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Chapter 3

She had been sent on an errand to the Senate, to deliver some documents for Adi, about a mission they had just returned from.  It had been fairly simple; with the two of them just there to make sure elections went smoothly and without any problems.  A protest occurred, but that was the only resistance that was there.

Usually, Siri would not have preferred to go to the Senate, but with most of her fellow Padawans busy or on missions, Siri found herself enjoying any small tasks.  Being inactive was a hard thing for Siri to deal with.

            On her way to the Senate buildings, just a standard block from the enterance, she came across two girls being picked on by a group of boys in a circle, who were pushing the younger girl around to each other.  The older of the two girls was yelling at them, but was being held back by one of the boys.

            Knowing that she should help, Siri quickly took control of the situation. She marched up to the boys and simply asked what they were doing, getting their attention away from the other girls.  They all turned at looked at her for a moment and no one moved. There was nothing spoke either, but when one moved to grab her arm, Siri quickly moved and just tripped him.  She could have disabled him, but it likely would have hurt him, and Jedi were not supposed to use physical attacks unless there was no other option.  She did not want to hurt these boys, but had to show them that they could not continue tormenting the other girls.        

Sparing a glance at them, Siri noted that the older girl, who was watching Siri closely, was hugging the younger girl.

            Siri continued to block and sidestep the punches that were aimed at her.  Their punches were off center and she seemed graceful in comparison as they only made contact with air. Her heartbeat had barely increased, finding that these attacks were slow and sluggish when she compared them to the training Padawans went through with their lightsabers.

            However, she did have to admit, they were persistent.  One boy, who seemed to be the leader, started to advance on her with a vibroblade that seemed to come from nowhere.  It was polished with a silver handle, and Siri wondered where they had gotten such a weapon. It looked too fine of an object to belong to the ragtag group of boys.

            "You don't want to do that," Siri cautioned, though her tone was light.

            "And why not?" he growled, coming closer, eyes flashing like the silver of the vibroblade he held.

            Siri pulled her saber off her belt and ignited it with a snap/hiss.  "Because you will lose," she told them, features seeming surreal with the added pink-purple light cast over her face.

            The boys looked at each other, and Siri could sense their uncertainty.  Did they really want to fight a Jedi?

            Siri took one step closer to them, taking the first offensive position, eyes serious.  Her expression was firm, and did not show a trace of hesitation or uncertainty.

            That was all the boys needed to see before they took off running.  They were almost tripping over each other in their haste, since none of them wanted to face a Jedi.

            Siri held her pose until they were gone, and then deactivated her saber, turning to the girls.

            The older girl was helping calm down the younger one.  Looking up, the older of the two gave a small smile.  "Thank you. We were just taking a walk because my sister wanted some fresh air.  We didn't think there would be trouble so close to the Senate."

            Siri didn't say anything in response.  At least, nothing she wanted to say.  How could they now know that there were dangerous places right outside the Senate?

            She noted their clothing, and realized their parents must have been Senators or some form of royalty.  They were both wearing velvet dresses, and she was fairly certain the jeweled earrings and necklaces they wore were real, and not cheap look-alikes.  That would also explain their lack of knowledge of Coruscant life outside of the Senate building.

            "I am Kalani.  This is my sister, Kelre."  The younger girl, who looked to be only about four, waved shyly over at Siri who gave a small smile in response.

            "I am Siri," she introduced herself, sticking out her hand.  Kalani shook her hand then a smile came to her face. 

            "I would like to introduce you to my parents. I am sure they would like to thank you as well."

            "It is fine. I have to deliver a few things," Siri explained.  She also did not look forward to meeting politicians at anytime. She felt that the frivolous lifestyle was wrong when there were planets full of beings that were starving or torn from their loved ones by civil war. However, she couldn't expect these girls to know about that or understand.  Ignorance truly could be bliss.

"Oh, it won't take long," Kalani assured her and Siri hesitantly agreed to go. It would look favorably on the Jedi, and she was going to the in the Senate as it was. Kalani seemed very excited, and Siri gave a small smile as silently promised herself that it wouldn't take too long.  She still had to deliver Master Adi's

They got back into the Senate building without a problem, with the guards on duty knowing the girls.  They also knew to allow in Jedi, whether they were Padawans or Knights.

            "You know, you looked very graceful fighting," Kalani spoke up after a moment as they walked through the vast hallways of the Senate, which showed décor from many different worlds, yet it seemed to fit with the rest of the environment.

            "Thank you.  Jedi learn to be graceful by being in tune with the Force, which connects all living beings.  The Force moves us, which you just saw outside," Siri answered.

            Kalani took that in for a few minutes, green eyes thoughtful, before speaking.  "Have you ever thought about dancing?"

            Siri paused, raising an eyebrow.  "Dancing?" she asked.  That was a very random question.  No one had asked her that before, and she had never thought about it.  She had to fight back a laugh at the idea of herself as a dancer.

            "Yes.  I am a part of the Coruscant Youth Dance Corps.  They have already had auditions, but there is a duet piece I was supposed to have with another girl, and she broke her ankle. She won't be able to dance. You could though.  You are graceful and I know they would let you in.  You are a natural.  And if you decide not to join for good, it could just be for the next two months.  At the end of that, we have four night of performance. Also-"

            Siri shook her head and interrupted Kalani before she could continue.  "I am sorry, I cannot.  My life is to the Jedi. We do not have time for such activities."

            "You don't even have a few hours free at night?  That is when the practices are.  And only the week before the performances will there be nightly rehearsals.  Aside from that, they are only two or three times a week," Kalani looked at her with intense green eyes pleading.  "Please, at least consider it."

            Siri nodded, though she already knew her answer. It would be no.

            This seemed to please Kalani though as she took the Padawan's arm to lead her to the appropriate chambers, a large smile on her face.

            She looked so hopeful that Siri almost felt bad that she would say no.  She shook her head to herself. She couldn't even consider it.  She pushed the thought of her head, to keep a clear mind, as she and the other two girls were shown into the meeting chamber of Kalani's parents.