(🤞)
Calista raised a brow at the description but mostly attributed the reaction to his age and the fact that he hadn't grown up in the Temple like she had. “Alright. Here. Take a seat and close your eyes.” she instructed calmly before sitting next to him. “Now concentrate on your mind. Ignore everyone and everything else, for now, and build a wall around yourself.”
He sat down and motioned for Dex to sit beside him.
“Alright. Sit down and close my eyes and build a mental wall.”
He looked at Dex.
“Sounds simple enough, right?”
Dex buzzed.
“Simple in theory, but it may be harder than you think to execute. It was a stumbling block for most Jedi. Hence why meditation exists. You build and practice off things you learn, and continue to grow.”
Hawkin sighed.
“Okay then. I’ll try my best.”
He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
Calista nodded as Dex explained the practice behind creating and maintaining mental shields. “And eventually, you’ll be able to meditate anywhere and anytime. There were even some Jedi who could go into meditation in a battle.” she told him, gently adding her own enforcement to his shields. “This is only temporary, until we get to my place.” she assured both verbally and mentally.
Hawkin reeled slightly at the added presence of Calista’s mental shield. He whistled quietly.
“This is such a weird sensation, but it’s oddly calming. Like a fortified blanket or something. Everything is much more organized in my brain.”
He opened his eyes and rubbed his hands together.
“Alright. I have a quieter brain, thanks to you. Meditation is a little weird, but I’ll get used to it eventually. Now we gotta get to the mid levels and your apartment, talk about Kiffu and its sister planet, and then if I’m lucky, maybe get some food.”
“Good. That's what I was going for.” Calista smiled as she came out of the light meditation as well, satisfied with the shield for now.
“Meditation is something you’ll have to practice but I can guide you to a method that will work for you. I have food at my place so we can eat and talk. It's not a problem.” she assured.
“I guess I’ll have to practice frequently. It wasn’t too easy to do. And food is amazing. I can try to help make it if you need a hand. Although I’m not the greatest.”
Dex emanated a mechanical laugh.
“It won’t be the first thing you’re not the greatest at and it surely won’t be the last.”
Hawkin sighed.
“I’m loving the vote of confidence Dex. Lead the way Calista.”
Calista nodded. “Some Jedi meditated several times a day. Whether that was because they had a lot to meditate on or because they were using a method that didn't really work for them, I couldn't tell you. But we'll figure out what works for you." she assured. "I won't say no to some help. You can show me what you like, if I have any of the right ingredients."
She bit her tongue to keep from laughing as Dex teased Hawkin but nodded as the transport pulled up to let passengers off. "Come on."
“I’m glad we’ll figure something out. And as for me, I’ll eat anything. I learned to because the undercity didn’t do much in helping kids survive.”
He looked at the transport and watched the people get off.
“After you. We’re in the business of being courteous here.”
Calista chuckled warmly at Hawkin’s comment about being courteous but stepped off the transport and waited for him to join her before leading the way to her place. “Honestly, I'm the same but because I was in hiding for years.” she nodded, understanding the situation but that didn't mean she liked it. She had the benefit of being Force trained back then… he would have been too young to go through that.
Hawkin followed Calista.
“What was it like in hiding? Was it scary? Or was it more of like an adrenaline rush or thrill? I know I experienced both in the underground. Hiding from the police and hiding from the ladies was a different story. Scary was the cops and the ladies were more of a thrill. Didn’t want to confuse you there to make you think I was scared of women.”
Dex chimed in.
“I fully believe you are 110% scared of women. You cannot convince me otherwise.”
Hawkin playfully smacked the droid.
“Listen. You don’t have to out me like that. Only certain women scare me. The type that can and will kill you.”
Calista laughed at the banter between Hawkin and Dex, shaking her head in amusement. “Hiding from the Empire was quite different than running from some ladies. I would hardly say it was thrilling but I won’t say I wasn’t scared because there were so many people trying to kill me and my Master.” she admitted. “The trick is to not let your emotions control you or your actions. But I will admit I have some good memories of that time too. That Bounty Hunter I told you about? She had a place where me and my Master were able to hide out for some time.”
Hawkin thought for a moment.
“I guess hiding from someone who wanted to kill you constantly would wear on your nerves. Who was the bounty hunter? I might have run into them. Fixing ships and stuff. Ya know?”
Calista rubbed the back of her neck, feeling the metal chain. “She was a Mandalorian named Syla Varr. Not one of those pacifist New Mandalorians that the Republic tried to form an alliance with or those psychopathic Death Watch zealots. She was part of the True Mandalorians during that time.” she answered. “I honestly don't know if she’s even still alive right now.”
“Well if it’s any solace, it’s hard to take out a Mandalorian. I’m sure she’s still alive out there. I’ve worked on a few of their ships. I’ve run into a few death watch Mandos, but I was on the kind end of their temper because I fixed a droid or a ship here and there. They paid well.”
Hawkin scratched his head and thought for a moment.
“Hey! What if we went and found her? That could be our first mission or something. It seems low risk enough.”
He leaned closer to Calista on the word mission, and smiled broadly.
“I know. And I hope she is alive but I can't sense her, which means she’s either dead or wearing her armor.” Calista explained though she raised a brow when Hawkin mentioned his experiences with Death Watch. “I’m surprised they didn't try to take you. I’ve seen a lot of reports of children going missing in areas where Death Watch was active… then again it has been a while since they were last heard from.”
She smiled a little at the idea of going to look for the Mandalorian who helped her all those years ago and shrugged. “We could but Mandalorians in general are very good at not letting themselves be found if they don't want to be. And they stick to a code of honor so even if we find a Mandalorian and ask them, they won't tell us.”
Hawkin laughed.
“Yeah death watch was a trip. My boss always kept a close eye on me. No kidnapping here. And I know Mandos are super huge on secrecy but someone has to be willing to let us know. Do you remember her last known location? We could even try searching archives or holonets or something. I may not know much but I know the feeling of trying to find someone or something that helped me survive. I know Mandos give something or whatever for a thank you. There’s gotta be a chance somewhere in this galaxy.”
Calista smiled, touched by Hawkin’s more positive determination to go on this spontaneous mission, and nodded. “I remember the coordinates of the planet I last saw her on… when I was 16/18, I think. And I remember the place she, well, she hid in plain sight as a blacksmith at the time. When she wasn't working on a bounty. How she managed it, I’m still not sure.” she laughed at the memory before pulling at the chain around her neck to show him. “She gave this to my Master when we had to leave her and the planet. There is a pendant, but I’ll show you that when we get inside.”
Hawkin smiled.
“Perfect. All we have to do is find a female blacksmith. That doesn’t seem so difficult. I have a good feeling about this. And yes. Let’s go inside. The temperature should be dropping soon anyways. Night time on Coruscant is rarely warm.”
“I don't think it will be that easy.” Calista shook her head. “Amorers are very important in Mandalorian culture. Blacksmithing was just Syla’s cover. She was apprenticed to her buir to become an Armorer.” she explained as she opened the door to her apartment building. “I don't know if she is one now or if she’s still using the same cover but…” she shrugged.
Hawkin shrugged.
“Well as a last ditch attempt, It wouldn’t be hard for me to get scooped up by Death Watch. We could definitely find her that way. I know they heat seek on armorers. They always look like they’re keeping themselves pristine. That’s an easy way.”
He followed Calista into her apartment building.
Dex chimed in.
“Getting kidnapped by Mandalorians seems less than ideal. I would not recommend.”
“I agree with Dex. Besides, you are still very new to the Force. You have a lot to learn before we even consider espionage tactics.” Calista told him. “Mandalorians and Jedi were actually historical enemies for quite some time because they either were following or tricked by a Sith. Not to mention the fact that beskar muffles Force sensitivity… I almost want to say that it gives them a bit of an advantage.”
Hawkin waved his hand.
"Historical enemies. I say friends who didn't like each other all that much. And as for Beskar, it's worth a lot. I do know that Mandalorians will fight tooth and nail for it. It deflects blasters pretty well. I've seen that first hand."
Dex chattered.
"Some friends you're talking about. The Jedi and Mandalorians didn't like each other since before my time. Old habits die hard when it comes to them. The Mandalorians are some of the most hard headed and stubborn people I've ever encountered."
“I know what beskar is worth but… it does more than deflect blasters. It's also very effective at resisting an attack from a lightsaber.” Calista smirked slightly. “However, Dex is right. There might have been a time when Jedi and Mandalorians could have been allies, even friends, because our Codes share similarities but both parties are too stubborn to make amends. There are individual exceptions, it's just few and far between.”
"Well things might have been different if the Jedi and Mandalorians teamed up against the Empire. Jedi with Beskar armor would have been such a high power combination."
Dex piped up.
"There was a Mandalorian Jedi during my time. I cannot remember their name. However they eventually disregarded the Jedi Order in order to help their people get back the dark saber. That's something I can tell you about later. Let's focus on getting into Calista's apartment. It's getting dark and the temperature is dropping, and danger increases at night."
Hawkin thumped the droid.
"Yeah tell me about the danger. I can deal with the dark and the temperature, but the danger? Not a good thing to run into. Needless to say, I'm starving."
Casita nodded. “Things most likely would have been different but beskar limits a Jedi’s connection to the Force. A Jedi would have to be very strong to use the Force through a beskar helmet.” she pointed out, only to come to a dead stop at the lift as Dex spoke. “Tarre Vizsla? You knew of Tarre Vizsla? One of the most famous Mand’alor?” she asked in shock.