Tales of the Cosmos | VOK stories

[Spotted.Newt]

Calian had never really expected to find someone.

He had hoped, of course, but he knew that the life of a Jedi was not very compatible with a serious relationship. He was always off on missions, and when he wasn't on mission he was training and working to improve his own skill.

Then there was the added complication of the whole inter-dimensional space and time travel thing. He might spend a month out on mission somewhere in another timeline, but return to the Order only a day after he had left. That would certainly be unnerving for any significant other, to have him come home and greet her like he hadn't seen her in ages (because to him, he hadn't) while she had said goodbye to him only the night before.

Besides, where would he find a mate? He couldn't exactly marry anyone from one of the timelines he visited. That would make the timeline stuff even more complicated. But finding a lion mate (Calian was one of the members of the Cosmic Order who's True Form was feline, having been born on Felidae) seemed unlikely given how little time he spent on Felidae outside of the Order's territory.

So, in sum, Calian's chances of finding someone were slim to none. There was a reason Nexus and Borealis were the only couple in the entire Order.

But then, on a team mission with his Padawan Sienna and Tulca-Noen and her Padawan Acacia, the group met up with one of Tulca-Noen's contacts. A Jedi who was working with the Rebels.

And Calian fell in love.

It was admiration at first, respect for the woman who had managed to survive Order 66, continue her Jedi training in secret, and lead a small band of Rebels. They shared polite chatter at first, but found that they enjoyed talking with one another, and soon were having longer and deeper conversations. A friendship formed, and then something more. And when the Force called the Cosmic Jedi home, Gali decided to join them.

"There are many capable hands here that can do my job as well, if not better, than I am currently doing it," Gali said in the departing speech she gave, "But to be a Jedi is a rare privilege offered only to a few. It is a hard path, just as standing among you is a hard path. And just as not everyone is cut out to be a fighter pilot or a General, not everyone is cut out to be a Jedi. Those who are have a duty to follow that path. The time of the Jedi was cut short in this galaxy, and we cannot do that which we were born to do. I have the opportunity to journey to a galaxy where the Jedi still live and work, and it is my duty to join their ranks and honor my training, just as it is the duty of every person here to fill the place where they are best suited."

Tulca-Noen had a smug look when Gali announced her decision, and Calian had the feeling that the old snow leopard had orchestrated the entire thing in a way.

Not that he was complaining.

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