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I finally saw Justyn this morning in the training room. He was sparring with Jef Farlander, who I know has a crush on me but he is way too young for me. Mom may have liked my dad when he was sixteen and she was nearly twenty, but that isn't me. I like my guys to be at least the same age as me. Jef is only thirteen…eww.
Well, anyway he and Justyn were sparing while Master Durron was talking to Jef's dad, Jon Farlander. Jon is the only son of Keyan Farlander and isn't that powerful of a Jedi, but he married a Jedi. Jef inherited his mother's Force-abilities and is a great duelist. I watched as he gave Justyn quite the workout. Of course, don't ask me who I thought was better. I will admit that I was way too distracted by watching Justyn's moves. Wow! I would love to spar with him. He moves like a graceful dancer. All controlled and coiled power.
Then suddenly my uncle laughed and I totally blushed. I know I turned redder than my hair in that moment when he said to me between chuckles, "Jessi, you may want to pick your tongue off the floor. So, let me guess, Master Durron's mysterious heir has your attention?"
Like I said, I about died. I turned toward Uncle Valin but I couldn't look him in the eye. I nodded and said, "Yeah, but Dad said something stupid the other day and ruined any chance I may have had."
My uncle and I have always been close. I think it has to do with the fact that his own daughter was killed in a freak accident when she was only two. She was hit by an out of control speeder when Uncle Valin was in the market district of the village outside the Academy on Ossus. Uncle Valin never talks about Ella, who was named after her grandmothers like Corry had been named after his grandfathers. Aunt Syal once told me that he blames himself for her death because if he had had TK ability he could have saved her. At least that's what he thinks. It took a long time for Valin to recover and my aunt said that there was a time right after the accident she feared that he'd go Dark Side. I can't even imagine my straight-laced, by-the-book Uncle Valin being a dark Jedi. But I believe my Aunt, the loss of Ella really hit him hard. Then I was born and he seemed to take me under his wing.
He gave me a concerned look and put his arm around my shoulders. Then he asked, "What did my brother-in-law put his foot into his mouth this time over? I'm almost afraid to ask."
I shook my head and said, "He said that I never told them about Justyn. Apparently he had told Master Durron a lot about me. And now Justyn thinks that I didn't really care for him. I hurt his feelings by not telling my family about him. Dad just made a mess of it!"
He did that thing that adults do that just irritates the Sith out of me. He just nodded once and gave me that look. You know the one that I mean, the one that says that they don't understand why I'd be so upset and what's the big deal. But it is a bid deal, however I didn't get the chance to let him know that.
Suddenly, Justyn looked over at me and that must have distracted him enough to let Jef get the upper hand, because Justyn's lightsaber was knocked out of his hand. He let out a course that I assume is Dathomiri because I've never heard anything like it before. But Master Durron must have understood it because he laughed and said, "Now, Justyn, young Padawan Farlander won that fairly. It was you who became distracted."
Master Durron then winked at me and I blushed, I know I did. Jef gave me this sickening smug smile that made me just want to throttle him. Justyn looked at me and suddenly I realized Uncle Valin was walking us over to the other Jedi. I met Justyn's eyes but he quickly turned back to Jef. They bowed to each other and then Jef's dad said that they had to be going. I was so relieved.
Then I was standing there before Justyn but he wouldn't even look at me. Then I heard Uncle Valin say, "Kyp, this is the mysterious young man I've been hearing about?"
Master Durron gave him a lopsided grin and said, "Yeah, I think I was as surprised as anyone though. But I'm very pleased. Justyn is a fine young man."
Uncle Valin shook Justyn's hand and then said, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Master Valin Horn. I'm Jessi's uncle and Master."
Justyn smiled that cocky grin that he obviously inherited from his grandfather and said, "It's nice to meet you, Master Horn. I met the other Master Horn just yesterday. I'm glad that you aren't like him."
Valin grinned back and asked as he raised his eyebrow at Master Durron, "Oh, now what did Dad do?"
Master Durron laughed and said, "Corran told Justyn that he hoped that he wasn't like me and stayed out of trouble."
Justyn then shook his head as he looked up at Master Durron, "Master, you know that isn't what he said. He said that he was glad the Temple didn't have any four-thousand year old Sith Lords in residence since seventeen is such an impressionable age for Durrons. I think that was just mean-spirited, if you ask me."
Valin shook his head but before he could talk, Master Durron snickered, "Like I said, he told you to say out of trouble." Then he looked at me and said, "Of course, I think you may have found it anyway."
I about died. Gods, why does that man do that to me!
Then Uncle Valin said, "Jessi and I were going to spar. But it might be better if Justyn sparred with her. If you're up to it, of course, Justyn." Which only made it worse!!!
I really wanted to disappear. And I was thrilled at the same time. Me—spar with Justyn? I know he'd win. I'd be too distracted by him in that leather vest he was wearing. But before I could even let the thought really hit me, Master Durron said, "I'm sorry, Valin, Jessi, but we have to pack. We'll be leaving in a few hours."
"I wasn't aware the Council gave you a mission," Uncle Valin said.
Master Durron smiled and shook his head. "No. This is personal." Then he looked at Justyn. "I know he just got here, but I have a family that I didn't even know existed. I want to go and meet them. We'll be back but it may be a little while. I have a daughter and two granddaughters. One of which is about to make me a great-grandfather. Can you believe that? Me, a great-grandfather!"
My uncle snickered, "Well, to be honest, I am having a hard time of it."
The old Master laughed hard as he said, "So the hells am I!
Well, needless to say, Justyn and I didn't spar. And we really didn't even talk. But I finally got my head out of my butt and said, "Maybe when you come back we can spar?"
He smiled that smile that nearly melts me and said, "Okay."
I can't wait to see him again, Journal. I hope that he will give me a second chance.
Good night, Journal. Tomorrow Uncle Valin and me leave for Naboo. I guess I don't mind as much now since I know Justyn won't be here either. He'll be visiting his family with his grandfather. Though I have to admit, I'd love to be a flitnat on the wall when they all meet. I think that would be very interesting indeed!!!
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