Control The Uncontrollable // The Acolyte

3. Toxicity

Peace is a clear mind. Peace is a pure body. Peace is the way of the Jedi.

But there was no peace within your body. The alcohol toxicness was clouding your mind, making it hard for you to make any sane questions. You stared over at the odd man, replaying his words over and over in your head. 'I get to see you again', huh. If he truly believed you to be a Jedi, he should've known better than to try to charm you. You were above emotions, you didn't feel, not like him and others. Suddenly you sensed Yord and you're old master standing behind you.

"You've been drinking" You sensed Yord and your old master, pulling your attention away from Qimir.

Yord's pure disappointment washed over you. You knew had not been following protocols, and that was perhaps you and Yord's biggest thing. It made you connect on a deeper level. What made you different from the other's at the temple? You turned around, avoiding Yord's gracen as you looked up at your master, prepared to hear him sing, however his face was far as judgemental as Yord's.

"She did what she had to do," Master Sol's eyes were understanding, you sensed this was perhaps something he would've done if he was in your shoes. He looked above your shoulder.

"Are you going to introduce us to your new friend?" Sol said, looking back down at you.

"Ohhh, hey - I'm Qimir" He pushed you playfully aside as he reached out his hand for Master Sol and Yord. You realized this was the first time you had seen his hands. He held them loose as she shook their hands, but you couldn't help but wonder how his skin would feel against yours. They looked rough, dirty, and even though he didn't display any strength you noticed his veins. You closed your eyes, jealousy was not an emotion the Jedi displayed.

The group relocated outside, and you had never been happier to see Jecki. She came over with a bottle of water that you craved. You were not influenced by the toxicity, but you needed to cool down the flames in your throat. You swallowed the drink like a waterfall, wishing you had never been so foolish to drink the poison from the beginning.

You sat down by one of the outdoor seats. Distancing yourself from the rest of the group, but you felt Qimir's dark eyes even from afar. You looked up at the group, who were asking him questions, but from what you could see from here Qimir wasn't being very helpful - giving either vague or comedic answers.

"This is the guy you spent an hour with inside?" Yord sat down beside you.

You leaned your back up against the wall as you looked over at your friend. You didn't need his judgment, you were already judging yourself harder than he ever could. He looked over at you. It was silent. You appreciated it. His eyes were warming up, as he scooted closer to you. A smile softly appeared on his face. You felt a sigh of relief going through your body. You looked over at the others, they didn't pay attention, so you let your head fall onto his shoulder. He took out his hand. You smiled weakly as you let your hands intertwine into his.

So you and Yord were close, perhaps closer than most colleagues were allowed to be. You two had always been outsiders, but at least you had each other. His warmth made a difficult day easier, more tolerable. The two of you understood that the bond you had were ill advised, so you both kept it hidden and private. The two of you had never even spoken about it, you just knew you had each other as a form of safety net.

"We should get back to the others," He whispered, you sensed he wished to stay with you like this, but he was right.

Your hands fell apart as you stood up, him following your steps. He gave you back your lightsaber and you attached it to your waist. He took your robe out of his bag, and carefully graced it back onto your shoulders. You already felt more like yourself, with the hood over your head. He looked down at you, giving you a warm smile, to lead away. You gave him a nod and began to move towards the group when you sensed Qimir's eyes digging into your soul. Every step is heavier. You dragged your eyes up to your old master.

"He is not being helpful," Your master said.

"What has he told you?" You asked, looking back at them.

"Nonsense, he said he wouldn't speak without your presence here," Jecki said, crossing her arms.

"I don't trust him," Yord shouts.

You nodded slowly, looking over to Qimir. His eyes were darker than before, or perhaps it was the night time finally laying it's blanket over us. His eyes met yours as his smirk curled back up on his lips. He was playing games again, just like inside by the bar. Something told you he enjoyed this, but you also began to believe he needed this - this being, you.

"It doesn't matter if we trust him or not. Qimir works as a supplier, a few days ago a group of Dathomirians calling themselves The Brotherhood got a light key. He got a copy. We get the copy, and we'll trace it from there," You explained looking back up at your team, trying to ignore the magnetic field pulling you towards Qimir.

"What does he want in return?" Master Sol asked suspicious.

You could sense that Qimir was about to speak, but you were faster.

"Credits, 500 galactic credits," you said, looking over at Qimir with stern eyes.

You did not wish for him to share the true answer he had given you inside by the bar. It would send alarm signals, which wasn't necessary. Your group would immediately take you off the case, and for some reason you couldn't take the risk. You wanted to see this mission through. Qimir smiled, impressed by your fast reaction, as he looked back up at Master Sol.

"Tomorrow, when the sun begins to rise, you're welcome" Qimir said as he turned around, beginning to walk away.

"How do we know you're location?" Jecki shouted after him.

He lifted his hand up in the air.

"Y/n knows," He shouted as he faded into the crowds.

You freeze. How did he know your name? You never told him your name. It wasn't written anywhere on you, and neither of your teammates had mentioned you by name. You tried to clear your mind. Maybe you were being paranoid. It was probably someone who had mentioned you by name, you had just forgotten even if your memory had never let you down before. You looked down at the ground.

Something was off about Qimir, but you didn't know what.