•SOLSTICE•

Chapter 2: Lodgings

Year One
Jedi Temple, Healing Halls
0947
Athena Evergreen

Athena looked up as Obi-wan entered holding a small bag, which she knew had a care package of snacks contained inside.

"Oh! Oh, Obi, you're a lifesaver, thank you." She said with a soft smile. The fifteen-year-old seemed to enjoy the praise, a shy smile crossing his face.

"It's no problem Master Evergreen. How is Padawan Karriinac?" He asked, an edge to his voice made Athena narrow her eyes a little. He and Qui-gon hadn't gotten off to a good start.

"Dra'qis is fine. Ronderu was just scared. That poor woman's been through so much because of the Yam'rii, it's only natural that seeing one while she was so helpless scared her." Athena sighed, waiting patiently outside the door to the halls. She stood up. "Tell Quiggs I said hi for me, I need to go get some advice."

As she walked away — ("Of course Master Evergreen!") — she looked around. She was sure she would find Dra'qis pancaked on the floor when she returned to her room, but she needed some sage advice.

"—es well, I'm sure you recall how the council reacted to the first clutch, Krolni."

"I was simply trying to help the order, brother. One cannot survive the current without flowing with the tide." Krolni said sagely.

"Krolni, please. You don't need another clutch of hatchlings." Chozo sighed. He glanced over at Athena, smiling softly. He patted the space next to him. Athena glanced at Ettoh — Pale, thin Ettoh — sleeping against his thigh.

"What've the healers said about Ettoh?" She asked softly, gently stroking Ettoh's black hair.

"I'll have to take her for a hunt," Chozo said, furrowing his brow in concern at the sleeping Anzat. "She hates it. Force knows she hates it, but it's for everyone's safety, including her own. If she were to be hungry, to the point of losing control, she could harm so many of us. Krolni and I recall what happened when she was younger." He muttered.

Everyone in Ettoh's lineage knew. Everyone old enough to remember, knew what had happened when Ettoh was fourteen.

It wasn't every day that a Padawan came back sobbing and drenched in blood.

Athena sighed. "Yeah. I need advice."

Krolni inched closer, practically nosing at Athena with her snout. "Ask away, young one."

"Well... it's about the woman I brought. There are so many shatter-points around her I— I wonder if she's important, is all. If I did good by bringing her here. She's already injured Dra'qis, Masters. Was it a good idea to bring her here?" Athena mumbled.

Krolni took in this information thoughtfully. She then hummed, "Even those as old as us know not how the chips will fall. But the chips will fall where they may, young Athena. The Force shall guide your hand."

"She means she doesn't kriffing know." Chozo deadpanned, to which Krolni lightly flicked his arm.

Athena chuckled, before trailing off. "I'm... not sure if she knows what she's in for, either," She explained. "With her injuries, missing limbs... That'd be a long recovery time, not to mention getting used to any prosthetics."