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Her name was F, and she was certainly not from around these parts.
F seemed familiar, carrying an air he’d only felt in the faraway temples he once visited with his master. She wore the uniform of Jedi he’d only seen in passing during his days in Coruscant, distant apprentices from another galaxy. Though they grew up far apart, their connection to the Force and the Order was the same.
She seemed to have the same sense, and the two locked eyes when her cloak brushed past him.
People streamed past them, as if they were mere stones in a river’s flow.
“Who are you?” Her mask modulated her voice, monotone and steady, but Cal could sense the apprehension. He could understand that.
“Cal Kestis.” he cautiously held out a hand, which she took. She was quiet, eyes clearly catching on his lightsaber.
“Is that yours?” she asked. “Or did you take it?” He shook his head, pulling his hand back, protectively hovering over his hilt.
“I didn’t.” Cal pulled the poncho over it, shading it from sight.
“I see. So it wasn’t just us.” Lifting her cloak, the mysterious woman revealed a similar device at her belt, more prism shaped, but undoubtedly a lightsaber. His eyes softened at the sight, intrigued by the design. “It isn’t safe here.” She jerked her head towards the cantina on the street corner.
They sat in a corner booth, hidden away from the rest of the cantina. Cal had slipped some extra credits towards the waitress to leave them alone. She’d scoffed, but taken it anyway. F removed off her mask - its metal clanked heavily on the table. He saw a scar near her mouth just as faded as his own.
They sipped their tea in silence. Cal was the first to speak.
“The order,” He wasn’t sure what to say - just that it seemed like something they should talk about. “It…” F nodded, eyes downcast, as if in memory.
“Yes,” They trailed to the floor. “I still remember it. An eternal wound.”
“Me too.”
There wasn’t much to say. The pain was… Universal. They had felt their brothers and sisters be cut down.
Their masters.
Everyone.
No need to say what was already known.
She held her hand out.
“May I?” Cal cocked his head in confusion and followed her gaze to his poncho.
Oh.
Quickly looking around for prying eyes, he unclipped his lightsaber and held it up so she could see it clearly. The weapon was heavier than usual in his hands.
“It was my master’s.” He watched her examine its mechanisms and could appreciate how reverently she held it, carefully turning it over in her hands.
“You’ve taken good care of it,” F finally handed it back to him. “It’s been through as much of a journey as you.” she mused. He nodded, clipping it back in place.
“So where were you when it happened?” She sipped her tea and was quiet for a moment, as if in thought.
“We were beyond the Outer Rim when the order was given.”
“I’ve heard of Jedi living in those places, mostly for diplomatic work.” She nodded.
“You’d be right. We were assisting a Queen in negotiating a truce when the order was given,” Her eyes were downcast, looking into her cup. “She didn’t survive.” Her shields were strong, something he could recognize in himself. Her sadness was undetectable.
“We were stationed above a scrap planet. I ended up working there for five years until the Empire found me.” Cal said. The woman raised an eyebrow.
“What did they do to you?” she asked. He shrugged, fidgeting with his cup.
“Nothing. I escaped with my crew.”
“Your crew?”
“A Latero, a droid, and a Jedi. Also a nightsister.” She laughed, her scar crinkling along her mouth.
“Sounds like a motley crew.” Cal chuckled, recalling his first interaction with them.
“Yeah, well, we’re survivors.” F nodded, still smiling.
“Yes, survivors,” The cantina band switched repertoires, settling for a slower tango. The rest of the patrons seemed to slow down too. “Did you ever return to your temple?” Cal shook his head.
“That’s Empire territory, though I’ve wanted to more than once,” He thought back to his childhood, reading in the archives, sparring with the other younglings. “Just to see the Room of a Thousand Fountains again.” They sat in silence again, cups of tea now cold.
She looked up again.
“My master and I didn’t usually go to the Inner Core.” F said. “I remember us visiting Coruscant once; Master Kenobi personally greeted us and showed us that room,” She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I remember its waterfalls and the flowers that bloomed.” Cal vaguely saw her fist tighten on her hilt. “And now it’s gone.”
The streets were growing quieter in the setting sun, vendors pulling merchandise from their colourful displays. “Listen, you should come with us,” Cal stopped at the village centre. “It might be safer if we stay together, you know?” She hesitated at the emptying square, and Cal offered a hand. Instead of taking it, F pushed it back towards him, shaking her head.
“I can’t. I have my own places to go.” She said it in a way that Cal could understand; she was going to places not welcome to visitors, not to the crew of the Mantis. He nodded, hand dropping to his side.
“Okay," And it was okay. "You know, the offer stands for you.” She nodded, almost in relief.
“Thank you for… Understanding. It’s a personal thing, you know.” He knew.
It was quiet. Any stragglers were surely making their way home now.
“F,” he finally said. “Good luck on your journey, and,” he bowed, something he hadn’t had to do in years. “ May the Force be with you .”
Her smile was resigned as she bowed in response.
“Yes, and with you.”