3 / Life on Tanalorr
Tanalorr was a beautiful, peaceful place. The purple planet had provided sanctuary, safety and security to its inhabitants for going on seven years now. Life on this paradisiacal world was nothing short of idyllic... most of the time. But like anywhere in the Galaxy, Tanalorr packed more than its fair share of surprises.
Cal and Merrin were spending their early morning together, as they often did, remaining wilfully and blissfully unaware of the chaos the day was about to bring. Not a day went by that the Jedi wasn't grateful to be waking up next to the woman he loved. Grateful that she was still by his side, still wanted him, still believed in him and the life they had built together. Their mission, their legacy and the legacy of those they had lost. Their shared hardships and joys, and the passage of time, had only made their bond stronger.
*bang bang bang!*
"Cal? Merrin?" Teelo's voice called from the other side of their door.
"Get lost, Teelo." Cal muttered under his breath.
"I know you're in there, I can hear you. We've got a bit of a situation."
Cal reluctantly broke away from Merrin's lips.
"Can it wait?" He called back.
"You think I'd be interrupting if it could?"
Cal heaved a very frustrated sigh and Merrin looked at him pointedly.
"Do not open that door, Cal Kestis." She warned.
"I'm sorry, I have to."
Merrin huffed and flopped down on the bed next to him, her head hitting the pillow loudly. Cal got up and quickly threw on a shirt and pants before opening the door. Teelo was standing on the other side looking apologetic.
"This better be an emergency, Teelo." Cal said threateningly.
"You could say that," They began. "Prospectors were checking out those caves in the Southern Expanse early this morning. They found the dolovite deposits, but apparently they also disturbed the locals."
"What sort of locals are we talkin'?"
"The sort with scary teeth and claws."
"Is anyone hurt?" Cal's tone changed to concern.
"Tole and Bidlak won't be working the mines anytime soon, but it's nothing they won't recover from. Whatever it is, they said it's very big and very angry, so this is kind of an all-hands-on-deck situation."
"Ok, go and find Kata, we'll meet you at the South Gate."
"Got it."
Cal walked across the room to find his gear and Teelo loitered in the doorway for a moment. They saw Merrin still lying in the bed looking rather annoyed.
"Hey, Merrin." They greeted with a grin.
Merrin made an obscene gesture in their direction and they laughed.
"Kata, Teelo." Cal reminded from the other side of the room.
"Yeah, I'm goin'."
Teelo took off jogging and the door closed. Merrin pulled herself up with another exasperated sigh and began to dress.
"Never a dull moment." She muttered.
"What, you don't want to kill a giant monster with scary teeth and claws?" Cal asked, tossing Merrin's vest in her direction, which she caught.
"Of course I do, just perhaps in ten minutes rather than right now."
"Only ten minutes?" Cal asked teasingly.
"Well..."
Cal chuckled and walked over to her, leaning his hands on the mattress either side of her. He kissed her fervently and she pouted when he pulled away, leaving her wanting.
"Later," He assured. "Duty calls."
He walked away again, retrieving his jacket from the back of the sofa.
"You know, I think I am in the mood to kill something after all." Merrin decided.
"That's the spirit," Cal encouraged. "Bring that energy to the fight."
"You seem enthused." She observed.
"It's been a while since we got to fight something big and nasty."
"Besides the Empire?" She joked.
"Ha! Have you seen my belt?"
Merrin retrieved his belt from the floor next to her and tossed it towards him. They finished gearing up hastily and just as Cal was about to head out the door, Merrin stopped him.
"Hold on, Jedi. Don't forget your luck."
She handed him a small blue stone with a little monster face carved into it and a looped piece of leather attached – the Mookie charm Kata had made for him a few years ago. It usually lived on his belt and he never went anywhere without it, just in case the Birrenese voodoo was real and his luck were to turn bad as a result. Merrin had one as well; a red one Kata had made into a gold bangle for her that she wore on her left wrist.
"Oh, thanks, Kata would kill me if I lost it." He said, strapping it back onto his belt.
"Most likely." Merrin agreed.
The two of them rushed out the door and made their way down to the South Gate where Kata and Teelo were waiting for them with BD-1 perched on Kata's shoulder.
"What took you guys so long?" Kata asked.
"bweeooo!"
"Almost left the house without my luck." Cal joked.
"Don't want to invoke the wrath of Mookie!" Kata jabbed back.
"We certainly do not." Merrin agreed.
"Alright, let's get this show on the road," Teelo interrupted. "We've got a beast to kill."
"bwoo-boo-bwoow!"
"That's the spirit, BD!" Kata enthused.
Spirits were decidedly less high, however, once the five of them reached the caves and came face to face with one very large and definitely pissed off creature. It was bigger than they were expecting, larger than a rancor and its features were more comparable to a nydak. It certainly had scary teeth and claws and they looked deadly. There were large tusks protruding from its mouth and its pale, rubbery skin was also scaly in places. They had never seen anything like it before.
Three lightsabers ignited in turn and Merrin summoned her spear. The creature stopped several feet from the five of them and roared, a deafening sound.
"Ok, it's big." Cal observed.
"And angry." Kata added.
"Nothing we can't handle though, right team?" Teelo asked.
"bwee-bttrrtt-bap!"
Four heads whipped towards what BD had alerted them to: another not quite as large, but certainly as angry beast suddenly emerged from the cave. Kata shot Teelo a look and saw them cringing.
"You just had to open your mouth!" She berated.
"Ok, focus up!" Cal ordered. "BD, stick with Kata!"
"pttrrtt!"
"You two, take the smaller one, Merrin and I've got this one!"
"You got it, boss!" Teelo acknowledged.
"Draw them away from each other, stay light on your feet, and whatever you do, do not let those claws get you!"
Cal jumped and flipped out of the way then as the larger beast swiped its claws directly at him.
"Oh, we are gonna get eaten." Kata muttered.
"Kata, I'll distract it, see if you can find a weak spot!" Teelo instructed.
"Roger, roger!"
The smaller of the two beasts charged at her and she barely managed to roll out of the way in time. She drew her blaster and fired a charged shot right at the beast's face. That only seemed to make it angrier as it began to run and swipe in her direction, tearing up the ground as it went. Teelo used the Force to break a chunk out of the nearby rock face and hurtled it at the beast's back. It struck it, breaking apart on impact and stopping the creature in its tracks.
"Its hide is thickest at the back!" They called out.
"So where do we hit it?!" Kata called back.
"Go for the joints! We've got to try and sever its arms and take those claws out of the equation!"
Kata didn't know how exactly they were going to do that, but she had to look for an opening. The beast turned its attention to Teelo, having just thrown a boulder at it.
"bwoo-doo-dwoop!"
"Ok, I'll give it a try! Ready?" She asked the droid.
"bwa-bap!"
Kata sprinted towards the creature and used the Force to propel herself up, running up its back onto its shoulders. She brought her saber down into the back of its head, but didn't manage to get very far through its hide. The beast roared, either in pain, anger, or both.
"Kata, look out!" Teelo's voice called.
Their warning came in just enough time for Kata to see the beast's enormous hand about to grab at her. In a split-second decision, she stuck her saber into the creature's shoulder, where she could see the hide was less tough and swung herself down, dangling from the hilt, just getting out of the way in time. She flicked the switch on her saber and it turned off, dropping herself a bit too far to the ground. She landed awkwardly and rolled, definitely feeling as though she'd hurt herself. She backed off and made sure she could still stand.
"Kata?!" Teelo's worried voice barely sounded over the roaring.
"I'm good," She shouted back. "The hide is weak at its shoulders!"
"Alright, on my signal, hold it down and I'll go for the arms!"
"Got it!"
"Brrweeow?"
"Yeah, toss me one."
Kata snapped her fingers and BD-1 ejected a stim, which she caught and injected into her right leg. She hadn't felt any pain, but she knew that was because of the adrenaline. She straightened up and stowed her saber, knowing it would take all of her focus to hold this enormous beast down. She saw Teelo square off with the beast as it roared angrily at them. They stared it down, unflinching, preparing to strike.
"Now, Kata!" They called.
Kata used her Magick to grip the creature's arms and legs and hold them in place. The exertion was immense, but she knew she only had to hold it for a few seconds. She saw a white saber blade cut through the beast's right shoulder from underneath, severing that arm, then Teelo's form leaping into the air and flipping over to go back down through the left shoulder. They landed much less awkwardly than she had and ran up to her as she released her grip on the creature, panting from the effort.
"Well done," They praised. "Now we just have to kill it."
Kata watched the now armless creature as it roared and writhed. It would recover soon, and there were still its teeth and tusks to contend with.
"How do we kill it if we can't get through its hide?" Kata asked.
"We go in through the mouth." Teelo said matter-of-factly.
"You're not serious?" Kata demanded.
"It's the only way. We get it to open its mouth and we stab right into its brain."
"That should be easy and not dangerous at all!" Kata said sarcastically.
The beast stopped writhing and turned towards them, roaring furiously, its mouth wide open. Kata had a sudden idea and drew her blaster, aiming her laser sight right into its gaping jaws. Teelo saw what she was doing and drew their own blaster, following her lead. Just as it began to sprint for them, they both charged shots and fired, shooting straight into its mouth. Kata saw its eyes roll back into its head and the giant beast dropped to the ground almost instantly, just feet from where they stood. Kata twirled her blaster around her finger and holstered it triumphantly.
"Nice shot." Teelo complimented.
"You, too." Kata returned.
"wooo!"
"Did you know that was gonna work?"
"Nope."
"Huh."
Both of their heads lifted towards Cal and Merrin, who seemed to still be struggling with the larger, decidedly angrier beast.
"We should probably give them a hand." Teelo suggested.
Kata waved a hand dismissively.
"Nah, they've got it covered."
Teelo chuckled and tapped the back of their hand to Kata's arm.
"Come on," They said, starting to make their way towards them. "Let's go show your old folks how it's done!"
"boo-bweep!"
The two of them jogged towards their companions, igniting their sabers as they drew close. Kata watched Merrin throw her spear at the creature's back, but its tough hide deflected the blow easily. The Nightsister used the Force to pull her weapon back to her hand.
"Merrin!" Kata called as they approached.
Merrin turned her attention to them.
"Done already?"
"We thought you could use the help." Teelo responded.
"Its hide is too thick to pierce." Merrin stated.
"It's vulnerable at the shoulders and inside its mouth," Kata informed her. "We have to destroy its brain from the inside."
"Wonderful." Merrin remarked.
"I could use some help over here!" Cal called, barely dodging a swipe from the beast's claws.
"I got it." Teelo hurried off to assist the Jedi.
Merrin turned to Kata.
"While they distract it, I will hold it down."
"Which leaves me to kill it," Kata observed. "Awesome."
"Try not to die." Merrin teased.
"bweeoow!"
"No promises."
Just as the two women were about to make their move, the giant creature suddenly stopped, something having distracted it. Kata's gaze was drawn towards the corpse of the other creature they had just felled.
"Oh, not good..." She muttered, sensing what was coming.
The great beast roared with grief and rage at seeing its dead mate, the deafening sound forcing all four of them to cover their ears. Before any of them had time to react, the giant beast swung viciously to its left, knocking both Cal and Teelo back into the cliff face behind them. Kata was about to call out to them when Merrin's voice got her attention.
"Watch out, Kata!"
The Padawan looked up and instinctively rolled to her right just in time to avoid the beast's wildly swinging arms. She crouched low and stole a worried glance at the two Jedi still on the ground. The blow against the rock would've knocked the wind out of them for sure.
"Are you alright?!" Kata called to them.
She saw Teelo give a very unconvincing thumbs-up from their face-down position and Cal start to scramble to his knees, wheezing and clutching his abdomen. She hoped they weren't hurt, but there was no time to worry about them, as the beast was now rampaging with murderous intent. It was all Kata and Merrin could do to stay out of its way as it swung its claws with reckless abandon, tearing up the ground around them.
"Kata, get its attention!" Merrin instructed before teleporting away.
Kata had never been more irritated that she still couldn't do that than right at that moment. She wasn't sure what her Nightsister mentor was up to, but she trusted her.
"Hey, ugly!" She shouted up at the beast.
That seemed to stop it in its tracks for a moment and it turned towards her, almost looking confused.
"Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, you oversized son of a rancor! Come and get me!"
"brrrrt!"
BD-1 climbed up onto her shoulder and stamped his foot, joining her in taunting the beast. The creature growled and raised its arms above its head, definitely looking like it was intending on smashing them both to pieces.
"Any time, Merrin!" Kata shouted.
"wee-woo-wrrp!"
"Now, Kata!" Merrin's voice came from somewhere and nowhere all at once.
Right on cue, green tendrils enveloped the creature and its arms were wrenched to its sides. It struggled against them, roaring violently, and a circular portal glowing with green light appeared in front of Kata.
"You ready, BD?"
"bweoow!"
The Padawan deactivated her saber and dashed forwards, diving head-first into the portal. Her body suddenly felt weightless as she was carried on the current of Magick, flying through the air around the enormous creature, so close that she could've reached out and touched it. She made a full circle around the beast before she squared on and headed directly for its giant head. Its mouth opened wide and her eyes narrowed, laser-focused on her target. She was thrown out the other side of the current, igniting her saber once more as she thrust it directly into its giant, black mouth. Its angry roar turned to horrible gurgling sounds as her weapon pierced straight into its brain. She felt the heat of its final breath as its jaw went slack.
She grabbed hold of one of its giant tusks and sheathed her saber, stealing a quick look towards the ground and immediately wishing she hadn't. A fall from this height would mean broken bones, for sure, so she clung on for dear life as the creature began to fall backwards. She managed to pull herself up and perch on its tusk as it levelled out, and before it could hit the ground and send her flying, she jumped.
Her landing was entirely ungraceful as her side impacted the ground and she rolled a few times. She groaned in pain and started to push herself up onto her hands and knees. BD-1, having been thrown from her back at the impact, waddled up to her looking none the worse for wear.
"boo-bweep?"
Merrin suddenly appeared next to her from wherever she had been.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
Merrin and BD-1 helped Kata to her feet. She stood slowly, assessing the damage, but she seemed to be all in one piece. She dusted herself off and finally looked up to admire her handiwork. The great beast lay unmoving before her, eyes rolled back in its head and jaw hanging in an unnatural position. She exhaled in relief that it was finally done.
"Well done, Kata," Merrin praised. "That was quite the foe."
"Yeah, I'm not in a hurry to do that again."
Kata looked around for her saber and spied it some thirty feet away, reached out and pulled the object to her hand before returning it to her belt. She heard coughing to her left and looked over to see Cal helping Teelo up. The two women jogged towards them, Kata limping a bit on her right side.
"You guys ok?" She asked.
"boo-woo?"
"We're fine," Teelo assured her, managing a smile. "More wounded pride than anything."
"You three alright?" Cal asked.
"bwoow."
"Still breathing." Kata replied.
"Though we cannot say the same for him." Merrin gestured to the giant carcass behind her.
All of them turned their attention towards the creature on the ground.
"Never seen anything like those before," Teelo stated. "Like a rancor and a nydak had a hideous mutated child."
"They're tough, that's for sure." Cal agreed.
"But now we know how to kill them." Kata pointed out.
"Right, but we should still make sure the prospectors stay out of these caves for now," Cal instructed. "Just until we secure them."
"Agreed," Merrin nodded. "We do not want anyone else getting hurt."
"Good job taking 'em both down, Kata." Teelo praised.
The Padawan shrugged nonchalantly.
"It was a team effort."
"boo-woo-woop!"
"Still, you landed the killing blows," Cal pointed out. "Which means you get to name 'em."
"Hmm..."
Kata thought for a moment, looking between the enormous felled creatures.
"I think I'll call them... Malatusks." She decided.
"Malatusks?" Teelo questioned.
"Yeah, 'cos they're malicious and they have huge tusks, I guess? I dunno, you put me on the spot."
"Alright, Malatusk it is." Cal agreed.
"This one's obviously the Bull," Kata gestured to the larger dead one in front of them. "Since it's bigger and meaner and yells too much."
"Ha!" Merrin exclaimed from the other side of the Bull Malatusk.
"What're you trying to say?" Cal questioned accusingly.
"I'm not saying anything." Kata feigned ignorance.
"prrt prrt prrt!"
The group conversed easily on their trek back up the mountainside, all of them feeling a collective high after their successful hunt. No sooner had they passed through the South Gate and returned to Haven than were they ambushed by an Anchorite who had obviously been awaiting their arrival.
"Nightsister Merrin," They addressed her. "I apologise for bombarding you as soon as you return."
"What's wrong?" She inquired.
"Nells began her labours while you were away, but I'm afraid we are having some difficulties for which we could use your skills."
"Of course." She agreed quickly.
"Need any help?" Cal asked her.
"I can manage," She refused. "Besides, don't you two have a Council meeting to get to?"
Teelo held up their left arm and pushed a button on the device on their wrist, their eyes widening when they saw the time.
"Oof, yeah she's right, we gotta go."
"Alright, good luck." Cal wished her.
Merrin leaned forward to kiss him quickly, then motioned for the Anchorite to lead the way. Cal turned to Kata as Teelo started off towards the temple.
"Kata, can you stay close in case she needs any help?"
"Yeah, sure. We'll just hang out here."
"boo-weep."
"Don't get into any trouble, you two."
"Pfffft!"
"prrtrrt!"
Cal jogged off to catch up with Teelo and Kata and BD-1 were left alone. They hung around in the square helping a few people going about their day, moving crates of vegetables for a farmer, helping the farrier tie his lean-to back down that had come loose in the wind. After a while, Kata spied a lone Youngling by the edge of the cliffs, kneeling near a bed of the wildflowers that grew all over Tanalorr. Kata recognised her long yellow hair in two braids and approached her.
"Hey Niuna."
The Youngling seemed startled and whipped around, then smiled widely when she saw who it was.
"Oh, hi Kata!"
"What're you doing?" Kata inquired, kneeling down in the white grass next to her.
"bwoow?" BD-1 climbed down to observe what the little girl was doing.
"I'm picking flowers for my Papa!" Niuna explained cheerily.
"That's nice," Kata smiled. "Are these your favourites?"
She gestured to the handful of Angel's Lace the girl had gathered in her little hands.
"Uh huh," She nodded emphatically. "They're so pretty."
Niuna studied the blooms, her blue eyes wide with wonder and awe. They had multiple white blooms clustered together on a singular white stalk, hence the name Angel's Lace. Kata had never been particularly interested in flowers, but she could appreciate their beauty.
"Here," Niuna held one up to the Padawan. "You can have one, too!"
"Thank you, that's very kind, Niuna." Kata praised her.
The Youngling smiled widely, then she giggled as BD-1 scanned the flower Kata now held and petted the droid on his head.
"woo-woo!"
All three of their heads turned when they heard Niuna's father Jeshan calling for her from his stall. Kata turned towards him and waved, which he returned.
"Oop! I gotta go!"
"Wait, don't forget your flowers!" Kata reminded her, as she'd almost run off without them.
"Oop!" The little girl rushed back and grabbed them, then rushed off again. "Thank you, Master Padawan!"
Kata giggled at the title. She watched as Niuna ran up to her father and handed him her little bouquet, which he took with a grateful smile and hugged her. Kata watched their interaction with a sense of melancholy, remembering a time when her own father had smiled at her like that. The memories grew more distant every year.
"She loves you, you know."
A familiar voice interrupted Kata's reprieve and she turned and smiled at the blonde Padawan approaching.
"All the little ones seem to." Jynna continued her praise.
Kata shrugged nonchalantly, standing.
"I guess they just look up to me."
"You'll make a good parent someday."
Kata's eyes shifted uncomfortably.
"I don't think that's in the cards for me." She said with an awkward laugh.
"What makes you say that?" Jynna asked.
Kata looked at Jynna, noticing her grey eyes searching her face. The weather had been beautiful so far that day, and Jynna must've been trying to get as much sun on her skin as possible with her pale blue sleeveless shirt. Her long, straight hair was tied back and the wispy strands danced in the light breeze, the afternoon sun shining its golden light between them. Kata thought she looked as perfect as the weather itself. She remembered herself and looked away, realising she'd been staring a bit too long.
"Uh, y'know, I've never been much of a flower girl," Kata dodged her question, holding the bloom out to her. "Here, for you."
Jynna smiled and took the flower from her, then reached up to nestle it into the section of Kata's thick curls that were gathered and tied back. Kata desperately hoped she wouldn't notice the flush colouring her cheeks.
"You should be," She stated. "It suits you. You can be pretty and edgy, you know."
Kata couldn't help the grin that pulled at her lips.
"Oh, so you think I'm edgy?" She teased, trying to hide the fact that her heart had just skipped a beat.
"Well, if edgy's not what you're going for, then I'm sorry to tell you you've widely missed the mark, Akuna." Jynna teased back.
Kata chuckled, feeling incredibly pleased at her compliment.
"I was going for edgy, but sensitive." She shrugged one shoulder in an exaggerated way.
"Edgy but aloof, more like." Jynna ribbed.
Kata feigned offense, gesturing to herself and Jynna laughed. Kata thought her laugh was so melodic, she loved hearing it and she loved being able to make her laugh.
"Kata!"
Merrin's voice calling to her from across the square grounded her back in reality. Her head turned swiftly between Merrin and Jynna as the Nightsister approached them. Kata hoped she wouldn't notice the flower or the giddy look on her face, but knew she'd probably already noticed both.
"Hey, how's Nells doing?" She asked.
"The Jedi is recovering well," Merrin explained. "Run to the Council and tell them that she has given birth to a healthy son."
"On it." Kata nodded.
"bwoo-woo!"
"I'll go with you," Jynna offered. "Wouldn't want you to get lost again!"
"That happened one time," Kata protested. "And it was dark and the lamps were out, I couldn't see a thing!"
Merrin chuckled at the two Padawans as they hurried off towards the temple.
Kata and Jynna slowed as they entered the cave, not wanting the sound of their footsteps to reverberate and disturb the meeting in progress. They could hear the soft murmurs of several voices coming from inside the Temple proper as they headed up the tunnel. They stopped when they reached the other side, the five Jedi Masters still deep in conversation they dared not listen in to, and waited to be addressed.
"Come forth, young Padawans." Master Maven eventually signalled them over.
Kata and Jynna approached and bowed respectfully.
"Masters, sorry to interrupt." Kata apologised.
"What is it, Kata?" Cal asked.
"Nightsister Merrin sent us with good news; Nells Caro has just given birth to a son, and both are doing well."
There were sounds of relief and joy from the five Masters before them.
"Wonderful news, young Jedi, thank you." Master Horos smiled.
"I should offer my congratulations to her, if there's nothing else?" Cal inquired.
"No, I believe our business is concluded for the day." Master Gidun assured.
"You coming?" Cal asked Teelo.
"You go ahead, I'll catch up," They replied. "Master Maven, might I borrow you for a moment?"
"Of course, Master Niteva." She replied and the two of them stepped off to the side.
Cal joined Kata and Jynna and they smiled at him.
"Let's go." He said, leading the way.
The three of them left the Temple and headed towards the infirmary, Merrin popping out of the room as they approached. She motioned with her head for them to enter and they all filed in, Kata and Jynna standing in the corner. Kata smiled widely as she saw Nells holding the tiny baby and heard his little sounds.
"Master Kestis," Nells addressed him as they entered. "Forgive me, I hadn't expected you."
"I thought I would check in on you, and our new resident," Cal placed a gentle hand on Nells' shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
"Oddly similar to how I felt after my ship crash-landed on Norsid."
Cal chuckled at her response. Nells Caro was a Jedi Knight who'd survived the Purge, like Cal and the few others on Tanalorr. Kata remembered hearing her story: she had been commanding a unit of Clones who'd attacked her and brought down her ship, but she'd survived the crash and went into hiding. Years later, she'd met a kind man who helped her hide from the Empire, and they had later married, then the Empire found and killed Nells' husband searching for her. She then found the Rebel Alliance on Corellia at the same time that Cal and Merrin happened to be there, and when she'd told Cal she was pregnant, he'd offered her refuge on Tanalorr and she'd accepted, and now here they were. Her story wasn't dissimilar from others Kata had heard from the Jedi now living in Haven. They were survivors, every one of them, and what they had survived had bound them together.
"And who might this be, then?" Cal gestured towards the infant.
Nells smiled down at her son proudly.
"His name is Porro, after his father."
"A fitting tribute." Cal smiled.
Jynna placed a hand on Kata's left shoulder and rested her chin on it, both Kata and BD-1 looking at her to see her beaming heart eyes at the baby.
"He's so cute..." Jynna whispered.
Kata smiled at her and nodded in agreement.
"Would you like to hold him?" Nells looked up at Cal.
"I'd be honoured."
Nells handed her baby to him and Cal cradled him gently in his arms. Kata saw Merrin smile at him from the corner of her eye. Babies had been born on Tanalorr before, but Porro was the first to be born to a Jedi, which only made his arrival all the more exciting, and important. Cal looked at the child he held in his arms and saw the tangible proof of everything they had worked for years to build on Tanalorr; the haven they had created bringing hope and new life to the Galaxy.
"You will make a strong and fierce Jedi Knight someday," Cal told the child. "Like your mother."
"Jedi or not, I'm just pleased we're both still here. I owe that to you and yours, Cal. Thank you."
Cal returned Nells' grateful smile.
"We should leave you to rest," He said, handing the baby back to his mother. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"We're bein' well looked after, don't you worry." Nells assured him.
Cal smiled at his fellow Jedi again and the four of them left her to bond with her son. As they left the room, Cal and Merrin couldn't help but exchange a look that was both proud and ponderous. They were being reminded in moments like this every day that their shared dream had become a reality; that they were making the Galaxy a place worth existing in for people like Nells and little Porro. There was still much work to be done, but often Cal needed a reminder to stop and appreciate how far they'd come. He was proud of what they'd achieved, and he hoped that Cere would be, too.
"Oh, good, there you are," Teelo's voice had the four of them looking up as they approached. "How are Nells and her baby?"
"They are doing well." Merrin replied.
"What took you so long?" Cal asked.
"Oh, I was just sharing our escapades this morning with Nadirr," They explained. "She wants to send some of the older Padawans out there with the retrieval team first thing tomorrow, so I'm on my way to go arrange that now."
"I will join you, then." Merrin stated.
"I have a class to teach in the Temple," Cal said, pulling his compact datapad from his pocket. "Will you two be joining us?" He addressed the Padawans to his right.
"Definitely, Master." Jynna agreed.
"I think I'll sit this one out," Kata declined. "I've had a bit too much excitement for one day."
"Fair enough." Cal nodded.
"I could keep you company, if you like?" Jynna offered.
"It's ok, you go ahead, don't skip class on my account," Kata refuted. "I think I'll head to the Archive."
"Alright, I'll see you later, then?" Jynna asked.
"For sure."
"bwoow?"
"Come on, BD-1." Cal replied.
The droid hopped down from Kata's shoulder and scaled up Cal's back, wiggling his little body excitedly. He loved to help Cal teach and Kata thought it was mostly because of all the attention the Padawans gave him. Jynna waved to Kata as she and Cal left for the Temple and Kata farewelled Merrin and Teelo as they headed for the offices.
"So, we are on first name basis with Master Maven now, are we?" Merrin teased Teelo as they left, bumping them with her shoulder.
"Don't know what you're talking about, Merrin."
Kata laughed once at them, then she drew in a deep breath of the rapidly cooling air and made her way to the archives.
That evening, Cal walked up the hallway of the living quarters alone, stretching out his neck, stiff as it was from a very full day. He reached the door to his and Merrin's room and pressed his hand to the biometric scanner and the door lifted. He crossed to the living area where Kata was already settled, reading with her feet up on one end of the curved sofa. BD-1 scurried in after him as he wandered over and dropped the datapads he was holding on a small round table before sinking his tired body into the other end of the sofa, exhaling loudly. He rested his head against the back of the sofa and covered his face with his hands, feeling utterly exhausted.
"Hey." Kata greeted him after a moment.
"Hey." Cal returned, his voice muffled by his hands.
"Long day?"
Cal dropped his hands into his lap.
"Always," He sat up. "Mind if I do my boring grown-up stuff here?"
"Go for it, it's your room." Kata reminded him.
Cal shifted forward in his seat and reached for one of the datapads. BD jumped up onto the back of the sofa and scuttled around to Kata.
"bwee-oop?"
Kata looked at the droid to see him pointedly looking at the book she held and she tilted it for him to scan. Cal noticed it wasn't a holobook, but an actual book, with pages. He knew she preferred them, saying you couldn't feel or smell a holobook like you could a real one.
"Whatcha readin'?" He asked.
"A dummy's guide on speaking Shyriiwook."
"It's not really a language you learn to speak."
"I suppose that's why it's a dummy's guide."
"pttrrtt!"
"If you worked half as hard at your studies as you did your sarcasm, you'd be wiser than Master Horos."
Kata smirked, glancing up at Cal briefly, whose attention was on his work.
"I'm reading a research journal from the High Republic era."
"Did you take that from the Archive?"
"I... borrowed it."
Cal shook his head at her.
"Anything interesting?"
"Did you know the Koboh Abyss wasn't the only one they found?"
Cal's head rose at hearing this.
"I did not."
"Yeah, there was another nebula discovered a few years later at the edge of the Unknown Regions."
"Huh."
"You think there's a hidden planet on the other side of that one, too?"
"Maybe, but I'm not blindly jumping through another abyss to find out. Once was enough."
"You ever been out that way?" Kata inquired. "The Unknown Regions, I mean."
Cal shook his head.
"Closest I've been is Ilum, and I don't really care to get closer than that."
"What do you think is out there?" Kata wondered.
"Nothing good. I heard Jedi talk of a legend of a lost Sith world in the Unknown Regions once."
"I'd like to see a lost Sith world."
"Well, once you're grown and have your own ship, you can fly it wherever you like."
"Promise?" Kata grinned at Cal.
"I'm not promising anything." He laughed.
"Hmmm." Kata grumbled.
The room was silent for a while, save for BD's little mechanical noises, shuffling about restlessly as he always was. Cal yawned and shook his head, starting to feel the day catch up with him.
"You should sleep if you're tired." Kata offered helpfully.
"I'm always tired, Kata." Cal refuted.
"That's because you don't sleep." She pointed out.
"No, it's because I'm getting old."
"You're thirty, Cal. If you're old, what does that make Master Gidun?"
"A fossil."
Kata laughed and Cal smirked.
"I'm gonna tell him you said that."
"Do that and I'll feed you to the nydarks."
Kata chuckled, knowing his threat was completely empty.
"Enough about me, let's talk about you." Cal deflected.
"What about me?" Kata shrugged.
"Lysana tells me you're getting on well with the others."
"Oh, yeah, we're thick as thieves." There was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"I've noticed you getting on especially well with Jynna."
"Mm-hm."
There was a moment of silence and Kata looked up from her book to see Cal smirking at her.
"What?" She demanded.
"Nothing, it's just good to see you making a friend."
"Well, she's the only one of them I actually like, so..."
Cal wasn't convinced by her nonchalance.
"Do you like her, or do you like her?"
Kata deadpanned straight at him.
"Cal, are we gonna talk about girls? Really? You know, Merrin already beat you to that talk like five years ago."
"I know she did, I'm just asking."
"She's cool, but we're just friends."
"Alright," Cal held up his hands in surrender. "I'll mind my business."
She could feign ignorance all she wanted, but Cal knew the truth. He saw the way they were around each other, how Kata always smiled more and tried extra hard to seem indifferent. It wasn't hard to see.
"I don't have time for that anyway," Kata deflected. "Too busy with Jedi stuff."
"You sound like me ten years ago."
"Master Gidun says Jedi shouldn't have attachments."
"Master Gidun has been a Jedi a long time and is set in his ways," Cal pointed out. "Besides, I'd be one hell of a hypocrite to tell you that you can't have attachments."
Kata closed her book and set it down on her legs.
"Why did you break the rules to be with Merrin anyway?"
Cal pondered her question for a moment before he smiled slightly.
"Because a friend once told me that life was precious and I should embrace happiness when I found it. Because I was lying to myself, clinging to the ideals of a world that no longer exists, trying to convince myself that the Jedi code meant anything to me anymore. And because I'd already made her wait long enough."
Kata laughed once and smiled.
"Sounds like a good friend."
Cal nodded slowly, his face falling a bit.
"He was… for a while."
His remorseful tone and the sad smile he gave Kata told her who he was talking about. She fell quiet, deciding it was best not to push the subject further. They never spoke much of her father, not since Cal had told her the truth about what had happened before they came to Tanalorr. She still didn't know how to feel about any of it – she loved her Papa, of course, but a part of her also resented him for the choices he made. For a while, she'd even begrudged Cal for the part he'd played, but not anymore. She knew he only did what he did because her father had given him no choice. She also knew how much guilt he harboured for it, which she'd tried and failed to clear his conscience of. And she would've been left alone in the galaxy if Cal and Merrin hadn't taken responsibility for her - given her a home and a family with them, taught her and trained her, and she was grateful to them.
"Go on, get some rest," Cal's voice snapped Kata from her thoughts. "Another long day tomorrow."
"You should take your own advice, Cal." She teased, swinging her feet onto the ground.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead."
"Don't jinx it," Kata stood up and waved at BD-1 who was studying something very interesting to him on the ground. "Come on, BD!"
"wooow!"
BD preferred to stay with Kata in her room these days; Cal thought he liked to watch over her, especially since the kid suffered from nightmares sometimes, like him. He knew it was also out of courtesy to him and Merrin. The little guy already had two wheels, he didn't need a third. BD hopped up next to Cal briefly so he could pet the droid's head, then he jumped up and over the back of the sofa and hurried after Kata as she walked towards the door.
"Good night, you two." Cal called.
"Night!"
"bwoo-doop!"
Cal heard the scanner beep and the door raise, and then Kata and Merrin bid each other goodnight as they met outside. Then he heard the sound of the door closing and Merrin's light, familiar footsteps approaching.
"Hey." He greeted softly, half-turning his head in her direction.
She didn't reply, instead she leant over the back of the sofa behind him and snaked her arms around his neck, dragging her pale, tattooed fingers down his chest. He felt her soft, warm lips touch his neck just below his right ear once, then again and again, trailing her way along his jaw. Cal's eyes closed and a small sigh escaped him.
"That's very distracting." He murmured.
"Good."
Her voice was close to his ear and he could feel her breath on his skin. He felt one of her hands slide under his shirt and over the hair on his chest as she continued to kiss his neck. He breathed deeply, knowing exactly what she was doing.
"I'm trying to work, y'know."
"I know."
Her hands and lips retreated from his skin mercifully, only for her to cross around the sofa and stand in front of him, making a point of removing the datapad from his hands and placing it on the seat beside him, to which he chuckled. She smiled triumphantly at him as she climbed into his lap, kneeling on the sofa with her legs either side of him, and rested her arms over his shoulders.
"You work too much, Jedi."
Merrin leaned down to capture his mouth with her dark lips. Her kisses always drove Cal insane. No matter how many years they spent together, how many times their mouths met, he never grew accustomed to the feeling. It always felt new, that same sense of desire he had felt the first time never faded. He loved her so completely that it scared him sometimes. Against everything he wanted, he broke away from her to speak.
"Merrin, I need to—"
"It can wait," She interrupted gently. "The only thing you need to do right now is come to bed."
Before he could even think about protesting, she silenced him with her mouth once more. He gave in to her happily, far too weary from the day and far too willing to resist. She was right, it could wait until morning. He removed her vest swiftly so he could properly wrap his arms around her, sliding his rough hands up her back. She was always so warm to the touch. He felt her sigh into their kiss as her fingers ran through his thick hair.
It didn't take long for things to become heated between them and Cal wondered what had gotten into her lately. The physical side of their relationship had seldom been troublesome for them, but recently it was like she'd turned the dial up to eleven. Not that he was complaining – just the opposite, in fact. Soon he could no longer stand it, and he gripped Merrin's legs and lifted her up, standing from their seated position, eliciting a sound from her. He walked them around the sofa and waved two fingers in the direction of the door, using the Force to jam it, ensuring there would be no interruptions this time, then they fell onto the bed together.