Exhausted and worn down Kenina panted as she fell to the ground holding her training spear.

“Don't push yourself so hard, you were injured pretty good in your last encounter I don't expect you to be top shape the day after,” some heavy breathing came from Anttio as he tried to get her to pace herself. He could tell she was mad she had to do this and she wanted it over with.

“I need to push myself, reprove myself, show I can do this...so I can get back to work.” She went to stand up and grunted grabbing her side, *oh* and fell back down.

Anttio was there at her side so fast she didn't see him move, and Bess was running across the way to get to her, “Kenina don't move, let us look.” Anttio had her head laid on his lap, he toyed with her Lekku (her tentacles) as Bess attended to her side.

“Yeah the wound opened up again, I told you we should have taken one more day...or did meditation exercises today.” Bess did her best to patch Kenina's side up again.

Kenina felt so stupid, she was stronger than this...but look at this weakness….it was then she realized her head was on Anttio's lap and her face grew warm with embarrassment...and he was gently rubbing her Lekku...why? Didn't he know how sensitive Lekku was?...no one touched them!

Then she thought about it no one has ever been this kind to her...he genuinely seemed to care about her and was trying to soothe her as a guy would brush back a woman's hair, it was all he knew, he wouldn't know they were sensitive to touch if he never learned about Lekku...she buried her face in her hands, “you alright?”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Yes...I'm fine,” she wasn't but she was a good liar.

She pushed the thoughts away in her head and proceeded to get up, slowly, "alright I'll call it a day and go home to rest." She walked out of the arena as fast as she could.

Away from them she slowed her place, 'what is wrong with me?' she didn't like Anttio but something pulled at her heart when he touched her today, something she'd missed... compassion...care...concern?...whatever it was made her feel like a person rather than a tool which is all she ever was.

Before she realized it, she had walked out of the city and was in a park, she decided maybe some meditation would help her calm down. She took up a spot near the water's edge and cleared her mind.

"Ah, Lady Kenina," she opened her eyes to see Master Yoda approaching her, "please, disturb you I will not," he got down off his hover chair, "meditate with you I will."

This made her nervous, what if he sensed what was within her? Who she was?

"Unsettled your thoughts seem to be," his eyes were closed honing in on her, he's been curious about her since he felt her presence to the Senate the first time, "rest your mind."

He always seemed to relax her, but she didn't need him knowing who she was...but who was she really?...she did as Yoda said and rested her mind.

It did settle her, grounded her almost, but then some flash images came to mind...from childhood? When the Imperials attacked her village. It made Kenina's emotions flare some, "mmm hurt I sense, I know not what hinders you, but eat you alive it will." He looked at her this time, "release it you must."

"Master Yoda, I appreciate your words and your help, but that just isn't something I can do right now." Sad she stood up, looked at him, and vowed, "I thank you for your time." He nodded and she walked back to the city.

When she got home she was drained, "well we'll look who finally decided to come home." That voice, she's heard it before. Just as she was about to speak a woman's silhouette appeared before her.

"Qi'ra wasn't it?" Kenina headed to the kitchen.

"Very good, I've come on behalf of our mutual friend." She sat down at the table across from Kenina.

"You must be mistaken I don't have many friends, I doubt we have a mutual anything." She presented her with a beverage.

Qi'ra accepted the drink, "oh but we do," she smiled and took a drink, Kenina sat and looked at her, "Lord Maul."