Private Crossed Paths

[Hollis Orenn]

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Hollis left the bakery with flour smudged on her face and apron. Save for the fact that she was quite disheveled, she might have looked a bit posh in her sweater dress, dark leggings, and dainty flat shoes. Her dark tresses were currently thrown back in a messy tail, which may or may not have bits of flour and dough adorning them as well. There was a fresh brewed cup of caf as well, which was nestled in the crook of her arm to make room for the little takeaway box of baked goods and small canvases. She'd been at it again -- trying to master too much at once. And accomplishing almost nothing and never actually improving.

This balancing act was how Hollis lived. Honestly, she knew there ought to be a better way to do things. But there were SO many things to do. Cookery class, baking, painting, writing, reading, knitting -- oh, dance, too! If only the day was as long as her list of to-dos. Hollis sighed and looked around; Theed was picturesque, as usual. People were out enjoying the late afternoon sun, many of them dining alfresco. While she did feel her own stomach stir, her mind was too full of thoughts to concentrate.

Today was her birthday.

Normally, it was quite a happy occasion. However, there seemed to be a cloud looming over her 19th year. Her parents were growing anxious about the future. Her future, to be exact. Needless to say, they wanted the very best for her. But Hollis wasn't sure exactly what that entailed. Did she enter university or did she take another year to narrow down her (many) interests? This type of situation was probably normal, she thought. Now, things took a turn for not-normal when she considered the Jedi. She remembered him, a distinguished man in a brown robe -- kind eyes and an equally kind smile. That's all she could really recall about him. It'd been so long ago.

Hollis walked towards the park and sought out a shady spot on the grass. She had a seat, legs crossed, and sipped her caf. All the while, her dark eyes focused on a stone nearby. She drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes and thought -- move. She could almost hear the Jedi Master's gravely tone in her mind, instructing her to use the force. Ugh. But what did it mean? The lesson had worn off many years ago, unfortunately. Again, she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to will the stone to lift or slide or wiggle... even just a bit. Nothing. Hollis let out a frustrated, "errrrr!"

Aleksandr Stirsea