I do not own the characters, just the plot twists.
Vataloni's View
She stood on the elevator the morning after Obi-Wan had decided it wasn't good for them to spend too much time together. It hurt deep down inside that someone she cared so much for said to go away, just like that. Vataloni knew he hadn't meant it to be hurtful, but she was hurt.
The cantine was full of people, as usual. Students running up to get trays of food for their Masters, who sat patiently on their floor cushions in front of the metallic silver tables, which only really rose about a foot off the floor. Droids also scurried around, delivering food to tables of younglings and Jedi elders.
If you waited long enough, food would always come to your table. Vataloni had a feeling the seats were rigged to know whether or not the occupants had eaten.
Vataloni settled down on her cushion, not really in the mood to eat just yet. She felt alone in the sea of people chatting happily, none of them understanding what heartache was. Everyone else was content with friendship, but Vataloni just wanted more. Anakin would understand her; Anakin had gone all the way and married the woman he loved, Padme Amidala. Vataloni was a close friend to the couple, and swore to keep it secret.
She sighed heavily and felt her eyes tearing up. Why couldn't she just come out and say something? It was because he was her Master. That stupid little nagging voice at the back of her head reminded her daily. Speaking of him...
Vataloni spotted Obi-Wan slowly making his way toward the table, two food trays in his hand. He stopped and narrowly avoided being run over by a few excited younglings, who he gave a warning too. Vataloni couldn't help but smile at his actions, but frowned quickly when his eyes landed on her. He did smile as a greeting, but Vataloni only weakly returned it.
"I figured I'd get your breakfast today," he stated, setting the trays down on the table, then plopping down beside Vataloni, "A payment for the fantastic massage last night."
"How you would know if it was fantastic or not is beyond me," Vataloni said, a hint of coldness in her tone, "You do remember you told me to leave."
"I told you alone time wasn't good," Obi-Wan corrected, making Vataloni roll her eyes, "I never told you to leave."
"So you would have preferred me to stay?" Vataloni asked coyly, cocking her head to the side. Obi-Wan cleared his throat and looked a little uneasy, obviously trying to think of an answer that wouldn't get him into trouble, "Well... I suppose it... wouldn't have been..."
"Never mind," Vataloni snapped, turning to her tray, but instantly made a face of disgust, "What is THAT?"
"That," Mace Windu said calmly from behind the pair, "Is highly nutritious. It's good for your muscles and brain power-"
"This is goop," Vataloni insisted, using her spoon to moosh around the slop that was on her plates, and then poking the rather crunchy looking brown things, "And these are bugs... Are you trying to poison us?"
"Obi-Wan," said Mace, shooting a look to Vataloni's Master, "Control your apprentice's tongue, please."
"Behave Vataloni," Obi-Wan muttered, nodding his head to Windu as he stalked off. Vataloni looked back and watched him leave, then stared down at her food, "This is... goop."
"It doesn't look that bad," Obi-Wan argued, swirling it around a bit with his spoon, "It's... um... high in protein..."
"I dare you to eat the bug things," Vataloni giggled, holding up a brown piece of fruit, maybe, and waving it in front of his face. Obi-Wan laughed and brushed her hand away, sending tingles down the hand he touched, "You eat it."
"You first," Vataloni giggled, moving a little closer and chewing on her bottom lip. He picked up the hand that held the berry and held it up, "This looks disgusting... I won't eat."
"C'mon," Vataloni begged, her heart pounding as Obi-Wan kept his hand on her wrist and allowed her to inch even closer, close enough to feel his breath on her face. His eyes traveled down to hers and they locked for a moment, making Vataloni's smile fade slightly. Oh, how much she wanted to just lean up and kiss him.
She wanted Obi-Wan to have her first kiss. Just because Sith were allowed to love, didn't mean she actually had before.
"You know what?" Obi-Wan sighed finally, tossing his fork down with a grunt, "This is slop... Care to go get some real food?"
Vataloni smiled the prettiest smile she could muster and allowed her Master to aid her to her feet, "Where did you have... in mind?"
"I dunno," Obi-Wan replied, shrugging his shoulders and taking one last look at the meal before him, "I was thinking somewhere where they actually serve food... You know... normal food. I know a little place, don't worry. My buddy Dex runs it... Great breakfast deal."
He placed his hand on her lower back, then steered Vataloni towards the door. Her breathing quickened when Obi-Wan had to pull her close to make way as a group of elders passed, all on their way for breakfast. It was difficult to keep her breathing in check, since Obi-Wan had yet to really remove his hand from her back, and he didn't then entire trip to his little diner.
Obi-Wan's Observation's
"It's a great little place," Obi-Wan gushed, a smile slowly moving across his face when he spotted Dex's diner down the street, "I went there often when I was in training. Dex used to give me everything for free... He was amazed that I was going to be a Jedi, and seemed to want to get on my good side. We've both done each other favours over the years... It's always nice to have him around."
He looked down at Vataloni and she smiled quickly. She usually did that when she wasn't paying attention, which annoyed Obi-Wan slightly. But, he had to admit, Vataloni seemed to be a little out of it that day, in space if you will. Her focus was split, and she was usually frowning, until Obi-Wan looked at her completely. When he did, that gorgeous smile would inch over her lips, and he found it so difficult to resist the urge to smile back.
The sliding door whizzed open, and a bell dinged as Obi-Wan and Vataloni stepped into the small restaurant. It was the same as it had always been; droid waitresses hovering around alien costumers, small cramped booths everywhere, and Dex yelling out orders from the kitchen. The alien looked up, then back down, then up again and grinned broadly at Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan!" he greeted, his deep voice carrying across the room, "Take a seat, lemme get your order personally..."
A hostess suddenly buzzed to Obi-Wan's side and directed him to an orange and silver booth by the window. Vataloni appeared to be completely fascinated with the entire place, and was no longer frowning at anything.
"Well Obi-Wan," Dex chuckled a deep, gut laugh, "What can I get for you and the pretty lady?"
Vataloni giggled accidentally, but quickly looked down at her menu when Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.
"Two of the usual's Dex," Obi-Wan said simply, snatching away Vataloni's menu and handing it to Dex, "Thanks."
Dex gave a low, sweeping bow, then hurried back into the kitchen.
"And what would be... the usual?" Vataloni inquired, leaning back in her seat and folding her arms, "Just because I'm your apprentice doesn't mean you can order my food for me too..."
"Well my usual is only the galaxy's greatest meal," Obi-Wan stated, leaning forward, "No slop, goop or bugs included, I promise."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly when Vataloni giggled again and even blushed. Maybe he was leaning too close to her? No. They were just sitting at a table together... It didn't mean anything, nothing at all.
"Vataloni..." he started, suddenly feeling awkward and uncomfortable, "There's nothing... going on with-"
"With what?" she asked, almost too quickly for his liking.
"Let me finish," Obi-Wan scolded. Vataloni licked her lips, gulped, looked down at the table and nodded. Obi-Wan tried to figure out how to get his message across without embarrassing himself, or Vataloni, "Between us... There isn't anything happening... right?"
"Define happening," Vataloni said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Well... um..." Obi-Wan cleared his throat, "As in... you know... Vataloni please, you get what I mean, stop trying to torture me."
"No," she said simply, "I don't get what you mean. Speak plainer."
Why was she being so difficult! Obi-Wan rubbed the back of his neck, then wiped the little hint of uneasy perspiration on his robe with a subtle movement. Vataloni raised a slender eyebrow and smirked, "Please Master... What do you mean?"
She was taking revenge on him for telling her to leave the night before; Obi-Wan was sure of it. He figured he might as well just come out and say it, then brace for the impact it would bring.
"Romantically happening," he sighed, watching her face soften a bit, "Is there something happening between us in the romance... area?"
Vataloni's View
Vataloni's mind raced over the world ROMANCE a hundred times, and kept wanting to shout yes at the top of her lungs. But, she was in public, and would keep an orderly fashion.
"I...I... well... um..."
She wanted to slam her head down against the table for stuttering. How idiotic did she sound?
"Vataloni," Obi-Wan said gently, grabbing her hand and holding it delicately in his, making Vataloni's heart skip two beats, "Nothing can ever happen between us. Love leads to far too many difficult things down the road... Jealousy, possession... even hate. Jedi are forbidden to have those emotions, it will simply turn us into Siths."
"I don't want to be a Sith," Vataloni whispered, "But... But... What if we kept it hidden?"
"Secrecy isn't something I'm willing to commit to," Obi-Wan stated. Vataloni couldn't help but get her hopes up; he had yet to say he didn't feel anything for her.
"But-"
The door slid open to the diner and a droid rolled straight to Vataloni's table, stopping in front of her.
"The Chancellor requests your presence."
Vataloni frowned. Normally, when anyone was summoned, it happened either through a holographic message or in person. When had anyone ever sent a droid to fetch someone else. Something just didn't seem right.
"Alright," Obi-Wan sighed, standing up, "We're on our way."
"His Excellency requests only the apprentice, Jedi Master," the droid stated, its robotic voice beginning to annoy Vataloni. Obi-Wan started to speak, but Vataloni quickly told him she had to go, and they should talk later about their most recent conversation. He simply smiled and settled back down into his seat, bidding a rather friendly farewell. The droid rolled ahead of Vataloni, keeping a brisk pace for her, until they reached a private transport.
"Did his Excellency say what I am needed for?" Vataloni inquired, watching the small diner disappear as the transport rose up into the traffic. The droid stated something about having a chat with Vataloni, then rolled to the pilot seat and shut off beside the Clone driver. Vataloni had never taken a liking to the Clones. Sure, they listened to your every order, and completed tasks with great precision, but that could be a weakness too. What if someone evil told them to do something? Would they listen? If they did, the Republic had just lost this entire war.
When Vataloni entered Palpatine's office, he was having a discussion with a few Senators, and Vataloni was motioned to stand in the corner until the meeting was over. She didn't recognize who the Senator's were, but they were both human, from what Vataloni could see, and they were both in a heated argument. Palpatine merely sat back and waited, watching the men squabble at each other.
"Senators," Palpatine's smooth voice cooed finally, "I know you're both reasonable men, and don't really need me to figure this out. I have another appointment. So if you don't mind..."
The pair of Senators looked back to Vataloni, then quickly the frustration in their faces disappeared and they softly apologized. Without saying another word to each other, they bowed to Palpatine and departed. However, their silence didn't last much longer. Vataloni heard them bickering at one another before the doors had even closed.
"Senators," Palpatine chuckled, shaking his head and packing up some papers, "Truly the pure women of the universe."
Vataloni wasn't sure whether or not to be insulted, so she merely smiled nervously.
"You can relax," Palpatine instructed, puling out a drawer and stuffing something into it, "I just want to have a little ... talk about something I've noticed with you."
She stood still and in silence, and only moved until Palpatine asked her to come and stand with him. They stood by his massive glass windows, overlooking most of Corusant and its start to a hustle-bustle type day.
"I was very impressed with you when you came to my rescue," he confessed, "Very... intrigued if you will."
"Thank you sir."
"You're welcome," he sighed, shooting a sideways glance at Vataloni, "But the curious thing is... Jedi fighting skills just didn't seem to be your side. I saw many... Sith actions coming from deep within. Tell me... Have you learned anything from your Master... Obi-Wan?"
"Of course!" Vataloni exclaimed quickly, but soon regained a more civilize tone, "I've learned much of the Jedi art and their ways through my Master. He says I'll be ready to leave him soon!"
"Where will you go?" Palpatine mused, staring out at the stream of speeders whizzing along the traffic lines. Vataloni frowned and shrugged her shoulders, stating she wasn't sure what her future held. Why was the Chancellor suddenly so curious about her life? He had never shown any interest before, and this was beginning to worry Vataloni.
"Where can you go... Where people of Sith and Jedi skills are accepted?" he asked coldly, almost to himself more then to Vataloni. She flinched and licked her lips uneasily, shifting her weight back and forth, "I... I don't know sir."
"When Obi-Wan is through with you... I want you to come work for me. As a... personal member of my security force," Palpatine stated, turning on the front of his foot so he was directly in front of Vataloni, "I'll find a way to put your skills to use."
"Work... for you?" Vataloni's mind chewed through the idea quickly and dismissed it, "Your Excellency... It would be an honour to work as your personal security, but that is the job of droids and even Clone officials for that matter! I think I could better put my skills to work maybe... maybe... training a new youngling. I've had my eye on a particular one for some time-"
"I didn't give you a choice," Palpatine cut her off, his voice suddenly sounding very cold and heartless, "I gave you an order. When you've completed your training, you will report to me and I will personally place you in my security."
"But-"
"I'm not debating this," he said, holding a finger up, "You will come work for me, or I shall have to go straight to Master Yoda to discuss your Master's... affections for you, and yours to him."
"Chancellor," Vataloni said boldly, her chest puffing slightly, "I don't know what you're talking about, to be frank. My Master and I share the same bond all of them do... One of mutual respect, friendship and understanding. You would be starting... lies if you were to tell someone that we were... different then that."
"Oh I don't think I would be, Vataloni," he chuckled, grasping her chin and pushing her head up a bit, "And you know it. Lying doesn't suit you."
Her breathing rate increased, "Chancellor... Please... Please you can't say a word about this! It's only me that feels that way... If you went to someone Obi-Wan could be expelled from the Jedi Order!"
He tsked her, shaking his head, "You see... Maybe it will be some time before you leave your Master. You did happen to just... blurt... everything out."
"But you knew already..." Vataloni fired back, pushing the fact that she was arguing with the leader of the Republic out of her mind, "It wouldn't have mattered because you knew... and you were going to use it against me! That's blackmail!"
"Welcome to the world of Politics," he chuckled, "So... Keep this little chat in mind. I'll check up on you regularly. Now... Get out."
"Thank you for seeing me, Master Yoda," Vataloni murmured. She looked across the dark room to the Jedi Elder, who was watching her with interest. After her discussion with Palpatine, Vataloni needed some counsel. She wasn't about to tell her little Master what happened, but she figured there could be some way for him to help her, and some way where she wouldn't have to tell the truth.
"Counsel, you seek, hmm?"
"Yes Master," she responded, shifting uncomfortably on the circular chair she was sitting on. The Retirement section of the Jedi Temple did seem to have slightly... odd furniture. Vataloni sighed and began fidgeting with her hands, picking at her nails and such, "I feel... distressed."
"Sense that, I can."
"I don't know what to do to... relive my stress," Vataloni confessed, her voice going slightly shaky. Yoda shut his eyes for a moment, then opened them, smiling, "Tell me what bothers you, you will not. Fine that is. But... Speak with Master Obi-Wan about this, you must. Help you no more can I."
Vataloni thanked him, rose, then bowed and left.