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.
Calista smiled softly at the pair and had to remind herself to close her door. Ever since she was able to stop hiding, she liked being able to leave the door open but she didn't want to bother Hawkin…
She took some time to meditate on everything that had happened that day and plan for tomorrow. She would actually have to comm and make an official appointment but she could do that in the morning.
Eventually, she did fall asleep and stayed peacefully asleep all night.
Hawkin slowly opened his eyes after his night of sleep. For a moment he felt panic. He didn't recognize where he was, until he remembered he had gone with Calista to her apartment the night before. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. It had been one of the best nights of sleep that he had had in a while. He gently tapped on Dex's head and the droid began to wake up. He yawned and and quietly spoke to Dex.
"Good morning Dex, how was low power mode?"
Dex got up and walked around.
"It was good. How did you sleep?"
Hawkin smiled and sat up on the couch.
"I slept well. It was a good night. No weird dreams, no bad feelings, and I felt safe for the first time in a while."
Calista had gotten up early, as usual, and silently went out for a quick errand. Though she did put another blanket on Hawkin before she left.
“Well, I’m glad you feel safe here. Good morning.” Calista smiled as she walked, catching Hawkin’s last comment, into the apartment with two cups of caf and a package of still-warm food.
Hawkin got up off the couch and folded the blankets that Calista had given him.
"Good morning to you too. Yeah. It was really nice to just not worry about someone trying to break down my door."
He looked at the caf and the package in Calista's hand.
"Is that breakfast?"
“Believe me, I know that feeling.” Calista nodded, remembering how many restless nights she had worrying that someone was going to find her or kill her in her sleep. Though she pushed those thoughts out of her head with the memory of the relief she felt once she had this apartment and how safe she finally felt. “Yeah, there’s a place not too far from here that I go to pretty often. And I thought since you spent so much time in the lower levels, you might be used to caf.” she smiled as she held out one of the cups for him.
He reached out and took the cup that Calista offered.
"You're telling me. Caf was quite possibly the only thing keeping me going sometimes."
He took a big sip from the cup.
"So what's the schedule for the day?"
Calista chuckled a little but nodded, setting their breakfast on the table. “You're goal-oriented, aren't you? Well, I didn't really have a schedule but I thought we could get you those new clothes we talked about either here or on the upper levels before we go to the Senate.” she suggested. “But don't worry we have time.”
Hawkin laughed a little.
"I guess you can say I'm goal oriented. That's what a mechanic schedule does to you I guess. If you're not early, you're late. I really need to take some time to just smell the roses. And we can get clothes here on the mid levels. There's no way I'm remotely fancy enough to go shop for anything on the upper levels. The air is expensive to even breathe up there. I'm just planning on not looking like a drowned womp-rat before walking in there."
“They don't charge to breathe the air.” Calista laughed, opening the package of food easily. “Help yourself and we can make sure no drowned womp rats show up in front of the Senate.” she grinned, ruffling his hair playfully.
Hawkin waved his hand over his hair and laughed after Calista ruffled it.
"Yeah yeah. The air smells expensive. And who knows? I might clean up nicely, and Dex may end up being the drowned womp-rat."
He looked at the food.
"So what's in here? I will certainly help myself, but what is it?"
Dex piped up.
"I am no drowned womp-rat. Just a damp one."
“Well, they do have better air recyclers up there so the exhaust from the lower levels doesn't bother them.” Calista shrugged. “Alright, I wasn't sure what you like but I got some Ronto morning wraps and some doughnuts.” she told him before smirking at the little droid. “Don't worry, Dex. I’m sure Hawkin can polish you up once we get the right supplies.”
He picked up a doughnut.
"I can tell. It smells so different, even here than down on the lower levels. And this looks absolutely delicious. I'm going to enjoy this breakfast. It's been a while since I've had a legitimate breakfast. This is a nice change of pace. And Dex, once I get some cleaner and access to an oil bath, you'll look so shiny that I'll have to dim you down with some patina. That brings out the detail. You'll look so cool in no time."
Dex whirred.
"It's been a while since I've been polished and I am more than long overdue for an oil bath. I would appreciate that."
Calista smiled, helping herself to a doughnut as well. “I haven't been to the lower levels in a while. But that reminds me, we should talk to your boss today too.” she said thoughtfully. “Would you prefer going first or after we see the Senate?”
She chuckled a little watching Hawkin and Dex interact but since she didn't know enough about droids to add to their conversation.
He thought for a moment.
"Yeah. We can go to my boss first. It's quite close to the senate. You can take a transport from where I worked to get to the front door of the senate. Our primary clients were senatorial and transport ships. With the occasional bounty hunter ship coming in. I would like to go get clothes before that because there's no way that old man is going to recognize me in them. All he's ever seen is womp-rat Hawkin with messy hair, and grease all over his face, and hyperfuel all over his clothes. I don't think he'll even recognize me even with the tattoo across my nose. It's kind of funny. And, he'll be the only person that I'll truly miss on Coruscant. He took care of me when I needed it. But I've gotta move on ya know?"
“I see. Well, we can get your clothes first then see your boss about your new arrangement.” she agreed, smirking a little at the reaction they could get out from the change in Hawkin. But Calista understood what he was talking about with moving on and how he felt about the old man. “You know we’ll still be on Coruscant most of the time, right? We’ll be able to travel to other planets for whatever reason but we’ll still live here.” she assured.