Dex dropped his head.
"So what's I'm hearing is that I'm worth more than a million credits. That's what I'm choosing to believe."
He turned to Hawkin.
"I'm hoping you really know that I'm joking with you. You brought me back from a two hundred year sleep and now you can't get me to be quiet. I am grateful, but I will continue to be "dramatic" as you so call it."
Hawkin ate some more soup.
"Dex, I'm aware. You without dramatics, from what I'm learning, is like a ship without hyperfuel."
He took a deep breath, and looked at Calista.
"Alright. How do I even begin to use the Force as a muscle? That doesn't sound easy. But I'm willing to learn as fast as I can."
“I'm not saying that you are not valuable, Dex. You are a fully functional droid from the High Republic. You're pretty valuable… but I'm not sure exactly how much.” Calista admitted with a shrug.
She smiled softly at Hawkin’s determination to learn. “You need to start by feeling the Force around you.” she told him, using the Force to lift the spoon out of her hand and spin it around slightly. “The Force is based on energy and is made by all life in the galaxy. It's always there but if we were on a planet live Yavin VI, you could feel it even in the plants around you. The Force is alive, in its own way, and can point you a certain way. Not in words… usually, but in feelings.” she explained. “It listens to you. You need to listen to it too.”
Dex walked around the table.
"I am pretty valuable if I do say so myself. High Republic or not. I'm just so cool. However, Hawkin if you're listening, take note, I desire upgrades. I've got to make myself look good."
Hawkin rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I've got to find out where I can get you more modern things that would be beneficial to you."
He smiled softly at the mention of feeling the Force in everything.
"That sounds really nice. Maybe one day, when I get stronger and more attuned, I can go back to Kiffu and feel what the planet feels like. Feel what home feels like in the Force, ya know? Really branch out with my feelings and find myself in there too, ya know? I want to listen, but first I actually have to figure out how to listen. I mean, that's what meditation is for, right?"
Calista simply rolled her eyes as Dex bragged about himself, and went back to enjoying her meal. But she nodded at Hawkin’s reasoning. “That is exactly what meditation is for. To learn the best way for you to listen to the Force and to trust your own feelings. I can tell you, I lost track of the number of times the Force gave me a warning just went I was in hiding.” she added with a light chuckle. “But, don't worry, I have no doubt you'll learn quickly. As for going to Kiffu… Well, I'm not against the idea. Feeling a planet sounds interesting.”
Hawkin nodded.
"Meditation is what I need to do to focus and bring myself into balance if you will. Knowing that from your experience the Force alerts you to things that may be dangerous is reassuring. I hope I learn quickly. I feel like I will, but feeling like I can do something and actually doing it are two different things."
He paused and thought for a moment.
"Do I get to wear robes like you do? And when we talk to the senate, about me being your padawan, do I have to do anything to show them that I am force sensitive? Will it be just a few people, or the whole galaxy's worth of the senate? This is all very new to me."
“Well, you're already figuring out the reasons behind what I told you about. That's a good sign. I already knew you were smart when you told me about how you repaired Dex, but the way you've been understanding these things shows that you are a fast learner.” Calista smiled warmly. “And you're right. Putting these things into practice is different from understanding them. There's no rush if something doesn't work out the first time.” she assured.
Though she chuckled at the mention of her robes. “Don't worry about the Senate. Most of them don't have any Force-sensitivity, but I can vouch for your abilities. Those who’ll be informed will believe me. And no, we won't be addressing the whole galaxy.” she smirked, knowing the news would still spread beyond the few members of the Senate that they would talk to. “As for the robes… this is just what the Jedi of my time considered traditional. If you want to wear something similar, that’s fine. But I bet Dex would have his own opinions about what Jedi wore back in his day.”
Hawkin smiled.
“I try to learn quickly. Knowledge is something that I crave. Especially when it comes to machines. And I’m glad the whole senate won’t be clamoring to see what you drug in.”
He sarcastically raised his hands and raised the pitch of his voice.
“Oh Calista I can’t believe you found another Force sensitive! He looks like he crawled out of a dumpster! How wonderful!”
He laughed at himself and looked down at Dex.
“Before you impose you ideas, I might as well ask you what you think I should wear.”
Dex hopped up onto the table.
“Hmm. In the High Republic it was gold and white, and light colors. You definitely don’t strike me as a light colored wearing guy. Definitely more of a dark brown and gray. Maybe some Endor color tones. Greens, Grays, blues, browns. You know the earthy looking colors. You also don’t seem like a robe wearing guy.”
Hawkin smiled and rolled his eyes at the droid’s analysis.
“Then Dex, what would best suit me?”
Dex thought for a moment.
“Not a robe that’s for sure. Maybe a scrapper’s vest or a mechanic’s protective gear set. Something that really fits you, you know? And something with lots of pockets and things I can grab onto. What do you think Calista?”
He turned and looked at her.
Calista hummed thoughtfully at Hawkin’s admitted thirst for knowledge but decided not to comment on it right now, chuckling at his impersonation of a Senate member's reaction. “Hey, don't sell yourself short. I didn't look too good either when I finally introduced myself as a Jedi Knight to the New Republic.” she pointed out.
“I have to agree with Dex’s color suggestions. Natural colors would suit you best.” she nodded. “As for the style… I was going to say that I’ll leave it up to you, but now I’m wondering what kind of style they wear on Kiffu and if it would be possible to adapt it for climate differences.” she mused, considering what he told her about Kiffu being a desert planet and knew that wouldn't be warm enough for Coruscant.
Hawkin laughed.
“I can only imagine. As for natural colors, I do find them very nice. And believe it or not, the guards that are on rotation on Kiffu wear significant amounts of armor. But I barely remember what it looks like. That’s a holonet question. But it shouldn’t be too difficult to recreate something that combines two major parts of me. A mechanic, and a Kiffar. Not to mention that third thing, the padawan braid.”
Calista nodded, interested in what armor from Kiffu looked like but already liking the idea of potentially incorporating that into his Jedi wardrobe. “We can look that up and should be able to achieve a good way to do that for you. As for the braid… I can help you with that.” she offered before going to look for something they could use at the top and bottom of the braid to keep it intact.
Hawkin smiled.
"I'm glad. Being able to put parts of myself together to create a whole version of me that I can fully unite is something that I know will make me feel more confident in what I can do. As for braiding my hair, I never really asked what a padawan braid is supposed to look like. Is it small, or is it like all of my hair is put into one big braid? Either way,"
He chuckled.
"My hair is long enough for whatever."
“It's usually a thin little braid, just behind your right ear.” Calista explained, finding a small strip of cloth. “This should work until we get some beads… though I’ll you pick the colors for the ones at the top and bottom.” she offered considering the fact that he was over thirteen, she suspected he was about sixteen which came with another tradition according to how she was raised. Though that made her wonder… “Hey, Dex? Were there any rules regarding the age of a Padawan at the start of their training?”
Dex whirred for a moment.
"There are some rules. But none of them are really followed strictly. A padawan was normally placed with a master at the age of thirteen, after growing up in the temple. They would graduate and become a Jedi Knight in their early twenties. And the padawan braid would disappear. The padawans would be taught how to conquer arrogance, overconfidence, defeatism, stubbornness, recklessness, curiosity, and materialism. Although, curiosity was strongly encouraged during my time of existence. Sometimes that is needed to advance the future. Much of these requirements now, I don't think they should apply. After being hooked up to the holonet, and obtaining the information as to what happened to the Jedi, it really should be the bare bones of those ideas, and what can keep you alive. In technicality, Hawkin is truly the first padawan after the jedi purge. Therefore meaning you can do whatever you really like when it comes to his training. You can make the rules."
Hawkin looked at the droid and looked at Calista.
"So Dex, is that a fancy way of saying Calista is the boss?"
Dex looked at Hawkin.
"Precisely."
Calista nodded at the familiarity of the information Dex recounted, a bit relieved by it. But she chuckled a little at Hawkin’s question. “I could have told you that.” she smirked, taking a seat on the couch. “Now, come here and I can put your braid in.”
“One thing you missed, Dex, is that we were also taught not to give in to fear… or anger. A Jedi can still feel both but we never let it control us or our actions.” she added. “And I don't remember how strict this rule was but… there was a time where if a Padawan was… unable to be placed with a Master or something by the time they turned thirteen standard years, they were reassigned to one of the Jedi Corps. Obviously, that’s not going to happen anytime soon and I doubt that “aging out” like that is going to be brought back.” she admitted, hopefully assuring Hawkin that she wasn't going to abandon him after saying that she would teach him.
Hawkin rolled his eyes at Dex and Calista. He walked over and sat down in front of Calista with his back facing her.
"So what I'm getting the vibe of this Jedi stuff is that I have to be morally good. I mean I think I'm there, kind of sorta. I've gotta work on the fear and anger thing. Mechanics really made an impression on me. And not in the best way."
He chuckled at his own theatrics.
"On the other hand, I'm hoping that aging out is never brought back because I'm on the beginning level of like a three year old. The old Jedi order would have thrown me out a window right now. But knowing that I'm not going to be thrown out a window is a welcome comfort."
Dex chirped.
"You can definitely still be thrown out of a window. I've never seen Calista do it, but I know she already can. So you do not have that comfort."
Hawkin waved his hand dismissively.
"Dex I could throw you out of a window."
Dex walked in front of Hawkin.
"You wouldn't. You like me too much."
Hawkin kicked his foot up to mess with the droid.
"Bah. It depends. But it's most overwhelmingly a possibility that I think you're pretty cool."
Calista smiled and gently turned Hawkin so she could start braiding. “Don't worry. We’ll work on that. Maybe even find a way for you to channel what you learned from them into something you can use.” she suggested as she carefully separated a small section of his hair into smaller sections. “But I hope that aging out doesn't come back either. It was… intimidating having that kind of deadline hanging overhead. Of course, the senior Padawans didn't make it any easier.” she sighed. The Corps had been an important faction of the Jedi order but there had to be a better way to get people involved while not making it seem like a punishment or a failure.
She chuckled softly and smirked at both of them. “I am fully capable of throwing both of you out the window at the same time and catching both of you as well. But I'm not going to do that.”
Hawking turned so Calista could put the braid in his hair.
"Yeah the mechanics at the shop could be a little harsh. But they did teach me some good life lessons. As for deadlines, I can see how it would be intimidating. I'm glad that I won't have to really deal with that because I would have already failed that deadline. I'm fifteen. I'm just a little over the age of thirteen, you know?"
He laughed at his own little joke, and laughed harder when Calista said that she could throw both him and Dex out of the window. He playfully kicked at the droid again.
"You hear that? You're not safe either. If I go out a window, however unlikely that may be, you're coming with me."
Dex, in his dramatic way, looked appalled.
"Dragging me out of a window? How cruel."
Calista ensured the braid was tight, but not painful, and the bands would keep it from falling out before letting it hang over Hawkin's right shoulder. "I don't think anyone will have to worry about ages for some time, especially if the New Jedi Order is going to be established at some point soon." she pointed out, smiling at his comment about his own age. "I think that just means that you have more to learn and perhaps a new perspective for both studying the Force and teaching me some things too."
"I just said I wasn't going to throw either of you out the window." she laughed.
"That's a relief. But it is hopeful that a new Jedi Order might be fully established. And I really hope I have a new perspective. Seeing the world as horrible and cruel as it is, especially on my own planet and here in the underground, I feel like I might be more grateful for something that could benefit me and others. My perspective is odd, but the times are odd."
Dex piped in.
"Hawkin, you are odd. And that's coming from a droid who has seen odd folks and characters in the height of where people were odd. But it doesn't mean you aren't something to be reckoned with."
Hawkin reached up and touched his braid.
"Dex, I don't know whether to be offended or flattered by the comment. And Calista, the braid looks really nice. As for not throwing us out of the window, it is still very much appreciated."
“Well, it's not like the Senate can ignore the fact that the Force exists and that there are people who are capable of using it. It's much more beneficial for them to support a New Jedi Order.” Calista explained with a shrug. “And times are definitely odd… I think you’ll fit in.”
She smiled as Hawkin appreciated the braid, though she still planned to get some skill bands for it for later, and nodded at Dex’s comment. “It may not sound like a compliment but I would consider it one. Being odd isn't always a bad thing.”
He laughed at the mention of the senate.
"That's true. They can't ignore that part. As you said, the Force is in everything. And I've been fitting in well enough that I didn't get taken out in the underground. I think the oddities helped. Or at least they kept me safe. And Dex, you're something you know that?"
Dex beeped.
"I am aware. I try my best."
Hawkin began to yawn.
"I have no clue what time it is, but I am starting to get tired. Can we call it a night? And are we headed to the senate tomorrow? To tell the certain few you have decided to inform of your new padawan?"
“And I heard there was a number of times that the Alliance used “May the Force be with you” before sending someone off on a mission. Kinda hard to discredit Jedi when they did that.” Calista chuckled.
She blinked at the reminder of sleep, not realizing that she had been relying on the Force to keep herself awake, which was a similar technique to sustaining oneself when food or water was hard to come by. “Of course. We can go to the Senate tomorrow. Get some rest. Do you need anything? Extra blankets or anything?” she asked.
Hawkin stood up.
"I think I'll be okay. I'll at least survive the night. I really appreciate the hospitality. I'll grab a quick shower and crash. Gotta get any hyperfuel off of me so I don't stink up the place and it smell like a landing zone. And the senate should sound interesting. Before we go though, could we find a place where I can get something other than fuel stained clothes? I have some credits I can spend. I don't want to look like a total mess tomorrow. Believe it or not, I do like maintaining my appearance sometimes."
He laughed at himself and looked at the droid.
"Anything you need Dex before we all head off to sleep?"
Dex hummed.
"I don't think so. I'll just go into low power mode for the night. I'll be fresh to torment you tomorrow morning Hawkin."
Hawkin smiled at the droid.
"I'm sure you will bud."
“Sure. We can get you something else to wear. I just finished a job before we met so I also have credits if you're a bit short or anything.” Calista told him, rising from the couch as well. “Sleep well, Hawkin. Good night, Dex.” she smiled at their banter before heading to her room.
"Thanks Calista. You sleep well too. I'll see you in the morning."
Hawkin went to the fresher, and grabbed a quick shower. He looked into his bag, and pulled out a pair of clean clothes, and walked back to the couch. He touched Dex on the head.
"Goodnight Dex."
Dex settled in beside the couch.
"Goodnight Hawkin. Until the morning."
Hawkin settled in on the couch and covered himself with a blanket. As soon as he laid down and got comfortable, he fell into sleep, and into a pleasant dream. He hadn't had one in a long time.
The night went on, and soon the dawn of a new day broke the Coruscant sky.
