The Sinking of the Cerulean Bliss

Thunder crackles overhead, unleashing an electric fury of lightning across the dusky Coruscanti sky.

The raging storm was an unsettling sight; while rain was periodically allowed by the planet's stringent weather control systems, such a tempestuous storm was rarely witnessed in such an affluent part of the ecumenopolis. The pounding rain and raging wind seemed to reflect my own turbulent emotions as I led my two friends across the clean, gilded streets. Kreo and Xxanthippe stared at everything with wide-eyed, awestruck expressions. They had never seen a proper city before, nor had they seen proper weather. To them, the clap of thunder felt like a proton bomb detonating in the sky, illuminating the city streets with a flash of blinding stormlight. Each time the storm raged the two kids would jump as though they expected the lightning to reach down and strike at them.

I was going to miss them terribly.

It didn't take us long to find the Nicandra Plaza Children's Home, it was rare to see such a bright and pleasant-looking building in the Senate District. We paused outside the entrance of the building and shared a final hug between ourselves, ignoring the bustle of the crowd around us. This was a sad day. I was closer with the Mirilian and the Xxybrax than with any of the younglings back at the Temple, and I had only known them for a few weeks!

I hoped the two of them would be able to find happiness and comfort in the orphanage. It was a nice place, right in the center of an important district; far nicer than the underfunded orphanages found in the undercity. It warmed my heart to know that the two would be placed together. They had even been registered under the same surname, like a proper sister and brother!

Despite the rules against forming attachments, my Master had allowed me this moment to say goodbye to my two friends. It was a kindness that I probably didn’t deserve but appreciated nonetheless.

After a tearful farewell, Xxanthippe wiped her glowing eyes on her sleeve and reached into her pockets. The metallic girl handed mea shoddy-looking necklace, adorned with chunky blocks of metal rather than precious stones.

Seeing the confused look on my face, the metallic girl laughed, “You don’t actually have to wear it, silly! I know it’s ugly. I just wanted you to have something to remember me by.”

I smiled and tied the necklace around my slender neck.

“I’ll wear it every day!” I promised her.

“When can we come up to the temple to see you?” Kreo asked hopefully, staring at his feet shyly.

“Oh…I’m so sorry Kreo,” I said sadly, “Jedi are forbidden attachments, like friends or family. This…this is probably the last time we’ll ever see each other.”

The last part was surprisingly hard for me to say and I had to bite her lip to keep from crying.

“…oh…” the boy mumbled, not bothering to hide his sadness.

After a short moment of awkward discomfort, the young man mustered up his courage and approached me. I looked at him curiously and was stunned when he planted a gentle kiss on my cheek. I immediately blushed and placed a hand over my lips in surprise.

“W-what was that for?” I said, feeling as if my heart was fluttering out of my chest.

“I figured if I never saw you again, I might as well do what I've been thinking about for weeks. I won’t ever forget you Shani, you’re like a hero from the Holovids! I’m sure we’ll see each other again, despite what you say! I just know it!”

I look at the boy quizzically. He seems so sure of what he was saying that it almost convinced even me.

“How can you be so sure?” I finally asked, smiling down at the smaller boy.

“Let’s just call it … Jedi intuition,” the Mirilian said with a casual, carefree laugh.