Chapter 28
'Making a Name for Oneself'
'A Push Too Far'
'Let's Make a Deal'
The trip back to Naboo seems to be different. The shuttle is still filled to capacity with students, some exhausted, others still reveling as the holiday winds to a close. Others are suffering the effects of a hangover as the result from excess partying, while others are nursing bruises and broken bones from ski mishaps or pub brawls, or just being too drunk and slipping on ice.
Fern sits down next to Dantius. She looks over at him.
"What's up, sad man?"
"I'm not sad."
"Coulda fooled me. You never told us how your excursion to 'Fjordsville' went."
"It was fun. I had a good time."
"Really?"
"Really."
She lowers her voice to a whisper.
"Liar."
They look at one another and laugh. Fern has met Sigrid's family, especially the infamous Dr. Per-Erik Horn.
"Her dad's a real pisser, isn't he?"
Dantius smiles and sighs through clenched teeth and rolls his eyes.
"So, it's not me?"
Fern smiles as she leans in and lets him in on a secret.
"He puts everyone through the ringer."
"It seems to bring him endless joy, I know that much."
"Don't take him seriously. He's really a funny guy...once you get to know him. He has a pet name for all of Sigrid's friends."
"Really?"
"Oh, yeah. He's a riot."
"Do you have a 'pet name'?
"Maybe. I might share that secret with you one day."
"I wonder what his pet name for me is."
He lets out an exasperated sigh. He can see Sigrid and Magnus seated in the row in front of him. The two appear to be in deep conversation. The cast on Magnus' leg has many laser pen signatures on it. Everyone is happy to be heading back to Naboo. Having a good time is a lot of work…and at times, painful.
- Back on Campus -
As classes start again, everyone is in academic mode. This is one thing that Theed University prides itself in being a strict academic school. It has never been known as a party school like the University of Corellia or Yavin4 College. There is not much time for socializing right now. It seems like old times to Dantius before he made friends.
The routine trips to the student center mailroom bring some level of comfort and familiarity. Adso Bar Binks is sorting the mail as usual. His co-worker Chaz is listening to music wearing an earpiece. The playlist on his device can be heard from the other side of the wall. Dantius wonders why he bothers wearing it if the entire galaxy can hear the music.
Dantius reaches into his mailbox and pulls out an envelope with a waxed seal. He stares at the envelope for a moment then slides his thumb between the gap and the flap, breaking the seal. The note inside is folded in half. He fumes when he reads it:
'See me in my office at 4pm.'
Dantius is ready for the 'SonofaBantha'. He has some choice words for him too and is in no mood for any nonsense from anybody today, especially after the less-than-hospitable welcome from Sigrid's father.
He enters the Philosophy building later in the afternoon and heads directly towards the end of the hall to the right. His footsteps echo loudly as he makes his way along the corridor. It is still winter and dusk sets at 4pm. None of the professors is in the building. The heavy carved door swings open.
"Good evening, Dantius…I have been waiting for you. Welcome back."
Dantius is in no mood for niceties and is ready to give the 'professor' a piece of his mind.
"You flunked me?" His voice almost cracks as he yells at Plagueis.
Plagueis remains calm, even slightly amused as Dantius wastes no time attacking him.
"You missed my class."
"It was one 'effing' class!"
"Let's talk this over like civilized adults, shall we? I know it's hard after running with that rag-tag bunch of friends of yours during winter break."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"You're angry; I appreciate that."
"Eff-you!"
"Now, Dantius, it's just business. Don't take this too hard. If you had focused on your grades the way you pissed away your time on women who don't care for you. You would have been well ahead of the game right now. Stop behaving like a child. Attacking me won't get you where you need to be."
"So, you flunk me but you give that bimbo an 'A'?
Plagueis nods with a smile, secretly proud of himself for undermining his returning apprentice.
"Bimbo? Ahh…Yes…yes…Miss Kuro. I was in a generous mood that day. As exasperating as she can be, I find her charming and committed to her passions. You could learn something from her."
Dantius snorts angrily.
"Oh, please! She collects figurines. "
"Yes but she has never skipped my class. Dantius, what has come over you? You were one of my best students; now look at yourself…your judgment is poor, you lack focus. Keep this up and your new friends will betray you before you know it."
"They are decent people. I trust them."
"Ha! A scrappy band of student activists! Dantius, Dantius, you waste your time on these silly activities. You possess so much potential. You have talent but you must take ownership of it. Your powers will never become what I expect them to be. You have talent and I see great things in your future, but only if you let me help you. I implore you; please allow me to guide you in the right direction."
"Shut up. You don't know what I'm capable of."
"That little trick on the fjord. You could never follow through with it. Your judgment is clouded. You are too much in-love."
"What do you know about love? What do you know about loyalty? By the way, tell me, what really happened to Darth Taras?"
Plagueis folds his arms across his chest. He looks down at the floor and slowly walks towards the stained glass windows. Dantius believes he has caught his master at a vulnerable moment. Plagueis speaks.
"Taras was foolish and too sure of himself." His voice is filled with indifference.
"So you killed him?"
"He suffered a loss of faith and killed himself. I never touched him. His death was a devastating loss to me as well. It's quite an inconvenience to have to train a new apprentice after investing all my time and effort. It takes a good portion of my time. I am insulted, Dantius. He took his life."
Dantius points an accusing finger at Plagueis who is not fazed by the young man's lack of respect.
"Liar!"
"No, Dantius that is the truth. He did kill himself. He lacked the confidence that you have. Oh, Dantius, you are so naïve. Did your friends tell you romantic tales of his gallantry? Hmm…You should know that you are so much better than he ever was. You defeated him as I recall. You rose to the challenge. Yes, he had more years of training under my tutelage but you…you have a gift, my boy."
He is waiting for a response but Dantius is angry. A smile creeps across the master's face.
Plagueis continues to look down at the floor. He knows Dantius is fuming.
"Stop giving me that disapproving scowl. You wanted to crush him that night. It felt good, didn't it?"
Dantius responds with a haughty air.
"I have nothing more to say to you."
Plagueis pretends to be conciliatory.
"You're not upset about my former apprentice. You're still angered over the failing grade I gave you. It brought your G.P.A. down, didn't it? I'm sure that your parents were disappointed…especially your father. Listen; permit me to mend fences between you and your father. He will come to respect the great leader you are destined to become…as a matter of fact, let us wipe the slate clean. I will submit a grade change to the registrar's office tomorrow morning. Fear not; you will have your 'A'. I don't want your little friends to think you are doing poorly academically…"
Plagueis is thinking as more ideas pop into his brain.
"…You know…your little band of friends will be of use to us after all."
Dantius is suspicious of the professor's motives.
"What do you mean 'us'?"
"They can help you towards your path of greatness. Think about it…They already like you…you have gained their confidence; they can do things for you. Now what you have to do next is to stop taking those pills…they cloud your mind…That doctor you're seeing is not helping you. Moreover, that medication is designed to turn you into a mediocrity. You need a clear mind in order to absorb the true power of the Force. Only I can get you where you need to be. I promise not to take it too personally that you dropped my class this semester. We have plenty of time to work together. So, do we have a deal?"
"I have to think it over."
"Ah! I see. Well, you go right ahead ...tend to your other issues and trifle with your little companions but trust me, you will be back."
Dantius leave the meeting keeping the 'offer' in mind. Why should he be beholding to Plagueis if he could become great on his own? Plagueis did have a point. Dantius could learn a lot from him.
It is a quiet first week back on campus. Magnus is on an independent study project; Boone is starting an internship he had applied for the previous year. This means less time working in the campus kitchen. Son'ya Kuro has class across campus. It was strange. She is the most annoying person on campus but he actually misses her. He sees Fern on occasion but only in passing where they wave to each other Dantius heads off campus.
The receptionist acknowledges him as he walks through the door.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Palpatine."
"Hello Madame Nu. How are you?"
"Quite well, thank you. Happy New Year to you. The doctor will see you now."
Dantius was prepared to sit in the waiting area for the usual 30 minutes. This time he gets to see the doctor immediately.
Doctor Melfi is in her Jedi robe standing at the window behind her desk. She does not turn as he enters the room. She is watering her plants using a blue watering can. She examines a flowering Felucia lily, a gift from one of her former patients.
"Come in, Dantius. Have a seat."
He drops his rucksack to the floor and hops up on the relaxi-chaise. He stares up at the ceiling still wearing his parka. His hands rest on his chest. He takes a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
"I'll be with you in a moment."
"I thought you were ready for me. Isn't that why you had Madame Nu send me in here? I can't believe I couldn't get an earlier appointment."
"This was a last minute schedule change. Anyway, I thought this time slot would be better."
He gives her a skeptical look.
"Really?"
She waves her hand over another plant and the several of its brown leaves turn to dust and fall onto the surface of the soil. New shoots burst through the soil appearing green and vibrant. She holds the watering can as she turns to look at Dantius.
"I want you to be relaxed. You are battling a myriad of emotions. Are you in some sort of a hurry, Dantius?"
"It's obvious you're not. I don't care to spend the rest of my day here."
"You seem tense. "
"I'm not tense. "
"You're tense. I can tell."
"I don't like waiting. Why are you contradicting everything I say?"
"Why are you fighting me, Dantius? Something is troubling you. You seem unusually agitated…more than other times anyway..."
"You're supposed to help me. I shouldn't be expected to be kept waiting."
"I'm here for you now. Start talking, kiddo." She is already sitting in her armchair, notepad in hand. Jedi tricks no doubt. Dantius exhales and makes an audible sigh of frustration. He throws up his arms.
"What do you want me to say?"
Doctor Melfi is familiar with this 'game'. She decides to indulge him.
"Say whatever comes to mind." She suddenly chirps happily. "How was your holiday?"
His answer is short.
"Fine." Dantius is amazed by how quickly she can turn the tables on him. She still controls the direction in which the conversation is going.
"Are you sure? You don't sound too enthusiastic about it. You seemed thrilled about going the last time we spoke. What happened?"
"It was great. I did enjoy myself…except…"
"You were expecting to get more out of it than you got, and now you're disappointed."
He is trying to hold tight on his thoughts but he starts to open up. She has a way of drawing things out of him.
"Well, I guess…sort of." He hates himself for being so vulnerable with her.
"Did your friends enjoy having you there?"
"Yes, they were really good to me."
"Then shouldn't you call this trip a success? This is the biggest thing you have done all year, possibly in all your life. You should be proud of yourself. See? You are making progress. You're socializing; you have a small but strong network of friends who support you. This is an amazing breakthrough. Don't you agree?"
Dantius sighs and rolls his eyes.
"I guess."
"Dantius, good friends take a long time to build. You cannot rush these things. It takes trust and loyalty and selflessness."
"Aren't those Jedi beliefs?"
"The rules hold true no matter what your spiritual beliefs are. Don't be so cynical. Cynicism and anger is the pathway to the Dark Side. We'll work on that too. So, what else is going on with you?"
"Nothing."
"Do you like your classes this semester? You're taking on a heavy load. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"No."
Dr. Melfi mocks his short answers.
"'No.' 'Nothing,' Fine.'… We can't continue this way. I want complete answers from you, young man." She studies her notes. I see you dropped Philosophy this semester. I thought you liked that course."
"I've fulfilled my electives for the semester. I don't have to take part two of the course."
"That reminds me; I left several messages with that Professor Plagueis. He hasn't returned my calls, what a strange man. I met him during the faculty Befana Eve cocktail party. He wasn't very forthcoming about the grade he gave you; He kept asking me 'Are you prepared to save your servant?' He is a very strange man. You probably did the right thing by dropping his class."
"Now you know my world."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing."
"So, what else is going on with you?"
He tells Dr. Melfi about Sigrid and their brief excursion to her hometown. His demeanor suddenly changes. Melfi can see that he is smitten with this girl. Dantius is open and smiling. She has never seen him like this. She hangs on his every word. He never mentions Sigrid's father nor how the man was less than hospitable towards him. Dr. Melfi leans forward, putting her stylus down. She has stopped taking notes. It is as if she is listening to the greatest love story in galactic history. She interrupts as he pauses.
"So, when's the wedding?" There is a big smile on her face like that of a teenage girl listening to stories of her favorite holo-mag idol.
A heavy sigh comes from Dantius as he waves his hand dismissively.
"She doesn't even know how I feel."
"Oh…well…things like that takes time. But it's nice that you like someone. So, how's the medication? Is it helping?"
"I suppose…I'm sleeping better."
"Good! She looks at the clock on the small table beside her chair then writes on a data pad. "Well, that's our time. It's good to see you, Dantius. We'll follow up on this chat." She hands him something. "Here's a prescription refill."
Dantius hops off the leather relaxi-chaise and scoops up his rucksack. He walks over to the doctor and grabs the prescription card and leaves. His anger builds as he waits as Madame Nu sets up a follow-up appointment. He stares at the floor as the information is generated onto his medical data card. This is humiliating. He thought Dr. Melfi was going to give him encouraging news; Instead, she catches him with his defenses down then sucker-punches him. Her notes to the dean are most damaging:
'Although Dantius shows progress, he has a long way to go concerning his socialization skills and self confidence. The following visits should reveal more before I make final recommendations.'
"That Jedi bitch!"
Dantius fumes as he storms across campus. Someone calls him but he does not answer at first. He is still roiling in anger.
"Dani! Dani!"
In an irritated voice, he responds.
"What?" He turns and regrets using this tone. Sigrid looks at him. She steps back. She barely flinches but she does appear frightened. She timidly pulls a sheet from a stack of papers.
"Oh…uhm…I just wanted to give you a flyer…There's a rally this Friday and a party afterwards…if you want to come that is…you can come to one or the other. It doesn't matter…that's if you want to come."
It was too late to take back the moment. He never wanted her to see this side of him. He can barely make eye contact with her.
"I'm…I'm sorry. What do you have?"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't have to go…"
"No, no, I'm sorry. I want to go. I'd love to go."
"Here. All the information is on the flyer."
"Thanks."
"Okay. See you there. I have to pass out more flyers now…bye."
"Bye."
She takes a skip-jump then hurries across campus handing out flyers to eager students. Her new coat looks beautiful on her. He wishes he had given her something more than a bouquet of flowers. Dantius watches as she drifts across campus. He sighs heavily then draws his eyes down at the flyer:
Party by Chaz 'D'
and
Adso 'B'
Brew, Tunes, and Babes
Post Rally Party Time
From 8pm until?
Come to the rally then float over to Delta Psi Gamma
773 Naboo Plaza Walkway
Dantius is not really in the partying mood. What was the point? He cannot shed his feelings of frustration and anger although he had promised himself before the holidays that he was going to be a new person. A dark voice in his head speaks to him:
'Your friends can be of great us to us.'
He is about to crumple the flyer and toss it into the nearest trash bin, instead, he stuffs it into his pocket and heads for his dormitory. He has no appetite and no desire to go to dinner.
Frank, the evening security officer is there. He glances up as Dantius enters the lobby. Dantius appears to nod then continues towards the elevator bank. Later, during the guard shift change, Brutus arrives and mentions Dantius.
"New year, hey, Frank?"
"Humph."
"All the students are back."
"Yeah…" He concentrates on reading the last page of the sports section.
"Have you seen 'Nutso' since the semester started?"
"Yeah…there's something seriously wrong with that boy. I thought he was getting better for while there." He takes a second glance at the headlines.
"Probably on meds. Come on, Frank, half the kids on campus are on something, prescribed or otherwise. What are you reading there?"
"Oh…says the Galactic Senate is going through an overhaul."
"What a world, what a world. Damned crazy kids are going to be the end of us all."