. Instead, he refocused his mind on Jhavì's niece, the young woman he'd met just moments earlier. He had been quite surprised, to say the least, when he had entered her room and found her sitting on her bed, her uncle's arms around her sparsely clothed body. The king's guards had been roaming freely thru her chambers and he could sense her confusion at the sudden security measures.
Of course, during many of his missions as a Jedi, he had seen less clothed females than the princess, but something had jarred inside him once his eyes met hers. She wasn't the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen; in fact she was quite plain compared to the many other women he had encountered in his lifetime. But, there was…something about her that he'd sensed, something he couldn't quite place. The Force-energy that surrounded her had been curious: strong, but barely detectable, as if being shielded. And, there was something about her Force signature that felt….well, familiar.
Jhavì was wrapping up his "speech" so Qui-Gon turned his attention to his friend. "It's a fine painting, Jhavì," he told him, "Different from your usual tastes, but fine nonetheless."
The king grinned broadly. "Thought I might spice things up a bit," he replied, winking, "But, alas! The wife thinks it too 'plain' for the rest of the palace, and so here it sits."
"May I ask, Your Highness," Anakin politely interrupted, "How you and my master met?" He, himself had only met Master Jinn when he'd been a nine-year old slave boy from Tatooine. And now, seven years later, he loved his master very much and absorbed any information about the revered Jedi master like a sponge.
Jhavì grinned mischievously. "Ah, I'm not sure your master would appreciate me telling you the, uh, circumstances of our first meeting," he answered, rubbing his hands together. "Eh, Qui-Gon?"
Qui-Gon good-naturedly smiled back. "Perhaps another time, padawan," he said, suddenly getting to his feet, "For it seems the princess has finally graced us with her presence."
Talisa suddenly stood at the door, looking at the three men curiously. "Have I interrupted something?" she asked, smiling self-consciously.
Jhavì walked over to her and gently led her to a nearby seat. "Of course not, dear," he assured her, waiting until she was seated, then returning to his own seat, "In fact, Anakin and I were trying to persuade Master Jinn here to 'spill the beans' as they say, on the rather un-Jedi like actions of his youth."
The young woman laughed. "And, if I remember correctly, Uncle," she teased, "You were right there, urging him on." He blushed.
"Ah, my own personal defender of virtue," Qui-Gon quipped, sending a smile to her that she was sure would have turned her legs to jelly, had she been standing.
Taking a calming breath, Talisa returned the smile. "Uncle has always been one to find trouble," she replied, "Most often on his own. So I think I am save to assume, Master Jinn, that you were an innocent party in all of your, erm, adventures." More laughter followed.
"Qui-Gon." He said, once the laughter subsided.
Talisa seemed taken a back. "Excuse me?" she asked, puzzled.
He kindly smiled at her. "Qui-Gon," he repeated, "You may call me Qui-Gon."
She blushed. "Thank you," she said softly, but secretly pleased, "And please, call me Talisa." Before he could protest, she added, "You are a dear friend to my uncle, Qui-Gon. It would make me uncomfortable for you to be so formal with me."
Qui-Gon considered this for a moment. "Alright, Pr-I mean, Talisa," he said, smiling once again.
Jhavì clapped his hands together and grinned. "Now that the introductions have been made," he announced, "I will kindly ask my niece to find something else to occupy her time." He winked at her, letting her know that he was jesting with her, as usual. "We men have very important things to discuss," he joked.
"May I ask what these plans are?" Talisa asked, innocently, then felt pleased at the effect her question had on them.
The three men instantly froze, three pairs of eyes flying to meet one another's. She noticed the Jedi were the first to regain their composure and although her dear uncle tried, he could not get close to their level.
"Silly government procedures, dear," Jhavì replied, "Nothing to worry your pretty little head about." But, he glanced nervously at the two other men.
"It must be important, Uncle," she said, "Why else would the Jedi be here?" She hoped her look of innocence was believable.
Jhavì nervously cleared his throat. "Uh, yes," he stumbled, "Well…isn't it time for you to, uh, I mean, time for your lessons?"
Talisa glanced at the small chrono on her wrist. She was about to comment when the look on Qui-Gon's face prevented her from doing it. "Erm, yes," she said, getting to her feet. The three men also stood. "I take my leave," she said, curtsying, "It was a pleasure to have met you Anakin. And you, Qui-Gon."
They all returned with bows. "May the Force be with you," Qui-Gon said, then frowned when he saw her visibly stiffen at his words.
She recovered almost immediately. "Yes, thank you," she said, distractedly. She quickly left the room, a slight frown on her face.
Qui-Gon watched her go, troubled by her reaction. There was something puzzling about the princess. Turning to Jhavì, he said, "Your niece is quite an interesting young woman."
Jhavì grinned. "Don't even think about it, Master Jedi!" he exclaimed, wagging a finger at him, "Talisa is way too young for you! Why, she just celebrated her twenty-fifth birthday!"
Anakin snickered into his hands, while Qui-Gon merely smiled. "As usual, my friend, your mind wanders to trouble," he said, folding his arms within his robes, "What I meant was that there seems to be a…mystery surrounding her, yet she shields that very well."
"Shields?" Jhavì repeated, confused.
Qui-Gon nodded. "She has a very unusual field of Force energy around her," he replied, "Yet, the Jedi were never informed of her being a Force-sensitive. Who was her father?"
At this, Jhavì once again became nervous. "Her father?" he repeated, swallowing hard, "Uh, well. He is, I mean, was a servant to the Republic."
"And, what of her mother?"
The king somewhat swooned and abruptly sat down. "A medical student," he answered, averting his eyes
Anakin glanced at his master. //He's not telling us everything, Master//
//I know, Anakin. But, I know Jhavì. He will reveal it on his own time and when he deems appropriate.//
"A pity she never got to know her parents," Qui-Gon commented, sitting back down in his seat.
At this, Jhavì sadly shook his head. "Her father was my best friend," he explained, "And, a great man. He was the epitome of a friend. Always loyal, always reliable. When you had his trust and friendship, it was if a great gift had entered your life. I miss him."
"I am sorry for your loss, my friend," Qui-Gon said, sincerely.
Jhavì smiled. "Thank you," he said, then quickly shook his head. "Enough of that!" he added, "I have mourned long enough! Let us get back to the matters at hand." He motioned them closer.
Anakin obliged and joined his master. But, not before he recognized the look on the older Jedi's face. It was the same expression one got when trying to solve a complex puzzle or problem: if logically thought through, the answer would come.