it's okay to be afraid

“Is this the new hot spot in the Temple?” Rael lets himself drop down into one of the chairs and unslings the satchel he’s carrying over one arm. Out comes a large bottle of water and a depleted sleeve of small cups. The only beverage allowed in the archives is water, and there is a strict limit to the quantity one can have in an open container at one time. Food in the archives will result in punishment that is supposedly just short of being considered cruel and unusual by the Yavin Code of 3980, signed into being after the Great Hyperspace War. “It's the archives,” says Anap, as if it should be obvious this is the best spot in the Temple. Sifo-Dyas focuses in on Rael. “What are you doing here? Willingly?” “Hey, I can use the archives if I want. Where’s Dooku?” “Saying hello.” The air quotes are implicit as Sifo-Dyas nods toward the circulation desk. “He's flirting with Madame Nu,” I clarify. “Flirting?” Anap asks and I remember that I'm eight and probably not supposed to know some things. “Being friendly,” Master Koth says diplomatically. “Very friendly,” Sifo-Dyas stifles his amusement as Rael looks at the circulation desk like a battlefield would be his preferred arena.