Find Me By Still Waters (Sahna)

[Sobaan Palle]

Oh. There was another person named Ignus out there. He probably should have expected that considering how big the Galaxy was, but he was just too focused on it being his father. But no, it was her boyfriend. He made a sort of defeated face, but waited appropriately for her to stand before releasing her hand. Seemed like all the attractive ones were snatched up already. He really shouldn't have left like he did.

"Oh. I thought you meant my dad because he goes by Ignus."

He shrugged his shoulders and pretended like he didn't care. Truth be told he only cared so much because he was young and didn't know what relationships really took. He just saw others in them and decided he should be in one too so that one day he could be a father. If he could be a father. Who knew whether a half-breed like him could even have kids? His mind didn't think about that though. He just saw guys and gals together and wanted to be like them.

When she made her joke about keeping up, he shook his head, ran to the nearest tree and climbed it, disappearing into the foliage. She probably wouldn't see or hear him for a few, but she could track him with the Force if she knew how. He didn't reappear until he was three trees ahead of her, and then it was only to stick his head out and look at her with a silly grin.

"I'm very fast so you better try to keep up!"

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

There was disappointment in Sobaan.

I felt it, even as he hurriedly seemed to bury it. There was a pang in my chest as it fell into place. On the one hand, I was flattered. Before arriving on Aurum, I'd never even received any sort of attention like this. Even after I'd arrived, it took me a long time to accept that Ignis actually liked me. It was unusual, but not entirely unpleasant. On the other hand, however, I felt guilty. Sobaan wanted something from me that I couldn't give. Back on Nar Shaddaa, sitting in the slums with the other orphans, we had given everything for one another. It hurt to see this innocent child seeking something that I couldn't give.

But I recognised him putting these feelings of disappointment aside, and respected his desire to move on.

At my playful challenge, the half-togruta disappeared up into the trees. I kept my gaze on the path ahead of me, listening and reaching out through the force to keep track of him as he moved ahead of me.

He appeared in front of me, declaring that he was quick and it was in fact I that needed to keep up. I smirked at him,

"You're on, kiddo."

Was the only warning he got before I took off into the jungle ahead of us. Okay so maybe using the force to augment my speed a little was cheating, but I was a little competitive. That, combined with the fact that I had walked this path many times and knew it very well, meant that Sobaan would have to have quite the trick or two of his own in order to keep up.

[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

She was fast, but he was accustomed to the trees and also possessed half-Mirialan DNA. He could move like the wind. And he knew how to enhance his speed with the Force. A trick he'd learned while he was on the Imperial world he'd camped out on for a while. Which, now that he thought about it, he probably shouldn't have done. Imperials weren't the most friendly of people. Still, he was in a good place as far as he knew. The people on Aurum were all nice, for the most part. He hadn't had anyone be as nice to him as Sahna was other than Jyn, but she seemed a lot more preoccupied than he remembered her being. He blamed that on that stupid guy she was spending all her time with.

Yeah, he didn't like Ar'ekk much.

Eventually he realized that, although she'd given him a general location for where they were going, he didn't really know where it was. And she was faster than he'd expected, easily keeping up with him. So he jumped down from the tree and landed near her, slowing to a walk and waiting for her to do the same. It could be a trick though! Was he playing games with her? No, he wasn't, but he certainly could have been! He waited for her to slow and then moved to catch up with her.

"I don't actually know where we're going," he admitted to her with a grin. "So maybe you should lead?"

Yes, he was a kid and he was desperate to beat her there, but he didn't actually know where there was, and he was more interested in getting something to eat than he was in winning a race. His stomach rumbled again as if to add emphasis to that particular point. A sheepish grin dawned on his face as he patted his stomach. Sometime he'd get that thing under control, of that he was certain. Mostly because he was about to cram a bunch of food into it, which he knew would calm it down considerably. He was still a bit disappointed that she wasn't single, and that he couldn't pursue her, but that was life and he was starting to get that fact loud and clear. You can't always get what you want. Sometimes you can't win either. Oh well.

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I chuckled as Sobaan darted ahead of me through the trees.

I was keeping pace, but there was no way I'd let him see how much of a struggle it was to do so. Never would I let him see the wave of relief that washed over me as the boy slowed to a walk beside me. I did the same, walking beside him as I focused on calming my breathing and bringing my roaring heartbeat under control. I was flushed from the race, and with a sigh shed my outer robe. After shrugging it off, I folded it over the crook of my arm, tucking it against my chest as we continued down the path. It was strange, I hadn't realised just how tall Sobaan was, or perhaps, I'd forgotten how short I am. The half-togruta spoke with a grin, admitting that he didn't actually know where we were going. I chuckled,

"That's a good point." I replied with a snicker, "... or maybe that was just my way of making sure I won."

I turned to Sobaan and winked playfully at him. I was kidding, of course. I simply had forgotten that the the poor kid didn't even know where I was taking him. He was a strapping young lad, that was for sure. His father ought to be proud of him, his mother too, for that matter. As we walked, I stretched out my free hand and plucked a leaf from a nearby tree, holding it at about chest-height. It was the same colour as Sobaan's skin, seeming to dance as I twirled it by its stem,

"Have you picked a subpath yet, kiddo?" I asked, chuckling as I had to crane my neck back to actually look into his face.

Not really that much of a kiddo I guess.

[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

Sobaan rolled his eyes.

"You're too nice for cheating," he said, shaking his head.

Of course she hadn't done that so she could win. That was cheating and just plain rude. Plus she was older than he was and he knew that the older pupils always treated the younglings with fairness unless they needed to prove a point. Considering she hadn't made a particular point, they were just racing, she wasn't going to be cheating. Or, at least,that's what his still developing mind reasoned based on what little he knew and had been taught.

She asked him about his subpath after she took off her outer robe. He always thought robes were funny. They didn't serve a purpose unless you were on a cold planet, at least in the case of the outer robe. All they did was make you suspicious looking, which was liable to frighten off small children and make people nervous around you. Plus he happened to like the more loose clothing at the moment because it allowed him to run and jump freely.

"Qiwong- no, Qinwog. No that's not it either." He frowned and bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully before snapping his fingers. "Qiqong Kesh. I like to learn things. Like this."

He held up his hands like he was holding an invisible bow. Lekku twitched incessantly until he pulled the invisible string back. When they stopped moving, he let go. Not more than a second or so later, the tree he was aiming at splintered out away from them with a gaping hole in it. Not a hole large enough to kill the tree, but had the tree been a person the results would have been rather messy to say the least.

"Ta da!"

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I chuckled, Sobaan had me pretty well figured out.

He mentioned that I was too nice to cheat. He'd probably also realised that as the elder, I was sort of above doing something so petty. Besides, I respected him. Although still but a child, he had the wisdom of someone older. I wasn't about to disrespect him by knowingly undercutting him in a race. I noticed he'd watched me take off my robe, his facial expression mirroring a thought that perhaps he didn't agree with it, or my removing it. I smiled knowingly. Robes certainly weren't for everyone. Especially Ignis... I doubted I'd ever see him in a set as long as we lived.

Sobaan mentioned which school he was going to focus on, at least after the third try. A snicker escaped my lips, but I couldn't blame him. Even I struggled with the names occasionally, somewhat embarrassingly. I watched curiously as the boy raised his arms as if holding a bow. He concentrated hard, before drawing back the imaginary string and firing.

I had believed he was demonstrating his archery technique, so I squeaked in surprise as suddenly a tree nearby exploded with a small shower of splinters, as if hit by an arrow. Eyebrows raised, I gazed from the boy to the tree and back again.

"That's... actually incredible." I breathed, "I'm impressed. You'll have to teach me that sometime."

I chuckled and continued walking, watching Sobaan with a gaze of approval. While a neat trick it might be, my attention was actually more focused on Bodhi and Mahara Kesh, the creative and healing arts. I had much more of a knack for those than I did for fighting or destruction. It certainly had its place, but that place was not with me. Glancing around, I took a quick stock of our surroundings. Not much further.

"I hope you're hungry," I winked, "we're almost there."

Just a few more steps and the trees would give way to the outskirts of the city. The road would be nearby, surrounded by just a couple of small, low buildings as it skirted the edge of civilisation. One of those, just a few yards in, was a small restaurant. From the outside, it looked like it would have not fit more than four or five tables inside. Very humble and out-of-the-way looking, it was the delicious aroma of hot food and cooking oil that had put it on my radar. That smell, that if I closed my eyes and focused on, could just begin to make out.

[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

He was rather proud of himself for being able to do it again. It was only the second time he'd ever tried and succeeded, after all. When he'd been on his own, stuck on the planet that the others had taken him to because he'd decided it was a good idea to run off by himself, he'd had time to experiment with things. Now that he was back, it didn't seem all that useful. Nobody was trying to kill him, after all, and there weren't exactly a plethora of creatures milling about that he was going to have to deal with. Just Sahna. And to be frank he was just showing off anyway. He was a kid and that was what kids liked to do. It made them feel special to show off their skills. Not to mention he liked impressing people.

He probably got that from his father.

"It comes in handy when something is trying to eat you, but that's about it," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders.

They went back to walking once the show was over and he smiled as they moved along, arms swinging at his sides. That particular day had started off pretty rough for him, but ironically it had gotten better when he'd been forced to face a fear. It was strange how things like that seemed to happen, but he did rather enjoy how the day had turned out. They were approaching the diner, and he could eventually see it, but what really got his attention wasn't how it looked, but the smells that were wafting out of it. His stomach grumbled.

"It smells so good!"

And now he took off at a run. They were still in a competition, right? Since he knew where they were going, being able to see it helped, he was going to win. As fast as his little legs could take him, he raced towards the door to the building, which was hiding the sweet delicious food from him!

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

“I’m sure it’ll come in handy when you want to impress a girl, too.” I replied to his shrug, grinning and giving him a playful elbow in the ribs.

I continued to watch him as we walked. He appeared to be still finding the spot where he fit in here. I could empathise with that. How nice it would be if we came to Aurum, were introduced to the Je’daii, and then handed a neat little package detailing our path from here on out. Unfortunately, the galaxy was not so kind. We all had to work out for ourselves where we fit into all this.

Sobaan swung his arms as he walked, appearing to get more excited as we approached the diner. I stifled a smirk as his belly growled and he spoke, saying that it smelled good. I chuckled, right up until he broke into a sprint.

“Hey!” I cried as he cheekily tore off.

Well… fair enough. Gathering my robes in one hand, I ran after him.

Panting, exhausted and just in behind him, I gave Sobaan a little poke in his shoulder as I pushed open the door and stepped inside,

“Oh there’s going to be a rematch” I snickered.

The diner was only small, just a few tables and booths with a counter in the centre with the menu up on a board behind it. Approaching the counter, I perused the menu, glancing at the boy,

“Whatever you want, it’s on me.”

[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

"I won!" he said, grinning at her.

Down and dirty but it was the truth. They hadn't actually ended their race, he'd just pointed out he didn't know where they were going. To him that meant they needed to wait until they could at least see the place before he could take off running and get to it. Now that they had, though, he was overjoyed to not only have beaten her, but to have her paying for him to get a really good meal. That didn't happen all that often.

Inside they went, after she promised a rematch, and he was told that he could order whatever he wanted. He was going to have to pay her back sometime down the road. He jumped up onto a barstool so he could better read the board. The choices weren't extensive, being as it was a small place, but they were more extensive than what he got back at the temple grounds so he had to take a minute to think about it.

"I will have the biscuits and nerf gravy with two eggs, over hard, and some hash browns! And a glass of blue milk!"

Yeah that sounded good to him. He hadn't had gravy in a while and if he was going to eat somewhere with a decent cook he wanted to make the most of it. Maybe he could get his dad to give him some credits so he could take Sahna out and pay for a meal sometime. He didn't like the idea of owing her something, even though he knew she was doing this because they were friends and not to hold it over him. It was only fair that he repay the favor.

"So tell me about your Ignis. Why isn't he here? I thought when boys and girls were together they usually sneak off to ponds and stuff together, not alone."

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I chuckled at Sobaan as he proudly exclaimed that he’d won.

With a sigh of mock defeat, I dramatically slumped my shoulders,

“I suppose you did… this time.” I replied playfully.

I followed the little… togrutalian into the restaurant, letting the door close behind me. Immediately, the faint, tantalizing aroma that had tempted us closer became an overwhelming wave of beautiful smells. The hot, salty scent of cooking oil and seasoning herbs, the sticky bouquet of fresh desserts, the underlying richness of freshly brewed coffee. The air was warm, the accumulated aromata caressed the senses, the quiet music playing from the speakers gently rang through the air. It was as if this entire place was designed to let its guests shrug off the worries of the outside world and lose themselves to a paradise of food for just a little while.

I watched Sobaan scramble up onto one of the barstools before he studied the board behind the counter. Walking up behind him, I playfully massaged his shoulders as I, too, looked up to the board. There were so many dishes listed, they all sounded tantalising. It was with a sigh of relief that I saw the prices. I had a little money saved, but not a great deal. Thankfully, this place was well within my budget.

Sobaan ordered first, I had to admit, that sounded pretty good. Stepping out from behind him to approach the counter, I addressed the waitress looking expectantly from him to me,

“Just the steak and chips for me, thank you.”

I pulled out a few credit chips to pay as she smiled at us,

“Your son?”

Her assumption made me chuckle in surprise and I immediately shook my head, however I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye as I answered, handing over the payment,

“I would be the proudest mother in the galaxy if he was.” I replied.

She smiled at us and handed over a table number. I took it and made my way over to one of the booths in the corner, waiting for Sobaan to join me.

“If it tastes as good as it smells here,” I began, “I might never leave.”


[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

Sobaan flushed when she said she'd be proud if he was her son. It probably wasn't visible, but he felt the warmth in his cheeks. She barely knew him and she was already willing to say she'd be a proud mother to him. Which was also kind of odd when he thought about it because she wasn't really old enough to be his mother. That and he kind of thought she was attractive so thinking about the possibility of her being his mother, even though he knew she wasn't, was kind of icky.

They were given a number and she pulled him over to the boithwhere he sat down opposite from her and decided it would be best if he didn't kick his feet back and forth. She didn't answer his question, though. Maybe she wasn't really happy with her Ignis. Or maybe he was like the guy Jyn was with. Sobaan didn't like him for more reasons than the fact he'd beat him to Jyn. There was something off about the guy.

He reached under the table with his foot and poked Sahna in the leg.

"You didn't answer my question," he said, tilting his head to the side. "Why aren't you with Ignis right now?"

It was a genuine curiosity that caused him to ask. He was more than a little used to seeing people follow after one another hence they were together. Seeing them alone seemed odd. Though he supposed she could have run off to have some alone time. He did think that was necessary. Of course his mother hadn't. She'd been rather cross with him the few times he did it before coming to the Je'daii. He still did it though.

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I snickered as Sobaan poked my leg under the table, sneering playfully as I poked him back.

I placed one elbow on the table, resting my head in my hand as I brushed my montrals off the table's surface. He was right, I'd been so excited about trying this place out, so overwhelmed by the pleasant sensations within the small building, his question had completely slipped my mind. I chewed on my bottom lip as I stared at the youngling, thinking for a moment before I spoke. Ignis had told me where he was going today but I'd forgotten almost as soon as he'd walked out the door. We didn't always stay in the same room, but it was becoming more and more of a frequent occurrence, one about which I found absolutely not problem with.

"We're not tied together with rope, silly." I chuckled, "Ignis had something to do today, so I thought I'd go to the lake. We're dating, not stuck together. Can you imagine that? He would get so annoying if we were around each other every minute of every day."

I winked at Sobaan as I spoke, a playful smirk crawling onto my lips. In all honesty, if Ignis and I were stuck together, I probably wouldn't actually have minded that much. He was my safe place, my rock. But still, he had his flaws, as did we all. I glanced towards the kitchen as I heard my belly angrily demand the food arrive. Shifting in my seat a little, I swapped me head from one hand to the other,

"Ignis does more around here than I do, especially in the temple. He's a teacher, and a steward. I'm just... here, I guess."

I smiled broadly, my next words coming out with a hearty chuckle,

"Why... should he be worried?"


[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

He giggled.

"He should always be worried when I'm around!"

Not that he really had a chance of stealing Sahna away from Ignis or anything. He was too young for her. For whatever reason he had a thing for older women. Well, most little boys usually did so it wasn't as if that were abnormal or anything. And she was attractive so it wasn't as if it were a stretch. There were probably several other boys in the temple Hall's that fawned over her. Unfortunately for them they weren't as awesome as he was.

He kicked her leg gently again. It was kind of like a game now. She'd practically challenged him to try and win her over. Most likely he would grow out of actually playing along with that, but for now it was game on. Footsies was a good place to start. He thought. To be frank he had no idea what he was doing seeing as he was only twelve years old. But darn it if he wasn't going to try!

"You do more than just be here. You helped me get out of my fear after all."

He put his hands on the table and tapped his fingers against it before looking towards the kitchen. Like her, he was hungry. His stomach was still grumbling every so often as he waited. The fact that it smelled really good in the place wasn't helping. A place that smelled like delicious food was theworstwhen you were hungry! But he would be patient and he would wait like a good little boy.

"You should get more involved and try and show him up! It'd be good for you!"

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I laughed at Sobaan’s answer.

We both knew that it was all in good fun. I could remember being his age several years ago. I hadn’t been so ready to admit that what I’d developed for one of the other orphans was a crush, but it had been. They didn’t last long, for that would require younglings to maintain their attention on a single point for an extended period of time and that just didn’t happen.

He kicked my leg again.

I froze, turning slowly to face him directly and flashing the most devious smirk I could muster. He wanted to challenge me, did he? I shuffled back in my seat a little, so that I would likely be out of his reach, but my slightly longer legs would still be able to lash out and tag his.

“Oh, it’s on.” I warned with a playful wink.

I accompanied my words with a playful jab at his legs, retracting my foot with the speed of a viper’s strike.

The boy put his hands on the table, tapping his fingers as he waited about as patiently as I was for our food to arrive. I smiled at his words, I hadn’t considered that, maybe there was something to it. I enjoyed helping, after all. And the Bodhi school was looking for a new steward. At his next words, I quirked an eyebrow, leaning back and folding my arms.

“Oh should I now?” I snickered, pausing as our food finally arrived.

A plate was placed in front of the boy and another in front of me, his accompanied by a glass of blue milk. I picked up my cutlery and began to eat, taking a moment to savour the first bite. It left my elevated expectations in the dust, the flavours from this tiny restaurant better than any I’d tried anywhere else.

“What about what’ll be good for you, Sobaan?” I asked, tucking into another bite.


[member="Sobaan Palle"]

 

[Sobaan Palle]

He tried to get her back but she was too far away. He looked a bit cross at that and scrunched up his face as he looked at her. Well, she'd won this round for certain, but it definitely wasn't over. One to one. He would be victorious in the end. He didn't know how yet, to be sure, but he knew that he was going to win somehow. Beating her was a priority. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop while he thought about it.

They were interrupted by the arrival of their food, though. His stomach reminded him that he was really hungry and his nose reminded him that everything smelled really good. He grabbed his utensils and dove right in for a bite of biscuit with the delicious looking gravy. Not only looking. As soon as it hit his tongue he felt like he was in the greatest place for food in the entire galaxy. No offense to his mother, of course.

"This is so good!" he exclaimed before digging in again.

He was busy chowing down when she asked about him, but he paused long enough to take a drink of milk and wash down his food before answering.

"I don't know yet. I'm only twelve. Jyn said I didn't need to make that decision yet. But I will eventually. Probably be a researcher and develop new things."

He nodded. That sounded good. His father would no doubt approve of that seeing as the man was a scientist of sorts himself. Well, a scientist in the field of ship design. He shrugged and went back to chowing down on his food because it was so amazing he didn't want to stop. Each bite was more delicious than the last and he was entirely grateful that she'd brought him to such a place for a meal.

"Thank you for bringing me here. This is the best."

[member="Sahna Te"]

 

[Valgærd]

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as Sobaan wrinkled his nose, relinquishing round two to me.

He was tapping his fingers on the tabletop, his young mind no doubt turning over and over as he considered how best to make sure he won the next round. Until, that was, the food arrived. He and I were both distracted as the plates were placed on the table before us. I smiled broadly as he exclaimed how good it tasted, before lifting my own fork to my mouth and tasting my own dish for myself.

“Mmm… it is!” I replied.

I continued to devour the hot food in front of me, impressed as Sobaan finished his mouthful before answering my question. I smiled, pausing to swallow my own mouthful as I nodded, looking up from my meal as he answered. He was right; still young, he had plenty of time to decide. Research and development? I was impressed, and a little surprised. Children often had slightly more outlandish and fantastic dream, but Sobaan seemed, even though he didn’t know exactly, to have a good idea of the direction he wanted to go in. I respected that.

He thanked me for bringing him here. I glanced up, smiling warmly at him.

“It’s been my pleasure, Sobaan.” I replied, “truly, I hadn’t expected I’d make a new friend today.”

I considered my own words as we continued to eat. It really was. This place was lovely, the food was incredible, and I’d found someone else with Togruta blood. Not only that, but he had a good little head on his shoulders. Yes, I could see a long friendship ahead of us, and of course, many more visits to this little place.


END


[member="Sobaan Palle"]