It had taken the best part of two hours to clean up the mess that the two Jedi apprentices were both responsible for, even with Amalia's help. The fact that Ember was not around to help with most of it was not lost on Natalya.
A part of her was still seething at what Ember had said to her, but had put it aside.
For now.
In fact, concentrating on the task at hand, had allowed her to work it off in a way. There was something to be said about losing oneself in something mundane as cleaning.
After a while, although still annoyed at the situation, Nat had calmed down enough to reflect on her own behaviour, and had found herself somewhat embarrassed.
While Nat still felt the same about Ember (and in fact proven right after the recent incident) She had to concede to herself that, perhaps, in this instance she had been quick to judge, as Amalia clearly saw potential in her.
The Jedi Master had remained silent for the duration of the tidying up, and the young apprentice found herself wondering what Amalia thought about the pair of them. It was hard to read Amalia, as her face did not give much of her thoughts away, although obviously she was not happy at what had just transpired, that much was clear, but it seemed to Nat the Jedi Master had expected this.
That being said, Natalya was not happy at having to hand her lightsaber over. A part of her already felt vulnerable, like she had suddenly lost a limb.
It was not just a weapon to the young woman, it had sentimental value also, as it had originally belonged to her Mother.
Perhaps it was foolish to feel such a way about a weapon, but the feeling was there nonetheless.
Nat did not have many things left of her Mother's, and it simply did not feel right to be without it.
Secretly, while she had understood Amalia's reasons for taking both Lightsabers away. Nat still felt the decision was unnecessarily harsh, especially since neither of the two apprentices had even attempted to use them.
Not only that, but there was a part of her that felt that Amalia, Jedi Master or not, had no right to expect to take what was not hers to begin with.
The very fact that Nat had handed it over in the first place, showed a great deal of trust on her part, as well an indication of just how serious her desire to make amends was.
Natalya got the impression also, that this was more of a precaution, alluding perhaps to past experiences or incidents that had happened in the past,
had Amalia been in similar situations before?
This thought had barely skirted across Natalya's mind, when Ember returned.
Nat froze as she squatted down to pick some broken glass up from off the floor, and looked up. Her body instinctively tensing up in reaction at the other apprentice's presence, unsure of what to expect.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the room as the pair regarded each other and Natalya glowered at her, ready to move in an instant, in case Ember wanted to try anything else.
“Sorry…"
An apology. Nat blinked. But she had not heard wrong, Ember had indeed apologised, and the young apprentice could sense it was genuine.
Nat was taken aback, and could only watch Ember warily as she began to kneel down and help with the rest of the tidying up.
As they finished quickly, Ember stood and spoke.
"...You can give her back her saber. You wouldn’t have taken it from her if I didn’t hit her.”
Feeling a little awkward, Natalya brushed aside some loose strands of her hair from in front of her face, tucking them behind her right ear, as she responded herself "Thank you, I'm, uh" Nat started as she crossed her arms defensively "...Sorry I upset you"
After a brief hesitation, and a furtive glance towards Amalia, Natalya sighed and introduced herself properly...
"My name's, Natalya, Natalya Vinda... but I guess you already knew that" She said with a rueful smile, alluding to Ember's earlier outburst regarding her 'rich daddy'
