Author's Notes: Just a short one this time.
Shortly after Kira Carsen had joined the Eternal Alliance, Vette met up with her. The two young women become friends, with similar backgrounds – both having grown up on the streets of Nar Shaddaa – and with surprisingly similar personalities, most notably with respect to their sense of humor. Literally within hours, it became the norm on Odessen to see the duo side by side, whispering to each other and giggling and laughing about one thing or another.
It was on that first day, however, that Vette had taken it upon herself to take Kira on a tour of the base, introducing her to everyone she needed to know.
It proved to be a qualified success. After her performance that morning in the sparring circle with the Commander – a story for another day – she'd built up a solid amount of credibility to go along with the natural intrigue people had for the 'new girl', people were far more willing to accept her given her relationship with Corellan Halcyon.
People were fast warming to the idea that the Alliance Commander, their fearless leader and invincible champion, had someone special in his life. It made somehow made him seem more like everyone else.
But Kira's tour of the Alliance base nevertheless went very well… albeit with two minor incidents of note.
One of these took place in the cantina, and – perhaps unsurprisingly – involved Kaliyo.
More on that one another time.
The second of these minor 'incidents' took place in the Force enclave.
Overall, it went quite smoothly. Kira knew several of the Jedi present, including Master Ranos, Leeha Narezz and Jomar Chul. None pressed the matter of her relationship with Corellan Halcyon; it was not their place to challenge whether Kira should continue to call herself Jedi. Sana-Rae, the enclave's leader, and the other Voss had heard stories of Kira fighting at the Commander's side in the defense of her home world years before, and Kira soon warmed to her. She was more reserved with the Sith, but even these encounters went surprisingly well.
This with the exception of her first experience meeting Xalek.
Xalek had been a valued member of the Alliance since his recruitment on Ilum months before. He had proven himself reliable on several missions and had fought heroically – if brutally – during the Battle of Odessen, when Vaylin's forces had sought to annihilate the Alliance.
Having said that, the Kaleesh was something of a loner. Even the other Sith seemed to think of him as a blunt instrument, too focused on his own martial prowess to the detriment of everything else.
Xalek had sparred with the Commander at least half a dozen times since their initial encounter on Ilum. While he had given a good accounting of himself on each occasion, the simple truth was he felt hopelessly outclassed. Arcann (through personal power), Senya Tirall (through her experience and skill) and Lana Beniko (through sheer guile) were the only three members of the Alliance who had seemed able to challenge Corellan Halcyon in the sparring ring, and even they had proven unable to actually defeat him. Indeed, the Commander's edge over his competition seemed to have only increased over time as he adapted to their tactics. Xalek had studied the Commander's form (or forms) for hours on end, attempting to diving some weakness that could be exploited. He had been met by failure.
But that morning, Xalek – and most of the Alliance personnel on base – had witnessed Kira Carsen press Corellan Halcyon in an incredibly intense display of lightsaber dueling, with the Commander barely emerging victorious.
So it came to pass that Xalek, lacking any subterfuge or diplomacy whatsoever, boldly greeted Kira Carsen with a probing question.
"As the Commander's mate, you must surely know something of his weaknesses."
A moment of stunned silence fell upon the gathered Force-users. A few do gasp quietly while Darth Hexid clucks her tongue reproachingly. Vette – who had committed herself to making sure Kira's 'introduction' ran smoothly – was horrified and started yelling at the tactless Kaleesh.
"Xalek! What are you even thinking saying something like that! Do you even – "
Before the Twi'lek can continue, Kira gently put her hand on Vette's shoulder, then turned back to Xalek with a scrutinizing look and a raised eyebrow.
"Are you honestly asking me where he's ticklish?"
Vette blushed at the remark, turning a lovely shade of purple. Xalek, for his own part, blinked.
Kira's first day as a member of the Eternal Alliance went well. She had learned about the Alliance, and the members of the Alliance had learned about her.
But to this day, Xalek is still trying to chew over exactly what she was trying to tell him.
Author's Notes: Many of us know what its like to be the 'new kid' at school, and the challenges someone faces in that sort of situation. Most of us probably were just trying to keep our heads down while we tried to get our bearings. I was fascinated by the challenge of someone coming to a new school, being 'known' to everyone, but all anyone knows about us is that we are dating the star quarterback of the football team. Or the prom queen. Or whomever.
I think Kira and Vette are a natural fit. 😊