C-6
After Thalia had sent the Jedi away, C-6 had accompanied her mistress back to her family home on the outskirts of Troska's capital city. It was a beautiful home, with vines climbing the sandstone walls and coloured curtains hanging in every window. The garden was stunning, with all manner of native plants and had been well kept all these long years.
The housemaid, Beth greeted them on the front steps and Thalia fell into her warm embrace. Beth had looked after Thalia ever since C-6 had been built. She'd known the Princess from the moment she was born.
Beth took her to her old room and tucked her into bed before patting C-6's chest plate and telling her to help with dinner preparations.
"You've been a wonderful help to Thalia all these years." Beth said to the droid who was happy to hear that she was fulfilling her duty.
All was quiet the next morning and C-6 was enjoying taking some time to re-oil her joints when a hesitant knock came from the front door. She squeaked down the hallway, having not gotten to her legs yet, and opened the door. Standing on the top step was no other than that irksome Jedi, Obi-Wan. No sooner had she seen his face, she slammed the door in it.
"C-6, may I speak to Thalia?" He asked, his voice muffled through the heavy wooden door.
"She told you to leave." C-6 replied.
"Would you at least give this to her?" He continued, and a holo-projector slid under the door. It stopped at the droid's foot. C-6 immediately kicked it back. She began to walk away, but stopped when she heard it slide back under.
Against her better judgement, which was usually perfect, she picked up the hologram and put it in her storage unit. She then trooped to the window and looked through the curtain to see the Jedi sit down in the middle of the steps and stretch his legs out in front of him.
She shook her head and went about the rest of her day, but still the Jedi sat. The next day, he got lucky when Beth answered the door. C-6 was in Thalia's room charging when a soft knock came from the door and Beth pushed it open carefully. Thalia was facing away from the door, so Beth carefully walked around the bed and knelt down beside her.
Obi-Wan appeared in the doorway and C-6 narrowed her eyes at the Jedi, who quickly looked back down at the ground.
"I'm sorry, dear. She's asleep at the moment." Beth told Obi-Wan who nodded in understanding and C-6 looked back at Thalia, who's eyes were definitely open.
Beth closed the door behind them and when she heard the front door close, C-6 walked to the window and saw the Jedi sitting back on his favorite step. He pulled something out of his pocket and laid it in front of him before beginning to fiddle with it. It looked like lightsaber parts.
Another four days passed and the doctor came to check on Thalia. He said that her wounds were healing well and that she'd be back on her feet in no time. As the doctor made his leave, Beth took a seat on the edge of Thalia's bed and began stroking her forehead, the way she used to when Thalia was young.
"There's a very persistent young man outside. He's been sitting on the steps for a week." Beth said slowly.
"I'm not making him." Thalia replied.
"That's my point." She smiled before turning to C-6. "Give her the holo-projector. I know you still have it."
C-6 stared at Beth. How did she know about that?
"Fine." The droid huffed and popped her storage unit, handing the holo-projector to Thalia. She flipped it over in her hands, her face expressionless.
"Go on, my love. If you don't listen to it, I will." Beth urged, and Thalia sighed before playing the message. A small hologram of Obi-Wan sprung from the holo-projector.
"Thalia. I know no matter what I say, it won't change what happened. So, I've decided to focus on the future. Qui-Gonn and the Jedi have returned to Coruscant but I have vowed to stay on the front step until you are ready to talk to me. I won't be making excuses, I won't obey blindly anymore and I will ensure that I now act in your best interests instead of the Council's. They assigned you as my mission, and my mission you shall solely be." The hologram said earnestly before dramatically adding. "I pledge myself to you for the…negotiable future. Whatever you need, I will be right outside."
"I still don't like him." C-6 said proudly.
"Well, if you don't take him up on his offer I will. I could do with some help in the gardens." Beth said as she watched Thalia's expression. It wasn't as stony as it had been before she read the message. There was the smallest of smiles pulling at the corners of her mouth, but her eyes will solemn and thoughtful.