Work Text:
Prompt: “Again”
Sabers clashed against each other as the two figures danced around. A teenager and an adult of only twenty five standard years circled each other. This was not an uncommon sight within the Temple. In fact on any given week one could find this playing out multiple times. Each and every one had the same outcome. The teenager disarmed and receiving instructions on how to improve.
The two continued their sabers clashing expertly. Though the younger one visibly strained to keep up. His stamina was running thin and his inexperience showed.
The younger of the two was Lukas Lambert Jedi Padawan. He had just turned fifteen that day. Despite being a padawan he did not have a Jedi Master. His master had been killed while on a mission the year before. Since then he refused any and all offers to take him in. Even one special offer made by Jedi Master and Council Member Zez Zez-Kai Ell.
Many were confused by this refusal as most would have welcomed the attention. Lukas didn't trust them. A group had killed his master and he didn't know who all was apart of it. Until he did he refused to allow a master to take advantage.
On the other side of things was Jedi Master and Council Member Kavar Karasu. Kavar had turned 25 three months prior. It was only days after his birthday that he was assigned back to Dantooine. Outside of himself and Vrook no one knew the real reason why he was sent there.
Officially he was there to find his first padawan. Being one of the youngest Knights to be granted the title of Master was a great honor. Even more so when considering he had yet to take a padawan. Being able to pass the specialized trials was a miracle in itself. There were masters much older than him who were unable to do so.
Unofficially he was the last chance to be given to Lukas. If the boy did not take him as his master then he would be released from the Order. Where he went after that it would no longer be their problem. Kavar could not allow that to happen. He could sense this boy's potential and the strength of his heart. With the right teacher this boy was going to make a powerful Jedi.
So he tried to be that teacher. A mentor who never pushed for a connection between them. Never asked the question that would form a wall between them. Still he could not continue to put it off. It would only aggravate the other masters.
Suddenly Kavar struck out hitting the boy's lightsaber hilt. There was no stopping it from flying behind him. Immediately the master stepped back and deactivated his lightsaber. It was then placed on belt as Lukas retrieved his own lightsaber.
As the boy hooked it onto his belt before turning to face Kavar. He waited to see if the man had something to say. Normally this was when Kavar would give pointers in how to tighten up his form. That wasn't what he wanted to do now however.
In Kavar's pants pocket was a silver river stone. He had found it when he was on a mission a few years back. The Force told him to take it with him. To take it and give it to the one he called a padawan. This was a tradition passed down from his master's master.
Very few did such a thing since a Jedi was not supposed to have attachments. Kavar had learned through experience that not all attachments were harmful. Not that he would ever admit such a thing. He was on the council and the others would most certainly not approve of the sentiment.
The Force nudged him to speak to the boy. To stop avoiding the issue he has been skirting around for months. Swallowing the lump in his throat he did so. Lukas seemed curious about the man's intentions. He neither went for his lightsaber nor relaxed fully. Instead just watched him with curiosity in his blue eyes.
Kavar said catching the boy's gaze using his first name as he had been given permission to, "Lukas, I was wondering if I could ask you something," cautiously the boy nodded, "I know you're still hurting from your master's death last year. But Shioon would not want you to become a hermit. She would have wanted you to be happy. We haven't known each other very long but I want to help you. Please let me."
Lukas's presence within the Force touched his own. It was cautious just as the boy was. But there was an underlying feeling of hope.
For a moment they just stared at each other. Kavar kept his own Force Presence open not hiding anything.
Quietly the boy asked, "Are you sure? My last Master was killed because I wasn't strong enough."
Oh kid...
Kavar fished the river stone out of his pocket and held it to the kid. Then said, "It is tradition for a master to give his potential studnet a gift. My master gave me a green river stone and it hangs from a silver necklace under my robes."
Lukas raised a hand to take it from his him and then hesitated. There was pain his face as he asked, "Are you sure, Kavar? I haven't trusted anyone like this since my master died. They could come after you like they did Shioon."
Kavar's eyes softened as he said, "Kid listen to me. No matter what happens this is my choice to choose you. Just as it is yours to accept me or not."
All he could do was wait and see what the child chose. He would not force it as that would only lose any trust he had earned. So he waited and his patience was rewarded by the boy taking the river stone.
Surprise flashed across the boy's face as he said, "It's so warm."
Kavar replied with a gentle smile, "River stones are in tune with the Force just as we are. You will be able to tell when someone is lying through them. It will turn cold when someone is lying or around Dark Side users."
The gift was two fold. He would not only be able sense the dark side but he'd also be able to tell when he was being lied to. That would go a long way into building trust. Kavar swore to himself he would never lie to the boy.
Tears appeared in the child's eyes and he swiped at them. Then he pocketed the river stone and said formally, "I accept your offer to become your padawan."
Then he offered his hand to the master. Without hesitation Kavar took it. In the back of his mind he felt a tingling sensation. It was the master and student bond forming. A connection between him and Lukas that would always be there even in the face of death.
When they stepped back Lukas did something that surprised him. The boy grabbed his lightsaber and asked hopeful, "Again?"
Kavar grinned, "Again."