114 Catching Up II

~~~(POV: Nathan Opal)~~~

~~~(Location: House Opal Party Chamber, Alderaan)~~~

"I'd accept your offer to stay here if I wasn't who I am now. But I can't hide away on Alderaan and try to live a normal life. Especially when I'm not normal."

The whole reason I've come to Alderaan is to find a way to speak to the Killiks. They know more about The Ones and where Abeloth is than anyone. They helped imprison my birth mother in Star Wars. And I have questions for them.

Alderaanians consider Killiks mindless beasts that cause nothing but death and destruction here on Alderaan. But they're far more complex and intelligent than what anyone gives them credit for.

"I understand... I remember the first day I met you... Your gifts in The Force are unbelievable, and seeing them in action changed my perspective on many things..."

I'm glad that she's taking my rejection of staying here well, and I think it's because she expected it. But I shouldn't waste any more time.

"There is something that I need help with. Something that I need to do here on Alderaan, and I could use your help."

The Killiks are a mysterious race, and they don't take kindly to strangers. While it'd be simple to find their nests and attack them until they give me what I want. I suspect that won't work with a Hivemind intelligence.

Hiveminds are far harder to convince of anything. Regardless of how much I use The Force or not.

"I'll do my best to help you with anything you need while on Alderaan, but there is something that I need you to do for me first."

I already have a feeling of what it might be. Nella has potential in The Force. I felt since the first moment I met her. She's strong, and I think with proper training, she can rival Satele in power, maybe even become stronger.

I watch as Mary turns her eyes to her Daughter and my Cousin. And I can feel the turmoil in Mary. She's had a hard time coming to terms with her Daughters Force Sensitivity. Just like Jorand and Lillis had a hard time with mine.

"My Daughter... She has talents in The Force... I'm worried that one day, someone from the Jedi Order or The Sith Empire will come and take her... And I don't know what to do... I don't want to forbid her from using her gifts, but she needs a teacher..."

Ah... I don't know if I'm capable of teaching another... I'm a special circumstance... My connection to The Force is fundamentally different than others. Being The Force Incarnate has made it so.

Looking at Nella, I can see she holds a striking resemblance to Mary. It's not something I ever thought about doing, and we're really close in age... I'm 21, but I look 18. And she's getting close to 17. I'm worried that she'll grow to like me more than just a teacher.

There is a reason why older people teach younger people, and that's because there is less of a chance of something inappropriate developing. When two people close in age spend a lot of time together, certain things happen.

Add the unique and powerful bond a student and teacher have. It could become complicated.

"It's something that I'll have to think about... Nella is naive, and that could be dangerous. The things I do would ruin her, and if that doesn't happen. I'm afraid she'll become unhealthily attached to me. Being so close in age complicates things..."

My answer doesn't satisfy Mary, but she takes it regardless. It is something that I'll be thinking about, and it's not like it's off the table. But there are a lot of things to consider.

"Tell me what it is that you need help with..."

I guess it's my turn to ask for Mary's help.

"I need to know everything you have on the Killiks. If possible, I'd like to know where the main hive is. I need to talk to them."

She looks at me sideways and tries to find out if I'm joking, but all she sees is my serious expression. And that's when I know this isn't going to be easy.

Before she can say anything in response, a man walks up to us, and he has a couple of guards with him. And he looks like an Alderaanian Nobleman.

"Marisa Opal, have you considered the marriage between my Son and your Daughter at all? I sent a message weeks ago."

It takes a lot of willpower to resist choking this guy with The Force.