Chapter 48
The sun was beginning to slide toward the horizon as Alex placed the last of his things in his bag. Like his padawan, the knight was taking none of his usual Jedi wear; an inspection of his bag would reveal nothing more than "normal" clothing. His own attire was also civilian: a pair of black pants and a blue shirt, something he was sure Meri would comment on. He didn't think she'd ever seen him in such clothes.
Then again, he had never seen her in the sort of outfit she would be wearing, either. It was certain to be an interesting change — for the both of them.
Finished with his packing, he clipped his lightsabre to the back of his belt, instead of the front, where he usually wore it. Placed where it was, it would be hidden from sight when he put on the black cloak that would finish his outfit.
After a quick glance at the wall chrono, he strode out of his room and the few shorts steps to his apprentice's room.
Her back was to him as he paused in the doorway and took in the sight before him with an inscrutable expression.
Meri was slightly bent over her bag, placing a few small objects inside, but it was her appearance that made Alex want to shut the door and demand she put on something decent, though he knew he could not do it.
She was wearing solid black leather pants, but not just any pants. They fit so tightly it was as if they were a second skin; moreover, they sat so low on her hips he didn't know how they stayed up. Her top was merely a scrap of lighter colored material that came down to her midriff. The material ended at mid-side and was held on by thin straps that formed a latticework over the bare skin of her back.
He hadn't seen Meri ever willingly expose so much skin ... //Except for on Dubh nán,\\ his thoughts reminded him. However that wasn't the same, he knew. There, her lack of clothing had not been willingly agreed to. Hastily he pushed the thoughts out of his mind, but the sight before him and the memories they evoked had already caused a response in him that he was helpless to control.
It was then that Meri turned and saw him in the doorway, though he knew she must have sensed his presence, as he wasn't making any effort to hide it. She gave a hesitant smile and dropped her arms to her sides awkwardly.
"Well…," she trailed off in question.
Making an effort, Alex willed his blood to cool and his pulse to slow. "Well, I think I'm never letting you out of your room again," he tried to tease, but his voice was low and he could've cursed the husky note to it.
Meri's lips turned upwards at this and he approached her, stopping a few feet before her.
"What did you do to your hair?" he questioned as his eyes roamed over her now curly hair that was half pinned on her head, the rest left to fall teasingly down her back.
"It washes out with a rinse," she was quick to assure him. "I just thought it would be more manageable this way and I could do more with it. Does it look alright?" her voice held an anxious note as she looked up at him for approval.
Alex had to fight the urge to run his fingers through the dark, soft looking curls at such close proximity and barely managed it. "You look beautiful," he murmured at last, not certain if he could trust his voice. He hadn't realized they were standing so close.
For one dangerous second their eyes locked and he felt a sensation close to what he could imagine drowning would feel like.
Breaking the gaze, he looked past her and saw the hooded traveling cloak she had laid out on the bed. Forcing himself to breathe evenly, Alex reached past her and picked it up, then draped it over her shoulders.
"I think you better wear this until we get to Nuvanai," he commented lightly, with a wry grin. He couldn't help noticing that Meri now looked somewhat … flustered.
Stepping away from him, she pulled the cloak in place and lifted the hood to cover her head. The cloak completely covered the outfit she wore, something they had both decided would be wise since they were taking public transport to the planet.
Picking up her bag, she turned to face him. "I'm ready, Master," she tried to smile. "And I think from the set of the sun that it we don't hurry, we're going to miss our transport."
Alex cast a quick glance out the window, and mumbled something under his breath as he hastened to get his own bag from his room. This mission was surely starting out on an interesting foot.
Meri and Alex were among the last to exit the transport when it landed on Nuvanai. Shuttles inside the hanger bay awaited the incoming transport to carry passengers to where they would be staying.
With her new persona firmly in place, Meri followed her Master out of the ship. Unlike the rest of the passengers, the knight did not head toward any of the waiting shuttles. Within a matter of minutes, they were alone in the hanger bay — except for the technicians and crew.
She knew someone was supposed to meet them, but it appeared he hadn't shown up. Glancing sideways, Meri caught sight of the darkening sky outside and torrents of rain pouring down. There were brief flashes of light, followed by rolling peals of thunder.
Standing in a shadowy, secluded area, Alex spoke in a whisper to his apprentice, without making eye contact. "We'll wait only a little longer." His blue eyes scanned the darkening landscape. Night was approaching them rapidly. If their contact wouldn't come to them, they would be forced to find him on their own. They had been given his name — Anthian — and little else. Alex had also been told that he was a native who had been working with the Jedi to infiltrate the crime ring. He was to help them while they were there.
+++
All light had faded from the sky as a figure hurried into the hanger bay. Throwing back a rain-drenched hood, the figure scanned the area, his eyes fixing on the two figures standing quietly in the corner.
With only the slightest hesitation, he moved toward them.
It was Anthian. He paused before them and spoke loudly and jovially, clasping a hand to Alex's arm. "Ah, brother, I am sorry for my lateness. I was having trouble with my speeder." Anthian's hazel eyes warned them to silence with a subtle shift in the direction of the few persons still wandering the hanger bay.
Alex inclined his head in understanding. "Think nothing of it. I was enjoying the freshness of the night air while waiting." While he spoke, the two men began moving toward the exit, raising their hoods as they did. Following custom, they did not even acknowledge Meri's presence.
Meri quietly moved to follow them. Her hood was already in place, covering her dark head and hiding her face in its shadows. As they moved outside, she was thankful to discover the rain had tapered off to a fine mist.
Once inside the moving speeder, Anthian dropped his *façade* "I'm sorry, Master Jedi, I was delayed." He glanced back at Meri for the first time.
"Is there something we need to be made aware of?" Alex questioned, referring to Anthian's wariness in the hangar bay.
"It is not safe for you to be seen with me. Since Jedi Lavyin's disappearance, I believe some of the higher-ups in the organization have become suspicious of me." He paused and his gaze took in both Meri and Alex. "I must warn you, however. You must be careful. Your actions will be watched closely. I don't believe the Jedi Council even realizes just how touchy this could get. You're going to be looking for clues to Jedi Lavyin's disappearance and that will cause much suspicion."
Alex paused thoughtfully before answering. "You believe the crime lords found out Knight Lavyin was a Jedi?"
"I believe so, yes. And they are going to be even more wary of any newcomers, now." Again Anthian paused before continuing, his eyes moving from Master to apprentice and back, then to his driving. "Your role here is different than Jedi Lavyin's. You will be judged by this."
A wry smile touched Alex's lips. "I sense a warning in those words."
The speeder came to a halt in front of a housing establishment, and Anthian turned in his seat to face the Jedi Master. "You are aware of the custom here? What is involved?"
The knight nodded slightly. "Yes, the Council gave us a rather detailed file on it. It seemed a bit overdone."
"It wasn't," Anthian replied quickly. "I understand this might be awkward for you, but it is very important you follow those instructions as much as you're able. It's cliché, but I'm being truthful when I say eyes are everywhere. Especially when they are aware something's afoot and you're searching for a missing Jedi."
Alex glanced at Meri. "Very well."
Anthian's gaze moved to the housing establishment. "I've arranged for you to stay here. I would caution you; even in your rooms you must appear as master and slave. I would venture to say that this place is mostly clean, but you never can tell. Serving droids are too easily equipped to work just as well as spies."
When Alex's eyes fell on her at these words, Meri felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach and again a sense of apprehension at what she would need to do. Reaching out through the Force to gauge Alex's feelings on this new development, Meri could only sense that he was unsettled. She held back her own feelings of anxiousness on the matter and instead tried to think positively. How hard could it be? After all, he was her Master.
It couldn't be that tricky.
The sun was beginning to slide toward the horizon as Alex placed the last of his things in his bag. Like his padawan, the knight was taking none of his usual Jedi wear; an inspection of his bag would reveal nothing more than "normal" clothing. His own attire was also civilian: a pair of black pants and a blue shirt, something he was sure Meri would comment on. He didn't think she'd ever seen him in such clothes.
Then again, he had never seen her in the sort of outfit she would be wearing, either. It was certain to be an interesting change — for the both of them.
Finished with his packing, he clipped his lightsabre to the back of his belt, instead of the front, where he usually wore it. Placed where it was, it would be hidden from sight when he put on the black cloak that would finish his outfit.
After a quick glance at the wall chrono, he strode out of his room and the few shorts steps to his apprentice's room.
Her back was to him as he paused in the doorway and took in the sight before him with an inscrutable expression.
Meri was slightly bent over her bag, placing a few small objects inside, but it was her appearance that made Alex want to shut the door and demand she put on something decent, though he knew he could not do it.
She was wearing solid black leather pants, but not just any pants. They fit so tightly it was as if they were a second skin; moreover, they sat so low on her hips he didn't know how they stayed up. Her top was merely a scrap of lighter colored material that came down to her midriff. The material ended at mid-side and was held on by thin straps that formed a latticework over the bare skin of her back.
He hadn't seen Meri ever willingly expose so much skin ... //Except for on Dubh nán,\\ his thoughts reminded him. However that wasn't the same, he knew. There, her lack of clothing had not been willingly agreed to. Hastily he pushed the thoughts out of his mind, but the sight before him and the memories they evoked had already caused a response in him that he was helpless to control.
It was then that Meri turned and saw him in the doorway, though he knew she must have sensed his presence, as he wasn't making any effort to hide it. She gave a hesitant smile and dropped her arms to her sides awkwardly.
"Well…," she trailed off in question.
Making an effort, Alex willed his blood to cool and his pulse to slow. "Well, I think I'm never letting you out of your room again," he tried to tease, but his voice was low and he could've cursed the husky note to it.
Meri's lips turned upwards at this and he approached her, stopping a few feet before her.
"What did you do to your hair?" he questioned as his eyes roamed over her now curly hair that was half pinned on her head, the rest left to fall teasingly down her back.
"It washes out with a rinse," she was quick to assure him. "I just thought it would be more manageable this way and I could do more with it. Does it look alright?" her voice held an anxious note as she looked up at him for approval.
Alex had to fight the urge to run his fingers through the dark, soft looking curls at such close proximity and barely managed it. "You look beautiful," he murmured at last, not certain if he could trust his voice. He hadn't realized they were standing so close.
For one dangerous second their eyes locked and he felt a sensation close to what he could imagine drowning would feel like.
Breaking the gaze, he looked past her and saw the hooded traveling cloak she had laid out on the bed. Forcing himself to breathe evenly, Alex reached past her and picked it up, then draped it over her shoulders.
"I think you better wear this until we get to Nuvanai," he commented lightly, with a wry grin. He couldn't help noticing that Meri now looked somewhat … flustered.
Stepping away from him, she pulled the cloak in place and lifted the hood to cover her head. The cloak completely covered the outfit she wore, something they had both decided would be wise since they were taking public transport to the planet.
Picking up her bag, she turned to face him. "I'm ready, Master," she tried to smile. "And I think from the set of the sun that it we don't hurry, we're going to miss our transport."
Alex cast a quick glance out the window, and mumbled something under his breath as he hastened to get his own bag from his room. This mission was surely starting out on an interesting foot.
Meri and Alex were among the last to exit the transport when it landed on Nuvanai. Shuttles inside the hanger bay awaited the incoming transport to carry passengers to where they would be staying.
With her new persona firmly in place, Meri followed her Master out of the ship. Unlike the rest of the passengers, the knight did not head toward any of the waiting shuttles. Within a matter of minutes, they were alone in the hanger bay — except for the technicians and crew.
She knew someone was supposed to meet them, but it appeared he hadn't shown up. Glancing sideways, Meri caught sight of the darkening sky outside and torrents of rain pouring down. There were brief flashes of light, followed by rolling peals of thunder.
Standing in a shadowy, secluded area, Alex spoke in a whisper to his apprentice, without making eye contact. "We'll wait only a little longer." His blue eyes scanned the darkening landscape. Night was approaching them rapidly. If their contact wouldn't come to them, they would be forced to find him on their own. They had been given his name — Anthian — and little else. Alex had also been told that he was a native who had been working with the Jedi to infiltrate the crime ring. He was to help them while they were there.
+++
All light had faded from the sky as a figure hurried into the hanger bay. Throwing back a rain-drenched hood, the figure scanned the area, his eyes fixing on the two figures standing quietly in the corner.
With only the slightest hesitation, he moved toward them.
It was Anthian. He paused before them and spoke loudly and jovially, clasping a hand to Alex's arm. "Ah, brother, I am sorry for my lateness. I was having trouble with my speeder." Anthian's hazel eyes warned them to silence with a subtle shift in the direction of the few persons still wandering the hanger bay.
Alex inclined his head in understanding. "Think nothing of it. I was enjoying the freshness of the night air while waiting." While he spoke, the two men began moving toward the exit, raising their hoods as they did. Following custom, they did not even acknowledge Meri's presence.
Meri quietly moved to follow them. Her hood was already in place, covering her dark head and hiding her face in its shadows. As they moved outside, she was thankful to discover the rain had tapered off to a fine mist.
Once inside the moving speeder, Anthian dropped his *façade* "I'm sorry, Master Jedi, I was delayed." He glanced back at Meri for the first time.
"Is there something we need to be made aware of?" Alex questioned, referring to Anthian's wariness in the hangar bay.
"It is not safe for you to be seen with me. Since Jedi Lavyin's disappearance, I believe some of the higher-ups in the organization have become suspicious of me." He paused and his gaze took in both Meri and Alex. "I must warn you, however. You must be careful. Your actions will be watched closely. I don't believe the Jedi Council even realizes just how touchy this could get. You're going to be looking for clues to Jedi Lavyin's disappearance and that will cause much suspicion."
Alex paused thoughtfully before answering. "You believe the crime lords found out Knight Lavyin was a Jedi?"
"I believe so, yes. And they are going to be even more wary of any newcomers, now." Again Anthian paused before continuing, his eyes moving from Master to apprentice and back, then to his driving. "Your role here is different than Jedi Lavyin's. You will be judged by this."
A wry smile touched Alex's lips. "I sense a warning in those words."
The speeder came to a halt in front of a housing establishment, and Anthian turned in his seat to face the Jedi Master. "You are aware of the custom here? What is involved?"
The knight nodded slightly. "Yes, the Council gave us a rather detailed file on it. It seemed a bit overdone."
"It wasn't," Anthian replied quickly. "I understand this might be awkward for you, but it is very important you follow those instructions as much as you're able. It's cliché, but I'm being truthful when I say eyes are everywhere. Especially when they are aware something's afoot and you're searching for a missing Jedi."
Alex glanced at Meri. "Very well."
Anthian's gaze moved to the housing establishment. "I've arranged for you to stay here. I would caution you; even in your rooms you must appear as master and slave. I would venture to say that this place is mostly clean, but you never can tell. Serving droids are too easily equipped to work just as well as spies."
When Alex's eyes fell on her at these words, Meri felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach and again a sense of apprehension at what she would need to do. Reaching out through the Force to gauge Alex's feelings on this new development, Meri could only sense that he was unsettled. She held back her own feelings of anxiousness on the matter and instead tried to think positively. How hard could it be? After all, he was her Master.
It couldn't be that tricky.
