Sorry it took so long, I wasn't allowed to update until the fifth for a reason that will remain untold... I didn't do it! Ahhh. And then we installed a new computer, more probelmatic than the last. Sigh. You'll understand why I don't update if said computer bursts into flames... Enjoy. And if you feel the urge to make a suggestion, be my guest.
Saleairy walked beside Carth and he felt the force swirling around her. He looked again and noted she looked normal. She wasn't always so alive with the force, or did he just have more time to notice when he wasn't anxious about her survival? He blinked and she noticed his stare as Daniel and Dustil walked ahead.
Daniel was an attractive Shifter and he irritated Carth. A Jedi who didn't have to age was an arrogant, haughty Jedi. Saleairy smiled at Carth; she knew what he was thinking.
"I love you Carth." He noted the emphasis on the you and smiled, taking her hand in his.
"I know." He wouldn't trust that Shifter though.
They walked to the temporary meeting area set up in the Ithorian complex for the Ithorians working on restoring the surface of Telos. The Council members came in and sat in a casual manner. Saleairy was already tense and clenched the hand Carth didn't hold. It was good they weren't being more mysterious than usual and suspended with a few formalities. Saleairy and Dustil bowed, Carth saluted with a polite stiffness and kept Saleairy's hand in his own.
"Hello Saleairy. It is good to see you again Dustil. It is good you hastened to Telos from Dantooine, we are happy to see you yet alive." Zhar said.
"I am happy to see you alive and well too Masters." Dustil said. Zhar, Vandar and Vrook were the only survivors that had gone back to the Republic. No one was sure if anyone else had survived. Dustil had time to visit Dantooine because they visited Korriban right after Carth learned of Dustil being alive. Not because Carth insisted either, Saleairy knew it was important and went without a second thought.
"What is it you wished to speak to me about, Masters?" Saleairy was still intimidated by their presence because Revan never considered their strength. Saleairy knew better. They fabricated her memories after shattering her past.
"It has come to our attention that you fear us." Vrook said. Carth's hair rose at his scathing tone and noted he made the Sith Masters seem companionable.
"Fear us, you should not. Convinced we are, of you being different than Revan." Vandar said.
"Indeed. We trained you to be strong, not to fear the ones who taught you." Zhar said.
"I didn't think I feared you until I considered what my penance would be for all of this." Saleairy said. There was no point in lying to the Council.
"Penance? You've saved the galaxy for the time being. I think that is enough until you decide to move on to another evil to conquer." She couldn't tell if Vrook was being sarcastic or not.
"But we do have a request for you." Carth swallowed. Here it was. He gripped her hand tighter. He wouldn't let any noble minded, stiff ass Jedi send her to the Outer Rim to die the death of a Jedi; fighting evil, losing and dieing alone.
"Yes?" Saleairy gripped Carth's hand just as tight. Dustil had gone pale as well.
"We would like you to train Dustil, perhaps even accept him as your Padawan learner." Carth, Dustil and Saleairy sighed in relief. Saleairy took a moment to recover, nodding in agreement as she tried to speak.
"Of course, of course I will train him."
"What did you think we were going to ask?" Vrook asked. Saleairy smiled.
"I thought you were going to ask me to wear a dress to the next ceremony." Saleairy said, smiling.
"That wouldn't be a bad idea. It's more of a formal occasion, kind of a dinner party. Something red would match the décor." Vrook said. Once again, Saleairy wondered if he was allowed to be sarcastic. "Go on. You're released. We don't need two trembling Jedi and the Republic Commander body guard hanging around all day."
Outside Saleairy stopped, leaning against a wall and breathing. Carth leaned on the wall beside her and leaned on her shoulder.
"Thank everything that is holy." Carth said. Saleairy held him against her and sighed. She wasn't sure where to go now.
"Let's go back and sleep." Saleairy said, smiling.
"You haven't been sleeping much because of the Council, have you?" Dustil asked. Saleairy nodded and Carth hugged her.
Saleairy took her shoes off, stripping the outer layer of her heavy-duty armor off and flopping to the bed. Carth slid in beside her.
"I thought they would send you out to the Outer Rim." She snuggled closer to Carth.
"That would be my decision. Besides, Dustil needs someone to help him and you would be one lovelorn handsomest pilot in the galaxy."