Title: Veiled Lessons
* * * * * They had met this way many times before under cover of night in the dim training chambers. At such a late hour, there was not the customary clash of lightsabers against one another. Only the footsteps of the young knight and somewhat older master as they approached each other across the room. Only the knight seemed shamed by meeting in secret, his cheek burning and his jaw clenching with his self-consciousness. The master’s lips curved at him as she shed her cloak, revealing bright gray eyes and red hair beneath her hood. Her hand reached to his cheek and stroked it as he hung his head. “Are you ready?” Jade asked. “I think so,” Anakin replied. She smirked and slipped his arms around her waist, wiggling at the feel of his mechanical hand. “Even now, you are as nervous as our first time,” she noted. “I find it embarrassing,” Anakin said uneasily. “You are a young man seeking guidance from someone older and more experienced,” Jade said. “It’s natural.” “I only worry about my ability to perform when I’m not with you,” he said. “What if I do something wrong?” “Anakin,” Jade cooed, laying her arms on his shoulders and flicking at his curly hair. “I’ll admit that in the beginning you were clumsy, but the last few times we’ve done this you were exceptional. Dare I say you rivaled your own master?” Anakin shook his head, but he was smiling openly. “Flattery always was your weak spot,” Jade giggled. Anakin’s eyes grew dark with mischief. “I’ll lead this time.” “Help yourself,” Jade smirked. “Show me what you got.” He turned from her slightly, reaching his hand across the room. He flickered his fingers, and music began playing softly, echoing and floating through the high ceilings of the chamber. Jade was pulled flush against him as he began to move, leading her in smooth steps across the floor.
I was lost
Jade followed easily, letting his direction flow through her and influence her own steps. Anakin seemed to enjoy their calm movements, and Jade thought back to a time when his body was lanky and awkward. A time when such grace would have been unthinkable for him. How times did change.
I was weak
As the music picked up slightly, Anakin gently whirled with her, his feet light. The lead he took was undemanding and lulled Jade’s senses, making her follow his twirling steps with nearly no effort on her part. Anakin smoothed his hand from her hip and plucked her fingers from his shoulder, holding her hand loosely.
Sweet misery you cause me
The music’s tempo increased slightly, and the two Jedi followed while remaining in step. Laughter bubbled in Jade’s chest as Anakin twirled with her. To her surprise she was being charmed by him. He was as playful as a boy but mystery glittered within his heart as well. He toyed with her, and enhanced her own skill simply by using his own.
I was blind
Anakin took chances he hadn’t in their earlier meetings. He spun and pulled her along with him like an expert, leaving her somewhat breathless in the process. He stepped back from her, guiding her into a series of twirls that met their end in his arms again.
I would cry
Jade leaned into him, grinning upward. Anakin’s smile, still so young and awkward despite his obvious maturity, warmed her in return. Again they glided across the floor, their feet moving in such intricate rhythms that only someone with a trained eye could follow. Jade leapt, and Anakin lifted her, turning and creating a work of art with their bodies. When she met the floor again, she spun away from him. They halted in mid-motion, posed dynamically with their hands outstretched and their fingers touching. Gently, Anakin squinted and tilted his head at Jade. “Do you think Padme will like this?” he asked tentatively. “Baby, I think you’re going to sweep her off her feet,” Jade chuckled.
Sweet misery you cause me
Anakin rushed to her, lifting her up in his arms and spinning with her. Jade laughed out loud, clinging to his shoulders as her feet left the ground. When he put her back on her feet, he attacked her with a full kiss on the lips, yanking back with a wide grin. Then he sprinted out of the room and shouted back, “thank you, Master Jade!” Jade teetered where she stood, tripping slightly and reeling back. “Your… welcome,” she replied softly, waving in his general direction.
And in my heart I see, oh
“If I weren’t mistaken,” a voice called behind her, and Jade spun toward it with a gasp. “…I’d say you and Anakin were having an affair.” Jade’s shocked face morphed into a naughty smirk, her hands planting themselves on her hips. The source of the familiar voice stepped forward, a hood falling back to reveal Obi-Wan Kenobi. Jade only cocked her hip in response. “Get real,” she purred, then straightened. “I mean, he’s cute and all, but his master… Now that’s a real man.” “Flattery may work on him,” Obi-Wan said, pointing toward the exit Anakin had just ran through. “But not on me.” Jade sauntered toward him, slipping her arms around his neck. “You say that, but I know you, General.”
Sweet misery you cause me
“Oh?” Obi-Wan asked, smiling and swaying with her to the music. “And what do you know about me?” “That you were once as insecure as he is,” she said. “That still doesn’t explain why he went to you for dancing lessons and not me,” Obi-Wan said. “I was his master.” “Would you have ever had the guts to ask Qui-Gon for dancing lessons?” Jade asked. “No…” He was honest at least. “But I would not have asked Cher-Ryll either.”
And in my heart I see, oh
Jade snickered, imagining Obi-Wan in his padawan days dancing in step with her master. “I tried to tell him that you were the better dancer, but he was mortified at the mere thought of dancing with you. I don’t think I helped…” “Let me guess,” Obi-Wan said, twirling with her. “You told him how sensual it would be for he and I to be swaying romantically, our strong bodies pressed together as the music swelled?” Obi-Wan dipped her, and Jade gazed up at him wonderingly. “How did you know?” she asked. He brought her back up swiftly, rubbing his nose against hers. “I just had a feeling.”
I was weak
The End
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