I'm not supposed to be here.

But yet here I stood in front of a stack of ancient scrolls with the cataloguing droids humming softly behind me. I reached up to touch one of the weathered pieces of parchment but quickly withdrew my hand back to my side. Technically, I do no have authorization to be in the temple library. Someone like me shouldn't have the need for knowledge. That is a luxury only afforded to our Jedi knights. But the temple was empty, everyone was outside, and there was no one standing guard.

My heart quickened slightly at the thought of being alone with all this information. Jedi don't know how fortunate they are. But then just as quickly, the shame took over. It would be mortifying to be caught here. To be called out as someone less than, someone unimportant. Someone who shouldn't be here.

I sighed and started to turn around, running straight into something...someone solid.

"Oh sh—" I mumbled, immediately flustered at being caught. But when I looked up and saw a familiar face, I let out a sight of relief.

"I thought you were outside with everyone else." My friend, Payto said with a smirk. He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a pointed look.

"Payto...you almost gave me a heart attack." I said and looked around nervously. "And I was just on my way." I quipped and began to walk past him and back out the library doors.

"Oh, and you just so happened to take three wrong turns and end up in the very off-limits library?" He fell into step next to me.

"Look, there was no one here and I just wanted to take a small peek." I sighed.

"I get it." He said with a small chuckle. "Got to take advantage of an empty temple, right?"

"It's not like I was going to— wait, what were you doing here?" I stopped and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Looking for you." He said and pressed his pointed finger into my shoulder.

"Well...you found me." I rolled my eyes as we continued to make our way to the grand entrance of the temple.

"Always on your own schedule aren't you, Kels?" He asked with a laugh, earning a smirk from myself.

"Come on," I said and grabbed his elbow as I quickened our pace to a light jog. "We have a show to put on."

Payto scoffed and rolled his eyes. We quickly made our way to the temple's outdoor entrance and took our places amongst the crowd of Jedis, droids, temple staff and Coruscant's finest. There were already banners being flown and the opera's horn section had begun to play a triumphant song, signaling that the returning Jedis were due to walk through the doors any minute now.

Every time the temple's Jedi's returned from a particularly noteworthy victorious battle, they were always given a hero's welcome. Which don't get me wrong, they completely deserve all the appreciation in the galaxy, but these grand celebrations were starting to grow stale as the war continued to wage on. To me, it started to feel like we were just celebrating loss of precious life. Because more often than not, the group who returned was always smaller than the group who departed.

I stood on my tip toes and craned my neck towards the courtyard entrance just as I felt something swat my arm. My head snapped in the direction of Glynn, my boss. 

"Stay in line, Remlik." She said in her gravelly voice as her long arm fell to her side and she straightened her apron.

I bit my lip to keep the retort from rolling off my tongue and returned to my position. I gently elbowed Payto who I could hear chuckling next to me.

Just then, the doors to the courtyard burst open and right on que, all of us spectators began cheering. I watched as the Jedi made their way through the courtyard doors and up the long staircase leading into the temple. I plastered a smile on my face and clapped in sync with my colleagues. However, my smile began to falter when I noticed how worse for wear the Jedi looked. Gaunt, tired faces passed by, and despite a victory on paper, they looked defeated.

I spotted Obi-Wan Kenobi was waving humbly at the crowd and nodding his head in appreciation as he passed by our line of temple cooks. But even he couldn't hide the sadness in his eyes. Behind him, Anakin Skywalker advanced up the stairs, his stormy eyes focused straight forward, completely ignoring any well wishes or congratulations from Coruscant's important figures. He was sporting a fresh cut above his eye and it wasn't hard to sense the furry radiating from him. The crowd parted for him to be allowed through and I watched as he made his way into the temple and out of sight. I always found myself watching him, even when I tried not to. It was impossible for Anakin Skywalker to not catch one's eye. After all, he was the temple's golden boy. 

"This mission must have not gone according to plan." Payto mumble next to me, his eyes also following Anakin.

"Yeah...I'll say." I responded softly.

We stayed in line, cheering and clapping until the last of the Jedi knights were safely back inside the temple.

"Alright, back to work." Glynn called out and motioned for us all to return inside as well. I groaned and made my way upstairs and back to the temple kitchen.

Today marked nine years on the dot that I have been working at the temple. They brought me in as a small child when I was only ten years old. And as much as Glynn hated the idea of employing and training a child, she took me under her wing, and I have been working in the kitchen and temple cafeteria ever since.

I told myself I would get out of here one day. I would move on to something better, something important. But still here I am. Doing work that a droid could easily do. Glynn always tells me that I should be grateful. And I suppose she is right.

When my home planet, Ova, was decimated due to an infinity wave, a team of special forces Jedi were sent in to rescue as many civilians as they could before the wave caused its fatal destruction. However, the rescue mission was rushed, and I was one of the lucky few they were able to save.

I swallowed hard at the memory of my mother's terrified, tear-stained face and my father pushing me into the arms of an unknown Jedi, begging them to take me with them. Their fates were sealed when they remained on Ova, but mine is still yet to be determined. I suppose I should be more appreciative of the life I have here on Coruscant.

I shoved my way through the kitchen doors as I tied my apron behind my back in a tight knot. We had a welcome feast to prepare for the Jedi. I pushed any floating thoughts out of my mind and focused on the task at hand. Chop, mix, boil, pour. I could make this stew in my sleep. 

It was Payto who pulled me out of my meditative cooking state.

"So, are we still on for tomorrow tonight?" He whispered he leaned against the counter next to me.

"Yes, of course." I said as I sliced through one of the many root vegetables in front of me.

"Good." He said and eyed me carefully, "I wanted to make sure you weren't going to back out."

"Payto," I said and put down the knife as I shot him a sharp look, "It was my idea. I'm not backing out."

"Fine." He said and raised his hands innocently. 

"You better get back to that bread otherwise Glynn is going to have your ass." I said and nodded my head towards a lump of dough he had left unattended across the kitchen. He just laughed and lumbered back over to his station.

I gently spun the knife in my hand as I let out a sigh. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. It was a long-standing rumor that there were clubs in the depths of Coruscant that served as a place where you could earn easy money dancing. Especially if you were young and generally attractive. Payto fit the bill, with his beautiful mahogany skin and violet eyes, he was bound to capture the attention of some wealthy on-looker. I was just tagging along hoping they'd let me ride his coattails and maybe make a few additional credits along the way.

While the temple provided meals, clothing and a place to sleep, it left a lot to be desired when it comes to pay. And if I were ever to get off this planet, I needed credits to do so. And as an untrained, uneducated temple cook, I didn't exactly have an abundance of options.

I bit my lip as a returned to slicing and dicing the contents of the stew for tonight's dinner. I methodically prepared food for the next few hours. Finally, it was time to take a break. I passed the time playing a dice game with Payto and a few of the kitchen droids.

"You are cheating. I swear it." Payto gave me an incredulous look. 

"Who me? Never." I said and looked up at him through my eyelashes innocently as I grabbed my winning chips from the center of our circle.

"Nice try," He said and narrowed his glare, "that look won't work on me."

"Listen, I know it's hard being constantly beaten. But you just have to take it on the chin, Payto." I said sweetly, trying not to laugh. He just rolled his eyes and stood up, brushing dust off his apron.

"One of these days Remlik...one of these days." He muttered, earning a laugh from me.

"It's time!" I heard Glynn shout as she burst through the kitchen doors, causing the droids to scramble in her wake.

"Oh yes, the time has come to serve our masters." Payto exclaimed sarcastically, I turned my head so Glynn couldn't see me snickering in response.

"That bread better be perfectly baked." Glynn snapped at Payto.

"It always is." He chipped in response. Glynn clapped loud enough for everyone to hear and we all reluctantly moved into action.

I passed the large pot of stew to a transport droid and followed closely as it whizzed out to the cafeteria area. I was met with chatter and the sound of glassware clinking. And while the energy certainly wasn't as chipper as usual, there was an overwhelming feeling of relief felt from the Jedi who were happy to be back at the temple, together.

I made my way along the rows of tables, asking politely if anyone needs seconds or thirds. It was moments like these where I felt particularly invisible. Constantly having to speak up or repeat myself multiple times. And it makes sense, who would be more captivated by a temple cook accompanied by a large vat of stew than a fellow Jedi who is sharing their battle stories? So, I just move along, silently, trying to soak in as much of the stories as I can. I always enjoy hearing snippets and bits of the fascinating tales of other worlds and planets.

The wheels of the transport droid softly pattered against the floor as I rounded my way over to the next table and found myself standing right behind a seated Anakin Skywalker. His soft brown curls that usually fell to his shoulders were pulled out of his face by a thin piece of leather. I found myself pausing momentarily. He always made me nervous.

"I don't give a fuck Obi-Wan. It was a stupid decision, and you know it." I heard him exclaim angrily towards his master sitting across from him as he slammed his spoon down onto the table. I jumped slightly at the noise and Obi-Wan's eyes darted up to mine from across the table. Anakin must have noticed because he snapped his head around in my direction and gave me a sharp look.

"I'm sorry—" I started quickly. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"What do you want?" Anakin practically growled.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan exclaimed sternly and shot me an apologetic look.

I felt my face flush and opened my mouth to apologize again. But I stopped myself and took a deep breath.

"Well, if it wasn't obvious," I said as steadily as possible and motioned toward the large vat of stew, "I wanted to see if you need more stew." I saw Anakin's eyes dart down to the transporter droid next to me. Then he looked back up at me. I felt my breath catch in my throat. His dark blue eyes felt like they were staring straight through me. And it struck me that despite living in the same temple for nine years, Anakin Skywalker has never made eye contact with me before. I didn't doubt that this was the first time I even blipped on his radar. I lifted my chin slightly in an effort to not look flustered.

"No." Was all he said, finally breaking his gaze and quickly turned around to face Obi-Wan, completely dismissing me.

"I apologize on behalf of Skywalker." Obi-Wan said to me gently, "We have had a difficult few days."

I just swallowed and nodded. "Of course." I said softly and turned to keep walking down the table.

"I will have seconds if you are offering." Obi-Wan said, stopping me as he reached his empty bowl towards me.

"Yes, of course" I repeated and leaned forward to take his bowl. As I leaned forward, my arm accidentally brushed against Anakin who shot me a venomous look. It almost caused me to drop Obi-Wan's bowl.

I filled the bowl with a steaming helping of stew and tried to keep my gloved hands from shaking. I internally begged myself to get it together.

"Here you go, Master Kenobi." I said and handed the bowl back to Obi-Wan, making sure to avoid any contact with Anakin this time.

"Thank you...uh—what was your name?" Obi-Wan asked. I cringed. I knew he was just trying to be polite, but it hurt that after all my time spent here, I am still nameless to most of the Jedi.

"It's Kels...Kels Remlik." I replied. Obi-Wan nodded slowly and smiled softly.

"Well thank you, Kels Remlik." He said. I just nodded my head and went to move on to the Jedi sitting next to them. But not before involuntarily glancing at Anakin again who was staring at Obi-Wan with an unreadable expression. Again, not even acknowledging my existence. I just sighed and continued on my way. What a way for my first real interaction with Anakin Skywalker to go.