Reflection Saga:
Part 4
So, it would seem that Yaro and Yoda are related, and Yaro's gonna be
trained as a Jedi! Finally, it's getting good! ^^ But first, I'd like to
say something I forgot about entirely in the first part: I have NO idea how
Yaddle talks. She was only in Episode 1 for a few minutes worth of shots,
and doesn't even peep in them. And in Episode 2, she disappears all
together. I know she's the same species as Yoda, but, since the backward
talking seems to be associated with Yoda and Yoda only, I guessed that she
didn't talk like him. So if she does, my bad. If she doesn't...*singsong
voice* Neener neener neeeeeener! I'm right, and you're wrong!! :-P
"This is so confusing."
"Yes, yes, it is. But certain of this, the entire Council is. Yaro, you are, and trained as a Jedi you will." Yoda put his hand on Yaro's shoulder, steering him to the now open doorway. "Come, someone wants to see you."
"Uh, Master Yoda?"
"Yes?"
"Can I change? This gown is embarrassing, not to mention itchy!"
Yoda chuckled, and pointed to a small drawer. "Your new clothes, you will find in there. Or, to be more accurate, your father's Padawan clothing. Wait outside, I will." Then he walked outside, and the door closed. Yaro sighed and flung himself onto the floatation bed. "Man! This is all happening so fast...and yet it's so wizard!" He yelled out of pure joy and hopped on the bed. He was actually somebody, not just Yaro! He had an identity, even if he couldn't remember it. But that was a good enough start! And to top it all off, he was becoming a Jedi!
He remembered back at all the times he had looked at the Jedi Temple and wished he could be a Jedi, to rush off to save worlds, lightsaber in one hand, a blaster in the other. And now...
Snapping back to reality, Yaro jumped off the bed, ignoring the pain shooting up his legs, and pulled out the drawer Yoda had indicated. There inside was a white shirt with flowing, sleeves, and pants that were also colorless and baggy, but not to the point where either sleeve or pant legs got in his way. He held them up, stroking them. His father's clothing. Their smell was like spice, making his nose itch.
Once he had put them on, he discovered a deep-red vest, not unlike his own vest, save there were no stains or holes or tattered hems, and this one had a hood. He slid his hand over it; it was so soft and comforting. He pulled it on, straightening it to his form.
Underneath the vest was a leather belt, with a gold, circular buckle in the center. The leather was worn and old, but looked like it would hold up. Yaro slid around his waist and clipped it. A little big, he thought as he wrapped it around his waist twice, but not too bad. He turned to face a mirror, and grinned broadly. He looked good. Except for the fact the belt was two-sizes too big, he looked and felt just like a Jedi. Yaro turned around, inspecting his new clothes, then noticed his hair had been cut. His normally untidy, tangled hair had been cut and pulled back into a small ponytail, while one lock had been twisted into a slender braid, hanging just in front of his right ear.
Just then, he spied something in the back of the drawer, wrapped in a small cloth. Curious, he pulled it out and it unrolled. Yaro gasped.
It was a lightsaber. It wasn't sleek and elegant, like Hismonia's had been, but black-handled and shaped to fit a three-fingered hand only, about twenty inches long. Yaro turned it over on its side and found the button to activate the saber. Holding it out a distance from himself, he pressed the button, and with a sharp snap-hiss, a three-foot long, yellow blade appeared. Yaro rotated it with fascination; his father's lightsaber. Taking it in both hands, he felt like he could suddenly do anything, that nothing in the entire galaxy, no, the universe, could stop him now.
He shook his head. "What a stupid thought. Everything and everyone is overcome by something," He said quietly. Remembering that Yoda was waiting on him, he stuck the handle in his belt and rushed out the door. He found Yoda out in the hall, still patiently waiting. "I'm-I'm sorry, Master."
Yoda didn't seem to notice Yaro's apology; he simple started to walk down the hall, heading to the Archives. Yaro quickly followed, careful not to go in front of the old Jedi, keeping his steps in time with his grandfather's.
After walking down a few flights of stairs and corridors, they arrived in a large, open area, and Yaro took a second to take it in. Ten- foot, golden statues of past and legendary Jedi adorned the feet of the stairs. The dark blue carpet was soft beneath Yaro's scarred and battered feet.
Yaro then realized that he had lost Yoda, who had walked into a small, door-less room. From what he could sense, there were other presences much like his inside the room. He hurried to catch up, but slowed down once Yoda stopped in the center of the room. "Younglings, a new student, we have."
That was when Yaro noticed the assorted teens, about ten up to twelve, of all different species and genders standing in the back. All of them had a helmet on their head and lightsaber in hand. By each Padawan, a remote floated in the air.
Though he looked around the room twice, Yaro was disappointed to find that Yaddle wasn't there. He had really been hoping for a familiar face in the group.
"Hello!" all the students said cheerfully and Yaro waved back. "What's your name?" a young Sullustan girl with large, black eyes, curly blonde hair, and dark brown robes said in a loud voice, earning a scowl and nudges in the side from the female Togruta and male Vurk on either side of her.
Yaro tried his best not to sound tense. "I'm Yaro." Almost as soon as he said his name, whispers began to echo through the chamber. Yaro grinned. It would seem that Yoda and Yaddle aren't the only ones who know about my past! He thought to himself. He was practically a celebrity!
Yoda had to tap his cane on the ground a few times to get attention focused back on him. When all was quiet, he pointed to a small space on the floor. "Stand there, Yaro. Find your lightsaber did you?"
Yaro pulled it out of his belt. "Yep." He walked over and stood in the spot that Yoda had indicated, on the left side of the Vurk boy. "What are we doing?"
"Patience, patience." Yoda walked over to a small box, and pulled out a second helmet much like the one Hismonia had Yaro use during his tests. "Put it on. Know now what we will be doing?"
Yaro took the helmet and set it on his head. "Uh-huh. Just like before, right?"
"Yes." Yoda tapped his stick on the ground again. "Now, helmets down, lightsabers activated."
Yaro and all of the other students pulled their helmets down over their eyes and turned on their lightsabers. The humming of the energy blades filled the room, making Yaro's tickle like mad. But he didn't dare reach up to scratch it; with the helmet on, he could stab somebody by complete accident and not even know it.
"Clear your minds," came Yoda's voice from outside the helmet. "Feel the Force around you. On the remote alone, focus." Yaro had the distinct feeling he was speaking mainly to him, so he paid special attention to the old Jedi's words.
Up! Raise your lightsaber, the Force told him. Immediately, Yaro raised the lightsaber over his head, blocking a small laser bolt. He could sense the other students doing the same as he blocked every laser fire that came his way. He wondered if he-
"Ow!" A remote had shot him in the wrist and he almost dropped his lightsaber. The female Sullustan giggled again, and then stopped abruptly, focusing instead on her remote.
"Clear your mind!" Yoda said sharply, and this time Yaro knew he was speaking to him. Again, he cleared his mind of all thought, focusing on the remote he knew hovered somewhere hovering around his head. He then caught sight of his remote jerking upwards through the Force, ready to fire down at him again. Not this time! Two seconds before the remote fired, Yaro lowered his lightsaber, stopping the little laser from hitting his knee. I'm getting good...he thought smugly as he stopped two more of the lasers.
"OW!"
*****
"Shut off your lightsabers, younglings. Done, we are, for today."
Yaro pushed the button on his lightsaber, deactivating it, and pushed his helmet up. All the students around him did the same, putting the lightsabers in their belts or pockets. He rubbed sorely at the smarting marks on his knees and upper arms. Okay, maybe I need a little practice.
Yoda pointed to the door and said, "Go eat, then return to this room. Master Zelski will instruct you afterwards."
All the Padawans gave a cry for joy, bowed slightly to Yoda, then walked swiftly out the room and down the hall. Yaro tagged along in the back, realizing he was heading right for the chef's galley. He wondered if the chef was still upset and really had a lightsaber among those cooking utensils in his pockets. He gulped.
"Hello Yaro! How are you?" The Sullustan girl, along with the Vurk and Togruta that had nudged her earlier, had slowed down to match Yaro's speed.
"I'm fine. Who are you guys?"
The Sullustan put her hand on her chest and said, "I'm Ilene."
The Togruta, in flowing, dusty-brown robes that covered up her feet and dark auburn pants and shirt, said in a soft, but demanding voice, "And I'm Trixis." Pointing to the Vurk, who had blue skin, and a scarlet shirt sticking out from under his belt and black pants tucked into knee-high, leather boots, Trixis said, "And he's-"
"I think I can say my own name, Trixis," interrupted the Vurk, emphasizing on the Togruta's name. Looking back at Yaro, he held out his hand and said, "My name is Fibrilatora, but everybody calls me Fibril for short. Nice to meet ya."
Yaro took Fibril's hand and gripped it easily, because the Vurk also had three fingers, though not clawed and much more longer-fingered than his. "Nice to meet you guys too."
Ilene leaned in to Yaro's ear (she was almost a meter tall while Yaro was only .70 of a meter) and said, "Is it true you're Yosho's son?"
Yaro nodded. "Yeah, but I can't remember anything."
"That's not good."
"Yeah." Yaro looked in front of him at the other students heading down the hall. "Uh, where are we going?"
Fibril pointed down the hall. "We're having lunch, in the Padawan's Hall. That's where all the Padawans eat, in case ya don't know. I can't remember what we're having today..." He turned his head to Ilene and Trixis. "Can you?"
Trixis nodded. "Sure I do; we're having hot sandwiches with cheese, roast beef, and duck meat in them. Uh, let's see, we're also gonna have that spicy green fruit, and some sugar cake for dessert, I think."
Yaro's mouth began to water. "That's-that's lunch!?" Sounded more like a buffet from the heavens to him.
Ilene shrugged. "Yeah, it's not much, but-"
"That sounds delicious!" Yaro quickened his pace until he was almost running. Ilene, Trixis and Fibril had trouble keeping up with him, and he was getting stares from other Padawans.
Fibril grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "Hey, hey! This isn't a race, ya know! Why the rush?"
Yaro blushed with embarrassment. "I've never had hot food before! It was always cold when I got it."
Now it was Fibril's turn to look embarrassed. "Oh sorry. Forgot how Yaddle found you..." All three fell silent.
Shrugging, Yaro said, "It's okay. I'm used to those kinda reactions anyhow."
The group came out into a huge hall lined with dozens and dozens of round tables and chairs that could be adjusted for size and height of the sitter. Yaro was quite grateful for that; he had quite often sat on a box on top of a seat just to see over a counter at some restaurants, and it was very annoying. In front of each seat, there was a plate of assorted food and two glasses with juice and milk.
Ilene grabbed his hand in hers and said, "Come on, let's go find a seat!"
"Just a sec, I want to see if I can find Yaddle."
Trixis scoffed. "Yaddle's always in the same spot." He pointed to a small, round table in the corner with only a few seats. Sure enough, there was Yaddle. She was barely touching her food, but paying full attention on the scroll in front of her. "She has sat there, every day of every week of every month, for as long as I can remember. No one else sits with her, and she likes it that way."
"Why?" He couldn't understand why someone would want to eat alone, when surrounded by such nice people.
"Dunno," Fibril said. "She's always reading and studying stuff in the books and scrolls. When she isn't with her Master or in the Archives, that's where you'll find her."
"Well, let's sit with her." He headed over to the table, waving to get Yaddle's attention. His new friends hesitated, and then followed him. When they were about five feet away from the table, Yaddle finally looked up and waved cheerfully at Yaro. Then her expression changed to worry and shock.
"YOU!"
"Huh?" Before he could turn around, Yaro was picked up off of the ground by a massive, chubby hand, and lifted into the face of...the chef. "Oh sithspawn," Yaro muttered under his breath.
"You're mighty brave to come back here, laddie!" The cook waved a wooden spatula like a weapon in the air angrily, and Yaro could sense a lot of fury coming from the man's presence. Oh, crud. How am I gonna get out of this one? "Now I'm gonna teach you to mess with me food!" Now all of the Padawans were staring at the confrontation; a few of the younger ones giggled at the sight of tiny Yaro dangling almost five feet off of the ground from his two-sizes-too-big belt.
"Chef Flowers!" Polvin Kut's voice rang out across the hall. Yaro had never been so thankful to hear that voice as he was then. "Put that Padawan down, what were planning to do with him?"
Chef Flowers stopped waving the ladle but didn't place Yaro back on the ground. "This little snipe stole me food a few days 'fore, 'member Master Kut?" Looking Yaro eye to piggy eye, he said, "Grandson of Yoda, or no grandson of Yoda, he ought to be punished!"
"Yes, yes, I heard about Yaro's...escapade." The Jedi Master looked at Yaro and said sternly, "But I am sure that he is sorry, Flowers. Now please, put him down and allow him to apologize." The pudgy cook looked like he didn't think of that as discipline, but nevertheless, he set Yaro back on his feet.
"Now apologize for your actions, Yaro. And promise Chef Flowers that you will not pull something like that again."
Yaro looked nervously up at the man, feeling even smaller than usual, and said, "I apologize, Chef Flowers. I promise I won't do it again." Then he smiled crookedly. "And if I do, I promise you can chase me up and down the Jedi Temple with that spatula of yours."
At first, Flowers looked offended, but then he guffawed. He bent down and gripped Yaro's whole arm in his hand, shaking it wholeheartedly. "That's a deal, laddie! Ha! I like a Jedi with a sense of humor!"
Polvin Kut left the Hall smiling, and Flowers went back to his cooking. As soon as both adults were gone, the whole room exploded with gut- wrenching laughter. Yaro was sure his side was splitting in two.
As the laughter, giggles, and guffaws from the other Padawans subsided one by one, Yaro and the others sat down next to Yaddle. Ilene was still giggling as she said, "Whoo! Yaro, I was sure he was gonna beat the stuffing out of ya with that spoon!"
Fibril nodded in agreement. "Yeah, whoever gave him the name 'Flowers' had one sick sense of humor." Punching Yaro lightly on the shoulder, he snickered, "He's usually very nice, sometimes gives us extra snacks. But mess with or insult his cooking...pity the soul who has less than a 10-foot-thick wall made of carbonite between him and Flowers."
"Ya could have told me that earlier!" protested Yaro, gazing at his food. Oh man! I've died and gone to heaven! "Remind me to kiss Flowers for this food! Dig in!" He eagerly bit into his sandwich. The gooey taste of the melted cheese and warmness of the two kinds of meat almost made him cry with happiness. He had his finished and had started on the fruit before his friends were even half way done with their sandwiches.
Yaddle chuckled softly. "I take it you're hungry, Yaro?"
"You can say that again!" Trixis said. "Why don't you just inhale the whole plate while you're at it, Yaro?"
The entire group laughed, and before long, a conversation had started. Yaro was no longer lonely and uncomfortable, but surrounded by friends. It filled him with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Sounded corny, but it did. For the first time since he could remember, he truly felt wanted...needed. Yaro smiled. He could get used to this.
~Sorry this one was shorter!!
"This is so confusing."
"Yes, yes, it is. But certain of this, the entire Council is. Yaro, you are, and trained as a Jedi you will." Yoda put his hand on Yaro's shoulder, steering him to the now open doorway. "Come, someone wants to see you."
"Uh, Master Yoda?"
"Yes?"
"Can I change? This gown is embarrassing, not to mention itchy!"
Yoda chuckled, and pointed to a small drawer. "Your new clothes, you will find in there. Or, to be more accurate, your father's Padawan clothing. Wait outside, I will." Then he walked outside, and the door closed. Yaro sighed and flung himself onto the floatation bed. "Man! This is all happening so fast...and yet it's so wizard!" He yelled out of pure joy and hopped on the bed. He was actually somebody, not just Yaro! He had an identity, even if he couldn't remember it. But that was a good enough start! And to top it all off, he was becoming a Jedi!
He remembered back at all the times he had looked at the Jedi Temple and wished he could be a Jedi, to rush off to save worlds, lightsaber in one hand, a blaster in the other. And now...
Snapping back to reality, Yaro jumped off the bed, ignoring the pain shooting up his legs, and pulled out the drawer Yoda had indicated. There inside was a white shirt with flowing, sleeves, and pants that were also colorless and baggy, but not to the point where either sleeve or pant legs got in his way. He held them up, stroking them. His father's clothing. Their smell was like spice, making his nose itch.
Once he had put them on, he discovered a deep-red vest, not unlike his own vest, save there were no stains or holes or tattered hems, and this one had a hood. He slid his hand over it; it was so soft and comforting. He pulled it on, straightening it to his form.
Underneath the vest was a leather belt, with a gold, circular buckle in the center. The leather was worn and old, but looked like it would hold up. Yaro slid around his waist and clipped it. A little big, he thought as he wrapped it around his waist twice, but not too bad. He turned to face a mirror, and grinned broadly. He looked good. Except for the fact the belt was two-sizes too big, he looked and felt just like a Jedi. Yaro turned around, inspecting his new clothes, then noticed his hair had been cut. His normally untidy, tangled hair had been cut and pulled back into a small ponytail, while one lock had been twisted into a slender braid, hanging just in front of his right ear.
Just then, he spied something in the back of the drawer, wrapped in a small cloth. Curious, he pulled it out and it unrolled. Yaro gasped.
It was a lightsaber. It wasn't sleek and elegant, like Hismonia's had been, but black-handled and shaped to fit a three-fingered hand only, about twenty inches long. Yaro turned it over on its side and found the button to activate the saber. Holding it out a distance from himself, he pressed the button, and with a sharp snap-hiss, a three-foot long, yellow blade appeared. Yaro rotated it with fascination; his father's lightsaber. Taking it in both hands, he felt like he could suddenly do anything, that nothing in the entire galaxy, no, the universe, could stop him now.
He shook his head. "What a stupid thought. Everything and everyone is overcome by something," He said quietly. Remembering that Yoda was waiting on him, he stuck the handle in his belt and rushed out the door. He found Yoda out in the hall, still patiently waiting. "I'm-I'm sorry, Master."
Yoda didn't seem to notice Yaro's apology; he simple started to walk down the hall, heading to the Archives. Yaro quickly followed, careful not to go in front of the old Jedi, keeping his steps in time with his grandfather's.
After walking down a few flights of stairs and corridors, they arrived in a large, open area, and Yaro took a second to take it in. Ten- foot, golden statues of past and legendary Jedi adorned the feet of the stairs. The dark blue carpet was soft beneath Yaro's scarred and battered feet.
Yaro then realized that he had lost Yoda, who had walked into a small, door-less room. From what he could sense, there were other presences much like his inside the room. He hurried to catch up, but slowed down once Yoda stopped in the center of the room. "Younglings, a new student, we have."
That was when Yaro noticed the assorted teens, about ten up to twelve, of all different species and genders standing in the back. All of them had a helmet on their head and lightsaber in hand. By each Padawan, a remote floated in the air.
Though he looked around the room twice, Yaro was disappointed to find that Yaddle wasn't there. He had really been hoping for a familiar face in the group.
"Hello!" all the students said cheerfully and Yaro waved back. "What's your name?" a young Sullustan girl with large, black eyes, curly blonde hair, and dark brown robes said in a loud voice, earning a scowl and nudges in the side from the female Togruta and male Vurk on either side of her.
Yaro tried his best not to sound tense. "I'm Yaro." Almost as soon as he said his name, whispers began to echo through the chamber. Yaro grinned. It would seem that Yoda and Yaddle aren't the only ones who know about my past! He thought to himself. He was practically a celebrity!
Yoda had to tap his cane on the ground a few times to get attention focused back on him. When all was quiet, he pointed to a small space on the floor. "Stand there, Yaro. Find your lightsaber did you?"
Yaro pulled it out of his belt. "Yep." He walked over and stood in the spot that Yoda had indicated, on the left side of the Vurk boy. "What are we doing?"
"Patience, patience." Yoda walked over to a small box, and pulled out a second helmet much like the one Hismonia had Yaro use during his tests. "Put it on. Know now what we will be doing?"
Yaro took the helmet and set it on his head. "Uh-huh. Just like before, right?"
"Yes." Yoda tapped his stick on the ground again. "Now, helmets down, lightsabers activated."
Yaro and all of the other students pulled their helmets down over their eyes and turned on their lightsabers. The humming of the energy blades filled the room, making Yaro's tickle like mad. But he didn't dare reach up to scratch it; with the helmet on, he could stab somebody by complete accident and not even know it.
"Clear your minds," came Yoda's voice from outside the helmet. "Feel the Force around you. On the remote alone, focus." Yaro had the distinct feeling he was speaking mainly to him, so he paid special attention to the old Jedi's words.
Up! Raise your lightsaber, the Force told him. Immediately, Yaro raised the lightsaber over his head, blocking a small laser bolt. He could sense the other students doing the same as he blocked every laser fire that came his way. He wondered if he-
"Ow!" A remote had shot him in the wrist and he almost dropped his lightsaber. The female Sullustan giggled again, and then stopped abruptly, focusing instead on her remote.
"Clear your mind!" Yoda said sharply, and this time Yaro knew he was speaking to him. Again, he cleared his mind of all thought, focusing on the remote he knew hovered somewhere hovering around his head. He then caught sight of his remote jerking upwards through the Force, ready to fire down at him again. Not this time! Two seconds before the remote fired, Yaro lowered his lightsaber, stopping the little laser from hitting his knee. I'm getting good...he thought smugly as he stopped two more of the lasers.
"OW!"
*****
"Shut off your lightsabers, younglings. Done, we are, for today."
Yaro pushed the button on his lightsaber, deactivating it, and pushed his helmet up. All the students around him did the same, putting the lightsabers in their belts or pockets. He rubbed sorely at the smarting marks on his knees and upper arms. Okay, maybe I need a little practice.
Yoda pointed to the door and said, "Go eat, then return to this room. Master Zelski will instruct you afterwards."
All the Padawans gave a cry for joy, bowed slightly to Yoda, then walked swiftly out the room and down the hall. Yaro tagged along in the back, realizing he was heading right for the chef's galley. He wondered if the chef was still upset and really had a lightsaber among those cooking utensils in his pockets. He gulped.
"Hello Yaro! How are you?" The Sullustan girl, along with the Vurk and Togruta that had nudged her earlier, had slowed down to match Yaro's speed.
"I'm fine. Who are you guys?"
The Sullustan put her hand on her chest and said, "I'm Ilene."
The Togruta, in flowing, dusty-brown robes that covered up her feet and dark auburn pants and shirt, said in a soft, but demanding voice, "And I'm Trixis." Pointing to the Vurk, who had blue skin, and a scarlet shirt sticking out from under his belt and black pants tucked into knee-high, leather boots, Trixis said, "And he's-"
"I think I can say my own name, Trixis," interrupted the Vurk, emphasizing on the Togruta's name. Looking back at Yaro, he held out his hand and said, "My name is Fibrilatora, but everybody calls me Fibril for short. Nice to meet ya."
Yaro took Fibril's hand and gripped it easily, because the Vurk also had three fingers, though not clawed and much more longer-fingered than his. "Nice to meet you guys too."
Ilene leaned in to Yaro's ear (she was almost a meter tall while Yaro was only .70 of a meter) and said, "Is it true you're Yosho's son?"
Yaro nodded. "Yeah, but I can't remember anything."
"That's not good."
"Yeah." Yaro looked in front of him at the other students heading down the hall. "Uh, where are we going?"
Fibril pointed down the hall. "We're having lunch, in the Padawan's Hall. That's where all the Padawans eat, in case ya don't know. I can't remember what we're having today..." He turned his head to Ilene and Trixis. "Can you?"
Trixis nodded. "Sure I do; we're having hot sandwiches with cheese, roast beef, and duck meat in them. Uh, let's see, we're also gonna have that spicy green fruit, and some sugar cake for dessert, I think."
Yaro's mouth began to water. "That's-that's lunch!?" Sounded more like a buffet from the heavens to him.
Ilene shrugged. "Yeah, it's not much, but-"
"That sounds delicious!" Yaro quickened his pace until he was almost running. Ilene, Trixis and Fibril had trouble keeping up with him, and he was getting stares from other Padawans.
Fibril grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "Hey, hey! This isn't a race, ya know! Why the rush?"
Yaro blushed with embarrassment. "I've never had hot food before! It was always cold when I got it."
Now it was Fibril's turn to look embarrassed. "Oh sorry. Forgot how Yaddle found you..." All three fell silent.
Shrugging, Yaro said, "It's okay. I'm used to those kinda reactions anyhow."
The group came out into a huge hall lined with dozens and dozens of round tables and chairs that could be adjusted for size and height of the sitter. Yaro was quite grateful for that; he had quite often sat on a box on top of a seat just to see over a counter at some restaurants, and it was very annoying. In front of each seat, there was a plate of assorted food and two glasses with juice and milk.
Ilene grabbed his hand in hers and said, "Come on, let's go find a seat!"
"Just a sec, I want to see if I can find Yaddle."
Trixis scoffed. "Yaddle's always in the same spot." He pointed to a small, round table in the corner with only a few seats. Sure enough, there was Yaddle. She was barely touching her food, but paying full attention on the scroll in front of her. "She has sat there, every day of every week of every month, for as long as I can remember. No one else sits with her, and she likes it that way."
"Why?" He couldn't understand why someone would want to eat alone, when surrounded by such nice people.
"Dunno," Fibril said. "She's always reading and studying stuff in the books and scrolls. When she isn't with her Master or in the Archives, that's where you'll find her."
"Well, let's sit with her." He headed over to the table, waving to get Yaddle's attention. His new friends hesitated, and then followed him. When they were about five feet away from the table, Yaddle finally looked up and waved cheerfully at Yaro. Then her expression changed to worry and shock.
"YOU!"
"Huh?" Before he could turn around, Yaro was picked up off of the ground by a massive, chubby hand, and lifted into the face of...the chef. "Oh sithspawn," Yaro muttered under his breath.
"You're mighty brave to come back here, laddie!" The cook waved a wooden spatula like a weapon in the air angrily, and Yaro could sense a lot of fury coming from the man's presence. Oh, crud. How am I gonna get out of this one? "Now I'm gonna teach you to mess with me food!" Now all of the Padawans were staring at the confrontation; a few of the younger ones giggled at the sight of tiny Yaro dangling almost five feet off of the ground from his two-sizes-too-big belt.
"Chef Flowers!" Polvin Kut's voice rang out across the hall. Yaro had never been so thankful to hear that voice as he was then. "Put that Padawan down, what were planning to do with him?"
Chef Flowers stopped waving the ladle but didn't place Yaro back on the ground. "This little snipe stole me food a few days 'fore, 'member Master Kut?" Looking Yaro eye to piggy eye, he said, "Grandson of Yoda, or no grandson of Yoda, he ought to be punished!"
"Yes, yes, I heard about Yaro's...escapade." The Jedi Master looked at Yaro and said sternly, "But I am sure that he is sorry, Flowers. Now please, put him down and allow him to apologize." The pudgy cook looked like he didn't think of that as discipline, but nevertheless, he set Yaro back on his feet.
"Now apologize for your actions, Yaro. And promise Chef Flowers that you will not pull something like that again."
Yaro looked nervously up at the man, feeling even smaller than usual, and said, "I apologize, Chef Flowers. I promise I won't do it again." Then he smiled crookedly. "And if I do, I promise you can chase me up and down the Jedi Temple with that spatula of yours."
At first, Flowers looked offended, but then he guffawed. He bent down and gripped Yaro's whole arm in his hand, shaking it wholeheartedly. "That's a deal, laddie! Ha! I like a Jedi with a sense of humor!"
Polvin Kut left the Hall smiling, and Flowers went back to his cooking. As soon as both adults were gone, the whole room exploded with gut- wrenching laughter. Yaro was sure his side was splitting in two.
As the laughter, giggles, and guffaws from the other Padawans subsided one by one, Yaro and the others sat down next to Yaddle. Ilene was still giggling as she said, "Whoo! Yaro, I was sure he was gonna beat the stuffing out of ya with that spoon!"
Fibril nodded in agreement. "Yeah, whoever gave him the name 'Flowers' had one sick sense of humor." Punching Yaro lightly on the shoulder, he snickered, "He's usually very nice, sometimes gives us extra snacks. But mess with or insult his cooking...pity the soul who has less than a 10-foot-thick wall made of carbonite between him and Flowers."
"Ya could have told me that earlier!" protested Yaro, gazing at his food. Oh man! I've died and gone to heaven! "Remind me to kiss Flowers for this food! Dig in!" He eagerly bit into his sandwich. The gooey taste of the melted cheese and warmness of the two kinds of meat almost made him cry with happiness. He had his finished and had started on the fruit before his friends were even half way done with their sandwiches.
Yaddle chuckled softly. "I take it you're hungry, Yaro?"
"You can say that again!" Trixis said. "Why don't you just inhale the whole plate while you're at it, Yaro?"
The entire group laughed, and before long, a conversation had started. Yaro was no longer lonely and uncomfortable, but surrounded by friends. It filled him with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Sounded corny, but it did. For the first time since he could remember, he truly felt wanted...needed. Yaro smiled. He could get used to this.
~Sorry this one was shorter!!