LEILANI SERENNO bridged the past and the present, born into a family of cruelty and then groomed to fulfil a role in the grand scheme of things. She was a puppet manipulated by her brother, ensnared in a larger narrative orchestrated by the Force. Y...
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Leilani has spent a week on Coruscant before returning to her duties; all filled with joy, sharing meals, and engaging in gatherings that brought the Jedi together in unity. She also took great joy in working with the younglings, who looked up to her with wide eyes of admiration. With Master Yoda stationed on Tython, Leilani had returned to her former role of filling in for the Grand Master, especially in teaching the next generation. Afternoons were spent in the balconies of the Jedi Temple, where she would practice with Nia or find solace in the library. There, she often enjoyed a well-deserved break, sipping tea in the company of Madam Jocasta, surrounded by ancient tomes and the quiet hum of the Temple.
Despite the sense of purpose that her days on Coruscant had brought, Leilani couldn't escape the thoughts that lingered in the quiet moments between her tasks. Memories of Jedha weighed heavily on her mind, now, not because of the battle itself, but because of him. Obi-Wan.
In the safety of the Temple's walls, she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, reflecting on the storm of emotions that had swirled within her since their shared trial. The bond they had forged was undeniable, strengthened through shared danger, trust, and an understanding that went deeper than words. But now, in the stillness of her daily routine, the boundaries of their roles became clearer again, sharper.
She found herself replaying fleeting moments—the subtle warmth in his gaze when he spoke to her, the way his voice steadied her when fear crept too close, and the quiet strength he carried, even in the face of their harrowing captivity. For a Jedi, attachment was a path fraught with peril, yet Leilani couldn't ignore the way her heart quickened when she thought of him. She questioned herself constantly, trying to measure her feelings against the code she had sworn to uphold. Was this longing simply an echo of gratitude and camaraderie, or was it something more?
The Force had always been her guide, but in matters of the heart, its will felt elusive. Did the teachings of the Order demand suppression of emotions, or was it simply a reminder to act without letting them dictate her choices? These questions echoed in her mind as she walked the familiar halls, and though she maintained a serene facade, she couldn't shake the turmoil within.
On the eve of their departure to Aleen, she stood on one of the Temple balconies, watching the Coruscant skyline shimmer under a setting sun. The city's endless sprawl mirrored the vast unknowns of her own heart. As much as she wanted to distance herself from these feelings, to focus solely on the mission ahead, she couldn't help but wonder if Obi-Wan ever felt the same pull. Did his thoughts stray to her as hers did to him?
A soft breeze carried the faint hum of traffic below, and Leilani closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
The breeze was cool against her skin, but it did little to still the warmth in her chest, the one that seemed to surge every time she thought of Obi-Wan. She exhaled slowly, releasing her breath into the currents of the Force. Perhaps it would carry her doubts away, she thought wistfully.
