Bonds
"Padawan Bastila?" Pol extrapolated as she entered the dormitory.
"Ah Pol there you are, I was about to give up on you for the night." Bastila's reprimand was mild and she was…Smiling.
"I met a woman on my way back, she asked me for help finding her droid." Pol explained half of the truth, omitting key elements. Observing Bastila's good humor she wondered just how far their bond extended.
"Juhani arrived back an hour ago. Well done Pol, It seems you have completed your task for the council with extraordinary competence." Bastila stated warmly.
"Thank you Padawan Bastila," Pol sincerely thanked Bastila, for not just her openness but for the unbiased tone in which it was delivered. Wow she is in a good mood.
"You have the gratitude of the Order Pol, our numbers are declining and that a student as promising as Juhani can be saved from the darkside means more than you could know. Your presence is requested in the council chambers at first light. If you have nothing else to report you may go." Bastila concluded benevolently.
"Then I should get some rest." Pol agreed and headed for her bed. Bastila watched her sleep time preparations with a queer look,no bed time stories She wondered. Perhaps the girl is coming around. Bastila quit the Hawk and made her way to her rooms within the enclave.
The Task
The council had accepted Pol as a Jedi, but there was contention amongst them as to how they should commemorate the achievement. The council had deliberated long and hard as to whether Pol should be welcomed to the Jedi Order with the traditional graduation ceremony or a simple and discreet promotion. Their concern was that the ceremony would trigger her memories of her first graduation.
In the end Pol was accepted into the Order without ceremony. The same day she and Bastila were given their first assignment. They were to track down the mission Jedi Master, Nemo who had gone to the ruins and not returned. They were also to investigate the ruins they had seen in their vision. After their briefing Master Vrook asked Pol for a moment of her time.
"I would like to congratulate you young Padawan, but I would also like to warn you. There are many dangers that lie ahead of you and without the support of the Order you risk plenty. As the order supports you; you must support it, by showing your commitment to our traditions and conventions."
"Master Vrook is there something you with to call me up on?" Pol asked, she hated beating about the bush and Vrook had a predilection for lengthy sermons. He had critiqued her more than the other Masters had, and she had both loved and hated him for it by turns.
"You continue to sleep on the Ebon Hawk, when there are suitable quarters for you in the enclave. It does not present as a sign of loyalty to the Order; rather you appear to have one foot out of the door already." He scowled down at her posture. She was standing with one foot facing him and the other was pointed eagerly towards the exit. Pol self-consciously adjusted her stance.
Respectfully she said, "I will make use of the enclave's facilities, if that is your wish Master Vrook."
"Nowama will give you your room number and Key. You may go Padawan." He dismissed her and Pol darted off to see the administrator.
……………………
"Hello Bastila." Pol greeted.
"What did Master Vrook have to say?"
"He wants me to move into the academy." Pol said.
"I see, and?"
"Well I have to go get my stuff. And then we should start out?"
"Of course I will meet you in courtyard."
"Under my tree?" Pol asked.
Bastila's eyes widened at the reference. Pol sat below the tree regularly, but she wasn't the only neophyte Padawan who had favored that resting place during their scholarship. "Yes. That will be fine Pol." Bastila answered succinctly.
Ebon Hawke
"You're buying her gifts now?" Carth stood in front of the navicomputer puzzled by the coordinates left by its previous owner, and by the behavior of the Mandalorian.
"It's not a gift it's a sound dampening stealth unit." Canderous said. Zaalbar had caught Canderous leaving the starboard bunkroom, not a regular occurrence, since he had deposited a sleeping Pol there on their first night so he had mentioned it to Carth.
"You bought it for her with credits." As opposed to ripping it off some corpse, Carth reasoned.
"Yeah so what?" Canderous's stance and rhetoric dared Carth to speak.
"Well that's a gift." Carth needled; reveling in the Mandalorian's discomfort.
"I don't have time for your petty delineations Republic, that girl is louder than an angry drunken boma. I don't like the idea of her giving me away when we're behind enemy lines." The Mandalorian argued his position simulating detachment to a tee.
Carth roared with laughter. "Canderous, she's right behind you."
"Angry drunken boma am I?" Pol tapped a foot peevishly.
"Damn straight you are." He returned with a smile. "Even with all your Jedi training you're going to need help."
Pol sighed, "If you weren't right I would take you to task for that. But thank you." Pol whispered 'follow' in Mando'a and quit the cockpit for the bunkroom, with Canderous in tow.
"Where?" he asked as they crossed the common room. Bunkroom, ori'jate, this looks promising.
"I need a brute to help carry my things." Pol opened her foot locker and took out her few possessions. She grabbed the gift from her bed with a smile. "You know I'm a get you back for this Chief."
"You're moving out? And I am supposed to help? Like I want that to happen?" Not promising.
"I would rather think of it as getting my own place. And this is a convenient cover for you to learn my new address."
"Address bah loud as you are I could find you anywhere." He drawled in Mandalorian.
"Sure you could." She said condescendingly. "But it won't be so easy with my new stealth unit."
"Smart ass."
"You love it when I tease you," Pol said with a smile.
He looked at her for a moment, watching as she packed her belongings into a single box. Unable to find or stomach the words in basic he said, "Bah, you're ok," and leant against the bunks to wait while she completed her task.
They headed out to the housing quarter with two small arm loads of gear, speaking in broken Mando'a as they went. "They're sending me on my first mission with Bastila. We are going to the ruins."
"Solus - Alone?"
"'Lek ti Jetii Bastila bal dust bunnies - yeah with Bastila and the dust bunnies," Pol enthused.
"Why are they sending you? What do you know about dust?" Canderous interrogated gruffly.
"Hmm. Lets see. Dust is very low in fat, so you can eat as much dust as you like."
"Is that all you know Champ?"
"Yeah pretty much."
"Then it is clear to me that you don't have adequate dust training."
"Pfft dust training? You di'kut Canderous!"
"You think I am kidding? You're going to die out there soldier. I think you should take me with you." He joked dryly.
"Ha-ha you're just bored! You know I can handle myself Canderous." Pol saluted Him, with her usual smack to the shoulder.
"Ouch. Jokes aside, they mentioned that you had been there before. I would like to take a look around…"
Pol fumbled with the security pad, and punched in her key. "Did you get that?' She asked over her shoulder as they entered the small cell. "Wow great view. I can see the back wall of the library from here. I even get my own refresher!"
"Yeah I got it" Three five eight nine. "Nice room. Here's your things, so when do we leave?" He fired the words in quick succession and dropping the box to the table looked at her sternly.
"Canderous, you know Bastila would hate that."
"For a peace loving Jedi she does a lot of hating. I owe it to her to come; she would be disappointed if I didn't offend her sensibilities at least once a day."
"Yeah it shows you care. Wait…Should I be jealous of her?" Pol's eyes widened.
"Ugh don't even joke about that Pol." Canderous laughed.
"I can't convince you not to come can I?" Pol tried to barter her way to a tolerable outcome. The idea of being trapped in a tomb with Bastila and Canderous's enmity did not appeal.
"Fine but I don't like this. What if I just happen to be looking for 'what's-her-names' love droid in the area, just in case?"
"That would be acceptable."
"Any chance of a kiss?" Canderous asked looking around, there didn't appear to be any one in sight.
"Nayc - No." Pol refused and pointed to her right. The very instant she pointed an apprentice exited the room beside them.
"Damn." Shabla di'kut, Stupid kid.
"I'll see you round." Pol locked the door behind them both and waved good bye to Canderous innocently as she headed to the tree.
Finding Nemo (oh come on the writer had to use that gag, it's nearly traditional.)
"That was quick." Bastila observed when Pol arrived at the tree.
"I don't fool around."
"I should hope not!" Bastila berated Pol under her breath.
"What are you implying?" Pol asked innocently. As they took off on foot.
"I've seen the way he looks at you Pol."
"And have you seen the way I look at him?" Cheeky bugger, he is following us in plain sight. Su'cuy Canderous! Pol waved when Bastila wasn't looking.
"Yes unfortunately, and I think that's worse." Bastila moaned with distaste.
"Why?" Pol asked blankly.
"Are you teasing me Pol?"
"Nope I really wanna know why. Can we stop in here? There is something I have to get." She asked pointing to the supply store. And a Mandalorian I have to shake if I am going to get any peace for poor Bastila.
"Because it leads to the darkside!" Will this girl never learn? Bastila wondered as they stepped into the climate controlled shop.
"So does shuffling about in crusty old cobwebbed ruins, like Revan and Malak did and here we are off to do that very same thing!" Pol opined cheerfully. Pol picked out a gift for Canderous, handed over her credits and hid the item in her robes.
"Those look nice." Bastila said losing track for a moment. "You shouldn't joke about this Pol. There is much you do not know. Are you done here?"
"Yes thanks." Pol said to Bastila. She thanked the merchant pocketed her change and they left the store. "If there is so much I don't know then tell me Bastila, you can't use your 'this is a Jedi matter' line on me any more."
"That is true. You know from our vision that Revan and Malak came here, before their fall."
"Looking for a Star Map. Actually, I only know Malak came here. I didn't actually see Revan. I've never seen Revan." She couldn't see Canderous any more either, which meant her ruse had either worked or he was now stalking them proper.
"But you heard her. She was there in the vision." Bastila pushed her point as they left the grounds. They walked on for a while, sharing a companionable silence. "We should look for Master Nemo near the ruins directly first, unfortunately I have the distinct impression he is still there."
"Sith lord or corpse? Any takers?" Pol trilled like an auctioneer/bookie, she heard a familiar chuckle behind them. He's stalking us. Rule number one; don't make your company giggle. I hear you Mandalorian.
"POL VALOR!"
"What?" Pol asked innocently.
"If you don't know then there is no help for you." Bastila chastised.
"Hey I didn't know him, Nemo I mean. There is still a chance Master Nemo could be fine. But if he is not I don't see a down side. He is either as one with the Force or a brand new Sith. Darkside-ism is reversible especially if you catch someone dabbling early on; I mean look at Juhani she's doing great!"
"Pol, that's still a wicked thing to say." Bastila scolded Pol halfheartedly the ruins were in sight now. A low sunken mound covered in grass and marked by a series of monolithic effigies. The air radiated a vindictive harmony.
"I told you I wouldn't be a good Jedi. Ugh this place sets my teeth on edge." Pol said.
"You're not a bad Jedi Pol, but if you were to start liking places like this I would be really worried." Bastila touched the tomb door and recoiled. "This place, very bad things were done here."
"And recently." Pol agreed. "But not by humans."
"How can you tell?"
"Just a feeling I get. Do you think its Master Nemo?"
"I believe so Pol. We should go in."
"You first." Pol opted.
"Why me?" Bastila asked suspiciously.
"Ok we will go in together, back to back ready to draw." Pol and Bastila entered the cavernous vault. The air was rank with decay. Oh Nemo, you're definitely one with the Force. Pity you're not one with odor free decomposition thought Pol.
"Oh dear, that's bad." Bastila covered her mouth with her sleeve and peered through the eye watering vapor of human decay.
"I have a lot of experience with the dead and a strong stomach; I could handle this if you like."
"Be my guest, I'll contact Master Vandar." Bastila sent the news back to the enclave while Pol arranged the corpse respectfully.
She crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes and smoothed over what was left of his silvery hair. She emptied his pockets into an envelope took the lightsaber from his waist and stored them for Master Dorak to record. "Bastila?" Pol called out.
"Yes?"
"Nemo isn't very big and we are not far from the enclave, should we return him and then come back?"
"I suppose we should. It would be the right thing to do." Bastila tried not to heave as they lifted the little man up. They carried him out of the ruins and to the enclave.
"Bastila, slow down, we are bearing the body of a Jedi Master, a respectful pace would be proper." Pol tried to breath through her ears. It didn't work so she breathed as politely as she could into the shoulder of her robes as they carried him.
"You must be glad you don't have to fight Mission for the fresher." Bastila said when they had completed the delivery. Pol and Bastila were given leave for the rest of the day, which was just as well because by the time the autopsy on Nemo's remains was complete it was twilight.
"That's definitely something to look forward to." Pol admitted, with a shake. 'Used to' is not the same as 'fond of' I will never be fond of that smell. I have to bathe! "I will meet you on the Hawk for breakfast first thing, then back to the ruins."
"Let us hope they air out a bit over night." Bastila asked, "Do I still look green to you?"
"Probably no more than I do, I will see you tomorrow, sleep well Padawan Bastila." Pol headed to her new room - got lost - and had to start out again form the courtyard finding the library to get her bearings. Jedi housing is like a warren. She punched in the key when she arrived finally and dumped her robes into the laundry basket. I don't care who is looking I need this OUT of my rooms. Pol walked nude to her door, opened it and carefully popped the basket of putrid laundry outside her door.
"Blight that's awful!" Pol streaked into the shower and started scrubbing. She treated the whole affair as a sort of ceremony. Starting with her hair and working down to her toes deliberately. An hour later she had rinsed the memory from her skin but it seemed reluctant to leave her olfactory senses without help. I need caffa. Or citrus. Pol toweled off and slipped into her pajamas.
She scanned the room, one corner had a jug and a jar of caffa beansJackpot. The other corner had her bed. Her bed wasn't right. It sank a little in places. Mandalorian shaped places.
"Get off my bed!" Pol scolded. Canderous shimmered into view looking pleased with himself.
"How was your day?" He asked casually.
"Horrible. Make me some caffa?"
"Get you own I am the guest here."
"I got you a present. Oh no! It's still in the laundry." Pol took a deep breath opened the door filtered through her robes for the gift and closed the door again. She took it to the refresher to clean up. Satisfied that her hands were sweet smelling again and the gift was in a similar state she threw it at Canderous.
"What's this?" He asked catching it.
Pol grinned like a lunatic. "A stress ball when you get all angry you can squish it."
The ball was pink. Ah crap now I own something pink. Canderous laughed. "You're a cruel woman." He said ruefully.
"I know. So when did you arrive…Exactly?"
"I crept in when I heard the 'fresher going."
"No one saw you did they?' Pol cringed.
"No. If you are going back to the ruins tomorrow there is something you should know."
"What's that?" Pol asked as she made caffa the old fashioned way.
"I couldn't get far in past the first old clunker, but I picked up a lot of droid activity in the area. I have a nasty feeling about this one; I don't like the idea of you going alone."
"Bastila will be there." Canderous leaned over her shoulder studying her work.
"Yeah but she's on their side. Pol you're crushing the beans all wrong,"
"Who's side are you on? And how do you crush beans wrong?"
"Your side. Let me take over, you are just making a mess." Canderous wrapped his arm about Pol protectively kissed the side of her head and finished making the caffa.
"So do I get a story tonight?" She asked as Canderous handed her a cup, "Aren't you having any?"
"No and No. Carth and Mission will be wondering where I am, if I stay too late they might come looking."
"You're right." She said breathing in her caffa. The aroma restored her humanity.
"I just wanted to…" Pol put down her caffa and embraced him. Running her hands across his broad shoulders, she rested her head to his chest. The shock of her advances caused Canderous to fall to silence Pol finished his sentence.
"Prove you could sneak in under my guard. I got you figured out."
"Yeah. Probably," he said huskily. Pol kissed him. "Definitely," He amended kissing her back, savoring the girlish feel of her lips against his, overwhelmed by her sweet flavor, and the texture of her yielding skin.
"Ca - Night." She said pushing him away gently.
"Sweet dreams." He said slipping stealthily out the door. Canderous made his way back to the Hawk incognito. His usual trick of pretending to have been in the washroom was bound to fail eventually. When he got there Carth was using it. Damn Canderous looked for another likely place to have been for the last half hour and found none. Giving up he went to the garage and de-stealthed.
"Hold it right there Mandalorian." Bastila said coolly. She had suspected him near the ruins, and had come especially from her rooms at the enclave to berate him for it.
"Hello Bastila." Canderous snarled.
"What were you doing sleazing about in stealth?"
"I was hunting kinrath."
"Liar, you were spying more like." Bastila shook with resentment and barely restrained anger.
"What? I wasn't spying. Just because you Jedi do it inside her head where no one can see doesn't make it right." Canderous crushed the stress ball in his hand and looked for a place to drop it out of sight.
"You've been to see her. Don't try to deny it. I was with her when she bought that this afternoon." Bastila indicated the stress ball in his hand.
Time to make the little Jedi run away. "You scared Jedi?" Canderous stared down at Bastila forebodingly. "You should be. Because all those lies you rammed into her head are coming unstuck. I met Revan, and masked or not, there are some things a man never forgets." Canderous poisoned his voice with sleaziness, frowning darkly at the Jedi.
"You are a fool Mandalorian. You know nothing!" Bastila spat angrily and turned on her heel.
"Your anger betrays you Jedi." So I am right. "If you try to drive me away, I'll make sure she knows everything."
"You evil bastard, you could hurt her more than you know with your misinformation." Bastila whispered hoarsely.
"No more than you hurt her with your Jedi lies. I willbe coming with you tomorrow." He called after Bastila's retreating form. That should shut her up.