Chapter Text
Calen was looking over Sunshine’s shoulder as the clone fixed up one of the ship’s motors. It was a mess of wires, cables and bolts. While he could try his hand at fixing it, he was glad that the 13th battalion had a designated mechanic.
They had been stranded on Lasan for nearly a standard week. While the planet was not like the wild jungle of Kashyyyk, it was still heavily forested, and while he enjoyed exploring his former Master’s homeworld, it would be nice to return to his duties. He couldn't wait to see how far the younglings have come in their lessons, how the small foundlings in the creche's have grown, and who would join the next group of padawan initiates.
He had been lucky in comparison to the younger padawans who were helping in the war effort. At least he had a few years of normal Jedi duties before being thrown into a war he hadn’t been sure they would win. At times, the war seemed to be overseen by some higher being, with wins so obvious that they seemed like cheating. It couldn't be the case, Calen knew that, he didn't listen to the conspiratory talk he sometimes heard around the galaxy, but it was still something he found himself noticing.
While he agreed that the Senate was becoming corrupt and going against the ideals from which it had sprouted, he couldn’t help but think that the way the Separatists were going about it was wrong. Maybe not in their disconnection from the Republic or the wish for self-governance away from corruption, but if only for the fact that the Jedi had been brought into this conflict. They were the peacekeepers, defenders and protectors of peace, but now they were soldiers. If the Separatists hadn’t allied themselves with the Sith, Calen couldn’t imagine that the conflict would have grown into a full-blown civil war. Maybe a few years of minor conflict, before things settled down again but an outright war? He hoped that it wouldn't be the case in such a world.
When the attack on Geonosis had happened, he had felt how the Force had cried at the loss of so many people. It had been a wail, loud and unbearable in the beginning, and now, with the war going on to its third year, it had turned into quiet sobs he had learned to ignore. It was horrible. He had always been taught to find peace in the Force, but how could he do that when it kept reminding him of how much they had lost?
His younger cousin, Cal, had the gift of psychometry, but Calen was able to cut himself off from the Force completely. He had discovered it early during the war. They had been on a normal support mission to help on the front lines when they stumbled upon Count Dooku’s apprentice.
Asaji Ventress had been relentless in hunting them down and fighting them, to the point where she had eventually split them up to take them alone. Calen had behaved like a coward then, running away and hiding in the shadows as he tried to escape.
Master Jaro had fought against her alone then, and won, but afterwards, he had searched for Calen, unable to feel him through the force. It had taken hours for the clone troopers to stumble upon the terrified Padawan, and even longer for Master Jaro to calm him down.
He had been young then, seventeen and a shiny as the clones liked to say. He had fought before, but not a combat like that, especially against a dark side user.
Afterwards, he and Master Jaro returned to Coruscant, where he had talked with Master Yoda and Master Wind about what this could mean for him. Everyone knew that it was possible to suppress one’s connection to the Force, that instead of embracing it, you turn away from it. But to cloak yourself in it and become invincible like he had done? That was almost unheard of.
Master Yoda had told him that, in his experience, it was those of the dark side that could hide themselves in it. Calen hadn’t known what to say to that, but Master Jaro had defended him, saying it was only done out of instinct to protect himself. He had behaved like a coward, and yet Master Jaro had defended him and Calen knew he would never forget the gratitute he felt towards his master at that moment. Calen knew in that moment he would do whatever it took to never be in such a position of cowardice again, that he wouldn't run and hide to save his own skin when he should do as a Jedi and help others.
Master Windu had told him that if he and Master Jaro were willing, he could help Calen understand his powers. They had agreed, and what had followed were insightful lessons in understanding the dark side and how not to fall into it, but instead use it for good.
Calen had learned how Master Windu was able to use Vaapad while staying within the Jedi Code, and while he didn’t think he would ever master it to the same degree as Master Windu, he had still practiced the fighting form.
He was going to practice it again, if it wasn’t for Master Jaro asking him to help the clone trooper repair the ship. He had agreed, though he wasn’t sure why his help was even needed. Sunshine was a great mechanic and had even taught him a few things about patching up droids he hadn’t even known before.
“Could you turn on the motor now?” He heard the clone ask. With a nod, he used the force to turn the machine on, not wanting to have to look for the switch. It made a few weird sounds before shutting down again.
“That’s probably not good.” He said, and smiled when he heard the clone snort in response.
“You could say that again,” and before Calen could open his mouth, “Don’t actually say it though.”
He laughed and clapped Sunshine on his shoulder. He was a young clone, a shiny, and had only been a part of the 13th battalion for a few weeks before they had stranded on Lasan after leaving Pantora.
“I will not, my friend.” He answered simply, and suddenly felt like he was being watched. Looking around, he noticed that all the troopers were moving around with their tasks, but the feeling still didn’t leave him. Turning in the other direction, he saw a few of the members of the Honor Guard training on the opposite side of the clearing. They all seemed to be focusing on fighting each other, all except for one.
The leader of the Honor Guard, the lasat who had agreed to help him in the library. He was smaller than the other lasat, only a few inches taller than Calen, but that clearly didn’t stop him from getting the respect that came with his position.
“Are you okay with continuing this on your own?” He asked Sunshine, not even looking at the man, focusing instead on watching the lasat. The lasat had stopped looking at him when he noticed that Calen had realized he was being watched, just like he had done the same thing back in the library. It had been fun, catching the guard's eye and seeing the way his ears twitched whenever he was caught looking.
Each time Calen had done that, the lasat had just gone back to looking at the book and ignoring him, save to correct his pronunciation of Lasana. It didn’t stop Calen from wanting to spend more time with the guard, but when he had asked when they could meet again, simply to practice reading, the lasat had given an evasive answer and nearly ran from him. Calen had nearly chased after him, but contained himself; it wouldn’t have been proper.
Calen laughed and clapped Sunshine on his shoulder before excusing himself. As he left the repair area, his mind was already on the Honor Guard's practice across the clearing.
***
Agreeing to be alone with the Jedi had been a bad idea. Looking too much at the Jedi had been even worse. But staring at him from across the field until the younger human had noticed him was bound to be catastrophic.
They had sat close enough together that their scent had almost intermingled, and while the human smelled pleasant, he didn’t want to imply to others something that wasn’t there.
The Jedi was coming his way, closer step by step, and soon Zeb would stand nearly face to face with him again. He had been able to handle it when they were alone, but there was no knowing what kind of tricks the Jedi could pull on his men. While he would trust them with his life, he also knew that Ashla’s light hadn’t yet reached some of them.
“Okay, which one is ready to use what you have learned against me?” He asked his men when he saw that the Jedi was getting nearer.
None of his men wanted to fight. It had been a long day for everyone, training in the morning and fighting lessons with Master Tapal in the evening. Now they were using what they learned against each other in friendly spars, but it became a whole other thing when they fought against their leader.
Zeb was among the youngest leaders of the High Honor Guard of Lasan, a position he had been training for years for, and he did his best to emulate the great leaders who came before him. Some of the older guards had fought against him in the beginning, not wanting to be ordered around by some young kit, but Zeb had proved them wrong. Now he was standing among them as a trusted leader and brother in arms.
He looked at them then, seeing who would be ready to prove himself braver than the other guards. While Zeb was smaller than the average lasat, it didn’t mean he was a worse warrior.
Thankfully, at least one guard, Zergaz, realised that the quicker they agreed to the fight, the quicker they would be allowed to leave.
Zergas got up with a sigh, entered the fighting ring and activated his bo-rifle.
They both got into a fighting stance, and after a moment, clashed their bo-rifles together.
***
Calen stood among the guards as he watched their leader fight against a much taller lasat.
Their bo-rifles clashed together, again and again, both men trying to get the upper hand. The taller guard tried using his height as an advantage, but quickly landed on his back when the leader proved himself to be more agile. The other guard moved from his position quickly, a good thing, for not even a moment later, the electric end of the bo-rifle met the ground where the guard had lain.
From what the crowd shouted, Calen thought his name must be Zerga, but the lasat’s shouts were too loud and there were too many voices for him to wholly understand which word was a name and which one was a command to be faster, stronger, to watch out or to attack better.
He watched mesmerised as the guard who had helped him with vowels and consonants in the quiet library, now turned into a formidable warrior. A sight to behold, he thought to himself as he saw the man spin into a crouch to kick Zerga’s feet from under him.
All too soon for his liking, the fight ended. Unsurprisingly, Zerga had lost.
The lasat seemed to take it tactfully, accepting a helping hand from the other guard and laughing with him about winning next time.
Calen smiled as he watched the camaraderie, seeing how the other guards stepped into the ring to congratulate both the winner and the loser on their fight. Soon, the crowd began dispersing, some walking into the forest, while others began the trek back to the royal palace.
In no time, it was only Calen and the guard left. He smiled and spoke, hoping that his presence hadn’t been forgotten.
***
"An’sa voska boosan." "You're a great warrior
For probably the first time in his life, Zeb was glad that his fur made it impossible for him to blush. He had almost forgotten the human’s presence, half-expecting him to be gone once the fight was over. Instead, he now stood face to face with the Jedi. Zeb could almost count the freckles on the human’s skin; the dark spots were easier to see on the pink skin. Usually, the human’s skin was pale, but a strange red tint had a tendency to appear on his cheeks whenever the Jedi seemed embarrassed. His voice changed too, becoming higher and more breathy as if searching for a way out of the situation. It was adorable, if Zeb allowed himself to think so.
"Eshev.""Thanks." He said gruffly, already looking towards where his men were walking away. A part of him wanted to follow them, but a stronger one kept him firmly planted in front of the Jedi. He didn’t know what to think of it. Duty told him that he should keep the Jedi at a distance with respect to both of their oaths, but another part of him wanted to learn more about the strange human.
While Master Tapal had taught him Lasana, the Jedi had wanted to learn to read it on his own accord. Zeb had seen how he had gone exploring the royal palace on his own, heard how he had spoken with the other lasat guard to better understand their culture. It was a strange sight seeing such an odd creature among his people, but the image of the smiling Jedi had been stuck in his head ever since he first saw him.
"La’san gans, an rokerrir enkawdh?"I'm sorry, you know what? I just realised, I never told you my name” The human said suddenly. For a moment, Zeb wanted to say no; he vividly remembered being introduced to the human Jedi when their ship had first crashed on Lasan and Master Tapal had asked for an audience with the royal palace. But no, the Jedi was right.
While they had been introduced to each other, they hadn’t exchanged names beyond the polite “This is Jedi Master Tapal and his apprentice”. Zeb had been too mesmerised at seeing a human for the first time that he had forgotten to listen if the Jedi had his own title. He had kicked himself over it later and been too ashamed to ask his men if they knew the name of the human Jedi.
"In’sa Calen,"It's Calen, Calen Kestis.” The human said it slowly, confidently. Zeb did his best to memorise the way the human spoke the name. Calen. It sounded strange, but nice. Warm. Calen.
After a moment of silence, he realised it was his turn to speak.
"Nivsahn’sa Zeb,"Mine’s Zeb, short for Garazeb.” He answered, and his heart jumped in a funny way at the way that the Jedi was smiling, all soft and nice. He saw the Jedi repeat the sounds silently, and watched fascinated the way the human’s mouth moved to form his name.
"Nid’sa sastyr nashkad, Garazeb""That’s a nice name, Garazeb" The Jedi said it slowly, sweetly, like he was savouring it, and a shudder made its way up Zeb’s spine. His blue eyes were lit with something that Zeb couldn’t name. He wanted to see more of it. Wanted to be the reason Calen smiled like that.
"Eshev An, Zahns’sa sastyr em""Thank you, yours is nice too” What a stupid thing to say. Couldn’t he really come up with something better to say? It didn’t seem to matter to Calen though, who seemed to somehow be smiling even brighter.
“Zee, zi an kota shor?”So, do you want to go? The human asked and nodded towards the royal palace, a teasing glint in his voice that made Zeb’s heart flutter and his ears twitch.
“Shor keer?”"Go where?” He asked, and it seemed like Calen took his question as confirmation. The human took a step back, still looking up at Zeb, and his eyes glowed brighter when Zeb started walking after him.
“Em Rokirrken” "To the library"