Chapter 7: Impetus, Part IThey lay together in their bed, nothing but a sheet covering them both, if barely. The autumnal night of Galtea was refreshing even against their bare skin, the portal to their bedroom adjacent balcony open. As Kazic traced his finger up his wife’s spine and along her right lekku, he smiled at the memory of their wonderful night. He must have unconsciously halted because Saani’s drowsy whisper interrupted his ruminations.
“…Don’t stop…” She purred, her toes flexing as she lifted her leg, the blue skin glistening in the full moonlight. She tilted her head so as to put her other lekku within his reach.
Quietly chuckling, Kazic complied, gently stroking first one and then the other lekku. “
Kanp’a…I’ve been thinking…” His deep voice was quiet, tender. His hand gently massaged Saani’s lekku and shoulders.
Closing her eyes, she whispered in a contented voice, “…What’s that
K’ompo…?” Her fingers grasped the rumpled sheets, her dark blue fingernails digging into the bed. “…Oh that’s good…”
Grinning, Kazic looked appreciatively at his wife. “…Well
Kanp’a…as I said…I think that maybe…we should formally adopt Ari…” His smile widened considerably as his wife turned, sitting up on her elbow.
“…Wha…I mean, you’ve ‘thought’ about it?” Saani’s voice was questioning with an undercurrent of anticipation. If she had been lethargic before, she was completely alert now.
“It’s been foremost upon my mind,
Kanp’a. And I think that it’s best for all involved…” Seeing Saani’s eyes widen in surprise, he noticed a…yearning underneath. Kazic’s smile widened further, adding, “…And, let’s face it Saani…Ari
is already family…” Kazic didn’t think that his gray lips could smile any wider.
Her eyes large and full of unshed tears, Saani practically jumped into her husband’s embrace as they wrapped their arms around one another, laughing as they gently rocked back and forth atop the bed…
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Even in the darkness of her rooms, Ari could see the assorted fauna that decorated her quarters. She could feel the ambient temperature changing, decreasing slightly from a pleasant 18.9 degrees to a not uncomfortable 17.8 degrees. She could hear the four monorails closest to the Gardens District that they lived by, including an industrial tramway carrying commodities, supplies, and munitions. But she was only aware of this in the most vague of senses. No, what she was focused on was what percolated through the aether around her. Or, more specifically, from Kazic and Saani
to her.
While she did not know exactly what was being said, she could easily deduce from the emotions that they were feeling—
sharing—that they were discussing…her. In and around and throughout the apartments that she had come to consider a home, one with Saani and Kazic, she felt the tides and eddies within the aether, a sensation not unlike a…warm, comfortable blanket after being left out in the cold. No, Ari thought, shaking her head. That’s what she would have likened it to back Home. Now, she was much more…erudite. It was as if she were floating in an anti-grav spa, comforting, pleasurable, wonderful.
Ari smiled one of her rare smiles. While these Vhal’Dan could sense and utilize the aether, they weren’t really…
aware of it as they should be. As she was. If they were…well then, they would know the absolute joy of shared adoration and how truly marvelous it could be.
Like now.
Wrapped in the warmth of Saani and Kazic’s affection—and now
along with her own feelings for them—Ari felt a contentment that she’d not felt since…before she’d been taken. No, this wasn’t Home…but it was
her home, at least while Saani and Kazic were here.
Cuddling deeper in her pillows, she finally slept a deep, dreamless sleep. She did not have to wonder what the feint sounds of the night portended. She did not have to fear where her next meal came from. She did not have to question “Why,” knowing that she would never be told the answer. No longer was she plagued by the nightmares of her abduction, or the violence of the crash, or even the loneliness of Yavin.
Not while she had Saani and Kazic.
<<<<< >>>>>
The noontime sun of Galtea was both radiant and warming, the sunlight streaming through the transparisteel wall of the R&D Department, illuminating all of the Force artifacts that lay virtually untouched upon the sterile tabletops. Except one table. The sunlight was unable to penetrate the congregated bodies of scientists, administrators, and Jedi as they crowded around the table and—more importantly—the teenage girl speaking about the object upon the table. Rapt, every single person there hung on every word, every explanation, every enigma solved.
“This was one of the specialized Corusca gems that Naga Sadow had devoted to his plans for eternal life.” Ari’s voice resounded through the laboratory, each person in attendance completely captivated by what she was saying. “It took him the better part of his decades-long exile on Yavin 4 but…he was finally able to devise a method of suspended animation that had no adverse affects.” She punctuated her last sentence with holding aloft the orb in her hand. “It was through this gem that he was able to freeze time for almost 600 years. For all he knew, it might have worked longer—perhaps until the end of time—but he was awakened by the man who would become his second apprentice: Freedon Nadd.”
Collective whispers arose from the crowd. Almost all of the Vhal’Dan had read about Freedon Nadd but this…well, this was new. “Excuse me young lady but you’re saying that this…jewel is not only responsible for extending life but is—somehow—the provenance of Naga Sadow, one of the most frightful and powerful Sith Lords ever to have ruled the galaxy?!” The incredulous voice of the sub-chair of Antiquities sounded almost flippant…if one would care to describe such a venerable and respected scholar as sounding. Everyone turned from Aresaea to focus on the elder gentleman who challenged the girl.
Messer Subiah Fuqua had held a position within the University for over twenty-four years, 5 of which he acted in his capacity as one of the heads of the college. And in that time, he’d written a thorough dissertation on the Yavin Massassi, publishing what would become the definitive accepted theories of the ancient Sith. Or rather, what had been conjectured up until now. And Aresaea’s information had all but invalidated much of his hypotheses so he was understandably upset. As with too many people in their capacity as an “authority,” their egos were often times next to said positions.
It also didn’t help that he was one of Anson’s staunchest supporters in addition to being a powerful maenowan, although he’d never become a Gray Master; he’d never taken any apprentices nor done any teaching to teidowans.
Ari’s face did not show her dislike for the man, even though she knew that he would fight for his perspective despite being completely wrong. “Yes, yes it is.” Was all she said. And, looking around the room, she could tell that almost everyone there needed only that: her word. She knew with certainty that Saani and Kazic not only believed her but accepted her knowledge as fact.
Stupefied, Fuqua sputtered a bit before attacking from another angle. “Young lady…how do you even claim to know this?!” Ari thought that his eyes were beady and small. The shaver-worms on Yavin would have feasted on them long ago if he’d gone there… Instead, she slowly inhaled and continued.
“He told me.” The room went silent and no one moved a muscle. If Ari thought that Fuqua’s eyes couldn’t open any wider, she was mistaken. Unfortunately, she noticed that almost everyone in the crowd had likewise reacted. She mentally berated herself, suddenly aware of Saani and Kazic’s alertness in the aether. And one of Kazic’s admonitions came back to her as she now realized just what he meant: “Don’t tell people of her abilities to hear people in the aether (well, he said ‘Force’ but she nevertheless always thought of the aether first).”
She could feel the currents of the aether change; it felt…charged wasn’t quite the right word. Frenetic? No, more…serious… And as Ari contemplated the fundamental shift within the room, Kazic and Saani moved beside her, gently but firmly extricating her from the center of the crowd, making apologetic sounds while they left.
“Excuse us please, sires, siras. My wife and I have to explain some things to our ward; her command of Galactic Basic is still far from perfect. I shall find out exactly what Aresaea intended to communicate as soon as we’re able to work through the misunderstanding.” Kazic’s words disarmed most, giving a plausible explanation that the crowd had expected.
As they exited the building, boarding the monorail to their apartments, none of them so much as spoke. But then, they didn’t need to: Ari had come to recognize many specific moods within the aether, at least as far as both Saani and Kazic were concerned. Still, the ride was not exactly pleasant either.
As Kazic ushered Saani and Ari through the door, he deliberately secured the door, engaging the locks that Kazic seldom bothered with. After a brief moment to collect himself, he joined the two women in the conservatory.
The bright Galtean sun shone beautifully through the transparisteel windows, the high clouds stark white against a blue sky that drew the eyes ever onward towards the horizon. But Kazic only saw two things: Saani and Ari. “Ari…you must be more careful; you cannot tell others of your talents, especially those that you and you alone possess. Too many people would be frightened and, as such, would…lash out. Specifically at you.” Kazic’s patient tone was underscored by a hint of apprehension.
Saani had a comforting hand gently rubbing Ari’s back. “Ari, Dear One, Kazic’s right. I know that Professor Fuqua angered you but you must always be on your guard.” Ari looked as if she were about to talk but Saani cut her off with a raised hand. “I know that he was wrong. And you were right. But he is a man who takes such as a personal affront, to say nothing of the fact that he already is suspicious of you.” Saani sat next to the girl, slowly stroking her red hair. “Ari…there are sometimes necessary…fictions that people must deal with in regards to others, especially to people that are not…friendly.”
Ari’s face assumed a blank look, one that she normally had whenever she was absorbing new information. “…So I must…lie…to some people?” Saani was about to further explain herself when Kazic suddenly cut in.
“Yes.” His tone was deadly serious. “That’s precisely what you have to do sometimes, Ari.” He sighed, crossing his arms. “…Ari, let me show you exactly what I mean.” And once again, Kazic opened his mind to her. As she had on numerous occasions, Ari Delved him, the familiarity of doing so had become second nature. A moment later, Ari closed her eyes, leaning against Saani.
“…I, I understand. Thank you Saani; thank you Kazic. I’m sorry.” When she opened her aqua eyes, they were clear, intelligent, and full of understanding.
Saani and Kazic exchanged a patient look. “Don’t be, Dear One.” Saani remarked, giving Ari a hug. But Kazic was silent, an introspective look tinged with worry upon his gray brow. “What is it,
Komp’o? What’s on your mind?”
“Well, it’s—” Suddenly the room’s holofeed chimed, indicative of an incoming message. Kazic answered after a slight pause. “Hello?”
The projected disembodied head turned to the Anzati Master. It was Bhorja Travikx, one of Anson’s koawans. “Excuse me, First Speaker, Second Speaker? I’m sorry to interrupt but I must inform you that an emergency session of Congress has been called. The Kage implores you both that you make haste to the Hall of Balance.”
Again, Saani and Kazic looked at one another, the unspoken questions put aside until afterwards. “I understand koawan. Speaker Saani and myself are en route and will be there shortly.” Kazic’s business-like tone was mirrored in his entire demeanor, even as he signed off. “Ari please excuse Saani and I. We have government business to attend to.”
Ari nodded her understanding, at least seemingly placated from before thanks to her Delve with Kazic. As Saani and he left their apartments towards the main hyperloop leading to the Hall of Balance, Kazic had the disturbing realization that the
daen nosi had suddenly returned…