S-3_C-13: Ari-Gon Fa

We sat by a viewport in the galley as the transport entered Coruscant's atmosphere. The lights of the megacities below made the dark side of the planet's surface appear molten. We were headed for the largest city of them all—the capital. As we descended farther and farther, the gray surface below gained dimension and shape. Skyscrapers stretched across the afternoon horizon as far as the eye could see.

Suddenly, a small ship zoomed by the window. "Stars," I breathed, clutching my chest. Another ship and then another blurred by as we entered the skyline traffic of the city.

"You've been to Coruscant?" Ben asked across from me. He was sitting back in his seat with his arms crossed.

"Yes, but it's been a while," I told him, swallowing. "I'm not used to so many…people."

He nodded with a small smile. "I know what you mean. I haven't been here since I was a youngling."

The large spaceport was the busiest I had ever seen. I stayed close to Ben, trying to keep my wits about me as I bumped shoulders with humans and aliens alike. The grand marble floors and the colorful banners around us were all but lost on me.

"There it is," Ben said over his shoulder, pointing at a large statue ahead.

It was the figure of a woman, at least fifty feet tall, clothed in robes with a scale of justice in her hand. It was no doubt the meeting place that Ari-Gon Fa had described. There were at least fifty people crowded around it, making it impossible to spot the professor right away.

"'The First Chancellor of the New Republic,'" I read from a plaque at the base of the statue. Ben didn't seem very interested. "'Mon Mothma.'" I looked up at the imposing figure, blocking the sunlight from my eyes.

"Solo? Ben Solo?"

A gentleman in dark robes, looking about fifty years older than I expected, approached us. "Ari-Gon," Ben greeted, stretching out his hand.

Instead of taking it, the old man reached up to place both his hands on Ben's shoulders. Their dramatic difference in height almost made me laugh. "So it is you," he said in a voice like sandpaper. "I would recognize your mother's eyes anywhere."

Ben stepped away with an awkward laugh. "It's good to see you, old man."

Ari-Gon turned his attention to me. "And this—your female companion?" he asked innocently.

I couldn't help but smile at that. He took my hand when I offered it, clasping it between his warm, wrinkled hands. "Lucia," I said. "It's a pleasure, Professor Fa."

His face became quizzical. "Please, just call me Ari-Gon," he instructed, gesturing to Ben. "This one used to be like family. Oh, before I forget—" He reached into an outer pocket of his robes. "You'll both be needing these."

He handed us each a small, silver communicator. The elegant device had a small dial to change frequencies and a green light indicating that it was on. We don't have this kind of tech in the Outer Rim.

Ben was reluctant. "We can't accept these…"

"Nonsense," Ari-Gon interrupted with a smile. "We can't go losing you again, young Solo."

He shook his head incredulously. "Thank you."

Ari-Gon was surprisingly spritely for an old man. We walked to his fancy, private speeder that was parked nearby while he complained about the spaceport. Then, he asked us about our trip. Then, he was reminiscing about his recent journey from Chandrila. If the conversation didn't give me whiplash, his driving certainly did.

As we glided along with the flow of other speeders high above the city, I couldn't help but look down. The buildings seemed to be stacked atop each other like a never-ending maze of durasteel and neon lights. The grids of speeders below us and spaceships above us seemed endless. Ben tapped my knee from the front seat when we exited the flow of traffic.

"Look," he said, pointing straight ahead.

A massive building stood ominously taller and wider than any others around it. Its towering steeples cast long shadows across the city for miles. I stared in awe. "Is that the Senate?"

"No," Ari-Gon said over his shoulder. "It's the Jedi Temple. It's a museum now—hasn't been used properly since the Clone Wars." My eyes snapped to Ben, wishing I could see his reaction. "I believe Senator Halloway owns it, in fact. Ah, here we are—her estate."

The speeder slowed further as we approached a private docking strip, which had a dazzling view of the Temple. The estate—or rather, mansion—was nestled in the middle of a nondescript skyscraper. Its grand staircase entrance, covered in burgundy carpet and flanked by white pillars, was only accessible via the landing strip.

"This is stunning," I mused as the speeder powered down.

Ari-Gon deboarded with surprising grace. "I quite like it," he said.

As I stood to my feet, Ben offered me a hand from the landing above. Indulging in a weak moment, I let him pull me up beside him. His hand was soft and warm, and I felt my heart stutter when he held on for just a moment too long.

Walking across Senator Halloway's marble and velvet floors with my dusty boots felt criminal. Luckily, Ari-Gon informed us that the Senator wouldn't be home until dinner. As he gave us the grand tour, I noticed a large amount of Jedi artifacts throughout the house. Holocrons, lightsabers, uniforms, and even tomes sat within polished glass cases along corridors and in sitting rooms.

Finally, Ari-Gon said he would show us to the apartment where we would be staying. Ben took the opportunity to ask about the artifacts.

"Ah, yes. I'm glad you noticed." He pointed out some kind of antique droid as we passed its case. "Like me, Taniri is quite an aficionado of the Force. We aren't gifted like you, Ben," he said with a gesture, "but there is something compelling about such things."

"I imagine so," Ben replied, his eyes lingering on a tapestry lining the corridor. It seemed to be covered in runic symbols of some kind.

"I should save such conversation for dinner," Ari-Gon digressed. "The Senator is quite excited to meet you."

Ben's eyes fell to the ground. "Of course…"

"Ah—your apartment, I believe. The droids were busy making it up all morning."

Ari-Gon waved a set of doors open to reveal a lavish room filled with afternoon sunlight. I stole a glance inside, feeling a rush of excitement.

"Thank you so much for the tour," I said, giving Ari-Gon a sincere smile.

"The pleasure is mine, milady. I'll come to collect you for dinner when the time comes." He bowed his head formally.

Ben dipped his head in return, and I copied him. "Thank you," he said.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the doors gently swooshed shut behind us, and my eyes greedily took in the sight before me. A set of red couches stood in the center of the room, surrounding a sunken feature that had blue flames dancing among white stones. The rear wall was ceiling-to-floor glass that showed part of the Temple and the sunlit skyline. Around the corner to the left, the bedroom appeared equally luxurious.

"I feel like I'm dreaming," Ben chuckled, touching random decorations on a wall-mounted shelf.

"Me, too," I breathed, reaching to unstrap my boots.

In the bedroom, the windows became completely black or transparent with the wave of a hand, and a large refresher practically begged to be used. I also discovered an entrance to the balcony in the bedroom. I quickly retreated back inside when I noticed that other apartments had access to the balcony.

Finally, the closets—one for each of us. Mine had elegant dresses and outfits for any occasion; some of the rich fabrics and colors I had never seen before in my life.

Closing the wardrobe, I turned to find Ben lying on the bed with his eyes closed and his arms spread out. I smiled and sat on the covers beside him. Instinctively, I reached to brush his tousled bangs away from his eyes.

Stop!

I jerked my hand back just in time, but his eyelids fluttered open.

"I'm so tired," he murmured, seemingly oblivious.

I pretended to straighten my sleeve. "Didn't you sleep on the transport?"

"Not at all," he responded flatly.

"Sleep, then," I said. "I'll wake you when Ari-Gon returns."

Ben was rubbing his face with his hand. "What are you…going to do?"

His tiredness mixed with his concern made me laugh. "I'll keep myself occupied."

Before my very eyes, his breathing evened out and he fell fast asleep. I smiled; his sudden vulnerability was endearing. I balled my hand into a fist when I again felt the urge to touch his hair.

It was the first real shower I had taken in eons. I scrubbed every inch of myself with fragrant soaps and then stood under the hot spray for what seemed like hours. I felt like a new person when I stepped out of the shower. Peering into the foggy mirror, I smiled at my flushed, glowing skin.

I fidgeted with the dress I had picked out for at least twenty minutes in the mirror. It was a deep blue floor-length gown with a scooped collar and a loose corded belt. I pulled up half my hair, letting the rest hang loosely at my shoulders. Luckily, one of my blasters fit in a side pocket and blended in perfectly with the folds of fabric.

When I heard the door signal, I scurried off to answer it.

Ari-Gon smiled pleasantly. "Good evening, my dear. The droids have summoned us for dinner, and Taniri is on her way."

"Excellent," I said, trying to hide my nerves. Formality was not my strong suit. "We will join you shortly."

Returning to the bedroom, I was relieved to find Ben standing by the bed, fastening up the fresh linen tunic I had set out for him. When he looked up at me, his eyes took in my appearance with several sweeping motions.

"You look beautiful," he stated.

"Thank you." I felt a blush creeping up my chest. "Anything I should know for dinner?" I asked in a businesslike tone. "Senator Halloway sounds…interesting."

Ben laughed under his breath. "I'm a little worried about her questions." He ran a nervous hand through his hair. "Just remember that you were on the ship's crew that found me on Batuu."

I frowned. "Batuu?"

He looped his belt around his waist as he spoke. "Luke's Temple was on Batuu. I've been stranded there for nine years."

My frown deepened. "Oh."

When he shrugged into his dark leather jacket, I heard the clatter of his lightsabers inside. "It was the best explanation I could think of…"

Wanting to bolster his confidence, I stepped forward and put my hand on his arm. I could feel the curve of his bicep even through the thick material. "Everything's going to be fine," I told him gently as his eyes searched my face. "They seem so pleased to see you."

He lifted his hand to cover mine, and his furrowed brow finally relaxed. "You're right," he finally said. "I'm glad you're here."

I felt a giddy smile work its way onto my face as I stepped back. "Ari-Gon's waiting," I said, eyes falling.

His topic of choice on our way to the dining room was food. The Senator apparently had the best of the best chef droids anyone could ask for. He went over some of his favorite meals since he'd been a guest of the estate.

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you Taniri is bringing a guest for dinner," Ari-Gon said happily. "A fellow Senator—Finn."

I noticed how Ben's steps faltered slightly.