Chapter Text
“Master! Can I talk to you?” Zatt calls out as Master Bant steps away from Master Fisto. The Mon Cala looks around the room until she sees him waving to her, and grins.
“Of course, Zatt!” She says as she crosses the room to his side. “And I’m sorry I’ve been so unavailable this past couple of days. I got called into the halls of healing to help remove chips from those who were brought back in Hondo’s latest raid on slavers. And I have to say – the machine you built to streamline detection made it all much fast, Padawan, so thank you!” Zatt blushes in response.
“I’m just glad I was able to help someone.” He responds. The version the halls have right now is a prototype. He’ll have to work on making a more portable version for the Vod’alor’s men to take with them when they go out on slaver’s raids.
“You do have a way of finding new ways to fix problems we didn’t even know we had, Zatt. But you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yeah. Before the new year, I need to apologize to you, Master.” Zatt admits. He’s done this a lot over the past ten days. He probably doesn’t need to do this for Master Bant. She’s not the type to hold a grudge against someone she cares for. But Zatt’s still carrying what he did, and he needs to let go of it before it follows him into the new year as well.
“Of course. Although, I can’t think of anything you need to apologize for.”
“I’m sorry for what happened after my level IV Diplomacy final.” Master Bant tips her head to one side as if trying to remember at first, although realization crosses her face as Zatt continues talking. “You asked me to come back to our apartment right after we got our results, but you didn’t tell me why. I assumed the worst of you and thought that meant you wanted to scold me for a poor result, I broke my promise to you, and went out with Katooni instead of coming back.” Zatt continues. Master Bant wraps an arm around his shoulder and pulls him into a half-hug, but she does not interrupt him. He appreciates that. “I skipped the surprise you had planned for me, and I never apologized for doing so, or for assuming the worst of you, even though I know you better than to assume things like that. And so, I’m sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness.”
When Zatt is finished, Master Bant pulls him into a single big hug. He’s too tall to bury his face in her shoulder or tuck his tresses under her chin. When had that happened? He makes an attempt anyways, resting his head on her shoulder even if he has to bend his neck at an unusual angle to do so. It makes him feel like a little kid again. He must project that feeling because Master Bant responds with a sense of care and agreement that feels like home.
“Yes. Yes of course I forgive you. I hadn’t realized you were still carrying that, Padawan. There was no need, we were both equally at fault there. I apologize for my part in that misunderstanding as well.” Master Bant responds.
“I forgive you too!” Zatt grins at his Master, then gently pulls away from her. “Now, I’m going to go get something to eat because it has been twenty-four hours since I had anything at all, and I think I’m about to collapse.”