Second Meetings (Jedi)

[Mal]

Mal was finding that sleep was becoming less needed, so long as he meditated for a few hours every night he didn't need actual sleep. Or maybe he fell asleep while he was sitting there, he supposed it was possible but he doubted it. So it wasn't uncommon at times now to see Mal out early in the morning, sitting in the park by a fountain deep in meditation. His mind stretched out as far as he could reach, the distance was extending everyday, today he could stretch his mind out for twenty feet, tomorrow just barely over that probably. But he was still learning and figuring everything out, for the moment he was learning everything on his own too. He needed to find a teacher. However he wasn't about to risk getting a Jedi in trouble by asking one to teach him, and he didn't want to learn anything about the Dark Side of the Force. So for now he was on his own. He was fine with that momentarily.

Of course right now none of those thoughts flowed through his mind, right now the only thing on his mind was peace and quiet. Thoughts flowed into his mind and then right back out, he didn't dwell on anything. He simply was. It had taken him a while to get used to this, his mind clear and eyes closed. At first he had felt exposed, vulnerable when he meditated, but that was just the soldier in him. He'd gotten used to it by now and had started trusting his senses and feelings. It was strange, the soldier in him told him to trust what he saw and heard, what was tangible. But the Force told him to trust in it, something very intangible and mysterious. His mind was quiet now, he could hear it somewhat, it was a whisper in the back of his mind. It still took him some effort to hear it but it was getting easier to listen for it.

Chias popped into his mind, unlike the other thoughts he had a feeling that there was a reason the Echani popped into his mind. Once that realization hit him, the feeling passed. So something was going to happen today involving the woman? He could only assume that was the case, otherwise why would she pop into his mind while he was meditating. He still couldn't do that at will though, look into things and see what was going to happen. It came at random, or if he was in danger, he wanted to be able to control it better. At least enough so that he got a good night's sleep, when he did sleep anyway. He'd had the same dream lately about Gargon, a bad feeling followed. His squad had been stationed there for the moment and he suspected that something was about to hit the fan.

Mal wasn't even sure how long he'd been sitting here, it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours. However time didn't matter, nothing really mattered while he was in this state. Nothing except the calm center of being that he was straining for, but he knew better by now than to force it. He simply let his mind clear, searching for serenity. Something was on the edge of his senses now, at first he thought it was nothing it was still on the very edges of his senses after all. Slowly however, he could sense it. It wasn't nothing, it wasn't even an it, it was a person strong in the Force. He couldn't tell who it was with his senses, but he knew none the less who it was. There was only one person it could be today, Chias Nero.

"Good morning Jedi Nero." Mal said softly before slowly opening his eyes and standing from his place on the grass. His legs were stiff from not moving for so long so he shook them out slightly to make him feel better. That was something else that was taking getting used to. Sitting in one place without moving his body for periods of time. Mal smiled and waived at the Jedi, he had enjoyed getting to meet her before and hoped he hadn't made a bad impression with her.

[jedi334]

“Four hundred and twenty credits!?!” Chias exclaimed, her usaully quiet voice raised considerably higher as it rang through the small plaza “That is just ridiculous, it was two hundred the last I ordered from you and that was over a month ago, what could have possibly changed to make you raise the prices that high!?!”

The ash colored Toydarian turned around as his leathery wings flapped quickly, his beady burgundy eyes looking her up and down slowly which made Chias skin crawl ever so slightly as his long nose inhaled a large amount of air which made him snort before speaking.

“You forget my little snow bird the Republic is at war.” He said “prices for all goods are going up with each passing day, I need to make a profit no?”

“Snow bird, it drive me mad when he calls me that!” She thought, taking a slow deep breathe inwards and centeried herself so not to let her frustration get the best of her. “Remember Chias, there is no emotion…there is peace.

“True.” She said slowly “But how do you expect to make profit with such outlandish prices?, there are other plant vendors who would give much to do business with the Jedi Temple.”

He scoffed a bit and rolled his eyes as he spoke. “Yes, but do those other vendors have cobalt Rytholian orchids to decorate your halls?”

She began to speak but then stopped herself realizing that he was right, she could go to other vendors but getting what she wanted would take much longer, her bit her pale lower lip firmly.

“I shall require two pallets or orchids.” She said her words icy. “have your droids deliver them to the Temple docks.”

He snickered triumphantly as he tapped the order into his pad “Excellent!” he said with sneer “Pleasure doing business with you my snow bird, enjoy your day!”

Chias glared at him as she gave a stiff bow and spun around making her robe and gown flutter a little as she stormed out to the street, bring her hood up over head as she made her way through the constant flow of the crowd, to the parks as she tried to make the frustration and annoyance blow off her like a breeze.

It was a short cut to Temple and the quicker she could get there the better, she wanted to get to the training room and work her frustration on a practice droid.

"’Have a nice day my little snow bird!'" she said to herself mimicking his voice. “Ugh! What a deplorable little creature! He should be brought up on charges the way he cheats people!”

"Good morning Jedi Nero."

She spun around on her heels, her blue eyes blazing a bit, half expecting to see the vendor but instead seeing the human she had met in the tea house a days before, he was with Alaari and was Force Sensitive and was inquiring of how he could learn more of it…Mal Denton was his name.

She realized she must have looked quite the fool, stomping through this pristine park muttering very loudly. “Bravo Chias.” She thought as she felt a slight flush come over her face, “You are the poster girl for the Order.”

“Mr. Denton.” she said apologetically “Forgive me…I am afraid I have had somewhat of a bad morning.”

[Mal]

Mal smiled at Chias, knowing she must have meant the tirade she had been on. Her eyes had blazed a bit and there was a very faint pink tinge to her cheeks, which made Mal smile slightly. He couldn't stop the thought from crossing his mind, the young Echani woman was cute when she was angry. Though with her being a Force wielder she was one person he absolutely never wanted to be angry at him. Still, the fact that she had a bad morning was something he didn't like, they had only met once before but he still counted her among his friends. So if someone was causing a friend of his trouble, well that was tantamount to causing him trouble. And he didn't like it when someone caused him trouble.

"Is everything alright? Someone cheating you Jedi Nero?" Mal was genuinely concerned too, or as concerned as he should be considering a Jedi was upset. He didn't understand why someone would upset someone that carried a lightsaber, he had the scars to prove what happened when someone that carried a lightsaber had become upset. It was a rather unpleasant experience, sometimes when things were really starting to get bad he could still feel the burn. Out of pure habit he touched the scars on his cheek, not even aware that he was doing it. "Is there something I can help with? I'm surprisingly knowledgeable about things a soldier normally wouldn't know." And given Chias's particular issue, he was probably one of the best people she could run into. His father had been a trader of many commodities.

Aside from that however, Mal had left his senses out as far as he could stretch them. All twenty feet, he could vaguely sense what was going on in that space, it was more difficult the closer to the edge of his senses he got. With that in mind however, he didn't need to have his senses spread out to know that Chias was upset. He could see it in her eyes, of course from what he knew she seemed to normally be a very happy person. Shy, but happy. The soldier stretched his muscles before returning his steel grey eyes to the Jedi and offering her a smile. Motioning with his head for her to follow him he started walking toward the edge of the park. "Sounds like you could use a donut, my treat."

Mal was content to walk and let Chias do any of the talking for the moment, and besides wanting a donut himself, he figured Chias could probably use the sugar. Besides, they got to walk through the park which Mal always found soothing anyway, so it might help her mood. Or at least he hoped it would, he didn't want to get another lightsaber scar seared across his cheek. Not that he thought Chias would do that, quite the contrary, but he'd be lying if he said the thought hadn't crossed his mind. Reaching the only stand that was open at this point, he purchased two donuts and took a bite out of one of them almost as soon as he had it in his hand. The other he held out for Chias, not really giving her a choice in the matter and keeping his arm extended until she accepted the donut. Whether or not she ate it was her choice, but she sure as heck was going to take it from him... He didn't need to eat two of them.

[jedi334]

For a long while Chias said nothing as they walked, the awkwardness of nearly snapping at the young man still gnawing at her somewhat as they sat on a park bench, her small body in her usual Indian style position, she nibbled at her doughnut in small careful bites, much like how she ate everything.

She did not have much of a sweet tooth outside of berries in heavy cream but she was enjoying this pastry very much. She finally glanced over at him and proceeded to explain the situation to him her orchids, the plant shop owner and her sorely lack of funds from the Order.

“You’d think being a Jedi I would have some respectability, but then again I was Knighted only three years ago and am not very well known outside the Temple and even there I am considered somewhat…odd.” She pulled up her gown to reveal her pale bare feet, slightly dirty for m the dust of the streets and walkways, she smiled a bit as a memory came to her.

“You should have heard the Archive Master when I walked in through the main entrance like this.” She said “I thought she was going to bring me before the High Council right then and there, and then my Master Doreas Chen stepped in and explained that every youngling was as different as every planet in the galaxy and should be free to express those differences.”

She looked back to him with a warm smile on her face “It was the first time we met and two years later I became his padawan” she sighed as she let her feet dangle a bit “It is that difference however that hinders me in real world, if I had the reputation of Tesok, Rekio or Master Vreem the vendors would call me Master Jedi instead of ‘little snowbird.’”

She laughed a little, more to herself then to him “Forgive me Mr. Denton; you just wanted a quiet day in the park and now you are listening to the ramblings of a frustrated young woman.”

[Mal]

Mal let Chias talk, nodding every now and then to show he was listening. He smiled a bit at the story about her Master, then shook his head when she mentioned the reputations of other Jedi. After a small pause to be sure that she was done talking, he lowered what was left of his donut, a whopping bite, and spoke himself. "Jedi Nero, you are not a bother. Don't apologize. And sometimes, it's better to be relatively unknown, means that no one knows what to expect from you. That can be played to your advantage." He smiled at her and then quickly finished off his donut, waiting until it was completely gone before he started talking again. "Snowbird fits you though, not because of your white hair or pale complexion, but because snowbirds are beautiful. And quite intelligent, never underestimate a snowbird Jedi."

Waving his hand slightly, he moved over to the more pressing matter. "As for the Toydarian, would you like some help with that? My dad is a trader, I picked up a few things when I wasn't sleeping at the dinner table from listening to his stories." He let out a small chuckle before he shrugged, "I could do my best. And truth be told, there's many dealers on this planet who work in cobalt Rytholian orchids, they might not be close. But they're here."He knew he might even be able to convince his father to supply the Jedi with the orchids, but he wasn't postitive yet. He'd keep it in mind and offer it if needed, but he thought he might be able to get the Toydarian to agree with himself and Chias about working a better deal. If not, well he had ways of bullying it.

Mal wiped his hands clean and then looked over at Chias for a few seconds, "In my experience Jedi Nero, the Jedi are just like everyone else. You're people just like us, just as different as all of us. And that's a good thing, that diversity is going to do nothing but help the Jedi. Including you. Many people are intimidated by the Jedi, what you can do. The ones like you put ordinary people at ease, you have a calming influence about you Chias. Don't ever want to be anyone but yourself, you're a good Jedi whether other's think so or not." He offered her another smile, he just hoped that he didn't sound like a complete and total idiot over here talking to this Jedi. That wouldn't be helpful to the situation at all.

[jedi334]

A deep shade of pink came to her white cheeks as he made the comparison between her and an actual snowbird…with her appearance along with her white robes she could see why people would call her that…and now thanks to this man’s compliment she did not mind it so much now. This along with him saying that differences within the Order were a good thing had definitely cheered her up.

“Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated Mr. Denton.” She said looking up at him as she nibble the last bit of her doughnut “Most of the other vendors are quite pleasant and reasonable but this flower vendor takes particular pleasure in price gouging and make me almost scream at him which I think would make him more happy.”

She stood up and twirled around in a circle making air flow under gown as she stretched her arm her over head, her bare toes making her rise up a little before she began walking putting her hands behind her back “Come and walk with me.” She said with a shy grin “We can plan our retribution in the War of the Orchids.”

[Mal]

Mal couldn't help but feel a small spark of pride for making her blush, however given what he'd gathered of her personality he guessed it wasn't hard. She was shy after all, but still as a man he couldn't help but feel that way after making a woman blush. A small smile crossed his lips as she got a hold of her self once again, other than that he tried not to show any reaction out of respect for her. He didn't try to hide it too much however, if she'd really wanted to he knew that she could just sense his emotions out and find out what he was thinking. Not that he thought she would without his permission, even then he doubted that she would really do it. So he let the small smile show, besides he meant no harm to her and she knew that.

Mal listened to her as she spoke and finished her donut, "Don't mention it, glad I can be of help." He thought about it for a few moments, then stood up with her as the thought struck him. He watched her spin and then get herself organized before she started walking. "Well, I've got an idea if you don't mind going there now. I think I could get this all worked out for you without much trouble, might even be a little fun." He quickly caught up to her and matched her pace before looking over at her for a few seconds. "And please, call me Mal. I haven't been called Mr. Denton since I was in school." He was content to walk in silence after that, for a time anyway.

After a while Mal spoke up again, he figured she should know his plan. "So, I was thinking I'd just confront him. He says there is no one else on this planet that deals with Rylothian Orchids. Well, there are several. Worse comes to worse, I could even convince my father to deliver them for the Jedi. He'd give you fair prices. Aside from that, I work for a senator, so I could probably dangle that over him too. Threaten to get him shut down for corrupt business practices. Or at least investigated for a while. That'd slow his business down for a while." Looking over at Chias he couldn't help but smile and wink at her, it was a simple plan, sweet and to the point.

[jedi334]

She gave a soft nod. “Very well Mal.” She said “As long you call me Chias without the subtitle of ‘Master’ or ‘Jedi.”

She bit her lower lip shyly. “I am far from the rank of Master and with term of Jedi many see us as warriors and nothing more, true many of those within the Order are top saber wielders and great manipulators of the Force but we are so much more.” She said “when it comes to myself I am a teacher first, an explorer second and a warrior third. It is this trinity that defines me and keeps me grounded.” She blushed slightly hoping that it did not sound she was lecturing him but she stopped herself from apologizing, it seemed she had done that a lot around him.

She listened to his approach with dealing the vendor and gave a firm nod “This sounds perfect!” she said smiling brightly “If one thing all vendors hate is competition…we can use that to our advantage. But let us take our time going to see him it would seem odd for me to return so quickly yes?”

They exited the park and headed east, taking the long way back to the shop as they came to a cross walk as they waited for signal change. Chias’ eyes wandered to one of the large video monitors on the massive skyscrapers in the cityscape, a pretty reported talking silently as it showed the planet of Gargon.

It was all the footage any of the networks could show since all feeds had been cut off during the fighting. The conflict was between Republic and Sith forces…both the military and Jedi had been dispatched but due to the black out there had been no communication. A worried look came over her face as she bit her lower lip.

“Terrible.” She said softly but loud enough for him to hear as she glanced to him “You mentioned being a solider…you must of served in the Republic…do you…have any friends fighting on that planet?”

[Mal]

Mal smiled at the Echani Jedi, "Chias." He nodded at her and listened as she spoke, digesting it and thinking about it before he spoke. "I was always taught that the Jedi were peacekeepers, guardians more than warriors. I've met a few Jedi, and while some were more warrior than anything, others such as yourself, were teachers. I met a Jedi healer once, a few years back." He shrugged after a few moments before he continued again, "Well, there's a lot of different people out there, the Jedi are just as diverse as everyone else. There's doctors, police, scholars, traders, you name it. Then there's people like me, soldiers. All we really know is how to fight, in my case, fight to defend." Mal shrugged, looking sheepish as he scratched the back of his head and looked away.

Mal let out a laugh and nodded, "Yup, competition is bad for business. He finds out that he loses the service of high profile customers like the Jedi, that causes him to lose credibility." That was only part of the reason Mal wanted to do this though, this man was giving merchants a bad name, and beside that he had cheated the Jedi. That was a no-no. Worse yet, he had cheated a friend of his. This wasn't going to end good for the merchant, not in the slightest, even if they got the prices fixed he was going to recommend to Chias that she never use this particular merchant again. He probably wouldn't want to see either of them anyway, not after what Mal had in store anyway.

Then Chias brought up Gargon, and he looked up at the news footage on the screen with her. Where she was filled with sadness over the whole situation, he was filled with a mixture of rage and guilt. Rage that it happened at all, this was a peaceful planet that didn't want anything to do with the war, and guilt that he wasn't out there fighting with them. He clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed, and he wasn't sure if he was shaking or not. But he took a few breathes, tried to calm down, failed, and tried again. Though he wasn't calm yet, he was under control, Chias was speaking. It took him a moment to recognize what she was saying, it took him another few moments to calm down enough so that he didn't think he was going to throw up out of sheer anger.

"Yeah.." Mal finally muttered, turning to look over at her. "My entire squad is there. I warned them to not go, I had a bad feeling... And now I'm not there to watch their backs. I'm not around to pull them back from stepping on a landmine, or walking out in a kill box.. I should be there, fighting with them. But I transferred to the reserves so I could learn more about the Force.. How selfish is that?" Mal was trying his hardest not to think about Gargon, it always made him feel guilty that he wasn't there fighting with his squad, keeping them from dying. Turning away from the screen to look at Chias, he absentmindedly ran his finger down the lightsaber scar on his right cheek. As soon as it was safe he started across, pausing only long enough to make sure Chias was still walking with him.

[jedi334]

Chias could feel the anger flowing off him, the way a muscle or tendon felt when it was overly swollen or bruised, dull and warm and under the surface. She watched him carefully as he calmed down the fury slowly fading as he did so.

At first she considered apologizing, she did not meant to bring up such a sensitive subject to someone she was only getting to know and who was helping her also, but she also considered that perhaps talking about would help him. After all, that what friends did.

She listened quietly as he talked hearing of his remorse of leaving his fellow soldiers to fight on Gargon. She bit her lower lip hesitantly and then reached out, a small pale hand reaching out and gripped warmly in his.

“No, it is not selfish Mal.” She said “I may not be a Guardian or have had much interaction with the military, but I do know this. The Republic has stood for millennia because of the bravery and sacrifices its soldiers give each day in war time and peace. They do not train unthinking or careless troopers.”

She could feel eyes on them as people waited but ignored them. “They are smart and capable.” She said “able to rely on themselves and others to handle in any situation that is put in front of them, I am sure they are fine.”

She saw his eyes turning away but used her free hand to bring them back to her blue ones. ”I tell my students that the Force is not a something you use to levitate objects or shoot lighting out of your hands.” She said “It is a path, one that is ever shifting and changing under your feet. We can not change the path no matter how much we would like to. All one can do is walk it see where it leads. Your path had leaded you to the capital and it has brought you here for a reason. Do not stray from it because of guilt, for you will not find it again if you do.”

She jumped slightly at the loud tone as the cross walk sign turned green and the people around them began to move, she looked down and saw that he was holding his hand firmly and for much longer than she thought she would have. The shade pink returning as she gently pulled it away as she smiled shyly, walking backwards into the cross walk motioning her with her head to follow as she smiled hoping to lighten the mood. “Come.”

[Mal]

Mal tried not to listen to Chias, tried to hang onto his guilt and the remnants of his anger, but the woman made sense. It was then that he noticed that she was holding his hand, and he was tempted to pull away from the contact, and then she kept talking. Blast it, he wanted to be angry! But she was making sense, he couldn't hang onto it forever, and he knew he shouldn't do it at that. But still, she didn't quite understand what it was like. Being nothing but a soldier at heart and not being able to be there to fight with them, keep them all alive and going for another day. Make sure they got back to their families, he had met some of their families. If anything happened he would request to speak to them himself.

"These men and women and I, we have a bond." He started, tapping his chest lightly. He sighed and shook his head, barely letting Chias turn his eyes back to her's. And she was speaking again, reassuring him, trying to make him feel better. And it was working, no matter how much he wanted to fight it she was succeeding. "I don't know how to move backward Chias, just forward. I won't move from this path, I'm on it for a reason. Doesn't mean I have to like being on the sidelines when my friends are out their fighting and dying. I spent the last decade with them, I can almost.. I don't know tell that they're there." He motioned off toward the sky somewhere, vaguely in the direction of Gargon. "Honestly it's probably just my imagination on that one. I'm not strong enough to sense anything from more than a few dozen feet away, and the only person I can know for sure who it is right now is Ina. I'm around her all day every day, I've gotten to know what she feels like."

She pulled her hand from his and started down the path again, and then indicated that he should follow her. He didn't even think about it, he started walking after her. Mal waited until she turned around to watch where she was going, then he turned his mind back to what was happening. He didn't know what was going to happen, or what he was doing. Still, she was right the only thing he could do was move forward and take everything a day at a time. "I wouldn't feel so bad about it all, but I haven't figured out much of anything to do with the Force. I can stretch my senses out a few dozen feet, sense what's within that kinda sorta. I know that the Force effects my reflexes when I'm in danger... That's about it. I get glimpses, or ideas of things that're about to happen, but no control over it. I flying blind here Chias." He was frustrated, but at least he wasn't angry anymore.

Mal looked down at his hand for a few seconds, then over at Chias, then back down to his hand for a moment. He reached out and touched her on the back lightly, nothing more than a simple gesture, something that said 'thank you.' He was still frustrated about his inability to use the Force, but he was calmer, he was accepting what she had said. He sighed and carefully put one foot in front of the other and tried to focus on the future. He wasn't sure how good he was doing, but at least he knew what the problem was so it was fixable. He took a few deep breaths and stretched his senses out again, it was becoming a soothing ritual. Being able to know what was around him gave him reason to be calm, it may have been a safety blanket of sorts, but it worked. For the moment anyway, tomorrow was another day. But he would be working and travelling all day tomorrow so he wouldn't be able to think about any of this. For that he was immensely grateful.

[jedi334]

Chias sensed calm returning to him as they walked, happy to hear that he was focusing on the future instead of the past, so many in the Order’s history could not let go for their past. Whether it be their home planet or a loved one the inability to let go was their next step down the path of Dark Side of the Force. Even though he was no Jedi, she would hate to see hate and anger over take this good man.

“I know it is hard, but your strong.” She said, glancing down for a second unsure if she should go on but her words came slowly and shyly “Jedi are trained to let go for their past lives. But as you say we are people. I think back on my childhood sometimes.” She felt his eyes on her as she spoke. “I was very young when I left but my parents chose to keep me until my sixth year rather than hand me over to the Order when I was a baby.” She smiled slowly, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness could be seen on her young face her eyes unconsciously blinking back tears. “Those years were the happiest of my life and even though it broke their hearts to send me away, they knew that my destiny lay with the Jedi.”

She saw a young Togruta female that was her own age walking with her child maybe two or three, her blue eyes lingering on them as they walked off. “There are times I catch myself thinking of them.” She said “but I comfort myself knowing that I come from a strong clan of the Echani, I know they love me but have moved on…and so must I.” Her eyes went wide and she felt a warm blush on her cheeks as his hand lightly touched her upper back, glancing over her shoulder meeting her eyes with his.

She had no real friends save her Master and students. True she knew Tesok, Alaari, Rekio and Masters Vreem and Tyreil however she meet all of them through missions, assignments or chance encounters.

This human was different however, she had never deluged the thoughts of her parents to anyone yet she was comfortable enough to tell him and he seemed ready to listen. She bit her lip slightly and then simply smiled warmly at him as if replying to his silent thank you with her own ‘you’re welcome’

She listened to him as he spoke of feeling blind while learning of his new perception “When it comes to the Force all are blind.” She said “For millennia countless Knights and Masters have try to study and understand it and none are completely sure what it is or how it works. You have just discovered your Sensitivity…just be patient and you will learn.”

Her thin white eyebrows perked up curiously when he mentioned a woman’s name…it sounded familiar. She thought of not prodding but she could not help herself “This woman Ina, who is she?" she asked timidly "Is she your sister…or wife?”

[Mal]

Mal let out a small sigh and smiled wryly, "I dunno how strong I am Chias, I was forged in war. I joined the Republic Army when I was eighteen years old, I didn't know who I was or what I could do. Now... I'm a soldier. I proved myself fighting against pirates, mercenaries, droids, and even a few Sith. It's the only life I've known, so I don't know how strong I am really. Not strength of will anyway, I've never really been in that kind of situation." Mal listened as she talked about her past, her family and the seemingly vague memories she had of them. He had very few of when he was six anyway. "Your parents sound like great people, and I am sure they are immensely proud of you Chias."

Mal glanced at Chias as she stated that she still caught herself thinking about her parents, he considered it for a moment, and then decided to speak up. "I'm from Corulag, my father is a trader. He buys product from all over the galaxy and sells it all over as well. My mother.. She was a professor at the Corulag Academy. I was home on leave and our home was broken into, I sensed it a moment too late and my mother was killed trying to stop the break in. I didn't think, I acted. I shot and killed the two men, but every single day that goes by I think of my mother." He touched the ring around his neck, lifting the chain so that Chias could see it on his necklace. Letting go of the chain he let the ring fall back to his chest and he continued walking with the young Jedi.

Mal listened and couldn't help but smile as she explained that all were blind when it comes to the Force. "Well, there are days were it feels like I can see more than I used to be able to. And then there's most of the time where I feel.. Like one of these tiles." He motioned at the ground, the tiles on them to be specific. "I'm small, just a tiny piece of something much bigger. And if I was missing, something would be wrong. Just like if a tile was missing from this walkway." Mal shrugged, he had more or less of that opinion before he learned of the Force, but it was more complete now that he could feel it. Sense the life around him when he opened himself up to it, and it was something that amazed him and he doubted he'd ever get used to it.

He looked over at Chias as she asked about Ina and couldn't help but laugh a bit, "No, nothing like that. She's my friend and boss, Junior Senator Irrina Icharus from Arkania. I work as her bodyguard now, I'm in the reserves in the military and work for her up front. Learning what I can on the side when I'm not by her side making sure nothing bad happens to her." Mal had been working with the woman long enough to know that if something did happen, he could probably throw a grenade in the senate and hit at least three people that could have potentially orchestrated the whole thing. He was nothing if not fair to politicians however. He'd bring enough grenades for everyone.

[jedi334]

She smirked a little playfully as she tilted her head a bit to meet his eyes with her own “You fought all those unsavory individuals plus survived an encounter with trained Sith warriors.” She said “If you were in my clan you’d be thrown a great banquet with many beautiful daughters of chiefs trying to court you.” She giggled quietly to herself, Chias she rarely made jokes, but she had to admit that one was quite good.

Her smile quickly faded when he heard of his mother death, her pace slowing a bit as they walked “How tragic.” She said “You have my deepest condolences.” Thankfully she had never had to deal with the death of a close friend or family member. She smiled slight as he brought up his mother ring, her hand parting her white hair to show a small bronze bead hanging at the end of a long lock of hair

“This was from my father Cheino… leader of Clan Nero.” she said “Though my memories are hazy; his hair was long and had many of these beads hanging from it.” She said bit her lower lip “He gave it to me to always remember himself and my mother.”

Then again with all this talk of her parents she had no real idea of how her mother and father were actually doing. “They could have passed for all I know.” She thought, her body shuddering a little as she quickly pushed the image out of her mind.

When he told her of the name of the Senator he worked for, Chias stopped dead in her tracks as her small mouth gaped open slightly. Memories of the rescue mission on Boz Pity went through her mind, her body flinching slightly as she remembered the accidental but brutal shot that hit her artificial shoulder.

It took the medical staff and droids over a week repair the outer shell and replace some the finer parts that were damaged but she was finally able resume her duties within the Temple.

“Senator Icharus …from Arkania?” she said slowly “She has a little bird protocol named Ofi.  She was kidnapped not to long ago yes? I was part of the team sent by the Order to rescue her.” She smiled shyly, amazed at how small the galaxy was.

[Mal]

Mal couldn't help himself when she talked about if he had been born Echani. "I don't know about all those beautiful chief's daughters. They just want me for my skills." He smiled and winked at Chias, "I'd have to keep up the battle record, and I'd like a life of peace. I figure I gotta find someone that can understand me too, I don't even understand me." He said with a laugh, bumping into Chias playfully as he did. Still chuckling softly, he glanced over at her for a moment before speaking again. "Besides, there's only one chief's daughter I'm interested in. Somehow I doubt she's an option though." He smiled at Chias when she offered him her condolences, and he touched her on the back for a moment, letting her know he appreciated it.

Mal listened intently as Chias spoke of her parents, nodding at the mention of remembering them. "When I first started wearing this, my father made me swear that when I decided to get married I would propose with this ring. So that's the plan I guess." Chuckling again, he put his hand on her shoulder, not knowing but guessing much of what was going through her mind. From there he pulled her into a brief one armed hug, before removing his arm from around her shoulders. "Keep them here." He said touching his head, "And here." He touched his chest over his heart, before smiling and touching her hand for a moment. "And they're immortal. I can promise you that. You'll be able to feel their love for you, and how proud their daughter has made them."

Mal turned to Chias as she stopped walking and stared at him. He couldn't help but smile and laugh when she told him that she had been part of the rescue party. "And now I'm her body guard, and we've become friends?" He took her hand and gently pulled her out of the way of traffic before stopping. "Now isn't this quite the coincidence? You rescue her and now I protect her." He still didn't understand the whole Will of the Force thing, his mind was still working on as if he didn't know much about the Force. Which he didn't. Motioning with his head, Mal started walking again trying to get through with helping out the Jedi. He wanted to know the chances of him and Chias meeting like that, and then his mind turned to Ina, he couldn't wait to tell her that he had met Chias.

[jedi334]

“Well of course they would want of your skills!” Chias said smiling “A male skilled in combat is a key when looking for a mate when you are an Echani female. Along with your charm and strong sense of honor you might start a small civil war amongst the higher clans to get you in their favor my dear Mr. Denton.”

Chias was teasing somewhat but part of what she said was true, with he way Mal carried himself any woman would be foolish not give him a second look. She blushed deeply when he pulled her into for the brief friendly embrace, not use to such close contact but she forgot that humans were like that, though it was new it was not unwanted, she briefly rested head against his in thanks as she smiled timidly

“I hope they are.” She said “I know that while I represent my own clan I also represent my people as a whole. I know that I am not what many consider your normal Echani what with my size, my shyness and choosing to teach rather than fight the front lines, I do what I can.”

Her eyes widened a bit at the ‘one chiefs’ daughter’ line and wondered if he meant the Junior Senator. It might have been her Force enhanced sense picking up on it, but she got the feeling that he felt a strong bond with the young woman.

There was a brief moment she thought it might have been herself as she blushed a bit, but she quickly dismissed it. They only just met and were just getting to one another “And besides.” She thought as she felt him grab and pull her back her as a small delivery speeder just missed nicking her “You are a Knight of the Order and he is a bodyguard of the Senate. Remember your training Chias, There is no passion, there is serenity.”

Her blush deepened when he spoke of how Force may of brought them together when it came to Ina “As I said, the Force is a path and sometimes those paths merge as one.” She said “As for the rescue mission, it was not something I volunteered for per say.” She put her arms behind her as they walked, her bare feet peeking out as she moved gracefully.

“I was a last minute addition to the rescue team.” She said “Though most of the time I felt more of a third wheel to Rekio and Ofi, but I would like to think I earned their respect when it was all said and done.” They crossed into the merchant district, the shop they wanted being on the other side.

“The Senator seems genuine in wanting to help the Republic. Please give her my regards when you see her.” She said, shaking her head lightly. “But to be honest  I do not know how she puts up with that little droid.” She said “More times then once during the mission she charged in with out thinking and she rarely took either I or Rekio’s council seriously.” She bit her lip lightly while looked at him “Is she like that all the time?”

[Mal]

Mal almost started laughing, almost being the prime word. He didn't want Chias to think he was laughing at her when he wasn't. "Still, fighting isn't all I want to be known for. I'd rather be known for my practical jokes and amazing sense of humor." He said with a big smile looking over at the Echani. Then he really did start laughing as something she said hit him like a drunk Wookiee. "Oh believe me, no one would want to fight a civil war over me. I'm not that great, especially when it comes to fighting. I'm good with a blaster, and decent with my fists, but a trained echani is gonna beat me up with their pinky." He smiled and laughed again to show he was only partly joking, he'd lose to just about any echani. He was nothing if not self-aware.

Mal shrugged, "To each their own. We're not all meant to be warriors or scholars, doctors. We all have a roll to play, some of us take a different roll from our parents. Mine weren't soldiers like me, I kinda hope my kids don't end up as soldiers. Life on the battlefield isn't something I want my kids to face. I'd rather them be like you, teachers." He smiled at her for a second, then turned red himself. "Well, if I have kids anyway. Anyway, changing the subject now." He chuckled nervously for a moment, before looking up as they entered the merchant district. "Paths merging..." He couldn't help but mutter the phrase under his breath as he took it under consideration.

Mal nodded when she described Ofi, that all sounded completely right. "Yeah, I'll be sure to tell her for you." He said with a small smile, then let out a sigh and looked over at Chias. "Well she's been around that droid for years. She's her best friend. And Ofi feels the same, but at the same time the little droid feels that organics are inherently flawed. While that may be true, that also reveals the flaw in the droid. She automatically assumes she's correct no matter what, and from there bases all of her assumptions as such. She listens to council only when she chooses, no matter how wise it may be. The only person I know she'll listen it is Ina." Mal shrugged and looked over at Chias again, blinking a few times. "Never underestimate her loyalty to Ina, and never try to harm Ina or Ofi will put a blaster bolt between your eyes without a second thought."

Mal considered where they were for the moment, then motioned to Chias to guide them further in. He started preparing himself for what he would say to this merchant about cheating the Jedi. I mean come on, it really wasn't wise to do that anyway. They carried a lazer sword after all, granted the Order was peaceful, it was still an intimidating weapon. Mal wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one, he reached up and touched the scar on his cheek, not again anyway. Once in a lifetime was more than enough for him and he didn't care if he never felt that burn again. There was pain, and then there was the searing of your own skin. It was not a sound, smell, or experience one easily forgot.

[jedi334]

She began to walk ahead of him to guide him where they needed to be, smiling over her shoulder at him “Only a pinky finger?” she said “My dear Mr. Denton as an Echani I am offended. We would at least give you a few polite attempts to hit us before using the entire hand to take you down.”

She giggled lightly as she listened to thoughts not wanting his children to be soldiers to which she nodded slowly “True, all must be free to choose their own destiny." she said "My own parents left the choice of becoming a Jedi to me. It was a hard decision but one I do not regret.”

They moved on to the street where the Toydarian’s shop was as Chias could see the orange sun light reflecting of the massive skyscrapers, she had been so engrossed in their conversation she had not realized she had spent most of the day with Mal. Her mind went briefly to all of the chores and duties she had missed, but her Master had told she should spend most time out of the Archive and the Temple itself.

She listened to Mal speak of Ofi’s behavior and nodded “I figured as much." she said "Most companion models do become attached their Masters so I should not be surprised. And while it did get us in trouble more then once during the mission I also understand her protective nature.”

Her soft voice became even quieter as a thought entered her mind “If the Sith attacked the Temple or the Archive or tried to hurt or kidnap any of my students I assure you they would not get anywhere near them.”

She could feel his eyes on her as she turned her gaze him, biting her bottom lip as her shyness took hold of her, surprised at the cool darkness in her voice. Even though they only known one anther for a short time, he must have surely thought that was out of character for her.

She smiled warmly trying to change the mood “But thanks to vigilance of the Order and courage of the Republic Forces hopefully that will never happen.” She said “For that is the one thing the Overlord and all who follow him will never have…hope.”

They turned the corner and walked to entrance of the flower merchant shops as she took a deep breath. “All right then.” She said, pulled her hood up over her head and running her small hands down her robes to make herself look presentable.

“Let me start the conversation then follow my lead.” She said, trying her best hide her excited smile and look timid and shy like always as they entered the shop, an Ithorian shoving pass them as he muttered something under his breath.

The merchant’s back was turned them as Chias cleared her throat which made him turned slowly as he hovered in the air, smiling a gapped toothed smile as he snorted and laughed.

“My little snow bird!” he said “You’ve returned. Do you need some more orchids for your halls? I have some lovely lilies from Alderaan that would be perfect for the entrance to your Archive…for a modest fee of course.”

“Of course.” She said smiling shyly and looking down and then back up. “But first may I introduce my friend Mal Denton, personal bodyguard and close associate to Junior Senator Icharus from Arkania.”

The merchant eyed Mal up and down suspiciously “Icharus?” he snorted “Never heard of her.”

“Well of course you wouldn’t have!” Chias laughed lightly “she is fairly new to the Senate but is gaining more popularity by the day.” She said, her small voice tinged with condensation “The populace does enjoy those young idealists after all.”

She glanced at Mal briefly to see if he was following her line of speaking and also to let him know she did not mean what she was saying about Ina, just simply trying get to the merchant’s level of thinking.

“Your point being?” he asked in a bored tone as he went through pad data.

“Mr. Denton is part the same merchant family on Corulag.” She said, looping her arm with Mal pulling him close to her. “During lunch I was telling him what an astute and tactful business owner you were and he just insisted on meeting you and also wanted to pick that brain of yours.”

She looked at Mal smiling like an adoring teenage girl did at her first love “Isn’t that right Mal?”

[Mal]

Mal couldn't help but laugh at her comment, "Good to know. If I ever have to fight an echani I'll make sure to make those few polite attempts count then." He smiled and winked at her, knowing full well that up close and personal with an echani was next to suicide for him. Mental note, don't piss off the echani. Best to stay on peaceful terms, keep on the polite conversation side of things. Nodding at her he smiled again, "I agree, we were granted our freedom to make our own choices, it's something we must exercise. You should be very proud of who you've become, I'm happy to have met you Chias." Mal reached out and gently patted Chias on the back, then squeezing her right shoulder lightly before letting his hand drop back to his side.

Mal merely responded to Chias's comments about Ofi with a light "hmm" sound. He was still getting used to the small droid. Likewise she was getting used to him. It was taking a lot of work, but it was slowly working, and Mal didn't know what to do with it. He wasn't a particular fan of droids, so having to work with one on a daily basis was something new for him. Still, he couldn't deny the usefulness of having the droid around, she could do things with computers that he couldn't, and her scanners were in some ways better than his senses. He really needed to improve upon his senses more. Mal smiled grimly and put his hand on her right shoulder again, giving it a firm squeeze. "If that does ever happen, you teach them the folly of invading the home of an echani."

Then they entered the ship, Chias telling Mal to follow her lead. Well, this was going to be interesting for sure. Mal smiled as Chias spoke, she was setting him up to deliver the ultimate blow. And he was not going to disappoint the Jedi. Mal let himself get pulled closer to Chias, he reached over and touched Chias's hand and smiled at her as she spoke. "Of course Chias." He drew out saying her name, letting more fondness leak into it than he normally would. If she was going to hang onto his arm and look at him like that, he should play along right? He almost started to blush at being this close to her, but instead fell back on clearing his mind. He needed to focus for this part, but at the same time he was quite enjoying this.

Mal looked over the toydarian a few times, letting a small amount of contempt show in his eyes. "Jedi Nero tells me that you are the only one who carries Rylothian orchids on the planet. And it seems you also carry Alderaanian lilies too? Those are nice flowers, quite aromatic." Mal made a point of smelling the air for a moment, then locked his gaze back down on the small flying alien. He squeezed Chias's hand lightly before pulling away and walking to the counter. "Tell me, how does one claim to be the only purveyor of such items? When I can name two arbariums on the planet that grow both of these flowers, and at least a dozen shops that sell them. You may be the only one that sells them on this part of the planet, but I can assure you others sell them."

Mal then let his face drop from his false joyous facade and into a more serious expression. One that he had learned on the battlefield, but that his father had learned in negotiations. There was no doubting the difference between them though, something about the eyes always gave the difference away. Still, it's effect was unmistakable on anyone who lacked courage. His silvery grey eyes held a raptor like quality to them, like he wouldn't miss any movement the toydarian made. "And charging such prices to the Jedi at that..." He made a clicking sound with his tongue, then turned to face Chias. "I think you should cancel your order, we can find someone who will provide... Well actual service instead of this... lack of courtesy." Mal then turned back to the toydarian. "And I will make sure you receive a black mark on your record. One that will make warehouses think twice about dealing with you, even sellers will think twice. You'll only be able to get product from less.. reputable sources."

Mal flashed the toydarian his most pleasant smile, then turned back to Chias and put his arm around her waist, being sure to keep his hand in a respectful place. Mostly. "Come, I'll buy you some tea and we'll talk for a bit." He winked at Chias, then motioned for her to start moving toward the door. In his mind he started a countdown, waiting for the inevitable reaction from the toydarian behind them. At least if he'd had the effect he'd desired on the alien, and if he didn't... well he would have to carry out on his threat and give the merchant a black mark.

[jedi334]

Chias watched Mal move through the small office, her eyes following his every gesture. He wasn’t fooling when he said that knew how merchants thought, it was most impressive to watch. Throughout most of Mal’s speech the merchant was rubbing the back of his fat neck rolls, his red eyes going back and forth as his mind slowly turned and the look on his face told her that he had made a serious mistake.

Chias saw Mal look at her as she pretended to be conflicted over the choice of going to another vendor, her pale face showing a hurt expression as she looked right at the vendor and glanced back at Mal.

“Well if that is what you think is best.” Chias said, a shy reluctance in her voice “It will be quite an effort finding another shop.” She sighed heavily as if a great weight was upon her “But the Order’s dignity must stay in tact.”

She felt his arm slide securely around her waist, her eyes going wide as he felt hand resting on her hip, a deep shade of red on her cheeks as she looked at with a brief moment of confusion but then seeing his wink as she smiled, leaning in and kissing his cheek

“Tea! Now that sounds like a lovely idea.” She said, turning with Mal to leave “We can go to that little café just past the Senate plaza and discuss potential new shops to visit and----“

“NO WAIT!”

Chias bit her lower lip as she smiled to Mal, slowly turning to see the merchant flapping with horrified look on his gaudy features. “Please wait.” He said pleading “I clearly have done you wrong my little snow bird.”

She looked right into his beady little eyes her voice was sharp and firm as she spoke “Chias.” He looked confused as he glanced at Mal briefly and then back to her “What?”

“My name is Chias.” She said tapping his large nose lightly with her pointer finger “Chias Nero of the Jedi Order not snow bird. You shall remember that from now on.”

The merchant nodded, looking like one of her younglings being scolded in front of the entire class “Of course.” He said meekly “From now on. It was never my intention to offend a Jedi Knight---“

“Jedi Historian.” She said correcting him, glancing over at Mal trying her best not to smile

“Historian!” He said nodding “If there any way we can look over this unpleasantness please just name it.”

“You can start by bringing my order back to the original price and it will stay that way for every new purchase.” She said “And you’ll add a pallet of those lilies you mentioned free of charge. The Archive entrance would look quite lovely with them, wouldn't you agree Mal?”

“Done!” he said, frantically typing into his data pad “Right away!”

“I highly suggest applying this new bussiness model to new & regular customers.” She said, her shy tone now gone as she heard a bit of her father in her voice as she spoke. “You are done using the war as an excuse to fatten your pockets. If I hear of anymore misdealing from you Mr. Denton will go to his friends in the Senate and planet security will tear this place apart looking for the slightest indiscretion.”

He began to speak but Chias cut him off her voice cool, “If the do find anything and I’m sure they will you will be brought before the Merchant’s Board where no doubt you will have your license revoked.” She was inches from his sweating face, her features unflinching. “By the time they are done you’ll be selling weeds on Nar Shadda.” She said “Do we understand one another?”

The merchant head was slumped down to the ground as he nodded glumly “Fully.” He said

She smiled brightly “Splendid!” she said, her tone cheery again “I expect my order to be promptly at the Temple docks tomorrow morning.” She looked to Mal, giving her own wink “Come Malcolm, all this activity has made me quite hungry.”

They walked toward the exit, Chias glancing over her shoulder bringing her hood over head as she smiled “Thank you for your attention.” She said “Enjoy your day.”

They left, leaving the merchant flapping in the air his ash colored face a new shade of white. Chias waited until they were at least two whole blocks away before she began giggle loudly and hopping up and down like a child. “That was incredible!” she said hugging Mal tightly “And I must admit…a little satisfying as well!”