Obi Wan sat up in bed, normally he could sleep anywhere, but obviously not now. He decided to take up the visit to the Hall of Ages to try and curb his restlessness; in any case learning some of the planets history was probably a good idea for the gathering. The artistry that had gone into some of the wax like statues was exquisite in the soft lighting and on plaques around them were histories of the important segments of their reign. He noticed however that Elphora was not free of propaganda. He saw the likeness of Kyia the Great seemed to have an ethereal quality and the race that conquered Elphora previously a Hutt likeness, how accurate this was he could not say. Everything itself was written in basic, Elphoran he had observed was only used for documents they preferred others not to read; he had also noticed that Kyia used it when she was emotional. He sighed and started to feel the tension ebb from his shoulders that he hadn't even realised was there. He sped up and began to briefly browse the Jedi members and the only time there had ever been a Quelous- a male ruler. He read on the plaque that a feud between brother, Hevior and sister, Mirath led to her to renounce the throne and leave Elphora. Mirath was never heard from again, until the re-appearance of her great-great grandson Dextro. Obi Wan recognised the name and walked further down the corridor, passing several generations. Dextro was Kyia's father. The last set in the Hall of Ages to be added was sculpture of a brown haired man with his lightsabre drawn, his other hand shared the grip of the royal sceptre with a blonde woman standing opposite, also clothed in Jedi robed with a lit sabre. Between them the purple and orange blades were crossed with a third yellow, held by a small blonde child. Kyia. The inscription said:
As child begot child the bitterness in the family grew until they could stand it no longer. The two remaining direct daughters of Mirath plotted send the only child between them, Dextro to slaughter the future heir, the beloved Quelena Hannah Levelle and steal the throne for himself. Fortunately he had not inherited the hateful disease. Honesty and respect prevailed and Hannah rewarded him with forgiveness and trust. From that day forth and the two were joined for all time. Our much-loved Kyia was born soon afterwards.
It was a sweet story but Obi Wan wondered cynically if the marriage had just been out of convenience, either way being a Jedi, Dextro had defiantly played fast and loose with the concession of marriage that the Council had given to the Levelles.
He looked at the scene one more time and smiled wistfully. As a Jedi marriage was forbidden to him but just for a moment he could imagine what it would be like, maybe. He shook his head to remove the thought. She's stubborn, impetuous and we'd kill each other within a week.

The next day left Kyia dealing with all the issues connected with Hellebore's Light, considering this she was not surprised that Obi Wan had kept out of her way. But that had given her a rare chance to catch up on some rest. As it was she had violated Elphoran law by breaking out of the medical ward early. Still the sun and moons seemed to move at an accelerated pace and before she knew it, it was time to get ready for the gathering and Anice had entered.
Kyia held up two dresses, "Which one?"
"The black" said Anice quickly decisive. She took the other and placed it back in the wardrobe. "Since when did you care so much about a gathering?"
"What are you talking about? It's just a dress".
Anice looked her directly in the eye. "I may be old Kyia but I'm not blind or deaf yet."
Kyia smiled sweetly. "More is the pity." She handed the brush to Anice. "Are you helping me get ready or are you just going to make snide comments all night?"
"Tough choice" Anice started to brush Kyia's hair. "I'll need time to think."
The Quelena twisted her head towards her; she could see where this was going. "He's a Jedi, zip, end of story."
The older woman's face softened "That isn't what I asked."
"Does it matter?"
"It might." Anice replied saucily.
Kyia smiled and turned back around. "Are you going to brush my hair or not?"
The banter continued "You like him".
"Don't" Kyia chirped standing up to put on her dress.
"Then why did I see you flirting with him?" Anice countered speedily.
"I was not!" Kyia replied with indignation.
"Yes you were."
The Quelena held up her finger. "That means nothing. I flirt with lots of people."
"You're not going to win this argument Levelle." Anice retorted.
Kyia laughed good-naturedly. "Out. You are no help at all."
Anice smiled, knowing her mistress too well. "See you later."
Kyia pointed at the door. "Go!" Tentatively she slipped on the dress and smoothed the wrinkles out of the fabric over her thighs. It was a long halter neck but the tight fit meant it clung and Kyia was not above being paranoid about her figure. From one side tendrils of lilac that to her looked like purple fire snaked up in contrast to the black of the rest of the fabric. She picked up the matching sheer stole and glanced in the mirror. Anice had already done her natural makeup with a stylised flash of amethyst on her cheekbones. She ran the brush through her loose hair one more time and made her way to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall itself had water running down all of one of the long sides like a waterfall that finished somewhere beneath the floor. Burgundy drapes were dotted along the remaining cream wall space. The room was lit mainly by candlelight it was still bright enough to see the ceiling containing portraits of previous rulers. In the corner a Tiese orchestra played.
A reasonably familiar man with a strong Corellian accent approached her before she could escape. "Your Royalness! You look lovely tonight. The jewel in the crown."
"Kal Solo, I presume." She smiled politely and let him take her hand to lead her to the dance floor. This was going to be a long night.
When Obi Wan slipped through the door Kyia already had an extremely bored expression on her face while dancing with a tall dark-haired Corellian.
An Elphoran in a grey governor's uniform crossed the floor to speak to him. He held out his hand. "Master Kenobi, it is an honour. I am Darous Nite, the Elected Governor for the Eastern sector." He chatted and distantly Obi Wan tried to listen, despite his wandering mind. For a while the subject was what the history of the Jedi on Elphora, and how there was even a Jedi governor, although the late Quelena had been one, but of course he had not been governor then, how this years harvest was going.
Kyia glanced over Kal's shoulder and saw the Jedi had been cornered. She detached herself from her dancing partner retreated towards them. "Who let Kal Solo in?" She hissed through her teeth.
"Sorry Your Royalness. I believe one of the Elected Governors lost a sabacc game to him a few weeks ago."
"You didn't happen to hear who?"
He shook his head.
The Quelena rolled her eyes. Darous, can you make sure he doesn't get himself into any trouble."
Darous gave her a barely perceptible smile "I'll try, Your Royalness." He left on the trail of the rogue guest.
When he was out of earshot Kyia pulled a face. "Sorry about that."
He smirked. "That's okay. It looks like I wasn't the only one."
"Oh I was having a great time having my feet being stepped on" She teased. Kyia scanned the room and pointed out a man with aquatic features. "Luckily we haven't got the pleasure of Felle's company tonight. If you get really stuck you could always introduce yourself to Ackbar," She pointed out a man with large aquatic features. "Very sharp." She commented.
"He's Mon Calamari isn't he?"
"Yes, we're doing some trade with them at the moment. Ackbar and his superior Durrtar are here to peruse the paperwork, so to speak." She started pointing out some other people in the room. There were a surprising number of non-Elphorans. "We do a lot of trading of botanicals. In particular, the Aquar lily purifies the water in grows in. We exchange them for technology most of the time and most planets are quite happy with that arrangement."
Obi Wan nodded. "Don't look behind you."
"Not again." She sighed futility. "He thinks he's the future Consort."
He laughed. "I think it may be the dress."
Kyia blushed at the compliment. "More likely it's the berry wine."
"You're not hiding from me are you?" said the Corellian playfully.
Kyia had to take a step back because of the alcohol she could smell on his breath. She plastered the fake smile back on her face. "No of course not. Have you met Obi Wan Kenobi? He plays sabacc you know."
Solo's eyes lit up. "What a co-incidence!"
Obi Wan glared at her. Kyia shrugged apologetically and made her escape.

"Lieutenant Ackbar, enjoying yourself out of water?"
The youth smiled. "I don't expect the Governor is having any success in keeping your little friend away from the berry wine."
She sighed. "No he isn't. Has the Admiral recovered from her sickness yet?"
"No, she won't be right for another seven standard months."
"Oh that's wonderful," whispered Kyia discreetly. "Is she returning home?"
Ackbar bowed his head respectfully "Yes with your permission we both will. The egg will be laid in a few days so we'd better have her back otherwise her mate will have my head. With the treaty signed there is not any further reason for delay."
"Wish her the best and feel free to return anytime. We'd be glad to see you again."
The Appointed Governor from the Southern Sector coughed lightly behind her. "Sorry to interrupt."
"It's okay. Excuse me Lieutenant." Said Kyia politely. They stepped to one side. "Yes?"
"I was wondering how the people from Hellebore's Light were doing"
She examined him closely. "You've heard?"
He nodded. "Vagel told me."
If he knew that meant all the Governors knew "They'll live, if that's what you mean" She sighed. She was going to tell all of them at the next meeting anyway. "They're staying here until places can be found in other communities. The village is too decimated to return them". Kyia looked to the ground. "There are a few orphans that will need homes."
"That's why I wanted to speak with you." The Governor shifted his weight to the other foot. "My wife and myself, we've been thinking about taking on another anyway. As you know she lost her birthing sack after our daughter was born. If we can be any help…"
She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. "It'll be a big help. May the Force watch over you."
"Is there any word on who it was? I know it's supposed to be confidential but Syrous told me that you've had problems yourself"
Great Thought Kyia, What other secrets does the whole planet know? "I'm fine" She replied. "For the moment the problem's under control."
The Governor looked over towards Obi Wan Kenobi, "And the man in brown?"
She shook her head. "It wasn't him. We're just scaring someone that's all."
The Elphoran nodded.
The Quelena glanced around. "I had better go and circulate. Thank you for your kind offer. It will not go unnoticed."

It was another hour before Kal Solo caught up with her. The smell of berry wine was even heavier than before and slowly he was wedging her into a corner.
"You know" He muttered, barely coherent. "You're really pretty."
"Thank you" She tried to move past him.
He put an arm out. "No really." His words were slurring. "You see, a purty girl and a guy like me should…" He paused as he tried to think of the end of his sentence.
"Leave each other alone?" She suggested meekly
"Yeah!" He paused again and squinted. "I mean no, they should, ya know get it together." He moved his spare arm to the other side of her.
"I'm really very flattered, but I don't think I'm your type."
"What do ya mean? You've got money. I need money. It's perfect." There was a cough from behind him. He turned his head. "What?"
"Kyia" It was Obi Wan. "I believe you promised me a dance."
She smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "So I did. I apologise Jedi Kenobi, I must have forgotten.
Reluctantly Kal let her go. "I'll see you later."
Not if I can help it She thought to herself. They moved onto the dance floor. "Thanks."
He took her hand "I shouldn't have done considering how you left me with him earlier."
"Sorry but I couldn't help it, self-preservation". The music was reasonably slow but Obi Wan moved competently. "Well you're a dark horse! Last time I checked they didn't teach that at the academy."
He changed the subject, slightly embarrassed. "How were you able to keep the news of the Sith attack subdued."
"Its not that subdued, but there's an ancient Elphoran law that if you brand the matter Global security its illegal to talk about it off the Palace grounds"
"Useful"
"Uh oh." The Corellian was heading towards her. "I think Solo wants to cut in."
"Do you want to go?"
"Please".

The pair slipped out the side door and headed for the main gate.
Kyia sighed and rested against the outside wall "At last, I think I'm safe" She looked over at him slyly. "Hey you haven't kept your end of the bargain yet"
He looked back at her sceptically, "The reasoning behind that being that no-one is going to want to disturb two Jedi sparring, especially Kal Solo."
"Exactly, now you are starting to think like an Elphoran. Just give me a minute to change, I cannot move in this dress." She disappeared into the building.
Obi Wan found a thought come to the top of his consciousness, he pushed it down and hoped the blush had faded from his face by the time Kyia returned.
A few minutes later she returned in her Jedi robes. "Oh, if you see Anakin before I do say thank you for staying with Nilyka"
"His mother woke up while you were asleep."
"I know, Anice told me." She replied, taking out her lightsabre.
"Which form do you favour?"
She smiled lightly "I'm a form three girl"
"Makes sense." He returned the smile.
Kyia placed her spare hand on her hip. "And what exactly do you mean by that Obi Wan Kenobi!" feigning outrage.
Obi Wan shook his head. "Its just you, that's all. The most defensive form of lightsabre technique, actually I was thinking of taking it up myself."
"Why?" Kyia questioned seriously, sensing something behind it.
The Jedi sighed wryly. "Lets just say I found my usual form four inadequate in certain situations."
"Naboo?"
He lowered his head. "Yes"
"So" She tilted her head up towards him mischievously. "Are we going to do this or are you going to wait for Solo to find me and show me some moves of his own."
He laughed out loud and suddenly he realised how long it had been "Do you think the Council would classify that as turning to the dark side?" He teased.
"Definitely" Kyia bit her lip in mock annoyance. "Ready?" She lit her sabre.
Obi Wan nodded and came behind her, awkwardly he reached over her shoulders. "Put your hands closer together, like this." He showed her on her lightsabre. "It will give you more flexibility in your movements."
"Okay" She said quietly over her shoulder.
He withdrew and lit his own sabre. "Close your eyes. Imagine the lightsabre is a part of your arm, an extension of you."
She closed her eyes and he did the same. He stretched out through the Force but felt only dissonance from Kyia, after a moment he heard her exhale with frustration and the snap-hiss of her lightsabre being turned off.
"I can't. And don't give me any of that do or do not stuff." Kyia replied stubbornly.
Obi Wan smiled shrewdly "I think we've found the problem."
"What's that?" She replied reading into his expression. "That I'm not bonded with my sabre or that I'm just too obstinate?"
"Probably both" He joked and then his expression returned to that of puzzlement. "Why don't you feel bonded to your lightsabre."
She shrugged. "Because it's supposed to be an extension of me, but its not." She paused trying for the right words. "When I trained with the Quelena's guard, I used my hands, my feet, everything but they're not really weapons. I can fine-tune the amount of pain I inflict to a degree, so I don't have to do more than necessary. You cannot do that with a lightsabre, its not even living, its dead."
Obi Wan shook his head, however he found himself feeling mildly respectful of her attitude "You're looking at it the wrong way, you can do that with a lightsabre, if you're in tune with the Force when you use it. You just have to accept that when you light it it's a last resort and that there is no other way to protect yourself and others except by using it "
She tilted her head to one side as if digesting this then closed her eyes in concentration. After a minute he raised his lightsabre against and she replied back with an awkward blocking stroke. He started lunging slowly but then started to increase their intensity. Kyia kept her eyes shut, blocking them all, but not making a single aggressive move.
The grass was covered in dew from the misting that had occurred earlier that night and at times he found it hard to keep his balance in the slow pace. Kyia was also having the same problem, still wearing the formal shoes from the gathering. He lunged at her forcibly. Kyia anticipated it too quickly and blocked it high in the air. At the same time her feet slipped on the wet grass, she fell forward, having nothing to grab on to but Obi Wan. He also dropped his lightsabre trying to counterbalance her weight, but the Jedi over compensated and fell forward, they both landed in a heap on the grass.
"Are you alright?" He asked
Kyia just characteristically laughed, "Told you I need help."
Suddenly she was highly aware of his closeness. Kyia's laughter stopped. Obi Wan realised he only had to tilt his head down and his own smile faded slowly as they held each other's gaze. The kiss was gentle and soft and for a second it seemed if everything had gone dark.
Obi Wan jumped up suddenly breaking the reverie. He coughed, his face a bright scarlet.
Kyia had also turned turquoise with mortification. "I'm really tired"
"Me too" He replied as they both escaped in different directions.