Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, because if I did, I wouldn't have to write fan fiction...I'd get money just for writing stuff like this. Star Wars is owned by George Lucas and is his property because he created it. Mara Jade is the creation of Timothy Zahn, on the other hand Koreen, Tevai, and Dabous, are my own creations, please don't use unless you ask me first.
Author's Note: Splinter idea inspired by The Entrance Exam. You don't have to read the other short story to understand this one, but it wouldn't hurt either. Basically this is what has kept me from updating my other stories...hope you all enjoy, and don't worry, I'm still working on the others...oh and I apologize for any OOC-ness
A Study Break
"I'm telling you the answer is 'b.'" A young Tevai Crantu stated as his friend and twin sister walked through the long hallway. The three were currently taking a study break from the upcoming diplomatic corps entrance exam.
"And I'm telling you brother of mine the answer is 'a.'" Koreen argued.
"No, your brother is right; the answer is 'b;' see, it's says so in the study guide." Their mutual friend, Dabous replied.
"And I'm telling you that the guide is wrong."
"Hmph, I don't understand girls." Dabous muttered.
"And what's that suppose to mean?" Koreen demanded.
"You know, sis," her twin started. "You're always saying how we-" he point towards Dabous and himself, "-don't know anything about romance, love, or women."
"That's because you don't," she quipped back.
"Hey," Dabous exclaimed his tone slightly indignant, "I know about romance."
"No, you're both idiots." She deadpanned as they finally reached the entrance of the viewing center at the former Imperial Palace. They were going to watch the meteor shower over the skies of Coruscant, and luckily, the twins' father was able to get them passes to the very top, an area where access was restricted to high ranking officials and diplomats within the New Republic.
"I know I should feeling offended by that remark, but oddly enough, I'm not."
"Maybe because you know it's true."
He shook his head, "No, that's not it."
She rolled her eyes at his antics at they made their way past various other people to find a place to view the coming shower.
"Fine if you're such an expert than tell me what's wrong with the scenario:
Jedi goes to destroy Imperial made super weapon.
Jedi discovers spirit of former Jedi on said super weapon.
Jedi falls in love with spirit.
Jedi figures out how to destroy super weapon.
Jedi realizes his love dies if the super weapon is destroyed.
Jedi's love still insists on destroying said weapon.
Jedi escapes as spirit initiates self-destruct.
Jedi believes his love dies in explosion.
Jedi and friends discover life pod with one life-form onboard.
Jedi and friends realizes that spirit found a way to become corporeal.
Jedi and former Jedi live happily ever after." Tevai explained.
"Except that's not what really happened." His twin pointed out; "Remember, they lived together for a while, but then she left."
"Yeah, well rumor was that they were going to get married."
"But she still left," Koreen stressed. "And as far as the public knows, she hasn't come back."
"Well, if you want to get all technical about it."
"No way you want me to believe that you think a Jedi meeting a deranged manic declaring to kill him to be romantic." Dabous deadpanned.
She widened her eyes a bit, "Not when you put it that way." She exclaimed as she turned to face them. Being distracted by their topic of conversation, the trio didn't notice the amused glances two women exchanged as the three of them walked by them. "Look, I know that you don't believe me, but trust me. The answer is 'a.'"
"Hey, I know how to resolve this once and for all." Tevai stated.
"Oh, really?" His friend raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, we'll just see what happens when we take the exam next week."
"But there's no guarantee that the question will be on the exam;" she pointed out.
"So, we'll just go off the latest guide."
"The guide book hasn't been updated in years."
"Yes, it has."
"The military section has, yes, but the personal section hasn't."
"How do you know?"
"They still refer to the wedding between the Prince of Bevut to the Lady Serniis as a recent event." She told them as if that would explain everything.
"So?" Was the confused response she got from her twin; clearly not seeing the connection.
"The wedding happened four years ago." She quickly informed him.
"Really? You know, I didn't even notice that," her brother stated. Turning his head to face his friend, Tevai asked, "did you?"
"What wedding?"
She rolled her eyes at the two as if annoyed by their antics, but the grin on her face betrayed her amusement. "Guys," she half muttered.
"Yup, and damn proud of it too!" Dabous quipped.
They laughed for a moment before getting back to the subject at hand.
"Look, there is no way that the two of them are marrying because they're in love with each other."
"And what? You two believe that their marriage is a stipulation in the peace process?" Her tone was incredulous. Her face displayed even more disbelief when she saw their reactions betray an affirmative to her question. "You're both idiots," she murmured; "I bet you anything that I'm right." She almost whispered to herself absently.
Of course the only words her companions heard were "I bet." Their attention piqued, Tevai turned to her, "Really? How much?"
"Excuse me?" Koreen asked surprised at the abrupt turn the conversation took.
"Hey that's a good idea, how about 100 credits." Dabous proposed.
"Wait, I-"
"That sounds good."
"-You guys-"
"There. 100 credits to each of use if we're right and if we're wrong, we'll each give you 100 credits."
"I can agree to that." Dabous stated.
"-But, I-"
"Then it's a deal," Tevai continued.
"All right! Easiest 100 credits I've ever made."
"Yeah, since you'll be down 200 credits, we'll be nice an go get some food. You don't mind nerf burgers, right?
"Huh?" she asked her mind still reeling from the sudden twists that had just occurred, "Oh, yeah, nerf burgers are fine." She told them absently.
"Neat," one of them responded, "we'll be back soon."
She stood there for a while as her brain tried to comprehend what had just occurred a minute ago. When the reality of the situation began to sink into her mind, her eyes widened; and she almost shrieked out her indignation. Luckily, she remembered where she was so it only came out as a strangled coughing fit. She was so distracted she didn't even hear the two women from before come up to her.
"Are you all right?" One of them asked.
Koreen nodded but at that point decided to put her head down as she began to breathe again. "Why is it that guys are so...so..."
"Blind?" The other woman offered.
"Stubborn?"
"Obtuse?"
"Dense?"
"STUPID!" Koreen exclaimed as she lifted her head up for a moment before placing it back down into her hands.
"We were going to mention that one, weren't we?"
"Oh, it's somewhere on the list, I'm sure of it." The two continued calmly as if Korren's explosion hadn't occurred.
"Yes, it's after 'moronic and idiotic.'"
"Really? I thought it was before."
