Once everyone was back on board the ship and they were safely in hyperspace Jaster signed for Myles to go clear out his old room and distracted Ben with a tour of the ship. Surprisingly Jango decided to come along, adding his own commentary as they wandered about.
Although his son's comments sounded snippy and aggressive it was clear that Ben understood it for what it was. Jango was a very straight forward boy who didn't mince his words. It made him happy to see that Ben could be just as snippy back, although he tended to stick to dry sarcasm. Jaster couldn't help wondering whether that was to keep from accidentally insulting his son or if it was just his preference.
The Haat'ade they passed, who had remained on the Me'se'yaim during the mission, eyed Ben as they passed. Each of them was understandably wary of the jetii in their midst. Thankfully one look at Jaster and Jango had them rethinking their initial defensive reactions. Jango laughing at Ben's jokes, which were made in Mando'a, had a few of his verde nearly tripping over their own feet in surprise. Jaster sympathized. It had been his first mental reaction to the attractive redhead speaking their language too.
"The mess hall is open at all hours and there is a rotation for meal duty. No one works the mid night shift but as long as you clean up after yourself anyone is welcome to use the kitchen." Ben made a noncommittal sound and looked toward the kitchen curiously.
"Do you happen to have shig? I haven't had it in quite some time and although I am a fan of spiced caf I really do prefer tea." Jaster's smile widened in amusement. He liked that Ben was so quick to state his preferences, feeling no need to hide or try to appease them by pretending to like things he didn't. It made him more approachable.
"With or without behot?" He asked, curious if he knew about the herb.
"Oh, with. Most certainly. I'll be needing it later after meditation. Sitting in one place for hours at a time can irritate the joints now and then. Especially on a starship." Jaster nodded in understanding. Although the ship was properly heated and insulated there were still places where the temperature dipped quite a bit. His left knee tended to ache if he had to be in the cockpit for any extended period of time, due to an old injury he'd suffered during his time as a Journeyman Protector.
"Why don't we grab some now and you two old warriors can sit down so your bones stop rattling around?" Jango asked, the cheeky little shit.
"That sounds perfect. While we do, you could eat something or maybe take a nap so your attitude improves." Ben said with a perfectly innocent smile, eyes burning with mischief, as he strode right past a gawping Jango and into the mess.
Jaster didn't even try to stop himself from barking out a laugh as he passed his gobsmacked son. "He got you there, Jan'ika."
Sitting with a warm cup of shig he watched Ben carefully over the rim of his mug. Normally Jango would have turned practically feral at such remarks that hinted at his young age or his personality. Yet as he continued to needle the redhead Jaster realized why his son hadn't turned into a pissy teenager; Ben wasn't treating him like a child. Even some of the verde still treated his boy as an untested kid, someone who shouldn't be on the field of battle despite his prowess and accomplishments. Not to mention what other cultures thought of a boy of fourteen going into battle. But Ben… he understood.
Which just raised more questions and a few red flags about what kind of upbringing he'd had among the jetiise.
"I'm just saying, thermal suits are definitely more comfortable than whatever those are." Jango said with a roll of his eyes, plucking at the top layer Ben was wearing. "We have extras so you should be able to find one that fits. Besides, if you're becoming one of us and swearing the Resol'nare then you'll need it for under your armor." That halted Jaster's train of thought momentarily. When Ben said he wanted to leave the jetiise, and when Jaster had offered to take him in, he hadn't thought about the idea of Ben swearing the Resol'nare. But it was true. To become a Haat'ade Ben would need to swear the Resol'nare properly and don armor.
"Well I…" the man sighed. "That's true. I guess I should get it over with sooner rather than later, hm?" Jango grinned at him then looked pointedly at Jaster. Why his son was eying him with a smug grin he had no idea.
"Come on, we can go to the quartermaster directly from here." Ben huffed in good nature before finishing the last of his shig in one go. Jango grabbed their mugs and quickly set them in the dirty dishes bin before rushing back. How he had so much energy all of a sudden Jaster was unsure although he suspected it was just his young age that had him bouncing back so quickly.
Heading into the supply room he waved at Urmai to catch her attention. "We're going to need two sets of thermals in his size and a basic kit for now." Every once in a while Jaster would come upon those who wanted to join him and the Haat'ade. It wasn't unusual to find they had escaped from terrible circumstances with nothing more than their clothes, or armor. So he'd taken to having the quartermaster make up basic kits with all the amenities someone would need to start their life with his crew. "You're not allergic to anything, are you?" The redhead blinked at him and frowned.
"There is a series of antibiotics that I will have to warn the medics about I suppose, but otherwise no."
"Ah, don't worry about that. We already know." Ben's eyebrow raised in question and Jaster snorted.
"Stewjoni'ad, your people have symbiotic bacteria in your bodies that help to keep infections at bay. Antibiotics can't differentiate between the harmful bacteria and the helpful ones. In most near-humans it's fine, but Stewjoni'ade require that bacteria to function normally." Ben's expression shifted to understanding and Jaster couldn't help but want to sigh.
Damn, the Jetiise really didn't know much about the Stewjoni'ade, did they? Not that it was easy for them considering how close Stewjon's relationship was with Manda'yaim.
Urmai brought a few thermals for Ben and the man went into the other room to quickly try them on. He'd stated his measurements easily enough but it was always best to check. The Mando'ade used a different measuring system than the Jetiise.
Jaster's mind wandered to what kinds of colors he should suggest for the man's under layer when Ben stepped out of the back room, looking a little disgruntled. All his thoughts ceased for a moment as he took in the lean muscled, yet slender, frame of the redhead. He was certainly tall, there was no denying that, but instead of the thick muscles of a warrior he had the athletic frame of a fencer paired with the long limbs and grace of a dancer. The color the quartermaster had found for him was a medium green that made his blue eyes and red hair pop all the more.
"Not bad." Urmai said appreciatively somewhere off to his left. "I have the same size in a pale blue and dark brown. Any preference for color?" The man gave the quartermaster a polite smile as he tugged on the high collar of the thermals.
"The brown, if you please. I don't feel like blue particularly suits me." Jaster had the impression he didn't mean fashion and realized that Ben actually did understand that their colors were important. Which meant he had accepted the green of duty and chosen the brown of valor for himself. Jaster couldn't help wondering what colors he would paint on his armor and had to remind himself to take things slow. The man would need time to adjust.
"I'll grab you a night set and some casual clothes for training and relaxing. I'll try to stick to those colors." Ben smiled at Urmai as the woman turned away to go find what was needed.
"See? They're comfortable and climate controlled." Jango said with a smirk. Ben rolled is eyes expressively, giving the boy a playful grin in return but not commenting on his statement.
"Here you are." Urmai stepped up to the redhead and handed him a stack of folded clothes. Ben took them with thanks and went back into the change room.
"Does he already have a bunk? I can send the linens ahead with Savren." Jango perked up, curious, not knowing that Jaster had already chosen a room for Ben.
"He'll be in Myles' old room. Myles is in Montross' old room now." He paused, scowling. "I want you to take Montross' old things and use what is immediately useful. The rest can be put into storage for now." Urmai's mouth became a thin line at the hard look on Jaster's face. Although she didn't know the full story she trusted him to give those sorts of orders and would carry them out without fail. Jaster knew that news of Montross' betrayal would be circulating already so he would have to call a meeting and give all the facts soon.
Thankfully he had some good news to offset his second in command's betrayal. Having another force user, and one that was actually trained, would be very useful. Especially if Ben could teach those in his crew that had the ability but not the first clue how to wield it. With Ben out of jetii garb and backed by the Mand'alor he would be more readily accepted by the rest of the Haat'ade.
Ben stepped back out into the supply room and Jaster eyed his outfit critically. Dark brown trousers beneath a leaf-green tunic embroidered with white at the collar. Anyone seeing that would know the man had reached his Cin Vhetin and would refrain from asking too many questions about his past. Jaster gave Urmai an approving nod and she smirked triumphantly at him. "I know my business, Alor." He chuckled, unable to deny it.
"Your room should be almost ready." Catching him looking at the folded jetii clothes Jaster hesitated for a moment. "If you like, Urmai can re-purpose those into more tunics and trousers for you." There was a feeling of surprise from both the quartermaster and his son for a moment. It prompted him to add, "it would be a waste to throw out all that fabric when it could be put to a better use." Which was very much in line with his more practical mind.
"I would appreciate that greatly." Ben turned to Urmai and held out the clothes. She took the jetii tunics and robe but handed him back his leggings and boots.
"Keep those. They can be slept or lounged in, and there's not enough fabric for me to make anything else with them anyway. The boots are good enough for now." Nodding he slipped the boots back on and looked to Jaster. Jango held up the kit bag but pulled it away when Ben reached for it, leaving the man looking slightly confused.
"I'll carry it." Ben looked ready to argue and Jango's eyes narrowed stubbornly. Jaster looked at the ceiling for a moment in exasperation before motioning the two of them to follow him back out into the ship.
They made it to Ben's new room just as Savren was leaving. He nodded respectfully at Jaster, gave Jango a pat on the shoulder, and waved at Ben in greeting as he passed. Jaster didn't hold it against him, Urmai ran a tight ship.
"This room is yours. You won't have to share with anyone, since this was Myles' old haunt." The room was utilitarian by design with a simple bed, armor locker, closet, desk, and chair. Any posters, trophies, or other knick-knacks had been removed by Myles; leaving the room looking quite bare. "My room is down one and across the hall. If you need anything don't hesitate to knock." Jango set down the kit bag on the desk and riffled through it quickly. He sidled up to Jaster and handed him the basic wrist comm. Until Ben had proper armor with all the technology that came with it he would no way to contact anyone otherwise. There was also a datapad in the kit with a basic holonet connection.
Jaster quickly input his frequency into the wrist comm as the first contact and after glancing at Jango put his son's contact as the second before handing it over to Ben.
After a moment of silence where no one said anything Jango huffed. "I'm going to the training room. See you later, Ben, Buir." With that his son was gone, practically running down the hallway away from them. Jaster shook his head at his impatient kid before turning back to Ben.
The man was looking down at the clothes in his arms, around at the room, and then back at him. A melancholic look came over him that made Jaster want to reach out and comfort him. It could be hard to leave a life you knew and loved behind, he should know. His own life had been upended a couple times in his life.
"Thank you for all of this, I really appreciate it." The gratitude in Ben's voice was very apparent and Jaster couldn't resist the urge to step closer and place a hand on the back of the man's neck, squeezing gently in reassurance. Ben's blue eyes widened slightly but he didn't step away, his gaze steady as he stared into Jaster's dark brown eyes.
"There's no debt, Ben. We take care of our own." Ben nodded, smiling warmly and relaxing into Jaster's hand. The look in the redhead's eyes was so hopeful and trusting that Jaster felt his breath hitch.
The Manda trilled with joy before Ben slipped out of his hold with a small, shy, chuckle. "I should put my things away and meditate. I have a lot to think about." Jaster let his arm fall to his side, trying to ignore the lingering warmth.
"I'll let you get on with it then. I'll contact you around late meal and we can discuss your oaths." Ben looked back at him and nodded once solemnly.
By this time tomorrow Obi-wan Kenobi the Jetii would be gone, and Ben Kenobi of the Haat Mando'ade would take his place.
Jaster couldn't wait.
Mando'a;
Me'se'yaim- Home ship. Same concept as a Mother ship.
Verde- Soldiers, warriors.
Haat'ade- Shortened Haat Mando'ade, meaning True Mandalorians. Jaster's faction.
Shig- Mandalorian tea, often made with whatever is available on hand.
Behot- A citrusy herb with medicinal properties.
Cin Vhetin- Term indicating the erasing of a person's past when they become Mandalorian, and that they will only be judged by what they do from that point onwards. A fresh start, a new beginning.