Chapter 19: Undercurrents

Rey’s former escort looked on the verge of sneering but put on a fake smile and simply said, “Oh, I couldn't impose. I have friends waiting for me.”

Rey waved farewell as the woman left, though Minerva’s exasperation told her this may not have been a wise move. Feeling like a child caught misbehaving by a parent, Rey avoided eye contact but could feel a glare burning into her. In a firm but finally calm voice, the vice-chancellor spoke slowly, “Rey…”

The woman did not continue and waited for Rey to engage. The Jedi slumped her shoulders. “Yes, Madam Vice-Chancellor.”

Minerva crossed her arms, rolling her fingers rhythmically, “What were you doing with that self-absorbed harlot.”

At this point, Rey could assume the rumors about Ms. Marina were true, and she might have made a mistake. She responded in a quiet and dismissive tone, still avoiding eye contact, “Well, I was looking at the wall art, and she recognized me, and I recognized her, and I wanted to try and, ah…” The Jedi finally made the mistake of looking the older woman in the eyes, which burned with scorn, causing her to freeze. She only got out one more word, “Politic.”

Minerva’s scorn faded to weariness as she hung her head and rubbed her temples with a hand. Looking up firmly, she returned to her gaze, “Alright, you're staying with me. You will only talk to me. If addressed, you may introduce yourself but will say nothing else.”

Rey nodded quickly, able to tell things were far more serious than they appeared. Minerva turned and began to walk through the crowd. Her every step flowed seamlessly. The Jedi stayed one step behind her as they traveled deeper into the room but couldn't help but ask, “Where are we going.”

The vice-chancellor glared back and retorted, “Out of the slums.” Rey’s expression revealed her lack of comprehension, so the woman continued speaking quietly, “This room is like a city, these places you want to be and places you don't want to be. You just came from the slums.”

Hearing this, the Jedi felt deflated and asked, “Did I cause trouble for you.”

Minerva’s look softened, though her words were still tough, “When I heard the rumor that you were here, I thought you might have…” Rey flinched at this, but the woman finished, “Luckily for us, you were so clueless everyone knew you had no idea what was going on.”

Rey felt embarrassed but relieved at this and sighed, “Thank goodness.”

Minerva looked back, looking perplexed, and asked, “How did you even get here.” Rey was ready to confess some information, but the woman suddenly muttered, “Damn, not now.”

A rather fat-looking Chagrin appeared, his blue face flushed nearly purple with exertion. In a happy voice, he called, Madam Vice-Chancellor, how good it is to see you.”

The woman put on a calm smile and responded, “Ah, Suket, it's good to see you.”

They exchanged a brief and dainty hug before the man sputtered, “I thought we could discuss the funding bill for the Emergency Relief Efforts.” He raised an eyebrow, looking at Rey, “Ah, but who is this.”

Minerva continued to smile but responded, “Mr. Blu, now is hardly the time. I had to leave a discussion with Corporate Alliance Chairman Zong to pick up Rey here.

The Chagrin grew indignant and retorted, “That old fellow can certainly wait a few minutes while we discuss. You have put off finalizing the bill for several weeks.”

The Vice-Chancellor did not waver and responded, “Mr. Blu, we’ve all been extremely busy with the peace talks. We have to have our priorities in line.”

Mr. Blu glared at this and retorted, “Priorities…” he pointed to Rey and retorted, “Like her. Vice-Chancellor, your favoring of the Jedi aggravates the Imperials and distracts you from talks with the Corporate Alliance. Some of us are starting to wonder if you know what priorities are.”

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Minerva seemed like a volcano ready to explode, but at this moment, a cold voice spoke next to the old woman's ear, “Your business can wait. You have other people to talk with.”

Mr. Blu’s eyes went foggy as Rey returned her hand to her side. He spoke fuzzy. “This business can wait. I have other people to talk to.”

Minerva looked over at Rey, shocked, and managed, “Did… Did you.” Her expression went from confused to intrigued, to excited, then finally to thoughtfulness. After a moment, she responded with bitter self-control, “Don't do that again.”

Rey nodded and responded earnestly, “Yes, Madam Vice-Chancellor.” Technically Minerva needed to get back to a diplomatic discussion, so the mind trick was to help improve diplomatic relationships and not cause Mr. Blu was a scumbag. Still feeling even more worried as they continued to walk, Rey asked, “You really not in trouble because of me.”

Minerva looked back with sincerity in her eyes, “Of course not, dear.” Anger and coldness returned to her face, “That weasel Suket Blu was just saying that to get under your skin. He must have sprinted over as soon as he heard something went wrong.” She thought momentarily and added, “Your ah, assistance probably saved me a few million New Credits of getting him out of my hair.”

Rey gulped at this and got out, “Happy to help.”

The older woman's eyes gained an intense emotion as she added, “But no more using the Force.” Going quiet and looking sad momentarily, she added, “Laya told me years ago she could persuade people with the Force. I believed her but never really knew what she meant by it. But she always told me the Force should not be used for personal benefit and is not a tool that should replace our own effort.” Looking Rey in the eyes, she finished, “From now on, you must let me depend on myself regardless of the outcome.”

Rey took in these words and considered them in her heart. For a moment, it was like her old master was to her speaking. She nodded fervently, “I understand.”

Minerva’s expression grew warm momentarily before her eyes focused again. After dodging a few more people, that seemed up to no good. They moved towards the far wall of the hall opposite the door, where only a couple dozen people mingled around with great distance between small groups. The vice-chancellor angled for the group that was third closest to the far wall and quickly whispered, “Welcome to high society, dear. This side of the hall, you'll only find the elites of the elite on the galactic playing field.”

They stopped in orbit around this group, and Minerva sighed in relief. Rey couldn't help but ask, “So, are we safe.”

The woman nodded, “We should be unless some have more balls than brains and are looking for a fight.” Rey almost cracked up, seeing Minerva reveal a lick of her wild side. The woman noticed this and grumbled, “Don’t even start. You're in big trouble this time.” Rey recalled that she had almost landed herself in an intergalactic scandal not too long ago and grew depressed. The vice-chancellor's eyes focused as she demanded, “Alright, spit it out, what are you doing here? You couldn’t have gotten in with an invitation since you didn't receive one, which means you had a guarantor. So who was it?”

Rey felt hopeless and was ready to spill her guts, but suddenly, a confidant and energetic voice called, “That would have been me.” The grey-haired, golden-eyed Admiral Primidian appeared only a few steps from them, approaching from the regions where the even higher-ups dwelt. He was smiling with a merry expression as though he genuinely enjoyed the event. With poise and grace, he added, “My sincerest apologies for not coming to greet you earlier. I was regrettably preoccupied.”

Minerva had turned an abrupt about-face when she heard the man's voice and positioned herself by Rey’s side, though slightly in front of her. She also took the chance to grasp the Jedi's hand and squeeze it tightly. Still, when she spoke, it was with a soft and familiar tone, “I should have known. You're the only person mad enough to pull such nonsense.”

The Admiral chuckled at this playful, not flustered or offended, “Lady Orgona, the overprotective mother as always. Don't you know birds need to one day leave the nest?”

Minerva nodded and responded with a trace of coy, “Of course, but only when the bird is ready and not when the ground beneath the nest is crawling with snakes.”

Primidian shook his head, almost laughing, and smoothed a wide grin from his face, “You always did have a way with words, Minerva.”

To Rey’s surprise, the old woman let out her defeated sigh, and the two exchanged a friendly hug. The Admiral then stepped towards her and held out a hand. Half entranced, the Jedi offered her own to him, and the man raised it and gave an incredibly light kiss as though a butterfly had briefly landed on her fingers. In a charming voice, he apologized again, “Master Skywalker, again, accept my apologies for my lateness.”

Rey was stunned at his gentlemanly gesture and couldn't think of a proper response. Minerva waved at his defense, complaining, “You old charmer you, don't overwhelm her.”

Primidian grinned and added, “Then I apologize once more.”

Minerva rolled her eyes and snapped, “Anyways, what are you doing, inviting my Pontifex to this slum-bucket of a gathering.”

The admiral shrugged, “I thought it would expand her horizons.” he looked Rey in the eyes and added, “Pulse, how could I give up the chance to meet the last Jedi Master.”

Rey swallows and finally finds her voice, “I like to say that I'm the first Master, just of a new generation.”