Whispers in the Dark

By Arriss

Chapter IV – Festival of Fools – Part I

“Our time here has been unbelievable!” Sakoya exclaimed as she walked hand in hand with her husband down the cobbled street.

“That’s due to your marvelous husband,” Obi-Wan said with a snicker.

Sakoya glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Oohh, realllly?” she said slowly.

“But of course,” he retorted smugly.

Sakoya simply shook her head and laughed.

“Oh, we haven’t stopped in here yet. I wonder whose fault that is?”

Obi-Wan looked around sheepishly, avoiding his wife’s playful glare.

“Uh huh, give it up, Jedi.”

“I thought I already had,” he remarked.

Sakoya looked at him shocked then narrowed her eyes and said in a low tone, “Just for that…” She quickly turned and waltzed through the open doors of the Art Gallery. “Better have some credits handy.” 

“I have a bad feeling about this,” he groaned and then followed his wife into the shop.

 

Sakoya walked at a snail’s pace through the gallery. Although she was no connoisseur of art, she knew what she liked and many of these pieces appealed to her.

“Elegant, aren’t they?” she asked Obi-Wan as he came up beside her.

“They are beautiful,” he agreed.

“Yes, they are,” a female voice chimed in.

The two Jedi turned their heads as a woman approached. Her short dark hair framed her oval face and catlike eyes. A resonance of haughtiness emanated from her as she came up next to the couple.

“Can I assist you?” The words practically rolled past her dark ruby lips.

“We were just browsing. Thank you,” Obi-Wan replied.

“Are these original works?” Sakoya asked innocently.

As if taken aback from such a ludicrous question, the woman’s hand pressed against her chest and she gasped. “Of course! We provide only the most distingue of creations.”

“T-thank you,” Sakoya glanced at Obi-Wan out of the corner of her eye. *Little conceited, wouldn’t you say?*

*I assume we can leave then?*

*Yes, please! Before she faints when I ask her the price.* Sakoya did a slight eye roll, yet tried to appear interested in what the woman was now chattering about regarding the prestigious artists.

“Thank you for your time. I’m sure all of them are quite exquisite,” Sakoya said with a nod and made her way past the woman with Obi-Wan right behind her.

 

“Thank the Force we’re out of there!” Sakoya took a deep breath of the ocean air.

Obi-Wan was chuckling and then a moment later, he was all-out laughing.

Frowning and placing her hands on her hips, Sakoya growled, “What’s so funny?”

Obi-Wan swept her into his arms for a tight embrace. “Your face – the expression in there, I mean. I don’t think you could have faked a better disinterested look.”

“Well, she wasn’t exactly Miss Nice. Brrr, I get the chills talking about her.”

A few more sniggers and Obi-Wan was himself again. They continued on their way, stopping in nearly every shop at Sakoya’s insistence, which made her beam in delight. There were artisans of every kind – from simple candle makers to clothes and everything in between. She happened upon a pair of earrings that were as blue as the sky; the design was that of a flattened spiral, and dangled from her ears enticingly.

“As you wish,” Obi-Wan’s hot breath played upon her ear.

“Oh, you’re so good to me, beloved.” She grinned at him playfully.

After paying for their purchase, the couple walked out into what should have been sunshine, although by now, the sun was just beginning to set.

“Where would you like to venture now, milady?” he asked, giving her a kiss.

Tilting her head to the side, Sakoya slid her hands up her husband’s chest, and around his neck, gazing intently at him. “First I would like to satisfy my hungry stomach and then…I would like to dance with you.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows arched inquisitively. “And where –”

Sakoya brushed her lips across his, silencing him. “Follow me,” she whispered with a crooked smile as she ran her hands back down his chest and tenderly took hold of his hand.

__________________________________*****__________________________________

While his wife was getting ready, Obi-Wan opened the twin doors in their bedroom that led outside, which allowed a comforting breeze to pour into their chamber. The wind caught hold of his shirt, floating it away from his body and leaving his bare chest unmasked to the outside elements. Without a care, he inhaled the fresh air deeply, a look of serenity gracing his face.

Absently, he reached for the sides of his shirt and mumbled to himself, “Better get myself together.”

 

“Do you find this acceptable?” Sakoya asked as she emerged from the fresher and preened before her husband in a dark burgundy dress.

Obi-Wan turned around and gasped. His fingers froze in place as he immediately forgot about his rather cantankerous shirt buttons that were refusing to cooperate.

Enjoying her husband’s appreciative look, Sakoya twirled in a circle that gave her dress the liberty to flutter around her alluring legs. Red ringlets of hair bounced atop the thin straps that draped across her bare shoulders and held the fabric in place. Reaching for her wrap, she flung it around herself just as Obi-Wan walked up to her.

Placing his hands upon her bare arms, he commented just above a whisper, “You look stunning!” His hands moved with deliberate care up and down her arms, drinking in their softness. “Are you sure we can’t stay up here tonight?” His emerald eyes seemed to plead with her.

Sakoya’s own eyes sparkled as she fixed her gaze upon him. “No, my darling. I want to show the galaxy what a handsome man you are and how lucky I am. You’re all mine, my dear Jedi, all mine,” she cooed as her lips brushed across his.

__________________________________*****__________________________________

By the time the couple made it down to the lobby for the night’s festivities, darkness had dominated over light.

“Are you in need of transportation?” Garen, their previous clumsy, if well-intentioned, bellhop asked as he approached.

“Yes, in fact, we are.” Sakoya smiled as she greeted the man. “Garen, is it not?”

The bellhop blushed and shyly looked at the floor. “Yes, milady.”

“We need to go to –” Sakoya paused to look at the brochure in her hands, “hmmm, yes, to the Phantom’s Lock.”

“Oh, excellent choice, milady. You’ll have a marvelous time there. No doubt about that,” Garen gushed.

“Uh, yes, well, if you would be kind enough to hail –”

“I’m on it, milord.” Garen interrupted and tripped over his feet a few times before he finally managed to lumber out the door.

Obi-Wan shook his head and smiled. “He tries hard, I’ll give him that.”

Sakoya joined in on her husband’s frivolity, a small giggle escaping her lips.

A moment later, Garen stuck his head inside the resort entrance and waved his hand at the couple.

“I guess that’s our cue,” Obi-Wan grinned as they ventured toward the doors and walked outside.

 

Holding his wife’s hand, Obi-Wan assisted her into one of the all too familiar hestan-drawn carriages and then got himself on board. “To the Phantom’s Lock, please.”

“Don’t forget the ‘Festival of Fools’,” Garen shouted after them as the carriage began to leave. “It begins in the entertainment sector and ends here, in Kuryn.”

 

A short beep unexpectedly burst out of Garen’s chest. Scowling, he removed the source of the irritating noise from the inside breast pocket of his jacket. “Yes?” he grumbled.

“You see ‘er yet tonight?” a voice crackled over the comlink.

“Yeah. She just left.”

“You believe it’s her?”

“Not sure. She goes by a different name and even spouts the gent with ‘er is ‘er mate. Doesn’t act like her but sure looks like ‘er.”

“Where she goin’?”

“Entertainment sector. Phantom’s Lock.”

The recipient of the information chortled with laughter. “Good…very good.”

__________________________________*****__________________________________

During their ride, the couple noticed several groups of revelers in the streets. Some donned masks while others were elaborately dressed, or a combination thereof – dancing, singing, and carrying on foolishly. Streams of lights had been suspended over the cobbled roads accompanied by brightly colored decorations. A variety of music encroached upon their ears from the many opened resident windows, although not necessarily blending harmoniously.

The Festival of Fools was well underway.

__________________________________*****__________________________________

The entertainment sector certainly had no shortage of places to carouse with its endless array of clubs and dining establishments, novelty shops and theaters. From her side of the carriage, Sakoya watched a street mime impersonate a juggler, causing the latter to lose his concentration and fall onto the ground. She brought a hand to her mouth to muffle her laughter, but the twinkle in her eyes was unmistakable.

The carriage continued its journey and stopped a short time later in front of the trendy restaurant/club. Once the guests had disembarked, the driver then set his carriage into motion and left the couple in his wake. He left them to mingle, if they so chose, with the people milling around outside.

“Hmm, not even so much as a ‘goodnight’. Not typical mannerisms… Especially considering how we’ve been treated since our arrival.” Obi-Wan stroked his newly reformed and shaven ‘beard’.

“Yes… That is odd.” Sakoya nodded. Tilting her head to the side, she smiled as she watched her beloved rub his goatee. “It’s chilly out here, let’s go inside.”

“…Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed, and yet he hadn’t moved.

Sakoya waited a moment and when he still hadn’t stirred she asked, “Mon aimé? Are you alright?”

The night breeze tickled Obi-Wan’s senses and he sought the Force to alleviate the agitation he was feeling. Unfortunately, it refused to abate. “I’m not sure. Something doesn’t feel right…”

“Can you elaborate on that?”

The Jedi Master turned toward his bride. “Don’t you feel it – something around us? And I don’t mean these people. I can’t seem to pinpoint what it is.”

Sakoya’s facial expression turned more serious as her inquisitive nature began to emerge. “The driver you mean? His abruptness?” She shivered against the breeze even as her eyes scanned the area.

“Oh, love,” Obi-Wan wrapped his muscular arms around his wife, “forgive my callousness. Here I am keeping you out in the chilly night air when we should be inside.”

“I’m fine, darling,” Sakoya answered as she looked around once more before they walked into the club.

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