Knights and Eros Bound
Chapter 21
When Anakin and Schurke returned to their quarters, they were greeted with the pleasant smells of breakfast cooking.
"I hope you're hungry!" Kampher's voice lilted from the kitchenette.
"Kam," Schurke called back, trying to control his excitement. "We're meeting her tonight."
"Her?" Kampher replied as she carried two plates to the table. "You mean Gris?"
Anakin nodded, handing her the data sheet. "10 local time," he said shortly. "Kam, I don't like this…"
"Neither do I," Schurke admitted. "Something just doesn't feel right."
"It'll be fine." Kampher replied shortly, and then she added with a forced cheeriness, "I have breakfast ready!"
Schurke strolled over to her and gently put an arm around her waist. "Smells wonderful," he purred and once again, Anakin felt like he wanted to be somewhere else.
"Sorry, Toboo," Schurke grinned, noticing Anakin's obvious discomfort.
"No, it's quite all right," Anakin replied, all be it a little unconvincingly. "I… I know that things are… well… different between you now…"
"But that doesn't change things between us…" Kampher added for emphasis. "Ani…"
"I'm not very hungry anyway," Anakin said suddenly. "Can I meet up with you later?"
"Where are you going, Toboo?" Schurke asked, the concern evident in his voice.
"I miss Padmé," Anakin admitted softly. "I want to send her a message. I can send it through Senator Binks, safer that way…"
"Take this," Kampher said as she handed him a direct comlink. "If you're not in contact with us every half an hour…"
"Yes Master Obi-Wan," Anakin grinned as he headed out the door. "And if you don't reply…"
"We'll reply," Kampher cut him off as she blushed. "One way or another."
Anakin winked at them as he walked out the door, light saber concealed beneath his dress coat.
When he reached the outside, Anakin took a deep breath, which he quickly exhaled. The main city of Ord Mantel was nothing like Theed. The air and atmosphere stank of corruption and misery, and it made him long for Padmé and Naboo even more. He knew that just standing there was an invitation to trouble, and he quickly made his way to the message center.
After sending the message to Coruscant and not feeling particularly anxious to go back to their rooms, Anakin made his way into a local cantina. He ordered a drink and waved away the pleasure giver that sidled up to him the moment he sat down. "No… thank you," he said politely as a second woman snaked her way over to him.
Suddenly, he whipped his arm around, thrusting out his left hand. In an instant, a vibro-blade leapt into his waiting fingers.
"You're good Anakin…" came a sultry voice. "Much better than you used to be. Care to buy an old friend a drink?"
Anakin ignored the barb and without looking behind, he addressed his attacker.
"Hello Gris…"
"Hello Gris? That's all you can say?" Gris Chevel sidled up to him and Anakin shifted aside, ostensibly to give her more room. The truth of the matter, however, was that her very presence made him uncomfortable, like a draft of cold air in an otherwise warm room.
"So?" Anakin said sharply without ceremony. "What do you want from us? You said you wanted to talk, but…"
"Oh come on Anakin," Gris replied venomously. "You know that the Order is doomed. Their way of life is fading and archaic…"
"What has that to do with anything?" Anakin snapped. "We are what we are…"
"But that's just the point Anakin," Gris soothed, switching tracts. "We're not and you know it. So do Kam and Schurke."
She allowed Anakin to mull this over as she signaled the waitress to bring them both a drink.
"Schurke with his need for physical pleasure, Kampher, with her mysterious gifts…" Here she paused for dramatic effect, her eyes sparkled with delight. "And you… gifted beyond all the rest yet held back at almost every turn."
Anakin swallowed the last of his drink in one gulp, and turned away.
"You know it to be true Anakin," she purred. "Perhaps it's time to move on as I have. I can show you things I've learned in my short time away. Ways to use your gifts… expand them…"
"What of Schurke? And Kam?" Anakin said quietly. "Especially Kam?"
"She's misguided," Gris replied, her tone softening. "I can lead her in the right direction; show her where she's gone astray. Such gifts such as hers… such as yours…" Now she slid closer, pressing her body next to his. She touched his cheek with her fingertips, much as Schurke had done on the transport. Uncomfortable, Anakin began to move over, almost pressing himself against the wall.
Suddenly, Gris stood up and tossed a handful of coins on the table. "There's for the drinks," she said, once again all business. "Use the rest on one of the pleasure givers. It appears that you have more in common with the Jedi than I thought, always needing something that you're just not willing to take. I'll see you tonight, Anakin, but think well on what I have said." With that, she was gone.
Anakin began to tremble, and the trembles became the shakes. Something about Gris.., the things she said, what she had implied, disturbed and intrigued him, repulsed and fascinated him. It was too much.
His com began to chime, startling him.
"Yes," he said shortly.
"Anakin, are you alright?" Kampher voice echoed nervously from the com. "I… We felt something."
"I'm fine," he replied. "It's nothing, just nerves I guess."
"When will you be back?" Kam asked carefully, as if sensing his unease. "Are you having supper with us?"
"Of course," Anakin reassured her. "I'm going to find a place to work off some energy. Skywalker out."
He snapped off the com, unwilling to carry on the conversation any further, lest it lead to somewhere he wasn't willing to go, at least not now, not yet.
Walking out of the bar, Anakin left the coins on the table untouched.