NOTE: Aryll here with pictures of the person, ( Milla Jovovich ), I have cast to play the part of Mariana Star. These are pictures of how she would look like at age 13.
-
www. iballer .com/ divas/ jovovich/ images/ j21 jpg. jpg ( -Just take the spaces out and put it in your address bar.- )
www. cinema24horas. com/ biografias/ millajovovich/ millajovovich. jpg ( -This is a picture I really like, I love Milla Jovovich's hair in this. The only thing is that Ana's eyes are hazel, and not Milla's blue. )
-
-
"Light in the Shadow"
-
Chapter 2
-
-
Two days later...
-
Ana sat in the great Jedi Archives, her hazel eyes roaming over a datapad, something Adi Gallia had suggested she read, and it wasn't like she had anything better to do besides read. At least reading got her mind off of the thing that was pressuring her the most.
"Star? Mariana Star?" a soft, lilting voice called.
Ana's head shot up, her expression one of question as Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian, moved over to her. With her sweeping, intricatly patterned, deep brown dress hiding her lower body, she seemed to glide across the ground.
"The Jedi Council has requested your presence."
Ana's heart seemed to stop inside of her chest. "D-Did they say what for?" she stammered.
Jocasta shook her head. "They only told me to tell you to report immediately."
Ana nodded her head, a cold hollowness seeping into her bones. "Thank you, I'll hurry."
Jocasta smiled and nodded before moving away. "Good day."
Ana bowed and collected her things before hurrying to the Council Chambers. As she walked, she felt as if she was moving through ice cold water that got thicker and colder with each step, dragging her down.
Jedi Service Corps.
Those three words haunted her thoughts relentlessly. The soft countering whispers of her subconscious yammered on. You should be proud you are a part of the Jedi. You should be selfless in whatever duty is handed to you.
She was proud. She was selfless...but even she had to believe that a Jedi deserved a little room for wants...just a little, she thought with tired shame. She just wanted a Master. Where was the harm in that?
-
------------
-
"Obi-Wan Kenobi. Pay attention, you will," Jedi Master Yoda said gruffly, causing Obi-Wan to start in surprise. The former padawan had been deep in thought about all the things that had happened recently. It couldn't be helped, his mind was so full up.
"I'm sorry, Master Yoda," he said respectfully, bowing in apology to the green master.
Yoda nodded gently, his clawed hands clutching the top of his gimmer stick. "As I was saying. Ask of you to take on a Padawan, we do."
Obi-Wan blinked in bewilderment. A Padawan? So soon after his passing of the trials? "Why so soon, Master, if you do not mind my asking?"
Yoda nodded curtly, humming to himself, his green orbs looking over at Master Windu, the only other Master present. This was not a matter of extreme importance, therefore the rest of the Council needn't be called upon.
"There is a Youngling by the name of Mariana Star," Mace began, steepling his fingers before him, "She is a very exceptional healer, and academically above all the other Younglings. But we have yet to find her a Master, and now that you have passed the trials, you are able to accept a Padawan." At Obi-Wan's questioning look, he went on. "Certainly there are other Jedi Knights who could preform this task, but we would prefer Youngling Star have a very capable, and intelligent Master to guide her down the path of the Jedi. And you are that Master, Jedi Kenobi."
Obi-Wan's brows rose. He was shocked. The two most important Masters thought so highly of him? He let his blue-gray eyes lock onto Yoda who offered a small smile.
"Willing to except this Youngling as your Padawan, are you?" Yoda asked with a calm expression.
Obi-Wan looked between the Masters, blinking. "If she is a Healer, shouldn't she be placed with a Master who exhibits these qualities as well? What good am I to her?"
Yoda nodded once more, smiling still. "Exceptional healer, she is. Need help in this area, she does not. Very smart, she is. Develop her healing powers herself, she can."
Obi-Wan inclined his head, still feeling a bit miffed.
Yoda sensed his thoughts and went on. "A bit lacking, her lightsaber skills are. Need a good Master for this, she does. Your style will benefit her greatly, I believe."
Obi-Wan nodded, his lips setting in a grim line. This facial expression usually came with tough decision making. Was he ready to take on a Padawan?
A flash of Qui-Gon and Anakin standing together presented itself. Subtle irritation bubbled within him before he dismissed it a second later. He found himself a little perplexed at the thought that had come with the previous feeling. His mind had whispered to him, Take on this Padawan, make her better than Anakin. Make Qui-Gon regret his decision. He shook his head.
"No?" Yoda asked, brows raised.
Obi-Wan jumped a little. "Oh. No. I didn't mean no. I-" he fumbled, looking to Mace Windu, and then dropping his gaze to the floor at the Jedi Master's penetrating stare, "If it would please the Council, I will take on this Youngling."
Mace Windu spoke, "Make this decision of your own free will, Obi-Wan. We are merely asking you. Youngling Star could be a valuable addition to the Jedi, we only want to give her the best training possible."
It seemed to click for some reason, at that moment. He felt the certainty. "Yes. I will train Mariana Star."
Both Masters smiled. "Very good. We have called her to these chambers, if you wish to talk to her." Mace said.
He turned a bit, looking over his shoulder. The door was still closed, but he could feel the nervous Youngling that stood outside. He furrowed his brows a bit in thought. So she was the certainty he felt? Something about her presence here had triggered a switch. It was as if the Force was trying to tell him that they belonged together. He turned back to the two Masters. "If I am not needed for anything further, I would like to talk to my new apprentice privately?"
Yoda shook his head. "You may go, Jedi Kenobi."
Obi-Wan bowed to both of them, before walking to the doors and exiting the chambers. He stepped out into the hall.
-
---------------
-
Ana jumped to attention as the Council doors opened. She watched with curious anxiety as a young man stepped out to regard her in his cool gaze. She remembered him. She'd seen him a few times, walking the halls with Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn. He was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
She bowed hastily. "Mister Kenobi, sir."
Obi-Wan smiled at her faintly. "You must be Mariana Star."
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"You will be calling me Master now, my young Padawan," he said with a now much warmer smile.
Ana couldn't help it. Her heart lept into her throat. She had a Master! She finally had one, and just in time! She felt the pain of possible rejection leave her entirely. She was almost certain that she had been summoned here to be placed in the Jedi Service Corps. "Thank you, Master. I promise you I will be the best Padawan!" she said, beaming.
Obi-Wan smiled still. He had a feeling that she would be a very good Padawan.
-
-
TBC...
----------------------
-
Thanks for reading, hope you liked. It's going to start getting really drama-y soon, lol. We all love good drama.
-Aryll & Alley.