Banara waved as they walked out.
"And to you two as well!"
Hawkin turned to Calista when they walked out.
"That shop was literally so cool. Can we go look at the jackets first? I'll just need one or two. Three if for a fancy occasion."
“Sure. I believe Banara said that was the closer one anyway.” Calista hummed thoughtfully. “We'll see if they have fancy jackets. She had mentioned there would be smuggler jackets with hidden pockets but that there would also be some for Jedi so I’m sure they have a good variety.” she nodded, briefly remembering that she couldn’t think of many times when a Jedi had been invited to fancy occasions before… But that was in the past now and Hawkin, and this shopping trip, was making her think about her own wardrobe and if it should change.
Hawkin stopped for a minute.
"Wait wait wait. Jackets with like smuggler's pockets and jackets with like an untold amount of possibilities to have all the little trinkets I can hold? That sounds amazing. Dex! Did you hear that?"
Dex jumped back up onto Hawkin's back.
"I did. Is there a pocket big enough to fit me? If not I don't want it."
Hawkin laughed at the droid.
"Oh hush. You're just fine on my back. Actually, I prefer you up there."
Calista couldn’t help but laugh a little at Hawkin’s enthusiasm over the pockets. “I had a feeling that would be something you’d be interested in.” she admitted with a playful grin before laughing again at Dex’s complaint. “Maybe we could try to find a harness or something that can hold you on his back, Dex.” she suggested casually.
Dex chirped.
"What am I? A youngling? Being carried around like a small child? What an idea. Never having to scuttle around? Amazing. Let's do it Hawkin. I love Calista's idea."
Hawkin rolled his eyes.
"Mhm sure. You do that Dex. I just love pockets and being able to hold things that I think are cool."
Calista couldn't tell if Dex was being sarcastic and was possibly offended by her suggestion or if he really liked it but she was still going to look for a harness for him. It could be a useful thing to have. “Any reason why or do you just like collecting shiny things?”
Hawkin shrugged.
'It's not just shiny things. It's small trinkets that I find that make me happy. I guess in a way, by collecting them I believe I can use them for something greater than what they are at the point I find them. So each little piece I pick up, can make a bigger piece and make something even more useful than what it could be on its own. It's pretty cool."
“Well, I can't judge. You've seen my little collection.” Calista chuckled. “But your reason sounds interesting. I look forward to seeing what you might make with them. Do you have any pieces at your place that you want to pick up after we talk to your boss?” she offered.
Hawkin laughed.
"I can't wait to see what I do with them too. And no. I emptied my place. Everything I owned could fit on my back or in the storage compartments that I made on my bo rifle. I never left anything at the place I stayed. too many opportunities for things to get stolen. I don't want to go down there anymore. I just want to fade out from time and memory down there."
“Alright.” Calista nodded, understanding his reasoning for keeping his belongings on him. “I did a lot of that too before I was able to move here. We’ll get you set up at my place, you can unpack as much of your things as you want. The apartment has good security.” she assured as they approached the Togruta’s jacket store.
"I'm really glad. Security is something I value. Especially when it comes to me and my belongings. I can't tell you how many nights I was woken up by some slicer messed up on spice trying to get into where I lived. It was wild."
Hawkin grabbed the door and opened it.
"After you."
“It sounds wild.” she agreed somewhat shocked but not entirely surprised that such things happened in the lower levels. “Are you going to do that at every door we come to?” Calista smirked, rolling her eyes as she walked in.
Hawkin shrugged.
"I dunno. I might. It's the nice thing to do."
He walked in after Calista. The jacket shop smelled of various types of leather. Behind the counter, a Togruta man wearing thick glasses looked up.
"Oh hello there. What brings you in here today?"
“Then I’ll just have to get used to it.” she admitted softly before turning to the Togruta who greeted them. Calista bowed politely, in the usual way the Jedi did, and smiled. “Hello. Banara told us that you have jackets here that my Padawan might be interested in.”
Hawkin smiled.
"You probably should. I may have lived in the undercity, but I do in fact have some manners."
He stopped talking when the Togruta man spoke, and Calista answered him. A broad smile crossed his face.
"It's been so long since I heard the word padawan. And Banara. I haven't stopped by and visited her in a while. I need to swing by. I have whatever jacket you need. If not, it can be made. Tell me something though, and correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the Jedi that stops by the senate, correct? I go up to the building fairly often because I make jackets for some of those higher class folks and I deliver them."
He looked Hawkin up and down and looked back at Calista.
"Is he the first one, since the purge?"
Calista nodded at the question, a little surprised that he recognized her. “I am. Calista Veran.” she confirmed, trying to remember if she had seen him in the Senate building before. Though she smiled when the topic turned back Hawkin. “As far as I am aware, yes. He is the first official Padawan to be introduced to the New Republic.”
The Togruta laughed.
"I thought so. Only a Jedi wears those robes. Whenever I go up to the senate, I'm covered in jackets and garments that I had to hem and refit. So I'm not too recognizable. And as for you young man,"
He turned towards Hawkin.
"How does it feel to be the beginning of something new?"
Hawkin rubbed the back of his neck.
"So far, I feel fine. But that doesn't mean I won't feel nervous or scared at some point in my life. This is all just really new. I mean, yesterday I was living in the undercity. Today, I'm getting introduced to some snazzy people."
He looked down at his outfit.
"I mean I guess I clean up nicely."
The togruta laughed.
"That you do. That band across your nose really stands out with all the light colors you're wearing. Now, getting down to business. What are you looking for?"
Hawkin pondered for a moment.
"Something with a lot of pockets. maybe in a brown, black, or gray. My whole color scheme is just earthy tones right now."
He looked at himself.
"And maybe a fancy multipurpose jacket too. I need to make sure I cover all the bases."
The togruta man got up.
"I think I have a few things you might be interested in. Let me go grab them."
He paused and turned back towards Calista.
"As for you, are you searching for anything?"
Calista blushed at the comment on her robes, subconsciously rubbing her fingers against the chain underneath, knowing it was nothing special except for the fact that it identified her as a Jedi. Maybe she should consider adding to her wardrobe at some point…
But she chuckled as the conversation shifted back to Hawkin’s clothes. “Oh, nothing for me today.” she answered the Togruta with a smile. “I don't need anything.”
The togruta man shuffled towards the back.
"Alright then Jedi. If you change you mind, let me know. I have plenty of things that would work for you, if you ever decide you need anything."
He stopped and sighed. He looked at Hawkin.
"By the stars my memory is failing me. Come here. I need to measure you so I know which jackets will fit you the best."
Hawkin stepped over to the older Togruta.
"So, how long have you been making jackets for?"
The Togruta man shrugged.
"The better part of thirty years. I wouldn't change it. It's been good."
He finished his measurements and shuffled off. Hawkin looked at Calista.
"He seems to know his stuff. What do you think?"
“I will.” Calista replied with a nod, curious about what he might have for her. Instead of asking and distracting him, she simply looked at the jackets that he had on display.
She nodded when she heard Hawkin’s question, looking up from a simple but well-made jacket. “He certainly does. These jackets look and feel very sturdy.” she agreed.
Hawking smiled.
"I've got to thank you Calista. You never had to do this for me."
Dex scuttled around.
"She didn't have too, but she chose too. That's the relationship between a Jedi master and a Padawan learner. Or, that's the way it's supposed to be. You're supposed to trust and rely on each other. For it to have changed, or for it to have dwindled, would have made any Jedi weak. I am glad Calista is bringing it back. It's good to see it. Even if it is 200 years later."
Hawkin smiled at Dex.
"I guess you're right. You are somewhat of a smart droid after all, Dex."
Dex whirred.
"I try to be."
Calista smiled at Dex, grateful for the explanation. “Honestly, I think it was my Master who really brought it back.” she admitted with a slight shrug. “I’m just trying to honor her memory by continuing it. And I did want to do all this for you, Hawkin. It's no trouble.” she added sincerely. “Besides, these kinds of things were something that was a luxury to me when I was your age. The war is over now. We don't have to hide or live that way anymore.” she trailed off, pushing the negative memories away and refocusing on the present.
Hawkin smiled.
"I'm glad that we don't have to hide anymore. That would really stink."
He paused and tired to reach out in the Force to comfort Calista. He did his best, and he didn't know if he succeeded, but his face was kind of comical. He was trying, and that was all that mattered.
Dex looked up at Hawkin and he looked at Calista.
"Well. At least he's trying."
The togruta man came back from the back and he was covered in jackets. He set the mass down and stretched.
"Whew. I'm not as young as I used to be. But I've still got it. Take your pick young man."
Hawkin turned around and started going through the mountain of jackets. The togruta man shook his head and smiled. He looked down at the droid and looked back up to Calista.
"He sure is something isn't he?"
“I'm glad we don't have to hide too.” Calista nodded, feeling the attempt but nearly ended up laughing at his expression instead. “I know he is.” she told Dex before smiling softly at Hawkin. “You’ll get there. It doesn't actually take that much effort.” she informed as the Togruta salesman came back.
For a moment, she had forgotten how much stronger Togruta’s naturally were as she saw the size of the pile of jackets he had brought up.
“He certainly is.” she agreed.
Hawkin nodded.
I'll get there. I've got a name to make for myself, and a trail I have to blaze. With your help, I'll get it done!"
His eyes widened at the sheer number of jackets that the Togruta man brought out.
"Is that all for me to try on?"
The Togruta man turned and stretched.
"Indeed they are. Get to it boy. They all have hidden pockets, they are all earthy tones, and the fancy jackets are on the top. Get to trying them on. The mirror is over there. Make your own decision. I'm going to chat with your master. it's been a while since I've really had the chance to talk with a Jedi. And boy, I've missed it."
Hawkin nodded and started going through the jackets. The Togruta laughed at his antics and turned towards Calista.
"Now that he's occupied, tell me a little bit about your story. You're a Jedi. Who survived the purge. There's not many people out there who can say that."