So here he was. Standing outside her office. Why? They have had a total of one conversation not in a warzone in close to two years.
Yeah, he's busy.
She's busier.
She's probably relieved she doesn't have to deal with me. She moved on, why can't I?
He knew the answer, but still fought it. "Family is Family." Father drilled it in him, so does Mother. He was hanging onto that with a death grip. That's why he was here, but why was, he in his gear?
Stop the anxiety. That conversation with Father settled things.
Master Qu.... Aunt Ala? He remembered her cheerful chastising of his address to her that day on Yavin.
Peering his head through the door, the duffle bag slung in front of him.
I have a late 'Office-Warming' gift.
It was going to be rough giving it to her, but it needed to be done.
Ala looked up from her datapad at the greeting. Her expression softened immediately to exude warmth and welcome. Connel! She said, jumping from her seat. She seemed relieved to be putting the datapad down.
You didn't have to get me anything, just a visit is lovely enough! She said, starting to make her way over, clearly warming up her arms for a hug.
Clearly caught off guard. He was not expecting such a warm response, but timidly receptive to it. He put down the duffel bag to open up his arms as well. Cautious optimism was the prevailing feeling of the embrace for him. He could not hide it and she would not need the Force to see or feel it.
I am... sorry that it took so long. However, after that conclave. I was not sure if I should. That would be all that he would say about that, not worth dwelling on.
I... I miss this feeling… Warmth. Yes. His mother was alive and they had each other, and were there for each other... He had Buster, he had Lira but it was still tough. He was "Caltin's son" in more than just a name. Ridiculous unnecessary responsibility clung to him like he was a superconductor.
Her arms wrapped about him, head turning to lean against his chest. If you would quit running away, there would be more than enough hugs to satisfy, she said, before pulling away and giving him a firm punch in the gut, which probably had no effect.
Fair enough… Did she just put her hand on his gut ? Either way with a quiet shrug, he picked up his duffel, then checked the outside for a moment.
Good boy. Just a ... Wait… Turning his head back. Would Buster be okay in here for just a minute? The pup was of course sitting in eyesight now, tail going a sector a parsec and as happy as ever.
Buster is always welcome, Ala said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her eyes were already locked on the duffle bag, especially after the loud clunk it made when it hit her desk.
Buster immediately came trotting in as Connel gave him a smile and a nod (permission) and sat RIGHT IN FRONT OF the Grandmaster. Huge smile and wagging tail.
Ala gave Buster a quick scratch behind the ears and whispered, Who's a good boy? The dog knew the answer, and wagged accordingly.
It gave Connel a warm heart to see Buster smile so brightly.:
Anyway, my gift. It can go right on that empty wall behind your meditation corner. He put the bag down on her desk. Clearly something was in it.
It's definitely not chocolate, she said, looking disappointed.
Connel was standing over by the duffel and opened it up. First of all, have some faith. He indeed pulled out a huge chocolate Bantha and put it on her desk. It was shiny, as cute as a Bantha could be, and looked to be pretty solid.
When the chocolate came forth, Ala's eyes grew wide. You want me to put on a hundred pounds or something? She said, laughter spilling out.
Only if you eat it in one shot! He gave his familiar (to her) grin.
Then came the next item. Now this? He pulled out Conservator the long handle lightsaber of his father for nine-hundred years.
But when Conservator was brought out of the bag, the laughter disappeared immediately. "Connel..." She choked, eyebrows drooping sadly, ...no...no...that is yours...he would want you to have it…
Her reaction to Conservator... expected... still sucked. I tried... I really did…
Putting it down on her desk looking at it, shaking his head dejected. It belongs in the hands of a Jedi, a real one. Not some fool pretending he is… I’m too militant…
Then before she could retort, he held up a hand I'm not being dramatic, or self deprecating when I say that. The things I do... the things I'm willing to do... I'm no Jedi. I don't deserve the title right now and I don't deserve this, not right now.
Ala's face eyebrows in sadness. Tears began to well. And a hug followed. The side of her face pressed against his chest. And she squeezed.
There was no reprimand. No telling him off. Or saying his words were nonsense. Just a hug. And after a long while, she spoke.
It would be my honour to be its caretaker.
The tears. The hug. He was not prepared for this as Buster propped his paws on the man's hip. Did he do something wrong? Or was she just trying to get rid of him?
Either made sense.
Alright then. When she pulled away he forced out a half smile. I guess that's it then. Sorry to dump this on you, just... It feels right... It being here. He scratched Buster behind the ear and smiled at him. Maybe one day I'll ask for it back when I feel I earned it. I haven’t yet. I’m not him, or trying to be, but that represents what a Jedi should be to me… with someone who does as well. He gave Ala a meaningful look on that.
Connel clearly didn't want to go, but... Well this is why Buster was here. He had some serious social anxiety.
Yeah, he's busy.
She's busier.
She's probably relieved she doesn't have to deal with me. She moved on, why can't I?
He knew the answer, but still fought it. "Family is Family." Father drilled it in him, so does Mother. He was hanging onto that with a death grip. That's why he was here, but why was, he in his gear?
Stop the anxiety. That conversation with Father settled things.
Master Qu.... Aunt Ala? He remembered her cheerful chastising of his address to her that day on Yavin.
Peering his head through the door, the duffle bag slung in front of him.
I have a late 'Office-Warming' gift.
It was going to be rough giving it to her, but it needed to be done.
Ala looked up from her datapad at the greeting. Her expression softened immediately to exude warmth and welcome. Connel! She said, jumping from her seat. She seemed relieved to be putting the datapad down.
You didn't have to get me anything, just a visit is lovely enough! She said, starting to make her way over, clearly warming up her arms for a hug.
Clearly caught off guard. He was not expecting such a warm response, but timidly receptive to it. He put down the duffel bag to open up his arms as well. Cautious optimism was the prevailing feeling of the embrace for him. He could not hide it and she would not need the Force to see or feel it.
I am... sorry that it took so long. However, after that conclave. I was not sure if I should. That would be all that he would say about that, not worth dwelling on.
I... I miss this feeling… Warmth. Yes. His mother was alive and they had each other, and were there for each other... He had Buster, he had Lira but it was still tough. He was "Caltin's son" in more than just a name. Ridiculous unnecessary responsibility clung to him like he was a superconductor.
Her arms wrapped about him, head turning to lean against his chest. If you would quit running away, there would be more than enough hugs to satisfy, she said, before pulling away and giving him a firm punch in the gut, which probably had no effect.
Fair enough… Did she just put her hand on his gut ? Either way with a quiet shrug, he picked up his duffel, then checked the outside for a moment.
Good boy. Just a ... Wait… Turning his head back. Would Buster be okay in here for just a minute? The pup was of course sitting in eyesight now, tail going a sector a parsec and as happy as ever.
Buster is always welcome, Ala said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her eyes were already locked on the duffle bag, especially after the loud clunk it made when it hit her desk.
Buster immediately came trotting in as Connel gave him a smile and a nod (permission) and sat RIGHT IN FRONT OF the Grandmaster. Huge smile and wagging tail.
Ala gave Buster a quick scratch behind the ears and whispered, Who's a good boy? The dog knew the answer, and wagged accordingly.
It gave Connel a warm heart to see Buster smile so brightly.:
Anyway, my gift. It can go right on that empty wall behind your meditation corner. He put the bag down on her desk. Clearly something was in it.
It's definitely not chocolate, she said, looking disappointed.
Connel was standing over by the duffel and opened it up. First of all, have some faith. He indeed pulled out a huge chocolate Bantha and put it on her desk. It was shiny, as cute as a Bantha could be, and looked to be pretty solid.
When the chocolate came forth, Ala's eyes grew wide. You want me to put on a hundred pounds or something? She said, laughter spilling out.
Only if you eat it in one shot! He gave his familiar (to her) grin.
Then came the next item. Now this? He pulled out Conservator the long handle lightsaber of his father for nine-hundred years.
But when Conservator was brought out of the bag, the laughter disappeared immediately. "Connel..." She choked, eyebrows drooping sadly, ...no...no...that is yours...he would want you to have it…
Her reaction to Conservator... expected... still sucked. I tried... I really did…
Putting it down on her desk looking at it, shaking his head dejected. It belongs in the hands of a Jedi, a real one. Not some fool pretending he is… I’m too militant…
Then before she could retort, he held up a hand I'm not being dramatic, or self deprecating when I say that. The things I do... the things I'm willing to do... I'm no Jedi. I don't deserve the title right now and I don't deserve this, not right now.
Ala's face eyebrows in sadness. Tears began to well. And a hug followed. The side of her face pressed against his chest. And she squeezed.
There was no reprimand. No telling him off. Or saying his words were nonsense. Just a hug. And after a long while, she spoke.
It would be my honour to be its caretaker.
The tears. The hug. He was not prepared for this as Buster propped his paws on the man's hip. Did he do something wrong? Or was she just trying to get rid of him?
Either made sense.
Alright then. When she pulled away he forced out a half smile. I guess that's it then. Sorry to dump this on you, just... It feels right... It being here. He scratched Buster behind the ear and smiled at him. Maybe one day I'll ask for it back when I feel I earned it. I haven’t yet. I’m not him, or trying to be, but that represents what a Jedi should be to me… with someone who does as well. He gave Ala a meaningful look on that.
Connel clearly didn't want to go, but... Well this is why Buster was here. He had some serious social anxiety.
