Hawkin smiled broadly as he stepped off of the lift.
"I just kind of appeared. Poof, here's Hawkin. A little mechanic lad, with a droid that's at least ten times older than me. As for girls? A Jedi girlfriend doesn't sound so bad. Although, she'd have to exist first. Can't have an imaginary girl ya know? People might start to think I'm crazy or something. But I'm in no rush. I got a sick looking droid, a cool Jedi master that's going to teach me cool stuff, a mechanic business I started a few hours ago, speaking of which, I don't know if I have to do taxes for that or not,"
He paused for a second and thought for a moment.
"Oh well. I'll figure that out later. I just have things that I have to do first before I find the imaginary girl. It can wait."
“I think ‘young’ would fit you better than ‘little’. You are a head taller than I am.” Calista pointed out with a chuckle as they walked on to their apartment. “And I think Dex is more than ten times older than both of us.”
She shook her head at the idea of an imaginary Jedi girlfriend as it seemed too soon just because of the low number of known Jedi currently living in the galaxy. But maybe one day…
“Oh, before I forget.” she perked up, reaching inside her robes and pulling out the gloves she had purchased earlier. “These are for you. They should help you with any accidental Echoes until we are able to help you better control it.” she explained as she held them out to him.
Hawkin smiled.
"I am tall for my age. That's what breathing in hyperfuel does to ya. That accelerated growth or what not. It does something to ya though, I do know that. I've definitely felt like I was on another planet after breathing that in. Crazy stuff."
Hawkin stopped at the door to Calista's abode, as she held out the gloves, he smiled and took them.
"I appreciate it. These will come in handy."
He chuckled at his pun.
"Anyways, they look sick. My mechanic self is loving how they look, they're scrapper gloves, and looking at them, with a reinforced palm and knuckles. Plus,"
He held his hand up, and wiggled his fingers.
"My fingers stay free. I can still feel the delicate things I normally work with. I really like these. However, I'm going to hold onto these and put them in my pocket for now. They don't really match with the senator outfit. But when we're done with the senate, I will put them on as soon as possible because I am itching to modify them and add cool mech stuff. Like maybe a lighter or something when I rub my knuckles across my palm. It's going to be so cool."
“And I believe Dex mentioned that you're going to get taller?” Calista raised a playful brow. “Hopefully, getting you away from all that hyperfuel will have you growing at a normal speed again.” she teased, though she made a mental note to get him either a rebreather for if he worked around hyperfuel again or to, at least, have him medically checked out.
She smiled as he admired his new gloves, rolling her eyes at the joke, but was interested in how he might modify them. “Banara did mention that you might appreciate having your fingers free for that reason. But I am glad that you like them.” she admitted, as they entered the apartment. “You don't have to wear them to the Senate meeting if you’re that worried about how you look.”
Hawkin laughed.
"Yeah. I should be. Like I said I don't remember my parents, but from what I was told they both were tall. But that again could also be a lie. A lot of things are coming to light now, that I know now were things I've kinda ignored. As for the senate, I'm just trying to make a good first impression. After that, whatever I look like is whatever they get. From a greasy mechanic, to a refined kid that I don't know, maybe likes reading some poetry or history or schematics, it will depend on the day. I'm just hoping for the best."
Hawkin walked in and set the bags down and breathed deeply. He looked at the gloves, and he tucked them into the back of his pants.
He smiled at Calista.
"Alrighty, let's get this show on the road. The day awaits."
“I don't remember my parents either.” Calista admitted with a shrug. “But I have a feeling that our reasons are different.” she smiled assuringly as she dropped off her share of the bags.
Though she chuckled at his “plan” regarding future senate meetings. “That's one thing about these old robes. The Senate is used to them and I don't have to worry about what I look like.”
“Lead the way, young Padawan. I’m looking forward to meeting your old boss and explaining.” she nodded with a wave of her hand for him to take her to the right place.
Hawkin shrugged and laughed softly.
"Yeah I was orphaned. My parents left me or they straight up died. Whatever way, I don't think it did much. I turned out okay, ish. I'm alive and doing something out in this big old galaxy. Now I'm getting ready to go see the old boss man and the senate. What a wild life."
Hawkin made sure Dex was in the right position, and he walked to the door. He turned and smiled.
"Leading the way master. Let's go explain and meet new people."
Hawkin walked out and stepped on the lift, and pressed a few buttons that would take them to the surface. When the doors opened, he felt the wind on his face. A close distance away, he could see the senate building. He turned his head and eyes a looked at the familiar shop that he had worked at many times before. He talked over his should to Dex.
"Well here goes nothing. Let's talk to the old man."
He began walking towards the old shop, and at the door he coughed, gaining the attention of the old man who he had known so well. The old man hopped down off of his stool, and scurried over.
"How do you do young man, what can I help you with?"
Hawkin smiled.
"I don't need help, I'm just telling you that I won't be coming back into work."
The old man looked up and narrowed his eyes, and thought for a moment.
"Hawkin? Is that you?"
Calista nodded slightly at the information, remembering what he said about being his clan, but was fairly sure she had explained enough about her own origins so she didn't repeat them.
She waited calmly for him to prepare himself before following him. Though she was a little surprised by the use of the lift as she had been expecting to take a multi-level transport.
Once they arrived at his soon-to-be former workplace, raising a brow at how close it was, she paused at the doorway to let Hawkin make his… reveal. She barely held back a smirk when the owner didn't recognize him at first before walking in behind her Padawan.
Hawkin shuffled nervously.
"Yeah. It's me. I've come to tell you that I'm not coming back to work. Ever. I've had an opportunity come up, and I don't think that I can pass it up."
The old man grunted and started to laugh.
"Hawkin you are something. A jokester at heart. I don't believe that for a second."
Hawkin crossed his arms.
"It's very much true. I'm going to learn to be a Jedi. There's something out there in this galaxy, and I'm going to find my place. I can't work here forever. Look, you can talk to my master. She can validate my entire story. I'm not lying to you or joking. I wouldn't be dressed like this if I was kidding."
Calista smiled serenely as she stepped beside Hawkin, placing her hand on his shoulder and sending him calm assurance before bowing to the old man in the traditional Jedi way. "It is a privilege to meet the man who has been taking care of my Padawan until we could meet." she greeted, fairly sure that her comment would be a little confusing… but she could think of no other way to phrase it.
"Hawkin is telling the truth. He has a rare gift in the Force and it would be dangerous not to teach him." she explained. "Surely you are familiar with his… headaches? Those are just a result of his ability and the fact that he has not been trained to handle it."
The old man waved his hand dismissively.
"Ack. Headaches. Every mechanic gets them after working around hyperfuel. Granted his were more severe than anyone's I've seen, but I chalked it up to him being green on the jobsite."
Hawkin's jaw dropped.
"Green? Green? I fixed things no one would touch. What do you mean green? Karavos, I should be any other color besides green at this point."
Karavos clicked his tongue.
"Hush boy. I'm talking to this here-"
He looked Calista up and down.
"Jedi."
Karavos shifted his weight and scratched his head with two of his four arms.
"Jedi? It's been years since I've even heard of the Jedi. And now you're telling me, this scrappy boy, really nothing more than a street rat, is going to be one, and you're going to be the one to train him? That's rich. Why don't we go into my office and talk about it more? I need more information before I just let you take my best fine motor mechanic."
Hawkin sulked.
"I am not a street rat. Well not anymore."
Dex piped up.
"Let's be real, you were. You can't even deny that at this point."
Hawkin pursed his lips, and held back a chuckle, as he looked towards Calista, awaiting her reaction.
Calista kept her face passive, not letting Karavos’s dismissive comments get under her skin. Though she could feel Hawkin’s understandable annoyance and sent a sense of calm to him.
“I can assure you that Hawkin’s were not solely from being around hyperfuel or being more sensitive to it than other mechanics.” she reiterated calmly before giving her Padawan a slight smile. “The Force is mysterious in who it chooses to be with. To my knowledge there is no definitive way of knowing who will be attuned to it… and who will not. However, I do know that he has great potential to be a Jedi Knight and I have every intention of training him.” she added confidently. “If you want to discuss this, there is no reason not to include him.”
Karavos laughed.
"Oh I fully intended to include him. Just in my office. Follow me."
Hawkin rolled his eyes and shook his head, nodding to Calista that he had felt the calm wash over him. He muttered to her.
"I told you he was a little difficult. But honestly, this is going better than I thought it would go."
Dex piped in.
"We haven't made it into his office yet. This could go downhill very quickly. I expect it to do so. I'm here for the organic drama."
Hawkin suppressed his laughter.
"Organic drama Dex? What in the stars name are you talking about?"
After a series of low whistles, Dex replied.
"Organic drama. Drama between organic life forms. You and Calista and this Karavos guy. I am most intrigued."
Hawkin strode forward after Karavos.
"Whatever you say buddy. Whatever you say."
He motioned for Calista to follow. He whispered back to Calista.
"He talks business deals in his office. I don't know what his plan is, but I don't like where it's going. We'll see how this turns out though."
Calista nodded, letting Karavos show the way to his office, a bit relieved that he didn't plan to exclude Hawkin from the discussion of his own future.
Though she had to bite her tongue as Dex compared their upcoming conversation to his personal version of a holo-drama. Something she suddenly decided against showing him, if he didn't already know about them.
“Thank you for the warning.” she whispered back. “Whatever his plan… I intend to stand by my promise.”
Hawkin shrugged.
"It is what it is. Karavos is a business man, and money talks. However, threats of leans and sending the tax collector do seem to work. That's the one thing that he's really afraid of. And it's the tax man and what he does when he looks at the books. He hates losing money to taxes. If he's going to pull something, and he will, threaten to have him audited. I know for a fact that his books aren't right, and he has books that are as we say, off the books."
Dex chirped.
"This is getting better by the minute. Calista are you hearing this?"
Hawkin rolled his eyes.
"Just please do your senatorial thing and talk business. He listens to that. He already knows I'm hot headed when it comes to him. He will say things that will rub me the wrong way, and he does it intentionally. I will try my best to restrain myself, but I can't fully promise I won't reach across his desk and throttle him. I worked for him, and he paid me fairly, and he kept me alive, but it doesn't mean that I liked him."
Calista listened to Hawkin’s advice/warning about Karavos, unsure exactly how unscrupulous things might get… but preparing for them anyway.
“If it will assure you, I will mention my contacts with the Senate, if it becomes necessary.” she nodded. “I can handle the talking. If he gets under your skin, just focus on your breathing and… “push” your anger away. Let the Force take it and you can deal with it in your own time when you're less tempted to do something you might regret.” she tried to explain.
Hawkin laughed.
"Yeah, I'll push my anger away. And down the nearest flight of stairs."
He looked at Calista.
"For all intensive purposes that is a joke. I would never push anyone down the stairs."
Dex piped in.
"Unless they really deserved it. You forgot to finish that sentence Hawkin."
Hawkin held his breath, because if he laughed it would have encouraged the droid more.
"Yeah. Sure Dex. Let's get this started and over."
He followed Karavos through the shop that he had known for years. Some of the mechanics nodded in his general direction, and they never raised more than a glance when he walked by. Karavos turned around and looked back at Calista and Hawkin. He held the door open.
"Please follow me. My office is right through here. Business awaits."
Hawkin grabbed the door, and let Karavos walk through, and gestured for Calista to take the lead.
Calista simply gave Hawkin a look for both comments. She had hoped he had only been joking with the first but now was not the time to be making dark-humored quips. "If you want this to be over quickly, my Padawan, I suggest you both let me do the talking until we are ready to leave." she said plainly, though there was a bit of a warning for Dex in her words.
"Of course." she nodded at Karavos as she followed him into the office. Perhaps it was just habit from spending so many years on the run but, while her posture and expression remained calm and relaxed, her senses were on high alert. Ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. "Fortunately, our business is a simple matter so we won't take up much of your time."
Karavos chuckled.
"I sure hope it's simple. My best mechanic is leaving. I just want to simply know what you're going to help me with in order to have him. Nothing in this world is free. I'm sure you know that much, Jedi."
Hawkin put his hands up to his temples.
"Ah, there it is."
Karavos laughed heartily at Hawkin.
"You sure know me boy. I'm glad to see that you remembered something. Please sit down. The both of you. Let's get to business."
Karavos went and sat down behind his desk, and picked up a hefty notebook. He picked up a pen and flipped to a new page.
"Let's begin. What can you offer me, so I can offer you Hawkin? Now granted he isn't a slave, but I'll be losing a significant amount of money by losing what he can do. There aren't many mechanics that can do what he does. So, how will my business be insured and continue to flourish, with his absence? That's just simply what I'm asking."
Karavos cleared his throat.
"If you have an answer, he's yours. I'm just looking out for myself and my livelihood. You'd know about that wouldn't you, Jedi?"
Hawkin bit his tongue to hide his discontent. The way he said the word Jedi. There was malice behind his words. He had worked for this man for years, and he had never heard his sound this way before. And he had heard Karavos yelling at ritsy customers before that had tried to cheat him.
Calista maintained her calm demeanor as she chose to remain standing. His obvious tone was something she had heard several times during the reign of the Empire, but it never really got any easier to deal with. The sting of it still made her skin crawl. She could feel his distaste for her, but she knew it wasn't just because she was a Jedi… It couldn't be. This had to be about business. She took a steadying breath, meeting his gaze professionally.
"I appreciate your candor, Karavos," she began, her voice steady as she replied. "I have seen how skilled Hawkin is as a mechanic, and understand the impact that his leaving might have on your business. While I am glad to hear that you do not view your workers as slaves, I will not argue that anything is ever truly free—especially regarding talent and expertise."
She paused, allowing her words to settle before continuing. "The New Republic values independent enterprises, especially those with skilled craftsmen. If Hawkin's absence creates a gap in your workforce, I can put you in touch with some contacts in the Senate to find potential hires. And considering the progress the Senate is making in reaching out to other systems, there are opportunities for those enterprises to expand and gain recognition beyond the local market." she told him, letting him draw his own conclusions. "You’re looking out for your livelihood, as you should. And I’m looking out for Hawkin’s future—and the way I see it, this can be an opportunity. Hawkin moving into a new chapter doesn’t have to mean a loss for you. This is a chance for all of us to flourish, Karavos. And I believe a smart businessman like yourself can see the value in that."
Karavos leaned in.
"I appreciate the offer of putting me in contact with skilled craftsman and mechanics like Hawkin, however, to find one mechanic that can do what Hawkin does, I'll have to pay them what they're asking. And they're not cheap."
He laughed and looked at Hawkin and looked back at Calista.
"You see, I can pay Hawkin whatever I like. He's not an adult in the eyes of the Republic. His pay scale isn't regulated. Which is good for my business. I've saved so much money by cutting ethical corners, and I would hate having to follow the straight and narrow. Now I'd know you might slam me with the threat of the tax man, but my books are very very clean. Give me another option. What else could you offer me?"
Hawkin rolled his eyes. He knew his pay scale was never accurate. But hearing Karavos say that it wasn't made him feel different. He slid his hand forward on Karavos desk.
"Listen old man. I've tried very hard to do what you've asked for years. Your books may be clean, but everyone here knows you have more than one book for less than desirable business deals. I'll find it."
Karavos leaned back in his chair and smiled.
"Seems you've learned something after all. If I were afraid of you, Hawkin Jaegerfly, you would have never been allowed in this office. You, yourself, have nothing to offer me besides your mechanical skills. And that is all. Your-"
He pointed to Calista.
"Jedi friend has more sway than you could ever dream of having. I intend to get what I want, and you're my leverage. A trading piece. And that is all."
Hawkin blinked hard. It had been years since he had heard his full name. He reached up and ran his fingers through his hair, He shrank down into his chair and pulled his feet close to him. He felt Dex scooch closer into his back, and he felt the small amount of warmth the droid radiated sink into himself, providing little comfort to the cold he now felt in the room.
(Aghhhhh I hate Karavos and I'm writing himmm. But boy do I love writing a horrible character. It just scratches an itch in my brain.)
(He is a real ass. Good job on making such a dislikable character!)
Calista had to admit that even with Hawkin's warning, she had not expected Karavos to be so blatant. She could feel that her Padawan was just as rattled by the confession as she was. If not more so. She moved beside him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. I will take care of this.
"I have no interest in bringing your tax evasion into this. I know you have no fear of being discovered in that way. Since you brought it up, I'm sure that you have diversions and subterfuge to avoid being caught." she stated, her voice completely void of emotion. "However… you should be more careful what you reveal. Hawkin is not a trading piece. He is my Padawan. With or without your permission. We merely came here to give you the courtesy of informing you of the change and that he will no longer be working here." she pointed out. "It is not the Jedi way to make threats. But if it becomes necessary, I will inform the Senate of what you just admitted to me about not paying your employees accurately." Of course, that wasn't the only thing she was going to mention. If Karavos had made the decision to "hire" Hawkin like this… then it was highly likely that Hawkin wasn't the first or the last. And that was as far as she was aware that was as illegal as owning slaves in the New Republic.
Karavos leaned back in his chair and pulled out a cigar from his desk. He let out a chuckle.
"Ah. This is why the Jedi and I never got along. Even before the Clone Wars. They never liked the way I did things. However I fixed nearly all of their ships when they came back from combat. I fixed them well, and quickly. They never asked about how well I paid my employees, they just asked how fast I could do the job. The Senate has never cared how I do my business, because I always cut them a deal. Nice try though. I've got to hand it to you. You've handled this better than everyone else they've sent my way. But you still haven't answered my question. What can you offer me? All you've thrown at me are empty threats. Lay your chips on the table. Give me something that I'd be interested in. A new customer. A hyperdrive core. A new ship. Throw out ideas."
He took a long draw on the cigar.
"I'm a business man. I make deals. Threats, Jedi, are not the way to go. Hawkin is a trading piece. He's valuable to me. However, there are things that I desire more, that would make losing Hawkin worth it."
Dex whirred against Hawkin's back, and he had begun to relax again. He breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Karavos was a business man. There was no reason this should come to blows.
Calista raised a brow in confusion. She doubted this was the only reason Karavos hadn’t gotten along with the Jedi of the past. But the unconventional compliment of how she was handling things almost made her smile.
“I’m sure your services to both the Jedi and the Senate were very much appreciated, especially in a time of war. Perhaps such a recommendation could play in your favor with the New Republic.” she mused, still thinking that suggestion through. Though the fact that the Jedi were never meant to be soldiers, actively seeking out enemies, and the corruption of the Senate both before and during the war didn't add much confidence to the situation.
She shook her head slightly. “As I’ve said, it is not the Jedi way to make threats, and my warning is far from empty. But I would prefer to settle this with a simple deal as well.” she admitted smoothly. “If the offer of new potential employees failed in appealing to you, perhaps I could find a way to have some of your tools and equipment updated. I could even ask about getting some specialized droids to assist you and your employees.” she suggested.
Karavos leaned back and took another long draw on his cigar.
"Now we're talking Jedi. New tools are always a good bargaining chip. As for the droids, I'll pass on them. I never need a droid to do a humanoid's job. I prefer living creatures over those made of metal and circuits."
He leaned forward and grabbed another thickly bound book and set it on the desk.
"Now you want Mr. Hawkin Jagerfly's information, correct? I have everything from his employment, to anything and everything that I could dig up on him. There's more about him, than he himself knows."
Hawkin leaned forward and reached for the book. Karavos swatted his hand away.
"This is not for you. This is for your Jedi. I will accept the trade for new tools, because I have a list that I need. The deal is between me and the Jedi. Not me and you. As a sign of good faith though, I will let you go with her. You are still employed by me, until she has everything on you, you listen to me."
Hawkin huffed and crossed his arms.
"Let's make this quick Calista. I'm ready to go."
“Understandable.” Calista allowed her smile to grow slightly at the approval, nodding at Karavos’s opinion on using droids. “Yes, that information will be very appreciated. It will make the transition smoother when Hawkin and I go to the Senate about him becoming my Padawan.” she said, using the Force to bring the book into her hands. While she had no plans of hiding the information from Hawkin, she couldn't resist thumbing through a few pages.
“If you are insisting on Hawkin being employed by you for the interim, I hope you don't mind that Hawkin’s training will be a priority. His talent in the Force is not something to brush aside. He needs to be prepared to defend himself in ways that… are hard to explain beyond saying that Jedi face more than just physical dangers.” she described. “If you will give me that list for tools that you mentioned, I can start looking for ways for the Senate to bring help supply you.”
Karavos nodded and pulled out his list.
"This should be exactly what I need. As for knowing Hawkin, that boy has been in enough scraps to know how to defend himself. Has he done that well? As for that, I don't know. But he's still alive. You can take him off my hands for now. You have everything on him. I'll look forward to seeing you in the future with all of my new tools. Once I have all of my tools, he will effectively be out of my employment. You can do what you want with him then."
He stood up and stepped away from the desk.
"You two can leave now. Hawkin knows his way out of the shop. Please go talk to my dear senate. And tell them I appreciate all that they do, for the most humble folks in the Republic."
Hawkin rolled his eyes and stood up.
"Come on Calista. I'm ready to leave."
He walked hurriedly out of the door, and didn't look back. Karavos had never been all that nice after all, but Hawkin felt as if he was leaving behind something that had meant something significant.
“You will get your tools, regardless of whether or not we see each other again.” Calista assured, accepting the list and choosing to ignore the Forde-null ignorance of her warning.
She calmly followed Hawkin out of the office but caught up to him and matched his speed. “Well, that could have been worse. So much for your organic drama, Dex.“ she smiled briefly with a light chuckle. “Are you alright, Hawkin?” she asked gently, understanding that this was a big change for him.
(Hey! I'm back. Hopefully for a little bit at least. It's been a chaotic two weeks. We are however at the final push, and I'm currently finishing up two massive projects, and I'm studying for finals week. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible 😂)
