Since then, Koplan felt more lonely than before. « It's him ! », « Did you hear what Master Kenobi said ? », « Maybe he's a Sith too... », « I always known that something was off with him ».
Even worst, today he was summon by the Jedi Concil and that's mean something bad. Did he do something wrong ? Or did the Masters heard the rumors that he was relate to the Sith ? Maybe it was time for him to quit the Temple for the Agricorp ?
Reaching the end of the corridor, Koplan saw two people left the room. He recognized Master Kenobi, his blond-ginger hair and his blue eyes, but he notice a small change : his padawan bread was missing. Alongside was a small boy, maybe 9 years old, not more. He was bouncing on his feet while asking a tone of question to the visibly annoyed Kenobi. Does that mean that this boy was now his Padawan ? It certainly look like it. But Master Kenobi was so young, Knighted only a few days ago ! Strange thing also, he has never seen this boy in the Temple. Yes, he didn't talk to everyone but he sure know all the face of the yongling and padawan ! And his, wasn't one of them. Could he be...?
Too late to think, he already has reach the doors. He stood rigid before it, anxious.
When he opened the two large door, he was surprise to see Master Hoebe in the center of the room. They obliviously stop their conversation at the sight of the little Zabrak, all of the Council with their gaze on him. He swallowed hard, nervous. Did Master Hoebe told them about his problem ? She smiled at him and just like that, all his worries were erase for a second. After a deep breath, he step right to Master Hoebe, waiting for the Council to speak.
« Yongling Koplan, to see you, please I am. » spoke Master Yoda. Koplan bow his head in respect.
« Know why we called you, do you ? »
« N-no Master. If I did something wrong-... »
Master yoda chuckled, interrupting his though by rising his hand.
« Uhuh. Nothing wrong, you did. Master Hoebe here, you are ready, she thinks. »
He could help the blush on his cheeks. Him ? Ready ? He was everything but ready ! He was still to emotional, his combat skill were far to messy and he didn't even finish his history class !
« To take you as her Padawan, she wish. Agree we are. »
For a second, he forgot how to breath.
« I... Thank you Master ! » he said with big eyes.
« It settle then, you may left, Padawan Koplan. Master Hoebe.» Master Windu said with a bow of his head.
A gentle hand reach the zabrak shoulder and with a respecful blow, they both left the room.
Master Hoebe leaded him to her quarter. No word were say between the two of them. Finally realizing what had just happen, Koplan let his mind speak.
« Master I-... Thank you. »
She crouch in front of him, some wrinkles at her nose rising with the bright smile.
« No need to thanks me young one. I choose you because I think you have the potential to become a great Jedi Knight. And what you told me the other day... only confirm my though. »
« I won't disappoint you Master. » he said firmly.
Watching his face lit up with determination, she couldn't suppress the urge to cup his cheek in her hand. For a while now, she felt attracted by the little zabrak. She didn't know why but it's like the Force itself push her toward Koplan. She never had a Padawan before, she always though that it was a waste of time and that she'll do better alone. Was she scared ? Of course ! Master Yoda seem to think that she was ready to teach an apprentice while she still saw herself as a apprentice ! Maybe it was the similarity between them... This look on his face when he watch other yongling together, like she watch civilians, friends, laughing in the street of Coruscant. Or the way his head go down if someone caught him smile... She saw herself in him.
« I know you won't. »
She felt something stir around her mind. She wake up in the middle of the night, her eyes sleepy. Fighting a yawn, she heard a cry coming from the other room. Quickly she got herself up and run to the sound.
« Koplan ?! Are you alright ?! »
She turn on the light and what she saw shattered her heart in pieces. She saw him curl up around himself, his back turn to her, his pillow on the floor and the sheet twist at the end of the bed. The little zabrak was holding the mattress like his life was in danger.
« I-... don't.. NO ! »
He was crying in pain, his eyes shut. She approach him rapidly, posing her hand on his head.
« Koplan... Koplan wake up. Wake up. »
He sat abruptly on the bed, his eyes opened wide as he struggle to breath. She help him standing, her hand on his back, letting him recover for a minute.
« It's okay, you were having a nightmare. » she say matter-of-factually, rubbing his back to comfort him.
The last thing she expect for him, was that he threw himself in a tight hug with her. His hands were behind her neck and she quickly respond by pressing his head against her shoulder.
« Hey hey, it's okay. Shh... It's okay, you're safe. » She was speaking her voice low, almost motherly.
He finally broke the embrace, a little blush on his face. He wipe his tears, looking more than a lost little boy than anytime in his life.
« I'm sorry... » he whisper, rising his kneel and hold it against his chest.
« Do you want to talk about it ? »
She sat in front of him on the bed, trying to calm him by her voice and presence. He shook his head in refusal.
« I'm so... weak, I'm sorry... » he mumble. « Not even a day as Padawan a-and I-... I am already crying like a b-baby... »
What could she say to that ?
« You know... Crying is human, well for you, zabrak also. That doesn't mean you're weak or inferior. Every-one cry, that not something to be ashamed of. »
« Jedi don't cry. » was his simple response.
« Yes they do, they're just better at hiding it. And soon enough, you'll learn to hide it too. »
She never have been so... so sensitive ! What was wrong with her ?! A week ago she would just tell him to put himself together and go to sleep. Whereas, right now, she never felt more compassionate for a living being in her entire life. She could feel his fear without totally comprehend it. And worse - or best - was the tingle in the back of her head that push her to act like that. And she felt good doing it, yes, knowing that she was appeasing his mind just by her presence felt good.
« We will talk about that tomorrow, okay ? »
He nod, his eyes following a void in front of him. She was starting to leave when a grip on her sleeve stop her.
« Please can... Can you stay ? »
He avoid her gaze, sniffing. Another part of her lit up this night, a part that she didn't knew she had. She caught herself agreeing and lie down on the other side of the bed. Koplan soon fall asleep and begun stir. Her first reaction was to block him in her arms, pressing his back to her chest like a mother would do for her son...
Wait. What ? What was she thinking ? As soon as she realized what she just though, she let go of him, maintaining space between them. Fortunately, Koplan didn't move.
A mother and her son, really ? She is a Jedi Knight, proud wielder of the Force ! How could she let herself be resume as a simple thing as a mother ? Jedi doesn't have attachment. And she didn't even know her padawan apart from some yongling session ! No, no, no. Whatever happened with her emotions, this need to be fixed. Maybe it is the stress... Yes, surely. First the sight of a war coming in and now a new padawan, that a lot to take in.
She turn her back on him, taking a deep breath before letting her eyes shut. She will figure this out tomorrow.