Control The Uncontrollable // The Acolyte

7. Avoidance

"You look at peace this morning," Yord teased from the other side of the table.

Ah, you put on a performative laugh, trying to sound sane through it. Maybe he wasn't that wrong about you feeling more at peace this morning, after your strange night. You wished you didn't remember it, but somehow you remembered it with such clarity. The shadow undressed you, pulling you in and protecting you. You however understood that this was now becoming your secrets to bear. If anyone knew, judgment would follow.

"Well, I got a good night's sleep," A dry laughter fell out of your lips as you took a bite of your bread.

"I'm glad to hear that" an all too familiar voice said, as he jumped in sitting right beside you.

It was Qimir. He looked different in the daylight. His back was arched, circles around his eyes and his hair messed up. He didn't even smell the same as the man you had met in the shadows, as a strong smell of alcohol hung over him. You were however 100% confident it was Qimir. It wasn't a dream, it was a reality, a reality you had to live in now. Qimir grabbed some bread and hugged into it, like it was no tomorrow. A weak smile appeared on your lips as your eyes met Qimir's.

"Doesn't look like you slept at all," Yord blurted out, causing both of you to look in his direction.

You scooted yourself a bit to the side, when you realized how close Qimir sat to you. You meant it when you said you needed distance. He had an influence on you, one you couldn't fully describe as nothing else than toxic. He made you think... Bad things. Inappropriate thoughts, even if they are simply just your own thoughts.

"I had a long night," Qimir smiled lightly looking back at you.

You forced your eyes back at Yord, in search of avoiding eye contact with Qimir. You were grateful he didn't say anything too peculiar, but you still felt your cheeks burning simply by his sight. A big breath of relief went through your body when Jecki appeared by the door, waving all of you over to let you know that you were arriving. You split up and went to your room to grab a couple of your books, placing them in your bag before you walked out. In the hallway you saw Qimir, and as he seeked your attention you stubbornly turned an blind eye and avoided him.

The group were already outside, when you with Qimir only a couple of meters behind caught up to them. Ah, your eyes shined as you looked up at the temple in the golden hour. If the whole galaxy was just like the temple, it might be more peaceful. Other Jedi greeted you, offering to help with your bags, but you felt more comfortable holding into your books yourself. You moved with the group past the guards when they suddenly, when you suddenly heard lightsabers being ignited behind you.

"You are not authorized to visit the temple," one of the guards said.

Qimir just stood their, waving his hands confused. You looked over at Master Sol who you were grateful for the first time and looked over at Yord to help out. You needed distance from Qimir, and somehow you had ended up becoming the only person in the team helping out with him. Master Sol ordered Yord to help find a place for Qimir to stay while you were here on Coruscant. He would not be allowed to sleep inside the temple, due to him not being a Jedi, most likely not even allowed to visit as he didn't have a high status either. You watched them disappear, before you returned to Jecki and Master Sol.

Everyone had their own little spaces by the temple, and you were heading for your location. You opened up the door to your little room, and looked around. It's been awhile since you had been here. Most Jedi did not have a home at the temple, but you had gotten one due to your writings. You walked over to your desk and reached for a new fresh book. You sat down, closed your eyes and were about to write when someone knocked on the door.

"You are wished upon by the council," You heard someone shout. You didn't question the order, and simply got up, wondering why the council could possibly wish to talk to you.