DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. I am in no way getting financial gain from the publication of this story. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and some characters from Knights of the Old Republic are copyright to Lucas Arts, Bio-ware and Obsidian.
Afterlife
Chapter 7
As Carth confronted the Jedi Council, Alora was once again meditating. It was the only thing she could to do keep herself from going fanatical. She missed stretching out on top of the Ebon Hawk getting a tan. She missed joking around with Mission, the pleasant talks with Juhani, the war stories from Canderous, and the tales that Jolee had to share. She loved everymember of the Ebon Hawk like a family.
Finally Alora awoke out of her meditation and stared at the open door that was four to five feet away. Seeing the sun shining down upon Coruscant, the Jedi Padawan's, droids, and children hustle about made her long to be released from this cage, this dungeon. Sighing Alora leaned back against the cold concrete wall and began to wonder off into nothingness. Letting her mind hop from one thought to another. She remembered the time when she fist met Carth to the time she finally confronted Malak. She remembered memories of joy, regret and sorrow. While she was thinking, her hands were behind her head and her usually braided hair rested on top of her hands. Normally her brown hair was sleek and smooth, though this time her hair was tangled and dull. While relaxing and letting her mind wander, a thought suddenly reached her mind, which brought a small smile upon her face and caused her eyes to come to life.
Upon entering the Ebon Hawk everyone stared at Alora, trying to hide their amused smile. Carth couldn't help but give a small smirk while turning away to hide his laughter. Jolee just shook his head and walk away. However, Mission was the one to break the silence and the muffled laugher. "Hey, Alora, what did you do? Dump yourself into Red Juma Juice or something?
Alora was obviously confused for her head was slightly tilted to the side and asked in a wondrous and curious voice "What do you mean Mission?" "Well…You're red, all over! Here let me show you." She then pulled Alora by the arm to a mirror and pointed for Alora to look.
Afraid of what she might see Alora slowly looked up at the mirror and almost gave a small eek of shock. "I-I'm all red! Look at me! My arms, my head are red, but, but my eyes are circled with white, where my goggles were!" Finally Alora looked down and saw that her once pale skin now looked like a raw piece if meat. Slightly embarrassed she went to her dormitory and sat down upon a light red, to slightly pink blanket. Lying down despite her body being covered with Tatooine sand she looked up to the ceiling, not even noticing Carth standing here.
Carth broke the silence and said "Oh! There you are! It was hard to tell you apart from that blanket with your new look and all." He smirked at her but suddenly said quietly "uh, oh" as a pillow came flying his way. Being to slow to duck he received a face full of pillow.
However, when morning arrived Alora found it hard to move. Her muscles being sore from fighting Calo Nord to the sunburn on her skin she walked around like a she had been ironed. With her face even redder and the circles around her eyes making her look like a new species or something. Canderous in his annoying state walked up to Alora and hit her on the back as hard as he could "hello!" he said. Though he couldn't help but laugh as he saw the scrunched up face of Alora. "My, my you look like a Kinrath pup!" Alora was insulted and opened her mouth in protest but no words were formed. Now Alora knew how Bastlia felt when she told her she looked like a Kinrath pup a few months ago. Shaking her head she continued on, trying not to act like a walking board.
Remembering the whole scene made her laugh a little and caused her to walk around, trying to think of any other "funny" moments.
Suddenly Carth lost his sense of anger, his sense of hatred. Instead he felt more of annoyance enter into him then anything. It was like he had given up on the Jedi Council. Or perhaps he knew that he could not win with them. They always stayed calm while he threatened to "blow up". Finally, speaking as calmly as he could Carth asked the Jedi Council sitting before him, "Please, will you allow me to see her? Just this once?" He looked at every member of the Jedi Council almost pleading with them to allow him to see the women he loved just this one time. It was almost amusing to see Carth turn from anger to almost a heartbroken man in just a few minutes. Instead of hate filling his deep, chocolate eyes there was a sense of begging, a sense of innocence's. Like a child begging his mother to let him have just one cookie. His heart ached for her, to see her would heal his wounded, aching heart for the time being. It would be enough to keep him calm until Alora was released from the Jedi Council's grasp.
The room was silent within the Council's chamber. The silent whispers, the faint sounds of water falling in the distance could be heard, if just barely. Finally after a long silence and much deliberation from the Jedi Masters they had finally reached a decision. However, the disagreement was mostly between Master Vrook and Master Vandar. However, both Master Kavar and Master Selwyn had no problem in letting this man see the woman he loved. What was their conclusion? They agreed that there would be no harm in allowing Carth Onasi to see Padawan Alora for an hour, but that was all. There would be no negotiating and certainly no expectations. However, before the agreement was made between the Jedi Masters and Carth the Council made sure that Carth understood the rules and the strict conditions that Carth must follow. If Carth did not abide by these rules and conditions, they would be forced to escort him to the city streets just outside the Jedi temple and put a slight "probation" policy on Carth. Despite his disagreement with the rest of the Council, Master Vrook spoke to Carth and said "Very well. We will allow you to see Padawan Alora this one time." These words however, were echoed with great reluctance.
Master Selwyn then summoneda Jedi Padawn to the Council Chamber to escort Carth Onasi to the holding cell in which Revan was being held. When the Padawan arrived she bowed before the Jedi Council in a respectable and traditional bow. "You summoned me Master Selwyn?" The young Padawan woman asked. "Yes I did Padawan Enda. I want you to take this man to the holding cell. Where the women Revan is being held." Again the young women bowed and replied to the Twi'lek Jedi Master "As you wish Master Selwyn." Enda then did an about face and began to lead Carth to the Jedi's "prison."
As Enda and Carth walked in silence toward the Jedi's prison Carth took the liberty to think of what he would say to his love, the questions he would ask, the comments he would make. Once he figured out just what he wanted to say Carth began to enjoy the surroundings of the Enclave. Even though he was not a Jedi Carth could feel the serenity here. As he walked with the Padawan he saw many apprentices, Jedi Masters and Padawan's outside, resting underneath the row of trees here on the Enclave. Seeing how joyous everyone looked Carth smirked. He remembered how joyful and active his Republic training had been when he was learning to become a solider. The meeting with friends after every class, the fun conversation's during lunch. The pranks, the dares and do adventures. Ah, this place brought back memories of old. Finally after a five to ten minute of walk in silence the two reached the prison cell. Carth however, stopped before entering into the semi dark place, Carth prepared himself the best he could. Both mentally and physically.
Alora was unaware that Carth was right outside her prison building. Though she did know that Padawan Enda was outside the door for she often came and cared for Alora during her study trail. Thinking nothing of it Alora continued on with the activities she was doing. Since she had already meditated and had ate her share of food rations for the day Alora decided to practice lightsaber moves with a wooden table leg. Just to keep "fresh" she would always say. While she was resting on her cot she stared up at the lifeless and almost depressing concrete ceiling. She was exhausted from her practice, for when Alora practiced in anything; it was to her fullest abilities. However, her train of thought and relaxation was broke when she thought she heard voices, or some type of noise that belonged to a human. She could sense however that there was more then one person in her location. Becoming curious she arose slowly and walked up toward the force field that held her in this dreadful place. At first the woman squinted her eyes, trying to see who was out there for the room was barely light enough to see where you were going. The only thing she saw at first was a young woman in a padawan's robe, she figured that it was Padawan Enda, but who was that other figure with her? The male figure was fairly tall and muscular from what she could see. For the male was slightly out of her vision. However, when the man stepped forward she could see his figure clearly and was slightly shocked to see who it was. To make sure that she wasn't seeing things, or that she had gone crazy, Alora rubbed her blue-green eyes and looked out the force field once again. Still Alora was skeptical; she wanted to make sure it was Carth Onasi that was standing beside the young woman. Getting as close to the force field as she could, Alora leaned over and listened for any words of conversation. Unfortunately the man didn't speak. Only watched the woman do her work and nodding from time to time. Leaning back on her heels she began to pace, waiting to see what would happen next. Finally Carth was right in front of her. Smiling she soaked in the handsome figure that belonged to Carth. The brown hair, his tall, powerful figure, and those gentle brown eyes. But when she heard that lovely and handsome voice say "hey beautiful" to her she had a hard time suppressing a squeal for joy. Looking into his deep brown eyes a small smile came across her lips and replied "Hello Flyboy." She then raised her hand and put it as close to the force field as she could, knowing that if she got to close to the force field it would give you a small shock. She just stood there, a step closer and her whole body would be touching the door. "I've-I've missed you so much…." Was all the woman, Alora could manage to say. "Me too." Carth replied. They stood there, staring at each other in silence for a while. It was not the uncomfortable silence, but a silence that was filled with love. Alora's and Carth's eyes locked on each other. Carth then raised his hand and put it even with Alora's small, pale hand. Though he made sure not to get his hand to close for he didn't want a burnt hand. Staring at the hands "together" he gave a small smile. Finally his eyes shifted upward and stared right into Alora's eyes. His eyes said everything for Carth. The words? "I love you".Though, sadly Carth broke the wonderful silence and the love stare by saying "I only have an hour with you. I'm not sure how much time I have left, but I think I should leave soon. I don't want to, but I must." His eyes were apologetic. "I was able to see you under the reluctance of the Jedi Council. I-I can't wait to see you again….outside the cell that is." He gave a small smile and turned away, walking out of the prison and into the sunlight that was shinning down on the city outside.
Alora kept her hand up while she watched him leave. Finally she let it drop, staring at the door, hoping that Carth would come back to her. Small tears swelled up in her eyes. Using her left arm's sleeve she wiped away the tears. She then whispered, "I love you. Come back…please." She then turned away and walked toward her bunk. Laying down she stared at the roof of her prison cell and soon fell into a deep sleep, dreaming about Carth.