Starlight

Gravity

When Osha became a Jedi Knight, it took all her strength to forsake her doubts.

She had convinced herself that what she had achieved had been a victory. That she was free of the doubters and had proven them wrong. That she had earned her place among The Order and shown them she deserved to wear these robes and carry her lightsaber, just like the rest of them.

She was wrong.

And now here she is, handcuffed and detained behind a shimmering forcefield.

A prisoner.

Yord stands before her, a Padawan by his side. Two Masters are present for the interrogation; Master Derva and Master Qimir.

Derva is an older man with greying hair and a grumpy disposition. He sits quietly for the most part, only occasionally shaking his head and muttering under his breath as he takes notes on his datapad.

Master Qimir is a silent spectre in the back of the room, resting against a wall with his arms crossed. To anyone who looked, he appeared uninterested in the interrogation, like being there was a chore, a waste of his time.

Osha thought otherwise. She could see it for the façade that it was - an exceptionally good one - but a façade nonetheless. There was the slightest strain in his jaw, his muscles a little too tense, and most telling of all was The Force. It was coiling around him, like a poisonous snake waiting in the foliage, or a gryzard lurking among the lily pads of the swamp. Seemingly at ease, patient creatures of tranquillity, but lethal and violent in a blink of an eye. He's paying attention, ready to act if need be.

Yord is less subtle. His expression may be serene, but his body betrays him. His hand remains close to the hilt of his lightsaber. His body is tenser than an over-twisted coil. There is an intensity to his gaze, a thousand questions burning there.

It makes Osha want to laugh and cry at the same time. They have her imprisoned, handcuffed and have confiscated her lightsaber, even if she had been on the other side of the forcefield, what do they expect her to do against two Jedi Masters, a Jedi Knight and a Padawan?

"You think I murdered Master Indara?" Osha says, fighting to keep her voice steady. "What reason would I have?"

"The suspect matches your description and the bar owner where the murder occurred has confirmed it is you," The Padawan says.

"As I recall correctly, Master Indara advised the Jedi Council to discontinue your training," Yord points out. "That could be seen as a motivation."

Of all the Knights who could have interrogated her, Osha does not like that it is Yord. It stings seeing her friend speak to her like a suspect, to find no warmth or familiarity in his voice.

"Many people wanted my training to be discontinued, but the Council made their decision and allowed me to carry on. That is why I stand before you as a Jedi Knight," Osha defends herself. As you well know, she wants to snip. "Do you really think I'm capable of betraying The Order? I am a Jedi. I would not resort to killing someone in cold blood."

"The evidence against you is substantial," Yord replies, voice neutral. "When you joined The Order, one of the reasons for The Council's hesitancy to accept you was that you were mourning. You had just lost your mothers and your sister, and your entire village had been destroyed. The attachments to those we lost are hardest to let go of."

How dare you, Osha seethes. How dare you bring up my family's tragedy so callously, so coldly, and in front of strangers!

"What does my past have to do with Master Indara?" Osha challenges. Stay calm. Stay collected. Breathe. "Many Jedi have painful pasts that we overcome."