Memories - Ch. 17

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Anakin walked back towards the apartments; his feet shuffling against the hard-packed earth. He felt a frown pulling against his lips, and struggled to switch it to a smile.

Failing miserably.

He got on the elevator and watched out the window as it lifted towards the top floor. Sighing, he got off, and went into his apartment.

"I'm home," he called out.

Ikrit came sauntering into the room, his large, blue eyes focused on Anakin, watching him.

Next, Tahiri dashed into the room, a bright smile on her face. "Welcome back!"

He gave her a small smile, and bent down to pick up Ikrit. "How's Mara doing?"

Ikrit shuffled around and lay across his shoulders, as Tahiri answered. "She's feeling much better. Jaina took her over some porridge just a little while ago."

"I see," Anakin replied, as he pulled Ikrit off of his shoulders. Holding the creature with his hands under the forelegs, Anakin watched the blue eyes for a moment. Then he turned Ikrit around, and passed him off to Tahiri.

She took him, and cuddled him to her chest, her head tilting to one side as she watched Anakin. "What's wrong? You don't look that good. You're not getting sick on me are you?"

He shook his head and walked around her, heading towards his room. "It's just because it's starting to get cold outside."

Anakin walked into his room, and closed the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut. Then he sighed again and crossed over to his bed, dropping onto it. He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling, recalling portions of the conversation he had just had with Kiori. After she had regained a bit of her composure and they had begun to walk along the river bank.

So Nelani knows this?

Yes, Kiori had replied. I told her because she begged me to.

Are you absolutely certain, he had asked, and even now his frown deepened at the hint of panic which was in his voice. There's no chance of a mistake? They're certain that... that she won't make it to her next birthday?

That's what the doctors say. Even if she does make it to her next birthday, she won't last much longer than that. Kiori had paused here, and wiped away an errant tear. I haven't even told Jaina. She's my best friend here, and I kept this from her. But what can I do? I don't want her trying to take care of me. But... you... you've been friends with Nelani. I felt that you should know.

Yeah, he had replied. Thanks for letting me know.

They had reached the end of the walkway, and Kiori paused, looking off in the distance to the houses on the far side of the shopping district. Well, my house is over this way. Good night, Anakin.

He watched as she began to walk away. Kiori wait! he had called out. She stopped, turning to look at him again. Nelani's birthday. It's in just a few days right? Are you sure you want to keep avoiding her like this? There's not much time left.

She turned away from him. She smiles when she's with you?

Yeah, I've never seen her tears.

She nodded her head once, sharply. I see, she had said and then began to walk away again.

He had called out after her again, but she had ignored him. She just continued walking until she had disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Staring at the ceiling, he wondered what he was supposed to do. How he could fix things. His fist flashed out and slammed against the bed, and he growled slightly.

"Anakin?" Tahiri called from the other side of his door. "I'm coming in!"

She opened the door, and stepped into the room looking around. "It's dark in here," she complained. "Why don't you turn on some lights? Here, I'll do it for you, all right?"

"No," he said between clenched teeth. "Please don't."

"Why?"

"When it gets bright I turn to ashes," he replied and then felt the bed shift and Ikrit's form curling up beside him.

Tahiri giggled and walked further into the room. She settled beside him on the bed. "Are you some type of night-creature now?"

"You need something?"

"No," she replied. "Not really. I just felt that it would be better to stay close to you."

"Mind your own business," he snapped at her.

"Right...."

He sighed. "You're so strange."

"Right."

Closing his eyes, he felt his lips twitch into a small smile. "Thanks."

She did not respond and before long he felt the bed start to shift as she began to kick her feet.

As he began to drift off to sleep, he felt her moving, stretching out beside him. Part of him wanted to tell her to go away, to leave him be. But only a part.

The next morning, he sat in his usual seat, staring out the window as Master Horn taught the day's lesson. Idly, he remembered that at one time the curriculum which his Uncle had developed for the Jedi Academy had not involved rote learning of this nature.

Suppressing a sigh, he shifted in his seat, and turned back to look at the empty seat where Kiori usually sat. He stared at it for a moment, before facing forward once again.

When lunch rolled around, he walked out to the garden where he usually met Nelani.

He frowned when he found it empty. So, both sisters are absent today.

At the end of the school day, he slowly walked home, stopping on one of the many bridges. He stared at the water as it reflected the orange glow of the setting sun at him. Shimmering as the wind rippled the water's surface.

Dark thoughts plagued him.

If it's a lost item, we can search for it together. If it's against a demon, we can fight together. But Nelani is....

He lifted his head, facing towards the heavens and where Yavin 8 is just now beginning to shine through the Yavin-light.

Hey Sannah? What did it feel like for you? What can I do for a girl with only a small bit of time left?

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Lost in his thoughts, Anakin began to wander through the shopping district. He ignored everything; he allowed his feet to lead him on an aimless path as he considered how he could help Nelani. Before long, it was night and the sound of a fountain imposed itself onto his awareness. Lifting his head, he look around, finding himself in the same park where he had spent so much time with Nelani a few days before.

He frowned, and walked closer to the fountain, stopping a few paces from it, watching the water and the spotlights kept deep in the pool. The lights slowly cycled through colors, and he sighed, and looked around the fountain.

His heart thumped hard in his chest when he saw Nelani. She was sitting at the edge of the fountain, her hands pulling her shawl tight around her shoulders as she stared at him.

He swallowed; his throat was suddenly dry.

Standing, she said, "This place is more beautiful at night."

He walked over to stand close to her. Stopping, he watched her for a moment, and then focused on the fountain again. "I think I prefer it during the day. The nights here are getting chilly."

"That's a pity," she replied as she turned to face the fountain as well. "I'm just happy that the fountain is still running at this hour."

The wind shifted and a fine mist of water covered them. They both jumped back, and Nelani let out a tiny yelp of surprise.

"Kriff, that's cold," he snapped. "Isn't there a plug or something?"

"You can't clog it even if there is one. It's too beautiful. Don't you want to keep staring at it? Forever and ever."

Sadly, he looked down at her, noticing the wistful expression on her face. The silence seemed to stretch out between them.

"When I was little," she began. "Back on Llord, there was a fountain that looked quite a lot like this one. My family and I would go there occasionally, because I was a little healthier back then. I... I had ice cream with my sister. I wanted to eat some with her again." She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Opening them again, she looked up at him. "I don't remember any other time that was more fun than that time."

He smiled and nodded his head. "So, that means our date came in second."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "The date with you was equally fun."

"What sweet words."

"No, it's true," she responded. "If I had more time, I'd probably come to like you more and more. Even though... Even though I shouldn't like anyone..."

He fought to keep a frown from his face as she turned around and sat down on the edge of the fountain again. After a moment, he sat beside her.

Her voice was soft, when she next spoke. "There's so much that I've got to apologize to you about. But, I think there's even more things I need to thank you for."

Anakin looked over at her and noticed that she was staring down at her hands. He shifted his gaze to his feet, fighting once more to keep a tight reign on his emotions. To not let his sadness show on his face or leak out through the Force.

"So," he began slowly. "What is your illness?"

"It has a long, very complicated name. But it's something that won't heal with more medicine or shots or Bacta… so I forgot what it's called." From the corner of his eye he saw her lift her head towards the stars, a hint of a smile on her face. "It's useless to remember it after all. Knowing what it's called doesn't help it and there are other things I'd rather remember. When we came here for training, Kiori came back to our quarters and told me about that garden. We made a promise to eat lunch there one day."

"Nelani, Kiori, she treats you..."

"I know," Nelani broke in, a pained smile on her face. "That's why I try not to see her as well."

"Why?" Anakin demanded. "Didn't you two used to get along?"

She slowly shook her head, a frown marring her features. "It's because that's all I can do for her right now."

Anakin watched her. He blinked his eyes, trying to figure out how best to respond. After a moment, her head turned towards him, and her customary smile was back in place. "Anakin? Can I ask a favor?"

He closed his eyes, and sighed. Then he nodded his head as he replied, "Yeah, I'll listen to anything."

"Please treat me as a normal girl. When I'm with you, I can go back to the happy days."

"The happy days?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah. Going to school and having lunch with everyone. Walking home with my friends from my classes. Even getting yelled at by my parents when I'd play outside late at night, even though Kiori was with me. Those days when I had ordinary, happy days. So, I want you to treat me like I'm in those days. If you can, as if..." She closed her eyes, and dropped her chin to her chest for a moment. Then lifted it, and opening her eyes, continued speaking, "as if you were my brother."

He watched her for a moment. He was not certain how to respond, and felt oddly melancholic over being referred to as her brother. Finally, he nodded his head, once sharply. "Okay, I promise."

"Really," she said, as her head snapped to look at him, her eyes bright and wide.

He grinned at her. "If I'm good enough for you."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling brightly for him.

They sat together for a while longer, the silence stretching between them both comfortable and comforting. Finally, she yawned and stood up.

"I've got to go home now."

He stood up, and nodded his head. "Will you be at school tomorrow?"

"Yes," she replied. "Something that might surprise you may happen tomorrow."

He lifted his hand and waved it in her direction. "If it's another portrait, you don't have to draw it."

"It's nothing like that," she scolded, and then stomped her foot and half-turned away from him. "I don't like people who say things like that."

"Don't get mad, I was only joking."

She lifted one hand to her lips to chew on a knuckle. "It was mean, even for a joke."

"I'm sorry. I'll treat you to ice cream if you spare me."

She faced him fully once more, a smile coming to her lips. "In that case, I've got to forgive you."

He arched an eyebrow, and gave her a quick grin. "You're easy to satisfy."

In response, she just giggled.

She waved at him, and then began to walk away. Heading towards her home. He watched her for a moment, his frown pulling his lips down. He lifted his face to the sky, staring at the distant stars. Then he looked towards Nelani again, as she slowly walked away from her. Pain clutched at his heart.

"Nelani!" he called out. She slowed and turned towards him. "Is it too late? Is it really? Is there no chance that you can recover?"

She lowered her head slightly. "I may. If a miracle happens." Then she lifted it and smiled. "But remember, it's called a miracle because it doesn't happen."

Turning away from him once more, she slowly moved off into the darkness. Anakin watched until she had turned a corner and disappeared. Then he finally wiped away the tears that had been sliding down his cheeks.

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Anakin returned home to find dinner waiting and a note from Jaina saying that she had turned in for the night already. He quickly warmed up his dinner, and as he sat at the table to eat, heard Ikrit walking up behind him. He grinned at the furry creature, and then turned back to his meal, quickly eating it.

After cleaning up the dishes, he walked into his room, Ikrit darting between his legs, almost tripping him. Shaking his head, he looked around and saw Tahiri sitting at his desk, her head resting on its surface, soft snores coming from her direction.

He stood over her, watching her for a moment. "So you were waiting for me," he whispered.

Smiling, and not quite understanding why, he pulled the chair away from the desk and picked her up. Then he carried her down the hall to her own room. Carefully, he laid her in her bed, and pulled her blankets up over her. He smiled down at her, and brushed her bangs back away from her face.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, and then left her room to return to his own.

The next morning, Anakin was eating a bowl of porridge. Across from him, Jaina was sitting, all but falling asleep in her chair. Next to her, Tahiri was in similar straits.

Mara sat in the empty spot next to Anakin, and glanced between the other two girls. "Jaina, I expect to see all but asleep at breakfast, but this is something new for you, Tahiri."

The young, blonde girl sighed. "I know, but I had bad dreams all last night."

"Dreams?"

"Yeah," she replied. "I dreamed that I was getting carried away somewhere by ghosts."

Anakin put his bowl down, and used a napkin to hide his chuckles. "Strange. I wonder why you'd have such a dream."

"I don't know," Tahiri replied, a pout coming to her lips. Then she screwed her fists against her eyes, yawning.

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Anakin stared down at the garden from the window of his classroom. He was frowning, though he did not really realize it. She said she would come.

"Anakin!" Raynar's voice slashed through his concentration, and he jumped slightly. His head snapped around, to find Raynar standing in front of him, arms clasped behind his back, a large, silly grin on his face. "It's lunchtime..."

He frowned at his friend. "I know... and you're smile is creeping me out. Stop."

Raynar collapsed across Anakin's desk, and tilted his face to look at him. "What's wrong? Don't you have any energy?"

At that moment, Jaina walked past. "Anakin? Are you going to eat with us in the cafeteria today?"

"Yeah," he replied, his head twisting slightly to look out at the empty garden. "Since my lunch-mates are gone..."

Raynar stood up and looked towards Kiori who had been sitting quietly in the back of the classroom. "Kiori! Let's go get some lunch."

"Forget it," she snapped. "I don't have an appetite today."

Jaina walked closer to her friend, leaning down slightly. "Are you sick? Do we need to take you to Master Cilghal?"

"I'm fine. Leave me be."

Raynar dropped into the seat in front of Anakin, and leaned closer to him. "Do you think something's happen to Kiori?"

Anakin shook his head. "I don't know."

"Anakin!" Someone from the other side of the classroom called out his name.

Frowning, he looked that way, as the student spoke again. "Anakin, someone's here to see you."

He felt his mouth drop open as he saw her standing in the doorway. She wore the orange jumpsuit common to the students in the level below his. Over the jumpsuit, there was a traditional Jedi Robe which almost seemed to swallow her.

He blinked a few times, and felt himself standing up without consciously moving.

The girl caught him staring, and with a blush burning her face, bowed slightly.

"Nelani," he muttered aloud.

Raynar jumped up and grabbed the collar of Anakin's tunic. "You've... you've gotten your hands on one of the younger students?"

"What kind of nonsense are you-"

His rant was interrupted by Kiori abruptly pushing back her chair, and storming from the room. Raynar looked after her for a moment, and then started chasing her down. "Kiori! Where are you going?"

Anakin looked to Nelani, and from across the room could see the tears shining in her eyes. He looked up at Jaina and saw her staring at the doorway that Kiori had disappeared through.

"I wonder what's wrong with her," Jaina asked.

Anakin shook his head. "You go to Kiori too. I have an... I've got something I need to do."

With that said he brushed past Jaina and walked towards Nelani, his heart pounding heavily in his chest.

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Anakin stepped out of the food service line with a plate of curry in each hand. He glanced around the cafeteria, and finally spied Nelani sitting at a table halfway across the room from him, trying to look at everything at once.

Laughing to himself, he walked towards the place she had chosen and put her plate in front of her, sitting down in the seat across from her.

"So, this is what the cafeteria looks like... I kind of expected there to be more... well... on Llord, the cafeterias have these walls with all these little doors. You walk up to one, and put a credit chit in and then you open the door and pull out whatever type of food you want. It's not like this at all."

Anakin ignored her musings, and locked eyes with her. "Is it all right for you to suddenly show up for training like this?"

Nelani nodded her head quickly. "I have the doctor's permission. She said I can attend for the rest of the week."

Anakin quickly counted the days in his head. That means she'll be here until the day before her birthday.

She finally seemed to notice the plate of food that Anakin had put before her. She leaned over slightly, and sniffed. "It looks spicy."

He arched an eyebrow towards her. "The curry here isn't that bad. My dad makes it better though." He then dug his spoon into the brown stew-like mixture and brought a bite to his mouth.

Looking up from his plate, he noticed Nelani staring at him. He frowned for a moment. "What's wrong? Eat up."

She blinked a few times and then picked up her own spoon. "Y-yes..."

Tenderly, she put a bite in her mouth, chewing methodically. As she did, her face grew red, and she began to whimper slightly.

Anakin leaned forward. "Are you okay?"

She dropped her spoon back onto her plate, and grabbed up her glass of water, and quickly took three large gulps. She closed her eyes and put the glass back onto the table. When she opened her eyes again to look at him, he noticed the tears that rimmed them. "Well, truthfully... I can't take spicy food at all."

"What? What about horseradish?"

"I don't even want to see it," she responded, averting her head from him.

"Mustard?"

"I don't want to hear about it." She then covered her ears with her hands.

"Tabasco?"

"It's the enemy of all humans, everywhere," she snarled.

"Ice cream?"

Her entire mannerisms shifted. Going from the panicked, fear from when he was asking about spicy foods to an almost angelic smile, her hands pressed palms together, index fingers centimeters from her lips. "I love it!"

"Why did you have me order curry for you then?"

She looked down, a rosy tint coming to her pale cheeks. "Because, I wanted to eat the same thing as you."

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Anakin and Nelani walked side by side down the path near the river. The setting sun struck it, changing the surface to the color of molten silver. Dancing across the ripples was the reflection of the setting sun. As they walked, their hands would occasionally brush across each other, and every time it happened, Anakin could feel his face flame with embarrassment. They turned at a crossroads, taking a bridge over the river, one which headed away from the Jedi Temple and towards the shopping districts. He rubbed at his stomach. "Man, I'm still full from eating so much at lunch."

She shrugged her shoulders. "I ate enough."

He laughed slightly. "Just make sure you order something that you actually eat, tomorrow."

She grinned up at him. "Should I make a lunch tomorrow then?"

"Sure," he replied, nodding his head. "That'll save money as well."

"Good! I'll make your share, too."

Anakin blinked, and looked down at her, to find her smiling up at him. "My share?"

She nodded, and turned her head to look at the river. "Yup. Your share."

Before long, they reach the path that would take Anakin on towards the apartment he shared with his sister. They stopped, and Anakin scratched at his hair, feeling a blush crop up on his cheeks again.

"Uhm," he began. "Tomorrow, let's stop somewhere special, all right?"

She smiled brightly for him, "Where?"

He laughed. "That's a secret."

She pouted, slightly. "Fine. We'll go to your special place tomorrow. But don't forget to look forward to the lunch I'm making you."

"Don't worry," he replied, a grin tugging at the right corner of his lips. "Even if it tastes horrible, I'll eat all of it."

She scowled at him, and turned partly away. "I don't like people who say such things."

"I'll see you tomorrow then?"

She turned, the scowl on her face dissolving into one of her brilliant smiles. "Yes, tomorrow."

Turning away from him, she headed down the path which would take her through the shopping district and to the residential section on the far side of it. Anakin stood there watching her as she walked away. Frowning, as he realized that if Kiori was right, he only had a few days left of being able to see Nelani's smile light up her face.

The next day at lunch, Anakin stepped into the cafeteria. As soon as he entered, Nelani stood up and started waving at him. Her smile once more brightening his world. He suppressed the dark emotions that threatened to well up.

"Anakin!" she called out. "Hurry up, Anakin."

He grinned and started walking towards her.

"Right here," she said, pointing towards the empty chair set across from hers. "That seat's open."

Anakin smiled, and nodded his head. "Thanks for saving a seat for me." Then he reached out and scruffed her hair, causing her to giggle. "Good job."

She laughed. "Well, I tried my best."

He shook his head as they both sat down, and Nelani pulled out two packages, snatching the lids off of both. "Tada!"

Anakin blinked his eyes as he looked between the two boxes. Both filled with various finger foods, sandwiches and sliced fruit. "Wow... there sure is a lot of it."

Nelani nodded her head quickly. "Yeah, it's packed."

Pointing towards one of the boxes, he looked at her. "Is that one yours or mine?"

She grinned again. "Nope. They're both yours." She then reached down beside her and lifted up a much smaller box, setting it on the table in front of her. "This is my lunch."

He looked at the box, frowning. "That's tiny..."

She straightened slightly in her seat, her head tilting a few centimeters to the left, as he said, "Please eat it all."

"I did promise," he replied, picking up the first of the triangular sandwiches. "Well, one's attitude towards a challenge is important to anything."

"What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "Don't let it bother you."

A half hour later, Nelani set a glass of water in front of him, as he leaned back in his chair. Both of the large boxes were empty save a scattering of crumbs and a few pieces of crumpled parchment.

She looked at him, worry shining in her eyes. "Was it a lot?"

He snorted in amusement, picking up the glass of water. "Just a little," he said and then took a sip from the glass.

"I'm sorry," she replied, blushing. "It was a lot of fun making it, so... And there was so many things that I wanted to make you..."

Taking another sip, he put it down, and smiled at her. "It was delicious. And because they were delicious, it all fit into my stomach."

"Really?" she asked, beaming with pride. "That makes me happy."

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After school, the two were in Anakin's favorite bistro, Poltx. Located in the middle of the shopping shopping district, it had wide bay windows in the dining area, where one could sit and watch pedestrian traffic without being noticed. Sitting on the table in front of Nelani was an empty dish, the last traces of some ice cream still visible in its bottom, while he had a half-drained cup of caf. She looked up at him, and said, "It's been a while since I've been to a place like this."

He grinned at her. "Well, everyone needs a break every now and then."

"Yeah," she replied slowly.

"So, how was the ice cream here?"

"It was great!"

He smiled at her, and pushed his credit chit into the slot on the tabletop, settling their bill. Then he stood and helped her up, and together they left the bistro and turned right, walking deeper into the shopping district. Anakin noticed that they were nearing the doll shop, and he slowed down so that Nelani could look in the window. Front and center of the display was a life-sized Jawa doll, which Anakin could only frown at and wonder, Why would someone want to buy a Jawa doll?

Nelani leaned closer to the glass, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. "This... this is a really strange doll shop." She paused for a moment, her head moving slightly. "Looks like there's a lot more of them in there as well."

"I don't understand any of them," Anakin said. "It's probably better if we stay away."

She straightened and looked at him. "Let's go in."

"You want to?" he asked, his back straightening slightly. He saw her staring at him, her eyes silently pleading. "Well if you want to...."

He felt someone staring at him, and he lifted his gaze away from Nelani to find Kiori standing at the corner, not two dozen paces from them. As she stared at Nelani's back, Kiori's body was held rigid in shock. Slowly, Kiori lowered her head, and then backed away, sliding around the corner and disappearing from sight.

He focused on Nelani again. "Ah... uhm, I actually forgot something at Poltx's. Why don't you head inside first and check things out while I run and get what I forgot." He walked around her, and then called out over his shoulder. "I'll be right back, you wait for me here. Okay?"

Without waiting for her response, he darted around the corner and looked around. He saw Kiori running down the street and he gave chase.

"Kiori!" he called out. "Kiori! Wait!" He growled slightly when he realized she was ignoring him, and he put on more speed, catching up with her, and stopping in front of her. "Stop running away from me. Let's have tea or something with Nelani. You're concerned about her too, right?"

Kiori refused to meet his eyes. "I don't know anyone named Nelani." She then pushed him out of the way and started walking again. "Out of my way."

Anakin twisted around, and called out her name, but she was already gone.

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Darkness had fully fallen, and Anakin stood next to Nelani on one of the many bridges around the town. He stared at the black river, frowning slightly at the occasional flash of silver either from a fish or from one of Yavin's other moons.

"That idiot," he mumbled under his breath, and feeling Nelani's gaze on him, lifted his head and smiled at her. "Ah, uh... don't mind me... so what was it? About the shop we stopped by?"

Nelani watched him for a moment, and then turned her attention towards the store. "Well, the shopkeeper was nice. He gave me detailed explanations about everything, and made all sorts of suggestions." She smiled slightly, and Anakin turned his back onto the river to lean against the railing, as she continued talking. "But I turned them all down because I didn't have any money."

He felt the feather-light touch of her hand on his shoulder, and he turned to look at her, seeing the concern in her large, blue eyes. "Did something happen, Anakin? You're staring off into space."

"No," he replied, kicking off the wall. "It's nothing. So, what kind of stuffed animals were there?"

"Really strange ones," she responded as they began walking across the bridge again. "Like a giant acklay and a Hutt."

"And a Affytechan, right?"

Nelani's eyes widened slightly. "There was such a thing there?"

He laughed. "Yeah."

Thoughts of the plush Affytechan brought memories of Tenel Ka to mind. Especially something she had said the time he had visited her in the hospital with Tahiri. He frowned slightly, as he struggled to remember the words. Finally, he did: There is someone near to you, who is trying to turn away from her pain. You need to give her strength.

"Hello," Nelani's voice cut through his wandering thoughts. "Anakin?"

"Oh, sorry," he replied, giving his head a quick shake. "So, which did you like more? The acklay or the Hutt?"

"Rather than those two, I liked the one in the window. The Jawa."

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Anakin looked at the balance on his credit chit, and then at the handful of specific denomination credits he had scattered on his desk. Sighing, he picked up the credit chit again and moved from his desk chair to sit on his bed, dropping his head into his hands. "And that's my budget," he muttered.

Someone knocked at his door, and he looked over at it. "Come in," he called out.

The door cracked open, and at about his chest level, Ikrit floated into the room, holding him up were two tanned hands. "Good, Ikirt!" Tahiri called out from behind the door.

Giggling, she pushed the door the rest of the way open, and walked in.

He watched her for a moment, and then said, "Oh, it's only you." He then once more turned back to the glowing number on his credit chit. "What do you want?'

She plopped onto his bed beside him. "I just came to tell you that no one's using the 'fresher if you want a shower right now." She then glanced over at his credit chit. "Are you going to buy something?"

"Yeah," he said, and then looked over at her. He noticed the thin chain around her neck, and frowned for a moment. "You're always wearing that necklace, right?"

She fingered the necklace for a moment, and then nodded her head. "Yes, I do. It was a present from someone and means a lot to me."

Anakin nodded and looked away. "Speaking of presents, it's almost Nelani's birthday."

"Are you going to get her something?"

He turned to look at her again. "What do you think I should get?"

She grinned mischievously. "Canapés!"

He arched an eyebrow at her. "That's your personal preference."

Her grin turned into a full smile. "Then money."

Frowning, he looked over at her again. "You're oddly serious with that."

She began to chew on a finger tip, and then pulled it out and replied, "But if I have money, then I can buy canapés."

He could feel the beginnings of a headache, and he slowly began to run at his temple with his left hand. "Please, get your mind off of food."

She sighed, and looked down, clutching Ikrit tighter up against her chin. After a moment, she lifted her head to look at him. "Then rather than buying her something, why don't you do something for her? Do something that will make her happy."

Anakin pulled his hand away from his forehead, and slowly lifted his head to stare straight at the wall in front of him, his arm held forgotten halfway between his lap and his head.

Tahiri kept on talking. "You could take her somewhere fun. Or treat her to good fun. Isn't there anything that Nelani would like to do?"

He dropped his hand to his lap, and then looked at Tahiri. "What would make Nelani happy is to spend some time talking with Kiori." He worried at his lower lip for a moment, and then bolted into a standing position. "I've got it!" he announced.

"Anakin?"

He nodded his head quickly. "Yeah, this has to be what I need to do. This is something I can do for Nelani?"

"What is it?" Tahiri asked.

Anakin looked down at her and smiled.

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