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The temple gardens were sun-warm and peaceful. When she and her master meditated here, the war felt distant. Atleast, she tried to meditate. She squirmed, the grass prickling her under her robes, and opened one eye to look at her master. Master Junda looked to all the world like the picture of serenity, but she could feel nervousness and anticipation trickling through their bond. Her grandmaster, Master Cordova was set to return to the temple today. Even though she had been apprenticed to Master Junda for almost a year, she had yet to meet him. She knew most grandmasters weren’t as involved in their grandpadawan’s training as Master Kenobi was with Padawan Tano, but still she had hoped to learn from him. Trilla loved learning about ancient histories and civilizations. She wanted to explore hidden tombs and uncover new civilizations. Not stuck in tedious escort missions or being shuttled from one battlefield to the next like she and her master always seem to be. But Master Junda never seemed interested in talking about Master Cordova or his research, and Trilla has never been one to push.
Finally, the stillness and the tension in the air was broken by a series of shrill beeps. Trilla and Master Junda looked up at the same time to see a small bipedal droid charging across the yard towards them. Her master chuckled as the tiny droid launched itself into her arms. “Hello Bd-1, I assume you’ve been keeping Eno out of trouble?” Master Junda asked with a smile. Bd-1 beeped in affirmation before it turned to look over at Trilla. Trilla gave the droid a shy smile and a wave. A blue light shined over her before the droid beeped enthusiastically and jumped from her master’s arms onto her shoulder. She couldn’t hold back the giggle that bubbled up when the droid pushed it’s head against her cheek, giving its best impression of a tooka.
“Ah, good, Bd-1, you found them!” A warm voice called from across the gardens. Trilla looked up from her new friend to see Master Cordova walking towards them. His eyes scanning a data pad in one hand, while holding several more under his arm. “I’m so sorry I’m late, Cere, but I’ve made a break-through on this translation and....“ Master Junda sighed, “It’s fine, Master”, she then smiled fondly at Trilla, putting her hand on her shoulder. “At least you’re here now and you can meet my padawan, Trilla Suduri.”
Master Cordova finally looked up from his data pad, reshuffling everything so his hand was free to shake hers. “Padawan Trilla! It’s so good to finally meet you! Cere has told me much about you. I heard you have already become a fine duelist!” Trilla couldn’t hide the proud smile that spread across her face and she found herself standing up a little straighter. “I’m going to get to spar with some senior padawans next rotation. Padawan Lowsyk won’t know what hit him!” She boasted. Master Cordova chuckled “And you’re just as humble as Cere was at your age” Master Junda huffed “Careful with your pride, padawan“, she admonished gently. Trilla gave her master a self conscious grimace.
Master Cordova chuckled again before dropping his stack of datapads in her arms and digging around in his bag “Now where did I put it... Oh here it is!” He plopped a small bag on the stack of datapads. “Candies made from flint-rind figs! A rare delicacy made by the Aki-Aki peoples of Pasaana!” I remember Cere said something about you having a bit of a sweet tooth!” Trilla was a padawan now, not an youngling, far too old for frivolous things like sweets, but that didn’t stop her from shifting the datapads so she could dig out a candy and pop it in her mouth. The adult’s conversation drifting out of focus as she savored the sweet, spicy, tangy flavor.
“Well now! Come along to the library! It’s so rare that I have two research partners! We have so much to do!” Master Cordova proclaimed, putting his hand on Trilla’s shoulder and steering her towards the library.
“Master Eno! Trilla still has classes today and she still needs to practice her defensive maneuvers...”, but Master Junda stopped and sighed as she saw that her padawan and master were already heading towards the library.
Trilla looked over her shoulder and grinned as Master Cere had to stride to catch up with them. She shook her bag of candy at her ,and Master Cere reached her hand in and popped a piece into her mouth. “Besides, if young Trilla is to become an archivist like myself, she’s got to start learning good research practices early.” “Nonsense, Master Eno, Trilla is going to become a seeker, just like her master”, Master Cere replied, flashing Trilla a conspiratorial grin. Master Eno scoffed, “Ours is a lineage of Archivists, my friend. Just because you strayed from your path doesn’t mean Trilla will do the same.” Trilla smiled and let her master and grandmasters’ fond bickering wash over her, a warm feeling blooming in her chest. She knew that this moment of peace was only temporary, so she picked out another piece of candy and stuck it in her mouth. Savoring the moment.