Wow. Has it been that long already? *ducks thrown garbage* Kidding! Would have gotten this out sooner. Could have gotten this out sooner. Should have gotten this out sooner. Before my big trip coming up, I'll make sure to post more frequently. Meanwhile, you know what to do...
Disclaimer: Not mine at all. I just play with it... gentle-like...
Upon viewing the other five rooms on that floor, they agreed upon their rooming arrangement. The three rooms on the right side, with their windows facing towards the courtyard, were to be inhabited by Commander Skee, Master Unduli, and Padawan Laminara. The three rooms on the left side, with their windows facing the gardens outside the lavish home, were to have three of Commander Skee's handpicked men. The rest of their troops, when not on scheduled shifts around the home and certain locations inside, would be quartered inside the guest area in the north wing. Upon their return downstairs, the Jedi and Skee worked out the shifts as well as showing their troops to the wing.
Now back upstairs in her temporary room, Ani had finished placing her essentials in both the main room and the refresher area and now sat on her bed, drinking it all in. The rooms, despite retaining the furniture and other items she remembered there a decade earlier, had obviously been cleaned very recently. Marana had known back then what would cause her to freeze, and apparently even a decade later hadn't changed that.
She could have done so as part of the hostess's obligation to provide a clean room and board for visitors, her mind argued. Having Jedi come over and investigate would take a bit of time; she also could have thought to be safer with both of you there than quartered elsewhere.
Most beings dislike having any authority officials in their homes for any length of time, she argued back. They feel their rights are being infringed upon, and for good reason are they suspicious. Instances of authority figures abusing their powers when it comes to people's living quarters are well documented across the galaxy. No, she means to stir up old memories for me, as if I needed any help in that arena!
She could just want to repair any damage that has been done by her.
She could act that part as well as any psychoanalyst would describe it as, hiding her true intentions beneath that façade. Those I do not know as of yet, but if I had to guess they've not changed in the past ten or so years. A knock sounded at her door.
"Come in." Finara stood at the entryway, holding a package in her hands. Ani smiled at her.
"Hello, Finara." Made sense that Marana changed the help while she had been gone. Most likely loyal to her, but maybe they'd reveal something unwittingly. Didn't hurt to make some innocent conversation. "Is Lady Kiln ready for us?"
"Almost. My lady has finished preparing the refreshments and is waiting upon your Master, yourself, and your clone commander. She asked me to bring this to you." The maid set the box down on the other end of the bed and lifted the lid off of the box.
"Of course she did." If the maid took offense at her angry undertone, she did not say anything. "Finara, how long have you been here?"
"I have served Lady Kiln for nearly a decade now," Finara replied, lifting a swath of fabric from the box.
"Same as the other servants that work here?" Ani inquired.
"They have been around for about the same time that I have. May I ask what this pertains to?" Ani turned to look at her.
"Has there been anything that struck you as odd?" she asked, ignoring the maid's question.
"Odd?" Finara appeared to consider the question. "I… I don't believe so, not until recently. Anything remotely odd or suspicious that has happened came about as a result of her stealing the chip."
"Nothing that has made you personally feel uncomfortable?" Ani pressed. A look of concern passed over Finara's face.
"Not for me to say, Master Jedi," she replied. "Everything that Lady Kiln has done has been for the greater good of everyone involved."
"Not disputing that," Ani returned, "but there can be something that appears to be for the greater good of everyone that actually benefits only the one who initiated the idea. Those people, while appearing use their power for the good of the population at large, really use their power to their own gain. Those who know and refuse to reveal either cannot," she met the maid's eyes, "or will not." The maid stilled in her movements. Silence filled the space between the two. Uncomfortable with the tension she caused, Ani gave a half-smile and said, "And please, call me Padawan. I have not yet passed my tests to be a Knight, let alone a Master Jedi."
"Of course, Padawan. Trust me, I appreciate your intent behind your comments. I must do the same with Lady Kiln, to ensure she considers all aspects going into her decisions. Considering that the Jedi are here now, though, I highly doubt that anyone will not feel secure with your presence." She finished revealing the swath of cloth. "Meanwhile, Lady Kiln has requested that you consider wearing this during the meeting, if not at the ball tomorrow night that will be hosted nearby." Ani's throat constricted.
What she had thought to be extra refresher cloths was, in fact, a dress. The layout was Mirialan in nature with some Alderaanian societal design to it. Sleeveless, high necked and ending just above her knees, cut out for the top half of her chest, and two streams of symbols – one Mirialan and the other Alderaanian – coming down either side. She didn't think that her stepmother would have bothered to remember something that she wore over a decade ago. She wished that she had forgotten about it. It used to be her favorite dress, back when her mother was still alive. It was meant to be her credentials in a sense, a combination of the tabard Mirialans usually wore and rich color and embroidery typical of high society Alderaanian clothing.
Seeing that the maid was waiting for her response, she pasted a smile onto her face and replied, "Thank you for offering; however, I believe I shall refuse Lady Kiln's… generous offer."
"As you wish. I shall inform her of your decision." Finara replaced the dress inside the container. "Now, it is time for both you and the other Jedi –"
"My Master," Ani interrupted.
"For both of you to meet with Lady Kiln. I have already informed the other Jedi. She has already went with your clone commander." She picked up the box and made to leave. "I suggest you do the same."
"After you." Ani watched her exit the room before doing the same, looking around once more to make sure nothing else was disturbed. She then turned off the lights and left the room as well. This is going to be interesting, she thought glumly. As long as we only discuss mission intel and parameters, any mental anguish will be next to none.
The dining room was a great expanse of expensive wood furniture, delicate crystal pieces including a chandelier, and decorative wall inlays. Marana Kiln sat at the head of the table as head of the household. Luminara sat on her right, and Skee sat facing her on the left hand side. They had already begun their conversation in low tones as Finara and Ani approached the table. Upon hearing their footsteps, they looked up. Luminara turned to raise an eyebrow at her padawan. A slight blush colored Ani's cheeks under the slightly reproving gaze as she quickly sat next to her master. Finara took her place behind and to the left of Marana.
"Now that everyone is here," the woman began, "we can begin our discussion about what to do about the information I obtained."
"Considering you have only decrypted the first three files on the disc, the rest must be decrypted before we start sending the Republic anything," Luminara began. "We have the best team of hackers amongst our clone squad. I suggested we work on deciphering the rest of the information and getting it back to the Republic as soon as possible."
"And I disagreed," Marana cut in. "However, if you wouldn't be adverse to your team working with my personal staff to decrypt the rest of the information –"
"After we see what already has been decrypted," Luminara interrupted. Marana shrugged.
"Fair enough." She looked curiously at the Jedi. "How long do you think the total decryption will take?"
"Depending on how complicated the process may become, it could take anywhere from a standard day to three," Ani replied. "That also includes detecting any triggers or malware located within the encryption. They will proceed as cautiously as possible, given their experience with Separatist codes." She felt Marana's eyes on her as she looked to Skee for confirmation.
"Yes, sir," she could swear his shoulders never left the at-attention position. "My guys are the best at what they do. It will take some time, though, to ferret out any booby traps the Seppies have laid in that disc."
"Take all the time you need." Marana's eyes gleamed. "And for the rest of your troops?"
"They will remain on the premises to add security to this mission," Luminara responded firmly. Marana opened her mouth to protest, but the Jedi Master continued. "They may seem as if they're attracting unwanted attention, but they know how to use stealth. I can vouch that their presence will be virtually unseen on your grounds, while maintaining a much higher level of security and protection that is necessary for our mission to be a success." Marana appeared to be considering it, drawing out the silence.
"Very well," she finally spoke. "Your… clone squad may remain here while the disc is decrypted." Ani smirked inside; Marana may like to pretend that she was above any kind of fears or hatred against beings who weren't like her, but apparently even she could be rattled by men who looked exactly like each other. "And, as I said before, I will have a wing made up for their living quarters," she added hurriedly.
"You don't have to do that," Luminara spoke.
"With respect, ma'am, we have quarters on the ship," Skee added. Marana shook her head.
"If you're going to be here for security while keeping a low profile, it would be best for your clones to remain here. Less gaps in security, and lowers the chance the whole public will find out one of their leaders has troops on her premises." Master and apprentice shared a look.
"We wouldn't want you to feel forced into anything," Luminara stated. Marana waved her hands in dismissal.
"Why? I suggested it in the first place! Now that that's settled, there is another topic I wish to discuss with you." After looking once more to her padawan to gauge her reaction to the woman's proposal (she could tell she was more curious about the woman's motives than confused at her insistence, as was she), Luminara nodded at her to continue.
"There is a ball being held tomorrow night at a friend's mansion. I was hoping the two of you would be able to experience what a true Alderaanian High Council ball would be like. I believe that the last time you had attended one such ball," she directed this comment to Ani, "was when you were four years old. Such a long time to forget one's place and ties to their society." The Padawan felt a sudden surge of red-hot anger flood her veins; what was this woman implying?
"We learn about all cultures and their traditions, ma'am," she responded politely. "We also learn how to respect said cultures and traditions, even though we have cut all emotional ties to our own." She felt Luminara glance in her direction even as she kept her gaze on the woman at the head of the table.
"Oh, I know the Jedi know many things about other cultures, but have you personally ever experienced any traditions not your own, or do the Jedi cut you off even from your own society's traditions?"
"The Jedi has always encouraged its diverse members to remain true to their cultures while cutting off all emotional ties in order to remain true to the rules of the Order," Luminara interjected smoothly.
"Yes they do, but considering the war that you Jedi are involved in, you don't have time to indulge in cultural pastimes, do you?" Marana smirked. "I have two extra tickets for two friends of mine to attend with me. You two will come, of course dressed in something else since Jedi are looked to more for protection than as individuals. Both of you will get to experience how our High Council works with one another. And I wager that you could use the time to brush up on your home planet's protocol and current events, given your… birthright." Stepmother locked eyes with stepdaughter as Jedi Master and Clone Commander looked on.
"We will be honored to attend," Luminara broke the silence at last. Skee glanced at the other Commander, half expecting her to cross her arms and refuse.
"I expect the dress will be considered mandatory?" Ani asked in a low voice.
"Of course. I have modified it as current fashion and protocol demand, but do keep in mind I modified it so that you would have something to look forward to amidst this entire mission. You did so used to love that dress." Marana's smile had become less calculating and more of a worn parent. Despite herself, Ani felt her defenses drop just slightly, as they always had.
"If you so desire it, I shall wear that dress tomorrow night then," she inclined her head.
"Very good!" Marana beamed. "And as for you, Master Jedi, I shall have my maid find something for you as well, once your troops have been squared away in their wing and your gunship goes back to your cruiser." She rose. "While that is being taken care of, I shall show both of you, Jedi, to the secured location of the disc." The three visitors rose as well, and split into two different directions: Skee to the front with Finara to begin preparations, and Luminara and Ani with Marana to the location of the disc.
Luminara pondered over her padawan's near explosion over the ball portion of their conversation. Her padawan's emotions had seemed to be on the verge of turmoil when the maid and she had come down the stairs, but she had figured that would fade when the meeting had began. Now, it seemed the dress in question had set off another trigger, one that couldn't be tossed as quickly as the others had. As they matched Marana's pace with their own, Luminara touched Ani's mind with questioning concern.
/Padawan, what happened?/
/Just normal maneuvering, that's all, Master./
/That wasn't normal maneuvering for a Jedi Padawan to engage in. Explain yourself. The dress, too./
/Marana, it seems, has a perfect memory when it comes to our shared past. Long story short, she knows that her days are numbered until she dies, and also knows that I have legitimate claim, if I so wish, to successor and heir of not just this estate but also the political position the Kilns have claimed for centuries./
/So she's trying to reach out to you to reestablish this lineage?/ She noticed that nothing was said about the dress, but said nothing. It could wait. Once they had a good look at the disc and started the process of decryption, then that touchy topic could be addressed. Either way, she would see it later.
/That, and she was upset that I could never be controlled by her. Neither could Mother./ Silence stretched as they reached the second floor. /However, I am considered the true heir of the family, despite my mixed heritage and time off as a Jedi. She has always seeked to control my family in one way or another for personal gain./
/Despite all this, and mind you, all coming from the past, you couldn't have been more polite?/
/Master, you try talking to an old nemesis and see how well you do./ Ani looked slightly grumpy, although she retained a mostly polite face since they were still in the presence of the lady of the house. /I phrased it as well as I could, given the circumstances./
/I'm sure you did. However, you need to work on your diplomatic skills, and what better place to work on them than at the ball tomorrow night?/
/Master, really? Are you serious?/ The emotions that emanated from her padawan bordered on panic. She would have laughed if it would not have led to an awkward situation.
/Yes. And don't forget, Padawan, we both accepted her invitation, so the pressure is on both of us to make a good impression on all beings at the ball tomorrow night. You have more to prove since your near explosion at her earlier. How do you like to say it? Practical experience outweighs lectures./
/That was specifically meant for lightsaber and combat practice, not this…./ Here Ani added several mental expletives which made her master both mentally sigh and silently reflect on her growing, er, vocabulary. Silence came again. /Kark on you for using my words against me/ she finally responded. /I will not let you down again, Master./
/Whoever said you let me down the first time, Padawan? I must simply make sure I am teaching you how to be a good member of our esteemed Jedi order./
/This still should really be known as torture/ Ani mentally grumbled.
/Among other things/ Luminara threw back. /Remember, Padawan, even though your stepmother may seem to desire to unsettle you and make your life miserable, she still does not come across as evil. Focus on the mission, ignore your tumultuous past, and let's get that information decrypted before we're here for a week or more./ She did not miss the smirk that appeared on her apprentice's face.
/Bet you we'll be here for less./ The Jedi Master made no attempt to hide the anticipation she felt from leaking through their connection.
/You're on./