...
Lukas only had a few seconds to wipe the record of who he had called from the system. Silently he thanked Bao-Dur for teaching him how to do such things. Many of his skills were severely lacking when he returned to the Republic. Part of it was due to being out of practice. The other part was because of how much things changed.
Now things were easier for him to get into as the security was lax. Mentally he made a note to upgrade the security systems himself. If it was too lax people would die. The distinctive smell of the rotting enclave was set in his mind. Even knowing that it was no longer set in stone he couldn't forget it.
There was a swish of the doors opening drawing him out of his reverie. Oops, he had taken too long to let them in. Someone must have rushed to get to a Council member. All he could do was send his prayers to the Force that it wasn't Vrook.
Relief flooded his veins when it wasn't Vrook who walked in. Then it turned to horror when he realized it was Kavar. Kavar who eyed him over silently for a moment then glanced at the communications. Then he shut the door with a wave of his hand. Lukas heard it lock a second later. It took him a moment to realize Kavar wasn't wearing his usual robes. Instead, he was wearing a plain white tunic and brown pants. On the front of his tunic was a grey-blue Riverstone. He hadn't been wearing that in any of his memories. In fact, he couldn't remember Kavar ever wearing any jewelry.
Kavar folded his arms across his chest and gave Lukas a look. If he was still mentally the padawan he was supposed to be Lukas would have run. Now he simply returned the look coldly. If the master thought he could quell him into obedience he had another thing coming. There were things to prepare for the upcoming war.
Kavar's eyes narrowed as he said, "You were calling someone. Who?"
Lukas shifted his stance but didn't reply. He couldn't tell the master he called one of the foremost Admirals in the Republic. That would cause the man to wonder why.
A light brushing across his Presence caused Lukas to start. What? Then he realized it was the master. As a padawan, he wouldn't be able to sense any of his thoughts. It provided a calming effect on the padawan. His own presence as torn and broken as it was also reached out.
To Kavar's credit, he didn't even flinch when they brushed and tried to meld. A bond tried to form between them. As soon as he realized that Lukas tried to pull his presence back. Tried and failed.
Snap. And the bond that had been trying to form snapped into place. There were times when his ability to form Force Bonds came in handy. This was not one of those times. Cautiously he nudged the bond trying to determine what kind it was. Master-Padawan bond. Because of course, that was what it had to be.
Rejecting the bond wouldn't do him any good. Not with them both in the Temple. Being around Kavar would simply reform it without their Presence trying to meld. Sometimes he hated his ability to form bonds so easily.
When he looked at Kavar he was reminded of the Kath hound after a successful hunt. Why would he seem so happy to be bound to Lukas? Wasn't he too busy with his duties to take a padawan?
Kavar's left hand went into his pocket and pulled out another stone. This one is a dark blue Riverstone. It was beautiful and unlike anything he had ever seen before. Unconsciously he stepped forward and then stopped himself.
Kavar said quietly, "Since you have been avoiding me I decided to meditate on a question I've had. It's something I've been considering for a long time."
Lukas asked his mouth suddenly dry, "What question? What do you mean Kavar?"
The man took several steps towards him with the stone still held out to him. He could feel Force swirling around it. A Ford Sensitive stone? Weren't they extremely rare? Then he noted that the one Kavar was wearing also had a strong feeling in it. A tradition passed from Master to a student then. Did that mean what he thought it did?
Once he was only a few steps from him he stopped. He said, "Know I have thought about this for a long time. Will you be my Padawan?"
Lukas's jaw dropped open and his eyes went wide with surprise. He swallowed trying to get moisture in his mouth. There had to be a mistake. He couldn't have asked what Lukas thought he did.
Around them, the Force sang of sincerity. There was no mistaking it. Not only did he hear right but Kavar meant what he said. He wanted to take Lukas as his padawan.
"Why?" He questioned uncertainty.
Kavar blinked and said gently, "It was something I considered before. I thought I was too busy with my duties. That you would find someone else to complete your training. Now that I see you again though I realize you won't. You still need someone in your corner. A master who will treat you as the Senior Padawan that you are. Freedom but with rules that you can follow. A friend as needed. I can't take Shioon's place but I can be what you need."
There was hesitation in every bit of his tense muscles. Kavar noticed and understanding flashed in them. He pushed the stone into his hand.
"Don't make the decision now," continued Kavar, "Consider for a time. Whether you choose to take my offer or not take the stone. It is a Lothal River Stone. And like others on its surface, it is Force Sensitive. This is for you."
Kavar pressed the stone into his hand. Lukas tried to refuse but the man shook his head. Instead, he turned around and left the communications room. Lukas was left feeling confused.
