A New Home

[hadthehighground]

WHO: Obi-Wan Kenobi and YOU
WHERE: The Museum aka The New Jedi Temple
WHAT: Making a new temple for the Jedi!
WHEN: All of April
WARNINGS: None atm

The first days after they arrived back from Coruscant, Obi-Wan was busy. The Jedi essentially hitting the ground running now that he’s been energized by his vacation back home. The first priority was making sure Padme and the twins were comfortable. Then came the task of finding an appropriate place in Temba for a temple.

Before the impromptu trip to Coruscant someone had suggested the amphitheater. However upon looking it over the Jedi decided it didn’t suit the purposes that were needed. So he kept looking. Though he didn’t have to look far as he came across a cluster of buildings that seemed to be a museum complex. After looking over the overgrown and run down grounds he decided that it would be perfect. It would just need some cleaning up and repurposing.

Thus a call is put out on the network. Asking for help in setting up this new home for the Jedi if anyone is willing. Those with the engineering data points would be especially appreciated, as would the advice of those with agriculture for setting up a garden. But really any free hands would do with the promise of the favor being returned down the road.

The time didn’t matter as Obi-Wan will be working on it all month. Cleaning out the buildings and their exhibits. Pieces of artifacts carefully picked up and put away for later sorting and hopefully reassembly. One of the smaller buildings being converted into a holding place for animals and/or potential vehicles. The other intended for living spaces. The largest building was a grand hall and Obi-Wan intended this to be the main structure for learning, sparring, meeting, and whatever else they could use it for. Last but not least the smallest, yet very tall building with a large platform inside was to be made into a place of meditation.

There is a lot to be done and more hands make light work!

((OOC: Feel free to consider this a mingle thread! Obi-Wan isn’t the only Jedi around but I’ll throw him at anyone unless specified otherwise.))

Comments

[out_of_order]

Cal had taken more time to settle back into things so he could digest the long trip they'd returned from. There were things to put away, things to resume fixing up after trying to remember where you'd left off on them. And then there'd been the matter of finding a familiar face in Temba that hadn't been there when they'd left.

But the padawan hadn't forgotten Obi-Wan's goal, and once the Jedi master had put out his request now that he'd decided upon the site for a Jedi temple, Cal didn't hesitate to offer his assistance, in engineering and otherwise as needed.

Being no stranger to clearing things out and dismantling as needed, Cal can either be found doing either of those tasks or working on some loose wiring here and there. The museum isn't one of the places he'd explored to scavenge, so he takes the opportunity to collect things that might be salvageable or used for parts, having brought a cart from his workshop and set it off to the side of the main room for anyone to deposit anything.

Naturally BD-1 is accompanying him, dangling off the padawan's rigger harness. True, he'd gotten some new clothes in Coruscant, but if he's to be doing some dirty work, his old set's durable enough for that.

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan was glad to have Cal’s help. He knew this would be right up his alley and sure enough the young man hadn’t met him down. His talents and willingness to do hard work was invaluable in this place.

Dismantling a lot of what was already here so it could be rebuilt and reorganized was a big task. Obi-Wan let Cal work where he wished while he was off working in another building. Eventually though the Jedi Master came to check on his work. Not surprised to see him with his droid and a cart as they gathered scraps. The Jedi walking over and taking a look around.

“How is it going, my young friend? I see you’ve made a lot of progress.”

[out_of_order]

"Been going great! This is a little easier than dismantling star destroyers," Cal laughs, glancing up at Obi-Wan when the Jedi Master makes an appearance. Of course it's still tiring in the long run no matter what you're taking apart, so picking up salvage is at least something to do while he gives himself a break.

"I'll have to do some welding up there for the power, just a minor fix thankfully." He points out an open paneling off on one side of the room. "Kind of wish we could have seen how the place looked when it was operational."

[hadthehighground]

Inclining his head to look at the pages, Obi-Wan nods, clearly pleased with how things are going. “Good, I’m glad to hear it. You have quite a talent for these things.” Just like Anakin did, but he doesn’t allow his thoughts to go there.

“Yes, it would have been nice to see this place in its former glory. I hope we can do at least some justice to what remains.”

Moving over to one side he picks up some stray debris and places it where Cal seems to have sorted what he found. “Which also has me wondering. Do you have any plans for staying with us here when it’s finished?”

[out_of_order]

Cal wipes his hands off on a rag, draping it over the edge of the cart. "Having the engineering datapoint helps, but I only took it at first because I figured it was something I was familiar with." He laughs as BD-1 swings off his harness to catch onto the edge of the cart, beeping. "Heh, I guess that's true. If I wasn't then I couldn't have helped fix you up all those times either."

He supposes he shouldn't be surprised about the question. Obi-Wan had asked before, and Cal had at the time still been undecided. "...I've been considering it," he says. It would be nice to be around the others, if not more comfortable than the workshop. "...are you opening the place to stay for others aside from Jedi, if they wanted..?"

[hadthehighground]

Yes having the engineering point he would imagine made things easier but it had been easy to see that this had also been Cal’s talent beforehand. Obviously developed during his scrapping days. A glance is given to BD and then back to Cal. “Piloting is the same for me, so I understand that sentiment.” Even if he hates it.

The returned question isn’t surprising either as he tosses a piece of metal into a pile. “I am, actually. I had thought of inviting the Mandalorian and others who might not mind being around Jedi. Padme and the twins will be living here as well. I want this temple to be a haven of peace for everyone, not just us.” He looks up at the Padawan again curiously. “Did you have someone in mind?”

[out_of_order]

It seems like a reasonable thing to do. Cal supposes the next thing he might have taken would have been agriculture, but his experience with plants had only been gathering seedlings for the captain of the Mantis. Working with machinery just feels more comfortable to him. "I'd rather learn how to pilot than just get the info plugged into my head," he admits.

There's almost a guilty look that crosses his face as Obi-Wan turns another question towards him after his response, but it smooths into a crooked smile. "Kind of? I don't know if she'd want to, but if the option's there then I wanted to offer her the chance. There's...someone that arrived recently in Temba. Someone I actually met recently before ending up here."

[hadthehighground]

“Really? A friend of yours then?” That’s interesting and it’s the first he’s heard of someone rise arriving from their galaxy since Padme. But then he has been rather preoccupied.

“If you trust her then I see no reason why she couldn’t be here. That is if she wants to be.”

He trusts Cal’s judgement on the matter.

[out_of_order]

He does trust her, which might be strange enough considering the last impression she'd left on him back on Dathomir. But things had definitely changed since, notable enough since he first came across her again, here in Temba. Cal hasn't yet asked her for the details, of what happened in the time between him and her current standing, but she's so far told him enough.

The padawan nods at Obi-Wan's decision then, smiling more easily. "Thank you, Master Kenobi. Of course, I'll leave the choice to her. It's just too easy being alone around here."

[hadthehighground]

“Yes, I know what you mean,” Obi-Wan says with a smile as he put another piece of scrap in a pile. “We are all in this situation together. So it’s in our best interest to help each other.”

He then looked at Cal meaningfully. “Which brings me to another question. Do you feel alone Cal?” His tone is softer and a bit more concerned. “Forgive me for saying so but I couldn’t help but notice how distant you’ve been compared to Ezra and Grogu. I hope it’s nothing I’ve done.” He had felt Cal’s feelings during that meditation session and it worried him.

[out_of_order]

"I... No, not...not really," Cal says, blinking at the question, but he can easily trace where it would be coming from. He shakes his head.

"It's not you, Master Kenobi. I've gotten to meet so many people here and actually let myself get to know them, more so than anywhere else for the longest time." His smile turns rueful. "Seeing familiar faces come up between the three of you just..." Well, there was some kind of connection there, even if it was indirect, or across a length of time. He sighs. "...we don't remember our time here, when we go back. We'll be in the same place we left off."

[hadthehighground]

He feels a bit bad for putting Cal on the spot like that, but he felt it was important for them to talk about it. There was a lot to talk about after that meditation session at the temple on Coruscant after all.

The Jedi then pauses and looks at the young man with compassion while venturing a guess. “You’re afraid of getting close when you know you’ll lose that?” It’s very understandable after all.

[out_of_order]

Cal scrubs a hand through his hair, holding back another sigh as he then folds his arms across his chest.

"...yeah, something like that," he admits. Maybe it's a little silly, getting anxious about such things that you won't even remember. But then knowing produces it's own anxieties.

[no_applause]

Padme is heading out for a walk with the twins when she notices the cart. Pausing, she smiles.

"That's quite the collection you're gathering there."

[out_of_order]

Although the approach of someone isn't what surprises Cal, the person he finds there slightly does. Or rather, persons. Behind him, BD-1 hoots curiously, and he feels the droid move to peek over his shoulder. The padawan himself gives the woman a nod in greeting.

"Yeah, I guess it is," he chuckles. "Figured it couldn't hurt to do some scavenging while we're clearing things out. Hopefully we'll be able to make some use out of it." He wipes his hands on a rag tucked into his belt, head tilting at her.

"You're Senator Amidala, aren't you?"

[no_applause]

The sight of the droid makes her smile a little wider. "Oh! Hello, I didn't see you there."

To Cal, she nods. "Yes. But, please, call me Padme. I hold no office here."

[out_of_order]

The droid borbles a cheerful hello. Cal gives the woman a nod.

"Oh, of course. Sorry." He smiles lightly. "I'm Cal Kestis. This is BeeDee-One," he offers, gesturing to the droid that's all but clambered over his shoulder to peer at the twins.

"Still a lot of work to be done, but I'm sure we'll manage. Most of the buildings don't seem too badly damaged." Obi-Wan had mentioned Padme and her children were some of those who might be calling the future temple home.

[no_applause]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cal. Hello BeeDee-One." She chuckles, giving the droid a nod.

The babies look up at the movement, staring curiously up at the droid. What are you, strange thing?

"That's good to hear. And it looks like there are artifacts that can be saved. I hope to store them for a time when this can be a museum again."

[out_of_order]

Chuckling, Cal looks from the little ones to his droid buddy before offering a hand to the latter, bringing him to more of an eye-level with the twins. BD-1 boops softly at them.

"That sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't want to just throw them out, especially if they're important to Agrii culture." Which seems like so little that they really have learned about. "I was going to go check out that smaller building there. I think Master Kenobi said he wanted to make it into a meditation room? Want to have a look?"

[no_applause]

Luke coos and Leia burbles at the droid. Hello!

Padme nods. "Yes, exactly. We're just visitors here, after all." His suggestion gets a smile. "I would love to. Though I admit I know very little about meditation, so I don't know if I'll be of much help."

[out_of_order]

The hooting noise the droid gives sounds suspiciously like a giggle. He chirps at the twins happily.

Cal nods at Padme. "I wouldn't worry too much about it. For now I just wanted to see what we've got to work with. There must be a reason there's one lone building apart from the rest."

[no_applause]

Oh isn't he just the cutest little droid?! Padme loves him.

She smiles, "You make an excellent point. Shall we investigate?" She gestures for him to lead the way.

[out_of_order]

Grinning, Cal turns and starts along in the direction of the building. It looks like it's held up fairly well. Maybe the inside won't take too much clean-up. He enters first with BD-1 just to make sure it's all right for Padme and the children to follow, glancing back at Padme with a nod.

It's a small space in comparison with the main museum buildings, but still roomy enough. Obviously whatever had been housed in here had been important. A single pedestal sits in the center of the structure, long since empty.

[no_applause]

She waits outside without being told. If she'd been alone, she would have just followed. But she has the children to consider.

When she steps inside, she looks around in awe. "It's a lovely space." Stepping forward, she touches the top of the pedestal. "I wonder what sat here."

[out_of_order]

"Yeah. Must have been a special building," Cal muses as he walks around before looking over towards the pedestal. He steps towards it, head tilting. "...I think..."

The padawan lifts his own hand towards it as he senses something there. Even the space in general seems to have some kind of lightness to the atmosphere, but he's drawn to what he senses through the Force, an impression, an echo of the past. His fingers brush the top of the pedestal, his gaze going unfocused.

The smile that touches his face is fleeting, quickly replaced by mild shock as he gasps with the abruptness of what he'd seen.