Cat And Mouse: Winging It

[Sreeya]

"Try again."

"Are you serious?!"

Qailan didn't get it. She simply did not get it. She was a Bogan, a refined warrior, a force to be reckoned with, yet she could not throw a dart if her life depended on it. She aimed and threw it again, her pride keeping her from applying the Force. Once again, she missed the balloon. The man at the stand coughed to hold back his laugh, earning a scowl. He quickly looked down, terrified of her gleaming yellow eyes.

She had gotten over the initial shock of having been dragged to an amusement park by Adrian. When he first presented the idea to her, she simply laughed, only to be met with a completely serious face. She absentmindedly followed him, her mind still thinking back to his meeting with his cousin. Qailan knew this Alcor Bac meant a lot more to Adrian than he had led her on to believe. However, she did not ask any questions, quietly remaining in the background. She was secretly thankful that Adrian did not remain on Alderaan for long, choosing to go to another planet. Qailan had already begun feeling as if she were treading on family territory.

When Adrian presented Zeltron as the planet of choice, Qailan had to do a double take. She had only heard stories about that planet, most of them about the women and clubbing. It did not strike her as the kind of scene Adrian would fit in. However, he pointed out that it was also home to some of the largest amusement parks, which brought them here today. She was initially reluctant to go in, considering the idea of it rather childish. However, she soon came to realize that some of the activities were..

"Damn challenging. This game is rigged."

She flatly commented on it. The man rolled his eyes.

"Lady, why don't you try a different game?"

Qailan bit back a retort, glancing up at the prizes that she had been attempting to win. It wasn't even about the prizes, it was about failing at something repeatedly, something that did not sit well with her. Finally, she had thrown her last dart, sighing. As the man began to reiterate his usual sympathies at her loss, Qailan quickly looked at him. Her mind wove into his thoughts, twisting, twirling, prodding. Soon, his eyes were glazed over. Satisfied, Qailan spoke in a low voice.

"I have successfully won the stuffed rancor."

"You have successfully won the stuffed rancor."

"You will hand it to me now."

"I will hand it to you now."

And he did. Moments later, Qailan was by Adrian's side, a gigantic stuffed rancor toy in her arms. She had a satisfied grin on her face, though had no intention of revealing exactly how she had obtained her prize.

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian was simply happy to be away from... well, everything. He had settled affairs with Analia. His cousin was very distraught at the lack of time Adrian had spent with them in the past two years, but at the moment she was just happy to finally have him around, if only for a short time before he explained he had to leave. She grieved in her way, he grieved in his.

So, he decided to forget, completely, about his duties as a Jedi. They had kept him alienated from his family, and right now, he didn’t want to worry about anything. That in mind he had taken Qailan to the most un-Jedi like place he knew that was, relatively, safe; Zeltros.

They had arrived just this morning, checking in to a hotel suite overlooking a ‘grotto’ of immense proportions. It was all paid for from Analia’s deep pockets. It was a present to Adrian. She had given Qailan a funny look when she had given him a credit-chip with her account info on it, though. He suspected he had to be a woman to understand its meanings.

Right now he was leaning against a well-manicured, vibrant purple tree carefully kept under control by the Zeltranica Resort and Park.

He raised an eyebrow over the sunglasses he wore when he saw Qailan triumphant saunter toward him, holding a giant stuffed Rancor in a stranglehold. It was so comically large it made her look like a child.

“About time, I was beginning to worry for that man’s life,” he teased, pushing off the tree to close the distance between his ‘date’. The entire concept was just so... normal it felt impossible to him. Despite it all his lightsabre was still hidden within the sleeve of his midnight blue shirt. He could forget about the Jedi, but not about his duty to the people of the galaxy.

“Having fun, I take it?” he added, coming up beside her to wrap an arm around her waist. He had taken to it extremely quickly. It was second-nature for him to walk with her like that.

“Where to next, m’lady?”

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan smiled when she found Adrian again.

"Don't worry, I'm being a good girl."

She glanced back at the man, eyes still glazed over. She had forgotten to snap him out of it. Oops.. She was distracted when he spoke again, closing the distance between them and wrapping an arm around her waist. She took the opportunity to lean up and place a quick kiss on his lips. The actions became more and more common, nothing out of the ordinary. She felt like a whole new person. Qailan was well out of her comfort zone from how she was raised, but she took it in stride. She promptly handed the enormous toy over to Adrian, laughing at the sight.

"Oh this is priceless, Master Bac..."

She shook her head, grasping his hand and venturing off in another direction. Never having been to an amusement park before, she couldn't believe how much activity was bustling all around them. She found various stands of food and immediately went to one of the most popular ones. Qailan looked down at it, face scrunching up in confusion.

"What is that?"

"Ice cream, lady, never had it before??"

"...Shut up."

She forked over some creds, grabbing a cone of it. Qailan investigated the strange dessert for a while, surveying it from all angles. It looked so simple, like something she could easily make on Ando Prime. Qailan walked away from the stand, still figuring out how to eat it. As she attempted to take a bite from the side, the whole thing toppled over onto her clothing. Qailan gasped at the chill, promptly annoyed at having it splattered across her robes. Unlike normal folk, she almost overreacted, burning with fury for a moment. She quickly looked up at Adrian, realizing that it wasn't that big of a deal. Flushed, she took the outer layer of her robe off, now only in a tank top and tight fitting pants. She felt strange being out in public in the clothing she usually kept concealed. Qailan looked down at the empty ice cream cone, her glare almost piercing holes into it. The damned dessert had a mind of its own...

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian gave Qailan a scrutinizing look.

“You, a good girl? I don’t believe that for a second,” he managed to say before she leant up to give him a quick peck which he managed to draw out just long enough it to officially be considered a deep kiss.

And then he was promptly handed the comical Rancor plushie, and he suddenly felt a lot less masculine lugging it around. He felt Qailan’s fingers weave through his, she rather excitedly led him down one of the paths toward an icecream stand. He grinned as she walked up to it and ordered one. Walking away, engrossed in the enigma of an icecream cone he had to bite back tears of laughter as he ordered himself one.

Walking up behind her, he couldn’t help but snort as the entire lump of frozen treat splatted on to Qailan’s black robes.

“I told you not to wear that,” he teased, walking over to a stone ledge and sitting down, placing the Rancor on the ground beside his feet.

Motioning to the ice cream in his hand, he couldn’t help it: “Now, Qailan, this is an ice cream cone. You lick it, you do not bite in to it or...well, you know what happens. Watch.” He took a long lick of the ice cream before sticking his tongue out at Qailan, showing her the ice cream stuck to the tongue before closing his mouth, smiling at her.

“You amaze me every day... how can you grow up without ever having tasted ice cream?”

 

[Sreeya]

As he licked the ice cream, Qailan looked even more confused.

"That's just...a strange way to eat something."

As he asked how she had grown up without eating it before, Qailan immediately began a quip.

"Yeah well they don't have ice cream back on-"

She caught herself there. She had almost made a devastating error, almost revealed about Ando Prime. Concern flashed on her features for just a moment before she smiled again. In the blink of an eye, she snatched his ice cream from him. This time she licked it instead of attempting to bite it. She was still overly careful, not too keen on having it plop on her remaining clothing. Qailan was surprised at the flavor, never having known that a frozen desert could be so exquisite.

"Wow...I've been missing out."

As screams erupted behind her, Qailan immediately jumped up, hand going to her saber hilt. However, she looked up to see the screams erupted from people on what looked like a fast-moving vehicle of doom. It was going upside down and snaking from side to side. Just the sight made her queasy. She shook her head, licking the stolen ice cream.

"That's how they punish the condemned here? Pretty harsh. I'd put them in a cell and be done with it."

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian gave her a look when she suddenly clammed up. She disarmed him with a smile, though, and he couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief at everything. Less than a month ago he had been chasing her down as a Jedi after an enemy. Now he was playing Boyfriend/Girlfriend with her.

As she suddenly spun around at the sound of screams he almost burst in to laughter. Luckily he managed to keep it under control. The site of the Shock-Dropper seemed to completely engross her.

Quietly getting to his feet he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her to his body as he gave her exposed shoulder a kiss.

“Listen to the screams, Qailan,” he whispered in to her ear. “Those people-“ he kissed her neck “-went on that voluntarily.-“ he nipped at her earlobe “-They’re enjoying themselves, can’t you tell?” He asked, gently rocking from foot to foot as he let the sensation of holding her occupy him.

“We should go on it,” he added with a devilish hint to his words.

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan continued to marvel at the odd assortment of 'rides' that everyone was on. Each one looked more lethal than the last. She was vaguely aware of Adrian coming up and wrapping his arms around her. Qailan was too distracted to notice the initial kisses, but when they began to trail up her neck, she stopped licking her ice cream and lowered her gaze from the rides. His hot breath in her ear sent chills up her spine and the gentle nibbling sent a wave of heat through her body. It rose from deep within her, flaring out in almost electrifying sensations all through her torso. For a moment she forgot where she was, taken to another place where it was just them. However, she then realized what he was saying.

"WHAT?!"

She jumped back from him and turned to face him. For the first time in many years, true fear graced her features. As she glanced to the evil contraption he had pointed out to her, she almost wanted to cry. Qailan immediately began to back away.

"No. NO WAY. I'm NOT getting on that thing. I'm too young to die!"

 

[Ser Gregor]

“You can’t be serious,” Adrian gapped, looking at Qailan’s suddenly stiff backed, fear-stricken expression. “After what we’ve been through this is where you draw the line? It’s a ride, Qailan, you aren’t going to die.”

Looking beyond Qailan he could see the Shrock-Dropper line roughly behind her, across the wide concrete square courtyard.

Crouching ever so slightly Adrian gave Qailan a look that promised to result in nothing but sheer terror if he let her catch her. As he began to walk after her, matching her pace but never exceeding it, he darted left and right, laughing as he began to jog after her.

Unfortunately for Qailan, Adrian doubted she understood the concept of a cue for a ride like the Shock-Dropper. Adrian had her cornered, and the only way ‘away’ from him was through an archway in to a long path that wound around carefully sculpted landscape, hiding the Shock-Dropper from view.

“If it’s the only thing I do, I swear I’m dragging you on that ride, Qailan,” Adrian called as he chased her down the path, all the way until they were met with the line of eager patrons waiting to get their brains scrambled and their adrenaline pumping.

Running up to the now-cornered Qailan he pounced, grabbing her up in a bear-like hug and twirling her around before they settled. He didn’t let go of her, though, but gave a triumphant grin down at her.

“I promise nothing’s going to happen. I’d never let anything happen to you.”

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan could do nothing but scream out protests, by now causing a small scene. She buried her face into Adrian's chest, looking quite unhappy.

"It looks terrifying! I may be a Force user and know how to fight but..it goes up so high and look how FAST it is!"

As if on cue, the contraption shot up, resulting in a stream of screams trailing all the way. Qailan had to crane her neck to look up to where it flew all the way to the top, bouncing up and down precariously before falling a few more feet. Each time it did, there were renewed screams. Qailan's jaw dropped at the sight and she almost felt herself go lightheaded, about to faint from the sight. She turned back to Adrian.

"Please don't make me do this, Adrian..please please.."

Before she knew it, it was their turn. She and Adrian would be part of the next group of people to be strapped in for the ride. Qailan had to bite back her fears, part of her feeling rather pathetic. She could scale buildings, leap off cliffs, fight countless opponents and this would be her undoing? As the ride came to a stop, she saw a small child hop off and preach about how 'awesome' it was. Qailan could only gawk at the little boy incredulously, feeling utterly ashamed of herself.

She kept a vice grip on Adrian's hand the entire time. The two were seated next to each other. Qailan felt her eyes beginning to water. Were these...TEARS? She couldn't remember being this terrified ever. She had to remember how to breathe as she felt herself be strapped in. Her legs dangled below, something that made her feel even less uncomfortable. Qailan glanced over at Adrian, grimacing.

"I will probably hate you after this, just so you know."

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian looked down at Qailan, big smile on his face. “And you feel more comfortable in a ship leaving atmosphere at hundreds of times the speed this goes?”It was an obvious counter, but he doubted it’d do anything.

“Just relax and enjoy it. If you hate it I promise we’ll not go on it again, alright?” he added, giving her a quick kiss to reassure her before the line was moving forward.

“Stop making out in the gorram line, for frak’s sake!” came a shout from somewhere behind him that made Adrin bite his lip in amusement.

“Think of it as payback for running from me for two months,” he teased as he guided her up to the group waiting to get on, his hand rubbing her shoulder. When the attendant waved them forward he had to actually bodily push Qailan her feet were stuck to the ground.

But they were eventually in their seats, strapped in and buckled and maglocked and whachimacallit locked so tight there was no chance they’d be flying out. Looking over to Qailan he squeezed her hand, getting her to look at him.

“Nothing’s going to happen, Qailan. I promi-“ and then they were off, hurtling straight up at a jowl-stretching speed before they fell to the ground, bouncing and being tossed around like a sock-puppet for a good thirty seconds before it settled back on the ground.

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan simply closed her eyes as she felt herself be projected upwards, that sickening feeling of weightlessness hitting her abruptly. She did not dare open her eyes, absolutely terrified and wanting this to end as soon as possible. However, as they reached the top, she cracked open an eye, marveling at the view below. Qailan had scaled many buildings, jumped onto many rooftops, yet she had never experienced something quite like this. She looked down at her legs dangling above the scenery below, the perilous situation giving her a bit of a rush. Qailan smiled widely, looking at Adrian.

"Hey this isn't so-AAAHHH!!"

She felt the seats suddenly plummet, her scream matching up with the rest of the passengers sitting on the ride. Qailan once again squeezed her eyes shut, feeling terrified as she was tossed back up again before hanging in the air and then back down. It was incredible, yet mortifying at the same time. She wasn't even aware of when the ride finally stopped, slowly sliding back to the ground. For a moment she kept a vice grip on the bars, convinced that it would shoot up again. She was visibly shaking, watching a man come and begin to unfasten the straps of other passengers. Qailan heaved a sigh of relief, looking at Adrian and shaking her head.

"That was...I don't even know how to describe it! I still hate you, but I think I wouldn't mind trying some more of these things.."

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian laughed as he heard the shrill cry escape Qailan’s lips, her hair whipping around her head as the machine launched them in to the air then back down, changing direction at random points. When the ride had finally finished and the system controlling the pistons was shut down, Adrian let out a long whoop, enjoying the thrill.

Looking to Qailan, he smiled at her, seeing the white knuckle grip she had on the handle bars, only relenting when the attendant came to release her from the contraption.

He was next, and straightening his clothes (and checking his lightsaber was well hidden) he made his way to the exit, catching up with Qailan.

“It’s strangely exhilarating, isn’t it? It’s so vastly different from a shuttle flight, or even a speeder-car. I can’t explain it,” he said in response, leaning in for a kiss as they walked out to the wide stone path, the sounds of laughter and screams echoing from every direction.

“I’m glad you liked it,” he said as he grabbed her hand, walking to where they left her robe and Rancor plushie.

“Zeltros is a... very interesting planet. This is probably the tamest thing you could find on the entire rock. If you’re feeling adventurous I can take you out to the city tonight and show you the life my cousin leads.” He was of course referring to Ahdam, the shining black sheep of the Bac family. Scandalous, devoid of responsibility, yet still somehow loved by the eyes of the public.

 

[Sreeya]

***​

"This is what your cousin likes doing in his free time?"

Qailan shook her head, looking around at all the scantily-clad dancers. Their movements were almost hypnotizing, the Twi-leks and Zeltrons all moving in harmony with the music. The lounges were snazzy and even more scantily clad women wandered around handing out drinks. There was fog and a sickeningly sweet smell in the atmosphere. It almost made her woozy, though she tried to ignore it. Qailan felt uncomfortable in her attire, a dress that hugged her curves but only ended slightly below her thighs. She had bought it earlier, not having anything to wear to a club. Qailan kept her hand looped through Adrian's, looking around with her nose scrunched.

"I've been to bars, but I don't think I've been to anything like this before."

She turned to him, grinning.

"Doesn't your Order forbid you from partaking in such activities or something?"

At times, she forgot he was a Jedi. He was so, well, laid back and normal. She had been raised to believe Jedi were uptight, pacifistic monks. He fit none of the criteria, yet he was able with a lightsaber, so he had definitely had some formal training. Qailan stuck close to him, trusting him to know his way around far better than she did.

 

[Ser Gregor]

The ‘gentlemen’s club’ was built in to the side of a short cliff-face overlooking a wide expanse of carefully tended jungle. It was left just wild enough to form the illusion of freedom, yet Adrian could sense there was no real life coming from the forest.

Because the club was designed to have the view of the forest be the dominant fixture it was thus surprisingly narrow, winding up five levels, VIP rooms and booths sitting up against the glass, just raised above a balcony so you wouldn’t be starring at some rich-stiff’s backside, and the bar lined the wall that was carefully designed to look like the natural, rough-hewn stone of the cliff.

Adrian was seriously out of his element, but he didn’t let Qailan know that. He wore a freshly-tailored black suit with a hidden pocket for his sabre and all the accessories one expected of a man looking like he did.

“This is exactly what my cousin enjoys the most,” he responded to Qailan as they entered through the private elevator. They were on the uppermost floor of the club, where the richest went for the best service and the most privacy.

The women, Zeltros, Twi’lek, and Human, predominantly, were by and large hired employees of the clubs, there to wean out as much cash from the clients as possible. Many wore dresses so short one was left with little to imagine on, but it didn’t faze Adrian. Looking at Qailan, he forgot about them all.

The dress she wore was stunning. He had helped her pick it out earlier today when he went to get his suit. It was, in two words, tasteful and dangerous. The midnight blue fabric hugged her curves and revealed just enough with the loose scoop neck to draw Adrian’s eyes, and the low-back of the dress revealed her stunning tattoo. It was simple, but on Qailan it was perfect.

As they reached their booth, set on the peak of three steps with a private balcony overlooking the jungle, Adrian smiled at Qailan’s question.

“I am a Jedi first and foremost, and the Council would wish we gave up all our worldly desires, but I don’t believe I need to live like a hermit to be a good Jedi,” he explained, uncorking a bottle of Alderaanian Red that had been waiting at the table, pouring each of them a glass.

Handing the glass to Qailan, his eyes were drawn to the simple amber pendant she wore around her neck. He had insisted she wear it. It matched her eyes perfectly and made them seem even more brilliant than before.

“Of course, if Ahdam was here, he’d be surrounded by half the women in the club, hired or not. He’s like that,” Adrian half-joked, looking around. Here the hired women did not approach. If anyone of this level of wealth wanted one of them to join, they would ask.

“You look stunning in that dress.”

 

[Sreeya]

"You don't look so bad yourself."

A hint of her sultry attitude, the kind that had initially ensnared him and allowed her escape peeked out for just a moment. It was fleeting, however, replaced with a genuine smile. Try as she might, she simply couldn't keep up that facade she wore with almost everyone else. He had gotten to know her on a deeper level, exploring sides of her she herself didn't know she had. Qailan graciously accepted her glass, clinking it with his. She leaned back in her seat, taking a moment to admire the view.

"I must say...you know how to treat a lady."

As she spoke, her finger grazed over the smooth surface of the pendant on her neck. Qailan had never been treated like this, always a warrior first and nothing more. She had done her share of using her charms to get places, but Adrian had seen her at her best and worst. Her eyes followed the movements of the various women dancing. Instantly, she looked over at Adrian, grinning.

"And how about you? Are you usually surrounded by half the women here?"

Qailan would not let on that the idea slightly bothered her. Why it bothered her, she had no idea. It was a quick pang, a sharp unexpected feeling of possessiveness. Before this, the only thing she felt possessive of were her sabers and nothing more. She had no idea it could even extend to a person. Qailan's mind ventured on what the feeling could mean, though outwardly her visage betrayed nothing.

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian looked down at the suit he wore, laughing to himself. It felt strange to dress like a Bac. He could very likely count the number of times he had allowed himself to embrace his family name on his hands. Clinking the crystal glass with Qailan he appreciated her physical charms as he let the wine sit on his pallet before downing it.

“Alderaanian Red, it’s the only wine that was ever in the compound when I was growing up,” he said with a smile, remembering the ever-present bottle at the dining table, no matter what meal they may have been sitting down for.

He saw her fingering the pendant, idly running a finger along the facetted surface of the amber. It was so incredibly perfect on her, yet she treated it as a foreign, strange, maybe even dangerous thing.

“It looks beautiful on you, Qailan,” he said, rather softly, catching her even more stunning amber eyes with his.

He didn’t comprehend her question right away, still engrossed in the ambers, before shaking his head from the revelry. Giving Qailan a puzzled look, he suddenly snorted in laughter.

“Hardly. There’s very little time for romance in the Jedi Order, and when it exists the atmosphere of the temples and enclaves is enough to snuff it out before it ever takes root,” he explained, sighing forlornly. Adrian had never liked how much control the Council had been pushing for, even when he was a youngling. It was as if the Council moved out of a fear of loss of power more than a desire to protect the Jedi.

Looking back at Qailan, it was his turn to flash her a grin. “And what about you? Someone so painfully gorgeous has to have admirers back home.”

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan had to bite back from coughing as he mentioned 'back home'. She was caught off guard, certainly not used to the topic. Adrian had been merciful in regards to the 'who, what, when, where' questions. She knew they were inevitable. She still hadn't worked up a cover story yet. For now, she had to rely on her suave conning skills. Qailan smiled at him, taking a sip of the wine. It left her with an interesting taste, the aftertaste lingering long after the sip was done. She set the glass down, pondering over his question.

"Not so much. As you can tell, I'm not exactly the quiet, nice girl next door. I guess my fiery attitude keeps people at bay. Of course, the fact that I carry sabers everywhere doesn't help."

She pointed to her gleaming, yellow eyes.

"Nor do these."

It was true. She had been judged many times based on just her eyes. Everyone read the stories of the evil humans with yellow eyes, though very few identified them as the dark sider Force users. Qailan hadn't gotten that kind of attention on the seedy districts of the galaxy, but in most refined Republic spaces, she had caught many glances her way. It was curious, then, that Adrian had chosen to buy her a pendant that accented her eyes. It was a very loud statement that he had accepted her for who she was. If only she could tell him the whole truth...

"It's interesting that you are a Jedi, by the way. I've heard of your family name but it's always tied with politics. Is there anyone else in your family that's in the Order?"

She knew it was risky asking him questions. Not because she worried about delving into personal information, but because she knew those questions would be shot back at her. Already she began to weave a story in case he asked the same thing.

 

[Ser Gregor]

“Hmm, it doesn’t help that you give off a vibe that’s two steps away from serial killer when in public,” he added, looking around to see how everyone seemed to give them an extra wide berth of space. It was almost hard to get them to even come over.

When she mentioned her eyes Adrian gave her a strange look. She obviously believed they were disconcerting to people.

Leaning forward across the small bar-table so Adrian was close enough to speak softly to Qailan, he slowly shook his head, eyes never leaving hers.

“Qailan, your eyes are one of the most spectacular things about you,” he explained, eyes flicking from her eyes to the pendant hanging between her breasts. Looking back up at her, he gave her a smile before leaning in for a kiss.

When he broke it and took a moment to drink his wine he grinned, laughing at the incredibly sheltered life she must have lived.

“You really are from far away, aren’t you? Yes, the Bac family has been in politics. It has for... gods, since the beginning of the Republic. It’s what we excel at. If Alcor hadn’t discovered my force sensitivity when he did I’d be in the Senate by now, guaranteed,” he explained, leaning back in to the booth.

“As far as anyone knows, I’m the first Bac to be a Jedi. It’s a rather heavy burden to bare, to be honest. The Bac name is near legendary to a lot of people, and I’m expected to live up to it. I’ll be considered a disappointment if I make anything less than Grand Master,” he added, clearly bitter about the situation. The mere thought of him dealing with the quickly growing bureaucracy of the Jedi was a sour one.

“I sometimes wish I could just run off and live my life however I wanted... but I can’t. I have a duty to these people,” he gestured around the room. “Even the ones who’d surely sell me out if they thought they could make a profit from it.”

 

[Sreeya]

Qailan felt her face heat up when he complimented her, not too used to it. Before she could say anything, he leaned in to kiss her. She was grateful to return it, savoring the gentle brush of his lips. He had withdrawn as soon as he had initiated the kiss. Qailan simply smiled as he commented on her life far away. Ando Prime was indeed an odd place to call home. As she ventured out into the galaxy, she found it difficult to relate to a massive ball of ice. However, they were still her brethren. She felt as if she were branded, meant to walk a certain path. Qailan listened to his words, surprised at how similar they sounded. She finished her glass of wine, pouring herself another.

"Then just run away."

She did not look up from her glass as she uttered the words. So simple, so innocent, so devastating. She almost added 'like I am', but knew it would push everything over the edge. For a moment, nothing lingered between them except the music around them and the occasional burst of laughter from a woman. Qailan finally raised her gaze to meet his, her face betraying no emotions.

"We're lead to believe we're born to do something. Bred for it. Ultimately, we have a choice."

She realized she was speaking more to herself than anyone else. Qailan had been contemplating Ando Prime for a while now. She sighed, looking over at the gardens.

"Before I met you, I knew I had a set path to walk on. The path of a fighter, a warrior and nothing more. Robotic, almost. You helped me realize I'm more than that. I'm a person, I have my own depths and I can choose what to like, what to hate what to.."

Love. But she didn't say it out loud. Qailan took another long drink, not used to speaking her mind.

"I can make my own mistakes and learn from them. My first mistake was judging you. For once I ignored that nagging voice inside my head. Look where it lead me. I'm laughing, smiling and I'm happy. All because I made my own choice. So what's stopping you from making your own? Forging your own destiny, leading your own life and just closing that nonexistent book that has all your life written out for you."

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian didn’t say anything. He listened. He listened as she laid out her soul on the table, showing everything to him. Well, almost everything. She never got in to specifics. He didn’t care, though.

She made it sound so easy, leaving the Jedi. Really, the act was simple in itself. The Jedi would not chase after him if he left. But that wasn’t the way the Jedi operate.

He slowly shook his head, more in confusion than in negation. “I am a Jedi because I want... no, I need to help people. Turning away from the Jedi would be turning away from everything that I’ve believed in for the past fifteen years... I don’t know if I could do that.

Adrian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he grasped both Qailan’s hands in his. “Qailan, I’ve never been more at peace with myself then when I’m with you. The anger with the Council, the dissatisfaction with my family, everything is put in to a perfect balance, because of you...”

He didn’t know what he was saying. He was talking, from the very bottom of his heart. Kissing the back of her hand, he smiled at her, drawn toward those brilliant eyes.

“It’d be so easy to run away and pretend I wasn’t a Jedi, but I know it wouldn’t last. I am a Jedi. I can never forget that. It is what I am. The Order has always come a distant second, though,” he added as much to placate her and to finally say it.

“They do not determine what a Jedi is. It is something personal that only you can discover. I will never let them keep me from you, my family, or my heart.”

Letting go of her hands, Adrian picked up his glass of wine and finished it. He had finally said it. He had finally admitted to himself that the Jedi Order was not infallible and final. He had believed it for so long, but had kept those thoughts to himself.

But Qailan was a kindred spirit. She was running from something, he knew it. He was afraid to ask her what, though. He couldn’t bear knowing more than he could bear not knowing.

“I am a Jedi...”