The Darkness Within

Chapter 6

Jano stayed in bed for hours, she had fallen asleep after thinking about everything. She'd decided that she would forget the Jedi code of honor, and she made her own rules for her learning. She made a plan for how she would study, she'd find a way to practice with Ben's lightsaber. But she felt alone. Maz offered her company in general and they would often spend hours discussing the Force. While Maz was sensitive to the Force, she did not know how to use it. Maz Kanata had not only learned the light side of the Force, but she had also studied the dark side. Jano therefore figured out the true scope of the power of the Force. The uses of the Force are limitless, but hard to harness. Jano thought as Maz told her of a Jedi named Anakin Skywalker.

"This Anakin sounds arrogant and self seeking." She said as Maz told her of his turn to the dark side.

"Arrogant probably, but he was a very selfless person, before he became a Sith." Maz said with a sad smile. "He only turned to the dark side because he feared for his wife. He'd dreamed of her dying in giving birth, and he wanted to make sure it couldn't happen. Those two, Padme and Anakin, have probably the saddest story in the history of the Galaxy."

"But Anakin was a Jedi, why would he disregard one of the foundational rules?" Jano asked curiously. Maybe it's alright to ignore it.

"Oh well. He loved her more than the Jedi. He wanted to keep her safe, which ultimately led to heartbreak. As he became Darth Vader, Padme lay dying. He gave up everything to stop her death, but in giving up all, he gave up trust."

Oh.

"This has been a bleak talk. I am sorry." Maz changed the subject abruptly. "Have you made any friends yet?"

"Umm, not yet. I-well that is to say...I'm not very good at making friends. People... People don't come chat with me very often." Jano sighed.

"That doesn't make much sense to me. You are interesting, smart, and witty. I'm sure there's a friend just around the corner." Maz patted her back. Jano nodded. I don't think so, Maz. You don't know me.

Suddenly Maz leaned towards her and adjusted her glasses. "Dear, I have a thing for eyes. Not the color, I mean I see the same eyes in different people. In you, I see pain, so much pain. You must've lost a great many friends that night Luke brought you here."

"No. Just acquaintances."

"Oh. I was sure I saw deep loss in those blue eyes of yours." Maz smiled to herself knowing that she really had seen it.

"There was one. But... I'm putting all that behind me." Jano sniffed and sat up straight. From this moment on. I must try to push away my thoughts of Ben and increase my understanding of the Force. He's gone, it's time to move forward.

"Alright. I have some things to attend to. Go find a friend, girl."

Jano walked around the castle and eventually found herself in the bar. Master Luke had said that drink was for vile detestable creatures, but I didn't see that. Except for a few who were drunk far beyond recovery. She made her way to a small booth and sat down to look at everything. The band was playing a very jazzy song, while the bartender was busily serving drinks. So many strange creatures sat -or were passed out on the floor- around the room. After an hour or so of watching, the door opened and more people flooded in. The evening crowd. Jano noticed a girl in a slick black jumpsuit and a leather jacket. Her red-black hair was in a tight bun and her lips were set in a straight, determined line. The girl glared around the room until her eyes landed on Jano. She walked over with a long confident stride and sat across from Jano. She started to talk, but Jano couldn't understand her.

"I don't understand." Jano said trying to motion to the girl. The girl gave Jano a degrading glare, pulled out a translation device and began talking.

"Hullo. I am Bezine Netal, I doh nat ghnow anyvon here. You look tou yaung to be dranking ze beer. Who ahre you?"

"I-I live with Maz..Kanata." The girls face didn't flinch or show that she understood who Maz was. "She owns this... Place." What the hell would you call this? A castle cantina?

"You knaw ze owneer. I need to speak with heer. I am zearching for ze job."

"I can introduce you." Jano looked around for Maz. "I'll try to find her for you."

Finding Maz was a chore. There were so many twists and turns that it took awhile to find her. Jano led her back to where the girl was sitting. Maz began speaking in the same strange language as the girl. She motioned towards a few people in another booth. The girl nodded and began walking away, but turned and spoke o Jano again.

"Zank you for zee help. I talk veeth you laytar."

"What did she need Maz?"

"She was looking for a job onboard a party ship. I just told her who she should talk with."

"She seems dangerous."

"Oh I'm sure that she is. Be careful around her, Jano. I also meant to tell you to practice the Force in the woods, if you used it here you would be dead in a second. Lots of people against the Jedi now a days."

"Alright, Maz. I'll be careful."

A/N: ok. So this needs some pretty heavy editing. I will eventually go through and polish it up, but for now I'll just post it so y'all can keep reading the story.