Hello there!
Sorry It's been a while ahaha...In terms of excuses I have no excuses (unless you count writers block.)
Enjoy this chapter! :D Because lots of things are going to go down in the next chapter muhaha...
Anakin awoke with a start, panting heavily as he jolted upright. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his panicked gaze flitting left and right, glancing nervously as the effects of the nightmare confined him.
Calm down , he forced through the chaos that was his thoughts.
"Anakin?" The hushed call tugged the Padawan from his muddled thoughts as he blinked back the lingerings of the recurring nightmare away.
"Padmé?" His bleary vision could scarcely make out the shadowy figure huddled over his bed.
"You were screaming again." The worry was evident within the Senator's voice, tinging within an unmeasured sadness as her hand rested upon the icy metal of the prosthetic.
"Do you want me to call the doctor?"
"I'm alright." He brushed off the concern, ignoring the fragility of the forced sentence as the waves of pain crashed upon him.
Wincing, his arm screeched in protest, the sudden agony tainting his vision stark white with each minimal movement. A harsh groan escaped his lips, despite the sheer will to smother it.
Would he ever get used to the fiery pain, his raw nerves sending him into jolting agony from a single pathetic movement?
Trying desperately to regain his composure, his eyes fluttered shut; reaching outwards to the Force in desperation.
He couldn't feel Cal's life force…
A sudden hysterical panic descended upon Anakin, his eyes flying open as the remnants of his nightmare continued to mock him.
Cal's emerald eyes slumping closed, his friend's final breath hanging within the air.
No…
"Where's Cal?" He asked, ignoring the shooting pain as he twisted to glance at Padmé.
His head pounded rhythmically, encapsulating his senses in a muffled bleary discomfort to which he instantly shoved aside at the encapsulating silence.
The unmistakable quiet, the senator's head bowed- innately destroyed his crumbling resolve.
No…
"Where is he, Padmé?" Anakin shifted, blankets rustling as he bolted upwards. The terrifying moment of alarm descended upon him, mingling with a heightened panic.
He couldn't feel the Jedi's presence.
It was gone.
"Ani…" Padmé bit her lip, trailing off hesitantly. She was reluctant to tell him the honest truth, more so worried about his reaction than anything.
She knew that she wouldn't be able to keep the truth from him, especially since his heightened panic seemed to spiral from the nightmare.
"Cal was arrested, he's to be questioned by the council this afternoon."
What…?
A sudden silence reverberated louder, deafening as her words dawned upon him. The sheer confusion was tugged back as a fiery protective emotion curled over him. Gripping its talons into him, so much so that the surge of yearning to protect his friend was unable to be stifled.
Anakin flung the bedsheet off, gritted teeth in the hopes to smother the trembling, weakened state he found himself faced with; he stood.
Barely upright.
"Ani, stop." Padmé urged, hands steading the stumbling figure, his body quivering under her warm fingers with the sheer effort to tear aside the pain and ignore the panic on the Senator's voice.
"You need to rest Ani, please ."
"I'm not leaving him, Padmé." Anakin huffed out, clutching tightly and shrugging on his cloak.
"I'm not going to rest while he's in danger. He's my friend."
But it was more than that..
Cal had saved him, now more than he could count. The fragments of the screams continued on repeat within his mind as the lightning coursed through him.
Lightning that was meant to be for Anakin's reckless actions.
He needed to see him, to be able to quench the desperate guilt that weighed heavy upon his mind.
Anakin had to be there for Cal.
The Senator sighed softly, coming to acknowledge the deep determination edged within the Padawan's tone.
He would go with or without her help and at that point, it would be extremely likely he would end up hurting himself worse.
"Fine, but you have to promise to take it slow."
The curt nod that was offered didn't ease her bundled cloud of worry, but she relented. Gently, Padmé guided his uninjured arm around her tense shoulders, helping him slowly out of the medical room and into the bright, glaring hallways.
The sudden flaring pain halted him in his tracks, eyes widened in horror at the unimaginable torture that emitted from the suddenly dimmed, yet familiar presence in the Force.
Cal…The overwhelming distress his friend was in was horrifying, so much so that he could sense the Jedi's scattered thoughts.
Imploding.
And it's silent as Cal falls, the watery inky blackness providing no solace as he drifted down into the depths of pain.
Down down down.
Did he ever really belong anywhere?
The burden he was given was extreme .
Beyond extreme to the point where everyone -every single person in the universe unknowingly depended upon him to succeed.
Cal wanted to belong somewhere. He wanted a family again.
"-ni?" The call tugged him back to the present, the tangling's of Cal's emotions had him blinking back tears.
Anakin had to convince him, had to grip him tightly and shake him roughly till Cal understood.
That he did belong.
In the short time that Anakin knew him, Cal somehow became his brother.
And without another thought, he untangled himself from Padmé and stormed through the corridors, his own scorching, burning pain cast to the side.
He sprinted down the blurring corridors, allowing the Force to guide him through the deep maze of hallways.
.
.
.
The icy tendrils of the cell seeped through Cal's thin jacket and into the hollow weight of his bones.
It was cold .
Frozen.
Twisting and writhing like a snake. Cal was trapped, struggling to fight.
He was so tired of this…he had been fighting his entire life for friends and family alike.
And yet, he seemed to still be viewed as an outcast.
It didn't matter what he wanted, he tried to convince himself. The frozen loneliness snarled, arguing immensely at the thought.
Cal's muscles continued to ache, sending sudden spasms of pain reverberating throughout his fragile state as the lightning continued to seize him; seeming to cackle violently at his desperation to fight off the soundless whimpers.
The Jedi knew how severe lightning attacks were, after the sudden shooting pain from Bogano and Cal knew for certain that if he didn't get medical attention-the spiraling torture of lightning would simply continue.
His body would sputter in protest; weakened with fatigue, the attacks ebbing away at his strength.
He may die.
Dark crimson caked upon his forehead and by the intense pounding; the gripping rhythmic throbbing echoing through his head , it seemed he had some sort of head wound too.
Within the lingering darkness, the damp cold depths of the cell; Cal, tired and devoid of hope, allowed his deep green eyes to slide shut.
He had lost track of how long he had been shoved within the prison; Perhaps it had been simply minutes, perhaps days.
He was tired. A weary anguish that touched his very soul, an emotion that ran beyond his sleep patterns. He had tried everything to escape, but it seemed like the cell embedded the unknown depths of a power; cutting him off entirely from the warm soothing's of the Force.
It felt so wrong. Unable to outstretch into the depths of the Force to reassure himself.
It unnerved him.
He was alone , a feeling he hadn't experienced since he was a child. No comforting presence, no warm reminder that he wasn't alone.
Nothing.
Cal had cast aside the Force after then , but it was still there; always looming, just within his grasp.
His musings were cut off as the cell door squeaked open, Cal shifted; stilling as the unfamiliar Jedi gestured for him to follow.
To his questioning.
To his possible demise.
.
.
.
Anakin scampered through the seemingly never ending hallways, his blurred vision resulted in a heightened difficulty in his desperation to find the council hall.
His vision suddenly blackened as he stared at the closed doors, trying to calm the drooping adrenaline as panic devoured his every thought; his electric blue eyes focused entirely on the double doors, he spurred himself forwards.
Suddenly, just as he was about to shove the doors open, a well-known figure surged from the shadows; gripping him in a tight embrace.
"Anakin."
"Let me go." The plain irritation floated within the hallways as he fought against his master; twisting in the hopes to shove the unwavering trappings of Obi-Wan.
" Let me go. Cal…"
"Anakin, you're going to hurt yourself. Stop, Cal is fine." Obi-Wan barked, faltering at the glaring defiance crashing within the Padawan's gaze.
"He's in pain, Master. I can feel it."
"Anakin, look at me. " Obi-Wan pulled the Padawan out of the embrace so he could see the serious gaze the Jedi-Master held.
His eyebrows pinched downwards as an array of poorly hidden emotions swirled in his sky-blue eyes had Anakin faltering, pausing.
"You can feel it too." It wasn't a question and yet, the grim nod of acknowledgement weighed heavier than any spoken words.
"Listen to me, Anakin. Cal is strong and we both know the two of you combined have enough sarcasm to drive the council insane-"
Anakin deflated, allowing the soft snort of amusement to bubble from his throat; the two of them had driven Obi-Wan insane with just a few jokes.
"But." Obi-Wan continued, undeterred. "You can't make rash decisions. Breathe , take it slow my Padawan."
The sudden panic drifted, floating away as if on a strong breeze, his expression lowering as his shoulders sagged; allowing the abyss of light within the Force to steer the fears away.
"I'm worried." Anakin confessed, his eyes holding a somber note of despair.
I am too Anakin. Obi-Wan yearned to say, but at the moment he knew that his apprentice needed comfort.
"He's Cal, Anakin. He'll be alright."
.
.
.
Cal groaned, unable to shift his head at all, shutting his eyes once more to block out the piercing light.
The pounding in his head made it difficult to breathe let alone comprehend the harsh myriad of accusations and questions hurtled at him. Struggling to remain upright as he forced away the outstretched prodding's of his mental barriers.
"What is your plan? Who do you work for?" Mace ordered, eyes narrowing in suspicion at the spreading silence.
Cal blinked the sweat from his emerald, pained eyes as Mace glared into him; unable to control the raking spasm of pain as the phantom lightning hurtled through him.
"I am a Jedi." Cal repeated for the umpteenth time, the words sounding slurred as he blinked back the rising fatigue.
Eyes stared at the foreign male, piercing and unconvinced; adamant that the man was lying, spinning twisted lies from nothing.
"If you continue to lie then we will be forced to take drastic measures." Mace warned, leaning forwards to study the barely conscious figure in front of him.
"I am a Jedi." Cal replied as firmly as his trembling tone allowed, unable to hide the pained grimace as his orange hair limply obscured his eyes.
"If you are indeed a Jedi then why do you hide your thoughts? Your memories." Another council member added, the murmurs of agreements echoing through the chamber.
Was the world spinning?
"I...can't tell you." He stumbled, barely able to catch himself from plummeting to the hardened floor.
"Interesting, so the spy has indeed run out of lies." Mace snarled, scoffing at the feeble, frayed lies the so-called Jedi offered.
"Please, you must believe me."
"At this point Cal Kestis , you have only confirmed our suspicions."
.
.
.
Jaro Tapal spared a side-glance at his young apprentice; the younger Cal Kestis blinked sluggishly back at his master-struggling to remain awake as his Master landed the ship with ease.
It seemed that the brief meeting upon Alderaan had exhausted the young boy out.
"Apprentice." He let his voice remain soft, gently arising the young ginger from his groggy slumber.
"Yes Master?" Cal answered, trying to stifle a yawn behind his hand.
Jaro Tapal let a fond smile spread upon his face, shaking his head at the boy's antics.
"We have arrived, it's best you get some rest."
The Padawan's eyebrows furrowed, his head tilting in contemplation.
"What about you?"
"I will be there soon. I need to finish unpacking and report to the council about the meeting first."
Cal nodded, the words seemingly unregistering if the sleepy expression was anything to go by and bidding goodbye, with another poorly hidden yawn-his apprentice trudged off of the ship and towards home.
There was something that unsettled him, a deep shifting urgency pulling taunt within the Force and without another thought; Jaro Tapal relaxed into the Light, allowing himself to sink into the depths in the hopes to mediate.
The sudden shooting pain echoed through the Force, yanking at his concentration and into the depths of his mind.
The pain was so severe, so unimaginable. Vivid to the point that even now, the lasting effects remained.
Jaro pressed further into the Force, yearning to discover more information.
Cal.
His former apprentice was in agony.
Jaro Tapal was out of his seat before his mind could understand the implications within the Force. Rushing forwards out of the ship and into the temple.
He could feel the frenzied panic. The sheer horrifying depths of the sufferings spreading through the Force.
The Master spurred himself faster still.
.
.
.
Anakin blinked up at the unexpected footsteps pounding down the hallway; his expression morphing into confusion as Master Tapal strode towards them, a stern look crashing any protest Obi-Wan held, with a single shooting look.
"Master Tapal?" Obi-Wan's respectful call was dutifully ignored as Jaro Tapal breezed past the Jedi-Master, heading directly for the closed doors.
"I apologise, Master Tapal. But there is a questioning in progress. You cannot enter."
Anakin watched bemused at the quiet, smouldering stare Obi-Wan was subject to, regarding the Jedi-Master with an unamused glare.
"Tell me Master Kenobi, why does the council believe it wise to question a hurt individual?"
Anakin's head shot up, a piercing alarm thrumming in his veins as he stared, accusingly at his Master.
Obi-Wan had failed to mention that…
"Cal's hurt? Don't tell me he hasn't been treated for the lightning?"
" Lightning ?" Jaro Tapal's voice dropped, an emotion the Master and apprentice couldn't seem to place into words as it encircled around him, akin to a snake and its prey.
Obi-Wan shifted under the discerning, unwavering stare; averting his eyes away, unable to meet the Master's eyes.
"I'm afraid that I was unable to convince the council to give him medical help."
"Hm." Jaro Tapal didn't seem to be convinced, the doubt creasing his eyebrows as he turned to the door and in one unpredictable movement he shoved the doors open and strode into the hall.
.
.
.
"Master Tapal! I must ask you to leave, we are in the process of an investigation."
Brushing off the warnings, Jaro's concern bloomed at the presence of his former apprentice.
Cal…
The Jedi was barely standing, finding it extremely hard to stay awake, his breaths shallowing.
To continue to blink back the encroaching, blanketing darkness was becoming more strenuous as another chorus of agony streamed through him; to the point where Cal had to sink his teeth into his cheek from crying aloud.
A choked groan spilling from his lips as his quivering body failed, tumbling Cal to the ground, trying to shove the overwhelming pain that consumed him.
Except Jaro Tapal lunged forwards, gripping tightly onto his apprentice, he gently lowered him to the floor.
" Jaro Tapal ." Mace repeated, a hard no-nonsense edge hardening within his tone. Rising from his seat, only to halt at the raised hand from Master Yoda.
"Cal?" Tapal ensured his voice was gentle, unable to smooth the concern as hazy eyes flitted towards him, the glimmer of recognition dawning within the emerald green.
" Master ?" Cal breathed, the rough shakiness reflected with a simple doubt-as if he believed there was no possible way that his Master was actually there.
"Come on, let's get you out of here."
Strong arms supported Cal as he stumbled, gingerly helping the Jedi to his feet and guiding him away from the greedy eyes and uncertain gazes of the council.
"You can't." Mace objected.
Obi-Wan stepped forwards from the hallway, determination simmering with protective worry.
"All due respect, Master Windu. Cal is in no state to answer anymore questions."
"Master Tapal." Yoda's voice halted him in his tracks.
"Know this man do you?"
"I know his master." Jaro replied vaguely, unwilling to converse anymore; especially with his apprentice in danger .
"Now if you excuse me, he needs medical help."
The door slammed behind them, flooding the council in an embarrassed, conflicted silence.
"Master Obi-Wan, do you know why I refused a place on the council?" Jaro Tapal questioned as they strode through the hallways, a dark sense of urgency bleeding into the flickering presence from Cal.
Anakin's shock crossed his face just as immediate as it left.
Jaro Tapal was offered a place on the council? And he refused?
Why?
"Because of this exact reason." Jaro answered, as if he heard Anakin's ponderings tugging within the Force.
"The council cannot think beyond suspicion and war ."
Obi-Wan wished to retort; to defend the actions of the council and yet, he resigned; allowing a twisting sigh instead.
Jaro Tapal was correct, albeit it hurt to admit; he was right.
Cal had not received any medical treatment and was not in the right state of mind to be questioned.
And yet, they had done so with no hesitation.
.
.
.
The doctor flipped through her unintelligible notes, sheer disbelief at what the chart provided her with.
"He's lucky, if you had been any later he may have suffered from a cardiac arrest. Lightning attacks continue to burn and shock even days afterwards."
"What about his head injury?" Anakin rushed out, clenching and unclenching his prosthetic hand as if adjusting to the numbing sensation.
She strode to his bed, checking his vital signs, adding more unintelligible scribbles onto his chart, she turned, her check-up complete.
"He has a concussion, but that will hopefully lessen with the medication he is on."
Jaro Tapal nodded, within that single moment, Anakin was forever grateful, forever thankful that Jaro Tapal did what he couldn't muster up the courage to attempt to do; to ignore his Master and do what was right.
"Alright. Thank you."
"I wish to inform you, the Jedi council has requested a DNA sample." The doctor replied grimly, not pleased by the position the council had forced upon her.
Jaro Tapal's stiffened, unable to hide the way his jaw clenched.
" However… I will not break the medical code. I will wait for Master Kestis to awaken to ask for his permission."
"Thank you doctor. I appreciate that." The truth hummed in the Force at the simple statement as she nodded, before leaving.
.
.
.
"Master Tapal, I don't understand…"
"The council doesn't trust Cal, Anakin." Tapal confessed to the younger man. The surge of rebelliousness within Skywalker reminded him of his young apprentice; so much so a ghost of a smile pulled at his lips.
"They believe he is a spy."
" Why ?" Anakin demanded, pacing back and forth when the helpless unfairness of it all, twisting within his stomach in nausea.
"If he's anything like he was when he was younger, then I suspect he somehow got in trouble for helping someone." Jaro Tapal admitted, noting how his apprentice hadn't changed a bit from the curious, reckless gaze of his young apprentice now; and yet, at the same time; the tormented, emotional scars sadly admitted that he had indeed experiences horrors beyond what he could fathom.
"You knew him?" Anakin's curiosity widened as he turned to the Master.
"I did." Jaro Tapal admitted. "He was the brightest apprentice I knew."
Anakin shifted, allowing himself to sink into an uncomfortable seat.
"He told me his master died."
A fleeting conflicted expression pinched at Jaro Tapal's face at the sudden confession.
"I was not close to his master, yet I knew of them."
The lie fell from his lips with ease; his anguished eyes glancing down at the restless form of his apprentice as he slept.
What happened to you Cal?
.
.
"Ani.." The choked, whimpering gasp was torn as Cal awakened; the agony swimming within his hazy eyes.
"Don't talk, you need to stay still. Rest ." Anakin urged, letting his uninjured hand rest upon his feverish shoulder, the scolding heat from his shoulder alone alarmed the Padawan.
"My lightsaber…" Cal slurred, his hand itching for the familiar weight of his weapon.
"Where?"
"It was lost." Obi-Wan admitted, regretting the words as soon as they spilled from his lips.
" No… " Cal whimpered. "That was the last reminder I had of my family."
And his eyes drooped shut, back into the depths of unconsciousness.
.
.
"What happened?" Jaro Tapal demanded, turning to Obi-Wan; his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I want to know everything that happened."
And so, Obi-Wan retold everything.
From Kamino to Geonosis.
Jaro Tapal's emotionless expression was extremely unsettling and Obi-Wan was not afraid to admit that the darkening, thunderous expression when he admitted to threatening Cal shoved an icy chill through his bones.
At his Master's admission to threatening his friend, Anakin simply twisted away and left the room.
"Anakin, where are you going?" Obi-Wan scrambled after his apprentice; the blatant guilt eased the chaos within Anakin's mind; albeit briefly.
"Master, there is a possibility that Cal's lightsaber is still on Geonosis so I'm going to retrieve it." Anakin's voice was devoid of emotions, distant.
"You cannot be serious."
"I'm perfectly serious. He is my friend and that lightsaber is the most important thing to him."
An exasperated look framed Obi-Wan's face as it trailed to the serious look upon his apprentice's face.
An expression that seemed to scream just try and stop me.
"Alright, but I'm coming with you. Blast knows why, the lightsaber is more likely not going to be there."
.
.
.
"What happened Cal? Why did you come back?" He murmured through the Force as Cal blinked awake from the grips of unconsciousness.
"You knew?" Cal blinked, an unguarded shock plastered upon his face as Tapal let a wry smile on his lips, the amusement ringing at the slackened, agape look of suprise.
"Of course I did. You didn't think I would recognise my own lightsaber hilt? Or your Force signature? What I can't understand is why you came back?"
"I…can't tell you. But I promise I'm not a spy." The ginger admitted hastily, unwilling to take the chance that his Master would even consider him a traitor.
"Of course you aren't." Jaro Tapal snorted, shaking his head at the dismissing the ridiculous idea instantly.
"You are too loud and impulsive to be a spy."
"...I don't know if I should feel offended or not." Cal quipped, a silent laugh trembled his shoulders.
"Cal, whatever your task is, you are not alone. You cannot keep holding these burdens to yourself." Jaro Tapal advised, allowing a surge of warmth to echo through their bond.
"I'm tired of it all." Cal answered honestly, thankful for his Master.
"I am just so tired of everything."
"You aren't alone, Cal. Never alone."
.
.
.
"How…how did you get this?"
"Easy." Anakin grinned, holding back the truth that it certainly had not been easy.
" We went back to Geonosis and…"
The Padawan's explanation was cut off as Cal launched himself at the other, embracing Anakin into a warm hug, the tears pricking his eyes in sheer relief that he had it back.
Cere, Greez, BD-1, Merrin.
His family-his journeys began and ended with his lightsaber.
It was the only possession he had to remember them by, to remind himself of how far he had come.
"Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this lightsaber means to me."
"It's alright." Anakin responded awkwardly, letting his hand rest on the other's back as Cal's hitched sobs muffled through the air.
"How about when you feel better, we have a duel? I really want to see you dual wield."
"You're on."
The weary ache within Cal, the exhaustion and loneliness was suddenly kept at bay with an unmistakable warmth.
.
.
.
"Are you ready to get beaten?" Anakin snarked.
"I should be asking that to you."
Joyous laughter echoed through the corridors just as they strode into the training arena.
Only to halt at the sight of lightsabers clashing.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Cal zeroed in upon the apprentice and Master; his heart stuttering in realisation, the truth chilling his blood as he stood unable to tear his gaze away from them.
Rooting him into place.
Cere..
Trilla.
Suddenly noticing that the two had company they turned towards the two.
"Sorry, we did not realise that the arena was already in use."
"It's alright, we were about finished anyways." Cere advised and Cal bit his inner cheek. It hurt, it hurt… beyond any tumbling words to hear her voice.
To see the two of them alive.
"Avenge us." Trilla's words flung from her lips as the crimson lightsaber hacked into her.
Breathe. He reminded himself, reprimanding himself. Breathe.
"Skywalker isn't it? You're Obi Wan's apprentice?" Cere asked, her thumb ghosting against the switch; deactivating the bright, forest green lightsaber.
The green reminded him of Kashyyyk, the snarling animals hurtling themselves at him; sweat sticking to his ginger hair as the pressing heat of the atmosphere drained his strength.
Anakin nodded.
"Anakin Skywalker."
Cere smiled, her eyes crinkling in mirth, in a warmth. There was no loss, no haunted suffering evident within her eyes as she choked through the admission that the Second Sister was her apprentice.
The scars of a war that didn't yet exist were not present; didn't linger as they once did upon everyone.
"I'm Cere, this my apprentice Trilla." The younger girl glanced up, waving at the two companions with a soft smile.
"And you are...?" She prompted, tilting her head to scrutinise the still frozen silence of Cal.
A member of her family beyond this time; beyond this universe.
"Cal. Kestis." He nodded in greeting, forcing the spiraling emotions down, to remain indifferent despite the crushing, overwhelming feelings.
Joy, sadness, melancholy…
"Oh I know you, Jaro Tapal's apprentice?"
The hasty denial instantly shot forwards, soft ginger ringlets bouncing as he vehemently shook his head.
"No no. That's another Cal. I've been told we look similar"
"Oh, well it's nice to meet you two, but we must be going."
And just as suddenly as they were there, they were gone.
"Cal are you alright?"
"Hm?" Cal was brought back to his senses as Anakin's concern pulled him from the depths; reverberating in their strong bond.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Trilla was alive , Cere was here .
A renewed fight settled within him, blazing brighter than it had before.
He would save them.
"Alright, ready to go down?" Anakin grinned, igniting the azure blue lightsaber with the press of the switch.
"I should be asking you that." Cal teased; the bright yellow clashing against blue in a haze of swift moves.
.
.
.
Cal suddenly felt the prickling sensation of someone watching them; hairs standing on the back of his neck and a seemingly innocent glance at the doorway erupted a horrid nausea, dread sinking its talons into his heart; clutching tightly as Cal's eyes widened in horror.
This was…
"Chancellor." Anakin greeted, lowering his lightsaber quizzically.
"Is there something you need?"
It was him .
"No no. I apologise for interrupting." The Chancellor's voice was the epiphany of a calm before the storm. And yet, his eyes never strayed, boring into Cal as if judging the Jedi's very soul.
Dutifully, Cal wondered how much trouble he would be in if he killed him right now; Would that be enough to stop the war?
"Who is your friend Anakin?"
"Chancellor Palpatine, meet Cal Kestis. A Jedi Knight."
"A pleasure, Jedi." The smooth voice was devoid of all emotions, so much so that Cal had to reign in his own fragmented cacophony within his mind.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
"Likewise chancellor." Cal gritted out, a thin smile twisting more so like a grimace.
:DD
Thank you so much for reading my fic! :))