Chapter Text
21 BBY
Cinis Caelum’s eyes tore open as she sat up in her room at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and tried to steady her breathing. Her body was covered in a sheen of sweat, the way she had awoken many nights for some months now. Knowing she would not be going back to sleep, she rose from her simple bed and glanced out upon the city skyline. Although it was deep into the night, Coruscant never stopped to rest. She opened the window to breathe in some of the air, heavily filtered through the scrubbers made to sustain organic life. The smell of home, for as long as she could remember it, was clean with a slight metallic tang, only noticeable after taking some trips away from the system for a time. Cinis had been brought to the Temple early in her childhood, so early that all she could recall of her life before the Jedi was the petrichor of Arkanis, a planet in the Outer Rim that survived on its fishing industry; it rained there almost as much as Kamino. Walking into the refresher, she cleaned herself of the salty scent that clung to her skin before readying to go out for a walk. It had become something of a habit, knowing that her mind would be churning with the dream she had - reminding her of the similar themes of the past few months.
Glancing at her desk to see it overflowing with numerous Jedi holobooks and data-tapes on loan from the Archives, she itched to resume the studying that had taken up most of her evening before falling into a fitful sleep, but knew she would not be able to focus on it now. There is no emotion, there is peace. The mantra she told herself over and over, seeking the comfort and stability it had given her as a child - and finding none. The door to her quarters slid open, revealing the softly lit corridor beyond. The dormitories within the Temple promoted a feeling of serenity, while not relying on overt material pleasures that one did not need. Part of being a Jedi meant that they did not care about material items of the galaxy; they only used what they needed. To care about such things was considered selfish, whereas it was a Jedi’s duty to be selfless. Cinis did not have an affinity for anything untoward, but she was guilty of an insatiable search for knowledge, with a penchant for asking too many questions. The halls of the Temple were quiet at this hour, the occasional Master or Knight passing by and offering Cinis a nod or smile, all of which were returned in kind. Stepping into the night, she crossed out of the Temple’s shadow and down the imposing steps into the city.
Letting her feet guide the way, Cinis strode through the streets of Coruscant, trying to take on a more leisurely stride and blend in. While it wasn’t uncommon to see a Jedi on the planet, she liked to try to make her presence less obvious when she could, wearing a loose tunic long enough to help conceal her blade. As she made her way deeper into the city, she stopped at a food stall and ordered a bowl of Chuba stew from the Quarren behind the counter. Seated a few stools down from her was a Sullustan and a green-skinned Duros discussing a recent business deal that seemed to have gone south. Her mind drifted once more to the dream she had awoken from, so similar to the others. In them, Anakin always seemed darker, his presence within the dream heavy and palpable.
Her friend of many years, Cinis had met Anakin when she was only a Youngling, at the time he was first brought to the Jedi Temple by Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi after their assignment forced them to go to Tatooine. At the age of nine, the High Council had first denied Anakin, saying that he was too old to begin his training. Before the war, Younglings typically did not begin their apprenticeship as a Padawan until around the age of thirteen, and not enduring the Trials to become a Knight until they were in their twenties. Now, it was becoming more and more common to see Padawans becoming Knights while they were still teenagers, as had been the case for Cinis, Anakin, and many others. After Qui-Gon’s death, Obi-Wan took Anakin as his Padawan. Many students at the Temple were in awe of what Anakin had done to the Trade Federation ship that had been blockading Naboo, and at such a young age. Soon after, rumours had begun to spread that the Choosen One had been found, that balance would be restored, and peace would once again reign throughout the galaxy. Around a year after Anakin began his Padawan learning, so did Cinis. She had been in class with the other Younglings, going through the routine of Form I, also known as Shii-Cho, focusing on body target zone basics that every young Jedi began with, when Jedi Master Depa Billaba entered the room and requested to speak with her. The two had gone for a walk across the Temple grounds, Billaba asking her questions about how her training was coming along. Cinis had been slightly nervous. Younglings were not often pulled from their classes. Cinis tried repeating the Jedi Code to herself. There is no emotion, there is peace. Jedi were not supposed to feel nervous. Repeating the beginning of the mantra again, she felt composed once more. As they entered the courtyard, Master Billaba took a seat on a sunwarmed bench and motioned for Cinis to join her. “Master Drallig tells me that you show great promise in your understanding of Shii-Cho. Have you considered what form you will study once you become a Padawan?” Billaba inquired.
Cinis reflected for a moment, “I believe I would like to study Soresu, Master. It seems that it would be the best for someone of my stature, and Master Drallig has spoken with me previously about how it could be the most beneficial for me to choose that as my main lightsaber form.” Master Billaba smiled at this. Emboldened, Cinis continued, “I hear that you are a great master of Form III. It would be an honour to learn from one such as you. I’ve even heard some of the Padawans say that Master Windu trained you in Form VII, but isn’t that form forbidden? I’ve wanted to access information from the Archives, but Madame Jocasta would not allow me to; she said I would have to wait until a Master approved the request.” Cinis realised she had been rambling and her face reddened as she ducked her head. Master Billaba lifted her chin with a tan finger. As Cinis peeked up at her, she saw Billaba’s eyes wary with intrigue and an understanding that seemed inescapable.
It seemed like a lifetime passed, and then Master Billaba spoke, “You have an inquisitive mind, young one. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. I sense a hunger within you; knowledge is for all, but we must be patient as we acquire it. You must not let your emotions get the better of you. I have an understanding of this and will help you walk this path.” She rose and took a step forward, turning her head over her shoulder, “The Council has decided it is time I took a Padawan learner to train. I feel that I will learn from you, as you will learn from me. I will train you in Soresu, and teach you all that I can about the Force.” Master Billaba pivoted so that she was facing Cinis, “Do you accept?”
Cinis came back to reality as her commlink began to blink and beep, signalling that she was receiving a call. She debated the merits of not answering before taking a steadying breath and tapping on the device. “Late-night calls are usually frowned upon,” she tried to keep the worry out of her voice as the dreams flashed through her mind abruptly.
“I figured you could use the company - I swung by your room, and after you didn’t come to the door, I figured I would make sure you were okay,” Anakin answered, a hint of a smirk in his voice. Cinis felt it then, forcing a smile onto her face and turning around in her seat to see him sauntering up to her, ending the call on her comlink. Even when he was not trying to draw attention to himself, Anakin Skywalker had such a strong presence that one could not ignore it. Her eyes analysed every detail, as they always did. He hadn’t bothered to attempt to dress like a common civilian; Anakin was always entirely and unabashedly himself. He wore his black and brown Jedi robes with his cloak, the brown so dark it was almost black. His boots thudded across the ground toward her. His hair was mussed in a way that told Cinis he had not slept that night either. Some of the patrons at the food stall grumbled and shifted in their seats, obviously a bit nervous with a Jedi around. The Quarren brought around Cinis’ bowl of stew, eyeing the pair, realising that not one but two Jedi were at his stall. “I’ll have the same”, Anakin motioned toward Cinis and slid some credits across the counter. The Quarren made a small grunt of response and turned around to fulfil the request. “I was coming by to see if you were up to a nighttime stroll, and here you are.”
Cinis let a smile play across her mouth, “If I had been asleep, you would have had to deal with a very angry woman. How did you know where to find me?” She lifted the stew to her mouth, its warmth sliding down her throat and warming her belly, steadying her.
“You’ve been coming to this part of town a lot lately. My next stop would’ve been at 79’s, but when I asked Rex and Fives, it didn’t seem like you would be going out for the evening.” He nodded his thanks as the Quarren slid a bowl of stew in front of him. “Besides, if I know how to handle anyone, it would be you.” He nudged her shoulder with his own, trying to lighten her mood. “Whatever it is that’s bothering you, I hope you know you can talk to me about it if you want. Or even Padmé, if it's something, I don’t know, womanly,” he grimaced.
Cinis huffed a laugh and shook her head, her smile wide now as she looked at her friend. “Anakin, you’re an idiot, but thank you.” Turning her stool to face him more, she added, “I just need to clear my head. I’ve been keeping myself up with all of the research I have been doing lately…” she trailed off, eyes closing at her mistake for mentioning it.
“Have you found anything at all?” Anakin turned extremely serious, his hand flexing where it rested on the counter.
Cinis sighed in resignation, “No, Anakin, but I promise I will keep looking. I care about Padmé just as much as you do. We aren’t going to let anything bad happen to her.” Her brow furrowed as she thought over what had been plaguing them. Their friend, Padmé Amidala, Senator of Naboo, was someone they had both known for a long time. Cinis and her Master Billaba had spent time on Naboo to assist with the transition of Padmé stepping down as queen, aiding in the shift of her career from regency to diplomacy. During that time, Padmé and Cinis became extremely close, seeing each other as sisters towards the end of the Jedi’s deployment. Anakin had met Padmé first, during his short time when Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Padmé, and Jar Jar Binks had come to Tatooine. Anakin developed a crush on the queen, one that lingered for many years. It wasn’t until he was assigned as her bodyguard in the throes of an ongoing assassination plot against her that he began to realise they truly were better off as friends. The Council had sent Cinis to check on Anakin and Padmé, as they were unsure of his ability to take on a mission by himself. By the time Cinis arrived, Anakin told her they had discussed things and that he realised it was nothing more than a friendship. It was now an inside joke between the three of them when they were all able to spare the time to reminisce over dinner or drinks at Padmé’s apartment.
A few weeks ago, Anakin had a nightmare about Padmé dying, similar to the one he had about his mother before her death. That night, Cinis had shot up in her bed, sensing intense fear, seconds before her best friend started hammering on her door. They had both rushed to Padmé’s apartment to find her alive and well, with no sign of intruders. To be sure, the both of them had stayed there for a few days, rotating between being on guard and meditating to try and find the source of the potential vision. Anakin had not seen the threat within the dream he had, only that whatever happened to Padmé had been fatal. As the days passed, they had to consider that maybe Anakin’s dream was just that - a dream. Just because a Jedi saw something did not necessarily mean it would come true. Cinis had been telling herself that for many months now. She had agreed to look into visions of death and anything that could help them understand what was at play, but what Anakin did not know was that she had already been deep in a project of her own.
For months, she had been having dreams of Anakin turning to the dark side. At first, it just seemed like doubt was playing in her mind, the result of too much caf and spicy food before trying to sleep. As time went on, her dreams continued. Some would repeat, some would be entirely different each night. One thing was always the same: in each dream, Anakin was a creature of rage and evil, polluted with the dark side. Cinis had seen terrible things. Anakin fighting Jedi, people whom they both considered their friends. Anakin on a lava-covered planet, eyes yellow with the taint of evil. Anakin, wielding a red blade, the kyber crystal within having been bled for the heinous acts committed by its owner. Anakin, burned beyond recognition. Anakin, a figure clad in black armour, choking the life of innocents. Anakin, stood before her, a hand extended to her in offering. Anakin fighting her, overpowering her. Anakin, dead at her feet. Almost every night, the dreams came to her. She dared not seek the help of her Master; she knew that there were those on the Council who already did not trust Anakin or his destiny. She hated keeping such a thing from Billaba, but feared what might come of the conversation if it were to occur. Instead, Cinis had been going deeper and deeper into the Archives, searching for any information she could find on the dark side. She had been careful in her research so far, so as not to draw suspicion. She was well known by those within the Archives; she had spent almost as much time there as she had anywhere else in the Temple. While the Sith were not a taboo topic within the Jedi, to someone on the outside, her research may seem a bit… unsavoury.
Anakin took a breath and held it, a tell Cinis knew meant he was trying to check his emotions. It was one he had picked up from her years back. “I know you are, I’m sorry. The lack of sleep is probably getting to me, too.” They finished their bowls of stew, Cinis stacking the dishes and pushing them to the service side of the counter. “Did you want to walk back with me? I figured I could run through some drills and try to work off some extra energy, if you’re interested.” Smiling, Cinis nodded, and they started the walk back to the Temple. A comfortable silence hung around them, a familiarity with each other that came from their years of learning side by side with one another. She felt Anakin trying to discern what was bothering her, feeling him probing around the edges of her mind, hoping to glean some insight. He had apparently not bought her half-truth from their conversation earlier. Cinis was talented in telepathy, a skill shared by all the Jedi, but she had been gifted with a particular aptitude. While most within the Jedi Order were able to look within someone else and tell their mood or their feelings on a subject, there were some, like Cinis, who could do more. She was able to hear certain thoughts of those around her. It was a skill she was still developing, and she noticed it worked best during heightened moments or with those with whom she had a stronger bond. During certain disputes or missions throughout the war, the skill had proven extremely helpful in dealing with various foes.
The first time she had used telepathy had been a complete accident. Cinis and Anakin were still Padawan learners, and the Clone Wars had not yet begun. They had been in the Temple with some of the other Padawans, playing an amplified version of hide and seek that helped them to practice levitation, cloaking their presence from others, and strengthening their senses. During the exercise, Anakin had been the one trying to find the other Padawans. Cinis had gotten herself into the best hiding spot she had seen, allowing the shadows to conceal her and dampening her presence. Anakin had walked through the room she was hiding in, pausing before moving on. Filled with excitement at having tricked him, Cinis had accidentally sent a thought directly at Anakin, causing him to come back and find her. He said it had felt like she had whispered across his mind. They ran to tell their instructor what had happened, and he had been pleased. Soon after, Master Billaba was helping her learn more about her telepathy and how to develop it. For many years, Cinis could only send thoughts to Billaba or Anakin. As time went on, she found out that the Council was beginning to worry that the two young Padawans were growing too close to one another. While it was not unusual for the Jedi to develop friendships, they found it troubling that Cinis could only send thoughts to her Master and one other Padawan. Thankfully, Cinis was soon able to send thoughts to Master Drallig as well, and the Council became less wary of the two children, no longer fearing that they would become overly attached. After that, Anakin and Cinis started practising together in secret, figuring the one-way communication could come in handy one day. They had hoped that Anakin would develop the ability to send thoughts back to Cinis without her already looking into his mind, but they were unable to do so. As the years went on, she was able to send her thoughts to a few more individuals, and her ability to enter others' minds became a bit easier. It was still straining to do for long periods of time, and especially for those who were trained in keeping others out of their minds.
Cinis and Anakin had a strong bond, stronger than most within their Order, their knowledge of each other akin to that of a Master and their Apprentice. Due to this, Cinis had a harder time hiding things from him, as did he. As they approached the Temple once more, Anakin stopped short, grabbing her arm to halt her. “Before we go back in, you’re sure there is nothing you want to talk about?” His eyebrows drew together in concern, eyes darting back and forth between hers. Cinis felt a wave of guilt rising within her. She didn’t want him to feel like she was lying to him or didn’t trust him; to her, Anakin was everything someone could ask for in a friend. They had always told each other everything, from life-changing events to small discoveries. When Cinis would go on long rants about what she had recently read about in the Archives, Anakin was there to – mostly – listen. When Anakin wanted to go over recent battles and review his victories, Cinis would keep his ego in check, but celebrate with him. The pair would often have discussions long into the night about the war and the Jedi’s involvement. He had told her of his darkest secret, slaughtering the village of Sand People on Tatooine after his mother’s death in one of their camps. Things they would not dare voice to others, sometimes not even their masters. There was nothing they kept from each other. Except for this. The darkness Cinis had sensed within her dreams was not something she could talk to her friend about, for fear that mentioning it would cause it to come true. She had faith in Anakin and knew that he would not turn to the dark side from only a conversation. Many wiser Jedi had fallen prey to the visions they had seen, letting them cloud their judgment and blind their actions. No, she would not tell her friend what she had seen. She would not let it come to pass.
Reaching out gently to grab his hand and pull him along, Cinis finally answered, “Like I said, just too many late nights. I’ll be alright soon. I promise”, the guilt washing over her as she forced a smile.