In which a Togruta and twenty six clones hold an important meeting to name a Loth Cat.
Rex honestly was not surprised when Ahsoka returned from wherever she went with a small animal in tow. Neither was the rest of reformed 501st/212th (though Cody still looked rather confused and Wolffe had no idea what was going on). The majority of the clones had served with Ahsoka during the Clone Wars and the Togruta had managed to smuggle no less than twenty animals onto whatever Jedi Cruiser they were using and back to Coruscant in the first year alone. The funniest thing about the entire situation was General Skywalker and General Kenobi never found out and, as the war progressed, the clones joined in keeping whatever animal the kid had smuggled aboard hidden.
As soon as Ahsoka docked her Starcraft to the large cruiser that was now their home, Rex heard Kix let out a loud groan and call over the Comms; "She's bought another damned Loth Cat."
Rex rolled his eyes at the series of conflicting groans and cheers that erupted from Kix's announcement and headed out to meet the Commander as she climbed down from her craft. A tabby cat was secured under her arms, probably no older than six months, and was playfully swatting at Ahsoka's Lekku. Ahsoka smirked, flicking the Lekku over her shoulder before repositioning the cat, and turned to meet an exasperated Rex. "Hello Rex. How has everything been going since I left?"
"Why do you have a cat?" A voice roared across the hangar and Ahsoka and Rex watched in vague amusement as a confused Wolffe stalked towards them. Wolffe and Gregor had been one of the few who hadn't experienced Ahsoka's quirk but the upside to Gregor's mental loss was he simply accepted the quirks of others with ease. Rex noticed that the mentioned clone's, wandering behind the irate Wolffe, face light up upon spotting the cat and he let out a coo. "It's so adorable!"
"Thank you, Gregor," Ahsoka smiled, now having to move her other Lekku as the cat's attention turned to that. Wolffe exaggeratedly gestured to the cat in silence, obviously running out of things to say, before turning to Rex, looking for backup. Rex raised his hands defensively. "This happens all the time, Wolffe. You just have to get used to it."
Wolffe groaned, watching as Gregor rubbed the cat's head, causing it to purr. "We're going to have a cat on board?"
Rex patted his shoulder in sympathy. "We're going to have a cat on board."
Three hours later they were all in the canteen, watching as the tabby chased a scrunched up ball of paper around the room. It had taken a liking to Gregor and would meow whenever the clone spoke. Ahsoka had curled herself up in one of the chairs, having the majority removed her armour, and was watching the different reactions of the clones with strong amusement. Rex heaved himself into the chair next to her and stared at the cat. "I suppose you want to keep it?"
"Of course." Several people chimed in agreement with Ahsoka. There was a pause as they stared at the cat and finally Jesse spoke up. "What are we going to call it?"
"Gregor the Third." Gregor answered immediately, petting the cat.
"It can't be Gregor the Third," Coric protested. "You need a Gregor the Second first."
"Gregor the Second then." Gregor shrugged.
"We are not naming a cat Gregor the Second or any other number," Attie argued. "If the Commander brought it aboard, we all have to agree with the name."
"Hawk the second," Hawk approached cautiously. The pilot had crossed his arms over his chest and quirked an eyebrow, daring one of his brothers to argue.
"I thought we just agreed not to all it that." Fox piped up from the back of the canteen.
"We agreed not to name that cat after Gregor." Hawk snapped back.
"I don't think naming it after you, Hawk, would be much better." Dogma snapped. Rex rolled his eyes. "Okay, everyone calm down."
He easily gained their attention now, and watched as every clone turned to face him. "Okay, we'll set some ground rules now; we're not naming the cat after anyone in here, got it?"
"Is that the only rule?" Someone piped up from the back. Rex didn't see who it was but he had a suspicion that it was either Coric or Zeer.
"Until you lot get into another fight, yes." Rex crossed his arms as the cat meowed at him half-way through the sentence. Gregor reached out to pet it, only for it to swipe at his hand playfully. Gregor pulled his hand back and glared the cat. "Now don't do that; it's rude."
The cat meowed right back at him and curled itself up on the table. Coric snickered. "I don't think it likes you as much anymore, Gregor."
The cat let out another meow, narrowing its eyes at Coric. Boomer snorted. "I don't think it likes you, Coric."
Wolffe studied the cat with disdain. "Are you going to name it or what?"
"I never thought naming a cat would be so hard," Ahsoka hissed to Rex, who snorted in return.
Nax threw his hands up. "Why can we just calling the kriffing thing 'cat'?"
"That's not really creative, Nax." Boil threw back. "We're clones. Thing should be a synch for us. After all, we named ourselves."
"That gives me an idea." Ahsoka leant forward, scratching the top of the cat's head. "I've got the perfect name for it."
She was well aware that she had caught everyone's attention, and the cat's, as it meowed at her.
"Well, what is it?" Dogma asked, trying to disguise the curiosity in his voice.
"Echo."
Silence rung throughout the canteen; none of the clones had expected to hear the name of their fallen comrade. The silence was broken by the cat turning to face Ahsoka and let out another meow, before doing the same to Dogma, before it stretched and curled up by Gregor's side.
Ahsoka stood calmly and gave them a cheerful smile. "I'll see you guys at dinner."
The Togruta left the room calmly, leaving the clones in a stunned silence and the cat purring loudly. Rex was the first person to shake himself out of the stupor and looked at the cat, who immediately meowed at the captain. He grinned, tickling the cat's chin. "I like it. Hello again, Echo."
Okay, this one only came out so quickly because I had the idea for ages but I do apologise for how short it is.
The reason they're calling the cat Echo is because whenever someone speaks, the cat will meow back at them almost immediately. This one belongs more in the family sector but the next one will be a lot different in tone. I didn't put it up before, but I don't own anything Star Wars related and I don't wish I did. I enjoy finding new things out instead.