The door chime sounded, but he hardly needed the auditory cue. He had felt her approach.
He took a breath, centering himself for the coming confrontation. "Come in," he said.
The door opened, revealing a shadowy form. He had replaced his missing eyes with a view of things through the Force. Such things were... obscured, and details were often impossible to discern. But he knew exactly who stood before him now. Darkness whirled around her.
Nervously, she stepped in and closed the door behind her. When he did not acknowledge her immediately, she coughed.
"Yes, Maris?"
She knelt then - he could see her shift through the Force, shadows bending and coalescing in a new position. "Master Kota."
He considered her for a moment. There was a light within her, deep and flickering. She had not fallen completely, but she was teetering on the edge. Not as far gone as Galen had been, but she had a much more tenuous anchor to bring her back. With two other hopefuls around, she was a great danger, whether she knew it or not. And the desperate desire of Collan and Niil might make them vulnerable to Maris' manipulation. He must tread carefully.
"I had wondered when you would come see me," he said.
She sat there silently, but he could feel a flash of anger in her. "I was not ready. I needed time to gather my thoughts."
"What is it you wish of me, Maris?"
She hesitated. He could feel how hard this was for her. "Master Kota, I..." She hesitated there, on a cusp. Teetering on the very edge of asking him for something he must refuse. He sought to help her, make this easier for her.
Interrupting, he said, "I am sorry about your master, Maris. Shaak Ti was a good friend."
That derailed her. "I... uh... yeah... thanks," she stammered.
"I had no idea she was still alive. I had no idea either of you were alive. You hid yourselves well."
She frowns and looks away. "Yeah... well, not well enough."
Rahm frowned as sorrow and regret bloomed within her. "Maris, you must not blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done. Galen was stronger than you both. Stronger than me. Your master knew the outcome of that fight before she ever crossed blades with Galen. She sacrificed herself so that you could live on."
She looks up then, sorrow filling her. "Why?"
Rahm sighed. This would need delicacy. He wished he could see her face to better read her emotions.
"Because she knew you had a destiny before you. A higher purpose. She saw you had the potential to do important things in the future. She sacrificed herself to give you the chance to fulfill your destiny."
That gave her pause. "What if I do not want that destiny?"
He shook his head. "That is not for you to decide. A path stands before you, Maris. You master saw this day, and willingly gave her life so that you would have the chance to walk it. But you have wandered down a darker road than she hoped, Maris. You have great potential - the power to change this galaxy for the better, or make it burn. So far you have squandered the opportunity she gave you."
That was it - the crossroads were reached. He must be careful.
Before she could give voice to her anger, he quickly said, "The Force works in mysterious ways, Maris. Had a random stranger not indulged an impulse, you would still be on that station. Did you think it was random chance that led them there? Three times now, you have been given the chance fulfilling your destiny. First, when Shaak-Ti found you, and diverted you from your suicidal mission to destroy Darth Vader. Second, when she gave her life so spare yours. And third, when a stranger opened you cell on the station. Three times you have been given the opportunity to choose your path.
"Maris, there will not be another. If you stumble again, I foresee it will be the last time. And the gift Shaak Ti gave you will have been wasted. She saw great things for you, Maris. Do not let your sorrow and anger lead you to render her sacrifice meaningless."
The moment had arrived.
"Be worthy of her gift."
There. The seed was planted.
Anger flaring around her like a red cloud, and she rose to her feet.
"I should have expected this. I come to you for help, and all you can do is preach and tell me how bad I am. Kark you, old man! I shouldn't have wasted my time..."
He saw with his inner sight as she simply vanished from his perceptions. A moment later, the door opened and closed.
He had done what he could. The rest was up to Maris. She would hate him for a long time. But with her hate focused on him, perhaps others might reach her.
That delicate seed might yet bloom.
