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Adjusting her hood, Barriss found herself heedfully invested in this bit of documentation she had stumbled across. Having completed all her studies for the day, she took to researching in the temple archives for the evening. Taking a moment to feel the texture of the piece of history in her hands, the cover feeling firm and leathery, she opened the book to view the date of this relatively sturdy feeling ledger.
‘Hmm.. is there no date?’ Barriss thought to herself as she studied the front and back of the rather interesting piece of an astronomical journal entry.
Having been too focused on the mysterious writing piece, she didn’t notice a certain Togruta sneaking around the corner shelving. Peering around the corner, Ahsoka silently observed her friend with a mischievous grin. Watching the Mirialan, she began to slowly make her way towards her, side stepping soundlessly around shelving. Sneaking up behind her, Ahsoka tapped her shoulder as she leaned in to whisper;
“Hey”
Barriss let out a surprised squeak, jumping slightly from the start.
“Ahsoka!”
She hissed, quietly scolding her. Now, if they weren’t in the archives… she wouldn’t have held back. Ahsoka, not so subtly, tried to hide her amused smirk behind her hand while snickering not so discreetly. As Barriss glared daggers at her, Ahsoka tried to poorly stifle her laughter.
“How.. how did you not sense me nearby?” She asks incredulously between chuckles.
Flushing a deep shade of olive, Barriss attempted to splutter for a response, but what she actually ended up giving was a half baked explanation.
“You.. you know how I am when i get like this!” She stammers, desperately trying to salvage her pride. Both knew that possibility was already out the window.
After getting to know eachother better after the incident on Geonosis and with the brain parasites, Ahsoka quickly came to realize just how full of life the Mirialan was. The whole “perfect padawan” facade that Barriss had spent her life building upon, crumbling over time when she was around her friend. The feelings she felt for the Togruta... conflicted her deeply. Which was not something she wanted to think about at the moment.
Definitely not.
Letting out a few more chuckles, Ahsoka shakes her head affectionately at her.
“Yeah yeah I know, your whole ‘so engrossed in what you’re doing that you don’t pay attention to anything else’ thing, correct?” She chides teasingly, using air quotes with her fingers.
Looking away in embarrassment, Barriss frowned at the book, cursing it for her lack of attentiveness. ‘Ugh… don’t blame the book, Offee. It’s not the book's fault,’ she thought as she mentally berated herself. Noticing her change in attitude, Ahsoka's brows strewn together as she gazed upon her friend’s internal struggle.
“Hey hey hey… I know that look. It’s okay Barriss, I was just teasing.” She assured her in what she hoped was a soothing way.
“I… probably should have specified that though, shouldn’t I?” She concluded sheepishly, scratching a hand behind her neck. When all she got in response was a mock glare from the other girl, she knew it was okay to move on.
“Anyways, I heard from your master you were finished with your studies, and lucky for you , I have also completely finished my studies!” She states rather proudly, which earned her a deadpanned look from Barriss.
“You ditched your studies, didn’t you?” She demanded flatly. The silence from Ahsoka was the only answer she needed. “Yeah that’s what I suspected.” Barriss remarked with a teasing smirk on her face as she absently flipped through the book.
“Okay, well, you try sitting in on 2 hours of some subject you can't be bothered to listen to and tell me how much you enjoy it!” She suggested defensively, causing her friend to look at her incredulously.
“I did. As did every other padawan.” She paused, closing the book before setting it down. “Besides, the majority of the courses provided to us are crucial.” Barriss stated, making it seem as if it is the most obvious thing in the world. Ahsoka let out a groan of annoyance. “But why? ” Exasperation laced in her voice as she gestured her hands wildly, pacing back and forth.
“I don’t make the rules, Ahsoka.” Barriss commented with a raised eyebrow, faint amusement hidden in her facial expression.
“I know I know…” She mumbled, slowing her pacing. Noticing this, Barriss patted the seat next to her.
“Come sit, before you pace a hole through the floor.” She teased lightly, gesturing with her head at the empty space. Giving her a thankful smile, Ahsoka plopped herself down next to her, immediately propping her elbows on the wooden desk. Leaning over slightly, Ahsoka glanced at the book that was currently occupying Barriss’ attention.
“Whatcha reading anyway?” She questions. Glancing at Ahsoka from the corner of her eye, she shrugs her shoulders noncommittally.
“I don’t really know, there isn’t a date on this.” She falters for a moment before continuing. “Which I find pretty strange considering it’s in the temple archives. They are usually so organized.” She ponders out loud, confusion clear in her voice.
“Huh.. that is interesting, isn’t it?” Ahsoka comments, sounding at least a bit more intrigued by the piece of writing, though the interest is still lacking. Nonetheless, Barriss appreciates her efforts.
“Well, not that it really matters at the moment,” She concludes as she shuts the book, “It was more of a way to pass the time really, but now that you’re here,” She pauses to turn her head a bit to face Ahsoka with a small smile.
“We can perhaps do something together?” She inquired hesitantly, hope seeping into her voice. Producing a lopsided grin of satisfaction, Ahsoka hit her shoulder gently with her fist. “Of course! Why do you think I came here in the first place?” Giving her a playful grin, Barriss looks to the side, pretending to be considering the rhetorical question.
“Oh I don’t know Ahsoka, I thought you loved spending your past time reading any and every available documentation…”
Wrinkling her nose in distaste at the idea, Ahsoka attempts to play along. “Oh yeah, I just love spending my very rare free time sitting in one place reading, of all things!” She remarked sarcastically. Letting out a soft giggle, the Mirialan gently covered her mouth with a hand to hide her smile.
“I think it suits you Ahsoka! You seem like the very type to spend your free time, as you say, ‘sitting in one place reading,’” Barriss speculates teasingly, causing a blank look from the other girl.
“Alright, we both know I would hate that with my entire being.” Ahsoka finally states with a hint of exasperation in her voice.
“I’m teasing, Ahsoka.” Barriss points out, “I of all people know you would in fact hate that.”
Giving her another toothy grin, Ahsoka lets out a small gasp.
“You? Barriss Offee? Perfect padawan? Teasing? Nah. Couldn’t be.” She notes, feigning innocence at the bold statement. Looking at the Togruta incredulously before letting out an unimpressed laugh.
“Ha ha. Yes, because I’m the most perfect person you know.” She speaks sardonically, giving the other girl an eye roll to finish it off. Considering her response for a moment, Ahsoka decides to be a bit risky with her next answer.
“Well… that’s not exactly untrue…” She says trailing off a bit, letting a bit of sincerity leak into her voice. In all honesty, she wasn’t sure Barriss would pick up on it. Barriss gazed at Ahsoka in puzzlement before the latter began to overthink her statement.
“Not about being a perfect padawan!” She quickly assures, waving her hands in exaggeration. “I mean in general! Not that you’re not a good padawan! I only meant that you were good in other aspects too… Not just good! I mean-”
She finds herself going on in a tangent as the other girl just stared at her in confusion followed by faint amusement at the sight. Gradually, as Ahsoka continued, a smile began to make its way onto her face.
“-And I only meant that-”
“Ahsoka.”
Barriss interrupts her rambling, now fully turned to face her. Halting her speech, Ahsoka snapped her gaze to the Mirialan, her cheeks as well as the stripes on her lekku quickly darkening in embarrassment. Swiftly lowering her raised hands, she clears her throat before trusting herself to speak again.
“Ahsoka. You and I both know I'm far from perfect, as you can recall,” Barriss notes, before a slight blush dusts her cheeks, “But if we are on the subject of being, in your words, ‘good,’ I would have to remind you that it is your own performance that has admirably progressed, which is proven by multiple factors.” She finishes with an affirming nod of her head, her cheeks still tinted a darker shade.
Blinking once, a shit eating grin breaks onto Ahsoka’s face as she leans in slightly.
“Is that your way of calling me cool , Miss Offee?” Flushing darker before shaking her head slightly, Barriss squints her eyes teasingly, feigning irritation.
“Honestly Ahsoka, I know I've been acting more buoyant around you, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say I've completely lost it .” She adds with a playfully snarky edge in her words.
Ahsoka lets out an indignant squawk of protest at the comment, right as someone walks by, shushing them in irritation.
“Sorry!” Both girls squeak out simultaneously as they glance back at one another.
“This discussion is NOT over!” Ahsoka whisper-shouts as Barriss shakes her head affectionately at her friend’s antics.
“What was it you said you wanted to do again?” Ahsoka reminded her smugly. “You said you wanted to hang out with me, so I don’t want to hear any complaints!” Ahsoka adds with a grin of satisfaction, earning a half-hearted glare from her friend. Pausing for a moment, her face twisting in confusion once again.
“But seriously what are we doing?”
Ahsoka watches with amusement as Barriss opens her mouth to speak right as the words die on her tongue. Opening and closing her mouth a couple more times before clearing her throat to answer.
“I… I don’t really know. I’m honestly okay with pretty much anything as long as you aren’t getting us into trouble- ”
Shoulders tensing, the two girls winced slightly as they were shushed yet again by the same person which quickly shut them up. Standing up abruptly, Ahsoka offers her hand to Barriss.
“Come on, let’s get out of here before we get kicked out… again .” Taking her hand, Barriss stands, adjusting her skirt as she mutters under her breath, “Yeah I wonder why…”
“What was that?” Ahsoka implored challengingly. Flashing her an innocent smile, Barriss spoke in a falsely sweet voice.
“Oh, no no, nothing at all!” Squinting her eyes at the other girl, Ahsoka exhaled dramatically as she led the way.
“Yeah yeah, I’ll act like I believe that.” She says with a smile concealed on her face. “But like I said before; this conversation Isn’t over.” Letting out a soft chuckle, Barriss nods her head along with the semi-threatening statement.
“Of course, of course…”
As the both make their way out the archive doors, Ahsoka turns to Barriss as they walk side by side.
“So… where are we heading…?” She asks skeptically. Pausing for a moment, Barriss continued to look straight ahead as they walked on.
“I.. I was thinking back to my quarters for some tea.” She returns, a silent question in her response. ‘Is that okay?’
Biting back a sound of protest at the thought of drinking tea , Ahsoka nods her head eagerly, though her voice sounds more strained. “Yep! Your place sounds great!”
Glancing at Ahsoka in the corner of her eye, Barriss raised her eyebrows in amusement.
“There will be Kaf for you, Ahsoka. I know you don’t exactly enjoy tea.”
Letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, she slumped in relief. “Oh thank the force!” She proclaims, rather dramatically in Barriss’ opinion. She doesn’t understand what the girl had against tea, though she did start keeping some instant Kaf packets around in her room since becoming closer friends with Ahsoka. Barriss let out a huff of air through her nose, a small smile on her face as she shook her head.
“I still don’t understand how you can drink that garbage instead of tea.” She voices out more as an afterthought. Raising her eyebrows in response, Ahsoka scoffs in disbelief.
“I think you’re confused, Barriss. Tea tastes like dirt. Kaf is a delicacy compared to that.”
Narrowing her eyes slightly, the other girl turned her head to face forward once again as they walked. “Agree to disagree then.” She says rather stiffly, completely baffled at her friend’s tastes. Releasing a begrudging noise of acknowledgement to the truce, they round the corner to enter the hallway that holds the padawan quarters.
Seeing Barriss’ signature crest on a door, Ahsoka eagerly rushed to the front, bouncing slightly as she waited the half-second for Barriss to catch up.
“You seem awfully excited.” Barriss comments, a lilt in her voice with her lips turned upward in a small smile. Opening the door, Ahsoka shrugs her shoulders as she slips in before the other girl, responding without thinking.
“What can I say, everything about you excites me.”
Stiffening up immediately, Ahsoka shuts her mouth as her eyes go wide in terror. ‘Kriff kriff kriff why did I just say that????’ She turned around to crane her neck slowly to look at Barriss, fearing the worst.
Barriss stares at the other girl completely dumbfounded, eyes round in shock. A large blush being present on her cheeks, Ahsoka sporting a similar darker shade on her lekku and cheeks as they stare at each other for what felt like an eternity.
Finally breaking the silence, Barriss blinks a few times before letting out an uncharacteristic snort, her composure cracking as she takes a hand to cover her mouth. As she lets out more giggles, Ahsoka gapes at the Mirialan just when she, too, began letting out small chuckles which gradually turned to laughter along with her friend.
Barriss’ laughter slows to a stop after a while, clearing her throat before speaking, she rubs both her eyes for a moment.
“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” She asks half-heartedly. Ahsoka also rubbing her eyes, she flashes Barriss a toothy smile.
“Mhm. But you love it. ” Ahsoka quips smugly, meanwhile the former rolls her eyes. Clapping her hands together once, she rubs her hands together as a lopsided grin takes over her face.
“Now. I was promised some free refreshments, and I would very much like to hold you up on that promise.” Ahsoka exclaims loudly, causing the other girl to jump slightly at her sudden loud voice. Making her way to her kettle, she gives her friend a scrutinizing side eye.
“Didn’t promise,” She chides teasingly, “But yes, you may receive your ‘refreshments’ soon enough.” Turning back around to face the kettle, she raises a hand mid gesture. “But please, please, this time, refrain from overly respectable mannerisms.” She says sarcastically. In response to that, Ahsoka just gave the girl a sheepish grin, wincing apologetically. Sensing her turmoil yet again, Barriss cranes her neck to look at her.
“I’m teasing again, Ahsoka.” She reassures her playfully, turning her neck back around to focus on her task. Blinking for a moment, Ahsoka waves a hand nonchalantly.
“Pssh, yeah, I… I knew that..”
Taking a moment to look around for any new additions to the room, Ahsoka sat herself on the bed. ‘Hmm.. is that pot in the corner new?’ She considers for a moment before shrugging to herself, raising an amused eyebrow. ‘Probably? Hm, very Barriss.’ She concludes with a nod of her head. Snapping out of her thoughts, Ahsoka brought her attention to the whistling of the water kettle. Having noticed this, Barriss quickly took the boiling water off the heat as she reached behind the wooden cupboard at her neat set up, grabbing two cups. She reaches back into the cupboard only for her to bring out a single tea bag.
Looking at her curiously, Ahsoka got a creeping feeling in the back of her mind. “Barriss… where’s the Kaf?” Looking at her with raised eyebrows, Barriss reaches into a small drawer to the side of the cupboard. To Ahsoka’s relief, it’s a package of instant Kaf. Feeling a bit silly for her reaction, the Togruta’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment as Barriss let out an amused huff of air through her nose.
“You really need to practice on your patience, Ahsoka.” She comments, turning back around to pour the piping hot liquid into the cups. Still flushing, Ahsoka splutters for a response.
“I do have patience! I.. I just didn’t see you bringing the Kaf!” She states defensively as she crosses her arms. With her back still turned, Barriss continues to fix the drinks, choosing to prepare Ahsoka’s Kaf first. “Well… I would hate to shatter your perspective on the subject… that does seem to require some basic levels of patience.” The Mirialan says with a teasing lilt in her voice. Accepting her defeat, Ahsoka grumbles quietly. “Whatever…”
Turning around with Ahsoka’s drink in hand, she makes her way towards the other girl. “Here. I thought I’d prepare yours first.” she remarks with a small smile on her face. Ahsoka returns the girl’s smile as she reaches up to take it, her fingers brushing up against Barriss’ for a short moment. That moment being long enough for both jedi to feel their skin burn at the contact.
Cheeks flushing almost Immediately, It takes Barriss’ whole willpower not to physically flinch in surprise at the touch. As soon as the cup is safely secured in Ahsoka’s hand, Barriss spins around and quickly walks back to the counter where she left her tea. Staying there a little longer than necessary to make sure her blush is faded, She turns back around with her calm facade and sits next to the girl. ‘ I really need to get it together…’ She thinks desperately.
By the time she is seated next to her friend, Barriss is completely flabbergasted to see that Ahsoka’s cup is halfway empty. Staring at the Togruta in shock, she lets out an incredulous laugh as the former gives a non committal shrug.
“Honestly, I don’t know why you’re surprised.” She comments, viewing her friend's shock as something humorous. Opening her mouth to let out a retort, Barriss pauses for a moment before continuing. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be surprised.” She deadpans, giving her an unimpressed look. “But still… how??? ”
“This shit’s good , okay?” She replies warily, followed by a chiding ‘Language!’ from the other jedi as she swatted her shoulder. That response itself also earned Barriss a swat on her shoulder from Ahsoka.
Frowning now, Barriss gives the other girl another swipe to the shoulder, a bit more firm this time. Mirroring her frown, a challenging glint hits Ahsoka’s eye. She quickly downs the rest of her drink in one go, before giving Barriss a similar swat at her shoulder, making sure to be more firm than the previous, though not enough to knock the drink out of her friend’s hand.
Narrowing her eyes a bit now, Barriss takes a sip of her tea before setting it on her bedside table, turning around to face the girl before giving her a soft shove of her hand now.
Raising her eyebrows at the sudden force now, Ahsoka crosses her arms again. “Don’t start something you won’t be able to finish, Barriss.” She warns in a purposely provoking tone. Mimicking Ahsoka’s tone, Barriss gives her an innocent look as she tilts her head slightly.
“Who says I wouldn’t be able to finish?” Holding back a laugh at the phrasing, Ahsoka narrows her eyes and pounces at the Mirialan. “Because you never do!” She chides back, pinning Barriss underneath her as the latter lets out a surprised yelp.
Grinning triumphantly down at Barriss, Ahsoka lets out a bark of laughter seeing her friend’s stunned expression, a large blush present on her face.
“Caught ya off guard!” She says in a sing-song voice, watching as the Mirialan below her purses her lips together. Rolling her eyes, Barriss impatiently taps her fingers.
“Of course, of course, very funny, now what did you accomplish from this?” She asks in an unimpressed voice. Ahsoka shrugged her shoulders, a lopsided grin still on her face, causing Barriss to let out a huff.
Hatching an idea, Ahsoka’s gaze shifted into a mischievous glint as she narrowed her eyes at the other girl, a sly grin making its way onto her face. Suddenly feeling slightly uneasy, Barriss squirmed lighty underneath the Togruta. Adjusting her hold on the girl, Ahsoka wiggled down a bit so she was straddling Barriss’ hips, resting her hands at her side. Sensing a shift in Ahsoka’s attitude, Barriss narrowed her eyes at the girl, squinting suspiciously.
“What…?”
In response to the girls’ wary gaze, a shit-eating grin slides onto her face as she brings her hands to casually tap on Barriss’ sides.
“Guess~”
Eyes immediately widening at the realization, Barriss stiffens up, preparing for what’s about to happen next.
“Ahsoka. Ahsoka. You better not…” She begins to sputter out frantically, although she doesn’t make any attempts to stop her. This action does not go unnoticed by Ahsoka as her smirk only widens.
In response, Ahsoka wordlessly shifts her hands so they rest on the other jedi’s waist. Barriss now begins to let out frantic giggles as she hopelessly pleads with her friend.
“Ahsoka- no. Nonono-nahaha! ”
She lets out a small yelp of laughter before dissolving into rapid giggles as the Togruta digs her fingers into the Mirialan’s sides.
Releasing a satisfied cackle, Ahsoka continues to eagerly scribble her fingers across Barriss’ midsection, only furthering the other girl’s frantic laughter.
“Nohohoho!! ” Barriss whines between the giggles, curling her arms up over her chest, much to Ahsoka’s amusement.
“No?” Then why aren’t you stopping me?” She questions her teasingly, spidering her fingers across Barriss’ stomach in an almost deadly way, causing the latter to let out an embarrassingly loud squeal. The reaction draws out a delighted grin from Ahsoka as she claws her hands over her tummy in a tantalizing manner, leading Barriss to let out a string of snorts and giggles, much to the older girl’s chagrin.
“C'mon~ We both know you could easily stop me if you really wanted to!” She points out, speeding up the clawing motions before tasing her lower belly, earning a loud shriek of laughter from Barriss.
“So why don’t you?” She repeats, pursuing the movements of her teasing digits, stopping to occasionally pinch at her ribs, eliciting jolts and squeaks from the girl as she blushes furiously.
“Shuhuhut uhuhup! ” She splutters out, now trying to hide her blushing face in her shoulder. Making a tsk noise of disapproval, Ahsoka only picks up the speed of her wiggling fingers.
“Oof, that wasn’t very nice…” She says, feigning offense, only to once again spider her fingers all over Barriss’ stomach.
“I’m sohohorry! ” She squeaks out, her laughter becoming more airy as she continues. Noticing this, Ahsoka decides to show mercy to her fellow jedi. Bringing her fingers to a slow, she ends it with a quick poke to the center of her stomach, drawing out one more loud squeak from Barriss.
Crawling off of the girl, Ahsoka gives her a moment to catch her breath as she reaches over to pluck Barriss’ abandoned tea off of her table. Giving it an apprehensive glance, she takes a quick gulp, forcing it down before letting out a choked gag.
“Blaugh! Still disgusting…” She mutters at no one in particular.
After a moment of catching her breath, the residual giggles come to an end as Barriss shoots Ahsoka a mock glare.
“You are so mean. ” Raising an eyebrow, Ahsoka’s lips quirk up in a teasing smirk.
“For what? Calling tea disgusting or tickling you half to death?” She asks innocently. The Mirialan’s face almost immediately flushes a darker shade of olive as well as the beginnings of a tinge of maroon, accenting the diamonds on her face as she stutters for a response.
“I… you… both! ” She blurts out, provoking a laugh from Ahsoka, the latter wiping a fake tear from her eye.
“Ah, that never gets old…” She trails off, triggering an eye roll from her friend. “But don’t act like you don’t love it everytime ~” She says in a sing-song voice. Barriss crosses her arms as she sits up, swinging her legs over the bed.
“Shut up…” She mutters, going impossibly more dark. Nudging her shoulder half-heartedly, she snatches her tea back from Ahsoka’s hands, taking a sip. The action itself provoked a noise of disgust from the Togruta, at which Barriss shook her head.
“You’re incorrigible .” She comments dryly as Ahsoka shrugs her shoulders noncommittally.
“Eh, you love me anyway.”
Hiding her stupid, blushy smile in her cup, Barriss thinks to herself as she finishes the last of her tea.
‘Yeah. Maybe I do.’