Calista Xenodust dodged the lightsaber in time, the training blade barely missing the skin of her wrist. She knew that she could move her body faster, but Cal did not wish to anger her opponent more. She brought her lightsaber down on her opponent's ankle, causing him to fall to the ground. In his confused state, Calista called upon the Force to take his weapon, the blade swiftly hitting her palm. The young Jedi trainee crossed the two blades over her opponent's neck waiting for what her master to say.
"Enough for today, that will be," Yoda called, and Calista dutifully turned off both sabers, setting his blade at her feet before crossing the room, not bothering to remove the blindfold until she sat against the far wall. Calista raised the canister she had placed there to her lips, taking three large gulps before recapping it. Unlike the other pupil, Calista had barely broken a sweat during their fight. She felt the other's eyes linger on her in fear, causing Cal to sigh. "Rest, all of you. Calista, a word with you, I shall have," Yoda said.
It was only after the others had left that Calista spoke for the first time that day. "I do not know what you bother trying, Master. They will not like me." A sigh. "I suppose it will not matter anyhow. If I am not chosen in the next few weeks, I must return home."
Yoda 'hmph'ed in indignation. "So sure of the future, are you?"
"You and I both know that the one person whom would accept me as their apprentice cannot. That is the only reason Qui-Gon refused anyone until recently," Calista said. The youngling immediately perked up when she sensed her friend's aura enter the Temple. "It seems Qui-Gon has returned. I shall have to ask him how his first official mission with his Padawan went," Calista mused, the left side of her mouth lifting at the word 'official'.
"Go to him. Much to discuss, you two do." Calista nodded. "One request, before you go. Make a friend, you need to. Of your own age."
Calista sighed again. "If the Force allows it, then it shall happen. If not, then it was not meant to be." With those parting words, she stood and bowed to the master before exiting. Knowing Qui-Gon, he was most likely meditating in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. And that was indeed where Calista found him, sitting on his favorite bench. The room reminded her of the legends of Shangri-La of her homeworld. Cal sat at Qui-Gon's feet, relaxing into the bench. She allowed herself to be pulled into a light meditation as well, not realizing how tense her body was until she let it become one with the Force. Cal felt a hand rest on the crown of her head, signaling the end of his mediation. "How was Gala?" Calista asked, eyes closed.
"It was... interesting. The boy and I got into some trouble, but we managed to find a solution," Qui-Gon said.
Cal hummed. "Perhaps you should start calling him by his name. He is your Padawan after all," she commented, still refusing to open her eyes.
Qui-Gon looked down at the girl he considered to be his daughter. "There's something you're not telling me." It wasn't a question.
Calista finally opened her eyes, looking with bright emerald eyes into pensive azure ones. "We knew it would be a long shot. Whom would want to pick the child who is too independent for her own good?" She gave a dark chuckle. "Perhaps if you had not found me, you would not have to miss me. You will be the only one to. You and Master Yoda."
The Jedi Knight gave a long-suffering sigh. "You still haven't made a friend?"
"They all dislike me. They think that I think I am better than them. I know I am not, just wiser than is perceived as the norm for my age." Calista ran a hand against the cold stone of the bench. "I am beginning to become tired of being lonely. You and Master Yoda are the only ones who willingly converse with me and do not become annoyed at how I speak. I had few friends on Domus, and none here." She felt another presence arriving, looking over to see a boy about her age. "Is that him?" Cal asked Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon nodded, waving his apprentice over. "Obi-Wan, this is Calista Xenodust. Cal, this is my Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan held a hand out. "A pleasure to meet you, Calista."
"And you, Obi-Wan." Calista shook his hand, surprised at the warmth that ran up her arm and heating her cheeks slightly. "I should probably let you converse with Qui-Gon." With that, she let go of his hand and retreated from the room to her quarters, basking in the familiar warmth before she had to give it all up.