The Shadows Star: Book 2

44: Retransmit This Message to Coruscant

After breakfast, C-1 and Beru insisted that Sombra be checked out once more before she could move around freely. "Guys, you're very sweet for caring but, this feels unnecessary," Sombra said with a giggle.

C-1 had scanned her incessantly and asked her a thousand questions, but besides some fatigue and dizziness, she felt fine.

After a thousand more promises that she would tell him if she didn't feel well, C-1 finally allowed Sombra to walk without him. She steadily made her way around the home, finding herself sitting in the courtyard fiddling with her pocket project droid.

"I'm so happy you are safe, my dear." Shmi's voice rang out behind her, and Sombra turned to see her smiling down. "May I sit here with you?"

Sombra smiled back and scooted over to make room, "Of course."

She continued to tinker with the small droid, her thoughts swirling as Shmi settled beside her. The warmth of the twin suns bathed them in a comfortable glow, but inside, Sombra still felt a cloud of uncertainty.

Shmi, sensing Sombra's unease, leaned in closer and gently inquired, "So, what's wrong?"

Sombra blinked, momentarily taken aback by Shmi's perceptive question. "Why would you think something's wrong?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Shmi's warm laughter filled the courtyard. "You and Ani are so much alike," she explained with a knowing look. "Both of you turn to tinkering when you're upset about something. Ani always said it made life simpler. Is that how you feel?"

Sombra hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting back to the half-finished droid in her hands. Then, with an airy chuckle, she nodded.

"Yeah, I suppose it does help, focusing on something that can always be fixed. Life can get...messy, to say the least. And being a Jedi doesn't exactly give you many ways to cope with that," she let out a sigh and began running her hands through her hair, "I guess Anakin and I have more in common than I thought."

With a gentle smile, Shmi rose from her seat and gracefully moved behind the young girl, her fingers deftly parting and weaving Sombra's messed hair. "What's troubling you so deeply that you think it can't be fixed?"

Her soothing touch prompted Sombra to lean in and close her eyes, but she hesitated to respond. Shmi continued, her voice soft and thoughtful, "Could it have something to do with you and Anakin having a certain emotional conversation?"

Sombra's eyes shot open.

"How—Why do you know about that?"

With a knowing twinkle in her eyes, Shmi replied, "A mother knows these things, dear."

"He told you, didn't he?" Sombra asked, still skeptical.

Shmi chuckled softly, a warm, understanding laugh. "Yes, he did. He's never been very good at lying. It's nice to know that hasn't changed."

Sombra let out a sigh of defeat, her fingers gently massaging her temples. "I'm sure you'll tell me that I should give in and tell him exactly how I feel and let it happen."

Shmi, now finishing one braid and starting another, shook her head. "Not at all. I know my son loves you, I've known that since the moment you two met. While I do wish for my son's happiness, and I've always dreamed of becoming a grandmother one day-"

Sombra's face flushed red and she looked away at the sky.

"-I'm more interested in knowing how you feel."

"Honestly?" Sombra's voice trembled with apprehension, "I don't know what I'm doing, Shmi. We've worked so hard and made countless sacrifices to be Jedi. We may not be conventional, but love? If we were discovered, we'd lose everything. I couldn't bear to let that happen."