This is fun, was the thought that surprised Atin as he spent time with Che. She was pretty verbose when speaking about topics she was passionate about and pretty good tour guide. She'd shown him quite a few locally known sites that surprised him a way he didn't think he'd be surprised before.

There was a amusement park that was located near a warehouse district that serviced to some lower level denizens and gave them an opportunity to have fun. She'd even taken him into the park and they'd rode some of the rides including one called Cosmic Nova Mount which was indoor roller coaster mimicking space travel which he'd found amusing. He'd then been informed that General Voolvif Monn loved the ride unironically because General Che said he was a massive dork.

She'd then taken him to a place called Eruqy that served frozen treats and had gotten some muja eiskrem for the both of them. They'd eaten that while walking to their next destination which was a small bookshop and holo-comic store called The Fantastic Lit. She'd then gotten him some iced pào pào chá tea from a cafe attached to the shop when she'd noticed he had quite enjoyed the eiskrem. He'd loved it and drank it all up while looking at the books with Che although she'd purchased some which he couldn't see the names of along with a small and practical satchel.

Now the day was winding down and they were heading back to the barracks which made him a bit sad since this day while not informative about the Mandalorian culture as he'd liked was still a load of fun to him. They were just eating at a restaurant that served a food called ftajra and it was quite good. It was a breaded food with sauces and cheese with toppings cut into slices that they were now eating while Vokara was drinking something called a Jogan smoothie.

"Thank you for taking me out Che," he said as he ate his food. It'd been difficult at first to talk to her at first but now it was much easier to do so. He liked her and liked spending time with her. This was nothing like Vau or Skirata had taught them. She'd shown him a fun and bubbly side that he never thought he would see before. And to be frank he knew that he wouldn't mind having more of it.

"It was my pleasure and we should do it again sometime," Che agreed with a happy nod wiping off some sauce that had gotten on her cheek. "I had a good time."

"So did I," Atin said.

"Here," she held out three books that she'd clearly gotten at the bookstore. "I figured that you'd like a head start for learning about the Mandalorian culture. The first one is a history written by a Mandalorian from Sundari and I've heard that it's pretty good with it's sources. The second is some galactic history sources about recent events so you can correlate with it and the third..." She pulled out from a satchel that Atin just noticed she carried. "The last one is a local travel book in case you're on planet again and none of us are available to show you something new."

"And this satchel is yours too so you can keep the books in a secure place," she held out the bag which he too gratefully.

"Thank you Che," Atin beamed at her as he looked at the books with interest before putting them into his satchel..She'd...she'd given him something. This was great, now he could at least start getting some answers. And the Mandalorian book would be a good study. "I'll take good care of these."

"They're yours," Che said her lekku twitched to one side in something he was sure was a Twi'lek sign of "Don't sweat it". "But like I said this'll help you with your search for knowledge."

"It sure will," Atin agreed although he wanted to ask...eh why not she might be receptive and from he'd seen it was better to ask and then find out instead of speculating.

"Che..."

She looked up from her smoothie.

"Can I get a history on the...Jedi? It seems that I've got quite a few misconceptions about them."

"Sure," Che said easily. "I can loan you one of the basic history and philosophy books. Padawans check them out all the time so we've got plenty just in case someone needs it and takes it mission."

"Can I ask a general question?"

"Sure."

"I've heard from my trainer and others that think like him that Jedi steal kids..."

"That's not true," Che said sharply in way that startled him. She took breath and continued speaking a calmer voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. No we don't 'steal' children rather we ask the parents and give them a waiting period until they can make an informed final decision. We've never taken any child whose parents have expressively forbidden it. In fact we've had an entire world called Bardotta tell us no and we've honored it for generations...a hundred years if I'm correct although I'd have to look it up to be sure the exact duration."

"Huh," Atin said leaning back into his chair. So they don't do that as well as it not rule...Should've known he was full of it.

"Your trainer taught you that much?"

"Yes he taught us that but now it seems like it was misinformation," Atin said with apologetic smile. "I'm sorry if I caused you distress Che."

"It's...I'm sorry it's a real big sore point for me and I'm thinking for many Jedi. It's an old bit of misinformation that continually circulates about despite our best efforts to dispel it," Che said slight exasperated.

"I can imagine," Atin said sympathetically. "I mean I've not been around long but I know how annoying it can be when misinformation persists in spite of everyone's efforts."

"No kidding," Che sighed as she began sipping from her milkshake. "Again I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's okay Che," Atin assured her. "I don't mind."

"Well after we're done eating we'll go to the Temple and get you that book...Can I ask you something?"

"Yes Che?"

"Do...according to your trainer do Mandalorians take children into battle at the age of eight?" Che asked seemingly bracing herself for the worst.

"According to them yes," Atin admitted.

"They do realize that's going to cause psychological harm to that child?"

"Too big of a word, they wouldn't have clue what it means," Atin said without thinking. He stopped and stared at Che as he realized that for second he kind of sounded like Fi for second.

"Atin?" Che said worriedly as he tried to calm himself down. "Are you okay?"

"I...I will be," Atin said finally getting his heart and breathing under control. "Sorry Che its just that...it's what Fi would've quipped with."

"It's okay to have that," Che assured him. "There's times I think Kaim would've commented with something but he doesn't. Believe me, I get it."

Atin began to relax under Che's voice and assurances and soon his tears vanished. He discreetly wiped while Che tactfully didn't comment. He looked at her and smiled at her. He was so glad that Vau was dead wrong about the Jetiise and to be honest he couldn't wait to find out more.

The entire trip to the Temple was completely different to how she's left it. When Vokara had left she was a slight bundle of nervousness but now she was filled with cautious optimism but a small sense of guilt. Atin really seemed to be accepting of her friendship and clearly liked spending time with her which suited her just fine. While she did want to educate him out of the pernicious cycle of misinformation that wasn't her goal. No, she liked having Atin for a friend. But...Vokara needed to be honest with him on that intention. It wouldn't bode well if she didn't tell him the truth.

"Atin," she said. "I've got a confession to make."

"Che?"

"I've had slight ulterior motive to this outing. You see Jaeger told us about your instructors views and well I wanted you to be informed."

"For what reason?"

"So you can decide for yourself whether you like us on our merits and the truth. I just don't want you to only know of through propaganda. I came to you in a time of grief with the intent of helping and then..."

"So that was sincere?"

"Yes," Vokara said earnestly. That part was without an ulterior motive aside from helping someone she saw mourning for their brother.

"I.. I get why you'd do that," Atin said slowly. "I mean it's a bit bad but compared to what I've gotten in the past it's not that bad."

"Still not a good foundation for a friendship. Some would say I'm indoctrinating you."

"What for comforting me when I was depressed?" Atin raised an eyebrow. "I think that's a decent start. And you're not indoctrinating me. You giving me materials so I make my own choice."

Vokara allowed herself to relax. "So you don't hold it against me?"

"No, I don't and your honesty goes a long way to make it better for the slight," Atin assured her. "Thanks for being sincere about that."

"Well the others feel the same about your worldview and do think of you as a friend. It was Jaeger's warning that made us think you'd think less of us."

"So you were trying to prove him wrong because you sincerely wanted to be friends with me?"

"Essentially."

"I forgive the slight omission of the truth then," Atin said clearly easily.

"Thank you," Vokara bowed her head. "I promise to work on being more open with you and trusting your views."

Atin nodded his thanks and the remaining walk was much more at ease and relaxed as a result. When they reached the Jedi Temple Atin stopped stared with awe and wonder.

"Like what you see?" Vokara asked with a smile. "There's more inside waiting for you to see and yes you are allowed in so long as I stay with you. It's routine for all visitors."

"Ah, yes Che," Atin said as he ran to catch up with her. They walked up the long flight of stairs to the entrance were and clearly Atin could see the Temple Guard at their posts. Atin raised an eyebrow at them and looked to her in a clear question. Vokara nodded and walked forward looking at the guard in particular. The guard noticing that Atin was following Vokara nodded as they stepped aside.

"Those are Temple guards who protect us from outward threats should they come here," she told him once they'd left the entrance and made their way in the main area.

"Seems a bit odd since you live on Coruscant," Atin said still try to catch a glance at the guards again. "I mean I'd get it if this was a outpost planet but here..."

"Well we like to be safe then sorry," Vokara said. "Feel fortunate that Fubuzi aren't used...Or alive but then again I wonder sometimes."

"Fubuzi?"

"Ancient Jedi Guardian hounds. I mean we had a charhound that was a member of the Order so a hound guarding Jedi Temples aren't too much of a stretch."

"A charhound?" Atin looked real interested now. "Truly? I've only heard about them in passing."

"We did, her name was Ember. It was during the era of the High Republic. The golden age of exploration and of peace...Well before the Nihil came that is."

"Oh I've heard of them," Atin said almost...Excitedly? Yes he sounded excited about them. "I've looked up their strategies in passing and some of them were completely wild."

"Glad to see you've got a passion for history," Vokara smiled at him making him blush out of embarrassment. "Don't worry that'll be fed here."

Atin nodded and fell silent as he gaze in wonder around the Temple. The hallway they were walking in had quite a few murals of various events from the inception of the Jedi to some of the highlights of the High Republic. She could see Torban Buck, her idol, standing tall and proud along with the greats of the time. Vokara hoped that she'd be just as skill in saving lives as he was. After the Buckets of Blood moniker according to him was how he kept blood in the body so it could heal. She hoped to do that as well.

I shall, war or not. I'm going to do my best.

Etain wasn't sure about her new Master. She'd been assigned to him after Qiilura and unlike Master Fulier she was very open and kind to her. Also in addition to that she was instructed in the doctrines of the Jedi more so then Fulier. She'd been assigned to her fairly recently which probably didn't help but she never seemed at all interested in having an apprentice. Her new Master, Sha Koon a Kel Dar female, was always happy and willing to help and answer any questions she had. She felt like for the first time that she could talk to someone. Even more so then Darman whose interactions she had were sparse.

"What do think of this Padawan?" She leaned over to her making her jump. That was another thing that caught her off guard. He asked her opinion and didn't disregard it or talk down to her.

"I'm sorry Master," she bowed her head embarrassed at being caught off guard.

"There is no need to apologize for being ignorant. But I do wonder what is occupying your thoughts so," She leaned back crossing her arms. "So what troubles you Padawan?"

"Master..." She paused before pressing forward. "Why are we using the clones?"

"We are not," Master Koon said in a firm and decisive way that usually was accompanied with a rather fiery speech from Master Fulier. With Master Koon there was just a quiet surety that was more of comforting. "The Republic called on us and we answered. We no more use them but the situation is indeed far from ideal. We can't do much since we don't have influence in legislation. What we can do is ensure that they live and treat them as the sentient beings that they are. It is far for a satisfactory answer but it is the reality that we live with. We either sit out this war and let others suffer or fight so we can ease the suffering of others."

"Ah yes Master."

"There's no need to bow down to me," Master Koon waved off her deference. "You are allowed to have an opinion and you can debate with me your thoughts and feelings. They are valid and they do matter. Do not be afraid to voice them."

And that right there was the biggest difference. Etain mattered. Not as some hypothetical experiment but as a person. This was a big deal with her. She after confiding about the almost about the...incident on Qiilura. It would be wonderful to get that off of her chest.

"Master, there's something I need to tell you. It's something that happened on Qiilura..."