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Chapter 4

However, later that night, Siri lay in bed and was unable to forget the look on Kalani's face. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't the idea just be done with?

Frustrated at her lack of peace, she got up and started the holonet that was in her room. If she couldn't sleep, she sometimes would see if she could find information on whatever it was that was troubling her. So after a quick search, she found the link to the Coruscant Youth Dance Corps.

She looked at the pictures of the different classes, of some of children who started as soon as they could walk without support, and for a moment, Siri thought about the Jedi. They took only young children so they were not tainted by feelings of anger or fear.

She continued through and saw that the classes got smaller as the level of training increased. She saw a picture of Kelre, smiling broadly with the rest of her class.

Continuing, Sir saw a picture of Kalani and the group of four other girls standing on pointe, wearing the classical ballet outfits, pink leotards and frilled skirts.

While the idea of wearing those close, in pink nonetheless, made Siri give a disdainful face, she was struck by something that she wouldn't have noticed if not for Kalani.

The young girl, who had seemed purely innocent, was in the middle of the five. There was no smile on her face, or the other girls. She looked older, and far more mature, with her hair pulled back into a bun. One foot was extended forward, as if tapping the floor while the other seemed steady even though she was balancing on her toes.

The other girls were in the same position, their extended feet towards the center of the semi circle that was there. The pink ribbons that wrapped first under their pointe shoes, and then around their ankles before being made bows, looked new.

Studying them closer, she was struck by what she saw in the picture. Something that she hadn't noticed until now. The look in Kalani's eyes was the same look she had when practicing. The same determined, hardened look.

Siri just stared at the holo for a moment, before going to quickly scan other things on the holonet. While most of the dancers were humanoid, including Twi'leks who were known of their graceful movements, there were a handful of nonhumanoid species, such as Mon Calamari and even a few other species she had never seen before.

Even more interested, not longer concerned with sleep, Siri came across a holoclip of a performance, where the dancers consisted of the girls that Kalani danced with.

The music was smooth and flowing, reminding Siri of a river. The girls then came out, but instead of the frilled skirts, they wore skirts that fell past their knees, but the hem was so wide, it did not hinder their dancing.

She watched, amazed that she had never noted how difficult it had to be to perform those moves. And these girls were only slightly older than Siri with no more Force sensitivity than most beings.

The moves they were performing were only capable after much practice, and extreme focus. Their legs were strong, but they made the turns and leaps look effortless, graceful in every turn of their legs and every movement of their arms.

When the short, one-minute clip was over, Siri found herself doing as Kalani had suggested. Not only did it look like it could be fun, but it was very similar to her Jedi training.

The dancers were focused on their movements, and clearly had been practicing for a long time. Every movement was as precise as the lightsaber stances and just as fluid.

Siri was certain then, that the Force was pushing her towards this. Why else would she have met Kalani, and why else would the thought still be with her? And didn't Kalani say Siri was needed? A Jedi was to help other beings. It seemed like a strange request, but the Force had a reason for everything.

Before going back to sleep that night, Siri sent a message to Kalani, to let her know she had accepted the offer. That she would join the Corps. At least until after the performances.

"Siri? Siri Tachi?" Kalani waved a hand in front of the other girl's eyes, who was pulled from her thoughts.

"What?" she asked, then her own question was answered. They were there. At the dance center, where the large theater could hold thousands, and each performance was usually sold out. Opening night was especially popular, since that is when the press and important figures usually were there. Kalani had told her that the Supreme Chancellor himself would most likely be there.

Kalani flew them to the small parking area behind the theatre, where they met a few other dancers who were entering, including one of the boys that would be Siri's dance partner. He gave a wave which she returned as they went to the separate dressing rooms. One for the boys and one for the girls.

Siri quickly dressed in the clothing she would wear during the opening number. It was a black leotard and she had to wear skin colored tights. She did not wear her toe shoes, and put on the soft dark blue shoes. She was also to wear a light skirt that matched the color of the shoes. She, along with Kalani and three other girls were dressed alike.

Kalani was kind enough to do Siri's makeup, since makeup seemed almost foreign to the young Padawan. "Close your eyes," she instructed as she started to put on the base, and Siri found that, despite her nerves, she could clearly remember her first dance class.

"You are going to have so much fun," Kalani gushed, looking very different from the girl that Siri had been watching just the night before. She had a bag over her shoulder and was pulling Siri to the large front doors of the Dance Conservatory. It was an older looking building, holding an aura of elegance and grace. Inside the front doors, the thick crimson carpet cushioned the girls' footsteps. The gleaming white walls were bright, with paints and holos of performances placed strategically on the walls.

Siri looked at them even as Kalani kept talking. "Our teacher is Mira Delote. She is a ballerina who was in a number of famous performances. Though, if you don't know dance that might not mean much to you. She seems excited to meet you, and will want you to show her how you dance."

"But I can't dance," Siri reminded her.

"Then move to the music. She can tell if you can handle it or not."

Siri nodded then froze. "Wait a moment, I just realized. I can't do this. I can't afford to buy dance things."

Kalani waved her hand, as if to wave away the problem. "The Conservatory pays for everything, since they take only the best. And in case they want a sponsor, since they don't just take people off the street, my parents are going to be your sponsors. They really liked you."

That was a surprise to Siri. To have sponsors, and to have her parents like her. She usually didn't care if people liked her or not, but it was a nice thing to hear.

When they got to the exercise room, which was located down a hall, away from the main stage, Siri noted that it was mostly bare. There was a small musical player and a few mats in a pile in one corner. One wall was completely made of mirrors, and a horizontal wooden bar ran along the length of the same wall.

A woman with tanned skin and dark colored hair was waiting for them. She was petite, but had an aura of authority surrounding her. She was standing tall, and seemed to glide to meet the girls.

"You are Siri Tachi?" the woman asked, her accent clearly showing.

Siri nodded and held out her hand to shake the woman's. She had a surprisingly firm grip, Siri was happy to note. Just a simple handshake told a lot about a being, and she could tell that this woman, while she seemed strict, cared greatly about all of her students. Once again, the parallel between the dancers and their teacher to Padawans and their Masters was obvious.

"Come, my child. I would like to see you dance," Mira urged her and Siri nodded. She knew that if she said she couldn't dance, Mira would not be pleased. Instead, she could only do as Kalani said, to move with the music.

Mira started the player, and a surprisingly up-tempo song started. Siri listened for a moment, and then found the beat. The beat was smooth and a bit faster than she had been expecting. That was fine with her though. She felt the Force flowing through her and she moved with it. It was almost like doing lightsaber exercises, by moving the way the Force instructed her. A wide turn with one hand sweeping with her, remaining light on the balls of her feet.

Before she knew it, the music stopped, and Siri turned to where Mira and Kalani were watching. She couldn't tell if Mira was pleased or not, her face not betraying any emotion except thoughtful.

The trio stood for a moment, the girls watching as the teachers nodded and gave a small smile. "Go see the wardrobe mistress. You will need to be given the correct clothing and shoes for class."

"Thank you, ma'am," Siri gave a quick bow as Kalani grabbed her hand, and the two rushed to get Siri ready for class.