The starfighter landed lightly, Tayno and Benzi greeted by Obi-Wan and Mace Windu. "We were beginning to worry about you, Tayno." Obi-Wan laughed, patting Benzi's master on the back. Tayno chuckled also, running his hand through his graying beard.
"And I see you manage to bring your Padawan back in one piece." Windu noted, glancing at Benzi.
"The boy is more capable than you think, Master Windu. He will surely be a great Jedi Knight." Tayno smiled, Benxi grinning back. He was overjoyed with the praise from Master Esoor, it was one of the greatest things he could ever receive. Since he had left his parents on Alderaan, Tayno had been practically the closest thing to a father for the past three years. They had so many countless memories, and it saddened Benzi to think that in two years, they would be off, separated on missions. But being a Jedi Knight, Benzi couldn't possibly dream of a better thing.
"What was it like, Benzi?" A young Nautolan initiate asked excitedly, As Benzi settled himself inside the room full of the younglings. The rest of the children crowded around him. They all enjoyed Benzi's stories when he returned. He was one of the only Padawans that would take time out of his schedule to speak with them. Benzi smiled, taking a seat on the floor. The children rushed to form a circle around him, knowing the routine.
"Well, it was very beautiful there. There was a huge palace, and trees and waterfalls everywhere. But it was very hot there. I sweat practically the whole time I was there." One of the boys stuck out his tongue, disgusted to even imagine it.
"What about the people? What were they like?" Another girl questioned. Benzi nodded, recalling his encounters with the natives.
"They were all very nice people. They welcomed Master Esoor and I like family. It was really a nice place to be."
"Did you see any Siths?" The girl pressed further with her questions.
Benzi shook his head, smiling slightly. "No, of course not. We just cut a couple rotten droids into scrap metal, that's all. And you would not believe the sound they-" Benzi stopped short, noticing a head poking in through the door.
It was Haveera, a fellow Padawan. She blushed, embarrassed by the sudden interruption of the story. "I'm sorry, Benzi, but the Jedi Council has sent me to come fetch you." She stated shyly, her grey eyes staring at her feet. Her reddish-brown hair was brushed to the side, her small braid on the opposite side of her head.
Benzi nodded, and turned back to the children, "Alright. I'm sorry, I'll try and continue the story later." They all let out a groan, and waved eagerly at him as he left the room.
"Do you know what they needed?" Benzi asked, trying to catch up to Haveera's quick pace.
"I'm not sure. I had just gotten back with Master Fisto when they requested your presence." Haveera answered quickly, as if she wanted to halt the conversation as much as possible.
Benzi and Haveera talked occasionally, but they weren't very close. He was a year older than her, so she wasn't as experienced, but she definitely had some amazing skill with a lightsaber. She could easily put up a good fight with Benzi, and sometimes he wanted to test it out, just to see who would win. She was a rather shy girl, and back when they were both initiates, Benzi had a small crush on her. But now that he was a Padawan, and had sworn he would not grow attachment, he had disconnected himself from her, which ended up working. She was still a pretty girl, but he admired her more because of her skill, not her body. Haveera was a Hapan, a nearly-human species with extreme beauty, but failure to see in the dark at all. But, Haveera could use the Force to sense her surroundings, making her very rare for her species. One of the Jedi Knights managed to stumble across her and brought her in.
They eventually reached the Jedi Council area, both Padawans bowing to the Masters currently seated. "Thank you, Haveera. You are dismissed." Kit Fisto stated, giving her a respectful nod. Haveera gave him a silent nod back, and quietly stepped outside the room.
Benzi gulped, his face turning slightly pale. "Did-did I do something wrong, Masters?"
Yoda let out a little croak, "At all, you are not."
Mace Windu cleared his throat, and explained calmly, "We just wanted to inform you that Master Esoor is going on a mission into the Outer Rim tomorrow morning."
"Oh okay, I should probably go pack a few things t-"
"Alone. Master Esoor must make this mission alone. There is believed whereabouts of Count Dooku and possibly a new Sith we aren't yet aware of. It is dangerous, which is why he must leave you here."
"Leave me? But Master Windu, I'm perfectly capable!"
"The council has decided and that is the final decision. You can stay here and help with the initiates for the time being."
"But how long will this be?"
"It can range from a few days to a few weeks. Only time can tell, Padawan." Windu finished. Benzi bit back his frustration, and forced himself to bow to the Council.
"Thank you for your time, Masters." With that, Benzi turned his back to them, headed outside the room. When he exited the room, he was greeted by Haveera.
"Are you going to become a Jedi Knight?" She said excitedly. Benzi shook his head dismally, keeping his eyes focused on the floor.
"Master Esoor is going on a mission and the Council has requested I stay here."
Haveera cocked her head, then shrugged, "It's probably for the better. The Council knows what is right, so they know that you are safest here. Master Esoor is experienced, he can handle himself."
"If you say so." Benzi sighed, and he walked toward the staircase so he could get a ride to his apartment complex. For his sixteenth birthday, he had gotten his own apartment so he wouldn't have to stay with the other Padawans. Haveera stood behind him for a couple seconds, and decided to go inside the Council room to speak to Kit Fisto instead of following Benzi.
"This is ridiculous." Benzi growled as soon as he got into his apartment. Throwing his lightsaber on his bed, he slammed a chair on the ground. "I'm almost a Jedi Knight, and I can't make a stupid trip to the Outer Rim?" He had never been so frustrated before. He had gone on plenty of missions with Master Esoor before, and he had even had a minor skirmish with a Sith before. Why was this time different?
It was even more insulting that his job would be to tend to younglings. Sure, he loved them and he enjoyed telling stories of his adventures, but when he wasn't going on adventures, there was nothing to tell them. He wasn't sure if he could stand being with them for such a long time either. They were a rowdy bunch this year and had yet to learn some discipline and restraint. Deciding to sleep on it, Benzi cautiously moved his lightsaber to his nightstand, and managed to sleep, despite his anger and the beeping of the city.
The next morning, Benzi flew out to where Master Esoor was departing. Master Esoor was clipping his lightsaber to his belt when he looked up to see Benzi running to him. Benzi crushed him in an embrace, Master Esoor faltering back a bit. "You must be safe, Master." Benzi mumbled, looking sadly up. Tayno smiled, patting the boy's black hair and gently running his small braid between his fingers.
"I will be fine, Benzi. You are a strong boy, soon to be a man. I am sure you will survive this."
"I know, Master, but-"
"Yes, you are worth more than a supervisor to younglings. I know of this very well. But this is where they need you right now. You must learn to accept, not to argue, Benzi. Do you understand?"
"Yes Master. I understand very well."
"Good. I will see you as soon as I return."
"May the Force be with you, Master Esoor."
"And with you, my Padawan." With that, Master Esoor boarded his starfighter, followed by RE-56, his astromech droid. The hatch slowly closed, and Benzi gave a final wave, before heading inside the Jedi Temple.
Hope you guys liked this chapter! Don't forget to review to tell me what you think, what you like, what you don't like, all that jazz. Until next time, stay awesome, Gotham. -April