House of Jade: Lou #1

As the imposing doors of the Inkari estate swung open, Lou found herself stepping into a world of opulence and privilege. The air was thick with a sense of grandeur, befitting the residence of a renowned Jedi Master and her husband. Lou's eyes darted around the lavish surroundings, taking in the intricate decorations and the subtle echoes of power that emanated from every corner of the estate.

Johannes led the older woman through the sprawling corridors, their footsteps muffled by plush carpets. The atmosphere was tense, as both of them understood the gravity of the impending meeting. Lou had been yearning for this moment, to be face-to-face with her daughter once again. Yet, doubts and fears gnawed at her heart, uncertain of how Romi would react to her sudden reappearance.

Finally, they reached a spacious drawing room adorned with elegant furnishings and ornate artwork. It exuded an air of tranquility, a haven shielded from the chaos of the outside world. Lou's gaze drifted to a holographic portrait on the wall—a captured moment of Romi and Johannes, their smiles brimming with happiness. It struck her deeply, a poignant reminder of the love she had lost.

Johannes took a step back, leaving Lou alone in the room. He gave her a nod of encouragement, his eyes conveying both curiosity and caution. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the reunion.

A beat.

The door opened once again, and Romi entered the room, her presence commanding and serene. Lou's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her daughter, the embodiment of strength and purpose...what she lacked. But behind the veil of composed exterior, Lou sensed a flicker of confusion in Romi's eyes.

"Romi," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's been...so long."

Romi's expression hardened, a mixture of disbelief and guardedness. "Who are you?"

A knot tightened in the older woman's stomach, realizing that Romi had no recollection of her. She had been erased from her daughter's life, her existence reduced to whispers and faded memories; it was her fault. Gathering her composure, Lou summoned every ounce of maternal love she nearly forgot she possessed.

"I am...Lou," she declared, her voice filled with raw emotion. "I'm your mother..."

Romi's gaze locked with Lou's's, her eyes searching for answers. Conflicting emotions danced across her face—doubt, skepticism, and a hint of longing. Loudomi knew that she had to tread carefully, to reveal just enough to pique Romi's curiosity without overwhelming her with the weight of the truth.

"I understand if you have doubts," She continued, her voice gentle yet resolute. "But there is something I need to tell you. Your sibling, my second child, is in danger. An enemy from my past, has returned and seeks revenge. He won't hesitate to target those closest to me."

Romi's eyes widened, and Lou knew she had touched upon a nerve.

"Why should I believe you?" Romi's voice wavered, a mix of vulnerability and determination. "And what do you expect me to even do?"

Lou's voice hardened as she revealed her hidden cards, determined to win Romi's cooperation. "I have resources, information that can aid us in finding and stopping Rogue. But I can't do it alone. I need your help, Romi. You're a Jedi. Together, we can protect our family."

The meeting between both women had left an undeniable tension lingering in the air. Romi was cautious, her Jedi instincts honed to detect deception, yet she couldn't sense a significant amount of falsehood from Lou. It left her torn between skepticism and a flicker of hope, a glimmer of the mother-daughter connection she had longed for.

Time passed, and the Inkari estate became a haven of tentative unity. Lou's presence had become a constant, the bridge between the past and the present. Days turned into weeks, and she persisted in her visits to the Inkari estate. Romi observed her every move, her weariness apparent in her furrowed brow and guarded posture. Lou, on the other hand, wore a mask of patience and determination, never faltering in her efforts to win over her daughter.

During those visits, Lou devoted her time to Cortana, the innocent and impressionable young girl who had accepted her as a grandmother without question. She played games, shared stories, and showered her with affection, exploiting the bond between them to gain favor with Romi and Johannes.

But Romi remained steadfast, her doubts etched deep within her. She had grown accustomed to a life without her birth parents, believing them to be long gone. The sudden reappearance of Lou stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her—anger, confusion, and a longing for answers. She couldn't fully trust the woman who claimed to be her mother, but the absence of blatant deception left her wrestling with conflicted feelings.

One fateful evening, as the sun dipped below the Coruscant skyline, the older woman sat with Romi and Johannes in the tranquil gardens of their estate. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, the weight of untold truths hanging between them.

Romi broke the silence, her voice laced with weariness. "Uh-Lou, I appreciate your concern for our safety, but I can't bring myself to believe everything you've told us. It's too much, too sudden."

Lou's eyes softened, her gaze filled with a mixture of understanding and sadness. "I know it's difficult to accept, Romi. But I wouldn't suddenly thrust all of this on you and your family if I didn't know this danger to be true. I've lived a life shrouded in shadows, I know, and Rogue, well he's a manifestation of those shadows. He's after my loved ones, including someone you've never known—a sibling you never had the chance to grow up with."

Romi's breath hitched at the revelation, her heart pounding in her chest. She exchanged a quick glance with Johannes, their unspoken connection reaching out for support. "How can we even be certain you're telling the truth? You'd have me risk everything based on mere words."

A flicker of determination ignited in Lou's eyes, and she reached into a hidden pocket within her cloak. Slowly, she withdrew a holodisk, the surface gleaming with hidden memories and forgotten promises; she was prepared for this moment.

"This holodisk contains evidence, Romi. It holds the key to the truth about your sister, about the danger that lurks in the shadows. I can't force you to believe me, but I implore you to watch it. It's a piece of our shared history, a glimpse into a life that could have been."

Romi hesitated, her hand outstretched to accept the holodisk. Uncertainty mingled with curiosity, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She glanced at Johannes, seeking solace in their shared decision. Together, they nodded, silently agreeing to take this leap of faith.

As Romi activated the holodisk, holographic images materialized before them—a younger Lou cradling a baby in her arms, their eyes filled with love and sorrow. Scenes of a life left behind, of choices made and sacrifices endured, unfolded before their eyes. Romi knew deep down it wasn't her she was cradling, and she knew the embrace of a mother...

The weight of the revelation settled upon them, a burden of truth and responsibility. Romi's gaze met Lou's, "I'll help you sort this out...and then we'll part ways."

Johannes nodded, and she pushed away from the table.

And so, united by the shared knowledge of a sibling in peril, Lou had successfully ignited a flame within their hearts, a flame that would guide them through the darkness and toward the elusive redemption they sought...or rather she sought.

To be continued…