43

Days on Pabu were quiet. Slow. Time seemed to move differently on the island.

Mornings were often spent going to the market with Phee and Omega. Saedii loved getting to pick out the fresh fruit and eggs, while Omega was always excited to see what the fishermen had pulled from the sea. She'd scamper down to the docks to watch in fascination as they hauled massive scaled fish the size of full-grown men out of their nets.

Afternoons were reserved for the beach. Sometimes, Saedii and Wrecker would challenge each other to see who could swim out the furthest or dive the deepest. Other times, she would walk the shore with Hunter, looking for little treasures left behind from the waves. A few times, Saedii just went down to sleep on the beach – spreading out a blanket and letting the warmth of the sun coax her into a nap.

Evenings were the best. After a day well-spent on Pabu, the Batch would come back together for dinner at Phee's place. Phee, as it turned out, was a fantastic chef. She regaled them all with amazing dishes from across the universe – fish and vegetables and cheeses and pastas and grains. They'd eat their fill and talk late into the night, until they all returned to their beds to wake up and repeat the same the next day.

It was, without a doubt, the most relaxed Saedii had felt since the fall of the Republic. After the first day, she stopped looking over her shoulder every time she went into the market. Pretty soon, she wasn't even carrying her lightsabers around. Pabu was so safe that she no longer felt the need to arm herself everywhere she went.

Phee seemed happy to have them there. She was always waiting for Saedii and Omega in the morning to go to the market. Always eager to buy things for them as they shopped.

"This would look good with your skin tone." Phee held up a white knitted dress to Saedii's front, eyeing the length.

Already this morning, Phee had bought Saedii some new earrings, a pair of sandals to wear to the beach, and a flower barrette, which she'd already slid into Saedii's hair. That wasn't even counting the new dress she'd gotten Omega, or a book on native ocean flora and fauna for Tech.

"Phee, I don't need that," Saedii argued, sniffing one of the oranges in her hand. It smelled perfectly ripe. She handed the vendor a few credits and grabbed a half-dozen more to put into her bag.

"Sure you do! You can never have too many clothes." Phee turned and dropped a handful of credits into the waiting hand of the vendor.

Saedii sighed. "You're spending too much money on us."

"Is that so?" Phee folded the dress and slipped it into her own bag before the sight of fishing gear nearby drew her eye.

"I have my own credits. I can buy things for myself," Saedii said carefully. Not wanting to sound ungrateful.

Eyes on the fishing gear, Phee answered lightly, "Having people to shop for isn't a burden, Saedii, but a privilege. After so long on my own, it's nice to have others here that I want to spoil."

Saedii didn't have anything to say to that. Her thoughts went unwillingly to Kalth, who she'd used to surprise with candies on the weekend. Seeing his face light up each time had been her favorite.

She pushed the thought away. Ever since Hareth, she'd tried very hard not to think about her former best friend. There wasn't anything she could do for him.

"You think Cross would like this?" Phee held up a woven bag made of seaweed.

At Phee's urging, Crosshair had tried his hand at spear fishing. To no one's surprise, he was a perfect shot. His first day, he'd amazed all the local fishermen on the dock when he'd brought back nearly thirty fish. All speared perfectly through the eye.

He'd been out every morning since. All the fish he caught were donated to the local medical bay and the local schools. Though he'd kept a few of the biggest fish for their dinner. As it turned out, he had an eye for spotting the best.

"He can carry more fish with it," Phee explained, holding it out to demonstrate just how far it could expand.

"He doesn't need it." In fact, he'd probably be angry if she bought it for him. Of all the Batch, Crosshair seemed the most ill at ease with how much Phee was giving them all.

Phee made a face and put it back down.

From the down street, Omega ran towards them, grinning. She pointed eagerly over her shoulder towards the docks, where a massive eel was being pulled from the nets.

"The fishermen said they caught a tana eel!" she said, breathless.

Saedii smiled. Omega's fascination with the sea and the fish was endless. "It's huge," she said, playing along.

"They said they can get twice that size!"

It made Saedii happy to see Omega so invested. Her natural curiosity was never sated here on the island. Everything she learned spawned new questions.

"One more stop," Phee announced, pointing them down the street.

The three followed the main road, closer towards the water. It was still early in the day. The sun had only just risen above the horizon, but already most of the island seemed to be awake. As they passed the bakery, the smell of baking bread and pastries filled the air and a line seven-deep stood at the counter.

Soft sea spray misted Saedii's face as they stopped at a small beige shop on the water's edge. Black wrought iron tables and chairs sat outside, some occupied with customers sipping from dainty little glass jars. A sign above the door was written in a language Saedii didn't recognize, but the symbol of a caff bean by the door told her what kind of shop this was.

Inside, the smell of brewed caff was heavy in the air. A long counter sat beneath a wide glowing sign that advertised different types of caff beans and drinks, while a glass display case showed off little tiny pastries for purchase.

"Is this where you get the caff beans?" Saedii asked.

"Sure is." Phee pointed to the sign. "They have all different kinds of roasts here. And they make the best iced caff on the island."

"Iced caff?" The only caff Saedii knew of was hot.

"Have you ever had one before?"

She shook her head. Next to her, Omega was looking around at the inside of the shop, zeroing in on the patrons that sat at the tables with cold drinks in their hands.

Phee chuckled. "I'll get you one. Most of the kids your age prefer the iced drinks over the hot. I think you'll like it."

Saedii wasn't so sure about that. She'd had cold caff before – when she'd waited too long and it had grown cold in the carafe. It wasn't very good.

The vendor behind the counter greeted Phee before handing over a large burlap bag that smelled of cinnamon and nutmeg. Phee gestured to something on the sign, speaking in another language.

Both Saedii and Omega were fascinated as the vendor turned to his machines, pushing buttons in a complicated pattern. New scents filled the air – something sweet and floral with a spice Saedii couldn't place. Dark brown caff poured into a glass jar a moment before something white splashed in after it, swirling in a dramatic pattern until the vendor gave it a firm shake.

When he slid it in front of her, it was like no caff she'd ever seen before. The glass was definitely cold. And it was a light brown in color – not dark.

"Why does it look like this?" Saedii asked Phee, quietly. In front of her, the vendor was smiling in anticipation.

Amusement filled Phee's gaze. "I know you military types drink your caff like rocket fuel, but us normal people don't always like our coffee so bitter. That's why we put milk in it."

Omega and Saedii exchanged a bewildered look. Milk in caff?

"Just try it," Phee insisted.

Hesitantly, Saedii took a sip. The usual bitter taste of the caff was tempered. It was smooth and sweet on her tongue, with the vaguest hints of cinnamon.

"Well?"

"It's...amazing." Saedii was stunned. How had she never heard of this before?

"Told you." Phee was smug as she handed the vendor a few credits. He appeared pleased as well.

"Can I try some?" Omega asked.

Saedii handed her the jar, watching as Omega took a tentative sip. Her young friend looked up with a smile. "It is good."

"Tagamon has the best caff in town. He's pretty handy with his drink creations," Phee told them as they left the shop.

As soon as they stepped outside, a surprised voice called her name.

When Saedii looked up, she found Aren sitting at one of the tables with a group of friends. He was dressed like he'd been out fishing – thick soled rubber boots up to his knees, light cotton shift with the sleeves pushed back. And he smelled faintly of fish.

At the sight of him, a very self-satisfied smile took place on Phee's lips. She put a hand on Omega's shoulder as she said, "You know what, Omega? I just remembered that I have one more store I need to stop at. Why don't you come with me while Saedii chats for a bit?"

Omega looked uneasily between Saedii and Aren – the former who was now frowning.

Saedii nodded to let her know it was alright. Whatever Aren had to say, she didn't want to discuss it in front of Omega. Just in case it got heated again.

"Hi," Aren said nervously, throat working. "I didn't know you were back."

"We got in a few days ago," Saedii said. Her tone, while not sharp, was definitely not gentle. He winced at the sound.

The others sitting at the table eyed her with interest. Two were girls – one was human with dark hair tipped in purple, the other was Twi'lek with deep navy skin. The last she recognized as his friend from the festival. Dyron, if she remembered correctly.

At the sight of her, Dyron snapped into a very poor excuse for a salute. "Master Jedi."

Saedii gave him a strained smile.

Aren wiped his hands on his pants. Anxious. "This is Tylla and Inis. They're my friends."

The two girls – Tylla, the Twi'lek and Inis, the human – were looking at Saedii curiously. She gave them a very awkward hello.

"I've never met a Jedi before. It's an honor," Inis said kindly.

"She's a bad ass," Dyron said at once. "She kicked major Separatist ass during the war. Didn't you, Commander?"

"If they'd really kicked ass, then the Republic would have won the war," Tylla pointed out.

"We gave it our best attempt. The massacre of our entire order made things a bit tricky at the end." Saedii's voice was sharpened. A response to Tylla's throwaway comment, even if it hadn't been particularly cruel. Then, she added unnecessarily, "And it's General, now."

Tylla flushed. Dyron gaped.

Aren looked around the table at his friends. "Do you guys mind if I talk to Saedii a moment? Just the two of us?"

Dyron looked like he wanted to argue, but Inis agreed, "Of course. I should probably head home soon, anyways. Come on, guys."

Tylla wouldn't meet Saedii's eye as she stood, but Dyron was already snapping into another sloppy salute. "See you soon, General."

Other patrons were staring. Saedii's face felt like it was going to burst into flames.

Once they'd gone, Aren pulled out a chair for her.

There was a pause as Saedii debated just leaving. After what he'd said to her on their date, she didn't owe him anything. Not her time. Not her attention. Nothing.

But the heavy press of regret in the Force stopped her.

She took the seat.

"I'm really sorry, Saedii." The apology came at once. And it wasn't rushed or forced, but sincere. He held her gaze, even as Saedii got the sense he wanted to look at the ground. "I shouldn't have said those things to you. It wasn't right."

Silence hung between them. Saedii didn't know what to say. It's ok didn't seem appropriate, because it hadn't been ok. It had really hurt her feelings. Had made her so mad that she'd snapped at Echo and Hunter.

"I was wrong to judge you for things you'd done to survive," he continued. "I've never been in a battle. I don't know what it's like to have to make that choice, and I hope I never have to find out. I don't blame you for the lives you took."

Well, as far as apologies went, he was off to a good start. Saedii sipped on her iced caff, letting him finish.

He ran a hand through his hair. "I wish I could take back what I said, but since I can't, I take full responsibility. I was wrong, and I hope you can accept this apology."

Saedii observed him. He didn't just look contrite, but embarrassed. Ashamed. He was really speaking from the heart. It was more than she'd expected.

"I forgive you, Aren."

He looked up in surprise. "You don't have to. I'm not just apologizing to get back on your good side."

"I know. That's why I forgive you. Because I sense that you mean it." She gave him a very hesitant smile.

Aren returned it.

Down the street, just visible behind a banana stand, Phee and Omega were watching. At the look Saedii sent them, they both suddenly disappeared.

"Auntie Phee said you were staying for a while," Aren began casually. Almost hesitant. "If you're feeling up to it, would you want to go out on my boat with me and my friends tomorrow? It doesn't have to be as a date. Just as friends."

Friends. Saedii seemed to be in short supply of those these days. Friends that hadn't been genetically bred in a lab for war, at least.

"I don't know." Even though he'd given a sincere apology, Saedii wasn't sure if she fully trusted him yet. Or if she wanted to go out into the middle of the ocean with him and his friends.

"It's nothing crazy. We all usually rope our boats together and float around for a bit. Do some swimming." He gave a timid smile. "But it's always fun."

"So you just...float?"

"And talk. Sometimes we bring alcohol and drink a little."

One of her brows quirked. "Is that legal? What's the drinking age on Pabu?"

Aren was suddenly sputtering, "Uh, well, I mean it's not totally illegal. We're old enough."

Something that Phee had said a few weeks ago came back to her then.

Stay out too late and get in trouble. Do something that doesn't have to do with war or fighting.

Do something normal for a change.

There was an air of excitement around Aren. And daring. Breaking the rules, going out on the boat to drink without their parents – this was what other teenagers did to get an adrenaline rush. Not jumping out of airships or running into enemy fire.

Saedii's curiosity won out. "I'll go."

"Great." He reached out like he was going to grab her hand before stilling. Shyly, he pulled his hand back. "Meet us at the docks tomorrow morning?"

"Do I need to bring anything?"

"Just a bathing suit. I'm bringing food and Dyron is getting the ergas from his older brother."

It was weird. Saedii had planned her fair share of campaigns and missions. A few of which had been highly classified. Covert. But the thought of planning what to wear for a stupid little boat party suddenly made her anxious.

Especially when Aren gave a very timid smile and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, Saedii."

Not even a moment after he left, Phee and Omega were there. Phee had a very devious tilt to her head as she asked, "So...have any fun plans tomorrow?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

"I figured you might. You'll probably need this, then." Phee handed Saedii the white dress she'd bought earlier this morning. "To wear over your bathing suit on the boat."

This time, Saedii accepted the gift without complaint.