the Cause. the Creed. the Code.

5 Cognizant

Dinner with Clan Wren was otherwise uneventful, probably due to the fact Cal Kestis wasn't even present at the table, electing to eat in a private wing of the mansion with Alrich. When Hera and Kallus returned to the guest wing, Kestis was leaning on the wall by his and Kallus' room. His eyes seemed to brighten when he saw them.

"How was dinner?" He asked them casually.

"Tristan had to get me some yogurt," Kallus admitted. His cheeks still glowed slightly with the spices of the meal.

"Fen Rau challenged me to eat Tiingilar," Kestis boasted.

"Did you?" Kallus gasped.

"Fen Rau is here?" Hera asked.

"Yes to both," Kestis confirmed with a confident shrug of his shoulders. BD-1 chuckled from his back.

"So, uh, how was your consultation with Alrich?" Kallus asked next. Kesti's lips formed into a thin line under his beard.

"Well, we had a discussion about the Jedi, he remembers them differently then I do," Kestis' voice was rough and stern.

"Well, he is a Mandalorian," Kallus reminded him, and Kestis nodded.

"I also had some preconceptions about the Mandalorians that were incorrect..." Kestis admitted, "but talking with Alrich, I think there's a lot we can learn from each other."

"That's good to hear, then," Hera said, as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"I need to ask you something, General," Kestis said, his eyes low, "Can we stay here one more day?"

"Why?"

"Alrich figured I'd already come all this way, and I asked Merrin already," Kestis avoided explaining directly until he finally said, "We may have our first session tomorrow."

"That's good, Cal," Kallus exclaimed, "That's good, right?"

Kestis nodded, "I feel like he really wants to help me, understand me," Kestis admitted.

"Alright then," Hera said, "We leave the day after tomorrow, will that be enough time for you, Kestis?"

BD-1 whistled excitedly and Kestis nodded.

Yes, thank you, General Hera Syndulla, for allowing me to meet Alrich Wren," Kestis said, and she dared to meet his eyes, there was a softness to them that Hera had forgotten they could possess. She couldn't think of a response and stood there with a military stiffness as he bid both her and Kallus goodnight before retreating into his room.

Hera lay in bed that night trying to imagine the Cal Kestis that Kanan Jarrus must had remembered from when they were just children. Surely, that Kestis must have existed once. Before Tantiss. Before the Empire. Before the Clone Wars. Lifetimes ago for them all. She realised he resurfaced again in that moment.

Or maybe he'd always been there. She just didn't want to admit it.