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Jecki thinks of her mission to Siline often. So much happened there and it’s also the first place she made any real friends with someone outside the Jedi Order that actually felt lasting. It’s one of the first places that she made any lasting friendship period because she’s always struggled with actually making friends.
And Yord definitely doesn’t count as her friend.
The planet had a ceremony of dangerous trials that were meant to determine who would be the most fit to lead the planet next. During the event, her and Yord had been working closely with the planetary leader’s children – Sitia and Rhos, and Rhos’ friend Lio. Lio had deliberated ruined the trials of the belief they were helping Siline in their own way but it had still cost lives. Lio was still seen as a criminal. Rhos broke them out of prison and they both disappeared together.
Jecki had understood it Rhos’ choice, even if Yord hadn’t been the happiest at how Lio would never face justice.
She never thought she’d see them again.
But here she is, running right into Rhos and Lio again, when she’s on another mission on some backwater world far away from both Siline and Coruscant.
It takes her a moment to recognize them, with how differently they’re dressed, but she couldn’t miss a Silinese anywhere – Rhos’ species.
“Jecki?” Rhos asks, her eyes lighting with eagerness and then quickly fading to fear.
“Rhos,” she greets, smiling, “I didn’t know if I ever would get to see you again.” Her eyes sweep slowly to Lio.
The hurt she’d felt over their betrayal has faded now but that doesn’t mean she quite knows what to think of them, either. They were her friend once, and…
“Are you going to turn me in?” Lio asks, not exactly resigned but close enough.
“What?” Jecki startles. “No – No, I won’t.” How could she? Lio would have had to fight to the death against Sitia, as standard part of their trial and she doesn’t mean to insult the customs on their home planet but she still feels sick, thinking about that. Besides, just killing Lio for everything they did isn’t going to bring back the lives they took. And it would also just ruin Rhos’ life entirely.
“Really?” Lio seems a little surprised, confused maybe.
“Rhos chose to save your life. I can’t disagree with that decision,” Jecki admits.
“Thank you,” Rhos breathes and Jecki’s not quite expecting the sudden armful of the girl in question, as she winds her arms around Jecki, but she hugs her back anyway.
“Don’t say you missed me,” Jecki teases.
“I did,” Rhos replies, a bit shyly, pulling back, “And I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, either.”
“How have you been?” Jecki asks, “This life… must be really different from what we’re used to.”
Both of their faces shadow.
“I never wanted a life away from Siline,” Lio comments quietly, “But I’ve had to get used to it anyway.”
Pointing out that it was Lio’s own actions that caused so much of this would be incredibly unkind when Jecki already knows how much they regret a lot of what happened, so she says nothing. She knows the details of why Lio did what they did are… a lot more complicated than something she could ever really understand, anyway.
They had a complicated relationship with their parents. Parents who cared nothing of what Lio wanted or the good of Siline, while all Lio wanted was to be seen as one of the Silnese, and to belong. And now they definitely never will be.
“It is different,” Rhos admits, looking away, “It’s been hard but we’ve made it work. It’s worth it, if… if it means Lio’s alive.”
Jecki nods. “I’m glad you’ve… managed. Do you ever talk to Sitia?”
Rhos’ face shadows. “I’ve contacted her, but… it has to stay a secret from everyone. It’s not really something we can do a lot. Even if I miss her.”
Jecki offers her a sympathetic smile. Because really, what could she say to that?
“How’s Yord?” Lio interjects.
“He’s… you know, Yord.”
Lio snorts. “I suppose.”
“He’s a Knight now with his own padawan so I haven’t spent as much time with him as I used to.” It’s a jarring change but she knows that’s part of a Jedi’s life, regardless of how she might feel about it.
“Do you ever miss him?” Rhos asks.
“Yord?” Jecki repeats, “Definitely not. Why would I?” Even if she misses getting to irritate him. And getting to harass him non-stop on missions. And… a lot of other things but that definitely doesn’t mean she misses him.
Lio laughs. “Right,” they agree dryly.
Rhos looks vaguely amused.
“I have a bit of time,” Jecki comments, “Why don’t we catch up? There’s got to be a lot to talk about.”
And she has no idea when they’ll get the chance again. She’d like to make the most of it.