Reetha met up with Obi-wan right after breakfast. Still groggy but you do what you have to do for the Republic. She had a rushed breakfast with Jex and Scowl then lazily dragged herself to the meeting room. "Ah, Reetha. Thank goodness you've arrived. I thought you might've taken a book from Anakin's page and sleep in late." Obi-wan's quips are always the favourite of the 212th, thus slowly growing on her. "While I would have loved to, I can keep my master waiting." 

Obi-wan laughed and agreed and also admitted that if there was another round of Anakin-ness that he had to live through, he'd retire the Jedi Order. "Anyways, we should begin the mission brief." Reetha nodded and neared the table, "No one else joining us?" 

"No Reetha. This mission requires only us. Cody will be taking over the 212th for now." The older Jedi pressed some switches on the holo-table and a fuzzy light blue holo image sprang up in the middle. A glassed dome city appeared with several ships docking and leaving the external bay. "Is this, Mandalore?" Reetha's eyes lit opened and the sleepiness vanished as excitement took its place. "That is Mandalore's capital city, Sundari." He said with a smile, obviously finding the padawan's gleam somewhat relieving. He didn't want to become the 'boring' master, not that he could ever be anyways. 

"The Dutches of Mandalore has invited us to discuss Mandalore's stand with the Republic. We are going there to represent the Republic." Immediately, a slight worry took over Reetha's features. Stroking his beard Obi-wan allowed a grin on his face. "Oh, don't worry. The Dutches is nothing like Lady Kriya." 

Reetha straightened up with many questions behind her eyes. "You sound like you know her.", she chuckled lightly. The older Jedi simply sighed and shook his head "I do know her." 

-------------

Mandalore's bleached white surface reflected the sun's rays making it shimmer and glow like a star going supernova. The first thing Reetha realized was the absence of grass or life on the surface. All activity seemed to be upon the docking bay of the domed structure. She looked at Obi-wan questioningly. "The planet is victim to countless civil wars. This was the result of it. No life was able to flourish after the fires died down. Not even the people could revive the land." A forlorn look fell upon his face as if he could feel the sadness and the pain of the land. 

"Have you seen it before the war?" 

"I have. Once. Just a little though, more like what was left of it." 

Reetha hummed. Her gaze stretched across the vast landscape and there was nothing on the surface, except for the dome. Upon the bay, two Mandalorian guards approached Obi-wan. "The Dutches awaits your presence." 

"Best not to keep her waiting. And Reetha, do hang on." 

The speeder flew across the bay and into a tunnel before blinding lights penetrated Reetha's eyes. She had to squit and try to adjust to the brightness and finally, she could behold the majesty that is Mandalore. The city Sundari burst into life. Tall buildings rose from the ground below. Glass walkways connected the highrises. Elegant gardens only brought in more majesty to the world around her. Reetha gasped and leaned a little on the speeders railing and looked down. Various transports of different sizes zoomed past underneath, leaving unique rings and whooshing sounds as they travelled to their destination. The artificial light gave an angelic glow to the city. If she hadn't known the name, she would have thought it was heaven. 

"Enjoying the view?" Obi-wan asked with a masked smile. "Yeah! I've never seen anything like this." He enjoyed the radiant beam on the girl's face. It was a pleasant change from her sad one the day before. About ten minutes later, the speeder docked at the foot of a magnificent building. The guards led the two down a hallway and Reetha could do nothing but marvel at the architecture within. The grand arches and white marble only added to her fascination with the place. 

Seemingly hypnotized by her own amazement, Obi-wan had to stop her from crashing into a set of heavy doors through where the guards disappeared. She cheekily glanced at Obi-wan muttering a small thanks and the Jedi Master only found sincere amusement with the situation. The doors opened with a groan and Reetha followed in after her Master. The large hall within treated their presence and an empty throne that looked like it was made of glass sat high up on its pedestal. 

The guards had left the two alone standing in the hall. "Do you think the Duchess could be late?" Reetha quietly jokes with Obi-wan. The Jedi Master sent her a glare, not an angry one but a joking one. He took a glance around the room before slightly bending towards his padawan. "She might have tripped on her dress." Reetha's eyes widened in shock and surprise. "Obi-wan-I mean Master!" 

Obi-wan shrugged his shoulders and tried his best to drown his laughter. They snickered on for a while until a commanding voice brought their attention. "My dearest Obi-wan. I was starting to think you might be running late." The laughing duo froze on spot. Obi-wan cringed slightly but quickly composed himself and Reetha followed suit. He cleared his throat, "Me late? I would never keep a lady waiting much less the Dutchess of Mandalore." 

'Classic Obi-wan.' Reetha thought, such a ladies man. 

The Duchess sat upon her throne as Obi-wan approached. Reetha watched the exchange between the two individuals and something seemed almost fairytale like. She also noticed how he glanced around to make sure no one else was in the hall which was surprising because you'd think the guards would be here at least. 

'But it is Obi-wan I guess. He is a Jedi Knight.' Reetha shrugged the thought off when footsteps echoed in the hall. Obi-wan had the Duchess' hands holding his left upper arm as he led the Duchess down the hall. "May I introduce my padawan Reetha Khan." Reetha bowed respectfully, still aware that she's in the presence of royalty. "Reetha, this is the Dutchess Satine of Mandalore." 

"It's and honor to meet you Dutchess." 

The Ducthess Satine Kryze smiled at the young padawan. "The pleasure is all mine. I believe your Master Kenobi has trusted you with plivalge to understand the matter between Mandalore and the Republic. For that I have my trust in you as well." Reetha was rendered speechless at the moment as she stared wide eyed at the Ductchess. She was really not what Reetha had expected and it was not displeasing at all. "T-Thank you Dutchess." She flusteredly replied. 

"If we can begin Ducthess?" 

"Of course Master Kenobi." 

Turns out, Reetha's help wasn't help at all. Obi-wan and the Dutchess had taken to the glass walkways of Mandalore. Four guards trailed behind and Reetha stood between the Jedi-Dutchess pair and the guards. The 'negotiations' have seemed to have started but only remained between the Master Jedi and the ruler of Mandalore. Only hushed whishperes could be heard from the two but none where distinguishable. 

Reetha hung back with a displeasure. She thought  Obi-wan had brought her to help with the negotiations as well, not chaperone the Dutchess and Obi-wan while they talked. Then again, she was releaved because she was not too well informed about politics and wanted to stay that way. Politics were such complicated things that only caused her a headache to even understand Coruscant's politics. 

However, she did realize something bizarre. It was about Obi-wan and Dutchess Satine. Now, Reetha may not understand the full extent of her abilities muchless now, but she had the knack to feel emotions of other people. It's how she went about the world when she was with her former master, Dante Syrn. She was a lonely person back then and only had her master's company for he understood her better than anyone else. That didn't stop her from wanting to make friends but her shyness always held her back. So she resulted to using the Force to feel emotions of other people. She used the force to understand how their relationships were forged and how they opened up to each other but she never pried into their lives. 

When she did with Obi-wan and Dutchess, she felt a great friendship and something beyond that. Someting far greater that burned like the twin suns of Tatooine. Greater than the powers of Kamino's raging seas or the blazing heat of Genosian sands. She used the Force to see the surface of the relationship between the Dutchess and the Jedi and even at the surface a welcoming warmth enveloped their souls. It was something forged long ago and the fire of their furnaces were everlasting and kept the forges burning. 

The smile on the Ducthess' face made her look years younger and radiant as the stress and worry on her face were previously present. Even then did the Dutchess look like a star in the night sky. Matching with her navy blue dress made her look like the ruler of the universe, and Obi-wan was her own knight. It was clear that Obi-wan held much respect and adoration for the woman. From how the two conversed, he never once raised his voice in a matter of disagreement.

 Obi-wan on the other hand was smiling all the way and his attention was solely on the Dutchess and the Dutchess alone. At one point of the walk, Obi-wan laid a hand on one of the Dutchess' and gently suqeezed it, as if to reassure her of her problems. Reetha smiled to herself at the sweet action but quickly averted her eyes to give the pair their privacy. What ever was between them was not Reetha's to question or ponder about, but how could a person not for the Jedi and Mandalorian looked like they belonged together and their hearts were with each other.

Reetha thought of how this could mean an attachment, but then again, Jedi are not supposed to have attachments. 'So what is, Obi-wan and The Dutchess?' Mulling over her thought, she had nearly bumped into the pair had it not been for one of the guards to gently hold her shoulder back and shake her out of her daze. The sky had grown dark. How long have they been walking. 

"I'm sorry for having you follow us around Padawan Khan." The Dutchess Satine calmly turned around and losened her grip on Obi-wan's arm. "It's no problem Ducthess. I'm just glad that I have finally seen Mandalore." 

The Dutchess only beamed more, she smile more apparent. Then she nodded to her guards and Obi-wan and they left the two alone momentarily. Reetha began to feel nervousness creep up her shoulders. She was now in the presence of royalty and Obi-wan was standing at the far side of the glasswalk giving Reetha a reassuring smile. 

"May I talk with you?" Reetha gulped and nodded. The Ducthess sat on a bench underneath a tree and patted the area next to her. "Me?" the padawan asked and pointed to herself. Satine nodded and Reetha made her way over, "Yes Dutchess?" 

Satine hummed for a moment than spoke. "Your master speaks highly of you." 

'Oh'. Reetha thought. Her features showing her surprise. She certainly didn't expect that from the Dutchess. "He told me about the councils decision." it was more of a question than a statement. Satine was careful not to sour the padawan's mood. "How do you feel about that?" 

"What?" Reetha asked with utter shock. 

"How do you feel about the councils decisions?" Reetha raised her eyebrow and cast her eyes to the grown, unsure if she should even talk about it. Satine encouraged her to speak her mind and she finally did. "I-I don't agree with what they decided." Reetha stopped to see what reaction would come off the Dutchess but she was encouraged to speak more. 

"Well, I thought that- My training is all about understand and learn about my ability which I know very little off. And this recent decision hinders that. How can I learn without practicing and taking risks? It's like they don't even want me to try or just gave up on me." 

Reetha's openness about the topic surprised Satine. A gentle laugh fell from her lips, not mockingly, "You are quite opinionated for a Jedi." Reetha felt flustered under Satine's gaze. "Don't worry about it. I can share that frustration. The same happens between the Republic and I." 

"It does?" 

"Yes. Sometimes they make decisions that anger and frustrate me but I cannot do anything about it except to accept it." 

Reetha thought over Satine's words. "I don't see how that goes with me?" Satine's small smile came like a comfort, " In similar circumstances you and I face the same troubles. Mine is from the Republic and your's: the Jedi. Sometimes its best to let these decisions be than to muse over them and try to understand their reason. Even if it doesn't make sense at the moment." Reetha pursed her lips and thought about it, "I guess it kind of is. We have to be patient then." Then Reetha recollected that she was in the presence of Mandalorian royalty and quickly added 'Dutchess' respectfully at the end of her conversation. "Well, it's best not to keep your Master waiting. He has some important things to talk to you about." Reetha groaned internally and managed a smile. 

"Thank you Master Kenobi, for your time." Obi-wan placed a kiss on the Dutchess' hand and bid her farewell then he and Reetha made their travel back to the Negotiator. "I see the negotiations went well." 

"Yes, they did." Obi-wan replied tiredly. Reetha laughed, "Did politics tire you Master?" 

"Now little one, I love a good dose of politics." The two began to laugh knowing that Obi-wan had had his fare share of negotiation and politics for the time being. "So, how did the personal meeting with the Dutchess go?" Ofcourse he had to bring that up. 

"It was... interesting. The Dutchess said you spoke highly of me." Obi-wan had a proud look on him face, "Of course I did. You are an exceptional padawan."

"Obi-wan, I've done nothing but cause trouble the whole time when I was with you. We nearly lost our deal with Lady Kriya." 

"Yes, but it was a learning curve." 

Reetha shook her head and sighed and let silence take over for a while before breaking it. "Was i supposed to learn patience today, Master?" Obi-wan glanced at his padawan before returning his gaze to the Mandalorian horizon, "In a way. Did you learn it?" 

"I guess so." 

Obi-wan hummed, "Reetha?" Reetha tore her eyes from the darkening sky of Mandalore and gave Obi-wan his full attention. "Sometimes...the council's decisions aren't always right Reetha." The padawan rolled her eyes when it came to this. "Please master. I understand, you disagreed with it an-"

"I didn't just disagree Reetha." Obi-wan's eyes held a great emotion in them. "When I heard about the council's decision I knew how it would impact you. And after what happened a month ago, this news would not bring any healing to you." Reetha pursed her lips and said nothing as she listened on to Obi-wan. "I may be in the council as well, but not all their decisions are shared to all of its members. Some are made by the higher ranking Jedi. We may not understand their decision but there is a reason behind it." 

"And their reason is their fear of me." Reetha recollected memories of a past conversation with Obi-wan.

"They fear for you." 

"It doesn't seem like it. If they did, they would let me use my ability to learn more about myself. They are afraid of who I can be." Reetha's voice reduced to a whisper. "Should I be afraid of myself too? Should I fear my attachments to those who make me stronger?" 

"No Reetha." Obi-wan's answer was immediately and purposeful. "You have no reason to fear yourself and you will never have reason to." 

His words were relieving to her heart and tears pricked her eyes but she willed them not to fall. It was comforting to know that someone from the council believes in her. She knew Plo Koon always did, Obi-wan added to that assurance. "Obi-wan, can I ask you something?" 

"Sure" 

"I-I've asked this question before but I'm confused. The Jedi say that attachments are forbidden. Why?" 

"It's complicated but I'll try my best to explain it. I take it you saw how Satine and I are with each other?" There was a tease in Obi-wan's voice. "N-no? Maybe..." Reetha grinned shyly. 

"When the Jedi speak about attachments, they mean the ability to not let go." He glanced back at Reetha as saw confusion etched on her face. "When you form an attachment to someone, we do all we can to keep them safe. Sometimes we don't have the power to keep them safe. In a situation where they get hurt or something worse happens to them, we could loose sight of who we are and result to irrational things to sooth our minds." 

The padawan was quiet as she digested her master's words of knowledge. "Although not everyone reacts that way to a loosing a loved one. No attachments means learning to let go of those people when their time comes and accept it as it is." 

Reetha thought back to her former Master. His death still lingered deep in her heart making the hole in her soul become greater like a black hole. She knew then that his death remained with her like a looming guilt. It made her a danger to herself and those around her because she couldn't come to terms of loosing anymore people she loves. Rex and the members of the Torrent Squad, Wolffe, Comet, Boost, Sinker, Cody, Jex and Scowl. They had allowed her into their lives and accepted her even when she was cold and distant. Then there was Plo Koon, Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-wan. Four Jedi who supported her in her darkest moments within the Jedi Order itself. 

She knew if she lost them, she'd cry and if the pain didn't kill her she'd doom herself to a life of sadness and grief because she never learned to let go. She pieced the puzzle little by little. She already forged attachments because every creature has attachments. What sets them aside from her is their acceptance of one's passing whether by death or by other causes. That was what constantly held her back and placed her on the fine line between the Light and the Darkside of the Force, or better yet, her fall and her grip on reality. To her, the Force was one continuous road and there would not be light if there were no darkness for it was balance. 

Her Master Dante Syrn thought her that. He's belief were a little different from the traditional Jedi. Maybe that's the reason they got along so well. 

"I... I understand. I understand." She said with such newfound security within herself it felt like a river of life had been revived within her. The change was so sudden but so life giving and refreshing. Obi-wan looked through the Force and understood her raw emotions at once. Her spirit was renewed and no longer timid and cold as it had been. He knew then the young padawan had realized her problem and he was happy that he helped. He reminded himself to thank Satine as well. 

"You called her Satine." Reetha chuckled.

"Hmm, what?" 

"I think you accidentally spoke your thoughts out. You mentioned to call the Dutchess and thank her?" 

"What? I did- No I didn't." Obi-wan grumbled making Reetha laugh and bite her lip. 

"Is she your girlfriend?" 

"Wha-Reetha she's not my-" Reetha's know it all look caught Obi-wan and the Jedi Master just shook his head disappointedly. 

"She's not my girlfriend." 

Reetha hummed and pursed her lips, "The blush says otherwise." Obi-wan rolled his eyes and looked everywhere except his padawan, "I swear you just another Anakin." 

Reetha smiled and let a sigh escape her lips as she watched the last clouds pass the window of the transport. They finally left the planet and the Jedi Cruiser was in view. 

"Hey Master?"

"Hmm." 

Reetha turned to face Obi-wan with a grateful look on her face. "Thank you. For everything." 

Obi-wan's blue eyes met Reetha's dark ones and he could feel her gratitude flowing of her in emotional waves which held a new found reverence, respect, for the Jedi before her and the ways of the Jedi as a whole. Though they not agree with her, she wouldn't let it get the best of her. Plo Koon had thought her to properly control her spontaneousity of her shape-shifting and controlling the Force that flew through her,  and Obi-wan thought her patience and about attachment. "Your welcome, dear Reetha."