Flying never brought Adrina any joy. She didn't mind being in space, but the moment the ship was in the atmosphere, she became nauseated and faint; she much preferred her feet be firmly rooted on solid ground. She could trust solid ground. She could trust her own two feet.
The first time Adrina remembered flying, she was on Jabba's land barge. She remembered feeling the craft move sluggishly across the shifting Tatooine sands and the uncontrollable churning of her stomach. She vividly remembered the smell of her vomit. The Majordomo had not been pleased with her inadequacy. If she closed her eyes, she could feel the leather whip dig painfully into her back and the crack as it snapped through the air. She could hear the snickers and jeers from the older slaves and courtiers. She could taste the bile in her mouth.
Only, when Adrina opened her eyes, it wasn't leather that stung her skin, it was wind. It wasn't snickers she heard, it was obscene shouts from angry drivers. The taxi driver transporting the Skywalker siblings to the Jedi Temple seemed to have mistaken the simple taxi for a pod racer because he flew like he was in the Boonta Eve, much to the ire of other pilots and Adrina's trepidation. Anakin seemed oblivious to it all.
Adrina kept her eyes jammed shut until the ride ended with a shocking lurch. For a moment, she could only sit, waiting for the world to stop spinning. "Come on," Anakin nudged her arm anxiously. "We gotta go!" Finally, Anakin clambered over his sister. She moved slowly and deliberately, stepping out onto the walkway.
The Jedi Temple's long shadow enveloped them and its structure well earned their stares. The building was massive and impressive. Still nauseated from the turbulent ride, Adrina pressed a hand to her forehead. The looming temple did nothing to assuage her anxiety. Her brother's fate could very well be decided before the day was over. Her own fate, too, she supposed. But this was Anakin's life dream and it was in the hands of twelve Jedi she knew nothing of. She could always find employment elsewhere. At least, she was confident she could. She had survived Jabba's Palace – she could survive on the streets of Coruscant.
Most likely.
Adrina exhaled slowly. She reached for Anakin's hand. Forcing a confident smile she didn't feel, she said, "Well, come on. Let's get inside."
Anakin hesitated, digging his feet into the ground. "But Master Qui-Gon said he would meet us here."
"Master Qui-Gon said he would meet us at the Temple, and that's what we're doing. There's no sense in waiting out here where we'll get run over and killed. The pilots here are," she threw a nasty look over her shoulder at the taxi that was already fading from sight, "Lunatics."
Anakin capitulated then and together they trudged up the three long flights of stairs to the main entrance. The doors slid open upon their approach. Anakin and Adrina assumed positions just inside the doorway by a column Adrina couldn't hope to wrap her arms around. The foyer was empty, but Adrina could feel the structure humming with energy. There was life within the walls. Anakin occupied himself by digging the toes of his boots into the plush crimson carpet.
"Ah, there you are!" Adrina's head snapped up when she heard Obi-Wan approach.
Anakin frowned. "Where's Master Qui-Gon? He said he'd meet us. Did something happen to him?" Adrina blushed for Anakin.
"I'm afraid Qui-Gon has been... detained, but he asked me to make sure you found the Council," Obi-Wan said with smile Adrina knew was forced.
"That's quite alright." Adrina replied hastily, clutching Anakin to her. She had a sinking feeling that whatever was holding Qui-Gon up was related to her brother. "Thank you, Obi-Wan, but we will manage." Adrina looked around her.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "It's not a bother. Come, I'll show you the way."
Adrina followed reluctantly. They walked the halls in silence. Adrina hoped her brother didn't notice the shrewd looks from passing Jedi. And so, Adrina found herself sitting in the ante-room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, when Anakin had been taken almost immediately into the Council room. These next few minutes would be critical. These next few minutes would decide her brother's fate. These next few minutes would be the pivotal moment of Anakin's young life.
Adrina slowly read the words written in the door to the Chamber again, hoping to divert her attention. The words were written in Basic and Adrina struggled to read them.
' There is no emotion; there is peace.'
Adrina frowned. Every species she knew of felt emotion, and in her experience, lack of emotion did not bring peace – only a void. Controlling emotion was the path to self-preservation, not dismissing or, worse still, denying them. The darkness of apathy bred terrible things. If there was true evil in the world, apathy was at its root.
'There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.'
Discomfort slithered through her, acutely aware of her own ignorance as she struggled to read the words displayed on the door. She was more adept at reading and writing Huttese, but even that was a challenge. Adrina comforted herself in the knowledge that she was fluent in four languages, even if she could only speak them well. That was surely something, wasn't it? And she had other skills, besides.
'There is no passion; there is serenity.'
Adrina glanced back up at the first sentence again. They were very similar, and Adrina wasn't sure what the difference between the two was. It seemed to prove Adrina's own ignorance. Doubt grew in her mind; if this was part of the Jedi Code, how could she ever belong there? More importantly, could Anakin, who felt every emotion deeply, ever belong? Passion ran deeper than blood in his veins.
'There is no death; there is the Force.'
A chill ran down her spine. Death was an old friend. There was a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, images of the dead flashing through her mind, rising up and surrounding her. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shut out the horrible images.
Weeping broke Adrina's concentration. Her eyes snapped open – but the weeping ceased. She frowned. The room was utterly silent, though she knew she had heard a young child crying; she was certain of it. Rising, Adrina crossed her arms over her chest. Something pulled at the back of her mind, telling her that she was right, that a child was in distress nearby, but it wasn't Anakin. She exhaled. Casting a look over her shoulder at the door to the Jedi Council, Adrina followed her instincts out of the ante-chamber.
Down three long corridors and a flight of stairs, she discovered the source. A human child, no more than six years old, was stumbling up stairs, clutching her left arm to her chest. She sniffled juicily and her lips trembled. Adrina hurried to her side and knelt down next to the child. "What happened, little one?" She kept her voice calm and offered the girl a comforting smile. She could see tears shimmering in the girl's large emerald eyes.
The girl held out her arm. "It got burned." She sniffled.
Adrina suppressed a wince. The burn did indeed look incredibly painful; it was mottled red and welting. She estimated that the little girl had sustained a second-degree burn. Medical treatment was needed, and quickly. She wished she had brought her pack with her, which had her MedPac. "My name is Adrina. What's your name, little one?"
The returning smile was ghostly on the girl's pallid face. "Maëlle."
"Such a beautiful name!" Adrina declared with a broad smile. "Maëlle, I've never been in the Jedi Temple before; do you think you could show me how to get to the medical facility here?" She hoped that's where the girl had already been headed.
Maëlle whimpered, but she nodded with a watery smile. She slipped her hand into Adrina's, clutching it tightly, and continued through the halls of the Jedi Temple.
They had not gotten far before Maëlle stumbled and Adrina began carrying the girl in her arms. Although the hallways were largely deserted, a few Jedi in their billowing brown robes hurried past the pair. Adrina kept her eyes forward and studiously ignored the passersby's suspicious and wary glances.
"How did you get burned?" Adrina asked quietly as she carried Maëlle. She hoped to distract the girl, who was growing more pale and pained as the minutes passed.
"I was training," Maëlle sniffled. "with my lightsaber. A-and I fell."
Adrina nodded. "Did you fall on your lightsaber?" She wondered that the girl was only badly burned. Lightsabers were known for the deadliness; they could cut through bone like it was air.
Maëlle nodded. "It really hurts," She whispered. Tears began to trickle down her pale cheeks.
The girl's ragged voice cut through Adrina's heart. "I know it does, sweet one." She murmured. "I got burned once when I was your age. It hurt really bad, too. But don't you worry; you'll be just fine . You can count on that." She still bore the scar on her upper back – but there was no reason Maëlle would scar; she would have proper and prompt medical attention. Adrina would make certain of that.
Maëlle sniffled. "Promise?"
Adrina smiled. "Promise." She hoped the infirmary was close; Maëlle was a small child and Adrina was strong, but her weight was wearing on Adrina.
Blessedly, she only had to walk down another short corridor and up a flight of stairs before they came to what Maëlle declared the entrance. Adrina's eyes flicked over her surroundings. The large reception area was the junction of several larger hallways. It very much reminded Adrina of the inside of Queen Amidala's spaceship. It was all smooth arches and shining chrome, and smelled of lavender and cleaning solution. The ceilings were high and vaulted with glass skylights that let in plenty of natural light. There was a warmth and a comforting energy in the place that the spaceship lacked. Adrina could sense why the Jedi had named the sanctuary the Halls of Healing.
Adrina pushed forward into the Temple Infirmary. Despite the buzz of energy, there was a peacefulness to the activity. Hundreds of biobeds lined the walls, although only a few dozen were occupied. Rather than silver, the walls and floor were blue-green, and pink stone columns rose high up to the vaulted ceiling where more skylights allowed in filtered sunlight. Doorways were periodically scattered along the walls. The Temple Infirmary was nothing like the dark, dirty clinic Adrina had visited once on Tatooine.
A dozen Jedi roamed through the beds. Some noticeably lacked the traditional brown robes, wearing instead a pale green tunic and white lab coat. Others, who Adrina surmised were the more important doctors, wore garb expected of the Jedi. Something seemed to be not quite right to Adrina, though she could not put a finger on it.
"May I help you?"
Adrina turned. The kind voice belonged to a male Togruta with an open and serene face. He wore the pale green tunic and trousers and green lined his lab coat. Unlike the others, his confusion at seeing a non-Jedi within their hallowed halls was quickly replaced with concern for the child in her arms.
"This is Maëlle," Adrina said quickly, stepping forward. "She fell on her lightsaber while training; her right arm is badly burned and requires immediate attention."
The Togruta nodded. "Hello there, little one," he smiled down at Maëlle. He looked up at Adrina. "Follow me."
"It should just need cleaning and bacta,"Adrina said, quickening her pace with new energy. "And clean bandaging. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything; I don't have my MedPac."
The Togruta, who appeared to be no older than Adrina, glanced over his shoulder, assessing her with a glance. "Are you a healer?"
"No."
He blinked in surprise, but didn't comment further. "Here." He helped Adrina carefully lay Maëlle on the biobed. He leaned over her small form, smiling at her as he slid on medical gloves. "My name is Blef. We're going to help you feel better, okay?" He looked at Adrina. "Do you have much experience with burns?"
A muscle twitched in her cheek. "Some." Between Jabba and Watto's Junkyard, she had seen all matter of injury.
"Your assessment is spot on,…." Blef looked at her expectantly.
"Adrina. Adrina Skywalker." She managed a polite smile. Anxiety coiled tightly in her chest.
Blef's answering smile stretched across his face. "It's nice to meet you, Adrina Skywalker." He looked down at his patient. "Maëlle, I'm going to take care of your arm now. It may hurt, but it will feel much better when we're done."
Adrina winced. Removing the burned cloth adhering to the injury would be painful, as would cleansing the wound, but it was necessary. Blef moved a tray of medical supplies closer and began his work. Adrina held Maëlle's left hand tightly. Marveling at the ready availability of superior equipment and medicine, Adrina cast around for conversation topics to distract Maëlle.
"What color is your lightsaber?" She remembered that Qui-Gon Jinn's was green, but the man that attacked him wielded a red lightsaber.
"B...blue," Maëlle whispered.
"Is that your favorite color?"
Maëlle managed a nod. She cried out in pain when Blef touched her arm.
Adrina squeezed her hand, tugging her attention away from her arm. "Blue is a great color, really pretty, like the sky." Her eyes flickered briefly to Blef. "Tell me about life in the Jedi Temple. What do you do every day?" Adrina did her best to distract Maëlle, trying to drag her into conversation and chattering when Maëlle couldn't, until Blef finally declared Maëlle's wounds bandaged.
Blef slipped his hands into the pockets of his lab coat, pulling out a purple sugar stick and offering it to his patient with a flourish. Maëlle giggled and accepted the treat. Adrina smiled, ruffling the girl's blond hair.
"Found her, we have."
Blef immediately stood at attention, eyes wide. Adrina turned. She was not prepared for the sight that met her. A small green alien unlike any Adrina had ever seen, flanked by a tall dark-skinned human man, studied her. The green alien's eyes twinkled at her, but his companion's gaze was stern and penetrating. Adrina shifted slightly on her feet. Something told her that these two belonged to the Jedi Council – and she had failed to report to their meeting.
"Master Yoda, Master Windu." Blef bowed respectfully. Adrina wondered which Jedi claimed which name – and how long they had waited on her.
"You are Adrina Skywalker." The tall man's voice was as displeased as his expression.
Adrina swallowed hard and lowered her gaze. She clasped her hands in front of her. "Master... Jedi." She was careful to keep her tone neutral. She clenched her teeth together, stamping out any trace of chagrin and guilt; she had done nothing wrong in helping an injured child.
"How did you come to be here?" The tall one asked. He kept his hands behind his back, securely out of sight, much to Adrina's discomfort and irritation.
"I heard a child crying and, believing Anakin to be safe enough with the Jedi Council, I investigated. Finding little Maëlle injured, I brought her here to be treated. Young Maëlle and Jedi Blef can confirm my testimony."
"Testimony?" The green Jedi's lips quirked in what Adrina could only assume was a smile. His head tilted as he studied her. "Under trial, you are not."
Adrina's eyebrows lifted. She bit the inside of her cheek to prevent her tongue from causing her grief. Her eyes lowered.
"You will come with us now." No, the tall man certainly did not like her.
Adrina exhaled and forced a smile. She turned to Maëlle and squeezed her shoulder. "Be well, sweet one." Maëlle grinned up at Adrina, still sucking hard on her sugar stick. The sight made Adrina's heart swell.
Maëlle waved. "Thank you, Miss. Skywalker!"
Adrina followed the Jedi silently down the halls and corridors she had passed through minutes prior.
Anakin sat in the ante-room with his head bowed low. He lifted his face, blank and emotionless, when she drew near, though his eyes were red-rimmed. Adrina ached to comfort him, but she could only pass him by. She stood before the Council with hands clasped behind her back and posture as relaxed as she could muster.
Adrina had faced more terrifying things before, she told herself. Still, she swallowed hard and kept her eyes lowered submissively as she stood in the middle of the great body. Her legs trembled slightly and Adrina worked to quell her emotions, retreating slightly into herself. It was something she had learned long ago in Jabba's Palace.
"Adrina Skywalker, your name is." the little green person said in a gravely voice, after identifying himself as Yoda. Under more pleasant circumstances, she might have smiled; he reminded her of a green Jawa.
"Yes." Every eye in the room was trained on her. Doubtless she had been condemned the moment she walked through the door, not to her surprise. Adrina found solace in the twilight twinkling beyond the glass walls.
"Hmm...hmm..." Yoda murmured. "A curious person, you are." Adrina made no comment, though she wondered what exactly he meant.
The man sitting next to Yoda introduced himself as Mace Windu and proceeded to explain that she was to identify the objects that would appear on the screen he was holding. Adrina nodded, feeling very much as if she was part of a ridiculous play. Doubtless a Jedi would have no trouble with the task, using the mysterious, questionable Force. She, however, was not a Jedi. Exhaling, she nevertheless closed her eyes as Obi-Wan had done and concentrated. She tried to clear her mind and focus on the screen. It seemed like Obi-Wan had done that. She stamped out her feelings of foolishness; she had promised Shmi she would do her best and now that required her to act the idiot.
Her brow furrowed, surprised, when images popped into her mind after a moment of steady concentration. Adrina hesitated before speaking, certain she was going to make an utter fool of herself. "A speeder," Adrina finally said. "A blaster...MedPac...hydrospanner?" She trailed off as the image became blurred. She closed her eyes and focused harder. Her heart pounded. She couldn't be using the Force – it was impossible. But what else could it be? Luck? Drugs? "A necklace."
"What does the necklace look like?"
Adrina's concentration broke at the unexpected question. She opened her eyes and searched in vain for the one who had spoken. She licked her lips. "Expensive. Pearl and sapphire, short." She held her hand up to her collar bone to illustrate.
"And the clasp?" The question came from behind her. She turned, fingernails digging into her palms.
"Fishhook. Silver and heavily decorated." Adrina held her head high.
Windu lowered the screen. He nodded slightly to Yoda.
"How do you feel?" Ki-Adi-Mundi queried, his voice light and airy.
Adrina frowned. She remembered the words upon the door – There is no emotion; there is peace. Was the question a trap? "Cold. The climate here is quite different from Tatooine." She pursed her lips. "And….anxious."
There was a brief period of silence and Adrina fought the urge to shift her feet. Adrina kept her gaze lowered and she studied the tiling of the floor.
"Anxious for yourself, you are not." Yoda stated. Adrina did not respond, unnerved by his astute observation. "Care for your brother, you do."
"Yes."
"But your fate hangs in the balance as well." Mace Windu spoke then.
It was a test, she knew, but that didn't matter. "What happens to me isn't important."
"A kind heart, you have," Yoda murmured. "Strong, stubborn, you are. A leader you could be. But trust not, you do."
Adrina clenched her jaw. Her skin crawled under the scrutiny. "Permission to speak freely, Masters?"
Windu arched an eyebrow, but gestured for her to proceed.
Taking a deep breath, Adrina said, "Masters, this charade is absurd. We all know that you made your decision before you even met me. I understand. Truly, I do. You have your rules and you cannot bend them on my account – nor should you. So please do not drag this out further than it needs to be. I will be on my way and you won't need to worry about me again." Adrina instantly bit her lip, regretting her forthrightness despite their permission, and lowered her gaze. Her legs began to tingle and tremble.
Windu regarded her. "You are sure in our decision, yet you know little about us."
Adrina licked her lips and took a deep breath, hating how her whole body threatened to crumble. "People follow patterns. And you have a well-established pattern."
There was a moment of silence in the chamber. "Decided not, your fate is," Yoda informed. Adrina blinked, letting her surprise show on her upturned face.
"What?"
"You have an aptitude." Ki-Adi-Mundi stated. Adrina frowned, but wisely choose to keep her comments to herself. The Jedi were vastly confusing.
"Something more to say, have you?" Yoda queried.
Adrina grimaced. "I'm sure you already know what it is."
"You are a fast learner," Windu said with a hint of a smile.
"We must meditate on our decision regarding your brother, as well," Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "This is a curious situation. One with which we are not often presented."
Adrina snatched the opportunity. "My family would be honored if you allowed Anakin to become a Jedi. He's a hard worker – smart, too, and a great pilot."
"And yourself?"
Adrina smothered the flash of irritation. She smiled pleasantly. "Myself, Master Windu?"
"Would you not sell yourself as you do your brother?"
"I am not selling my brother, Master Windu." Her words were sharper than she intended. She softened her tone as her heart skipped a few beats. "We are not slaves. Not anymore. I am only providing you with more information to consider. He's a good boy and he'll be a great man. He could be a good Jedi."
Yoda chuckled. He pointed his cane at her. "Too little care you take for yourself. Too much do you focus on young Skywalker."
Adrina frowned. She lowered her gaze with a clenched jaw. "My apologies, Master Yoda," She murmured reflexively.
"Decide, we will. Time, we must have."
"Of course, Master Yoda." Adrina bowed and made her exit.
Anakin ran into her arms when the doors hissed shut behind her. She held him close, whispering comforting words into his hair. It was clear that Shmi's hopes for her were in vain. She would never be accepted by the Jedi – nor was she certain she wanted to be; it was not a path she would have chosen for herself. Only Anakin could tempt her to the Jedi. Less clear was what the Jedi Council would decide for Anakin.
A cloying fear inched into her heart. Could she support Anakin, too, if the Jedi rejected him?
0
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan strode down the hallway, out onto a balcony in the Jedi Temple, deep in heated discussion. "The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master, and you know it. He is far too old." Obi-Wan said. "And there is nothing for Adrina here." Qui-Gon turned to his apprentice.
"Anakin will become a Jedi." Qui-Gon stated confidently. "I promise you. And there is much for Adrina here. Her destiny is here . Soon you will see it too."
Obi-Wan sighed, looking to the sunset for peace. "Do not defy the Council, Master. Not again."
Qui-Gon gave a small shrug. "I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan."
"If you would just follow the Code, you would be on the Council by now." Obi-Wan couldn't contain his exasperation "They will not go along with you this time." They stopped by the railing, observing the red sun lowering.
Qui-Gon laid a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "You still have much to learn, my young apprentice." Qui-Gon said quietly. The words slapped Obi-Wan's face. He swallowed hard and looked away. "Things are not always black and white."
"I know, Master." Obi-Wan muttered.
Qui-Gon glanced down at Obi-Wan. "Why are you opposed to the Skywalkers coming to the Temple? Tell me truly."
Obi-Wan did not immediately respond, but Qui-Gon waited patiently.
"It's just a feeling, Mater." Obi-Wan explained reluctantly. He had no desire to anger Qui-Gon.
"A feeling."
"Nothing good will come of his training." Obi-Wan finally turned to look at his master. "Only darkness."
Qui-Gon paused. "And Adrina?"
Obi-Wan frowned slightly.
"I don't know," Obi-Wan admitted. "She...confounds me, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I see."
"Besides," Obi-Wan persisted. "The Jedi will not accept them. They are too old – especially Adrina. It's unheard of!"
Qui-Gon pursed his lips, acknowledging his point. "I daresay they have faced worse. But it is not for us to decide. The Council will do what they feel is right."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Master." Obi-Wan murmured dutifully.
The subject was closed.