There was no pause this time, Leia answered swiftly.

"As I said, I saw your race.

You were noticeably more skilled than the other humans there. And the decisions and manuevers you pulled off... required far more than the normal human sensory capabilities.

As a Jedi Master, these things intrigued me. I followed you because I believe you might have talents in the Force, and if this is so, then I offer you an opportunity to cultivate them and become a Jedi Knight."

Leia's small speech ended there, and she turned her head away from Kanbal to gaze out the speeder window and at the scenery below. This gave Kanbal some time to absorb what he had just heard.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Now where could we be going...?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<font color="#77A8C1">“…become a Jedi Knight.”

Kanbal let the words set awhile before answering. He contemplated the path that was placed before him. Becoming a Jedi Knight would definitely be life changing. It would involve protect the freedom and keeping the peace in the New Republic, often against the criminals and scum he dealt with on a daily basis in Corellian racing circuit. Kanbal had heard that there was a strict discipline code that the Jedi followed, and he was sure Swoop racing didn’t fall inside it. Life changing indeed.

But there was one element that his decision hinged on, and only one question to determine the answer.</font>

“How can you be sure that I have talents in the Force?”

"As I mentioned briefly, your actions within that race and the descriptions I have heard of your actions characterize perfectly a human who has talents in the Force.

Now sitting here, I feel that the Force is strong within you, in a way that I can identify through experience to be similar to other potential Jedi.

It would also partly explain your current lifestyle as I have seen it, though I cannot explain that..."


Leia did not know how Kanbal would react when it came time for an acceptance or a decline. He seemed unhappy with some aspects of himself, and eager to leave them behind.

But she sensed reluctance in him...

<font color="#77A8C1">The taxi set down outside Wouher’s diner just as Organa Solo had finished her sentence. Kanbal handed the driver a credit chip and thanked him for the ride. He stepped out onto the street; Wouher had kept the diner open. Kanbal ducked his head back into the taxi, and motioned for Organa Solo to exit and follow him. They entered the diner and sat in a booth near the windows. Wouher had not noticed Kanbal enter yet, Kanbal could hear him singing, or what he thought sounded like and Ithorian singing, in the kitchen. Kanbal brought his attention back to Organa Solo.</font>

“So, what bring such an important person like yourself to Caprioril? A bit far from Corellia.”

<font color="#77A8C1">One of Wouher’s diligent wait-driods approached the table as Kanbal was speaking. He briefly looked up and ordered himself some purified water. The driod’s glowing photoreceptors stared intently at Organa Solo, waiting for her request.</font>

Leia also ordered a water, and the droid ambled off to fill their orders.

She then turned her full attention on Kanbal.

"Well, I was off for a hard earned little solo vacation trip. But I ran into some problems with the hyperdrive which I couldn't fix, and so I was forced to make a stop here for repairs. Got in yesterday.

And so now, with some blind luck, here I sit."

She smiled and shrugged, then glanced around at their surroundings, taking them in. She thought she heard Ithorian singing off in the back kitchen.

She had known some good friends in her younger years that were Ithorian...

"So what made you decide to choose this place? Know the owner or something? It is a little late..."

<font color="#77A8C1">Kanbal let a slight smile form on his face. He rubbed his hands together, in front of his face, to evaporate some of the sweat beading on them. This was an awkward situation for him; she was reading him like a holo-document. Kanbal had lost that slight edge he commonly had on most sentinel beings. It amused him more than bothered. He brought his hands down and folded them neatly on the table, to answer the question posed.</font>

“Yes, I do know the owner. His name is Wouher. He’s an exiled Ithorian. We’ve been good friends for the last seven standard months. A good friend…” <font color="#77A8C1">Kanbal left the thought unfinished. Truth was, the whole of the seven months, Wouher had become his only friend on the planet. He was always the supporting voice in that time span, no one else.

The wait-droid came scuttling back with the two waters ordered. Kanbal took a small sip from his cup, gazing beyond Organa Solo.</font>

"Yes, the Ithorians are a good bunch."

A silence followed as they were served their drinks.

Leia found herself comfortable and neutral, merely a bystander to some event.

What the said event was, she had no idea.

Yet.

Leia was inclined to break the silence, and she did.

"There's one thing, well, many, that I cannot tell about you.

One is, are you happy that you won that race, or guilty, or what? You did not hang around after that race, you got away quickly and tried to hide. Forgive my intrusive nature, but I do not understand..."

<font color="#77A8C1">So many question, so many emotions ensnarled in those questions. Kanbal didn’t know the answers. He’d collected his gear, the prize money, and left. No particular cognitive impulses carried him through his actions. The next think he remembers doing was trying to escape a threat that wasn’t going to harm him. Somehow, his actions weren’t his that night.</font>

“Of course I’m happy I won the race. I defeated the all time reigning champion of Carprioril, and got a substantial bonus for doing so. How wouldn’t be overjoyed. I’ve just felt like I’ve been being chased by something dark and oppressive these last few months. I ran from you because I felt you as being that dark threat. I don’t quiet understand it all…”

<font color="#77A8C1">He knew the Jedi were no dark threat, to anyone.</font>

Leia leaned back in her seat, raised her eyebrows.

"Earlier I vaguely offered you a chance to learn, to understand. But you did not answer.

If you wish, you can accompany me back to Naboo, where the Jedi are located. You can be taught the ways of the Jedi, and can come to understand what you currently do not. I am now fairly certain that you are Force adept.

Your senses and instincts serve you well. You are indeed being chased, Kanbal. By forces Darker and more powerful than you can imagine. What I offer you will teach you to defeat these forces, and drive them away.

It is no small decision, and you can put it aside for later musing if you wish. I have a feeling I'll be here another day or two anyways..."

<font color="#77A8C1">“It is no small decision…”

The words echoed in his mind. Becoming a Jedi would be… unthinkable for someone of his lowly stature. But the Force knew no species or live style, Kanbal knew. He started to lightly rap his knuckles on the table, contemplating that path that had been laid down before him. Things would have to change, drastically. Perhaps for the better, but that dark weight still loomed in the fore of his mind. It was the deciding factor in all this… what was it?</font>

“You say you know of these dark forces that taunt me. What is it, and what does it want with me?”