Chapter 17: Another Invitation

Finn misinterpreted his friend’s reaction and nudged her playfully, “Did you think you were the only one that takes on students.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and added, “I’m certainly not as good as you, but I can at least teach the basics.” After a brief moment where the Jedi Master didn’t respond to this, Finn nudged her again, “Hey, you okay.”

Rey calmed her frantic thoughts that were running amok in her exhausted brain. After a moment of hesitation, she blurted, “Fine, I’m fine.” She calmed her voice and demeanor, “It’s just been such a long day. I think it's time for me and Fama to get to sleep.” The matter of Finn and his new students was a problem that certainly couldn’t be resolved right then. Rey made the tactical decision to rest and regroup before trying to find a proper resolution to this predicament.

Minerva noticed the young woman’s subtle cues and quickly intervened, “Of course, dear.” With a dismissive wave, she added, “Let’s save formal introductions for tomorrow. It’s gotten far too late as it is.”

Finn and his students looked disheartened but couldn’t do anything as the vice-chancellor took over the situation. The menfolk were dismissed to give a report while she took on the role of guiding the ladies to their room. Rey’s mind was still restless as they finally arrived at the double suit that had been prepared for her and Fama. The little girl raced inside excitedly, though the older woman stopped Rey as she tried to follow. She made meaningful eye contact, “Are you alright, dear.”

Rey swallowed at this, wanting to cry from the rage of complicated and stressful emotions raging in her head. The peace talks, the Admiral's offer, and balancing her friendship with her responsibility as a Jedi were all too overwhelming. After hesitating, she asked in a voice that cracked with emotion, “Ah, how long has Finn had Padawans.”

With an expression of anticipated concern, the woman responded, “Almost half a year, he thought introducing them to you in person would be best.” Rey felt her blood run cold at this, realizing that she had been kept in the dark and that it had been nearly six months since she had any off time from New Republic missions or searching for a place to build her temple. Deep inside, she couldn't help but feel this entire mess resulted from her neglect.

After digesting this news, she responded simply, “Oh…”

Minerva stomped her foot, disgruntled, and hugged Rey tightly, “My dear, don’t try and bottle it all up.” She pulled back and grumbled, “It’s all that old man Marcus’s fault. He’s been filling Finn’s head with visions of glory from the old days.” Seeing how Rey barely responded to this, the wise woman realized there was more to the Jedi’s distress than just the issue of Padawans. Like a mother who tenderly brushed Rey’s hair to the side of her head and finished softly, “No need for any debrief tonight, dear. You just go and get some sleep. We’ll handle everything starting tomorrow, one step at a time till it’s done.”

Rey nodded at this and was ready to respond when Fama popped her head from the door and blurted, “Rey, come on, this room is awesome.”

The Jedi couldn’t help but laugh at this and quickly nodded to Minerva, still upset but happy to have a plan. Sincerely, she got out, “Thank you so much.”

The vice-chancellor nodded back and chuckled as Fama resorted to trying to pull her Master inside, “You have a restful night now.” With this said, she turned and left, having her own assignment yet to finish. It may be late, but with the peace talks so soon, it would be a marvel if she got to nod off for a few hours somewhere after midnight. Still, it was a duty she was proud and happy to uphold.

Rey allowed herself to be pulled in by her Padawan and found herself in awe by the luxury of the room. Without any doubt, it was the most regal room she had ever had the chance to call her quarters. Fama ran to one side of the main room and shouted, “Look, they even have a water bed.”

She jumped onto a clear, squishy sack that contained many strange aquatic creatures, letting out a childish giggle. Rey smiled at this and observed the room’s breakdown, noticing a study to the right and two bedrooms that shot off from the left wall. Closing the door, she walked in, observing the room’s golden hue, the long couch, massive holo-screen, and elegant wall of windows that looked out over the surface of the worldwide city. She let her hand move across the long piece of decorative upholstery, feeling the smooth texture of its exotic stone top. In her bones, she felt like she didn’t belong. This world of high society was foreign to her and tempted her to fixate on the material world rather than the Force.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She wondered if she could change rooms for a moment but, after seeing how happy Fama was, gave up on the idea. This was probably the girl’s only chance to enjoy such things and, hopefully, would also serve as a lesson in asceticism in the long run. With a sigh, the Master called, “I know, it looks wonderful.” By this time, she had made it over to the water bed and pulled on the girl’s foot, “But we need to get to sleep.”

Fama’s puppy dog eyes cause her master intense pain that only magnified as she asked pitifully, “Just 5 minutes.”

Rey tilted her head, considering then, with a sly smile, responded, “Fine, but only five.” She then jumped onto the water bed, no longer able to hold back. The Master and Padawan broke into giggles as they messed around playfully. In the end, the girlish mischief only lasted 4 minutes as Fama had fallen fast asleep in an awkward position. With a helpless sigh, the Master gently picked the girl up, who ground at the disturbance but had enough instinct to wrap her arms around Rey’s neck. Fama only let go when she felt herself lowered onto a wide, soft surface at which all traces of consciousness faded.

Rey removed the girl’s shoes and covered her with the blanket. She was worried the sheets might get dirty from the Padawan’s clothes but realized quickly such a fancy hotel certainly had extras. With the Padawan lay to rest, the Master retreated to the other room and took off her own shoes. Too tired to change, she flopped down on the bed as stressful thoughts quickly repeated in her head. After a while, she couldn’t handle it and screamed into her pillow before rolling onto her side. A few tears escaped her eyes as she couldn’t help but wonder if the Jedi Masters of the past also had emotional meltdowns before major peace talks.

Too much had happened, and too much still needed to be done, and it seemed to all depend on her. The only relief to this immense stress and torment was the sleep that soon engulfed her exhausted body.

From her arrival in the room to the moment sleep consumed her, Rey didn’t even have the chance to notice a formal-looking envelope on the main room’s central table, upon which were inscribed in golden letters Admiral P. This same letter went unnoticed for some time as the next day, Master and Padawan slept late into the morning without anyone disturbing them. After waking and feeling well-rested and refreshed, both enjoyed their spa-like bathrooms and changed into traditional Jedi attire that had been prepared for them. Following this, ample food was ordered from the kitchen, which was consumed vigorously.

By this time, it was slightly past midday. Fama finally reached across the table and grabbed the envelope curiously, declaring, “Hey, what’s this.”

Rey glanced at the envelope and offered, “Probably some hotel greeting card.”

The Padawan opened it excitedly and read it over quickly. Growing disappointed, she retorted, “No, it’s from that spy man from the star destroyer.” Rey almost sprained her back with how fast she turned and grasped the paper away from the girl. Fama snorted at this and added, “I finished reading it, by the way. It's either boring or a secret code.”

The Master shook her head at her students' stubbornness but quickly focused on the card. In neatly printed text, it read simply, “ You are cordially invited to attend the Yuloz Ball at the Autumn Palace. ” Beneath this, it was written by hand, “ In hopes it grants you insight and clarity.

Sincerely, Admiral Primidian. ” Rey pondered this deeply and hardly noticed that Fama had snuck back over to reread the context in case she had missed smoothing. With a slight push, Rey complained, “It’s not a secret code.”

The girl seemed disappointed and complained, What's the point in being a spy if you can't use secret codes.”

Frustrated by the child's claim, Rey snapped, “We’re not spies.”

The Padwan ducked out of reach of her Master’s arm, which only incurred more of Rey’s wrath. Ultimately, the child had to call on a trump card and blurted as danger approached her, “Well, you'll be late then.”

Rey blinked at this and tilted her head, repeating, “Late.”

Fama nodded, adding, “The bottom talks about how to get there. It starts in 30 minutes.”

Rey looked back at the card, reading closer, and cursed internally as she thought carefully about whether she should go. Ultimately, her desire to be a fully prepared diplomate won out. She glared at Fama, who fled from the table and ordered, “While I’m gone, you'll stay in this room where it's safe. Complete your usual training, and don't cause trouble.”

From the tone of her teacher's voice, the Padawan knew none of this was up for debate, and if she disobeyed, the punishment would be truly fearsome. The girl nodded and got slightly nervous, “I won't cause trouble…” After hesitating, she said, “ But you’ll be safe. He’s an Imperial. Imperials can't be trusted.”

Rey signed at this, walked over, and put a hand on the girl's shoulder, “I don't know, but I don’t think this is a trap.” She added, trying to impart her wisdom to the child, “I think a lot of Imperials want peace just as much as we do. At least, I hope so. But I do know it will take all of us to make this work.”

Fama looked worried but nodded, “Okay, just promise you’ll stay safe.”

Rey nodded back happily,” Promise."