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Jedi Headquarters, Imperial City, Coruscant
"And that says Valin," Jysella informed Lainey, pointing to the piece of flimsy she'd been scribbling on.
Lainey leaned over to look at it, and tried not to smirk. The word the child was pointing to read: Sith. "Jysella..."
"Yes?" Jysella asked innocently, leaning back against the couch in the Horns’ apartments.
"That doesn't say Valin."
Jysella gave her a sly grin. "What does it say?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.
Lainey smiled back. "Ask your mom."
"You're no fun!" Jysella groaned. "It's the truth you know."
"What's the truth?"
"That Valin's a Sith," Jysella said seriously. "Do you know what he did to me yesterday?"
"No, what?" Lainey asked, glancing towards the refresher's door. Master Horn was supposed to be instructing her about the Force, but he’d just come home from teaching Lightsaber combat, and had wanted to shower first. He didn't want her to think of him as The Master who smells like a Hutt.
"He..." Jysella began, just as the refresher door opened and Corran stepped out.
"Hey Ladies," he greeted the two with a smile, then stepped further into the living room, focusing his attention on Jysella. "I trust you kept Lainey entertained?"
Jysella bobbed her head. "I did!"
"She showed me how she can write her name," Lainey informed him.
"Very good sweetie!" Corran ruffled Jysella's hair. "Let me see."
"Um...," Jysella hugged the flimsy to her chest. "I will later Daddy... I gotta go, um, meet Jani! Bye!" She rushed out the door.
Corran raised an eyebrow at Lainey. "Well, that was... interesting." He sat beside her on the couch. "I have to wonder what else was on that flimsy."
Lainey shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows?"
"A certain sneaky apprentice of mine," he winked at her. "Probably has something to do with her brother."
Lainey just grinned. "What are we going to do today, Master?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Work on your touching the Force."
"Again?" Lainey tried not to groan. She'd spent two days in the infirmary for her initial wounds, and three more when Cilghal discovered a small problem with her eyes that had to be fixed by surgery. Corran had been with her everyday, and everyday they worked on her touching the Force. And every time it came just barely within her reach. "I thought we'd figured that I can't access the Force without having my memory back."
"We?" Corran raised an eyebrow at her. "Maybe you think that, but I don't. When I lost partial memory of Mirax, I could still access the Force, but not remember much about her," he said seriously, catching his apprentice’s eyes. "And you came so close to touching it last time, Lainey."
Lainey nodded slowly, but still felt the need to argue with him. "But what if I can't?"
"What if you can?"
"Then..." She bit her lip. "I don't know."
"Then you bring down your own shields, and get your memory back." Corran answered for her. "I don't think you can throw yourself out of your mind." He winked at her.
Lainey smirked, fighting back laughter. "Probably not, Master Horn." Her smirk dropped into a frown. "But what if I fight myself?"
He grinned. "Then you'd better win."
Lainey shook her head, catching his grin. "I bet I will."
"That's the spirit!" Corran slapped her on the back. "I want to try something different this time."
"What's that?"
In answer Corran took her hands. "I am going to touch you with the Force, and all you have to do is reach back. Alright?"
Closing her eyes, Lainey nodded and whispered, "Ready."
Soon after she felt Corran's warm, encouraging touch on her mind. Taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind and focused inwardly, seeking out the familiar flow of the Force.
All she had to do was return Corran's touch.
Simple.
Cautiously she traced Corran's hold on the Force, reaching out to touch the silken threads, and promptly slipped right through them.
Slightly frustrated, Lainey tried to touch them once more, not even coming close. Frowning, she reached with all her might, feeling sweat bead on her forehead.
"Lainey," Corran said softly, releasing his touch on her mind. "You're trying too hard."
Looking up at him, her blue eyes flashing, she snapped, "How am I supposed to do it?" then she released her hands from his.
Corran raised an eyebrow at her. "Calmly, patiently." He squeezed her shoulder. "You can't force the Force," he added with a wink.
Lainey tried to fight a smile, pulling off a twisted smirk. "Funny, Master Horn."
"I thought so." Corran grinned.
A knock on the door saved Lainey from having to say something.
Corran got up to answer it, and soon returned, followed in by a pretty blonde, in a rather tight-fitting, blue suit. "Lainey, do you remember meeting Miranda Sierr?" he asked, resting his hand on the visitor’s shoulder.
Lainey shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Well, we kind of have." Miranda's eyes sparkled. "But you were asleep." She extended her hand to Lainey. "Pleasure to meet you...awake."
Lainey smiled and shook her hand. "You too," she said, feeling a little awkward. "What's up?"
"Well, word around the temple has it that we're going to be roommates." She joined Lainey on the couch. "Along with Karina Batista and Pam Florenz."
"Oh," Lainey responded, for lack of something better to say.
"Anyway," Miranda tossed a lock of curly hair behind her shoulder. "We want to have a girls’ night out, a kind of getting to know you kind of thing. Do you want to go?"
"Where are we going?"
"The Spaceport..." Miranda replied a little hesitantly. "We want to... see the sights."
Lainey raised an eyebrow. "The sights?"
"Yeah." Miranda waggled her eyebrows. "The sights."
"Sure," Lainey said slowly. "If it's alright with you, Master Horn?"
Corran nodded, a knowing smile forming on his lips. "Go ahead..." He winked at the girls. "If the sights are tall, dark and handsome... remember looks aren't everything."
Catching Miranda's eye, Lainey let out an exaggerated sigh. "Yes, Master."
****
"Guess what Master Skywalker?" Erin Manwaring asked, approaching Luke down the Academy's main hall.
Blue eyes twinkling, Luke stopped in his tracks to smile at her. "What?"
The young girl grinned. "I levitated a rock the size of my head today!"
"That's impressive..." Luke began to congratulate her, but was interrupted by a bustling Larina Taeran.
"That's nothing." Larina elbowed Erin. "I lifted two that size, and in faster time!"
"Oh yeah?" Erin challenged her. "I could lift three! If I tried."
"I could lift four!"
"Ladies," Luke interjected, unable to stop the smirk forming on his lips. They turned innocent, blinking eyes to him. He tried to make his voice stern. "There is no need for competition. I am proud of you for your accomplishments, not what you can do better than someone else. Understand?"
"Yes, Master," they said solemnly, though their eyes sparkled.
Luke smiled. "Good." He patted their backs. "If you'll excuse me..."
"Master Skywalker!" Miranda interrupted him, dashing down the hall to catch up to him. Somehow she maintained her swaying walk, catching the eye of every male apprentice she passed.
"Yes, Miranda?" Luke asked, trying not to sigh. Mara had taken the time to cook dinner - well, pick something up from a Twi'lek carry-out restaurant - and she wouldn't appreciate his being late.
"I was told I should ask your permission, before leaving campus," Miranda replied graciously. "So, do I have it?"
Luke folded his arms. "That depends on where you are going, and why."
"Imperial spaceport, for dinner," Miranda replied easily. "We girls are having a roommate get together. Master Horn's given permission for Lainey, Master Oreth for Karina. Since Pam and I don't have masters, I am asking for the both of us." She smiled sweetly at him. "What do you say?"
"You have my permission if," Luke winked at her, "you give me a better reason than the good food."
"You can't hide anything from a Jedi Master, can you?"
Luke shook his head. "Nope. And it is especially hard to convince me the Spaceport would have anything edible, let alone taste good." Luke smirked knowingly. "So tell me, who is he?"
Miranda grinned. "You really can't hide anything from a Jedi Master!" She shook her head. "To answer your question, I honestly don't know. Pam saw him on her arrival to Coruscant, and basically described him as the most perfect guy ever to walk the Galaxy."
"Well, you certainly can't miss out on that," Luke teased.
"Nope!" Miranda said enthusiastically, totally missing his sarcasm. "Can we go then, Master Skywalker?"
Luke rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Did Pam happen to mention how old, Mr. Perfect is?"
"18...19," Miranda shrugged. "She didn't actually talk to him."
Luke pressed his lips together. "Does she intend to tonight?"
"I do," Miranda said, grinning devilishly.
Frowning at her, Luke folded his arms. "See that you do. And if he is over 19, and seems to be even the slightest bit untrustworthy, I don't want you, or any of the other girls to talk to him again, understand?"
Miranda lifted her chin, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Of course, Master Skywalker."
"Miranda..."
"I promise," Miranda said earnestly, giving him her best "innocent girl" expression.
"I'll hold you to that," Luke said seriously, laying his hand on her arm. "Please, be careful."
"I will." Miranda started backing up. "Goodnight, Master Skywalker." She sketched a bow.
"Goodnight." Luke sighed, watching her take off. He got the feeling she wouldn't listen to his advice, as would none of the other girls. Should he have a daughter, how could he ever put up with her dating?
****
Docking Bay 12
Armand Naberrie tried not to make a face at the mysterious meat slapped in between two hardening buns. Seated across the table from him was Stephen Falcourt, who seemed to be enjoying his sandwich. They were in one of the Bay’s small cafés, choking down one of its meals. Well, at least Armand was. Stephen seemed to be enjoying his food.
Casually, Armand leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the table, imitating his new? friend. Over the past few days, he’d begun picking up on his co-workers and even Han Solo’s somewhat scoundrel-like habits. He didn’t dare wonder what his mother would think of his behavior.
"Hey Armie," Stephen said around a bite of sandwich.
"Yes?" Armand asked, taking a rather large bite of his own. The meat was as rough as it was greasy making it barely edible. He took a long drink of water, washing the bite down.
Stephen cocked his head towards the middle of the docking bay. "You see those girls?"
Armand glanced in the direction his friend was pointing at, immediately noticing a group of four rather attractive young women. They appeared to be lost, or maybe looking for someone. "Yes," Armand replied, turning his attention back to Stephen. "What about them?"
"You want to know what they’re looking for?" Stephen asked conspiratorially, leaning forward.
"Their boyfriends?" Armand ventured.
Shaking his head, Stephen replied. "Boyfriend, me." He thumped his chest.
"You’ve been juggling four girls?" Armand questioned, astonished at the idea of such a feat.
"No." Stephen’s hazel eyes twinkled. "But I will be."
Glancing at the girls once again, Armand felt compelled to argue with him. Not only was it disrespectful to them, it wasn’t really proper. Women were not objects to be conquered and displayed like trophies. Stephen’s leer rankled Armand’s sense of propriety. While at longer glance he had to admit they were rather attactice, particularly the light brown haired one with matching brown eyes. He didn't want Stephen pursuing her, or any of the others. There probably wasn't much he could do about it though, unless he pursued them first. "Why don’t we leave that up to the girls?" he suggested, catching the eye of the blue eyed brunette. He threw her a wink, smiling broadly as her cheeks colored, and she turned away.
****
"So, where is this perfect man?" Miranda asked impatiently, looking around the clustered port workers.
Pam brushed a lock of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. "I’m not sure... maybe he worked the morning shift."
Karina let out a long sigh. "So we came here for nothing?" she asked in her soft, cultured accent.
"I wouldn’t say nothing," Miranda said, grasping Karina’s arm and pointing to a tall, blonde haired worker. "Check him out!"
Lainey walked alongside her, barely paying attention. She stole a glance back at the young man who had winked at her, this time finding him to be even more handsome. Noticing he was turning his head towards her again, she looked straight ahead.
"What do you think of him, Lainey?" Miranda asked, elbowing her.
Lainey lifted her chin. "I guess he’s alright."
"I think he pales in comparison to the man we came to see," Pam said with a sigh.
"Seriously?" Miranda gaped, still watching her targeted worker. "I’d say that man is pretty close to perfection."
Karina made a face. "How many perfect guys work at this spaceport?"
"Not enough." Miranda winked at her. "I think I need to go introduce myself to this guy."
Pam scrutinized him, nodding slowly. "I’d say he’s worth meeting..." She ran her hand through her short hair. "But I want to find mine."
While they spoke, Lainey risked a look back at the young man, noticing he had gone and his friend was just barely picking up his foodtray. Not wanting to admit she was slightly disappointed, she turned her attention back to her group of friends.
"Go ahead," Miranda said smoothing her own hair. "While I reel mine in." She linked her arm through Lainey’s. "Come along Lainey, I’ll show you how to get a man target, lock, and impact."
"Great," Lainey groaned, throwing Pam and Karina a timid wave as Miranda dragged her off.
Just a few meters from the guy, Miranda released Lainey’s arm. "Just watch," Miranda instructed, winking at her. Lainey smiled in response, and folded her arms and Miranda headed towards the guy. She walked past him slowly, just slightly swaying her hips. "Mr. Perfect" responded by following her with his admiring eyes, up to the point where she casually dropped her purse almost directly in front of him. She gracefully leaned down to pick it up, coming up with a bright smile for him. He immediately walked over to her, engaging a conversation.
Lainey shook her head, a small smile touching her lips. Miranda definitely had a lot of nerve, a trait Lainey wished she had acquired. But if that was how you hooked a guy, she wasn’t sure she wanted to do it. She’d probably fall over when picking the thing up, or come up with a blush instead of a smile.
She stood there feeling slightly stupid, before Miranda caught her eye and cocked her head, beckoning her over. Taking a deep breath, Lainey strode forward, catching up with the two. Upon closer inspection, the man Miranda had been checking out was actually quite good looking. About a head taller than her, he had short dirty blonde hair and deep blue eyes. "Hello Lainey," Miranda greeted her, as if she’d just run into her. She looked up at her guy, resting her hand on his arm. "Derk, this is my friend, Lainey."
Derk flashed Lainey a boyish grin, and pumped her hand enthusiastically. "It’s a pleasure to meet you. Miranda and I were just discussing when I am taking my break."
Lainey cocked an eyebrow at Miranda. Force, she worked fast! "I see," she said lamely.
"It should be within the hour," Derk informed her. "And I usually take it with a friend..."
"Derk," a smooth accented voice interrupted him, belonging to a man a few centimeters shorter than Derk, with dark brown hair and eyes. Lainey recognized him immediately as he came up behind Derk, and felt her cheeks warming.
Derk started at the sound of his voice. "Armand!" he exclaimed, nervously folding his arms. "What do you want... I mean, hello Sir."
Armand smiled. "Armand will do just fine. And what do I want?" Armand mimicked Derk’s folding arms. "I’m just wondering what you’re up to?"
The two men were obviously uncomfortable with each other, more so than the obvious manager verses employee relationship. The way Armand stood just a bit taller, and Derk casually unfolding his arms to rest a hand on Miranda’s arm, indicated a competitive nature. They saw each other as a threat for Miranda’s attentions. While both were undeniably attractive, Lainey had to admit she thought Armand more so, if only for his accent, and calm demeanor.
"Talking to these two ladies of course," Derk replied easily. "You know, seeing if they need any help."
"How very thoughtful of you," Armand said, smirking.
"Yes, very." Miranda favored him with her winning smile. "We were just wondering where a good café was."
"Good café?" Armand raised his eyebrows. "I’d assume anywhere outside of the Spaceport. I haven’t seen a good one here yet, Miss." He turned to Derk. "Have you?"
Derk shook his head. "I was just about to suggest they try somewhere else."
"Yes, too bad anywhere else is too far away," Miranda said with a slight frown.
"Far away from what?" Armand asked curiously, studying her blue green eyes.
"The dorms," Miranda replied quickly. "We’re in school."
Armand’s lip twitched. "That’s funny. The closest school I know of is the Jedi Academy. It’s just across the street."
"Then you can imagine how stern a head Master we have," Miranda said lightheartedly.
Derk’s mouth dropped. "You’re...Jedi?"
"Hardly," Miranda replied. "We’ve been in training for what, 5 days?"
Lainey nodded. "About that."
"So you can’t read our minds then?" Derk asked anxiously.
"We can’t. And if we could.... we wouldn’t." Miranda smiled up at him. "So, you have nothing to worry about."
Derk visibly relaxed, then puffed out his chest, casting Armand a sidelong glance. "I wasn’t worried."
"Neither was I," Armand informed him.
"I didn’t think you would be." Derk smirked. "You have no shame."
Undaunted, Armand merely cocked his head. "Who needs it?"
Miranda caught Lainey’s eyes, and shook her head, a small smile shaping her lips. "Anyway," she interrupted the boys, "Lainey and I need to meet up with our friends." She tugged on Lainey’s arm, taking a step away from them before adding, "You may join us, if you’d like."
Copyright 2002 by Luney.
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