| Author |
Topic:
Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 21 8/25/08
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/10 7:29pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 16 7/7/08
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Draconarius
First!
so you are
Nelani's going to die? What?
:D Is something amiss?
I feel compelled to quote your signature: You sadistic Yank!
I liked Eryl's little... excuse... for why she got hurt. 'Odd beasts' indeed.
hey, Exar Kun's beasties have to be good for something 
Can't wait for the next one (even if I think you're going to kill Nelani in it).
Next Monday!
SWpants666
She is a very smart girl 
that she is
Ah. That's exactly how I feel.
Cute. Oh I'm sure she wouldn't mind
nope... she wouldn't mind at all...
LOL Oh goodness, I'm sure many people here on Earth would love to play that
Oh, I'm sure there are many people
Anakin and Nelani's day sounded like it was great for the two of them. I feel very bad for Nelani and I'm glad she was able to tell Anakin the truth.
aye, they did have fun, and she had to get it off her chest sooner or later...
And he definitely doesn't need another one of his friends dying on him  Poor Nelani
nope, he doesn't need another one dying on him...
Darthrevan4ever
that was good
thanks
Jade_eyes
I feel sorry for Kiori--I ache for her loss that's coming--that's been coming for so long So happy that Anakin could give Nelani a great time--sorry he has to lose another dear friend though ... but he's such a sweetie, he gives them beautiful memories ... but I can only hope he won't get afraid to be close to others over it. 
Aye, one does have to feel bad for Kiori here. She's struggling to deal with the pain that she knows is coming. And yeah, Anakin did give Nelani a great time. As for any possible fears... well, we'll have to see
SilSolo
sadistic yank is a creative insult lol
heh, which is why I felt compelled to add it to my .sig
Sadistic hoosier: So what illness is she dying of? I love studying human illnesses if you've any in mind.
I hadn't really considered what illness she was dying of. Her character doesn't care about the name, so I didn't bother doing the research to name it. *lazy grins*
-----signature-----
You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
|
Date Posted:
7/14 6:22pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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Anakin walked back towards the apartments; his feet shuffling against the hard-packed earth. He felt a frown pulling against his lips, and struggled to switch it to a smile.
Failing miserably.
He got on the elevator and watched out the window as it lifted towards the top floor. Sighing, he got off, and went into his apartment.
"I'm home," he called out.
Ikrit came sauntering into the room, his large, blue eyes focused on Anakin, watching him.
Next, Tahiri dashed into the room, a bright smile on her face. "Welcome back!"
He gave her a small smile, and bent down to pick up Ikrit. "How's Mara doing?"
Ikrit shuffled around and lay across his shoulders, as Tahiri answered. "She's feeling much better. Jaina took her over some porridge just a little while ago."
"I see," Anakin replied, as he pulled Ikrit off of his shoulders. Holding the creature with his hands under the forelegs, Anakin watched the blue eyes for a moment. Then he turned Ikrit around, and passed him off to Tahiri.
She took him, and cuddled him to her chest, her head tilting to one side as she watched Anakin. "What's wrong? You don't look that good. You're not getting sick on me are you?"
He shook his head and walked around her, heading towards his room. "It's just because it's starting to get cold outside."
Anakin walked into his room, and closed the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut. Then he sighed again and crossed over to his bed, dropping onto it. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling, recalling portions of the conversation he had just had with Kiori. After she had regained a bit of her composure and they had begun to walk along the river bank.
So Nelani knows this?
Yes, Kiori had replied. I told her because she begged me to.
Are you absolutely certain, he had asked, and even now his frown deepened at the hint of panic which was in his voice. There's no chance of a mistake? They're certain that... that she won't make it to her next birthday?
That's what the doctors say. Even if she does make it to her next birthday, she won't last much longer than that. Kiori had paused here, and wiped away an errant tear. I haven't even told Jaina. She's my best friend here, and I kept this from her. But what can I do? I don't want her trying to take care of me. But... you... you've been friends with Nelani. I felt that you should know.
Yeah, he had replied. Thanks for letting me know.
They had reached the end of the walkway, and Kiori paused, looking off in the distance to the houses on the far side of the shopping district. Well, my house is over this way. Good night, Anakin.
He watched as she began to walk away. Kiori wait! he had called out. She stopped, turning to look at him again. Nelani's birthday. It's in just a few days right? Are you sure you want to keep avoiding her like this? There's not much time left.
She turned away from him. She smiles when she's with you?
Yeah, I've never seen her tears.
She nodded her head once, sharply. I see, she had said and then began to walk away again.
He had called out after her again, but she had ignored him. She just continued walking until she had disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Staring at the ceiling, he wondered what he was supposed to do. How he could fix things. His fist flashed out and slammed against the bed, and he growled slightly.
"Anakin?" Tahiri called from the other side of his door. "I'm coming in!"
She opened the door, and stepped into the room looking around. "It's dark in here," she complained. "Why don't you turn on some lights? Here, I'll do it for you, all right?"
"No," he said between clenched teeth. "Please don't."
"Why?"
"When it gets bright I turn to ashes," he replied and then felt the bed shift and Ikrit's form curling up beside him.
Tahiri giggled and walked further into the room. She settled beside him on the bed. "Are you some type of night-creature now?"
"You need something?"
"No," she replied. "Not really. I just felt that it would be better to stay close to you."
"Mind your own business," he snapped at her.
"Right...."
He sighed. "You're so strange."
"Right."
Closing his eyes, he felt his lips twitch into a small smile. "Thanks."
She did not respond and before long he felt the bed start to shift as she began to kick her feet.
As he began to drift off to sleep, he felt her moving, stretching out beside him. Part of him wanted to tell her to go away, to leave him be. But only a part.
The next morning, he sat in his usual seat, staring out the window as Master Horn taught the day's lesson. Idly, he remembered that at one time the curriculum which his Uncle had developed for the Jedi Academy had not involved rote learning of this nature.
Suppressing a sigh, he shifted in his seat, and turned back to look at the empty seat where Kiori usually sat. He stared at it for a moment, before facing forward once again.
When lunch rolled around, he walked out to the garden where he usually met Nelani.
He frowned when he found it empty. So, both sisters are absent today.
At the end of the school day, he slowly walked home, stopping on one of the many bridges. He stared at the water as it reflected the orange glow of the setting sun at him. Shimmering as the wind rippled the water's surface.
Dark thoughts plagued him.
If it's a lost item, we can search for it together. If it's against a demon, we can fight together. But Nelani is....
He lifted his head, facing towards the heavens and where Yavin 8 is just now beginning to shine through the Yavin-light.
Hey Sannah? What did it feel like for you? What can I do for a girl with only a small bit of time left?
---------------------------
Lost in his thoughts, Anakin began to wander through the shopping district. He ignored everything; he allowed his feet to lead him on an aimless path as he considered how he could help Nelani. Before long, it was night and the sound of a fountain imposed itself onto his awareness. Lifting his head, he look around, finding himself in the same park where he had spent so much time with Nelani a few days before.
He frowned, and walked closer to the fountain, stopping a few paces from it, watching the water and the spotlights kept deep in the pool. The lights slowly cycled through colors, and he sighed, and looked around the fountain.
His heart thumped hard in his chest when he saw Nelani. She was sitting at the edge of the fountain, her hands pulling her shawl tight around her shoulders as she stared at him.
He swallowed; his throat was suddenly dry.
Standing, she said, "This place is more beautiful at night."
He walked over to stand close to her. Stopping, he watched her for a moment, and then focused on the fountain again. "I think I prefer it during the day. The nights here are getting chilly."
"That's a pity," she replied as she turned to face the fountain as well. "I'm just happy that the fountain is still running at this hour."
The wind shifted and a fine mist of water covered them. They both jumped back, and Nelani let out a tiny yelp of surprise.
"Kriff, that's cold," he snapped. "Isn't there a plug or something?"
"You can't clog it even if there is one. It's too beautiful. Don't you want to keep staring at it? Forever and ever."
Sadly, he looked down at her, noticing the wistful expression on her face. The silence seemed to stretch out between them.
"When I was little," she began. "Back on Llord, there was a fountain that looked quite a lot like this one. My family and I would go there occasionally, because I was a little healthier back then. I... I had ice cream with my sister. I wanted to eat some with her again." She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Opening them again, she looked up at him. "I don't remember any other time that was more fun than that time."
He smiled and nodded his head. "So, that means our date came in second."
"No," she said, shaking her head. "The date with you was equally fun."
"What sweet words."
"No, it's true," she responded. "If I had more time, I'd probably come to like you more and more. Even though... Even though I shouldn't like anyone..."
He fought to keep a frown from his face as she turned around and sat down on the edge of the fountain again. After a moment, he sat beside her.
Her voice was soft, when she next spoke. "There's so much that I've got to apologize to you about. But, I think there's even more things I need to thank you for."
Anakin looked over at her and noticed that she was staring down at her hands. He shifted his gaze to his feet, fighting once more to keep a tight reign on his emotions. To not let his sadness show on his face or leak out through the Force.
"So," he began slowly. "What is your illness?"
"It has a long, very complicated name. But it's something that won't heal with more medicine or shots or Bacta… so I forgot what it's called." From the corner of his eye he saw her lift her head towards the stars, a hint of a smile on her face. "It's useless to remember it after all. Knowing what it's called doesn't help it and there are other things I'd rather remember. When we came here for training, Kiori came back to our quarters and told me about that garden. We made a promise to eat lunch there one day."
"Nelani, Kiori, she treats you..."
"I know," Nelani broke in, a pained smile on her face. "That's why I try not to see her as well."
"Why?" Anakin demanded. "Didn't you two used to get along?"
She slowly shook her head, a frown marring her features. "It's because that's all I can do for her right now."
Anakin watched her. He blinked his eyes, trying to figure out how best to respond. After a moment, her head turned towards him, and her customary smile was back in place. "Anakin? Can I ask a favor?"
He closed his eyes, and sighed. Then he nodded his head as he replied, "Yeah, I'll listen to anything."
"Please treat me as a normal girl. When I'm with you, I can go back to the happy days."
"The happy days?"
She nodded her head. "Yeah. Going to school and having lunch with everyone. Walking home with my friends from my classes. Even getting yelled at by my parents when I'd play outside late at night, even though Kiori was with me. Those days when I had ordinary, happy days. So, I want you to treat me like I'm in those days. If you can, as if..." She closed her eyes, and dropped her chin to her chest for a moment. Then lifted it, and opening her eyes, continued speaking, "as if you were my brother."
He watched her for a moment. He was not certain how to respond, and felt oddly melancholic over being referred to as her brother. Finally, he nodded his head, once sharply. "Okay, I promise."
"Really," she said, as her head snapped to look at him, her eyes bright and wide.
He grinned at her. "If I'm good enough for you."
"Thank you," she replied, smiling brightly for him.
They sat together for a while longer, the silence stretching between them both comfortable and comforting. Finally, she yawned and stood up.
"I've got to go home now."
He stood up, and nodded his head. "Will you be at school tomorrow?"
"Yes," she replied. "Something that might surprise you may happen tomorrow."
He lifted his hand and waved it in her direction. "If it's another portrait, you don't have to draw it."
"It's nothing like that," she scolded, and then stomped her foot and half-turned away from him. "I don't like people who say things like that."
"Don't get mad, I was only joking."
She lifted one hand to her lips to chew on a knuckle. "It was mean, even for a joke."
"I'm sorry. I'll treat you to ice cream if you spare me."
She faced him fully once more, a smile coming to her lips. "In that case, I've got to forgive you."
He arched an eyebrow, and gave her a quick grin. "You're easy to satisfy."
In response, she just giggled.
She waved at him, and then began to walk away. Heading towards her home. He watched her for a moment, his frown pulling his lips down. He lifted his face to the sky, staring at the distant stars. Then he looked towards Nelani again, as she slowly walked away from her. Pain clutched at his heart.
"Nelani!" he called out. She slowed and turned towards him. "Is it too late? Is it really? Is there no chance that you can recover?"
She lowered her head slightly. "I may. If a miracle happens." Then she lifted it and smiled. "But remember, it's called a miracle because it doesn't happen."
Turning away from him once more, she slowly moved off into the darkness. Anakin watched until she had turned a corner and disappeared. Then he finally wiped away the tears that had been sliding down his cheeks.
---------------------------
Anakin returned home to find dinner waiting and a note from Jaina saying that she had turned in for the night already. He quickly warmed up his dinner, and as he sat at the table to eat, heard Ikrit walking up behind him. He grinned at the furry creature, and then turned back to his meal, quickly eating it.
After cleaning up the dishes, he walked into his room, Ikrit darting between his legs, almost tripping him. Shaking his head, he looked around and saw Tahiri sitting at his desk, her head resting on its surface, soft snores coming from her direction.
He stood over her, watching her for a moment. "So you were waiting for me," he whispered.
Smiling, and not quite understanding why, he pulled the chair away from the desk and picked her up. Then he carried her down the hall to her own room. Carefully, he laid her in her bed, and pulled her blankets up over her. He smiled down at her, and brushed her bangs back away from her face.
"Sweet dreams," he whispered, and then left her room to return to his own.
The next morning, Anakin was eating a bowl of porridge. Across from him, Jaina was sitting, all but falling asleep in her chair. Next to her, Tahiri was in similar straits.
Mara sat in the empty spot next to Anakin, and glanced between the other two girls. "Jaina, I expect to see all but asleep at breakfast, but this is something new for you, Tahiri."
The young, blonde girl sighed. "I know, but I had bad dreams all last night."
"Dreams?"
"Yeah," she replied. "I dreamed that I was getting carried away somewhere by ghosts."
Anakin put his bowl down, and used a napkin to hide his chuckles. "Strange. I wonder why you'd have such a dream."
"I don't know," Tahiri replied, a pout coming to her lips. Then she screwed her fists against her eyes, yawning.
-----------------------
Anakin stared down at the garden from the window of his classroom. He was frowning, though he did not really realize it. She said she would come.
"Anakin!" Raynar's voice slashed through his concentration, and he jumped slightly. His head snapped around, to find Raynar standing in front of him, arms clasped behind his back, a large, silly grin on his face. "It's lunchtime..."
He frowned at his friend. "I know... and you're smile is creeping me out. Stop."
Raynar collapsed across Anakin's desk, and tilted his face to look at him. "What's wrong? Don't you have any energy?"
At that moment, Jaina walked past. "Anakin? Are you going to eat with us in the cafeteria today?"
"Yeah," he replied, his head twisting slightly to look out at the empty garden. "Since my lunch-mates are gone..."
Raynar stood up and looked towards Kiori who had been sitting quietly in the back of the classroom. "Kiori! Let's go get some lunch."
"Forget it," she snapped. "I don't have an appetite today."
Jaina walked closer to her friend, leaning down slightly. "Are you sick? Do we need to take you to Master Cilghal?"
"I'm fine. Leave me be."
Raynar dropped into the seat in front of Anakin, and leaned closer to him. "Do you think something's happen to Kiori?"
Anakin shook his head. "I don't know."
"Anakin!" Someone from the other side of the classroom called out his name.
Frowning, he looked that way, as the student spoke again. "Anakin, someone's here to see you."
He felt his mouth drop open as he saw her standing in the doorway. She wore the orange jumpsuit common to the students in the level below his. Over the jumpsuit, there was a traditional Jedi Robe which almost seemed to swallow her.
He blinked a few times, and felt himself standing up without consciously moving.
The girl caught him staring, and with a blush burning her face, bowed slightly.
"Nelani," he muttered aloud.
Raynar jumped up and grabbed the collar of Anakin's tunic. "You've... you've gotten your hands on one of the younger students?"
"What kind of nonsense are you-"
His rant was interrupted by Kiori abruptly pushing back her chair, and storming from the room. Raynar looked after her for a moment, and then started chasing her down. "Kiori! Where are you going?"
Anakin looked to Nelani, and from across the room could see the tears shining in her eyes. He looked up at Jaina and saw her staring at the doorway that Kiori had disappeared through.
"I wonder what's wrong with her," Jaina asked.
Anakin shook his head. "You go to Kiori too. I have an... I've got something I need to do."
With that said he brushed past Jaina and walked towards Nelani, his heart pounding heavily in his chest.
-------------------------------
Anakin stepped out of the food service line with a plate of curry in each hand. He glanced around the cafeteria, and finally spied Nelani sitting at a table halfway across the room from him, trying to look at everything at once.
Laughing to himself, he walked towards the place she had chosen and put her plate in front of her, sitting down in the seat across from her.
"So, this is what the cafeteria looks like... I kind of expected there to be more... well... on Llord, the cafeterias have these walls with all these little doors. You walk up to one, and put a credit chit in and then you open the door and pull out whatever type of food you want. It's not like this at all."
Anakin ignored her musings, and locked eyes with her. "Is it all right for you to suddenly show up for training like this?"
Nelani nodded her head quickly. "I have the doctor's permission. She said I can attend for the rest of the week."
Anakin quickly counted the days in his head. That means she'll be here until the day before her birthday.
She finally seemed to notice the plate of food that Anakin had put before her. She leaned over slightly, and sniffed. "It looks spicy."
He arched an eyebrow towards her. "The curry here isn't that bad. My dad makes it better though." He then dug his spoon into the brown stew-like mixture and brought a bite to his mouth.
Looking up from his plate, he noticed Nelani staring at him. He frowned for a moment. "What's wrong? Eat up."
She blinked a few times and then picked up her own spoon. "Y-yes..."
Tenderly, she put a bite in her mouth, chewing methodically. As she did, her face grew red, and she began to whimper slightly.
Anakin leaned forward. "Are you okay?"
She dropped her spoon back onto her plate, and grabbed up her glass of water, and quickly took three large gulps. She closed her eyes and put the glass back onto the table. When she opened her eyes again to look at him, he noticed the tears that rimmed them. "Well, truthfully... I can't take spicy food at all."
"What? What about horseradish?"
"I don't even want to see it," she responded, averting her head from him.
"Mustard?"
"I don't want to hear about it." She then covered her ears with her hands.
"Tabasco?"
"It's the enemy of all humans, everywhere," she snarled.
"Ice cream?"
Her entire mannerisms shifted. Going from the panicked, fear from when he was asking about spicy foods to an almost angelic smile, her hands pressed palms together, index fingers centimeters from her lips. "I love it!"
"Why did you have me order curry for you then?"
She looked down, a rosy tint coming to her pale cheeks. "Because, I wanted to eat the same thing as you."
---------------------------
Anakin and Nelani walked side by side down the path near the river. The setting sun struck it, changing the surface to the color of molten silver. Dancing across the ripples was the reflection of the setting sun. As they walked, their hands would occasionally brush across each other, and every time it happened, Anakin could feel his face flame with embarrassment. They turned at a crossroads, taking a bridge over the river, one which headed away from the Jedi Temple and towards the shopping districts. He rubbed at his stomach. "Man, I'm still full from eating so much at lunch."
She shrugged her shoulders. "I ate enough."
He laughed slightly. "Just make sure you order something that you actually eat, tomorrow."
She grinned up at him. "Should I make a lunch tomorrow then?"
"Sure," he replied, nodding his head. "That'll save money as well."
"Good! I'll make your share, too."
Anakin blinked, and looked down at her, to find her smiling up at him. "My share?"
She nodded, and turned her head to look at the river. "Yup. Your share."
Before long, they reach the path that would take Anakin on towards the apartment he shared with his sister. They stopped, and Anakin scratched at his hair, feeling a blush crop up on his cheeks again.
"Uhm," he began. "Tomorrow, let's stop somewhere special, all right?"
She smiled brightly for him, "Where?"
He laughed. "That's a secret."
She pouted, slightly. "Fine. We'll go to your special place tomorrow. But don't forget to look forward to the lunch I'm making you."
"Don't worry," he replied, a grin tugging at the right corner of his lips. "Even if it tastes horrible, I'll eat all of it."
She scowled at him, and turned partly away. "I don't like people who say such things."
"I'll see you tomorrow then?"
She turned, the scowl on her face dissolving into one of her brilliant smiles. "Yes, tomorrow."
Turning away from him, she headed down the path which would take her through the shopping district and to the residential section on the far side of it. Anakin stood there watching her as she walked away. Frowning, as he realized that if Kiori was right, he only had a few days left of being able to see Nelani's smile light up her face.
The next day at lunch, Anakin stepped into the cafeteria. As soon as he entered, Nelani stood up and started waving at him. Her smile once more brightening his world. He suppressed the dark emotions that threatened to well up.
"Anakin!" she called out. "Hurry up, Anakin."
He grinned and started walking towards her.
"Right here," she said, pointing towards the empty chair set across from hers. "That seat's open."
Anakin smiled, and nodded his head. "Thanks for saving a seat for me." Then he reached out and scruffed her hair, causing her to giggle. "Good job."
She laughed. "Well, I tried my best."
He shook his head as they both sat down, and Nelani pulled out two packages, snatching the lids off of both. "Tada!"
Anakin blinked his eyes as he looked between the two boxes. Both filled with various finger foods, sandwiches and sliced fruit. "Wow... there sure is a lot of it."
Nelani nodded her head quickly. "Yeah, it's packed."
Pointing towards one of the boxes, he looked at her. "Is that one yours or mine?"
She grinned again. "Nope. They're both yours." She then reached down beside her and lifted up a much smaller box, setting it on the table in front of her. "This is my lunch."
He looked at the box, frowning. "That's tiny..."
She straightened slightly in her seat, her head tilting a few centimeters to the left, as he said, "Please eat it all."
"I did promise," he replied, picking up the first of the triangular sandwiches. "Well, one's attitude towards a challenge is important to anything."
"What do you mean?"
He chuckled. "Don't let it bother you."
A half hour later, Nelani set a glass of water in front of him, as he leaned back in his chair. Both of the large boxes were empty save a scattering of crumbs and a few pieces of crumpled parchment.
She looked at him, worry shining in her eyes. "Was it a lot?"
He snorted in amusement, picking up the glass of water. "Just a little," he said and then took a sip from the glass.
"I'm sorry," she replied, blushing. "It was a lot of fun making it, so... And there was so many things that I wanted to make you..."
Taking another sip, he put it down, and smiled at her. "It was delicious. And because they were delicious, it all fit into my stomach."
"Really?" she asked, beaming with pride. "That makes me happy."
-----------------------------------
After school, the two were in Anakin's favorite bistro, Poltx. Located in the middle of the shopping shopping district, it had wide bay windows in the dining area, where one could sit and watch pedestrian traffic without being noticed. Sitting on the table in front of Nelani was an empty dish, the last traces of some ice cream still visible in its bottom, while he had a half-drained cup of caf. She looked up at him, and said, "It's been a while since I've been to a place like this."
He grinned at her. "Well, everyone needs a break every now and then."
"Yeah," she replied slowly.
"So, how was the ice cream here?"
"It was great!"
He smiled at her, and pushed his credit chit into the slot on the tabletop, settling their bill. Then he stood and helped her up, and together they left the bistro and turned right, walking deeper into the shopping district. Anakin noticed that they were nearing the doll shop, and he slowed down so that Nelani could look in the window. Front and center of the display was a life-sized Jawa doll, which Anakin could only frown at and wonder, Why would someone want to buy a Jawa doll?
Nelani leaned closer to the glass, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. "This... this is a really strange doll shop." She paused for a moment, her head moving slightly. "Looks like there's a lot more of them in there as well."
"I don't understand any of them," Anakin said. "It's probably better if we stay away."
She straightened and looked at him. "Let's go in."
"You want to?" he asked, his back straightening slightly. He saw her staring at him, her eyes silently pleading. "Well if you want to...."
He felt someone staring at him, and he lifted his gaze away from Nelani to find Kiori standing at the corner, not two dozen paces from them. As she stared at Nelani's back, Kiori's body was held rigid in shock. Slowly, Kiori lowered her head, and then backed away, sliding around the corner and disappearing from sight.
He focused on Nelani again. "Ah... uhm, I actually forgot something at Poltx's. Why don't you head inside first and check things out while I run and get what I forgot." He walked around her, and then called out over his shoulder. "I'll be right back, you wait for me here. Okay?"
Without waiting for her response, he darted around the corner and looked around. He saw Kiori running down the street and he gave chase.
"Kiori!" he called out. "Kiori! Wait!" He growled slightly when he realized she was ignoring him, and he put on more speed, catching up with her, and stopping in front of her. "Stop running away from me. Let's have tea or something with Nelani. You're concerned about her too, right?"
Kiori refused to meet his eyes. "I don't know anyone named Nelani." She then pushed him out of the way and started walking again. "Out of my way."
Anakin twisted around, and called out her name, but she was already gone.
----------------------
Darkness had fully fallen, and Anakin stood next to Nelani on one of the many bridges around the town. He stared at the black river, frowning slightly at the occasional flash of silver either from a fish or from one of Yavin's other moons.
"That idiot," he mumbled under his breath, and feeling Nelani's gaze on him, lifted his head and smiled at her. "Ah, uh... don't mind me... so what was it? About the shop we stopped by?"
Nelani watched him for a moment, and then turned her attention towards the store. "Well, the shopkeeper was nice. He gave me detailed explanations about everything, and made all sorts of suggestions." She smiled slightly, and Anakin turned his back onto the river to lean against the railing, as she continued talking. "But I turned them all down because I didn't have any money."
He felt the feather-light touch of her hand on his shoulder, and he turned to look at her, seeing the concern in her large, blue eyes. "Did something happen, Anakin? You're staring off into space."
"No," he replied, kicking off the wall. "It's nothing. So, what kind of stuffed animals were there?"
"Really strange ones," she responded as they began walking across the bridge again. "Like a giant acklay and a Hutt."
"And a Affytechan, right?"
Nelani's eyes widened slightly. "There was such a thing there?"
He laughed. "Yeah."
Thoughts of the plush Affytechan brought memories of Tenel Ka to mind. Especially something she had said the time he had visited her in the hospital with Tahiri. He frowned slightly, as he struggled to remember the words. Finally, he did: There is someone near to you, who is trying to turn away from her pain. You need to give her strength.
"Hello," Nelani's voice cut through his wandering thoughts. "Anakin?"
"Oh, sorry," he replied, giving his head a quick shake. "So, which did you like more? The acklay or the Hutt?"
"Rather than those two, I liked the one in the window. The Jawa."
------------------------------
Anakin looked at the balance on his credit chit, and then at the handful of specific denomination credits he had scattered on his desk. Sighing, he picked up the credit chit again and moved from his desk chair to sit on his bed, dropping his head into his hands. "And that's my budget," he muttered.
Someone knocked at his door, and he looked over at it. "Come in," he called out.
The door cracked open, and at about his chest level, Ikrit floated into the room, holding him up were two tanned hands. "Good, Ikirt!" Tahiri called out from behind the door.
Giggling, she pushed the door the rest of the way open, and walked in.
He watched her for a moment, and then said, "Oh, it's only you." He then once more turned back to the glowing number on his credit chit. "What do you want?'
She plopped onto his bed beside him. "I just came to tell you that no one's using the 'fresher if you want a shower right now." She then glanced over at his credit chit. "Are you going to buy something?"
"Yeah," he said, and then looked over at her. He noticed the thin chain around her neck, and frowned for a moment. "You're always wearing that necklace, right?"
She fingered the necklace for a moment, and then nodded her head. "Yes, I do. It was a present from someone and means a lot to me."
Anakin nodded and looked away. "Speaking of presents, it's almost Nelani's birthday."
"Are you going to get her something?"
He turned to look at her again. "What do you think I should get?"
She grinned mischievously. "Canapés!"
He arched an eyebrow at her. "That's your personal preference."
Her grin turned into a full smile. "Then money."
Frowning, he looked over at her again. "You're oddly serious with that."
She began to chew on a finger tip, and then pulled it out and replied, "But if I have money, then I can buy canapés."
He could feel the beginnings of a headache, and he slowly began to run at his temple with his left hand. "Please, get your mind off of food."
She sighed, and looked down, clutching Ikrit tighter up against her chin. After a moment, she lifted her head to look at him. "Then rather than buying her something, why don't you do something for her? Do something that will make her happy."
Anakin pulled his hand away from his forehead, and slowly lifted his head to stare straight at the wall in front of him, his arm held forgotten halfway between his lap and his head.
Tahiri kept on talking. "You could take her somewhere fun. Or treat her to good fun. Isn't there anything that Nelani would like to do?"
He dropped his hand to his lap, and then looked at Tahiri. "What would make Nelani happy is to spend some time talking with Kiori." He worried at his lower lip for a moment, and then bolted into a standing position. "I've got it!" he announced.
"Anakin?"
He nodded his head quickly. "Yeah, this has to be what I need to do. This is something I can do for Nelani?"
"What is it?" Tahiri asked.
Anakin looked down at her and smiled.
-----signature-----
You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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SWpants666
Registered:
Oct '04
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Date Posted:
7/15 8:23am
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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"No," she replied. "Not really. I just felt that it would be better to stay close to you."
Aw. I think Anakin needs a hug now.
"I don't remember any other time that was more fun than that time."
He smiled and nodded his head. "So, that means our date came in second."
Heh. I'm glad to see him joking around with her, and not letting the sadness of everything take over him.
He stood over her, watching her for a moment. "So you were waiting for me," he whispered.
Smiling, and not quite understanding why, he pulled the chair away from the desk and picked her up. Then he carried her down the hall to her own room. Carefully, he laid her in her bed, and pulled her blankets up over her. He smiled down at her, and brushed her bangs back away from her face.
Aww that's precious
"Well, truthfully... I can't take spicy food at all."
I don't blame her. Any type of food that's Corellian has to be psychotically spicy. They're crazy
Can't wait to see what crazy idea Anakin has come up with now
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~MTFBWY~
****Holder of the Straw of Disaster****
All I want is to be in the light
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Jade_eyes
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
7/16 9:58am
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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Wonder what just struck Anakin as a great idea. I, like Tahiri, can't stop thinking about food LOL Getting Kiori and Nelani together does sound wonderful but Kiori is determined to stay away
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Luke/Mara--without end forever  ginchy, Irish =I Squggles before I read a word 
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/16 10:17pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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SWpants666
Aw. I think Anakin needs a hug now.
yeah, he does
Heh. I'm glad to see him joking around with her, and not letting the sadness of everything take over him.
well, he's Anakin... he can't help himself....
Aww that's precious
it's A/T
I don't blame her. Any type of food that's Corellian has to be psychotically spicy. They're crazy
*snorts* that's definitely true
Can't wait to see what crazy idea Anakin has come up with now
well, I hope that what's coming lives up to your expectations
Jade_eyes
:-? Wonder what just struck Anakin as a great idea. I, like Tahiri, can't stop thinking about food LOL Getting Kiori and Nelani together does sound wonderful but Kiori is determined to stay away
We'll find out soon. heh, and yeah, Tahiri's mind is definitely focused and yeah, Kiori is determined to stay away... she's being stubborn.
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You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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Draconarius
Registered:
Feb '05
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Date Posted:
7/17 8:13pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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Must have missed this chapter... strange...
Oh well, back to business.
I cannot wait to see what Anakin's planning. Some way to make Kiori stop ignoring her little sister, hopefully before Nelani dies (I repeat: Sadistic Yank!)
Can't wait for the next one.
-----signature-----
Shattered Mirror - http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28487856/p1/?1 Proudly A/T and J/J Knighted by the wonderful SilSolo  "Damned if I'm gonna lose to you!" "Then damned you shall be!" - my brother and I playing Smash Bros.
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SilSolo
Registered:
Mar '04
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Date Posted:
7/18 9:45pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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ah more of the food-sex thing. and I guess Tahiri lost her memory as well?
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/19 4:26pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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Draconarius
Must have missed this chapter... strange...
well, i've not posted the next one yet, so i wouldn't say you missed it
Oh well, back to business.
*nods*
I cannot wait to see what Anakin's planning. Some way to make Kiori stop ignoring her little sister, hopefully before Nelani dies (I repeat: Sadistic Yank!)
We'll find out Anakin's plans soon. and yeah, I'm a sadistic yank
Can't wait for the next one.
Monday night!!
SilSolo
ah more of the food-sex thing. and I guess Tahiri lost her memory as well?
Yup, more of the food-sex thing as for Tahiri... well, we'll get into that
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You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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Darthrevan4ever
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
7/20 4:59pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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cool post
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Revan is the best
Anakin solo will return
God bless the U.S.A
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/21 8:19am
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 17 7/14/08
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Darthrevan4ever
cool post
thank ye, new one up later tonight
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You sadistic Yank!! - McEwok No Krakana - http://nokrakana.wrighton.org Believe in the Constitution? Ron Paul '08
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Kidan
Title: TFN EU Staff
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/21 6:30pm
Subject:
RE: Memories - A, T, Sannah, Jaina, TK, MJ -- Ch. 18 7/21/08
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Anakin sat at his desk, staring out the window, watching as the sun crested the horizon in the burning glory of dawn. His eyes were rimmed with red, dark circles hung beneath then. Suddenly, his alarm went off, an annoying beeping noise. Sighing, he stood up and crossed over to the nightstand and pressed the off button. Taking a final look at the rising sun, and the landscape he had spent the entire night staring at, he left the room and went to the refresher to get cleaned up.
After getting dressed, he walked into the kitchen to find Tahiri and Mara working at the counter, rolling out dough. Mara looked up at him, and arched an eyebrow. "Good morning."
He lifted his eyes, and quickly nodded his head. "Good morning, Aunt Mara."
"Wow, Anakin," Tahiri cut in. "You're looking bad this morning."
He straightened his posture, and grinned. "I'm Corellian. I'm perfect."
"You don't look that perfect to me this morning," Tahiri shot back.
Mara snickered. "Go sit down, Mr. Corellia. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."
Anakin smiled at his aunt, but as soon as he turned away to take his seat at the table, the smile fell off his face.
--------------------
Anakin slowly walked towards the Academy, automatically following the streams of students that were doing the same thing. His thoughts had taken a dark turn once again, as he was focused on Nelani and Kiori.
Suddenly, someone slammed hard into his back. He stumbled forward and let out a short yelp of surprise. Spinning around, he was about to snarl something at whoever had ran into him, but the words died in his mouth as he found himself staring at Nelani's smiling face. His heart hammered.
She tilted her head slightly. "I'm sorry. But I was just so happy to see you that I felt that I absolutely had to run into you. You understand, right?"
"Yeah, good morning," he said, grinning, as he bumped his shoulder against hers.
He started walking towards the academy and she fell into step beside him. Looking down at her, he asked, "Did you make a lunch again today?"
She quickly nodded her head. "Yes, and I have the utmost confidence in it."
"Good," he replied, chuckling. They then stepped from the bright sunlight of the outside, into the cool dimness of the Academy itself. "Let's eat it together."
"Sure," she said, beaming happily at him. "At lunch, I'll come to your class..." Her chin dropped to her chest for a moment, pain flaring in her eyes before it was once again hidden behind her smile. "On second thought, let's meet in the cafeteria."
"Yeah," he replied, nodding his head.
Then she was running off to her lessons. Anakin watched until she had disappeared, and then went to his classroom and looked in. When he didn't see Kiori, he turned and started searching the various places he knew she liked to hide. Finally, he found her, standing on the observation level on the exterior of the Academy. Her arms were folded across her chest as she watched a flock of birds in the distance.
He stopped a few paces from her. "I was looking for you."
She responded, but did not turn to face him. "When I'm doing this... When I'm standing here like this, I can almost believe that time has stopped. But it's a lie. Time will never stop."
"You don't look so well. You should get some more sleep."
"Winter is coming. Did you know that? Soon, all these gardens will always be empty and barren." She pointed towards one of the gardens, and Anakin looked at it, recognizing it as the one that he used to meet Nelani in. "That garden is always empty in winter. No one goes there. But during the spring, after the rains have come and gone, then people will wander in, filling it, smelling the flowers."
Anakin nodded his head. "So you knew that she was out there, waiting for you, every day."
Kiori lowered her head, and spun around, walking past Anakin without looking at him. Then she started down the steps. Silently, he watched as she disappeared from view.
------------------------------------
Anakin was sitting at the same table they had used the day before, Nelani once more on the far side of the table from him. Also the same as the day before, a massive amount of food was in front of him. He grinned at her. "I want to throw you a birthday party."
She looked up from her lunch, and worried sy her lower lip slightly. "Birthday party?"
"Yeah," he replied. "I won't push, if you don't really want one, but I think it'll be fun."
"Not at all!" she responded, shaking her head. "I'm happy about it." She paused, and scratched at her nose for a moment. "But who else would you get to attend?"
"Well, there's Tahiri, and then I was going to ask 2 or 3 of my friends. It'll be a small party, but you know how it is."
Nelani nodded, a finger finding its way to her mouth where she began to chew at a knuckle. "I see..." Then she looked up at him, smiling. "Well, I'll be looking forward to it then."
After he had finished eating, they walked the corridors aimlessly, chatting about nothing in particular. His stomach complained at eating so much, and seeing a bench, he dropped down onto it. Then he stretched out, lying across the bench. Nelani slipped in beneath his head, allowing it to rest on her lap.
"My stomach's stuffed," he muttered.
"I'm sorry. I know I packed too much..."
He shook his head slightly. "It's fine. I just couldn't see wasting any of it since it was all so good."
He closed his eyes for a moment, and inhaled deeply, smelling the light scent that she wore. Then he opened his eyes, and looked up at her, to find her staring down at him. "Nelani? Let's skip out on the rest of training today."
Her eyes opened wider and her mouth parted slightly.
"Anywhere's fine. We'll go where you want to. While you still can."
Her eyes softened, their look of surprise fading slightly. "What's this all of a sudden?"
"Ah, well..."
"You talk like we won't get to see each other anymore, soon." She grinned mischievously. "You're such a bad boy, trying to talk a younger student into skipping out of school with you."
"I tried to draw you to the dark side," he responded dryly. "But I guess I failed."
She patted his head and he rolled off of her and the bench, as she stood up. "Well, I'll be going back to my lessons now."
Anakin nodded his head. "Yeah, I'll see you after school then."
She smiled brightly for him, and then darted off down the hall. He watched her disappear, and then dropped back to the bench, covering his face with his hands.
------------------------------------
They stood just outside the shopping district, next to one of the many rivers which ran throughout the area. Its babble served as a soothing counterpoint to the subtle murmur that came from the shopping district. Nelani lifted her arm and pointed towards the horizon. Anakin's eyes traced where she was pointing, to find himself staring at the setting sun. The oranges and reds of it gave the illusion that the whole expanse of the heavens were on fire. Her voice was soft with awe, "It's beautiful."
"Sunsets aren't that rare of a thing," he said, grinning slightly.
"Still," she responded, turning a frown his direction. "There's such a thing as 'mood.'"
He rubbed at his hair for a moment. "The things girls say make no sense."
She turned away from him, focusing once more on the sunset. "It's so dazzling."
Silently, he watched as she closed her eyes and basked in the warm sunlight. His eyes prickled and he had to look away from her. Had to look at anything besides her.
Later that night, he was sitting on the floor in front of his bed. Tahiri and Jaina were in his room, sitting on his bed watching him.
"So," he began. "I'm throwing Nelani a birthday party tomorrow."
Tahiri bounced up straighter, a grin coming to her face. "Really? Tomorrow's her birthday?"
"Well, no... her birthday is the day after tomorrow. But tomorrow worked better for her… schedule. So we're having it tomorrow."
Jaina frowned as she tugged at a strand of her brown here. "So, uhm... who is this Nelani girl? Is she in training?"
Anakin gave a quick nod of his head. "Yeah. She's been sick a lot so she has missed most of the training while she was on planet. Which means that she doesn't have a whole lot of friends. That's why I thought we could celebrate with her."
Tahiri clapped her hands together. "I'd be glad to." She then turned towards Jaina. "What do you say, Jaina? You know it'll be fun."
The older girl shook her head slightly, her frown flickering to a smile. "Well, I have practice after classes, but if I can make it, I'll be there. Worst-case is that I have to leave half-way through, after all the tournament is coming up soon."
Anakin grinned at his sister. "That'd be enough. Thanks!"
The next morning, Anakin once more was hunting Kiori. He first looked at the top of the Academy, and then searched a few dozen classrooms. He finally found her in the hidden corridor that led to the sulfur springs deep beneath the Temple. She leaned against the wall a few steps below him, her long hair hiding her face, as she kept her chin pressed tightly against her chest.
"There you are," Anakin said to her, not really expecting a response. "Today's the last day that Nelani will be able to come to school. After her birthday tomorrow, she'll either be in bed at home or at the hospital. She won't be able to go outside."
Kiori started up the steps, brushing past him. As she did so, she said, "I don't want to talk about it."
"I'm throwing her a birthday party," he said. "I want you to come as well."
She stopped. But for a slight tremble to her shoulders she was perfectly still.
Anakin watched her for a moment. "It'll be today after school. At Poltz."
"I won't be there," she replied.
"Nelani is living her life to the fullest. Right now. How much time she has left is not the issue. Do you mean to tell me that you won't acknowledge her as your little sister, even now. At the very end?" He paused for a moment, noticing that her shoulders had begun to shake harder. "Do you know why she came to the Temple every day? Why she stood out there in that garden every day? She wanted to have lunch with you."
Kiori's head lifted up, and Anakin took a few steps closer to her. Part of him felt bad for the things he was saying to Kiori. He knew that it was hurting her. But he knew that this distance between the two sisters was hurting them worse.
He continued speaking. "I heard that you two had made a promise once. That you two would eat lunch here once you were both training to be Jedi. She was looking forward to that. She was looking forward to going to school with her sister, having lunch with her sister and even walking home afterwards with her sister. She dreamed of those mundane events. Those everyday things."
He watched as a shiver raced down her body. Then she began walking again. He took a step closer towards her, and called out, "We'll be waiting, so make sure you come."
Then she was running. She disappeared around a corner, the echoes of her footfalls reaching his ears for a few moments before they to were gone. Anakin snarled, his fist striking out at a wall. Frustration and pain hammered at him, and he took in a deep breath, holding it for a five count before slowly exhaling. Finally, his emotions calmed once again, he returned to his classroom, noticing that Kiori refused to meet his eyes.
Sighing, he took his seat and attempted to pay attention to Master Horn's lecture.
After class, he walked out of the main entrance of the Temple. Standing by the gate, her customary shawl wrapped around her shoulders was Nelani. He noticed that she had changed from the orange jumpsuit to her usual clothes. When she saw him she lifted an arm and waved--her smile lighting up her face and warming his heart.
"Anakin!" she called out.
He looked her up and down. "So, you changed, I see."
"Yes," she replied, blushing furiously. "Since class got over early, I figured that I had time."
He chuckled. "Well, I think that it's a good thing you decided to change. After all, I don't think orange is really your color."
She pouted, and turned her head away slightly. "I don't like people who say things like that."
------------------------------------
Anakin looked up at the sign. In bold, aurebesh it read: Poltz. He grinned. This was his favorite restaurant on Yavin, and the location for Nelani's birthday party. She stood beside him, staring up at the frontage as well. He felt her gentle pull as she reached out and tugged on his jacket. Smiling, he looked down at her.
"I'm a little nervous," she said, wringing her hands.
"Don't worry," Anakin replied as he placed one of his hands over hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. "They're all good people."
He released her hands and then stepped forward. He opened the door, holding it for Nelani. She hesitated for a moment, and then went in. He stepped into the building as well, allowing the door to swing shut behind him.
"Anakin!" someone called out.
He looked into the dining area and saw his friends sitting at a table, Raynar waving at him. "Anakin, over here."
"Hi, Nelani!" Tahiri chimed in.
Anakin grabbed Nelani's hand and dragged her to the table, introducing her to Jaina, Rayner and the young Twi'lek girl that was in Nelani's session. They then sat down, Nelani taking the seat at the head of the table, Anakin in the chair to her left. Anakin took a moment to look around the cafe, noticing that as usual it was filled with trainees from the Jedi Academy.
The server brought out a large ice-cream cake, with fifteen candles flickering slightly.
"Happy Birthday," the group called out to her, as Tahiri threw handfuls of confetti into the air.
"Um," Nelani began, happily smiling. "Thank you... thank you very much."
He grinned at her, and nodded his head. "Well, blow out the candles."
"Yeah," she replied and then took a deep breath and blew out the candles.
Soon, the cake was served out, and they were all eating.
"So," Raynar said to Anakin. "Nelani was the girl that came and got you the other day. I knew I had seen that face from somewhere before." He then focused on Nelani. "You're the one that used to stand out in the garden all the time."
Anakin chuckled and then nodded his head. "Oh yeah, that's right. Raynar was the person who pointed her out to me. That was either my first or second day back."
Raynar flicked his spoon out of his bowl, and pointed it at Anakin. "That's right! And you laid your hands on her without my permission!"
Jaina snickered, as Anakin smirked at Raynar. "Don't say such misleading things."
"Seriously, let's think about this," Raynar said as he waved his spoon at Anakin again. "There's Nelani, Jaina and... Tahiri," As he spoke he moved his spoon from person to person. "And there's even this young lady who's in Nelani's class." Then he turned back towards Anakin, leaning into him slightly. "And you're also close with Tenel Ka and Eyrl from the level above ours."
Raynar jumped out of his seat and pulled Anakin from his, quickly getting him in a head lock. "You.... you're as bad as that General Calrissian fellow! You... you Corellian!"
"Raynar," Jaina sighed. "It's not that way from Anakin's viewpoint." Then in a lower voice she said, "Besides, not all Corellians are like that."
Tahiri chimed in between bites of ice cream. "You're not making much sense to me."
Anakin struggled against Raynar's arm, trying to disentangle it from his neck. He snarled, "I'm going to knock you out!"
Jaina sighed again, and then picked up a jar filled with a red substance, and passed it to Nelani. Nelani turned it over in her hands, looking at it and Anakin heard Jaina say, "This is from our Aunt Mara and me. It's homemade strawberry jam."
"I love strawberry jam," Nelani replied as she beamed happily at the jar.
Raynar finally let Anakin go and he dropped back into his seat, rubbing at his neck. He tossed a glare in Raynar's direction.
Movement drew his attention and he watched as Tahiri lifted up a plain, brown paper bag high into the air. "And this is from me," she said, and then blushed slightly. "Sorry, I didn't have time to pick out presents."
Anakin arched an eyebrow, and smirked at the blonde girl. "So you bought her canapés?"
"This is from me," the Twi'lek girl said, interrupting any comeback Tahiri might have made. She then lifted a basket of cupcakes.
Once the presents had been gathered in front of Nelani, Jaina looked them over, and said, "Wow, they're all sweets."
"But I love sweets," Nelani replied a pout coming to her lips.
Anakin laughed. "And she's not saying that to be polite. Her food of choice is ice cream."
The group laughed, as Nelani blushed slightly. Anakin grinned at her and winked, causing her blush to deepen even more. Turning from her, he glanced up at the chrono hanging on the wall, seeing that it was almost time for them to end the party.
Raynar leaned closer towards Nelani. "If ice cream is your food of choice, then you've got a serious maladjusted diet. Let me take you out and get some real food sometime."
Then Jaina sat up straighter in her chair, looking towards the door. "Kiori?"
Anakin's and Nelani's head snapped that way. Kiori stood in the doorway, one hand picking at her lip, the other supporting her as she leaned against the door jamb. She stared at the floor, looking as if she was still deciding to run away or not.
"So, Kiori was invited too?" Jaina asked Anakin.
"Hey Kiori!" Raynar called out.
Anakin turned to look at Nelani, seeing the sadness that flickered across her face as she watched her older sister.
When Kiori did not move from her spot at the door, Jaina called out again, "Kiori?"
As Anakin watched, Nelani turned away from Kiori and faced forward, staring intently at the empty bowl that had contained her ice cream.
------------------------------------
Kiori sat across the table from Anakin. She stared straight ahead, not turning to look at her sister. He flicked his eyes to look at Nelani, and noticed her still staring at her empty bowl, as she chewed on her lower lip.
"Anakin," Jaina said, confusion giving her voice an odd lilt. "You invited Kiori as well?"
"Kiori!" Raynar exclaimed, cutting off anything Anakin might have said to Jaina. "Let me introduce you. This is our guest of honor, Nelani. Uhm, oh yeah, what's your last name again?"
Anakin frowned at Raynar for a moment, and then pushed back his chair and stood up. "Now that we're all here, let's get this party started!"
Silence greeted him, and he looked around, noticing the tenseness between all the girls.
He dropped back into his seat, and frowned down at his own empty plate.
Without speaking, Nelani stood up and picked up Kiori's plate, dishing her out a helping of the ice cream cake.
"Oh," Tahiri said, frowning slightly. "I could have done that."
Nelani shook her head. "It's all right. I don't mind." She then set the serving in front of Kiori. "There. Please eat it if you like."
She settled back into her seat, lowering her head to look once more at her plate.
"Thank you," Kiori replied, without moving her gaze.
"The parfaits here are really great, too," Jaina told her friend.
Her voice was almost dead sounding. "I'll have one later."
Anakin watched as Jaina and Tahiri exchanged confused glances. He sighed, wondering if this was as good of an idea as it had originally seemed. He looked between the two sisters, and noticed that they both seemed even more depressed than they had before. In fact, it was the saddest he could remember ever seeing Nelani.
Raynar leaned over and whispered into his ear, "Hey, what's with this awkwardness?"
Anakin leaned closer to him. "I'll explain later. Just please... make this place lively."
"Looks like there's a story behind this," Raynar said with a grin. He then gave a curt nod of his head. "You got it."
He reached down and grabbed a bag out from beneath his feet, and then stood up and darted to the rest room. He returned a few minutes later, dressed in the same sequined, white jumpsuit that Anakin remembered him wearing at the Dance Festival.
He jumped up onto his chair, and stuck one hand onto his hip and pointed the other straight into the air. "All right! This is a party, and with it, comes a dance!"
Raynar began to shake his hips from side to side. "I plan on making my triumphant return to the dance scene from the fiasco that was the Dance Festival."
Anakin looked around, and noticed that Tahiri had a hand covering her mouth while Jaina looked mortified. Nelani and Kiori both had matching looks of shock on their faces, eyes opened wide, mouths hanging slightly.
After a moment, Jaina said, "Raynar, you're seriously going to dance here?"
He pointed at her. "You know it."
The waitress stepped up, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry, sir. But I don't think you should be dancing here. That'd probably disturb the other customers, so..."
Suddenly, one of their classmates yelled out, "No, it's fine. Let him dance, so long as he makes it interesting."
Another student in their class, this time a young Arconian, yelled out, "Yeah, dance for us Raynar!"
Then to the waitress's dismay, all the students began to cheer.
Raynar waved at them, and said, "Thank you!" He then turned back to their table, and held his hand out towards Kiori. "So Kiori, if I may have your hand?"
She recoiled from him, her eyes opening even wider. "I... I'm fine..."
Anakin chuckled and looked at Nelani. "Why don't you dance, Nelani?"
Horror flickered onto her face, and she began waving her hands and shaking her head. "No! I, I'm fine, too. Really."
He sighed, and then stood up and looked at Raynar. "Well then, I guess that I must be your partner."
"Are you serious?"
"I'm serious," he shot back. "What, I'm not good enough for you?"
He poked Anakin in the chest. "Of course you're not good enough. You're not Kiori."
Anakin grinned and grabbed Raynar's hand. "Now, now. Don't be so modest about it."
He then flung him around, in one of the Corellian two-steps that he had learned the year before.
"Oh, fine," Raynar muttered, and Anakin dropped his hand.
Then they began to try to outdo one another in the most outrageous ways they could move their bodies.
The crowd around them were laughing, and Anakin winked at Tahiri as he saw her wiping away a tear from her eyes.
Finally, he started squishing his face with his hands, as he noticed Nelani trying her best to not laugh.
He glanced over at Raynar, and noticed him on the ground flopping around like a landed fish.
A quick glance at the two sisters revealed them almost laughing. Then they looked at one another, and their faces fell once more.
As the two boys continued to make fools of themselves to the laughter of their friends, Anakin watched, as Nelani for the first time, began to stare at her sister. Quietly watching her, as she slowly took her first bite of the cake.
A few moments later, she dropped her gaze again, once more watching her empty bowl.
An hour later, the group stood outside of Poltz. Anakin stood in the center of the group, to his right stood Nelani and on his left was Raynar, Tahiri, Jaina and then Nelani's classmate. Standing a few paces away, watching the distant sky stood Kiori.
"Well, that was embarrassing," Jaina said.
Anakin laughed. "Oh? But you were laughing hard."
"Are you all right, Nelani?" Tahiri asked. "You look tired."
"No," she replied. "I'm fine. I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed spending time with everyone."
Nelani looked over at her sister, and then dropped her gaze slightly.
"Nelani," Jaina said, leaning forward, grinning. "Let's have lunch together next time."
Nelani's hand shot to her mouth, as she straightened. "Can I?"
"Me too," interjected the young Twi'lek.
Then Tahiri chimed in, "Me too!"
Anakin frowned at her. "You can't. You don't train at the academy."
She pouted up at him, and he suppressed a chuckle.
"I'm in too," Raynar said. "It's pointless to let Anakin have all the fun."
Anakin sighed. "I told you to not say things like that. Someone could easily misunderstand you."
"Why?" Raynar asked. "Don't you want to make a cute girl like her your girlfriend?"
Kiori sighed, lowering her head slightly, shifting it so she looked at him. "You really don't have an eye for girls, do you, Raynar?"
Anakin and Nelani both sat up straighter, startled. He focused on Kiori. He watched her for a minute, and then began to grin. "Mind your own business, Kiori."
She looked at Anakin, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It is my business. Because Nelani is... Nelani is..." She lowered her head and closed her eyes. Anakin noticed that everyone in the group was staring at her, and he could not help but smile. After a heartbeat, she lifted her head again, and opened her eyes, and smiling, said, "Nelani is my little sister."
Nelani inhaled sharply, as the rest of the group shouted out, "Little sister?"
Kiori smiled at Nelani, tilting her head slightly. "Isn't that right, Nelani?"
Nelani opened her mouth. Then closed it. She inhaled deeply, and then slowly exhaled.
Raynar spoke up before Nelani could reply. "Then why didn't you tell us sooner? Could it be-"
Anakin smacked him on the back of his head. "Zip it."
He looked down at Nelani, seeing the brilliant smile on her face.
Kiori smiled in return, and then held her arms out towards the rest of the group, herding them away from Anakin and Nelani. "Come on," she said. "Let's be off."
After she had taken a half dozen steps, she spun around to look at them again. "Nelani, uhm... Let's chat a lot later."
Nelani nodded her head. "I'd like that."
Then Kiori turned on Anakin. "Anakin, take care of my little sister."
She then turned, and jogged to catch up to the rest of the group.
Anakin looked down at Nelani who was watching her sister. After a moment, she lowered her head. "Thank you so much, Anakin," she said. "You made me so happy."
He grinned at her. "Happy Birthday, Nelani." He watched her for a few more minutes, and then shifted his gaze up towards the setting sun. "Where should we go now?"
She shifted to look up at him, her head cocked to one side, an eyebrow lifted in question.
"You still have time, right?" he asked. "I'll tag along where ever you want to go."
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