Chapter 90: 90.Chapter (Shared universe 35.)

-From the perspective of Nizzal-

Fifteen minutes passed since those three "new guests" arrived at the restaurant. The initially jovial atmosphere was nowhere to be found anymore.

The situation was awkward, for lack of a better word.

The three jedi masters didn’t do anything weird, they did not try to arrest anyone for once. They did not ask uncomfortable questions yet, or anything of the sort. They acted completely normal, too normal. I guess that in itself was already weird in their case. They sat down at a table and began chatting about everyday matters while glancing at me sneakily from time to time.

I watched them from behind the bar table, and my eyes quickly spotted certain signs of weariness, bags under their eyes slightly paler skin shade, disheveled clothes, things like that.

Back then, when I first met with the jedi council, there was a stubborn arrogance lingering around them. They had grown prideful in their skills and knowledge, but it seemed their illusion of being in control had dissipated in the shadows of the last few days. Their Order had nearly been destroyed. And a dreadful number of jedi had been killed in the Clones Betrayal. As people have named the event afterwards.

A lot of things are still uncertain at this point, but early estimations are suggesting that two-thirds of the jedi participating in the war have been killed. This meant that about half of the Jedi Order was killed in a few days. Almost all of those who had actual battle experience and were battle oriented.

Those Jedi, who had decided to ignore the war and lived a withdrawn lifestyle in remote places of the galaxy, and those who traveled for missionary missions, charity missions, or explorations were luckily spared from the Clones Wrath, for now.

Sensing the terrible loss of force sensitive lives, shocking the galaxy and creating far traveling waves in the force. These solitary minds have suddenly decided to head back to civilization and learn what has happened to their brothers and sisters. Because of this, a lot of Jedi came back to the temple. Only to learn of the terrible tragedy that occurred a few days ago.

At least this was what I managed to gather from their conversation. They did not try to hide their words. They spoke loud and clear, almost hoping for me to listen into it. Hmm… probably that was exactly what they wanted.

Still, I didn’t understand why?

The only plausible explanation was that they were afraid if they acted more directly, I would assume that they wanted to attack me again, or capture me. Was this their attempt to reassure me that they did not intend to cause any more harm?

I was very confused at this point.

I must admit that my mind conjured up a plethora of potential outcomes when I saw these three Jedi Master entering the restaurant, at that particularly embarrassing moment. However, I would have never guessed that they would just sit down and wait for someone to pick up their order.

Hondo and Claire naturally ran away the very next second the jedi arrived. I Both of them jumped through an open window. I expected at least Obi’Wan to run after them, but to my surprise, he only shook his head and ignored the escaping pirate pair.

I guess Hondo already got what he came for, even more than he would wager for.

I did not really care about their hasty exit. I never really knew what I expected from this, telling him all of that… The man was crazy in the head, this might sound unfair coming from me… but well… what’s done is done. No reason to cry over spilt milk.

Eh...  I-I still feel a little bit better, now that he knew it that is... 

For now, I should probably think about what these troublesome jedi are planning. I mean they know that I was here, and that I will not go to their temple, since I stated it with such certainty. But, I never expected the big bosses to come and visit me just like that.

While lost in my thoughts, I heard a strict voice speaking in a mild tone.

-Waitress, me and my companions would like to order something.

I looked up, and saw that Master Windu was looking right at me, while saying those words.

Is he serious? I looked towards Kate, who was currently cleaning up the broken plates from the floor with the use of a broom.

She looked at me, sensing my stare. I saw that she wanted to ask a dozen questions about all of this… but she was too intimidated by the presence of Windu.

Well, the presence of the famous Jedi Grandmaster being in this humble restaurant wasn’t helping either. So she did not dare to ask any questions at the time.

Seeing my meaningful gaze, she immediately turned her attention back to the broken porcelain pieces scattered across the floor. Then she turned away and ignored me completely.

I sighed. She was not willing to take up their order. It was obvious. Hava already went back to the kitchen seeing that the jedi sat down. She was both horrified and overcome with happiness at seeing the high-class guests’ arrival.

It was no surprise, seeing her react that way, all three present masters were famous around the galaxy. That was even more so among residents of Coruscant. She was happy since they came to eat here, but she was more than mortified about the unlucky timing.

I suspect she would have happily beaten up Hondo if he hadn’t run away already at the time.

I sighed once more, then took up the digital notebook and walked over to the masters for their order. When I arrived, I decided to show them a polite smile, since their well-timed arrival seemed to save me from a lot of embarrassment.

-Welcome, masters. It has been quite some time since we last met. Did you manage to choose your food? You know that you cannot stay if you don’t eat or drink something.. Boss’s orders…

They looked up, taking in my presence and my statement. All three of them reacted in distinctly different ways to my words.

As the sense of awkwardness which was surrounding us only thickened.

I could literally feel Kate’s absolutely horrified gaze burning into my back. She clearly heard my cheeky tone of voice. If I go any further, she might just start chasing me with that broom. That would surely be a novel experience to add to the archive. 

Obi’Wan smiled silently, sensing the barely hidden annoyance in my voice. Yoda ignored it mostly, while his ears raised a little higher, and Windu seemed to get angry at the very idea of me threatening to throw them out for such a ridiculous reason.

I naturally said those words for a specific reason; to make him squirm.

It was Windu who spoke up first after that, not surprisingly.

-I can see that your personality did not mature.

-Neither did yours, master.

I saw his mouth part slightly, surprised by my immediate ripost.

-Such insolence!

He barked at me, annoyed, while Obi’Wan began to laugh silently in the background.

Yoda spoke up in a suggestive, but overall gentle tone of voice. He was clearly tired and probably had enough arguments for today.

-Both of you stop this senseless quarreling. We are guests here. After all, we should abide by the requests of the host.

I gave an appreciative nod to Yoda. Then turned back to the menu. I picked the food that was the most pricy and bluntly suggested it for them. This was the least I could do for Hava at the moment.

-If you have not chosen yet, may I suggest today special? It is a rare delicacy. Marinated krayt dragon tail steak with softly cooked chicken eggs laid on a purple salad bed and potato chips, finalized by a few spoonfuls of olive oil.

-That sounds intriguing, agreed Obi’Wan.

-May I order three portions then?

Yoda nodded, while making a minor correction.

-You may, but make it four.

Hmm, they are waiting for someone else; it seems.

-Okay, something to drink?

-Four glasses of water would suffice.

Sated Yoda once more.

I finalized the order in the digital notebook and sent the final version towards the kitchen through the in built chat function. With that done, I was about to turn around and leave, but Windu’s annoyed voice stopped me from doing so.

-Where do you think you are going? Sat down over here. We want to talk to you.

I blinked.

-Are you still trying to arrest me?

His eyebrows jumped up, then he instantly furrowed them. 

-You… sigh… it seems we gave you a terrible impression.

I was surprised. Master Windu is showing signs that could be potentially interpreted as regret?

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-Well… I mean, you kind of kidnapped me and made it look like an adoption with the purpose of sending me to war and when I predictably ran away at the first opportunity you sent bounty hunters after me. Did I leave out anything major, I don't think so... Tell me now, which part would exactly leave a good impression on me, Master?

My words seemed to forcefully shut up Windu for once. 

Probably for that reason Yoda decided to take over the lead in the conversation.

-We did no such a thing, not without a reason that is. Your droid stole information from the Jedi Archive, and because of that you were under investigation. If proven innocent, you would be allowed to leave after we have confirmed that you are indeed in possession of the necessary skills to not pose a threat towards civilians.

I smiled at that sarcastically.

-Oh, how funny. And where did you intend to tell me that? Just after you threatened me to send me working in a meteorite mine for twenty years? 

Yoda ears visible lowered in an expression of shame. I could not marvel over his reaction for long since Obi'Wan interjected. 

-You could not think that we would seriously send a child into a prisoner camp in an outer atmospheric mining operation? That was just a bluff. 

My eyes widened. What the fuck is that... I spoke in a threatening whisper. 

-How the hell should I know that? And even if it was a bluff, you told it to a kid, with the absolute knowledge that she would take it seriously. You are the worst...

Obi'Wan spoke up, uncomfortably. 

-Nizzal, the investigation wou-... 

I barked at the bastard feeling extremely annoyed with the excuses.

-Just don't! Considering that your investigation was led by Jedi, and no outer jury was involved in it, I highly doubt that I had any chance of being proven innocent. You did not leave me any other option, besides escaping.

Obi'Wan murmured silently. 

-You have so little fate in us... 

That made me roll my eyes, as I asked back.

-Are you, seriously surprised? I can't understand how Anakin managed to put up with you for so long...

Windu snorted and spoke up loudly hearing my remark. It seems he managed to grow back his flattened ego in mere seconds, which is a terrifying ability in itself.

-Your words are of someone who has been punished innocently, while you were nothing of the sort to begin with. Do not think I don’t sense the thick and unmistakable darkness lingering around you. Your innocent looking shell is all but a lie. You are just as vile as the being that plans to take over the galaxy and is yet to be defeated.

Oh well, I did not hide my presence that much anymore. They already knew who I was affiliated with. There was no reason to hide things that were already out of the bag.

I slowly shook my head, my leks lagging around in a slow, lazy movement.

-But if I am that bad, master, then why did you come here? I mean, except capturing me, or executing me for heresy? Or... could it be that the krayt dragon tail steak’s fame traveled much farther than any of us initially anticipated in this humble restaurant?

Windu looked at me with disappointment. He shook his head and added solemnly.

-Don’t tempt me, girl.

Yoda spoke up warningly, his ears drooping with dissatisfaction and annoyance.

-Mace.

The man glanced sideways at the Grandmaster, then leaned back into his seat. After a few silent moments, he continued his speech in a neutral yet still sarcastic voice.

-Your time spent with General Skywalker, and Ahsoka have only served to sharpen that vile tongue of yours. I might have been forced to agree to tolerate your presence here, but that doesn’t mean I am happy with it.

I smirked.

-I find my feelings to be similar, master. It turns out that we are quite alike? How interesting. The only difference might be that I have no need to cover my words in a sugary coating.

I expected him to be angry after hearing that comparison, but I was genuinely surprised when I heard what he said.

-I am ashamed to acknowledge your point, but we are indeed similar. Because of this, I misguidedly tried to shield you from the darkness, even if that meant to protect you from yourself. I have learned from personal experience that breaking traditions and teachings laid down by our ancestors will only hasten one’s downfall, as we all saw it on multiple occasions. One time, I fell to the darkside, and only by luck did I manage to get back into the light.

There was a few seconds of meaningful silence while Windu stared into my eyes. Then he continued.

-However, most are not as lucky as I was, even as the darkness still continues to haunt me till this very day. I have learned to control it somewhat, against my better judgment. Its lure is that insidious… However, if I had the opportunity to get rid of it, which I don’t have, I would do, immediately.

In other words, since he is not ready, or willing, to accept a truth and a necessity that exists in the world, he decides to forbid it from everyone else.

-I understand your views on this matter, Master Windu. However, I disagree with them. Let me remind you that it is not your place to decide what I do or what I don’t. That might be so in your temple, but not outside of it.

I watched carefully as his muscles and jaw tensed up unnaturally, hearing my words. Then he turned away and began to stare out of the window. It seemed he had nothing else to say. Now silence fell over our conversation once again.

Obi’Wan lightly tapped the seat next to himself, while smiling at me and saying.

-An interesting insight, would you care to join us for dinner and maybe share a little bit more? 

I was a bit surprised, but thinking back, maybe that krayt dragon steak was ordered for me… hmm, I guess, I can indulge these bastards in the light of such an exceptional reward.

I nodded to them and sat down next to Obi’Wan.

Obi’Wan seemed to take over the conversation for now.

-Anakin sends his regards, while also saying sorry for leaving you out here alone, while being in a vulnerable state… we have all heard about his… how should I say, ungentlemanly behavior.

I couldn’t help but laugh hearing that.

-That is certainly one way to put it…

I thought came to my mind, and I decided to ask.

-How is… Padme doing?

Windu’s eyes snapped towards me with ridicule, as he stated furiously.

-You mean his wife!? She is fine. After the detailed medical analysis, it turned out that she is with children.

I looked at Windu with a smile, then turned towards Obi’Wan and said.

-Congratulations are in order, I guess.

Windu, hearing my neutral and slightly happy voice, narrowed his eyes. He searched my expression, then realizing that I wasn’t even surprised, at least not as much as he expected, noted solemnly to himself.

-So you know…

-No, I did not know. Suspected it, yes. I had seen it as a likely possibility, but I didn’t know when it would become a reality, nor that it would truly happen, until it eventually did. However, I shouldn’t bore you with the technicalities of foresight. You are clearly more than aware of the basics.

Yoda nodded slowly. While Windu whispered in disbelief.

-Basics… huh!? Arrogant brat.

Yoda subtly intercepted before Windu could blow up again, why did they bring him along? I can't seem to understand. Yoda guided back the conversation into its original direction, saying.

-Yes, we are indeed. Would you kindly enlighten us why we can barely see anything about you? Aside from a column of gray fog in which different people seem to wander around endlessly?

The Grandmaster’s eyes narrowed on my form. He was looking at me with intent focus, watching the smallest of my reactions.

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