After the absolute disaster that was the first meeting between Ben and Baar'ur Veriil Jaster was trying, and failing, to calm down his medic as the male ranted at Ben. The man in question was standing behind Jaster, looking sheepish and uncomfortable, as Br. Verill went off about telling medical professionals when you're injured and Ben's absolute lack of common sense. It was truly awe inspiring the amount of bitching coming from the Chagrian. Not that Br. Verill bitching someone out was anything new. Jaster knew that it was the male's way of caring for the stubborn warriors who didn't know when to sit down and shut up but it was a little jarring seeing him become so caustic so quickly.
"Slow down, vod, we only recently found him. He's not used to the way we do things." He tried, holding his hands up as if in surrender.
"Alor, you don't understand! The scans show that he has at least four cracked ribs, a hairline fracture in his left wrist, and he's lucky that ankle is only sprained. From what I've heard he's been walking around as if nothing's wrong!" Jaster blinked in surprise and turned to look back at Ben. The man hunched his shoulders slightly, as if that would make him less of a target. Jaster let out a heavy sigh.
He'd figured that the Jetiise at least would have taught their people the importance of proper medical care. "Ben, vod, why didn't you say anything?" The slight disappointment in Jaster's voice made the man's face flush in embarrassment.
"Well I… you'd just come from a terrible ordeal and there were a lot of verde who were injured far worse than myself. I have the Force to bolster me, I'll be fine." Br. Verill threw up his hands in exasperation.
"Idiot! Sit your ass down on that table right now!" Growled the medic, pointing to the examination table. "I'm going to get some bacta patches and a wrap for those ribs." He turned and stalked over to the other side of the room, cursing under his breath and yanking open drawers before aggressively rifling through them. The moment he seemed distracted Ben leaned closer to Jaster's ear.
"Is there any way to escape? Or will he just hunt me down and drag me back?" Jaster snorted in amusement.
"You're stuck, vod. No one will help you hide from an irate Br. They know better." Ben let out a frustrated huff before stiffening, Verill was glaring over his shoulder at them. With as much dignity he could muster Ben sat on the examination table, trying to act as if it had been his intention all along. Jaster chuckled and moved to stand next to the door, giving Ben some space. It was obvious the man didn't particularly like the medical bay.
He was going to fit right in with the other verde. None of them liked medical either.
"Ouch!" He raised a brow as Ben began to pout, rubbing at the side of his neck where the Chagrian had injected him with something.
"That's a painkiller and anti-inflammatory." Without missing a beat he knocked Ben's hand away and injected him again. The redhead hissed and scowled at the medic, who looked down at him with an unimpressed expression. "And that was all the boosters you'll need. We've come into contact with a few nasty viruses lately. Ones that even your biology won't be able to handle without help."
"That's all well and good, but you could have warned me." Br. Verill shook his head and moved on.
When he was finished he had all he needed to run the proper tests and begin a medical file that would be shared amongst the medics of the Haat'ade. Ben looked like an affronted cat as he was told to keep off his ankle as much as possible and not to engage in any physical activities for at least four days. Which meant no sparring, no roughhousing, and absolutely no weapons practice. The medic had glared pointedly at Ben's belt where his lightsabers were kept.
"Well, at least it's over and done with." Jaster said cheerfully. Ben gave him a half disgusted, half betrayed, look and Jaster couldn't help laughing. "I think that's it for the night. You should listen to the baar'ur's advice and head to bed early. We'll be waking you early so you can get ready for the ceremony." Ben let out a sigh and nodded, following Jaster back to his room.
"Ben." He said when they made it back to his new quarters. "I know that Br. Verill seems very acidic, but he has the best intentions." The man smiled at him, eyes softening.
"I know, I could sense he only wanted to help. Besides, he reminds me of someone I used to know…" He trailed off for a moment and his expression became pained. Jaster reached out and put a hand on his shoulder to ground him. He'd seen that same far off look on verde who had lost someone close to them and weren't quite present mentally. The redhead swallowed hard and gave him a grateful look.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Ben. Have a good night." Ben smiled and it was a soft thing that had Jaster's breath hitching.
"Bright and early, I assume?" He chuckled. "Have a good night, Jaster." With that Ben took a step back and the door closed between them.
It took him a moment to pull himself away from the door, his chest feeling tight and feeling a little flushed. Shaking himself like a striil he forced himself back to his own quarters.
He had work to do if he wanted everything to go smoothly the next day.
Bright and early he gathered as many verde as he could in the main briefing room. Considering who it was that was about to swear to the Resol'nare he wasn't surprised when the majority of off duty Mando'ade showed up to fight over front row seats. Jaster stood at the head of the room with Myles, sharing an amused if disgruntled look. Jango had won the honor of fetching Ben and had already vanished into the hall.
"Alright! Settle down!" He called out when Jango pinged his comm to let him know they were just outside. Jaster cleared his throat and looked around the room, making sure his people were paying attention. "Today we are here to welcome a new member of House Mereel. They come to us, renouncing all they were before, to be reborn as one of Manda's children." He tapped his control pad and the door opened. Jango and Ben stepped inside. His son stood proudly, beskar'gam cleaned and helmet on. While Ben looked a little more subdued, contemplative. "Obi-wan Kenobi." The man froze for a moment before relaxing, remembering that using his real name was all part of the ceremony. "Come forward."
Jango escorted Ben until he was standing about five feet or so in front of Jaster. The man went down on one knee, right fist over his left breast and head bowed. "Mand'alor." He said respectfully, voice loud and clear for all to hear. Jaster nodded in approval.
"Obi-wan Kenobi. Speak now, and speak truly- do you renounce your past identity? Are you ready to leave behind who you were in order to embrace Manda's gift?" Ben raised his head, blue eyes bright with determination.
"I do." The air sang with the truth of his words.
"Do you renounce your faith and your place among the Jetiise?" Everyone in the room perked up, some leaning closer to make sure they didn't miss anything. Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I do. I renounce my faith in the Order and entrust myself to the Manda." Everyone seemed to hold their breath but when nothing bad happened the tense atmosphere broke. In its place was excitement and a slowly building acceptance.
"Do you swear to uphold the Six Tenets of the Mando'ade?" Ben nodded.
"I swear to educate myself and the next generation. To wear my armor with pride and honor. To be a loyal and dutiful member of my clan. To learn and speak Mando'a. And to answer the call of my Mand'alor. So I swear." Around them he could feel the Manda swell and the excitement in the room rose another notch. Every one of them could feel the warm approval of Manda and knew that Ben had been deemed worthy. Jaster grinned behind his visor.
"Who will sponsor this warrior?" Jango took off his helmet to speak but was interrupted as Myles stepped forward.
"I do. I claim this warrior for Clan Vhehn." Jaster's mouth fell open in surprise as Jango scowled at the second in command. Myles' lips quirked up into a triumphant smile, his eyes blazing with challenge. If Jaster tried to claim Ben now they would have to fight for it. In this uncertain time he couldn't afford to have the verde seeing their leaders fighting amongst themselves. He grit his teeth and conceded defeat.
Well played. He would have to get his revenge later.
"Do you accept this sponsorship?" Ben looked between him and Myles, looking mildly perturbed. This was not going as he had expected. But thankfully he just went with it.
"I accept, with gratitude."
"Then be reborn. From this day forward you will be known as Ben Vhehn, of Clan Vhehn, House Mereel." He motioned toward the room. "Welcome, vod." Jaster watched as Myles took the bracers from Jango and helped Ben put them on. The redhead looked at them for a moment, adjusting them easily, before nodding to Jango in thanks.
"Thank you, alor, Jango, I will wear them with honor."
The room erupted into cheers as Myles clapped Ben on the back and welcomed him into the family, while Jango shyly stepped closer to the redhead and accepted a one armed hug.
Obi-wan the Jetii was no more. Ben Vhehn the Mando'ad had risen in his place.
Mando'a;
Verde- Warriors, Soldiers.
Br.- Shortened from Baar'ur, meaning Medic.
Striil- Strill, a highly intelligent six-legged hunting carnivore, capable of gliding and flight. Used primarily as hunting partners and guards.
Vhehn- Pronounced Feign, meaning Earthy/Earthen.