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Plo smiled under his mask as he saw Ima-Gun join the event, he had been worried that the shy - some would say asocial - Nikto would kept to himself in his corner without daring to come and see the clones, he wasn't the most diplomatic of them... though then again, young Master Kolar had proven that the lack of formal diplomacy could be a mode of communication in itself.
Plo was having a good time watching the Zabrak's young Padawan converse with his Grand Master in a tree, no one had yet figured out how - and why - a woman as peaceful as Master Yaddle had managed to bring a Padawan as stubborn and quick to fight as Agen Kolar up to the rank of accomplished Jedi, but they were all happy about it, he had the protection of others at heart.
"We're ready, Master!"
"All right, I'm coming!" Plo replied happily into his com before putting it away.
This was an important event, and he had been appointed to occupy the Initiates who had come to the place to enjoy the immense space open to nature. It was a wonderful setting, and Plo had to admit that although he didn't think it was a place for children, he was proud of them for convincing the Crèche Masters. There was nothing more argumentative than children wanting something, and in a way they were right. "Seeing with their own eyes how meetings for political and matrimonial alliances between strangers take place" and all of that...
They were so smart, the future of the Jedi was safe with these kids.
That was how Plo had been tasked with making sure that everything went well for them, and while he would have enjoyed meeting new people, he didn't think he would be of any use. The Kel Dor had their own view of the Force and bonding, so a marriage would not be a problem, but for the Kel Dor there was much more to consider. The first thing, the main point, was that he didn't breathe oxygen, he couldn't see who would want a husband they couldn't kiss - it was a very important human thing for the species, Plo wouldn't even bring up the fact that kissing wasn't a Kel Dor thing. They communicated their affection in other ways. And humans had fragile skins, Plo knew that his talons would hurt any mate with such thin skin, he wouldn't risk mating with a partner who wasn't tough enough. And Kel Dor marriage was achieved through sex... so no, Plo wasn't planning on marrying humans. Especially considering his dual reproductive biology and the fact that Kel Dor want a lot of children, it was a powerful biological desire ingrained in their souls, Plo liked people but he 'loved' children. And the idea of not having any... he could try in vitro fertilization, of course, but sexuality was very important to the Kel Dor, and the idea of spending his increased fertility period having fertilized eggs inseminated instead of enjoying his husband's - or wife's, of course, body doesn't condition soul and gender, humans had funny prejudices about that, again a glaring difference with Dorin - was so painful.
So, other than patiently reassuring Saesee Tiin that it wasn't a betrayal of the Jedi Code but a mark of benevolence to marry a virtual stranger, that marriage meant only what he decided to share with his partner - which meant there might not be sex or closeness, or anything else that would make him uncomfortable - and that he wasn't obliged to do anything anyway, Plo set out to find the Initiates who had hidden in the woods. The place was perfectly safe, a dozen Temple Guards had made sure of that.
Poor Saesee, Plo really felt sorry for the poor Iktotchi who had had a strict and restrictive Master, it was difficult for him to adapt.
He quickly found most of the Initiates, he was a Jedi Master after all, but little Grogu was particularly adept at hiding in the Force and his small size made him harder to see than the Quermian girl - who had compensated for her large size and long neck by cleverly hiding in an air duct. Vaguely sensing the boy's energy in the forest, Plo sent the group back to Master Koth for a snack until he returned. No sooner had he said "snack" than they were already on the move, shouting happily and thanking him from afar with big kisses sent between the trees.
Children are wonders, Plo thought with a determined nod.
No one could change his mind about that. No one even wanted to try. In fact, they would better not.
The leaves crunched under his steps and Plo was careful not to disturb nature or animals unnecessarily as he moved forward before slowing to a complete stop, amazed by the dozens of butterflies that surrounded and flew around him. Some began to land on him, others imitated their fellow butterflies, and Plo closed his eyes to enjoy this simple moment of communion with the Force and with the nature around him. It was beautiful, it was pure, it was soft, it was warm. The Force was truly incredible.
Suddenly, a flash of panic erupted in the Force and sent the butterflies scurrying away, waking Plo from his meditation when a skidding sound occurred right above him. By reflex - strange reflex, Mace would say - Plo reached forward and caught the person falling directly on top of him, not even grunting under the unexpected weight of the forty-kilo armor and the body inside it.
A Kel Dor was all muscle, very powerful and very strong, and therefore very heavy.
The clone - because it was clearly one of them with this outfit - stood perfectly still before very slowly turning its face towards Plo, still silent. Calmly, Plo looked up at the trees, not exactly surprised to find a comrade of the human he'd just rescued, except that the other one seemed to be clutching tightly.
"Do you need help getting down?" Kel Dor asked gently as he gently put down the man who couldn't seem to take his eyes off him.
"No, sir, I don't. No, thank you, sir," the other immediately corrected himself before beginning his descent, each movement assertive and brisk, and incredibly agile for someone in full armor.
"I am Master Plo Koon," the Jedi introduced himself. "What are your names?"
"3636 and this is 1010."
"Don't you have names?"
"We never had any," the one designated as 1010 informed him. "Some of us have, but we haven't yet."
"Oh... I see. And what were you doing in the trees?"
"Exploring. We wanted to see the place, Kamino is a water planet."
"We've never seen so many trees to just walk around," 3636 clarified.
So sad.
The two clones stood completely still, in a military resting position - Plo had unfortunately seen enough of them to recognize the posture - and looked towards Plo as if they were waiting for something.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I'm only waiting for my punishment, but I can wait longer, sir," 3636 replied simply, as if he wasn't deeply hurting Kel Dor by telling him to deliberately hurt him.
"I'm not going to punish you," the Jedi announced slowly, "but an apology would certainly be appreciated."
"I'm sorry I ran into you, sir, I should have been more careful."
"It's alright," Plo reassured him. "I'm not hurt, you're not hurt, so everything's fine."
Plo started to turn away when 3636 stopped him as he spoke.
"Why did you save me? That would have given you one less clone to worry about."
What a strange question... Plo didn't quite understand, it was so strange. Had he really just asked him why he had saved him? Wasn't it obvious?
"Every life is precious," the Kel Dor said slowly, "and I protect life, it is only right to help those in need."
"We are clones, sir. We are meant to be dispensable."
"Not to me. I don't feel that way," Plo replied calmly.
"We were created to be tougher than normal humans," 3636 remarked defiantly. "I wouldn't have been badly hurt."
Did he really want to fight Plo to stop him from protecting people? Very well, Plo liked a challenge, especially when he knew in advance that he would win. Like everyone else, Plo could be very stupid if prompted, but fortunately for the world, that rarely happened.
"Oh, I see," he said in a perfectly cordial and professional tone, "if you regret the rescue, feel free to climb that tree again and jump to break your legs, go ahead, I'm watching."
An exemplary Jedi, if you forgot what he said, but he was so gentle and humble on a daily basis that he allowed himself a few moments of insolence, a man had to maintain his sanity after all.
Plo smiled at the unresponsive human who could not see the smile.
"Anyway, how would you like to specialize in search and rescue?"
"Sir?"
"I'm looking for an Initiate, small, green, long-eared."
"How small, sir?"
"Like this?" replied Plo, giving an estimate of the youngster's height. "And there's no need to call me sir, I don't-"
Suddenly, just behind the two brothers, a small brown ball fell between the branches with a high-pitched, frightened squeak.
"GROGU!"
Plo didn't hesitate and threw himself forward, falling to the ground flat on his stomach with his hands outstretched, managing to stop the boy's fall with the Force at the last moment. Grogu floated panickedly over his palm for a few seconds before unfolding his ears and opening his eyes to smile happily and babble at him as he held out his tiny hands.
Plo stood up and brought his left hand to his chest, confused at the wetness he felt against his skin, though he hadn't hurt himself, before sighing at the ruined state of his now mud-soaked tunics covered in leaves and branches. His skin was no better.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to take this young man back to his group and then I'll go and change."
"I'll go with you," 3636 declared before hesitantly reaching out to Grogu, whom Plo gladly handed over to him, smiling with amusement at the clumsy but gentle look the clone gave the small child in his arms.
A good potential father. Or partner. A voice in his head whispered.
Shh, Plo replied to the voice before heading towards the building, but sensing 1010 staying back he motioned for a Temple Guard to watch over him, he was a little worried about the psychology of the clones after this encounter though again the group would have to be judged, this one might be the exception to the rule.
"What is that animal?" the clone asked, pointing to a drawing on a tapestry that Grogu was very attracted to.
"A wolf, a pack creature found on most planets that easily accommodate the human species, is a type of canid. They hunt and live in packs, they are excellent trackers, wild and intelligent, loyal and affectionate to their loved ones. Brave creatures."
"You speak of them with great affection," the human highlighted.
"I may have secretly raised a litter of cubs when I was a Padawan," Plo admitted with a laugh. "My Master couldn't believe it when he found out but I was their mother and when they tried to defend me he gave up and let me keep them. He was a Wookie, my Master, you can imagine how much they must have loved me to defy him. They are long dead but they still have a place in my heart."
"Wolf... Is there room in your heart for one more Wolf?"
"There is always room in my heart," said Plo, gently stroking one of Grogu's ears. "Isn't that right, little man?"
Grogu squeaked happily and happily grabbed a flower and fluttered it towards him, surrounded by the two adults who were chatting quietly.
A good day, though!