Qui-Gon spent the next several days getting True settled, learning her likes and dislikes, and getting to know one another better. He explained that the way she was forced to survive on her planet was not acceptable behavior for a Padawan so there was to be no stealing, fighting or breaking into places. Everything she needed he would provide, within reason of course, and food would always be available.
The force was strong within her so he expected establishing their bonding to be easy but the connection they had was tenuous at best. He could feel her holding back but was not sure why and had so far been unable to get her to talk about it. She had been cooped up inside since she arrived and he decided perhaps getting out of the Temple for a bit would help her open up.
True looked around in awe at the large buildings and busy streets of Coruscant. She'd never seen anything like it and was so nervous that she held Qui-Gon's large hand with both of her so she would not be swept away with the crowd. She was relieved when they entered a building with a sign that said Dex's. She didn't know what the place was but it sure smelled good!
Qui-Gon led her to an odd shaped table that had attached seats and gestured for her to sit down. Once seated he placed a big data tablet on the table in front of her. Confused, she looked up at him. "What is this place?"
Surprised by the question, it took Qui-Gon a moment to realize True would have never been in a place like this. Her clan was poor and existed on stolen rations and anything they could grow themselves. Even if they had credits, he mused to himself, they would not have been welcome there. "This is an eating establishment. You choose what you would like to eat from the data pad and it will be brought to you once it's ready."
True looked at the large list of selections. "This is all food?" She asked in amazement.
Qui-Gon smiled. "Yes."
"I don't even know what any of this is."
"Then I will order for us both and if you do not like it you can try something else." He ordered two Ronto wraps and Gnostra Berry juice for True and tea for himself.
A droid brought the drinks and placed True's in front of her. True stared at the pink liquid for a moment and after an encouraging nod from Qui-Gon, took a sip. Flavor burst on her tongue as the sweet liquid filled her mouth. "It's good!" She started to gulp more down but Qui-Gon reached over, took it from her and placed it back on the table.
"Slow down. It's not going anywhere."
When the food came True poked at the green stuff but decided Qui-Gon was right about the juice so he had to be right about this. She had no idea how to eat it so she imitated her Master's movements and took a big bite. "Dis is delciss!" She said around a mouthful of food.
"Manners Padawan." He took a sip of tea. "Swallow before speaking please."
True did as asked. "This is delicious!" She said again and took another bite. Once she finished she sat back and noticed her new Master staring at her with a look she was learning meant he wanted to talk about something.
"Now that our hunger is sated I would like you to answer a question that I do not think you will want to answer but I expect you to answer anyway. Understood?"
"Yes Master." The words felt weird on her tongue but she knew that was the expected reply.
"Why are you not allowing our training bond to form completely? I can feel you pushing back and shielding but I am not sure why. Are you afraid?"
True dropped her gaze to the table and picked at a stray piece of slaw that fell off of her wrap. "Yes."
"Why?" When she didn't answer he took her hands in his. "You can tell me. There is nothing to fear."
True's eyes were filled with tears when she looked up at him. "I could kill you."
"Why do you think that?"
"When Kieran was killed all I could think of was going after the men who did it. We caught one of them and I tried to open a link into his mind to get the names of the others. He screamed and the more I tried the louder he screamed and then blood was coming out of his eyes and ears." She looked back at the table. "Then he died."
"True, that person was not a Jedi and you had no training. We have worked through the process together and have been successful so far that I do not think you need to worry. However should something unexpected happen I have very strong shields. You will not hurt me."
A few tears rolled down her cheek. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." He could still see her hesitation and reached over to gently wipe the tears away. "I promise I will be fine. We will try again when we get back to the temple."
"What's this? Qui-Gon Jinn has finally taken on a Padawan?" Dex exclaimed as he came over to the table, one of his hands behind him.
"Yes I have. Dex this is True, True this is Dex."
"Making your new Padawan cry already? I have just the thing to cheer her up!"
He brought his hand from behind his back and with a flourish placed a dish in front of True. "A Tibanna Split all for you. On the house."
True looked at the concoction and touched the dish. "It's cold!"
"It is a special treat that I am sure you will like. Give it a try." Qui-Gon said and handed her a spoon.
She scooped some into her mouth and almost spit it out because it was so cold. Before she could do so it started to melt and the taste of the ice cream and toppings flowed over her taste buds. She looked at Qui-Gon with wide eyes. "This is amazing. I've never tasted anything like it!" She quickly scooped more into her mouth.
"I will leave you to it then."
"Thank you for your hospitality Dex."
True scraped the last bit of ice cream into her mouth and Qui-Gon had to quickly take the dish from her when she stuck her face into it to lick up every last drop. He dropped some credits on the table and picked up a napkin. "You have it everywhere." He laughed as he cleaned her up. "Come, we must return to the Temple."
"But we will come back here right?" True asked, worried that she would not get to experience that delicious concoction again.
"Provided you behave I could be persuaded to bring you here as a special treat."
"I will Master!" She fairly skipped beside him as they walked back to the Temple.
Qui-Gon watched her not so Jedi like actions but did not want to squash her excitement of the excursion into Coruscant. It was the first time he'd seen her act like a child and hoped to see more of it though he'd prefer it in a less public setting, they were Jedi after all. Taking a Padawan was turning out to be easier than he thought it would be.
