Insight

Chapter Six

The morning sun streamed in through the large window. A beautiful sunrise revealed itself over the newly fallen snow from the night before. As the beams of orange and yellow reached Jade's face, her eyes slowly began to open. She shielded her face from the harsh light before sitting up and stretching her arms over her head.

What time is it?

Her glance traced over to the clock, which read 7:00. As she sat still in the bed, rubbing her eyes to rid them of sleep, she thought back to the night before. She felt better, but it still hurt. It would hurt for a long time, but her mind bounced back to what Kylo had said to her yesterday. Don't let them control you. He was right, emotions strong like these could cause damage. It was hard not to let them get to her, though. What did he know of emotions anyway? He seemed so devoid of feeling anything.

What she couldn't wrap her head around was that Kylo hadn't come to her home to mindlessly slaughter innocent lives. He was just wanting to get to her.

Just then, she felt that familiar sharp pain, this time in her head as ringing began to bounce around her skull. Doubling over and clutching it, she closed her eyes tight and she started to see it. The battle. Her people. Kylo Ren walking down the ramp from his ship. "Where is Jade Elysar?" He had asked one of the smugglers, his voice crackling through the mask. When he didn't reply, Kylo Ren must have felt something in the force. Unease? Jade could see it in his body language She continued to watch from the body of who she assumed to be another smuggler. "Where does your allegiance lie? Bring me to Jade Elysar." This time, a demand. The smuggler has enough of being quiet and spat in his face. "First Order scum!" A gasp was released from Jade's mouth as she watched Kylo wipe the spit off his mask, taking a moment before staring him down. "I'll find her myself, then. Kill them all." With that, the battle begun.

Jade's piercing eyes snapped open when she heard a knock on her door. "Ms. Elysar, it's 7:30. Time to wake up." Jade was gripping her necklace as she came to from her vision. My people were.. protecting me. She felt honored, in a way. Touched that her people would not give up her location. Slowly, she got up out of bed and walked over to the door, pressing the release to let Ms. Harren in. "Good morning, Ms. Elysar," the old woman spoke, still tight lipped.

"Please. Jade is fine," Jade spoke, still sleepy. She stumbled over to the bathroom to take a shower and get herself ready for whatever she was getting herself into that morning. As she emerged from her shower, towel wrapped around her body, she was handed training clothes by her handmaid. "Thank you, Ms. Harren."

Just as she took them and was about to turn back into the bathroom she heard from behind her, "Cora." Jade swung around, a small smiling forming. "What?" The older woman nodded, no smile apparent on her face, looking right at her. "You may call me Cora, if we're going to be informal." Although the woman seemed so cold, she at least seemed to be opening up a little. It was comforting. The smile grew wider upon Jade's face as she nodded, disappearing into the bathroom to change.

The clothes were comfortable, tight but breathable. Long sleeved black tunic and black tight leggings. The shoes she was given were black combat boots. She felt different, never in a million years would she have dressed this way. All black wasn't her wardrobe color of choice. She sat on a chair while Cora braided her hair back into two French braids. They sat in silence, although it was a comfortable silence. It felt good to have someone caring for her, it was a welcoming change.

"All done. Now, let's get you outside to meet the Commander." Cora stood her up, walking her over to the door. "Any advice for me? I'm a little nervous I don't know what to expect from today." Jade spoke anxiously, wringing her hands together. The old woman's face softened slightly as she looked at her. A callused hand gripped her shoulder. "Be brave."