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Meetra was talking at the rate of hyperspeed, her tone increasingly stressed as she updated Malak, pacing the halls of The Rescuer. He followed as best as he could, but the more she talked the more he could only focus on how worried she sounded. After a while he gave up listening, grabbing her gently by the shoulders. “Meetra, Meetra. Calm down. You really need to just take a minute and relax.”
Meetra did stop talking, going still and staring up at him instead. She looked a little surprised, but mostly frustrated and still very worried. “I... I don’t think I can.”
Malak laughed. He couldn’t really help it - it was just so bizarre, one of the most capable and level-headed Jedi he knew telling him she couldn’t stay calm. It was soberingly sad, too. He sighed, dropping his hands from her shoulders. “You have that in common with Revan, I suppose. Listen, I know it’s not easy, but it’s also not optional. You’re going to drive yourself crazy if you stay this keyed up.”
Meetra smiled wryly at him, her brown eyes warm and soft. “Aw, Squint. It’s so sweet you think there’s hope for me.”
Malak shook his head, fixed her with a dead serious look. “Don’t give me that, Surik. There is. Remember what your master taught you.”
Meetra frowned, shifting her feet. “My master didn’t want me to be here. We’ve all strayed from the path, Malak. Maybe we can’t achieve the calm of a Jedi anymore. Maybe we’re not worthy of it.”
Malak tilted his head at her, his expression sharp, quizzical. “That doesn’t sound like you. Do you really believe that?”
Meetra stared back at him, chewing her lower lip for a moment. “No,” she said eventually. “But sometimes it feels better than admitting my own failure.”
“All that means is you have the power to change it. Come on, just take a moment and rest.”
Meetra sighed, looking for a moment like she might argue some more, but eventually she nodded. She stepped a little closer and leaned against Malak’s chest, letting her forehead rest against his armor. Malak was a little surprised, but he smiled and put an arm around her, letting her anchor herself to him as she tried to let go of the weight on her shoulder.
“That’s right, just breathe.”