#arekoh ry

[kirnet]

“She is going to be just fine, you know.”

“I know.”

By Jedi standards, Kavar was a man of action. It was a task to still his movements, to keep his arms crossed and feet set even as the urge to pace crept up on him. The tall Dantooine grasses didn’t help either, itching the back of his thighs even through his layers of robes. 

Master Arekoh Ry made no attempt to hide the quirk of her lips, but she remained silent, allowing the sounds of rustling leaves and idle chatter from the other Jedi to swarm around them. The beads adorning her proud montrals swayed in the wind, reflecting the morning sun like a cluster of stars. 

She had no reason to fret, and neither did he. Kirnet would be unharmed, that he was certain of. She had found a way to run into and stumble out of every bit of trouble she could find since she was brought to the temple. Only three months old, with wide eyes and puffed-out cheeks, and she had already laid claim to every corner and person within the enclave. Master Kavar, seemingly, most of all. It hadn’t taken her long to toddle after him with comical determination, and before he knew it every scraped knee and insult the youngling was responsible for was brought to his attention, as if he had any power over what came out of her mouth.

Force, it had been a blessing when tiny Atris was brought to the enclave. Somehow, the pair had gravitated towards each other, unbending Atris and her flittering companion. Kirnet’s behavior never improved, but at least now she felt mildly ashamed when Atris gave her a disappointed sigh.

No, Kavar knew Kirnet was perfectly safe. The kinrath had all been herded from the cave the Jedi currently stood at the maw of, and the tunnels had been carefully inspected for any other possible dangers.

Yet he still remained on edge. Kirnet had been all smiles leading up to today, practically bouncing off the walls as she followed him around the council chambers. “Mine will be blue,” she stated with such confidence that even he was almost inclined to believe her. “And it’ll be double-bladed.” She quickly averted her eyes when she finished, though Kavar saw they way they had lingered on the two sabers at his hip.

“She’s-” Arekoh’s wrinkled eyes snapped to him, and he knew that she had just been waiting for him to break the silence. “She can be emotional.”

The togruta shrugged. “And I’m sure that you also were when you were a youngling. That is what being a padawan is for.”

“Atris isn’t.”

“Atris doesn’t make friends nearly as easily. Or enemies,” Arekoh added with a light chuckle. “We all have our strengths. I will never lead a Republic battalion, just as you will never uncover the secrets of ancient history. The Force has plans for us all.”

“And what if that plan is to deny her a future with the Jedi?” A knot uncoiled in Kavar’s chest as he finally spoke the words aloud. Kirnet, with all of her charm and quick wit, was middling in the Force. She showed decent proficiency with the training sabers after Kavar guided her hand, and there was no youngling as nimble as her. But theory? Technical application with the Force? The ability to listen to any amount of wisdom? Kavar had done all he could to prepare her for this moment, but despite himself, he was worried.

Either she emerged from that cave with a kyber crystal, or she didn’t. 

She would not be fine if she returned empty handed.

Arekoh smiled fully, seemingly pleased as she flashed her sharp canines. “Ah. Now we get to the heart of the issue.” She shook her heavy montrals. “Many of my padawans barely passed their trials. Many were the last to emerge from this very cave. But look at them now! All of them on their way to becoming fine Knights.”

Kavar pressed his lips into a thin line. Arekoh was a talented Master, he could never deny that, and her aptitude with padawans was proven time and time again. It is why she was trusted with four padawans at a time, all now excelling in their studies of the Force and history. 

Kirnet pulled on a kath hound’s tail before Kavar could finish his lecture on their dangers. Kirnet had stolen his short saber and taken it apart as he slept because she was simply curious.

The breeze picked up, washing cool air over Kavar’s face. He closed his eyes, relaxed his tense shoulders, and pushed any bristling thoughts about Arekoh’s probing tone from his mind. “Yes,” he eventually answered. “I know.”

“You are still young.” Arekoh clicked her tongue. “And yet are already an accomplished Master and a member of the Council. Any padawan would be lucky to be under your tutelage.”

“I’m not taking a padawn.”

Arekoh’s brows shot up, but Kavar focused only on the sound of her beads clinking together. A blade of grass brushed infuriatingly light against the bottom of his robe. “I see.”

The conversation stilled as the first youngling returned from the cave, her silver hair streaming behind her as she held a crystal aloft. A round of encouragement rumbled from the assembled Jedi, and Atris walked briskly towards the group, chin raised with obvious pride. Kavar could see the way some of the Masters looked at her, many without any padawans of their own, all shining eyes and heartened smiles.

Another youngling emerged, and then another, until nearly the whole group was back, clutching their crystals close to their chest. Jedi mingled among them, patting backs and laughing, each of them making plans on who would become their own to train. Kavar remained rooted in place, as did his companion.

Minutes passed, maybe hours, as the sun soared overhead, catching the light of a hair clip as the last youngling emerged from the cave.

Kavar had been certain that they had cleared all of the kinrath before, but now he wasn’t so sure. Kirnet was caked in dirt, her long braid undone and tangled, fresh cuts all along the palms of her hands. But she beamed at him as she stumbled forward, something clutched tightly in her bloody fist. 

Atris sprang forward, and the two girls giggled as they hugged. Immediately Kirnet’s crystal was out, and she ignored the way Atris wiped down her previously-pristine robes as she held the translucent object to her snowy hair. “See? We match!” The wind carried her excited voice to him as she pulled away.

Arekoh joined in the chorus of claps, a small smile tugging at her lips. She shot Kavar one last glance before stepping forward. Kirnet looked at her with wide eyes as the togruta leaned down. They glanced past her a few times, confused as they landed on him, but soon enough Arekoh’s shoulders were shaking with laughter as Kirnet recounted her adventure with wild movements.

Kavar kept his feet set, even as the urge to move crept up to him.