Chapter 14

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'Don't Turn Around'

'Men in Trees'

'Welcome Back, Plagueis'

'X Factor'

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Two days pass. Dantius has not discussed the incident that occurred on the campus grounds. Dantius and Boone say very little about the incident on Tuesday when they meet for lunch in the dining hall just to get their stories straight should they are called in for questioning. They are certain no one saw them at the scene, but neither of then were taking any chances. It is clear, however that both students have secrets that they are reluctant to reveal at this time. Dantius realizes that Boones possesses Force talents that he himself wishes for but lacks.

Doug and Chip wind up in the infirmary overnight. The coach chastises them but stops at any real disciplinary action since it is the end of the semester. They will spend their holiday recovering. Both are benched for the season by their coach.

Dantius leaves his room Wednesday morning. He sees Chip hobbling down the hall. He has a bandage on his head and an elastic brace on his ankle. He is having trouble carrying his book bag and academic robe. Dantius does not attempt to help him with his bag but he does hold open the elevator door for him. Chip hesitates for a moment then enters before the doors close. No words are exchanged. Chip does not recall anything two nights ago after the athlete and his teammate began taunting Dantius. He just knows that he is afraid. Doug meanwhile is still recuperating in the infirmary from his injuries which include his head and neck and another embarrassing injury that he does not wish to discuss. The campus police have not been able to get the truth from him. Unlike Chip, Doug remembers every moment from that evening. Dantius and Chip remain silent all the way down to the lobby floor.

Dantius heads for the dining hall for breakfast. Chip waits outside the dorm for the para-trans speeder to take him to the dining hall. He is a bit early. None of his new radical friends are there. He is back to eating alone.

Now that it is mid-week, Dantius decides to attend the class he has been dreading since his return to campus. He arrives at the Chommell Arena. The building houses a series of lecture halls of varying sizes. He sets his rucksack down and hangs his parka in the cloakroom. He immediately slips his arms into his academic robe. Dantius enters Lecture Hall 8. He files in with the other students. Plagueis busily writes something on the 9-meter wide touch board. The words become enlarged to adjust to the board so everyone may see them. The students immediately take out their data pads and use their styluses to begin writing. Plagueis turns, looking at no one in particular."

"Self-deception. What comes to mind when you see this?"

Silence. There is some hesitation at first but a few hands go up in the room. Plagueis paces the black and white diamond-cut marble floor. The soles of his boots make an annoying sound as Plagueis moves across the room. They sound like footsteps in pursuit of some thing or someone; like someone being stalked. Dantius wonders if he is the only one bothered by this or perhaps he is just being overly sensitive. He points his slender fingers under his chin as if he is in deep contemplation.

"Anyone? Anyone? How does one become a self-deceiver….Anyone? Anyone?" He looks around in the student 'audience.' He sees someone vying for his attention. This is interesting… Miss Kuro, way up in the tenth row. What say you on this query?"

Everyone turns towards the upper right-hand side of the lecture hall. All eyes are on Son'ya Kuro the 'figurine queen'. Dantius does a double-take and sees Sigrid's roommate. He never knew she had been in his class all semester. Likewise, for Son'ya, she never sat closer than the eight or ten rows back. She did not recognize Dantius. Dantius keeps his head low and shields his face with his hand. It is a large class so there is no reason that the two would have known one another before. Son'ya answers the question to an impatient Plagueis.

"Well…I think…"

"Speak up, dear girl, so the entire room can hear you. Some of your classmates are eager to know what you think."

"Self-deception is someone who is not true to himself."

There is a sudden smirk on the professor's face. It smacks of condescension. He cannot decide whether to allow her to keep talking or to stop her. He decides to interrupt her briefly but he is intrigued.

"I believe what I wrote on the board clearly indicates as much. How so? And please…feel free to give us some examples."

"A person may think he or she is more intelligent than he or she really is or not as talented...I mean, look at you. You think highly of yourself. "

"Well, of course. I have earned my station in life. There is no deceit. I am a highly intelligent individual. Now, getting back to your example…In your infinite wisdom, Miss Kuro, do you believe self-deception intentional?"

"Not necessarily…lots of people believe in their own greatness…If you stroke someone's ego long enough, they eventually believe the hype...look at the entire Gravball team. Everyone tells them they are the best. They believe they are the best…there isn't one whole brain in the bunch. Most of them couldn't find Theed University on a bus map if you circled it for them. They still believe in their greatness."

"So, you are saying that our athletes are self-deceivers?"

"Oh, big time! And besides, they suck! Have you seen their stats recently?" She twirls her stylus between her thumb and index finger. There are several garish fuchsia plumes sprouting from its top of the stylus. Plagueis notices the writing implement and finds it distracting. He nods then turns away.

"Thank-you, Miss Kuro."

"You're welcome." She beams proudly as she makes her point.

This elicits a few nervous giggles around the room. Even a few jocks in the lecture hall get a chuckle until they realize they have been insulted. Plagueis nods slowly as he takes in Son'ya's answer. He turns swiftly to the left side of the lecture hall.

"Oh, Mr. Palpatine, it's so good to see you back after your sojourn. I trust you are well. Your presence has been missed. However, classes resumed this week and I don't recall seeing you in class on Monday. I hope, as the semester winds to a close, you will attend the remaining classes."

"You have a note."

"I do? Ah! My sincere apologies. Yes. I certainly do. Perhaps we could have a chat later and have a chat about your activities of late. Welcome back."

Dantius replies with a less than enthusiastic 'Thank you.'

An excited Son'ya notices Dantius across the lecture hall. She cranes her neck to get a glimpse of him below. She waves her stylus. The plumes flow back and forth at the end of the stylus like a hot pink fluffy boa. Dantius sees it fluttering from the corner of his eye. He turns slightly but not enough to drawn attention. Son'ya mouths something to him. He has a puzzled expression on his face. He has just attracted attention to himself. Plagueis calls on him.

"Is there something you wish to say, Mr. Palpatine?"

"No. No, Professor."

"So, getting back to the topic of self-deception... Some philosophers believe the origins of self-deception carry over in the events of the deceivers' life and relationships..."

Dantius interrupts.

"Actually, I have a question for you. Could one commit bad faith, vis-à-vis 'mauvais fois' based solely on bad decisions or actions? Would one then deny his own happiness and freedoms in an effort to reinvent himself or to appease the instigator of this offense?"

"Are we dealing with the hypothetical, Mr. Palpatine?"

"Strictly speaking of course."

Dantius is lying and Plagueis knows it. Dantius is referring to someone that they both know. Plagueis carefully responds.

"Well, if we are dealing with 'hypotheticals,' I would have to say I am not sure. I suppose one who wishes to have people trust him, party 'A' would commit 'mauvais fois' by destroying or undermining someone who devoted himself, which being party 'B', to this person in exchange for certain rewards promised."

One of the students in the lecture hall loses track of the discussion.

"What did they say?"

Plagueis paces across the room in front of the board. He addresses the class as well as the student who asks the question.

"I believe your classmate is trying to make a point. If I am correct; and Mr. Palpatine, please correct me if I misspeak…" He folds his arms as he drifts across the floor in his velvet academic robe. "Mr. Palpatine asserts that there is mutual deception between two parties does the party influencing the deception have the obligation to release the other party from said contract. Well that would put both parties in somewhat of a pickle wouldn't it? I'm guessing that what you want is to have both parties cease and desist all inappropriate activity. But who is to say that party 'A' is in the wrong? He clearly has a goal."

One of the jocks in the back of the class taking notes furrows his eyebrows as if confused or skeptical, and then raises his hand.

"Excuse me, Professor, but which one is party 'A'?"

Plagueis closes his eyes for a second. He abhors those of lesser intelligence than himself. He is also annoyed that several Jocks have selected this class thinking they would ace it simply because he is a guest professor. It was suggested by their coach who quipped, 'Who takes philosophy anyway? It's an easy 'C'.'

They would be proved wrong; He will not pander to 'C' students. Plagueis paces in the opposite direction then stops.

"Could anyone here care to explain to the young man in the back what Mr. Palpatine is saying?"

Son'ya raises her hand enthusiastically.

"I can!"

Plagueis tries to ignore her.

"Anyone else? Anyone?"

The group of Muun students in the first row whisper amongst themselves on how to answer the question. While they mull over a response, Son'ya keeps her hand raised. Plagueis hesitates for a moment and closes his eyes before acknowledging her.

"Miss Kuro?"

"Basically, what Dani…I'm sorry…I mean 'Mr. Palpatine' is saying that Party 'A' is the one trying to screw over Party 'B' and 'B' is trying to find a way out of the contract because 'A' is such an a**hole."

There is a deafening silence in the room. Suddenly a few students in the back, including the jocks, begin giggling uncontrollably.

Plagueis finally responds.

"A simplistic answer, Miss Kuro but it seems to have satisfied your audience in the back. Mr. Palpatine however is bringing up several issues on which he needs to expand."

Dantius is sure that Plagueis knows exactly what he is talking about and is willing to debate him but then Plagueis goes into an hour-long lecture on the concept of honor.

As the lecture ends, the students eagerly file out. The group of Muun students gathers around Plagueis to praise him on the lecture. Plagueis is distracted as he sees Dantius starting up the steps carrying his academic robe over his arm. There is heavy foot traffic up the steps leading to the exit doors. Someone calls him.

"Oh, Mr. Palpatine…?"

Dantius stops just as he is halfway up the steps. He stops and turns slowly. The professor meets him halfway. Dantius tries to avoid making eye contact with him. His robe is almost drags against the step. Plagueis smiles as soon as they meet. He is standing on the lower step but still appears to tower over Dantius.

"I just wanted to say welcome back and hope that today's class did not shake your confidence too much. Being away causes one to lose touch with hard facts. I'm counting on you to pull through. Don't disappoint me."

Dantius nods.

"I have to go. I have another class."

"I won't delay you any further."

Plagueis bows slightly and retreats. The room is now empty. The professor faces the touch board. With a wave of his hand, the writing and diagrams disappear.

Dantius is in the hallway. He is fuming as his robe continues to drag the floor. Someone touches his shoulder.

"Mr. Palpatine?"

Dantius turns. It is Son'ya mocking Plagueis. Dantius sighs then rolls his eyes. He manages a faint smile. Son'ya walks beside him.

"Don't listen to him. I liked your response. You're a really deep thinker."

"You heard?"

"No…just the part where he bashed your theory. I think he insulted me too! Screw him! He's only a guest professor. He won't be around next year to ruin your life."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that."

"It's not as if you're bound to take his class again."

"No."

"Anyway, I couldn't believe it when I saw you in class today. We've been in the same class all semester and I didn't even notice."

"I usually sit near the front."

"Did you notice me? Before, I mean."

"No. I had no idea. Small galaxy, eh?" Dantius laughs nervously then looks away and rolls his eyes. Son'ya keeps talking.

"Ah! You sit with all the serious thinkers. Those Muun students always take up the first row. It's like Plagueis has a whole cult of followers."

"Seems that way."

"So…where are you heading?"

"Uhm…I have an economics class in fifteen minutes."

"Cool! I'm heading in that direction."

Son'ya carries a floral tote over her shoulder. Her academic robe is stuffed carelessly inside. This reminds Dantius to fold his robe across hiss arm. He will put it back on when he arrives for his next class. It does not fit over his blue parka. The two walk along the path to the Lors Hall of Intergalactic Finance. Suddenly, Son'ya remembers something.

"Oh! I just remembered; you said you would be able to repair my figurines."

Dantius thinks for a moment. Did he promise to do such a thing? He thinks to himself. Yes, you sure did! He has a feeling he is going to regret this.

"Oh…oh...alright…of course. Uhm…drop them off in the lobby. There's a message bin near the security desk. I'll pick them up later."

"Okay. Cool."

"Well…I should be going."

"Okay. See you!"

Son'ya smiles and waves enthusiastically as Dantius hurries along. He leaves her behind on the path.

Dantius is still annoyed about Plagueis. He figures all he will have to do is ace his exam and then sever ties. There are some serious issues he wants to discuss when they meet again. Dantius is not anxious to do this. No yet. He thinks about the exam again. It should be a cinch. He just had to find a way to tell the professor that he no longer interested in the offer.

His next class goes better. He actually likes his economics professor who encourages him and is impressed with his input on formal economic theory When Dantius leaves his economics class, he feels much better about what he has to do. A weight has been lifted. Now he can enjoy the rest of his day.

Dantius walks into the university bookstore. He grabs a shopping basket from the bin and heads all the way back to the arts and crafts aisle. It is actually a whole department. He had never ventured to this part of the store. There was everything for the creative mind. He picks up sculpting epoxy, patina to stain the pieces, sponges. Brushes, a work board and cloth. He totes his purchases to the checkout counter. A student worker is at the register. She puts down a textbook she has been reading.

"Is this cash or charged to your account?"

Dantius is too busy staring at her to respond. He had never seen a Twi'lek in person, not on Naboo; although he heard that some of his parent's friends had a Twi'lek housekeepers and gardeners. They were kept out of sight and never during social event. If they were, they were restricted to the kitchen or upstairs making beds or upstairs folding laundry.

The young woman is scantily clad given the time of year. She wears blue leather pants that sit low on her hips and a midriff top exposing her firm peach-colored skin. Her long brain tails flow down below her shoulders with a colorful print scarf twisted around them. She wears a scarlet and gold smock with the university crest embroidered on the upper left pocket. A school I.D. and name badge hangs from the collar. The bookstore manager had already reminded her that morning to button up the smock but she ignores him. She is bubblegum, another infraction but not many students want to work in the bookstore so the manager does not bother her about it. He also notices her eyebrows. This is an unusual feature on Twi'leks. Her eyebrows are surgical implants. She had the procedure done after she was accepted at the university. It was an effort to look 'normal.' Campus life is tough enough. Being one of just a handful of Twi'leks on campus is harder, especially when you are the only female. Dantius hands her his student data card. She swipes it through the scanner.

"Your total is twenty-two credits and seventy-nine centimes." She fills a Theed University disposable tote with the items then hands the data card back to him. Dantius signs the data pad beside the register. She blows a big round fluorescent green bubble as she watches him sign his name. Her perfect bow-shaped lips suck the bubble into her mouth. Her ruby-red lipstick does not smear. There is something sensual about the way she chews the gum. Dantius quickly averts his gaze and pretends to look at a display of Theed University data card holders next to the register. She knows he is staring at her. She hands Dantius the receipt. He grabs it and stuffs it into his pocket.

"Thanks."

"Have a nice day, thank you for shopping Theed Books." It is part of her job to say this but her heart in not in it. It is almost comical. Dantius leaves the store.

Dantius grabs a 'quick-pick' lunch from the kiosk outside the dining hall. He buys a hot sandwich. He does not want to sit down in the dining hall today. There is no one to talk to. Sigrid is in a lab class for two hours. Her cohorts are in the 'Great Library' studying for exams.

He returns to his dorm. A new guard is at the security desk. Nothing is in the message bin so he continues on upstairs to his room.

The sun shines brightly in his room on this winter day. He sets his rucksack on a bench beside his desk, along with the tote bag from the bookstore. He empties his pockets then hangs up his parka and academic robe. He spends a few moments in the bathroom to freshen up. Dantius remembers the sandwich in the rucksack. He can smell the roast shaak and the toasted buttered roll. He removes it from the bag and sits at his desk to begin eating. The meal comes with a side of Gallo Mountain coleslaw and a beverage. He sinks his teeth into one half of the sandwich. It is heavenly; in fact, it is one of the best things to come out of the dining hall.

While he is enjoying his lunch in solitude, Dantius sorts through the items he dumped out of his pockets. There are a few coins, his data card, and the receipt from the bookstore. He takes the receipt and stands. The half of sandwich is hanging out of his mouth as he pins the receipt to the bulletin board above his desk. He removes it again to examine it. There is no question about the total. He notices something else of interest. Directly beneath the transaction number is 'cashier'. To the right is the cashier's name: Kiri Secura. Dantius pins it back onto the bulletin board then sits back down to finish his lunch.

Dantius spends this time taking inventory of his purchases and reading the instructions on the containers of epoxy and patina. "Use in well ventilated area." He realizes he is going to have to open the window to use this stuff. He figures he can work on it tomorrow. Dantius tosses the wrapping from his meal into the waste bin then takes a sip from his milkshake cup. There is a knock on his door.

Dantius gets up and opens the door. He is not expecting visitors.

"Hey, Dani!"

Son'ya is standing outside his door.

"Uhm…hi. What are you doing here?"

"I came by to drop off my figurines."

"Oh…well you could have left them with security downstairs. There was no need to waste your time."

What he was trying to say was, 'Where are the security guards and how did you get up here?' He leans against the doorframe staring at her.

"So, aren't you going to be a gentleman and invite me in?"

"Uhm…sure. Come in." Dantius closes the door as Son'ya walks in and immediately removes her coat thinking that Dantius is standing behind her to help her with it. Instead the coat falls to the floor. He quickly picks it up as she turns to face him.

"Nice room but it could use a woman's touch."

"I kinda like it the way it is….I'll…uhm…hang up your coat." He hangs it on the hook near the door. If he puts it in the closet, she may never leave. "So…you brought the pieces for me to fix?"

"Oh, yeah…here." She hands the padded envelope and continues across the room to his window. "Nice big windows."

"Thank you." He nervously stands a safe distance from her hoping that she will leave. She passes him and looks inside the bathroom.

"Your room is so neat and clean. Most guys are pigs but this is really nice, spartan but nice."

Dantius opens the padded envelope and checks the contents.

"Is everything here?"

"Yes. I was about to have a talk with that harlot next door to me but I think she's taking an exam."

Son'ya notices the supplies on his desk. She breaks into a big smile. "Oh, Dani, you're so sweet, you bought all of this stuff. You have to let me pay for it being that you're offering to fix this."

"No, I insist on paying for everything. After all, it's my…idea to fix your figurine…"

He almost confesses to the crime. Great save! Son'ya examines the patina bottle.

"This is good quality stuff. You are such a nice guy." She picks up the take-out beverage cup. The red straw sticks out of the lid. Mind if I take some? I am so thirsty." She helps herself before he can answer.

"Be my guest. I'm finished anyway. So…thanks for bringing the pieces over…" Dantius is waiting for her to leave. He removes her coat from the hook. Son'ya has ideas of her own.

"Can I watch you work? You can give me an assessment." She flips her streaked hair and bats her eyelashes. Dantius can tell she is a fan of mascara. He wonders what she looks like without the eye makeup.

"Oh…you thought I was going to do this now?" Disappointed, he places the coat back on the hook.

Son'ya surveys his room.

"Uhm…yeah…weren't you?"

"Sure…" He looks at the clock on his night table. He has a few hours before dinner and his evening class in political science. Maybe if he starts she will see how long it takes, get bored, and then leave. Dantius is not so lucky.

Dantius opens the window, clears his desk, and sets up the figurines with all the corresponding pieces. Son'ya sits on the foot of his bed holding the beverage cup, slurping up the last of the Cherry-chocolate shake.

"Yum…This is really good. I never liked it before but I do now."

"It came with the quick-pick lunch special."

Son'ya watches as Dantius preps one of the figurines. He applies a thin stream of epoxy along the broken edges. He tries to concentrate on the figurines when he hears two items drop to the floor. Son'ya has removed her boots and wraps herself in his duvet. He turns, startled.

"What are you doing?"

"It's freezing in here. Why are the windows open?"

"Some of these products give off fumes….best to be safe."

"Yeah, I might faint in your arms. Hehehe."

"I'd probably drop you."

"That's not very nice."

"I meant to say that I would drop you because I would probably pass out as well." He does not look at her when he says this. His first answer was the most accurate.

"Well, at least Sigi isn't here. Guys fall all over themselves to catch her."

"I thought you were friends." He answers without facing her.

"Well, we are. It still doesn't change the fact that when she's around, no one looks at the other girls in the room. You're not blind. I've seen you going goo-goo for her."

"I think you're being silly."

"Really?"

Son'ya leans forward and rests her chin on the back of his chair. He can feel her breathing over his shoulder. He applies epoxy with the applicator brush on the next broken figurine. Dantius could smell the everlily oil Son'ya is wearing on her skin. Between the fragrance and the fumes from the solvent, both were enough to disorient a person.

"Of course."

"So, how's your social life?"

"I'm fine."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uhm…we broke up."

"Why? You don't have to talk about it. I'm just being nosy….so, why did you break up?"

"We wanted different things. I though you weren't expecting an explanation. You really are nosy."

"I changed my mind. I bet she was pretty."

"She was…is." He concentrates on the figurine.

"You miss her?"

Dantius stops and sets down the brush. His concentration is waning.

"No…I don't miss her but I would rather not discuss it."

"Okay…but if you ever want to talk about it…"

Dantius slams the brush against the desk and swivels around in his chair to face Son'ya. His face is red with anger.

"No! I don't ever want to 'talk' about it! When do you stop talking? God!"

"I'm sorry." She lets go of the duvet. It slips off her shoulders. Dantius rolls his eyes then turns away desk and runs his fingers through his hair. He hears her putting on her boots. He swings around in his chair and draws her face close to his and kisses her. Son'ya drops her other boot. The kiss lasts for about ten seconds before she pulls away. She recoils and thinks for a moment. Dantius opens his eyes and sits back.

"I apologize. I should not have done that."

"It's okay. Whoa! I wasn't expecting that. When did you last kiss a girl? No wonder your girlfriend broke up with you."

"Was it that bad?"

"Well…I wasn't looking for a tongue bath. I think I had better go." She makes a face as if there is a bad taste in her mouth.

Son'ya slips her foot into the other boot. She walks towards the door and quickly locates her coat on the hook. Dantius holds the door open for her. It is an awkward moment for both of them.

"Uhm…I'll meet you later in the week during breakfast and give you the figurines. They should be ready in a few days."

"Thanks. I'll see you." Son'ya stands in the doorway. "Could we keep this between us?"

"Sure. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Dantius closes the door and sinks to the floor. "What was I thinking?"

He will ask himself this question again. For now he has the beginnings of a headache. Dantius lumbers over to his bed and falls asleep. There is a blast of winter air coming from the north. The window slams shut causing the room to shake. The bottle of epoxy tips over.