Oneness

Part 3

Acaciah was roused by Obi-Wan at an unholy hour of the morning. The evening before had been a blur. She remembered her dance with Anakin and the strange feelings it had invoked in her. She didn’t feel afraid of him, however. In fact, his presence had been reassuring to her. Obi-Wan had been awake, mediating when Anakin brought her up to their suite at Miriam’s villa. Now Obi-Wan appraised his girl carefully.

“You are going to work with Celianthos, the Head Historian of Aramatiea,” he began. Acaciah swirled the thick gold carpet with her toes while her grandfather spoke. How unlike the Jedi Temple it was! And still, there was something familiar in it, she couldn’t quite place yet, but it felt right. Like the Gardens at the Jedi Temple, and the dance she’d shared with Anakin last night, Miriam’s villa felt like a missing piece of her soul. Anakin’s words from last night came back to her, “You have more of your past here than you think.” The thought held a bittersweet sting to it. She missed Anakin already. She almost wished she hadn’t seen him, hadn’t been reminded of his eyes, his touch, his scent...It was agony. ‘Stop it,’ she commanded herself. ‘You are not here to moon about!’

Obi-Wan sensed her turmoil, and chose his words carefully. “You have many new skills to acquire here, Acaciah, and the feelings they invoke will be powerful as well. Do not let them overwhelm you, dear. Acknowledge them and move on. You must trust in the Force.”

Acaciah nodded. “Thank you, Papa.”

Miriam entered the dining room, carrying a bundle. “I know it’s a bit early for your birthday, dear, but I want you to have these now. You are studying the Fiona; you should dress like a proper one.”

Acaciah opened the bundle to reveal Sakarte’-style Jedi robes and tunics, and also a dress befitting a high Fiona princess. The cut of the robes matched that of her usual Jedi tunics, but were made of a luxurious, reflective silk. The inner tunics were gold, and the outer tunic and tabards were emerald green. The tunics were decorated in golden embroidery of Fiona and Sakarte’ heraldry. The princess dress was of the same emerald silk. It was sleeveless, had a high demi-collar, and a split up each thigh. Acaciah felt strange holding clothing that must be worth a month’s salary for many people in her hands. And Miriam presented it to her as if it were nothing, simply expected for a girl her age. In fact, all the ostentation she had received so far made her a bit uncomfortable; she had been hoping to be more anonymous here. Geraint had always told her that the Jedi were a stuffy lot; she was beginning to see why he thought so. This place had more pomp and circumstance than she’d ever experienced directed at her personally, and she felt disconcerted by it. Acaciah thought she preferred her self-reliance to being waited on. “I should wear these in public?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” Miriam smiled. “You are a lovely girl, Acaciah. No need to be ashamed of it.” Behind her, Obi-Wan nodded with what seemed to Acaciah to be a little reluctance.

‘You will blend in more here in that than you will Jedi robes, my dear,’ he ‘pathed to Acaciah.

An hour later, she was in her new robes and at Celianthos’ study. He slapped a slew of holocards down in front of her. “The history of our people,” he said. “I’m sure the High Holy Twelve have neglected to teach it to you properly.”

“You mean the Jedi Council?” Acaciah was appalled.

“Yes,” Celianthos spat the word out. “Tell me dear, is that little green idiot who talks backward still their
leader?”

“Would you say that to Master Yoda’s face?”

“My dear, I have said it to Master Yoda’s face,” he retorted. “Now, the history of the Fiona, chapter one…”

Acaciah found herself with plenty to do. She was inundated with Fiona language, customs, practices, and politics. She soon found one thing fascinated her above the rest: the Oneness of the Force. She decided to investigate it more in depth after Celianthos left a tutoring session early one day. She pulled out the holo she was looking for.

The Oneness of the Force: “All things are One through the Force, all places and all times.” She paused, noting they were the exact same words she and Anakin had used. The holo continued. “The wise Ti’adai Fionn (Jedi Fiona) may use the Nexus of Oneness to observe the past, or gain insight into the future. But beware, for those who interfere in time find it has trials of its own. Those who have tried to leave their own time permanently find death—discorporation into the Force, or even worse, madness, in the Dark Side. It is an act of focused will to use the Nexus of Oneness. The Nexus may call to you to teach you, when it is the will of the Force, but when you listen to your own will above that of the Force, your work will become an act of the Dark Side. Always remember that what you do in the Nexus will follow you into your present.”

Acaciah copied the information onto her own holocard and turned her attention to her second riddle. How did Papa find her mother to begin with? She knew he had fought in the Battle of the House of Savros, so she began to look there.

“Computer,” she said. “Cross-reference for me Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Battle of the House of Savros.”

“Working,” the system answered. “Obi-Wan Kenobi is the spouse of Miriam Sakarte, and fought in the Battle of the House of Savros twenty years ago. The battle was initiated due to an inquiry about possible Sithas in the ruling House, the Savros. Principle heroes at the battle included Obi-Wan Kenobi, Etos Savros, Miriam Sakarte’, Anakin Skywalker, Acaciah Sakarte’, Celianthos Aramatiea, Najara Etos, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee.” Acaciah paused the holo again.

“Cross-reference for me Acaciah Sakarte’,” she said. The system hummed a moment.

“Acaciah Sakarte’—no other references found. Original holo visual has been deleted.”

Now Acaciah was vexed, and it was time to leave for the evening. She copied the files onto her own holobook. Papa had informed her earlier that day that they were having dinner on Daelus V tonight. She hoped she could show Anakin what he had found; maybe he would help her.

Kiros was bubbling with excitement. He hoped Acaciah would bring news of his Maris for him. He reminded himself that he shouldn’t appear so happy. Master Jaal would notice, and Master Skywalker already had, pulling him aside earlier. “Be mindful of your thoughts,” he warned Kiros. “I know you’re thinking about Maris. So will other senior Jedi.” Anakin paused. “You’re thinking about Acaciah, too. You did well in choosing Acaciah as a confident. She has excellent thought-shields. You should ask her to give you a refresher on using them.”

Kiros nodded. “Thank you, Master Skywalker,” he said. “I think she understands our predicament,” he added.

Anakin smiled. “Better than you think, Kiros.” Anakin excused himself and left Kiros to ponder that mystery on his own.
. . .

On Alameen, meanwhile, Acaciah gathered her long red curls atop her head and fastened them with the headpiece that Anakin had given her, only leaving her Padawan’s braid out of it. The headpiece had a crystal teardrop that hung down on her forehead. She looked at the clothes Miriam had given her, and decided to try out her Princess dress. She ran her fingers over its soft, shiny emerald silk, and then put it on. She had excused the servants, not feeling comfortable with the ostentation of being waited on hand and foot. She preferred her own self-sufficiency, a lesson she had learned well from the Jedi at large and Obi-Wan in particular. She also did not want to have the servants watch her pack her handbag. She was bringing Kiros some holocards from Maris, and it would not do for curious eyes to find their love notes. They were relying on her discretion. Love is not looked on kindly in the Jedi, and it galled Acaciah when she heard whispers against her Papa for being married. She hoped Kiros could contain himself and his thoughts; he wasn’t nearly as good at shielding them as Maris and herself. She didn’t know how perceptive Jaal was, but Anakin certainly could pick out Kiros’ thoughts. He had gotten into hers easily enough, which disturbed her. What if she’d been thinking of her dreams of him? She would have to try harder to contain herself.

Obi-Wan knocked, and then stuck his head in the door. “Time to go,” he said, scowling at Acaciah’s tight dress. “Is that what you’re wearing?” Miriam entered behind him.

“You look radiant, dear,” she said to Acaciah. “Tell Anakin I said hullo.” And with that, the discussion was ended.

Daelus V was a busy space station, and ran like a well-oiled machine. Anakin was famous for his mechanical expertise as well as his piloting skills, and the station attracted the most brilliant pilots and engineers in the galaxy because of it. Acaciah watched the hustle and bustle while they waiting for a clear channel to land. Anakin, Jaal and Kiros were waiting for them at the landing platform. Kiros paced, restlessly. Jaal regarded him with curiosity. He hadn’t see Kiros this keyed up since they were last in Coruscant, waiting to land. Anakin, for his part, seemed calm. He held his thoughts to him tightly. ‘I would, too, if I were him,’ Jaal reflected. ‘If the rumors are true.’

‘What rumors?’ Kiros asked silently.

‘Never mind,’ Jaal replied. ‘I don’t give a damn about rumors, or I wouldn’t work for Anakin. I wouldn’t have taken you for my Padawan, either. But there are some who do, and you’d do well to be wary of them.’ Chastened, Kiros sat down.

The shuttle landed, and Acaciah and Obi-Wan appeared. Anakin tried to swallow the lump in his throat when he saw Acaciah. He bowed to them and took Acaciah’s hand in his own. He kissed it, and Acaciah thought she might melt under his gaze, and do it gladly. He offered her his arm, and the group toured the station. As they walked, Kiros suddenly felt he had a very good understanding of why Master Skywalker and Acaciah had been so understanding about him and Maris. He also despaired of prying the two of them apart long enough to ask Acaciah about Maris.

Anakin regarded Acaciah intently, his eyes lingering over her, drinking in her every detail. She was perfect, her hair, her dress, and right down to the boots she wore, she was burned into his memories. He could almost smell the flowers of the Temple Garden as she sat in front of him.

Acaciah felt strange indeed, a mixture of giddy, dizzy and ecstatic. She adored Anakin, and basked in the glow of his attention; it didn’t matter to her if Papa Kenobi gave the 3rd degree about it tomorrow. She could feel his presence in her soul, and she wanted him there.

Kiros finally decided to give Acaciah a little psychic prod. ‘Kay-Kay,’ he began with her childhood nickname, ‘remember me, your friend? The one who never sees Coruscant? The one who desperately needs, um, news?’

Acaciah smiled at Kiros, and looked at Obi-Wan. “Papa, do you mind if Kiros and I go have a chat? We haven’t seen each other in ages.” He consented, and Acaciah and Kiros went to the station’s library. Jaal excused himself to go catch up on some holowork. Anakin and Obi-Wan watched them leave.

“You and I need to have a talk,” Obi-Wan said. Anakin stiffened slightly. “You’re pushing her, Anakin. You need to be patient. This is something that she has to do on her own.”

“Patient?” Anakin spat the word out. “I suppose waiting 18 years for her is not patience enough?”

Obi-Wan frowned. This was not going the way that he’d hoped, but then, Anakin never had liked to be lectured. He tried again. “There are many among the Fiona who didn’t want Acaciah to be a Jedi, and who don’t care for her to have contact with us. They would have her become a Fiona, and certainly have her marry one. They will interfere and make your lives hell, just as they did for Miriam and me.”

Anakin shook his head. “I don’t care, Obi-Wan. It was an act of the Force for us to be together. Even they can’t deny that. Neither can the Council.”

“You may not find any sanctuary from either group,” Obi-Wan replied.
. . .

Kiros and Acaciah regarded each other a moment. Kiros shook his head. “You look so different like that!” he exclaimed.

“And you as well,” Acaciah said. “You’ve gotten so tall! Maris would be terribly impressed.”

“How is Maris?” he asked.

“See for yourself,” Acaciah replied, handing him the holocards. Kiros turned on one, delighted in the image of his beloved Maris.

Acaciah walked to the library entrance, using the Force to scan for any people or interruptions. She sensed Jaal walking down the corridor. “Kiros!” she whispered. “Cut off the holo! Jaal’s coming!” She was back beside Kiros in a blink, casually straightening the cards, saying, “…so we were in Dex’s Diner and…”

Jaal stuck his head in the door. “Acaciah, where’s Master Kenobi?” She reached out with the Force, felt her Papa and replied, “He’s with Anakin on the upper deck, Master.”

“I have more holowork to do, and when you two are done talking, I’d like you to come work with me on it, Kiros. Acaciah, please tell Master Kenobi that I’ll have the transmissions he needs tomorrow evening.” Acaciah nodded, and Jaal was gone.

“Anakin?” Kiros teased Acaciah. “Why do you get to call him Anakin? It must be nice to be on a first name basis with the Chosen One.” Acaciah rolled her eyes.

“Really, Kiros, that was close,” she said, nodding toward where Jaal had just exited the room.

“I know,” he said. “I need to find a Sith Lord I can saw in half, like Master Kenobi. Maybe then the Council will let me marry Maris.”

Acaciah sighed. “Oh, Papa didn’t even know he really had a wife. One of Grandma’s other suitors told him that they were married and that Papa wasn’t Miriam’s husband anymore. I think the Council has let it go because it has been so long, and Papa’s proved his loyalty to the Order over the years.” She sighed. “I do wish they’d lighten up though. You and Maris can’t be the only ones suffering like thi Kir Kiros nodded his agreement. “You know, Geraint says they desperately need to get, well, you know…”

“What?”

“Never mind,” Acaciah said. “I think it’s too Fiona to say here!”

Kiros’ eyes widened with understanding. “Oh gods!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t need that image, Acaciah!”

They both burst out laughing, and finished gathering up the holocards. The evening was over too soon, and she found herself back on Alameen, restless, trying to get to sleep.


Acaciah was running in a maze. She was back home on Coruscant, in the hedge maze at the Temple Gardens. The maze twisted and turned. She was trying to go forward, to reach the end, but instead she felt as if she was being pulled backward with every step forward. Finally, she decided the only way to beat the maze was to relax and let it pull her backwards into its dizzy, shimmering depths. She felt hot desert winds and heard a hoarse mechanical breath. She saw her grandfather as a spirit again. “Papa?” she asked. Obi-Wan looked sad. “The Empire must not be, my dear,” he said. “Help him stop it before it starts.”

“Papa?” Acaciah asked. The shimmering desert appeared before her again. She was standing in it. She saw a boy running in it, toward a moisture farm. The boy looked like Anakin, he had the same piercing blue eyes. He must be my age, she thought. She looked at Papa Kenobi. “If I do this, he won’t exist, will he?” she asked. “No,” he replied. “He won’t. But many people who would have died will live.” Acaciah nodded, understanding her fate. “I will do what I must, Papa.”

She awoke, cold. She was quiet, as she got ready for her lesson, considering her dream. “…the Nexus of Oneness. The Nexus may call to you to teach you, when it is the will of the Force…” she recalled the passages she had studied earlier. She entered Celianthos’ study. His back was to her, studying the portrait window that overlooked the Aramatiea courtyard. “I know why you’re here today,” he said. I hate it, but I’ll send you into it. The Oneness requires it.”

“Sir?” Acaciah asked. Did he know about her dreams? She felt strange. That shimmering sensation was coming back to her.

“Go meditate,” Celianthos answered, waving her aside. “Leave me alone, Mother of Jedi.”

Vexed, Acaciah left. She walked out of the Aramatiea’s courtyard and into the field behind it. The shimmering sensation was coming to her. She felt it nearing, threatening to swallow her up. ‘Don’t fight it,’ she thought to herself, remembering her dream. She began running toward Miriam’s villa. She pulled off her robes and put on her princess dress and smuggler’s boots. She hid some epaliers in the left boot, leaving the right one empty. She hung her lightsaber from her belt. Finally, she pinned up her hair, including her Padawan’s braid, into the crystal headpiece where it blended into her curls. She tried to swallow her nervousness, to will it away. The shimmering presence still beckoned to her. ‘Find something calming to focus on,’ she told herself, and she settled on the Gardens at the Jedi Temple. She left a note to Obi-Wan:

Dearest Papa,

I shall see you sooner rather than later.
Your faithful granddaughter,

~A. Seremonde

Confident that she had calmed her thoughts enough, Acaciah focused on the Gardens and stepped into the cold shimmer of the Nexus of Oneness. Its icy cold presence shocked her, and she doubled her concentration, kneeling into a meditation pose. The cold began to pass. Acaciah sighed her relief.

Padawan Anakin Skywalwas was walking in the Gardens at the Jedi Temple. His Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi was in a meeting with the Jedi Council, and 16-year-old Padawans were not invited. Anakin had felt restless, and since his Master had bade him stay on the Temple grounds, he was here, bored. Obi-Wan said that the greenery was soothing. Anakin was not interested in being soothed. He’d much rather have gone for a spin on one of the Temple’s speeder bikes. That was his idea of a good time. Anakin’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of a girl sighing. He whirled around to see a red-haired girl, about his age, clad in a silken emerald dress. She was kneeling in meditation, eyes closed, her lips slightly parted. He cloaked his presence to have a better look. Her face was flushed, her skin creamy white beneath it. He wondered if the rest of her was as silky soft as that clingy dress. His gaze traveled down the length of her as she knelt there. The golden symbol her her dress seemed familiar to him; he’d seen them before when he was a slave on Tatooine. His eyes came to a dead stop at her waist, for a lightsaber hung at her hip! He looked back at the symbols on the dress. She was a Fiona! That meant she was a Force-sensitive. His curiosity got the best of him, and he touched her shoulder.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked. Her eyes snapped open, right into Anakin’s crystal blue ones.

“What?” she asked, recovering quickly. She was ie Tee Temple Gardens, wasn’t she? She did a double take at the figure in front of her. His face was dear and familiar, but now he his sandy blond hair was cropped short and a Padawan’s braid hung at his shoulder.

“Who are you?” he asked her. It was Anakin! She didn’t answer immediately; she sized him up instead. He was cute, and he must be about her age.

“I’m Acaciah Sakarte’, and I’m here to see Master Obi-Wan Kenobi,” she replied.

Anakin looked her over again, suspiciously. “What business do you have with my Master?” he asked.

“I have a message for him,” she said, “from Miriam Sakarte’.”

“I’ll be happy to give him the message,” Anakin said.

“I’m afraid you won’t, because I have to tell him myself,” Acaciah answered.

“You’d better give me your lightsaber, then,” Anakin said. “I’m not taking someone who’s armed to see my Master.”

“I’m not sued ted to give my lightsaber away, either,” Acaciah replied. “Sorry, Padawan…What did you say your name was?”

“Anakin Skywalker,” he said. He seemed almost annoyed that she didn’t want to just deal with him.

“Anakin,” she said, with just a hint of a smile. Now he was her age; this could be fun!

“The lightsaber--” he began.

“--Is mine!” Acaciah interrupted, “And if you want it, you’ll have to come and get it!” She Force-jumped out of his reach and hit the ground running. She headed for the Gardens’ hedge maze, Anakin in hot put.
t.

Across the Jedi Temple, a strange flicker had been felt in the Force. It did not escape the Jedi Council’s notice. “A visitor, you have, Obi-Wan,” Master Yoda said. “I believe your Padawan is entertaining her in Garden. Attend to them, you should.”

Acaciah hooked left, and left again, then doubled back to the right. Anakin reached out with his Force sense to follow her. He ran left, then right, and dead-ended. He swore softly and retraced his steps. Acaciah continued through the maze, grateful that she’d spent so much time in the Gardens as a child. Right, left, left, and left--Acaciah stopped, sensing Anakin just on the other side of the hedge, who immediately sensed her as well. He Force-jumped the hedge, and she ran, taking him down a dead end and leaping over it herself. Exasperated, Anakin ignited his lightsaber and began slashing his way toward his quarry. They were nearing the end of the maze, and Acaciah hoped that the rctioction pond was still there. Anakin had nearly caught up with her again. She Force-jumped over the hedge, clearing it and the pond. Anakin, who didn’t know it was there, was not so lucky. He landed in the pool with a tremendous splash, and Acaciah had to stop for laughing. “Give up?” she asked.

Anakin was soaked and slightly embarrassed. “Could you at least give me a hand out of here?” he asked. Still laughing, Acaciah took his hand. Anakin pulled her into the pool, and now he was laughing too. She splashed him, and he splashed her right back.

“You are a cad!” Acaciah exclaimed. “That was not a gallant thing for a Jedi Knight to do!”

“I’m still a Padawan, as my Master always reminds me,” Anakin replied. His expression turned playful. “Apparently I have a lot to learn yet, according to him. I don’t usually get to take a bath with a lady.” He splashed Acaciah again.

She swatted him back. “Jedi aren’t supposed to suggest such things to ladies, are they?” They aren’t supposed to look so delicious wringing wet, either, Acaciah mused.

“You tricked me into landing here,” Anakin said. “I think you wanted to get me soaked!” He stepped closer and drew his arms around her waist. She shivered, hoping Anakin couldn’t sense why. She felt hot and cold all at once. “You’re cold,” he said. “I should get you indoors and into something dry.”

They didn’t notice the robed figure striding from the maze toward them.