Star Wars OxO with Winter

(ok)

“That's a good name.” Calista smiled with a slight nod of approval, finding it interesting that the newly named Dex seemed to consider Hawkin its new master. Then again, Hawkin had been responsible for repairing Dex… in a way, it made sense that the two would get along. “So, Dex… Hawkin believes that you are from, what we call, the High Republic and I believe that we both have questions for you about that time.” she explained. “Including any information you can share about the Jedi back then… I’m sorry to say that there aren't very many of us left after the Empire tried to wipe us out.”

“Of course.” Calista nodded, understanding why Dex would have questions. Though she raised a brow at the phrase… name?… starlight beacon. “Perhaps I should answer your questions first. I’m mostly curious about the Jedi you remember in general… I want to learn what might have changed between them and the Jedi before the Empire took over.” she admitted. “As for the year… it has been changed at least twice recently. I’m sure the Empire had its own designation for years but I can't remember what it was… Anything before the High Republic is now called BBY: Before the Battle of Yavin, and presently we use ABY, as in After the Battle of Yavin, for current dates.”

Calista smiled patiently and took a seat near both Dex and Hawkin. “The Empire was horrible but the battle of Yavin is considered to be the final battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, because the Emperor and his right-hand man, Darth Vader, were killed in the explosion of the second Death Star. Without either of them to take control, the Empire fell into chaos and the Rebel Alliance became the New Republic.” she explained, answering more than one of the droid’s questions. Though she had no doubt she also opened several more. “Really?” She looked down at her dark brown robes before quickly looking back at what Hawkin was wearing, a little surprised by the fact that Dex didn't consider her outfit to fit with the image of a Jedi. “Well… my Master did wear tan under her outer robe but considering how the Empire was run by a Sith, and the fact that we were trying to survive a war… I guess I can't be too surprised that the clothes changed. Wearing something so colorful would cause us to stand out… and I think I remember an older Jedi teacher saying something about wearing simpler colors was to show a Jedi’s humility. That bright colors like yellow and gold would only show vanity.” she said thoughtfully. “As to your assumption, I’m afraid I don't really have a straight answer to give you. But if you could tell me about Starlight Beacon and the Nihil? Neither of those sound familiar to me.”

Calista couldn't help but laugh as Dex called Master Yoda a friend but shook her head. “I'm sorry… I don't actually remember which teacher said that but it was not Grandmaster Yoda.” she smiled, trying not to laugh again. “I’d have to look into what's left of the archives to see when that thought became a tradition. And Master Yoda was head of the Jedi Council long before I was taken in.” she informed.
Calista hummed slightly as she listened to Dex's story. “I see… Starlight would have been very helpful if it hadn't been destroyed… but the Empire didn't even last twenty years and it's only been five since the New Republic was able to establish itself…” she told Dex, leaving the implication open.
“Well, what would you like to know about the Jedi of the Old Republic? Unfortunately, I can only tell you about the major battles between the Empire and the Alliance. I wasn't an active fighter in the war… I was in hiding for most of it, at least, until my Master died.”

“I agree. It is interesting.” Calista nodded at Dex’s last comment, already wondering what other similarities there were between the two historic events. “To answer your questions; my Master was Lira Voss and the Empire was hunting down and killing anyone with Force Sensitivity unless they agreed to work for the Empire and deal with those who wouldn't.” she sighed. “As I mentioned, the Emperor was a Sith, and a powerful one at that. So the best chance of defeating him was with the Jedi… or it would have been if not for the massacre at the Temple and the betrayal by the entire Army of the Republic.” she explained with a shudder as a memory flashed behind her eyes.

Calista smiled softly at the assurance Hawkin was giving with the simple touch… but even during that brief moment, she felt something. She wasn't sure how to describe it at first until she realized, it was him. She jolted away from the touch at the same time he pulled back and looked at him in shock. “Hawkin… what did you just…” she trailed off, unsure how to finish her question.

“No. It's not from hyperfuel.” Calista confirmed, in awe. “It's called a Force Echo or retrocognition. It means that you are gifted in the Force. I don't remember too many Jedi who had this ability especially since it is… was considered passive and not something that could be taught.” she explained to Hawkin.

“You have the potential to be.” Calista corrected, not necessarily disputing Dex’s comment. “If you wanted to be, you would have to be trained by a Master and be taught to avoid falling to the Dark Side… but it is possible.”

Calista rubbed her neck, slightly embarrassed, and shook her head. “Lorian was being generous. I’m only considered a Master because there’s so few Jedi left and I happen to live on Coruscant.” she tried to explain but she could almost feel a sense of disappointment from the Force. She sighed and her fingers brushed against a cool thin chain, bringing a particular phrase back to mind. She let out a soft chuckle and smirked. “Then again, Force knows when I’ll find another Force-sensitive who wants me to teach them. If you're serious, I would be honored to have you as my Padawan.”

(First of all, I want to apologize for my sporadic response times today. Work was hectic. And secondly, this is a fair warning that I am in the theater so…)

Calist laughed a little but nodded. “With your gift, and Dex with us, it's very possible.” she agreed, before turning to the droid in question. “What do you say, Dex? Would you like to stick around with us and help us answer some old questions?”

“Calista is fine.” she smiled, as she stood with him. “I… don't think I'm ready to be called a Master in any context. As for where we should go… well, we have options. We can go to your place, or my place… Or the Temple here.” she suggested, though she was a little worried about what Hawkin could accidentally see there.

"Then… Let's go to my place. I can teach you something that should help you with your… visions." Calista offered. "Though I don't live in the upper levels either. It's more a simple apartment in the midlevels." she explained with a slight shrug. "I'm not used to all the… grandeur of living up here. It feels to exposed."

“No, it's not a ghost in your blood.” Calista pointed out, caught between wanting to laugh and roll her eyes but managed not to do either. “The Force is… bigger than that. It's been described as an energy that flows through everything. Living, sentient, and not.” she tried to explain. Before answering his second question. “Well, it's not an eternal daytime up here, I’ve seen sunsets from some pretty tall building before but I understand what you mean. But the midlevels are probably the closest to a city on an average world, like Aldeeran or Naboo or Dantooine. The sunlight still filters down during the day but it's not as busy or open as it is on the upper levels and not quite as dark as the lower levels.”

Calista adjusted the collar of her robe and shook her head. “Not exactly. But I do remember hearing a more scientific explanation… a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic organism that lives in the cells of everything thing.” she offered, hoping that would give Hawkin a better understanding.
“Well, hopefully, we can see one together. And I don't see a reason why you shouldn't visit your planet of origin.” she shrugged even though she hadn't seen Corellia since before the war.

“It's not a parasite.” Caslitsa assured, sharing in his humorous interpretation. “If anything the Dark Side is more parasitic than the Force itself. Of course, I could just be explaining it poorly. I was only ten when the Temple was attacked and the subsequent massacre and during the years in between, the Temple and its Archives have been ravaged by so many.” she admitted sadly. She cleared her throat, as if to shake away the somber tone, and smiled softly. “But I’m sure we can still find something.”
“Sure. We can travel, revisit places, and actually enjoy our time there this time.” she nodded before leading the way out of the Senate building.