💡- A memory that comes with an object or keepsake they have
It had seemed like an eternity. Multiple eternities, even.
Yes, he knew that didn’t make sense, but he liked to think he was entitled to a bit of harmless nonsense every so often. Especially after this.
Countless exams. Endless essays and reports. Enough research to make his eyes ache. All for this.
“Almost there,” Hano mutters. Lohata elbows him in the side, but she’s the one who moves, not him. The Force dances with good-natured irritation and familiar amusement, swirling happily in oranges and blues and warmth enough that Braig can’t help a smile of his own.
“You have come so far, young ones.” Master Kiwan said. The aged Zabrak’s eyes creased in the corners when he smiled. “Many of you, I have had in my own classes over the years. It has always been my honor and pride to help shape you into the Jedi you are becoming. And for those of you I was not able to teach,” he folds his hands behind his back, “I trust that my colleagues within the Corps feel much the same.” Some of the other teachers nodded from their positions at the front of the room. Braig gave a slight shake of his head to clear away a bit of stray hair, straightening his posture. Master Kiwan let the sentiment hang for a moment before continuing.
“The time has finally arrived that you may all embark on your own journeys, outside of our classrooms. I cannot say where that will take you; it is not my place to decide. Only you can make that choice, and all the ones that come after. I can only hope that the Force guides you to be your best selves, and the lessons we of the Education Corps have passed on will help you along the way.” He glanced over his shoulder and nodded, and some of the other teachers stepped forwards, a few of them carefully picking through the red bands in their palms.
“Congratulations to you all.” Master Kiwan bowed, and the collection of padawans assembled before him did the same. “May the Force be with you.”
“May the Force be with you.” The padawans echoed. The teachers set about their task, one by one bestowing the students with the red band that would mark their graduation, adorning braids and beads and horns and more with practiced movements. An Iktotchi in tan robes stood before Braig, carefully wrapping the band under the white bead. He hadn’t had classes with her, but if he remembered right, he’d heard her called ‘Master Belwin’ before. She’d always seemed nice enough.
“Thank you, Master.” He said, and she smiled as she stepped back.
“Well done, Padawan.” She returned. They bowed, as did the other teachers and padawans as bands were affixed and rank was attained. The excitement in the room thrummed in the Force, barely contained and itching for freedom. It mingled with a pride that puffed itself up, a gilded sense of accomplishment. The air itself was giddy.
Group by group, they were adorned and sent out, clasping hands and earning a few last well-wishes from the schoolmasters as they went on their way. Braig waited by the door, joined soon by the Twins.
“Finally.” Was the only thing they said, in their long-practiced unison. Braig only grinned in response. Hano came after, followed closely by Naweh. Naweh had a broad grin across her face, tinges of orange blooming on the edges of her scales, and Hano’s whiskers were twitching excitedly. The Force around them bubbled, and only intensified when Booda and Lohata emerged (walking as close as they could without drawing attention). Hano threw tree trunk arms around Braig and Booda, casually steering the group down the hall and glancing over his shoulder every few steps.
“Are we far enough?” Lohata asked, pulling her datapad out from the inner pocket of her robe.
“Yeah.” Garak shrugged, thumbs hooked into his sash.
“Freedom!” Hano exclaimed, punching the air with both fists. “We did it!”
“We did!” Booda chirped, bouncing as she clapped her hands together. “No more classes!”
“No more cellwork.” Braig grinned, pushing his hand through his hair.
“No more research projects.” Shah-Ki crossed her arms. “What do we do with all of this free time?” The entire group faltered in stride. Braig opened his mouth and closed it again without a word. Naweh frowned at the floor.
“More missions.” She shrugged, continuing down the hall. The others sighed collectively, then followed.
“Yeah. We’ll actually get free time when the war is over.” Lohata rolled her eyes.
“It has to be soon, though, doesn’t it?” Braig asked, tilting his head to the side. “I mean- The Republic’s scored a lot of decisive victories, lately, and I have a hard time believing that the Separatists aren’t as tired of fighting as we are. Not Dooku and Grievous and those, of course, but the reasonable ones. The Mina Bonteris, if you will.”
“I have a hard time believing every other Separatist is a Mina Boonteri, Braig.” Shah-Ki said.
“It doesn’t have to be all of them.” Braig set his eyes forward. “It just has to be enough.”
“Ever the optimist.” Garak commented, and Braig finally let himself smile again.
“I have to keep my sanity, somehow.”
“Oh, Sith spit.” Hano stopped suddenly, looking quite scandalized. “We’re supposed to be sane?!” He huffed and scratched the back of his head as he resumed walking. “I must’ve missed out on that memo.”
“Yeah,” Naweh grinned and nudged her shoulder against Braig’s. “A sane Jedi? Are we from the same Order?”
“Okay, okay.” Braig nudged back, the Force around the both of them buzzing with amusement.
“Well.” Hano stretched his arms over his head. “I don’t know about all of you, but I’m going to use the free time and freedom we have now to go take a nap.”
“Exciting.” Naweh and Shah-Ki chorused wryly.
“Oh, be nice!” Booda patted Hano’s arm. “You know he just got back from the Outer Rim.”
“Another successful hunt.” Hano sniffed. “As always. ... Anyway, after that, I think I’ll head to the third-floor gym, if anyone wants to join?”
“I will.” Braig said, just as Garak added, “I could do for some rounds, sure.”
“I’m headed to the archives.” Shah-Ki crossed her arms. “I want to see what I have access to, now.”
“Ooh, good idea.” Lohata nodded. “I’ll come too.”
“I’ve got to check in with my master.” Naweh shrugged. “We’re supposed to be heading out in a few days, so it’ll probably just be a briefing, but. Whatever.”
“Me, too.” Booda brushed one of her haillu over her shoulder. “Well - not the briefing. But Nid asked me to see him once the graduation was over.”
“Meet for supper, though?” Braig asked, and was pleased to be answered with a series of affirmations. At least they had that much.
And years later, sitting on his bunk in the Remnant, the tired rogue would stare at the red band on the ‘bracelet’ around his wrist.
And he would wish beyond all hope that he could have that much again, even just once.
It would never come true, of course, but he could wish.
