Chapter Text
Jocasta Nu has been the Head Librarian of the Jedi Temple for many years now. There is no one who knows the Temple library and its different ways of searching for information better than she does, no one who knows the contents of this library better than she does. Now, of course she has looked for someone to take over after her, but so far she has only narrowed it down to a few possible candidates.
So. Jocasta is a librarian, a scholar, and a researcher. She is not, however, a mind healer or a healer of any sort.
However, Jocasta Nu also grew up with Yan Dooku, and as one of his best friends—oh how it grieves her what he has become—she became very familiar with the feeling of anxiety in the Force. After all, Yan was an absolute perfectionist and somehow, despite how smart he was, stupid enough to believe that Master Yoda wanted him to be perfect.
Whenever he had a score on a test that was less than one hundred percent, he'd visit her in the library, the Force around him swirling with anxiety as he babbled on about how Master Yoda would surely be angry because he only got a ninety-nine percent score on his astro-navigation exam. Of course, she'd smack him over the head, tell him to talk to his damn master about it instead of fretting, and then send him on his way.
Lo and behold, a few hours later he'd be back, anxiety gone, laughing and embarrassed about how ridiculous he'd been because of course Master Yoda's reaction to Dooku's scores was never anything besides joy and pride.
Yan had been an anxious perfectionist for a long time until he outgrew it. Well, mostly outgrew it, at least. The anxiety mostly went away and he became more self-assured. Sometimes she wonders if his occasional bouts of arrogance was overcompensation from anxiety.
Still, their childhood taught Jocasta how to recognise fear and anxiety in the Force very well, even when the person feeling it is trying to shield it from their surroundings out of politeness.
Which is why Jocasta is very aware that whatever it is Master Namun—one of her candidates for next Head Librarian—is researching for the Council, it is upsetting her a great deal. Enough so that she's starting to bleed through her own shields. Which is rather worrisome considering how experienced Master Namun is.
With the state of everything as it is, it worries Jocasta. Master Namun has always been very stable and solid, far from easily shaken. So whatever it is she and the young lady with her is researching, it must be most distressing.
While Jocasta knows that she has not been given the clearance to speak to Namun about the research, she knows it is her duty as a member of Master Namun's community to at least bring up her worry with a council member in private, to ensure that they discuss it with her.
While she'd prefer talking directly with Master Namun, she knows that she likely cannot speak to anyone outside of certain authorised people about it, and Jocasta would prefer not to make her fret over having "leaked" her emotions on top of everything else, as it were.
Besides, Master Yoda is sure to be discreet and kind about it.
Master Yoda asks her to meet him in the Council meditation chamber when she asks him for a private conversation. She's been there before and she's trusted with the codes to the Council chamber, so she arrives with little fanfare and even less trouble.
The sight she comes across is... slightly worrying. Master Yoda is staring out the windows—for once the blinds haven't been drawn and you can clearly see the Coruscant skyline through them—clearly distracted and deep in thought.
"Master Yoda," she says to call his attention.
He doesn't startle, but he does finally turn from the window to look at her.
"Jocasta, good to see you, it is. Speak with me, you wanted to?"
It's not the first time she's come to him for help or guidance, so this is not a novel situation for her, though it's been a while since last. A perk of being friends with Yan had been a more direct route to the old master if she felt she needed more guidance than her own master could give. It was rare, certainly, but it happened.
"Yes, Master, it's on a... sensitive subject, so I'd like to request you keep it to yourself unless absolutely necessary."
"Do so, I will, unless reason to do otherwise, I have," he says, always giving himself an out should he be given... disturbing news that should not be kept secret.
"Very well," she takes a seat on one of the nearby meditation pillows and centres herself. "I know the Council has tasked Master Namun with a research mission. However, I worry about her. Through the Force I have been able to sense that whatever it is she's researching, it is upsetting her greatly. As such, I wished to mention it to you, Master, so you can perhaps speak with Master Namun directly." She pauses briefly to gather her thoughts. "I would have done so myself if it hadn't been for the fact that I know her work is confidential and I do not want to put her in a situation where she feels torn between needing to talk and not betraying the confidence the Council has put in her."
"Compassionate, you are, Jocasta. A good friend, you've always been." Master Yoda doesn't need to mention the name for both of them to feel the spectre of a man they loved and lost hang over them.
She inclines her head in thanks, accepting the compliment, but says nothing, instead awaiting further words from Master Yoda.
"Spoken with Master Namun, I have. Speak with the Council, I will. Perhaps include you in the investigation, we should. Know the library and its resources better than anyone else, do you."
"If that is the will of the Council, I would do so. I am relieved to hear that you've already spoken with Master Namun, and I won't ask anything further, I understand that you will not speak of private conversations." She smiles, Master Yoda has always been willing to lend an ear when possible.
"More to speak of, have you?" Master Yoda's ears twitch, and his face is kind. Jocasta swears she can feel just a hint of loneliness in the Force around him.
She... isn't fully surprised. He was sad after Yan left for good, directly after Qui-Gon's tragic loss. Losing both of them at the same time was a harsh blow to him, and with Master Kenobi now in the Halls... Well, Master Yoda's lineage has seen better days.
She smiles, and stays just where she is.
"I would like to tell you a story of what a young initiate named Im did in the library the other day."
She has missed speaking with him.
As she takes a seat in Master Yoda's room, she smiles to herself. The only thing still missing is a man who will never return. But such is the way of the Galaxy and as she cannot change it, she must accept it.