-From the perspective of Nizzal-

  Fifteen minutes passed sihose three "new guests" arrived at the restaurant. The initially jovial atmosphere was o be found anymore.

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

  The three jedi masters didn’t do anything weird, they did not try to arrest anyone for ohey did not ask unfortable questio, or anything of the sort. They acted pletely 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 gng 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 uheir eyes slightly paler skin shade, disheveled clothes, things like that.

  Back then, when I first met with the jedi cil, 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 trol had dissipated in the shadows of the st few days. Their Order had nearly beeroyed. And a dreadful number of jedi had been killed in the es Betrayal. As people have he event afterwards.

  A lot of things are still uain 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 experiend were battle oriented.

  Those Jedi, who had decided to ighe war and lived a withdrawn lifestyle ie pces of the gaxy, and those who traveled for missionary missions, charity missions, or explorations were luckily spared from the es Wrath, for now.

  Sensing the terrible loss of force sensitive lives, shog the gaxy and creating far traveling waves in the force. These solitary minds have suddenly decided to head back to civilization and learn what has happeo 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 mao gather from their versation. 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 uand why?

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

  I was very fused at this point.

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

  Hondo and Cire naturally ran away the very sed 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 ighe esg 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 ing 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 k that is...

  For now, I should probably think about what these troublesome jedi are pnning. 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 e 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 panions 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 ing up the broken ptes from the floor with the use of a broom.

  She looked at me, sensing my stare. I saw that she wao ask a dozeions 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 helpiher. 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 por pieces scattered across the floor. Theurned away and ignored me pletely.

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

  It was no surprise, seeing her react that way, all three present masters were famous around the gaxy. That was even more so among residents of Corust. She was happy sihey 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, siheir well-timed arrival seemed to save me from a lot of embarrassment.

  -Wele, masters. It has been quite some time since we st met. Did you mao choose your food? You know that you ot stay if you do or drink something.. Boss’s orders…

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

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

  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 chasih that broom. That would surely be a novel experieo add to the archive.

  Obi’Wan smiled silently, sensing the barely hidden annoyan my voice. Yoda ig 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 see that your personality did not mature.

  -her did yours, master.

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

  -Susolence!

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

  Yoda spoke up in a suggestive, but overall geone 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 prid bluntly suggested it for them. This was the least I could do for Hava at the moment.

  -If you have not chose, may I suggest today special? It is a rare delicacy. Marinated krayt dragon tail steak with softly cooked chi eggs id on a purple sad 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 corre.

  -You may, but make it four.

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

  -Okay, something to drink?

  -Fsses of water would suffice.

  Sated Yoda once more.

  I finalized the order in the digital notebook ahe final version towards the kit through the in built chat fun. 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 yoing? 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?

  -Well… I mean, you kind of kidnapped me and made it look like an adoption with the purpose of sendio 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 onbsp;

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

  -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 iigation. If proven i, you would be allowed to leave after we have firmed 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 io tell me that? Just after you threatened me to send me w in a meteorite mine for twenty years?

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

  -You could not think that we would seriously send a child into a prisoner camp in an outer atmospheriing 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'oke up, unfortably.

  -Nizzal, the iigation wou-...

  I barked at the bastard feeliremely annoyed with the excuses.

  -Just don't! sidering that your iigation was led by Jedi, and no outer jury was involved in it, I highly doubt that I had any ce of being proven i. You did not leave me any other option, besides esg.

  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 't uand how Anakin mao put up with you for so long...

  Windu snorted and spoke up loudly hearing my remark. It seems he mao grow back his fttened ego in mere seds, which is a terrifying ability in itself.

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

  Oh well, I did not hide my presehat muymore. 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 gging around in a slow, zy movement.

  -But if I am that bad, master, then why did you e here? I mean, except capturing me, or exeg 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 disappoi. He shook his head and added solemnly.

  -Don’t tempt me, girl.

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

  -Mace.

  The man gnced sideways at the Grandmaster, then leaned bato his seat. After a few silent moments, he tinued his spee a ral 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 simir, master. It turns out that we are quite alike? How iing. The only difference might be that I have o cover my words in a sugary coating.

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

  -I am ashamed to aowledge your point, but we are indeed simir. 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 experiehat breaking traditions and teags id down by our aors will only hasten one’s downfall, as we all saw it on multiple occasions. Oime, I fell to the darkside, and only by luck did I mao get bato the light.

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

  -However, most are not as lucky as I was, even as the darkness still tio hauill this very day. I have learo trol 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 y that exists in the world, he decides to forbid it from everyone else.

  -I uand your views on this matter, Master Windu. However, I disagree with them. Let me remind you that it is not your pce 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. Theurned away and began to stare out of the window. It seemed he had nothing else to say. Now silence fell over our versation once again.

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

  -An iing 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 indulge these bastards in the light of su exceptional reward.

  I o them and sat dowo Obi’Wan.

  Obi’Wan seemed to take over the versation 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, ulemanly behavior.

  I couldn’t help but ugh 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 sowards 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 turowards Obi’Wan and said.

  -gratutions are in order, I guess.

  Windu, hearing my ral and slightly happy voiarrowed 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 bee a reality, nor that it would truly happen, until it eventually did. However, I shouldn’t bore you with the teicalities of fht. 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 't seem to uand. Yoda guided back the versation into its inal dire, saying.

  -Yes, we are indeed. Would you kindly enlighten us why we barely see anything about you? Aside from a n 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 i focus, watg the smallest of my reas.