The Library

[Akirapryde]

Graff leaned forward, "everyone has their place." He leaned over and indicated towards Lysire. "Even little book worms like Lysire." Filled with pride he leaned back and smiled, "I would gladly kill those who threatened you or our little worm. After all, she is one of us."

Jenna turned to Unna, "the Prince has taken over from his father. Who was well liked. The prince on the other hand is not so well liked. There is conflict in the wind. We can feel it. It's just a matter of time."

Graff spoke up once more. "If we are very lucky, the Master Tuff will allow us to take part in the battle. A little combat experience goes a long way."

Lysire turned to Graff, "who's side would you fight for?"

He didn't even bother to look at her as he answered, "does it really matter?"

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

Unna looked to Graff, puzzled she asked, "why wouldn't it matter?"

[Akirapryde]

He frowned, "Unna, right? Listen you are young and filled with ideals of what you think the universe should be like. A dreamer like your book worm friend here" he said pulling Lysire close to him. It was clear she felt uncomfortable by his arm being around her.

"I learned early on the truth of the galaxy. My father served with the 90th Hussars on some outer rim shut hole like this world." His face drew grim as he spoke. "Ass Pounders over there" he said as he pointed to the left. "Were at war with Pie Hole Lickers over there." He said pointing to the right.

"My father and his Hussars were sent to support the rightful government, the Pie Hole Lickers while the Republic Senate negotiated a peace treaty. After two long months, a peace treaty was reached. However King Pie Hole refused to accept it."

"My father was ordered to persuade the King to accept the treaty or become an enemy of the Republic. King Pie Hole refused and the Hussars secured the peace. My father delivered King Pie Hole's head to the Chancellor."

"You see the moral of the story is Unna, that our enemies are who the Senate dictates. One day someone will be our friends, the next they are enemies of the Republic."

He held Lysire tight, "only one thing remains true. We are Jedi. We serve the Republic as one mind, one body. Sure I may pick on this little worm. Hell I might pick on you cause your an under classman. But outside these walls, we are Jedi. We are one."

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"How articulate, but you got your point across," smiled Unna. She then walked up to Lysire and Graff and placed a hand on each of them. She smiled at Lysire and then looked Graff in the eye. "The last part about how we are all Jedi was inspirational, Graff, but I'd like to make a suggestion. Since we are all one outside of these walls, why not be one within? Wouldn't that make us so much stronger on the outside? Think of what a strong young man, such as yourself, could inspire in the other students here. This is a great opportunity for you to gain some leadership experience and possibly even grant this school some notoriety outside of the fencing team. Think about it."

Unna frowned for a moment, then looked at Lysire. "Wow! My stomach is starting to growl! I actually haven't eaten much for the past few days. Isn't it about dinner time? Would you please join me?" She then looked at Groff and Jenna, smiling. "Would you two like to have dinner with us? I'd love to hear all of your perspectives on the past several years I have lost out on."

Unna walked over and picked up the book containing this Universe's version of her God-mother. "I'd like to borrow this." Unna closed the book and held it against her chest, as she shifted her gaze hopefully between her three companions, awaiting their responses to her dinner invitation.

[Akirapryde]

"Yes of course!" Lysire said twisting and turning to get away from Graff's touch. "I will scanned the book out for you" Lysire said as she took the book and disappeared towards the front of the Library. "I will be right back" she added over her shoulder.

Graff got up turning from Unna as he rose from his chair. Jenna followed suite as he spoke, "you speak with such hope and promise" he said walking up to Unna. "I was once like you. But like me, you will have to go through your own 'Rights of Passage' just like I did." he looked down at her as he continued, "it's something we all had to go through" he said thumping Unna between the eyes. It stung, nothing more. The slight was a clear message.

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

Unna closes her eyes and rubbed the spot between her eyes and recalled her vision of how Graff saved her life by telling her to duck, before he threw a lightsaber over her head, killing the one who attempted to kill her. She opened her eyes and smiled at Graff. "Love tap," she thought to herself silently before speaking. Her smile might have seemed strange. "It's not about hope and promise. It's simple math, really. We are more powerful as a unit, than we are divided. I'm not worried. I know that you will come to be great. That's not a hope, that's an inevitability. We could all be better together, but I'm not going to be able to convince you of that anytime soon. Have a nice evening."

Unna walked over to the table where the book Lysire was reading sat open on the table. Leaving the book open, she hugged it against her chest and walked off to meet Lysire.

[Akirapryde]

Jenna walked up behind Unna as she paused at the table, "think nothing of it. What happens here is nothing more than fun at each others expanse. What you and Lysire are going through is no different than what we all went through. The strong raise to the top" she said and rested her hand on Unna's shoulder, "those with hearts like yours tend to gravitate to the Senate. It will be your voice we, on the front lines, hear in the orders of the Senate. Beyond the white pillars of the Senate, we will be your swords against the night." On that note Jenna turned and followed Graff as they left the Library.

Lysire meet Unna halfway, "I really dislike them," she said holding Unna's book. She handed over the book, "its yours for two weeks. If you are late, you will have to deal with the Head Librarian." She gave Unna a playful wink and added, "me!"

[Unna Hi Chaanu]

"It would be an honor," Unna smiled to Jenna. "Have a good night."

Unna continued to stand tall as she watched the two figures disappear through the library door. Once they were gone, Unna sighed and continued to smile. She was definitely confused after the encounter. They seemed like bullies, but at the same time seemed to know that they were all going to stick together in the grand scheme. Groff was clear that they would all be one and that he would protect them if need be. Jenna seemed so sure that she and Groff would be listening to Unna's words in the future. Unna felt oddly at peace after this discussion. So, it's a test? Sure, she could pass, but what about Lysire? Did she realize that they were just trying to test their strength? It was pretty barbaric. It was unheard of to Unna, who spent the first 8 years of her life in the company of adults. Was this the childhood she had missed out on? Things weren't like this at the enclave.

Unna turned to meet Lysire and smiled as her friend expressed distaste for the pair. "I think they have some growing up to do. They seem to have been victims of this cycle in the past and decided to perpetuate it. Some weird tradition, huh?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Unna gave a friendly giggle as she held out Lysire's book flat, still open to the page she left it on. "I was going to bring your book to you. I held your place for you." She exchanged books with Lysire. "Shall we eat? I'll let you lead the way."