Naturally, I don't own any direct phrases or concepts that George Lucas and Lucasfilm would prefer I did not own. I suppose I own "Spark Vallen" since she is me ;) and "Jana Vnukova" is my friend for whom I am crafting this tale. Any other character references signify on "real life characters" found at . ;)
Twins, III
Spark vallen and Jana Vnukova waited patiently on a bench outside the Council chambers, hands folded in their laps. They'd both arrived early for their impromptu audience with the Jedi Council. Spark wore robes that were so dark they looked more black than navy blue over a beige tunic and pants. Jana wore a traditional brown robe over the same beige/cream outfit.
The chamber doorway hissed open and Jedi Knight Kir-wan Queren exited briskly, her facial expression composed, but her energy field gave her away. The Jedi was "bouncing off the walls" with joy.
"Hey Kir," Spark said, smiling at her former apprentice.
"Spark! Jana!" She ran over to hug both of them. "What're you both doing up here?"
"Audience with the Council. What else?" Spark said easily.
Jana nodded at that, with far less confidence than Spark seemed to display.
"What were you doing in there?"
Kir-wan winked. "Oh, you know. Progress reviews and all of that."
She nodded.
"I guess that means they are ready for you. May the Force be with you!"
"Thanks," they said in unison.
Jana laughed and added, "We are like twins sometimes, Spark!"
I was thinking the very same thing, she thought to herself. Straightening her robe, Spark took a calming breath and then stepped forward to enter the Jedi Council chamber.
Much like the main Temple on Coruscant, the chamber was round. Twelve chairs were arranged in a three-quarters circle so that the interviewee could see each Council member easily. And vice versa. Only five of the chairs were occupied that morning, as Spark and Jana entered.
"So, Spark, Jana, what brings you down here?" Jedi Master Joni C asked.
Without preamble, Spark explained, "Both Jana and I have had troubling emotions and sensations recently. We believe that the root of these may be some form of unrest that is calling. To us, I mean. We'd like the Council's permission to research and investigate these experiences as a potential issue."
Jana looked over at her mentor. Mark watched her, but otherwise gave no indication of feeling either way at Spark's declaration.
"Well. We appreciate your coming down here this time, Jedi Vallen," the Council Leader, Aaron Seeker said. He smiled knowingly.
Spark bowed from the neck, smiling back.
"Naturally, the first instinct would be to think that these emotions you've described are internal in nature rather than external," he went on. "Have you both explored this possibility?"
Both women knew that their pasts were checkered and that the Council would likely ask this of them first. After all, their own emotions had tended to get the better of them in the past. Yet another thing we have in common. Bizarre, thought Spark.
"Yes," she and Jana said. Spark added, "We had both explored our emotions in great detail, independently. Last night, we met up by chance in The Lounge and learned that we were both feeling the same way."
Joni, Aaron, Sapharin, Mark and Aldar nodded simultaneously.
"Is there any other information you'd want to share about this. Jana?"
She glanced toward her mentor again. "I feel the situation is very dangerous, Master. Something is wrong that needs our attention."
Aaron and Joni looked to each other, conferring silently. Finally, Aaron said, "The Coucnil will want to discuss this. To be honest, I'm glad you're asking to do research first rather than wishing to jump into a mission that will take you on a wild goose chase. That shows growth for you both." He paused. "But, we'll want to meditate on this and decide the best course for you both and the situation you believe is at hand."
Jana shifted and started to speak but Spark signalled with a slight hand movement. She waited.
"You may go. We'll contact you when we've reached a decision," Joni said.
Both Jedi bowed to the few Council members and retreated.
****************
"Why did you have me be quiet?" Jana demanded, once they were outside the Council chamber. "Did you not hear how Master Seeker spoke to us? He didn't take us seriously at all!"
"Jana," Spark said patiently as they walked to the turbolift, "Aaron has a funny way of talking sometimes. He'll say things that make you think he means something to test your reaction, even if he believes the opposite. And... really, we are both somewhat a risk. That much is true, correct?"
Reluctantly, she nodded. "We are. I have failed much here."
"No! That's not what I mean. Look at things from the Council's eyes if you can. We just gave them vague information and we both do have a past, sure. They are testing us always as much as the Force is testing us. This is just one more."
"Do you believe then that they'll grant us the time to research and investigate this?"
Spark bit her lip, thinking. "I honestly don't know. We can only wait and see."
Jana frowned as they stepped into the turbolift. "Do you think Mark is upset with me for not telling him this first?"
"Do you?"
She thought about the question, thrown back at her. "No... I don't think so. But who can read the mind of a Jedi Master?"
Who indeed, Spark thought.
Twins, III
Spark vallen and Jana Vnukova waited patiently on a bench outside the Council chambers, hands folded in their laps. They'd both arrived early for their impromptu audience with the Jedi Council. Spark wore robes that were so dark they looked more black than navy blue over a beige tunic and pants. Jana wore a traditional brown robe over the same beige/cream outfit.
The chamber doorway hissed open and Jedi Knight Kir-wan Queren exited briskly, her facial expression composed, but her energy field gave her away. The Jedi was "bouncing off the walls" with joy.
"Hey Kir," Spark said, smiling at her former apprentice.
"Spark! Jana!" She ran over to hug both of them. "What're you both doing up here?"
"Audience with the Council. What else?" Spark said easily.
Jana nodded at that, with far less confidence than Spark seemed to display.
"What were you doing in there?"
Kir-wan winked. "Oh, you know. Progress reviews and all of that."
She nodded.
"I guess that means they are ready for you. May the Force be with you!"
"Thanks," they said in unison.
Jana laughed and added, "We are like twins sometimes, Spark!"
I was thinking the very same thing, she thought to herself. Straightening her robe, Spark took a calming breath and then stepped forward to enter the Jedi Council chamber.
Much like the main Temple on Coruscant, the chamber was round. Twelve chairs were arranged in a three-quarters circle so that the interviewee could see each Council member easily. And vice versa. Only five of the chairs were occupied that morning, as Spark and Jana entered.
"So, Spark, Jana, what brings you down here?" Jedi Master Joni C asked.
Without preamble, Spark explained, "Both Jana and I have had troubling emotions and sensations recently. We believe that the root of these may be some form of unrest that is calling. To us, I mean. We'd like the Council's permission to research and investigate these experiences as a potential issue."
Jana looked over at her mentor. Mark watched her, but otherwise gave no indication of feeling either way at Spark's declaration.
"Well. We appreciate your coming down here this time, Jedi Vallen," the Council Leader, Aaron Seeker said. He smiled knowingly.
Spark bowed from the neck, smiling back.
"Naturally, the first instinct would be to think that these emotions you've described are internal in nature rather than external," he went on. "Have you both explored this possibility?"
Both women knew that their pasts were checkered and that the Council would likely ask this of them first. After all, their own emotions had tended to get the better of them in the past. Yet another thing we have in common. Bizarre, thought Spark.
"Yes," she and Jana said. Spark added, "We had both explored our emotions in great detail, independently. Last night, we met up by chance in The Lounge and learned that we were both feeling the same way."
Joni, Aaron, Sapharin, Mark and Aldar nodded simultaneously.
"Is there any other information you'd want to share about this. Jana?"
She glanced toward her mentor again. "I feel the situation is very dangerous, Master. Something is wrong that needs our attention."
Aaron and Joni looked to each other, conferring silently. Finally, Aaron said, "The Coucnil will want to discuss this. To be honest, I'm glad you're asking to do research first rather than wishing to jump into a mission that will take you on a wild goose chase. That shows growth for you both." He paused. "But, we'll want to meditate on this and decide the best course for you both and the situation you believe is at hand."
Jana shifted and started to speak but Spark signalled with a slight hand movement. She waited.
"You may go. We'll contact you when we've reached a decision," Joni said.
Both Jedi bowed to the few Council members and retreated.
****************
"Why did you have me be quiet?" Jana demanded, once they were outside the Council chamber. "Did you not hear how Master Seeker spoke to us? He didn't take us seriously at all!"
"Jana," Spark said patiently as they walked to the turbolift, "Aaron has a funny way of talking sometimes. He'll say things that make you think he means something to test your reaction, even if he believes the opposite. And... really, we are both somewhat a risk. That much is true, correct?"
Reluctantly, she nodded. "We are. I have failed much here."
"No! That's not what I mean. Look at things from the Council's eyes if you can. We just gave them vague information and we both do have a past, sure. They are testing us always as much as the Force is testing us. This is just one more."
"Do you believe then that they'll grant us the time to research and investigate this?"
Spark bit her lip, thinking. "I honestly don't know. We can only wait and see."
Jana frowned as they stepped into the turbolift. "Do you think Mark is upset with me for not telling him this first?"
"Do you?"
She thought about the question, thrown back at her. "No... I don't think so. But who can read the mind of a Jedi Master?"
Who indeed, Spark thought.