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“Come on Vernestra, we’ve been training nonstop for days, for days! How many rotations will be complete before you let us have some fun?” The young Jedi Padawan Imri Cantaros directed to his master across the training room, a young Mirialan girl whose skin was a light shade of green. Him and the teenage girl, a Jedi Knight by the name of Vernestra Rwoh were in the middle of a long training session aboard the Starlight Beacon, which featured a stunning Jedi Temple in which him and his master were stationed on.
“Oh, and training isn’t fun?” She responded back with, readying for her next move. “No-no I didn’t mean it like that, but Vern, can we please take a break? What about that holo I mentioned to you? We’ve been training for so long, don’t we deserve a night off?” Imri begged, hopeful to end this session as soon as he could.
“If I let us go tonight, will you promise me we can work on your forms more tomorrow?” Vernestra asked. “Yes, I promise.” Imri commented, avoiding a skillful attack from Vernestra. “Well that settles things doesn’t it? Put your saber away and go freshen up, I’ll meet you by the elevators in an hour.” Vernestra said turning away from him, already going to put her practice saber back on the racks. “Thank you Vern!” Imri replied, rushing to take off his practice tunic and putting his saber back haphazardly on the rack near Vernestras.
After what felt like one of the longest hours of his life, he set out to meet Vernestra at the elevator shaft wearing a clean, light robe. When he got there, he saw Vernestra in a similar one in a cream-like color, and of course she wouldn’t set off anywhere without her lightsaber stashed on a belt sitting on her waist. Even if trouble wouldn’t dare come nearby, Jedi nowadays had to be prepared for even the slightest danger or sign of threats, even onboard the station that was Starlight Beacon.
Heading towards the holo theatre near the bottom of the station, nestled amongst the trading markets spread across the platform, they conversed about their favorite holos they’ve had a chance to see, even though with more trouble uprooting in the galaxy they hadn’t had too much free time. Imri joked about how Vernestra's old master was a perfect fit among all of the film stars of their time. Stellan Gios, although handsome, had his heart in teaching Jedi, not starring in romantic holos about star-crossed Jedi Knights and politicians, and both Vern and Imri knew that. Yet that doesn’t mean he was free from jokes from his fellow Jedi in the Order.
“Are you really ready for this Vern? I know you’re not into action holos, but I promise you’ll love this one! Even the name is epic, Droid Nation 2: Crisis on Corellia! The reviews are saying it’s stellar!” Imri exclaimed, amusement full in his voice.
“Yeah sure Imri, the trailer looked surprisingly decent. And if you’re excited, than I am too.” She replied. In reality, she wasn’t all that into holos, but she knew Imri loved watching them in the spare time he was given. And if Imri really liked something, she would ultimately end up finding joy in it too. After all, they spent most of their time on the Beacon near each other.
After waiting an excruciating amount of time, feeling as though half the population on the station was in the theatre lobby, Imri and Vernestra finally made their way to the concessions counter to order.
“Now Imri, order something that won’t try and rot your teeth, or hurt your stomach?” Vernestra stated. “Sorry master, but no can do! Now excuse me sir-“ Imri asked the protocol droid manning the counter, “Give me your largest size of Starlight mix you got! And a blue milkshake please.” “Imri-“ Vernestra tried to butt in to prevent Imri from spending all of his credits he had, and knowing his sensitivity to blue milk. “Oh and don’t forget a hummus platter and fizzwater for my friend here!” Nodding his head to where Vernestra was standing.
The droid went about getting the food, all while Vernestra was giving a dissaproving look to her Padawan to his amusement. Though she didn’t show it just then, his sweetness and enthusiasm always made Vernestra smile. She appreciated Imri and only wanted the best for him, in any way she could. She had enough doubt about herself, and she still felt some about taking on Imri as her Padawan, was she really able to be the teacher Imri needed her to be?
She snapped out of her thoughts as Imri handed Vernestra her meal and grabbed his popcorn, thanking the droid even though it had already started to take the order of the Tholotian couple that had been waiting in line behind them. They headed to their seats, munching on the sweet and salty Starlight Mix as they went.
“Wow, they really went all out on this station, even on the theatre! I don’t remember holo theatres on Coruscant having nice chairs like this!” Imri directed towards Vernestra, as she was already reclining her chair back. “Yes, they are quite nice aren’t they? Not as nice as this hummus though.” Vernestra revealed to Imri, crunching on a carrot stick. "Thank you again, you really didn’t have to buy me this you know.” Vernestra replied with appreciation. “Anything for you master, you deserve something nice every once in awhile!” Imri replied back, which had instantly made Vernestra grin.
Not long after they had sat down, and after a trailer for a comedy about two Gungan kids had passed (which had gained the amusement of the teenage Jedi duo) and a trailer for a romantic drama about two Jedi who happened to look oddly familiar to two Jedi Masters that Vernestra knew well, did the holo actually begin. For the next couple of hours, rather than worry about Drengir or practicing for a potential attack from the Nihil, the two instead laughed and enjoyed themselves with no trouble in their sight.
After the holo was finished, the two Jedi started walking back to the Temple. “Wasn’t it great?” Imri asked Vern, as she replied with a surprising nod. Although she was slightly concerned with just how much Imri loved and rooted for the droid that definitely violated some of the Republic's laws.
Pondering to herself, Vernestra expressed that she did actually enjoy this one, yet the first one in the series was definitely much better, not realizing she had said this out loud for Imri to hear. Imri was surprised that she actually had watched the 1st holo even though she never would’ve lived it down if she knew Imri had heard what she said. He kept it to himself, though he couldn’t help but suppress a smile, as he was just glad to see that his Master and closest friend enjoyed herself tonight, rather than worry about ‘perfecting’ more lightsaber techniques. Even though in his eyes he thought Vernestra was already amazing enough.
Standing by their respective rooms Vernestra thanked Imri. “Thank you, I really needed this tonight. I don’t tend to let myself have fun like this often enough. I promise I won’t be too harsh tomorrow during practice. Please go and get a good night’s sleep, I don’t want you lounging around goofing off like that R2 unit we saw on screen!” She chuckled. With a smile on his face, Imri replied “Of course not master. And thanks for letting us go, I really enjoyed it. Get a good rest as well.” And with that, he went into his bunks and the door slid closed. Vernestra with a small smile on her face, turned towards her own room and reflected upon the night, looking forward to her meditation and soon after a good night’s rest.