~Yula POV~
        You'd think I'd be distracted by what happened earlier today with Jek. But I'm not. I've gotten good about tossing feelings out the door, they've bothered me too many times.

"Ready for this trial?" I asked Cira as I reached her side to watch the trial go down.

She smiled and chuckled slightly,"You bet. I just want to put this behind us, get back to fixing the real problems in the Galaxy."

I didn't say anything. I didn't wanna lie and say something like "oh yeah let's go team Republic"  because I'd be lying, but I also couldn't bash them. Now seeing first hand what the Republic does the second there's any suspicions, I didn't wanna walk on any thinner ice then I'm on now.

She looked down at me with her arms folded, a look of concern plastered to her,"Did something happen?"

Dammit. She knew. Maybe not specifics, but she knew enough. It would take an idiot to not at least have some suspicion of what happened.

"Take a guess." I stared blankly out into the Senate floor as the droids buzzed about, getting the cameras and microphones ready.

She put a hand on my back and smiled softly,"We'll talk later. I'm glad you're okay."

If only she knew, I thought to myself. If only she knew just how close I was to absolutely losing it.

~Cira POV~
        Yula and I stood in a doorway from the Senate building to watch the trial go down. It started with the charges, witness accounts, evidence, then the eventual confession.

It was a young Pantoran woman. Mak-Ala Yui. Just like we all assumed, the motive was to keep Pantora with the Republic. Chu-Chi made a brief statement saying that even though she believes, rightfully so, that Pantora should remain with Republic, she'll accept whatever decision is made that's beyond her influence. Especially for her age, she really was one of the most respectable Senators here. 

Lastly came the punishment phase. Yui was going to face 2 life sentences in Republic prison without parole. Damn. Guess that's what you get when you murder four people to advance a political agenda. Even if I did think Pantora should stick with Republic. Murder isn't the way.

Senators, Republic Officials, and Yula and I all flooded from our positions around the vast, circular Senate floor. Yui had been taken away and probably won't ever see the outside again. A part of me even felt bad for her.

Yula and I went back to the quarters since it was getting late. It was dark outside and the nightlife was buzzing. Night life on Corasaunt equals probably drugs and sketchy people. No thanks you.

"Why don't we have a talk. I know there's a lot to unpack about the last few days," I said to Yula with an understanding tone. I sat in a chair in the center of the large room while she sat cross legged on the end of her bed, slouched over, avoiding eye contact. Now she even appeared to want to be closed off from the world.

She sighed,"About earlier," then she looked down to the ground, her voice dropping and guilt radiating from her,"Jek kind of..," She was obviously uncomfortable and embarrassed.

"I know what you mean. Trust me, it's not uncommon," I chuckled,"It did happen to me after all."

She looked up with a confused expression,"Really?"

"Yeah," I took a deep breathe and then expanded on my answer,"I was about your age and had this friend. She and I were always close and developed.. feelings. Of course we knew it was wrong and barely gave into it,"I smiled a little,"Then we moved on." I've never told anyone. Not even Kya for Force sakes. It felt pretty good to get it off my chest. "You and Jek will too."

I'll admit it, I was holding my breathe in nervousness. Expecting her to ask something like "a girl?" terrified me. It was a part of me I barely acknowledge. Not because I'm ashamed, but I just don't need to. Jedi can't have attachments so it didn't matter.

I was so relived to hear her just say,"I'm glad it's not just me."

I leaned back and stretched my hands out, cracking my knuckles,"Now, onto our next topic. The Representatives. Something's bothering you, I can sense it."

She shrugged,"I don't know, just being wrongfully accused of something sucks."

"I know that, but there's something else." She had to tell me. It was for her own good, and it scares me that she seems to be spiraling down. I don't know exactly how, but something bigger is going on in that teenager's mind.

"Why do you want to know so badly?" She asked rather defensively and threw her hands in the air.

"Because you're scaring me, Yula! Something is very wrong in your mind right now and I can't sit here and watch it consume you. Whatever it is!"

She was clearly taken aback when I raised my voice. She was silent for a minute and her face got pale. Then she quietly gave in,"This war. It's too much. I don't understand why we have to fight,"Her voice got louder and more powerful as she spoke,"The Republic doesn't even trust their own people! How can I trust them? How can I fight for them? How-" then she sunk back down and I could see tears well up. She became silent, trying to will them back.

"Yula, I understand what you're thinking. Everyone, I mean everyone, has had this thought before. Just try to hold out longer and it'll become clear why we're fighting, and why we're fighting the right battle for the right side."

She wiped her eyes and sniffled. I could sense her calm down. I just hated so much seeing her like this. It broke my heart. She can be such a funny, kind kid. But this war changes you.

"I'm gonna go for a walk," she said once she got herself under control.

I jumped up and jogged to the fridge,"Not either celebrating your birthday first," I smiled and walked over with 2 small cakes I'd gotten from the cafe earlier. I handed her one,"Happy 17th birthday."

She smiled and laughed,"Weirdest birthday ever."

I laughed,"Just so you know, I'm still workin in your gift. It's gonna be awesome."

She smiled,"Lookin forward to it."

With that, we ate our cakes and then quickly passed out. This has officially been the longest 3 Days of my entire life. It'll make for a great story, at least.