The Wedding of Luke Skywalker
By Ash Darklighter
Chapter 10
Disclaimer: The characters and situations in this story are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. I am not making so much as a credit from this endeavour. Thanks to the girls as usual.
Mara Jade's Apartment
Mara watched her door slide home for the second time and, as the red haze vanished from her vision, lifted her hand to check her throbbing knuckles. "Ouch!" she murmured, on a little sob of pain. "Got to find my med-kit. Got to find my med-kit," she chanted as if it were a mantra. Her mind was in total chaos. 'I've never done anything like that… ever. I have never lashed out hitting someone on impulse. I was trained to weigh up the odds and take the consequences – never chances. Even when I really wanted to kill him I refrained until the time was going to be right. I don't want to kill him any more or I didn't until five minutes ago. He's my friend and friends don't kiss each other like he just kissed me.'
Mara moved slowly and stiffly to the 'fresher. The light was too brightly clinical and she squinted warily at her reflection in the mirror above the sink as she ran the cold water over her bruised hand. What she saw didn't please her at all. The woman facing her was someone she didn't recognise - not looking like this. Her red-gold hair seemed to crackle with new found energy, rippling down her back in a mass of tangled curls. Her green eyes were dark and stormy, her face flushed and her mouth… Her mouth had the ripe, vulnerable look of someone who had been kissed long and hard. She had never looked so vitally alive in her entire life.
Her fingers gently touched her reddened lips. "I let him kiss me," she whispered. "I kissed him back. I think I… I think I… I can't!" she wailed. "Not after just one kiss. I can't, I don't know how to…" Mara couldn't quite bring herself to say the next word.
When Luke had placed his mouth upon hers, her eyelids had fluttered shut. Depriving herself of sight had made the sensation of his firm lips far more potent as they had covered hers, coaxing a response that she'd been only too eager to give.
Mara filled the basin with water and splashed some of it on her flushed cheeks. "What am I going to do now?" she asked the girl in the mirror. "Because I don't know."
The insistent sound of her com centre going off interrupted her. In a daze, Mara wandered through to her office and sat in front of the screen. As the identity of the caller became apparent Mara winced and was tempted to avoid answering but it would only cause more problems in the long run. 'Best to get it over with, Jade,' she told herself. 'Face up to your problems.' She'd more than faced up to her 'problem'. She'd almost knocked him unconscious. Had his sister felt the blow and that was why she was contacting Mara? It wasn't an entirely ludicrous idea. Skywalker and Leia were Force strong twins with a very powerful bond between them.
"Hello, Leia," she muttered, resignation written over her face.
"Mara! You're almost as difficult to get hold of as my brother is. Have you seen him, by the way?"
Mara rolled her eyes. "Have I seen him!" She scowled fiercely but her question had been answered. Leia didn't know that she'd hit Luke. It was a pity that she didn't because Mara was almost tempted to tell the regal Alderaanian woman just exactly what she'd done to her precious brother and why. However, Leia would ask some rather awkward and embarrassing questions. She was no fool.
Luke had kissed her and she'd responded. Then she'd hit him. Leia wouldn't leave it at that.
"Mara!" Leia called to get her attention. "Mara!" The other woman was sitting in a daze. "I take it that's a yes?"
Mara lifted her chin a little. "Sorry," she apologised for her momentary lapse of concentration. "I'm tired. Your brother… was still outside my apartment door last time I looked. He had better not still be there.
"Oh, Mara. Not another argument?"
"No, not this time." Mara refused to say more on that subject. "He should be home…" she checked her wrist chrono. "…about now or in five minutes or so. Try him then. I don't want to talk about him at the moment – thank you."
"Well I do." Leia's dark gaze sharpened shrewdly on the red-headed trader. "Are you okay, Mara? You seem a little… distrait." Her voice sounded concerned.
"I have a headache," Mara lied and then wondered if it actually was a lie. Her hand hurt – that wasn't a lie. Skywalker had a jaw made from durasteel. Her mouth twitched into a grim little half-smile. He hadn't been expecting the punch, that was clear.
"Hello, Mara." Han's cheerful face popped over his wife's shoulder as he pulled up a chair.
"Solo," Mara said. She didn't need this – not right now. Not when her mind was too frazzled to deal with everything that was happening to her. A dark lord of the Sith or the Emperor reborn yet again would be easier to deal with. Yes, she decided, she did have a headache. "I don't need you as well, Solo," she mumbled. "Leia is bad enough."
"Thanks, Jade."
Han's voice was aggrieved but she could tell by the calculating expression on his well-cut features that he had some sort of goal in mind. Her hand throbbed again reminding her of her problems.
"Are you okay, Jade?" Han echoed his wife's earlier question. "You seem a little strange. Not quite your usual self."
Mara's green eyes suddenly blazed with an inner fire and then, just as suddenly the flames were banked and under control. Han gave his wife a sideways glance and tapped his fingers against his mouth.
"What a peculiar thing to say." Mara's tone dripped ice. She was used to fending for herself and more than one person telling her she looked different made her barriers go up as she withdrew into her shell. "I said I had a headache."
"You do, huh?" Han commented. "You got painkillers in your med-kit?"
"Of course."
"Take two. It will get rid of the ache."
"Thank you, Doctor Solo." Mara's voice was cutting.
Leia decided to head off the possible contretemps between Mara and Han. They would learn nothing otherwise. "We spoke to Jedi Damsa earlier today at the new Jedi Centre," she said quietly. "What did you think of the facility? Jedi Damsa said Luke had given you a tour of the place this morning."
So they knew she had been with Luke for most of the day then. "It's very impressive," she returned distantly. "I can see why Luke is so pleased with its progress, although it is far from ready."
"He'll get there," said Han.
"I think it is nearer completion than you think, Mara," said Leia.
"Perhaps."
"Most of the structural work has been finished for some time but Luke was unwilling to let others complete the place without him being there to supervise."
"Now, why doesn't that surprise me," muttered Mara.
"He wanted to do it himself," Han said irritably. "What's so wrong about that?"
Mara sighed. She was taking her bad mood out on the Solos and they didn't deserve it. "There's nothing wrong with that at all," she apologised, trying to gather her wayward thoughts together.
"He's planning on moving into his new apartment within the next few days," Leia told Mara
"He did say he had living quarters set up. I wondered why his apartment was barer than usual. It makes sense."
"How does Luke seem to you, Mara, now that you've seen him a few times?" Leia was clearly worried.
"Not like himself," Mara admitted reluctantly. "His moods are very changeable. One minute he is depressed, just like he was when Cal… when she left. The next, he is almost too cheerful for my peace of mind and he's not sleeping properly. It always spells trouble… always."
"Like he was in love?" Leia asked slyly.
Mara flinched and hoped that the Solos hadn't seen the tell-tale twitch. "I wouldn't know about that," Mara said coolly. "Ask him. I do not pretend to understand the workings of the Skywalker brain."
"But you know about his upcoming marriage," Han said, watching her face carefully.
"I know that he thinks he has to marry but until I see him produce a human woman or the female of some other species, I cannot see it happening. He talks about it but has done nothing to make me think he has a bride tucked away somewhere safe. He says there is one and he knows who she is. I think it's ridiculous. Unless…"
Han's hazel eyes sharpened to chips of amber. "You don't? Unless what?"
"Mara!" Leia's voice was suddenly sharp. "Has Luke given you any clue?"
Mara shook her head slowly. If she hadn't seen Khata Ellynin, she might have thought… No, that was a stupid idea, but the recollection of his kiss teased her senses. If she hadn't seen the way Luke had gazed at the beautiful Mirialan, Mara might have thought that the Jedi Master was interested in herself. "There is this young woman who came on the Yavin shuttle. She's very beautiful – a Mirialan…"
"Khata Ellynin?" Leia questioned. "But she's…"
"A possibility," interrupted Han, a broad smile on his face. "Jade…"
"Yes."
"I think you do understand the Skywalker brain. I think you understand him very well indeed. I think it is your own feelings you're having trouble with." He gave her a wink.
Mara scowled. "You've lost me, Solo. Leia, speak to your brother yourself. I may be renewing my long dormant vow to kill him. These nightmares he's having are keeping me awake too."
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The Solo Apartment
"Why did you interrupt?" Leia asked Han after the com connection had been cut. "You've just said to Mara that Luke is interested in Khata."
"I didn't say that."
"You as good as did."
"Ah, but I didn't – she did. There's a difference. A bit of jealousy…"
"Can cause a lot of problems," Leia finished.
Han grinned and slouched back in his chair. "Mara was clearly rattled about something."
"She wasn't very helpful."
"Did you expect her to be? Your brother…" He touched the tips of his fingers together. "Your brother is interested in Khata Ellynin."
"Yes, but as a Jedi Knight, not as a woman. Besides she's already betrothed."
"To the Twi'lek. What's his name again?"
"Bebo."
"Yes, Bebo. The kids loved him last time they were on Yavin."
"He's very good with children." Leia gave her husband a very wifely look. "You, Han Solo, are meddling."
"Me!" Han opened his eyes wide. "Why would I do a thing like that and how would you know that I was doing it?"
Leia raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "I can't think why. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Han smirked. "No," he murmured dryly. "Mara obviously doesn't know that Bebo's betrothed to Khata."
"No, it seems not, and you let her go on thinking that."
"Yup."
"I knew Luke wasn't sleeping - I could see how tired he was - but I didn't know he was getting nightmares every night."
"Nightmares that Mara seems to be getting too."
"I think she's receiving Luke's dreams. He must be reaching out to someone and finding Mara. They must be forming quite a Force bond for that to happen."
"Like you have with Luke?"
Leia nodded. "Yes, but the bond that Jaina and Jacen share, like the one I share with Luke, is a sibling one. Mara and Luke are not related."
"But the Force wants them to be."
"Yes. I guess it does." Leia rubbed her eyes tiredly and then looked at her husband. "One of Mara's strongest gifts is being able to communicate through the Force over long distances. She could communicate with the Emperor from wherever she was in the galaxy."
"I wouldn't ever suggest to Mara that she has replaced her ability to contact old Palpy with Jedi Master Luke."
Leia's eyes widened with horror. "That's the last thing you should suggest. Never even think about it in her presence. Any chance of Luke and Mara getting together would be gone forever."
"I couldn't do that to the kid. Besides, I like Mara - bad temper, red hair and all. Let's call your brother, sweetheart. I want to see what I can do at his end of the proceedings."
"Are you really sure you want to interfere?"
"This is Luke and Mara. You've already had your shot at meddling. It's my turn. If I don't interfere, nothing will happen."
"Well…"
"Leia!"
"Oh, all right. I agree."
"Go on, sweetheart. Get brother Luke on the com."
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The smile on Leia's face faded as she beheld her brother's appearance. A large bruise was beginning to form on his firm chin. "Luke!" she gasped. "What happened?"
"I walked into something." Luke's voice was surly.
Han sniggered and Luke glared laser bolts at him. "I thought Jedi didn't just walk into things. Where's that well-developed danger sense you say that you all have?"
Luke flushed. "I was distracted."
"Jade didn't hit you for getting fresh with her?" Even as he said it, Han wondered if his comment was as ludicrous as it seemed, but Mara had looked as if she'd been indulging in the galactic sport of kissing. Would Luke be brave enough to do that with her? Not that the Jedi Master was a coward. That was the last thing any one could, or would accuse him of being. Luke tended to be the opposite of cowardly – a little too courageous for his own good. He also had this reckless streak the width of the Kathol Rift. 'Must be why we get on so well,' he thought. And had to be why Luke was nursing a nicely developing bruise. The reckless part of him had won out over the Jedi Master restraint.
Leia observed her brother carefully as Han had casually thrown his comment at her brother. 'Coming on to Mara Jade!' She had been about to dismiss her husband's idea as mere foolishness but the expression on Luke's face gave her pause for thought. He had blushed an even deeper hue than he already was – if that were possible.
Well, well, well.
Leia looked at her husband who gave her a knowing grin. They'd both instantly reached the same conclusion. Sabacc!
"I would get your face checked over, kid," Han advised Luke. Something told him not to pry any further.
"It's only bruised, Han." Luke gingerly tested the area of changing colour on his chin. "I think."
"When can I hold the reception for the Jedi Knights?"
"It will have to be soon, Leia," Luke answered, glad to have the change of subject. "Most of them start shipping out next week."
"Next week!" Leia echoed. "But…!"
"Otherwise it will be too late."
"Too late? But Luke."
"Most of them have far to travel. They are going home to spend a little time with friends and families before they embark on life as a Jedi. It's not an easy life as we know. At the moment I can grant them a little respite before they go wherever they're required. They deserve time to be with their loved ones. I believe that they can gain much strength from their support. Who knows where they will be and what they will be doing in a year's time? The Emperor said that faith and love was a weakness - having friends left you vulnerable. I disagree."
"It's a good philosophy, Luke."
He attempted a smile and winced as his jaw ached. "The graduation ceremony has been booked in the small audience chamber in the Senate building the day after tomorrow and then Khata and Bebo's wedding is the day after that."
"But Luke… You've left me no time. What about invitations and the organisation?"
Han chuckled.
"It's not funny, Han." Leia was indignant.
"If I know you, sister dear, I bet that you have already got it organised and the invitations out."
Han laughed. "Not quite, but pretty near it."
"I'm sure you'll manage," Luke chuckled and then wished he hadn't as his jaw vehemently protested such ill-usage.
"She will, kid."
"No surprise there," Luke agreed.
"You any better, kid?" Han asked seriously and Luke knew what he was talking about.
"I'm fine," he replied calmly. "Coming to terms with everything and trying to take another chance."
"Shows you're still alive, Luke."
"Yeah!" Luke sent a brief mental caress to his sister. "I'm all right. You're only dead when you feel no pain?"
"Something like that, kid."
"My jaw is definitely telling me that I'm alive. I'm certainly feeling something… pain."
Leia smiled, a suspicion of a tear in her dark eyes. She wanted him to be happy but he wasn't there yet.
"I'd better go. I have a lot of things to sort out before I get any sleep. I want to move the last of my things out of this apartment and into the new one first thing tomorrow morning."
"Need any help?" Han asked.
Luke shook his head. "Nope. Artoo's got most of it covered. If I do need you I'll get in touch."
"Luke!"
"Yeah?"
"Try flowers."
Han cut the link with the satisfaction of having had the last word. He simply imagined Luke's face as he was left looking at the blank screen.
********************************
Han was triumphant. He was totally right and now he knew it. His old instincts hadn't let him down. "Walked into something, my furry Wookiee! He walked into something all right. The kid walked into Mara Jade's fist."
Leia chuckled. "Yes."
The couple moved back into their lounge and Han poured them both a drink.
"I wonder what Luke did to Mara that made her so mad that she punched him," Leia said.
Han tapped his lips. Leia recalled he had done that when she was speaking to Mara. The significance of the little gesture suddenly registered.
"Of course!" she breathed. Her mouth hung open in shock. Not only had her brother's chin looked bruised, his lips had seemed to be red and a little swollen. She'd missed that little piece of evidence but her sharp-eyed husband had not. "He did kiss her… Force, Luke! You're braver than I thought."
Han took a large gulp of his whiskey. "Yes, Mara had the appearance and the manner of a woman who had been kissed quite thoroughly."
"And I suppose you know exactly how a woman looks…?" Leia's voice was arch.
"A true gentleman never kisses and tells," Han said virtuously. "But I'd be happy to provide a demonstration."
****************************************
Luke Skywalker's Apartment
"Try flowers."
Luke groaned. Why couldn't he keep anything secret from his interfering family and now they had strong suspicions about the identity of the woman he was in love with. No, they didn't just suspect – they knew. His wily Corellian brother-in-law had always had a thing about Luke and Mara matching up together. 'As long as they don't tell her before I do. It's a good thing my pride has been trampled on so many times that I'm not too upset,' he thought.
He sighed. The feeling that he was deceiving Mara was niggling away at his conscience. She thought he was in love with someone else or at least ready to propose. Yes, he was ready. He loved her and wanted to marry her in the beautiful octagonal meditation room, but she might not see it that way. She would think that his method of getting her to be with him was deceitful. He didn't want to hurt her. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
If he was lucky she might speak to him again - if she hadn't blasted her way off Coruscant already.
"Artoo!" he called to the little droid. "I have a dangerous mission for you to undertake on my behalf."
******************************************
Mara Jade's Apartment
Mara kept replaying the events of that evening over and over in her mind as she prepared for bed. Her body flushed with heat as she recalled his kiss. She'd never imagined that just a kiss from Luke Skywalker would make her want so much more. Then she'd actually hit him. She'd been so confused with all the feelings coursing through her mind and body that she'd reacted the only way that she could. With anger.
She inspected her knuckles, wincing at the slightly purplish bruising that had appeared on her creamy skin. She was tempted to start a little self-healing but as a reminder of her bad temper, she let it be.
She slipped off the last of her clothes, walked naked into the 'fresher and switched on the shower. Dousing her head thoroughly under the hot water she observed herself in the foggy reflecting tiles on the wall. She saw a slender woman, her hair plastered wetly to her skull as the water ran over it, down over shapely breasts and slim hips. Mara grabbed her bottle of cleanser and began to wash her hair. The soap streamed over her creamy skin and the ordinary task of washing the accumulated sweat and grime of the day from herself began to relax the tension from her shoulders. She finished rinsing the cleanser from her body and stepped from the shower wrapping a thick, fluffy blue towel securely around herself.
With a sigh she started packing a bag. There would be no point in meeting Luke for a sparring session and dance lesson tomorrow. Luke had appeared to be more stunned than angry after she'd connected with his jaw but his anger was sometimes a slow growing process. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Luke really angry. The control he had over his emotions was phenomenal and a little frightening. Yet, when he'd kissed her, Mara thought that his control had slipped. He'd certainly appeared to have been affected by their kiss but Mara hadn't been taking notes at the time. She'd not been thinking clearly at all.
There was little point in remaining on Coruscant. Tomorrow she would do her tasks for Karrde and then leave. Maybe her boss was still on Esseles or perhaps she could just hole up on a resort planet far from the Core Region.
Why had she developed feelings for Luke Skywalker? She gave a bitter laugh. She was reluctant to call it love but that was the only thing it could be. Why had it taken her so long to develop feelings for Luke Skywalker was perhaps a better question. He was kind and gentle but so were a lot of people. He was handsome.... Mara gave an unwilling smile. She wasn't someone that was taken in by good looks alone. The outward appearance was just a shell. It was what that person was inside that counted. Luke's eyes held such pain and such wisdom. She wanted to ease his pain and learn from his wisdom. Mara wanted to be with him when his eyes brightened to the colour of the sky above their heads on a sunny day. If you truly knew him, you could gauge his moods by the way his eyes changed colour. He had given her his trust when no one in the whole galaxy had. He'd believed in her totally. Mara sank down on the bed, feeling her heart thudding in her breast. Of course she loved him.
He couldn't marry Khata Ellynin. She was all wrong for Luke. Mara didn't know the Mirialan female but she just knew instinctively that she wasn't right for the Jedi Master. Ellynin could never be his true equal. Even though this marriage was ordained by the Force, the future was always in motion after all. Mara seized on Yoda's old saying that Luke had quoted at her so many times. She didn't believe Luke wanted to marry the other Jedi either. Mara's brain was beginning to wake up.
She pulled the clothes out of her travel bag and returned them to their places. Perhaps she wouldn't leave Coruscant. Perhaps it was time to do some planning of her own. The memory of Luke still standing outside the door where she had left him, looking as dazed as she had felt made her smile. Yes, the kiss had affected them both.
Suddenly her door chime sounded. Mara frowned. She hadn't sensed anyone coming. Security hadn't called through with any problems.
Mara wrapped her towel around her body a little firmer and called her saber to her hand. She didn't sense any danger but it was better to be well prepared. Mara carefully peered through a tiny aperture in her door and blinked in surprise.
Without hesitation she slapped at her door control and watched the door slide aside. In front of her was what looked to be an enormous bouquet of beautiful white lilies… On wheels?
The flowers trembled and then beeped.
Mara took a double take. The flowers were definitely beeping and they were moving forward.
"Artoo!" The credit dropped.
There was a burst of impassioned electronic speech.
"Okay, Artoo. You can come in."
"The droid rolled forward and hesitated.
"It's okay, Artoo. I don't do disintegrations any more."
The astromech moaned, rolled forward a little more and then, putting on a burst of speed to get through Mara's door, banged into the wall. The flowers had almost completely obscured his optical receptor.
Mara gazed down at the little astromech droid. "I'm sorry, Artoo. I didn't realise that you couldn't see properly. This way…" She guided him into her apartment. "I don't know what you are saying." Mara peered round the doorframe, her hand clutching nervously at her towel to keep it in place. There was no fair-haired, blue-eyed man following. Just his faithful droid bearing flowers. With a sigh she let the door close.
Artoo rolled towards a computer jack and plugged himself in with a satisfied whirr.
Mara ran into her bedchamber and pulled on her sleeping shift before returning to her lounge and Luke Skywalker's peace offering. Because that's what it was, Mara knew for certain.
The droid started tooting again and Mara began to free Artoo from his flowery costume. Luke had crammed flowers wherever Artoo had something that would hold them. The heady scent of the white lilies drifted through her room. Mara stood there, her heart quivering and her head buried in the armful of flowers. Where had he managed to find this many flowers at this time of night? "Oh, Luke" she whispered.
She didn't notice Artoo surreptitiously activate his holo-recorder. Master Luke would want to see that his gift was appreciated.
"Artoo!" Mara turned to the droid. "Did he send a message?"
Artoo beeped an affirmative, turned off his recording device and activated his holoviewer. Luke's figure shimmered into the air in front of her. Mara stretched out her hand in a silent apology even though he wouldn't see it. With misgiving she noted that he was wearing his Jedi blacks.
"Mara… I'm sorry. Please forgive me for the liberties I took. I hope you will accept my apology and still meet with me tomorrow. I would like to set things right between us." Luke's face was remote, the expression in his eyes troubled. "I would not like to lose your friendship and support. Whatever happens between us, those are things which are very important to me."
Mara watched until Artoo ceased playback and Luke's figure vanished. The little droid beeped a question and Mara bent her head to read the display. "You want to know if I'll still be here tomorrow?" She walked through to the kitchen, placed the flowers in the sink and ran water to keep them alive. Deep in thought, she walked back through to her lounge.
Artoo repeated his question.
Mara turned to the droid and nodded. "I'll be there. You can tell him that."
Artoo whirred and then tooted sadly.
"You want to me to see another holo-recording before you leave? Why?"
Artoo rotated his domed head. He was doing this to help his master although he suspected Master Luke might schedule him for a memory wipe if he found out. He didn't answer her; he just powered up his playback function and produced the recording he'd taken the previous evening.
The holo-recording showed a small darkened bedroom decorated in sombre colours and with heavy, oppressive furniture. A figure lay on a bed, but not in the calm depths of sleep. This figure was moving, the covers tangled and knotted around his hips, his naked torso glistening with sweat as he tossed and muttered, his hands reaching out for something or someone. This man was suffering. "Luke… stars!"
'Mara!'
Mara stiffened. It was just like she'd experienced but seeing it made it even more real. He was calling for her. She could see the agony in his face and hear the tortured pain in his voice. Why was Luke calling for her and not his sister or the woman he was going to marry? Why was it always Mara?
'Mara! I can't get to you… always something in the way. Please, Mara…'
'Keep me safe, Mara.'
'You've always been there…' His voice slurred and grew drowsy. 'Always… I… I…' 'Keep me safe, Mara.'
'You've always been there…' he repeated. 'Always… I… I…'
Mara sank down upon a chair. "Why did you show this to me, Artoo?"
The little droid disconnected himself from her computer socket and sadly tootled a quiet answer.
"It was something you thought I had to see." Mara wondered how Luke could command so much devotion not just from his people but also from his droids. "You think your master needs me?"
Artoo swivelled his head and beeped a few more comments.
"You don't want to say too much and get in trouble but we're not thinking straight. Biological life forms have no common sense? Artoo!" Mara exclaimed trying not to laugh. "I think I have a lot of sense."
Artoo made a sound that was halfway between a snort and a raspberry. "Not where Master Luke is concerned." The smile faded from her face. "You could be right."
The little droid jiggled from side to side.
"You have to go?" Mara enquired. "I understand. You've been away longer than you should have for just making a delivery. You'll manage to get home?"
Artoo beeped and rolled towards her door.
"Thank you, Artoo." Mara said quietly. She pressed the door release and watched as Luke's droid rolled out of her apartment and disappeared towards the turbolift. Mara didn't know that Luke was waiting for his faithful servant outside Mara's building, cloaking his presence and the Jedi Master didn't know that Mara had been shown two holos, not one.
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