After bidding farewell to the Avengers team, Luminara was about to depart alone, but her apprentice suddenly blocked her path.
"Master Luminara, would you permit me speaking with you privately for a moment?" Barriss asked earnestly.
"Of course, my Padawan," Luminara responded in a calm tone. She realized they weren't alone. Rhodey was with them.
"Colonel, why are you here?" Luminara asked with puzzlement.
Rhodey replied with a serious expression. "I promised helping her with something, Lumi." Then heaviness entered his words. "There's something we need telling you."
Luminara frowned. She noticed her Padawan wore a conflicted and struggling expression, while Rhodey maintained a grave demeanor. This made her concerned about the emotions both displayed.
"Alright," she nodded slowly. "Where should we have this conversation?"
Barriss gripped her arm with unusual urgency that made Luminara uneasy, but she remained calm and composed, allowing her student to lead while Rhodey followed silently behind them.
Meanwhile, Steve kept his eye on Aayla, who stood alone by the door with her back to him. Her posture betrayed discomfort, perhaps internal turmoil. He approached and stood quietly. Neither spoke.
Steve noticed from his peripheral vision that Aayla's eyes flickered toward him briefly before returning to the ground. They stood in silence for several seconds until Steve broke it.
"Aayla, are you alright?" he asked softly.
He noticed Aayla turn and lock eyes with him. "I honestly can't give you a definite answer, Steve," Aayla admitted, shaking her head. "I suddenly feel very weary."
"I'd suggest holding a debrief to examine what to do next and what to avoid," Steve made this suggestion with a hint of humor, but Aayla responded with a subtle snort and sarcastic tone. Their communication style was becoming unique and comfortable.
Steve smiled at her reaction and shook his head. Comfortable silence fell between them. Despite the chatter of other Avengers behind them and their Jedi friends calling out, they chose staying where they were, lost in their own space.
"What's troubling you?" Steve asked.
"Didn't I already tell you?"
Steve simply shook his head again and turned to the beautiful, blue-skinned Aayla. "Aayla, I know you. Is something bothering you?"
She didn't answer immediately but studied Steve, as if attempting to penetrate his eyes and reach his heart. Then she sighed deeply. "I guess I'm just trying to process everything that's happened recently. Ultron, the chips, and what Vision showed us are overwhelming."
Steve nodded silently, indicating he understood the sentiment. It could indeed be frightening. He said softly, "But you don't think that's your only concern, right?"
Aayla admitted frankly, "Yeah, I have other problems. I just need some peace of mind. Something to help clear my thoughts, because lately, I haven't been able to do that."
"I understand that feeling," he said sympathetically. "I actually have the same issue."
He saw Aayla regarding him with confusion, so he explained, "This is how I felt when I woke from the ice."
After hearing Steve's remarkable and bizarre history, Aayla suddenly understood. She snorted softly, with both a smile and sympathy. "From a different time to a different galaxy. You're remarkably fortunate."
Steve shook his head. "It's strange. Even when things seem calm, they always shift somehow. The irony is that weary people can never truly rest."
The two fell into silence again. In the quiet space, only conversation from the Avengers and chatter from Jedi Knights served as background noise.
Steve heard Aayla quietly ask, "How do you manage it?"
He turned his head and raised his eyebrows, silently asking what she meant.
Aayla shrugged with relaxed attitude and explained, "My mentors, Tholme, Quinlan Vos, and Master T'ra Saa, taught me staying calm in any difficult situation. But more importantly, they taught me control is actually an illusion, and that people should allow themselves being guided by the storm to reach their destination."
Steve didn't respond immediately. He sensed deeper meaning behind Aayla's words.
"But how can they allow themselves being so easily guided when the storm they find themselves in is so turbulent?"
"Like a hurricane," Steve commented, seeing Aayla nod agreement.
"Or a galactic storm."
"What would a galactic storm look like?" Steve asked curiously.
"Perhaps like witnessing numerous stars exploding simultaneously," Aayla replied.
"Wouldn't that be catastrophic?"
Steve shook his head with a wry smile. At this moment, Aayla laughed genuinely.
"Maybe we just need sitting down and talking," Steve suggested, "either with each other or anyone who'll listen."
"Maybe," Aayla agreed softly.
Then Steve felt Aayla's hand gently grasp his wrist, stopping him from departing. "No, stay, Steve. I'm not refusing the offer to talk," Aayla said in a teasing tone.
He turned, saw her earnest expression, and gently pulled his hand free. Steve's smile instantly broke the tense atmosphere, and he and Aayla smiled at each other. The other Avengers had noticed them now. Despite this, there was a more relaxed mood between them.
They quieted and shared this pleasant atmosphere. During their conversation, it seemed the entire world had become tranquil.
Aayla's words revealed an invitation. She gestured toward the door and suggested, "How about we enjoy a proper meal?"
Her proposal received positive response from Steve.
"Great. I happen to have a new recipe from Earth I'm certain you'll enjoy," Steve said with a smile.
Upon hearing the news, Aayla's face immediately broke into a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Oh, tell me about it," she asked eagerly.
However, Steve simply waved his finger before her and smiled mysteriously. "That's a surprise. You'll have to discover it yourself. Trust me, you'll love it. Come on, we always reserve seats for adventurous diners like you."