Chapter 47: The Corellian Conference Episode V

(Van: POV)

"Mhm~Mhm~Mhm~"

Marcellus hummed, a stupid grin on his face as we patrolled the headquarters of the CEC.

A grin he's has plastered on his face ever since I saw him this morning.

"So, did something good happen last night?" I finally decide to ask Marcellus.

But based on the way he's acting something good definitely happened with Nova at the party last night. The only question I have now is, how far did my man get?

"Yeah. Last night was wonderful." Marcellus replied. "Van my friend, you don't know what you're missing my friend. Also, thanks for your help with Nova."

"No problem. It's a wingman's job after all." I replied. "Secondly, I'm not missing out on anything. I have Yennali after after all."

"Sorry, what?" Marcellus suddenly asked. His grin being replaced with a face of pure shock. "You mean you and Yennali have become more than friends? Straight-laced prim and proper Yennali, who never goes against the rules unless absolutely necessary, you two are dating?"

"Yes, we are." I said. "And by the way, she's not prim and proper in private, if you get my meaning." I spoke. Putting a grin on my face.

At my words Marcellus mouth literally hung open. "You're kidding."

"I'm not." I said. "Don't let that quiet act she puts on fool you, Yennali is a predator pretending to be a prey."

"Wow." Marcellus mused. "To think we would both end up with women who are aggressive."

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked.

"Huh, nothing. Forget I said anything." Marcellus quickly replied.

*Stare~*

But I wasn't about to let the matter drop. So I started staring at me with unblinking eyes.

It only took him one minute to break.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Just stop staring at me like that. It's creepy." Marcellus said.

"Thank you my friend." I replied.

Marcellus grumbled something in response but I ignored it. Instead I focused all my attention on the details he revealed of what happened with Nova last night.

Needless to say I was shocked.

I mean Marcellus didn't tell me anything too explicit, but from what he did share it's obvious Nova is the hunter and not the hunted. She devoured my best friend last night.

So it looks like Marcellus is right, we both ended up liking aggressive woman.

I wonder if that means anything?

No, I'm sure it doesn't.

"So, you enjoyed last night?" I asked.

"Yeah. And what's more Nova being so aggressive actually made the experience better for me." Marcellus revealed. "Do you think that means anything?"

"Ahhh..." I trailed off.

Trying to think of a way not to tell my best friend something might've awakened him last night that might cause him to start down the path of being dominated in the bedroom and loving it.

"Van, you alright?" Marcellus asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I replied. "As for your question, I don't think it means too much." I said.

Falling back on what I knew since I didn't want to tell Marcellus the truth.

Lying.

Sometimes it's the best policy.

Especially where this matter is concerned.

And if Marcellus should bring it up again, then I'll leave it to future Van to handle. I'm sure he'll do just fine.

"Okay." Marcellus shakily replied.

Right after he did so I saw a familiar face coming towards us.

It was Arisha.

The female from the other day when we ran into each other chasing right behind her. Two men at her side.

"Get back here Arisha." The woman said.

"Kriff off!" Arisha shouted. She then spotted me.

After doing so she ran and hid behind my legs. "Mr. Jedi, please help me. I need your protection from that woman. Help me Mr. Jedi, you are my only hope." Arisha mused.

Just as she finished the woman and two men at her side arrived in front of us.

"Master Jedi, please don't listen to whatever Arisha has told you. She doesn't need protection from us." The woman spoke. "In fact, we are the ones who are tasked with making sure she stays safe."

"And never letting me have any fun." Arisha grumbled.

"Arisha, that's enough." The woman told her.

"Be quiet, you're not my mom!" Arisha shouted back.

Which caused people to start looking at us.

"Okay, everyone calm down." I spoke with authority, adding the Force into my words. "Why don't we go somewhere else and you can give me and my friend Marcellus here a full explanation of the situation."

"That will be no problem." The woman spoke.

"Fine." Arisha mumbled.

So with that our newly minted group headed to a private room.

Once we did the woman started explaining the situation to Marcellus and I.

Her name is Nylali Sudcorr. A former member of the Republic Judicial Forces who was hired as security by Kuat Drive Yards after returning home after completing her military service. As for her relationship to Arisha, she is her personal bodyguard and guardian.

For it turns Arisha is a engineering genius, who became employed at Kuat Drive Yards at the very young age of seven.

Since then the pair have been together and Nylali has looked after Arisha.

As for why Arisha was running away, she is supposed to be giving a speech today and decided she didn't want to.

Well she is only nine years old so I understand her actions.

"And there you have it master Jedi's." Nylali told Marcellus and I after finishing her explanation. "Arisha needs to give that speech, and it is my job to make sure she does."

"Like I said, you're not my mom so stop telling me what to do." Arisha said.

"Arisha." Nylali mused.

"Okay, let's not start fighting again." I said. "Ms. Nylali, if Arisha does not want to give the speech, then you shouldn't make her."

"It's not that simple master Jedi." Nylali replied. "If Arisha doesn't give the speech then Kuat Drive Yards will cut off her monthly stipend of credits and fire her. Leaving her with nothing." She revealed.

"What, that's crazy. I can't believe her parent's let her work such a job with such harsh conditions." Marcellus said.

"They don't. I have no idea who my parents are." Arisha revealed. "Grew up in an orphanage until Kuat Drive Yards took an interest in me." She mused.

"I see." I said.

Looking at the sadness Arisha was trying to hide.

Seeing it brought up feelings in me I hadn't experienced since my memories of my previous life first awakened all those years ago. Feelings surrounding my own family.

I mean I know that in this era there are two other members of the Sunrider family alive and kicking besides me.

The first is Vima-Da-Boda.

While the second is her daughter, Neema-Da-Boda.

Who is most likely my mother in this world. Considering Vima was born in 190 BBY and would be too old to give birth to me.

But then again when the Force is involved you never know. Considering it allowed Shimi Skywalker to become space Mary, and Anakin to be space Jesus.

Though back to my main point.

Family.

I have no idea who my father could be.

But I am sure Vima and Neema are my family.

Yet the reason I haven't sought them out is plain and simple. 

Fear.

I am scared of what might happen if I find them and meet them. Considering one of them decided it was better for me to be raised by the Jedi than do it themselves.

To say my feelings on that particular subject are complicated would be an understatement.

Though at least I know my family is out there somewhere, and where I come from.

Arisha doesn't know either of those things.

Sensing her sadness, and small bit of anger, through the Force I didn't stop myself as I moved to wrap the young girl in a hug.

"What, let go of me." Arisha said.

Trying and failing to escape my hug.

"It's okay. Everything is going to be fine." I told her.

When I did so Arisha stopped struggling and then eventually returned my hug.

We stayed like that for several mintues before breaking apart.

Once we did so she apologized to Nylali for her actions, and decided to give her speech today.

But only if Marcellus and I came to watch it.

So we did.

Sitting in the front row of the auditorium Marcellus and I watched as Arisha gave a wonderful speech to a full house. Keeping her voice said and her words concise, despite being younger than everyone else in the entire room.

When it was over she got a standing ovation.

After everything was said and done Marcellus and I went to congratulate Arisha personally.

In doing so we happened to run into others who wanted to do the same thing.

Walex Cantwell Blissex I

[Insert Image of Walex Cantwell Blissex I Here]

And his daughter, 

Lira Blissex

[Insert Image of Lira Blissex Here]

The very people I had been hoping to meet at this conference.

Looks like my wish just came true.