Navy Roses- Qui-Gon Jinn x OC

Chapter 2- The Senators Sister

        After she reached her quarters, she stood before the windows in a cloud of frustration. The Master Jedi was the first to speak.

        "Senator, I would like to advise you not to stand in front of the windows. Not when people wish you dead," Qui-Gon says, standing just slightly behind the Senator while his young Padawan confirms that the quarters are secure.

        She is about to give the Jedi a response when her transmitter begins to beep. She opens it, and a hologram of a woman dressed in outrageous formal regalia appears before the pair. Qui-Gon notices similarities between the two woman, seeing how they smile at each other.

       "Sister, are you alright? We have heard of what happened. The people are furious about the attempt on your life. They adore you more than you know," the woman says, clearly concerned for the Senator.

        "I'm alright, dearest Autraila. You must quell the people's anger. And your own, dear sister," the Senator replies, glancing over at Qui-Gon who had moved out of frame before the transmission was accepted. She figures that the Jedi would have a reaction to anger, but he doesn't.

        "Are you with company right now, Adelaide? Oh, I'm so sorry sister, I didn't realize you would be so busy, I'm afraid I forgot-"

        "Oh Autraila, it's simply the Jedi protector that the Chancellor has insisted I have," she says, beckoning for Qui-Gon to enter the frame, "This is Jedi Master Jinn. He and his Padawan learner have been assigned to protect me, even if I don't need it," she says, a little bitterness seeping through her tone at the end.

        "Well, Master Jinn, keep my dearest sister safe. I'd rather not have to succumb sweet Aurelia to the truth yet," she says. Adelaide tenses up at the mention of the name, looking to the Master Jedi to see if he would recognize it or not.

         Qui-Gon had heard that name before, and he thought for a moment before he remembered.

         "If I may, you speak of Padawan learner Aurelia Augmentra, top of her class, duelist champion for the past five years, correct?" Qui-Gon asks. He made the connection between their similarities and her name. Of course, that would be an excellent reason for her arriving to the Temple so late and still being trained.

         Both women nod and smile at his realization. They both adore the sweet girl, even if they haven't seen her since she was five years old. They pay attention to her achievements. She is still an heir to the throne, whether she knows it or not. They still worry for the child's safety.

        "Aurelia is a Dolomarian. She has the spirit of a fighter. Our family has defended this planet every time it comes to war. We wish for her to live a new path, and for Dolomar to meet a new system. But that takes time. A Matriarchal society ruled by a queen with the name Augmentra for thousands of years will not change easily."

        Things began to make sense to Qui-Gon now. Why she was such a valiant fighter, even in the face of difficulty and tragedy. She would be ready to take the Trials sooner than most, her nearing her eighteenth birthday.

        Adelaide simply shakes her head. If this Jedi didn't know before, he didn't need to know now. It was an unnecessary risk.

        "I've worked with her on occasion. She has never seemed to have a recollection of her time before the Temple, though," Qui-Gon wonders, looking between the Senator before him and the Queen of Dolomar within the hologram.

         "I'm afraid that was the plan, Master Jedi," the Senator sighs, going with what her sister has already said. "She has to be away from Dolomar in order to force a societal change. Our family cannot take the pressure of a monarchy anymore. Aurelia is to be a Jedi, not a princess," she finishes. She looks toward the Queen who nods in agreement. Both woman wear a solemn expression at this. The child is obviously missed by the family. Qui-Gon understands why though.

        The Queen bids goodbye to the Jedi and the Senator. The Jedi knows that what he has learned tonight is to stay in his mind. The Senator wished her sister was more worried about the Princess's hiding.

        Senator Augmentra looks at the Jedi, her piercing blue eyes drilling into his calm blue eyes. He sees a thousand stories in her eyes, none of which he can read. But he sees glimpses of the stars in her eyes, the sun having set a long time ago.

        Eventually, Obi-wan comes back, after having checked everything and having talked to her guards. He walks in, seeing his Master and the Senator turning away and stepping back from each other. It looks like how he felt when Qui-Gon would catch him staring at Satine while they were on Mandalore.

         "Master, everything is clear. If you don't mind, I'd like to take the second watch if you would be willing to take first," the young Padawan says, looking at his Master, who is silent for a few moments.

        Qui-Gon looks down, steadying his mind, before telling his Padawan to rest.

        After Obi-wan leaves the room, the Senator clears her throat. She looks a bit flustered before she regains her composure. Qui-Gon watches her fumble around her head, searching for an answer as to why there was such a burning intensity when they locked eyes. But there isn't one.

         "I believe I will retire as well, Master Jedi. Goodnight," she says, giving him a curt nod before turning and hastily retreating to her room. He can't help but watch her go, drawn to the woman's presence.

        For a moment, he stares at the closed door of the woman's quarters. No, he thinks, I cannot do this. He has begun to do the same thing the Council warned his Padawan against. He may not agree with the Council, but he is a professional. She is a Senator. He is a Jedi. Both are committed to groups of people first. And, after all, her life is threatened. It isn't the time for her to be concerned with feelings from a man who could never fully commit to her.