6. The Meiloorun Hunt Begins

Ezri looked her back at her formal Jedi training so far. Kanan shared with Ezri the history of the Jedi that she had found rather intriguing.


Now, she sat alone in the catch it of the ship. So far, she learned the Jedi Code, how the order was founded, Jedi temples and the details surrounding their non-stop battle with the Sith, the ranks. Kanan did not go through the history of the Clone Wars and left Order 66 out of the lessons. That was saved for a conversation for another day. Also, she didn't know several traditions of the Jedi, like how they made their first lightsaber or the significance of Padawan braids. (Kanan had to remember to give Ezri a secret one that only the crew would notice, but that was also a subject meant for another time). Now, the first lesson how to use the force starting now for the young Ezri Bridger.


Now, he taught her levitation and told his Padawan that he would teach her more on levitation later but for now he gave her room to try it on her own. Also, Ezri was primarily doing this because she was bored out of her mind. Chopper was there to keep her company. Ezri tried hard to levitate the bowl Hera had off the table. She only managed to make it move a little bit. Ezri shrieked in frustration. She had to try again. She closed her eyes again and thought it through. When she opened, Ezri really thought she finally did it. However, it was Chopper with one of his " hands" lifting it up from the table. Instead of being angry, Ezri laughed at the droid's efforts.


"Chop, the point is that I have to do it myself. But I appreciate your help."


Chopper muttered something but since Ezri was still trying to understand Droid speech. She completely abandoned her "lesson" and walked out of the kitchen in frustration, thinking of doing something else to keep her occupied.


Seriously, if I couldn't lift anything with the Force... Ezri thought. She had this inside fear that Kanan would dump her if she couldn't do ANYTHING with the Force, mad that Kanan only taught her the Jedi Code, unlocking things and lifting with the Force. Silently, walking in shame, Ezri went to her and Sabine's room. However, the door was locked when Ezri got there. She rolled her eyes.


"Sabine!" Ezri snapped, pounding on the door. Sabine, with paint all over her, opened the door, where she saw the younger girl standing there with her arms crossed.


"Hey, roommate!" Sabine said casually with a smile.


"Why did you lock me out of our room?"


"Just thought I'd make a few improvements of our room," Sabine said. She gestured from the younger girl top the room, "inviting" Ezri in. As she walked in and faced the wall that was her bed, the anger from Ezri broke away from her and changed to shock and amazement. Instead of it being of white and gray like it was before, everything outside of her bunk was now orange and dark blue. Two of her favorite colors, and reflecting Ezri's orange jumpsuit and her hair.


"By the Jedi Order!" She shouted. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SIDE OF THE ROOM!"


Sabine shrugged.


"Well, it was just me in this room since I joined the team," Sabine admitted. "But now that we share room because I'm not the only teen girl here anymore and most of the paintings in here reflect on me, I thought I'd make it a little more 'Ezri'. What do you think?"


"What do I think? What do I think?!" She shouted. "It looks awesome!" She couldn't help but hug her. "Thank you, Sabine!"


"Yeah, uh, sure kid," she said returning the hug. To Sabine, Ezri was like younger sister she always wanted. As they broke up their hug, Ezri looked at the side of the bedroom again but noticed that black was missing


"But why no black?"


Sabine looked up at her artwork. Black? Why didn't she think of that?!


"Well it's that..." Sabine began coming up with excuses. "How did I miss that? Okay it's not done yet! Out!"


She grabbed the younger teenager's shoulders and spun her around while also forcefully pushing her out the door.


"What now?" Ezri asked, annoyed.


"I've still got to add a few more details."


"Okay but what about my..." She began asking for her bag, but Sabine had already locked the door before she could say anything else. Ezri groaned. Now, to Ezri, Sabine was beginning to act more and more like an older sibling.


One minute, they're overprotective and loving you to completely annoying you until you drop dead, she thought bitterly.


She just had to open her big mouth about there being no black in the bunk. She entered the entrance to the Ghost when the girl saw Zeb sitting in the common area next to it.


"Zeb! Sorry I didn't see you there," Ezri said. Ever since saving his life, the two had gone from fighting with each other to bring completely awkward with one another.


"Whatever, kid," Zeb responded.


Ezri stood their awkwardly.


"Whatcha eatin'?" She said at last as she watched him. The Lasat gave her a look with a raised eyebrow.


"Nothing that would interest you," Zeb said. Though he wished this girl would leave him alone, Zeb couldn't help but wonder. "What are you doing?"


Ezri shrugged. "Boredom." Unknown to her, her Master came into the room and was crossing his arms.


"Boredom, huh?" Kanan asked. Ezri turned around to face him with a cheesy smile. "Is levitation boredom?"


"I was at it for an hour," Ezra defended herself. "Besides. We're not training today."


Before Kanan was able to deflect it, Hera came into the room from the cockpit.


"Hey! I need someone to do a supply run," Hera came from the ramp and climbed down to the docking bay. "I'll do it!" Ezri shouted without thinking, raising her hand. She didn't really think this situation through but she had her reasons. She needed to get out of here to break her boredom and avoid a conversation with Kanan.


"Ezri, are you sure..." Hera began.


"YES!" she shouted in excitement. "I know the markets of Lothal better than anyone, Hera! I can find what you're looking for!"


"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kanan asked and Ezri say she blamed him for being surprised. The girl nodded but she was a bit disappointed he couldn't trust her.


"Yes. Why?" Ezri asked. "You don't trust me, Master?"


"No, Ezri," Kanan said, bringing his hand up in surrender. Honestly, Kanan didn't want her going died there by herself. "it's just that it seems unlikely for you to volunteer like this."


Ezri crossed her arms with an eyebrow raised. "Really?"


"No, I'm sorry I don't mean it like that, Ezri, it's just that..." Kanan sighed. "It's just that there are stormtroopers down there and you got captured last time."


"Kanan, I have been extra careful on these missions. Especially the one where we escorted those two droids to their master." Ezri was careful not to mention the disrupters. "I don't think a quick run to the market will be any trouble."


Hera watched them the whole time. She shared Kanan's protectiveness, but Ezri proved to be a clever girl. But she mostly looked at Kanan in annoyance.


"Kanan, love, it's already been decided," Hera said. She had the ship landed by having hit the emergency landing button. The platform folded from the ship. She walked over to Ezri with a list in hand.,


"The town of Kothal's two klicks to the South." She handed Ezri her list. Hera pointed at her sternly. "Be sure to get everything on this list, Ezri and try to get a meiloorun while you're at it."


"They don't grow here, though," Ezri said.


"There's bound to be someone off world who sells them.," Hera said. "Don't need to fuss over it."


Ezri nodded. "Got it."


"Wait," Kanan said, grabbing his Padawan's shoulder. He looked over to Zeb who was trying to finish his food. "Zeb, maybe you should go with her."


Ezri looked at him, shocked. "Kanan..." Hera muttered. Ezri wanted to do this by herself. She didn't need some one watching over her. Not that she hated Zeb but as mentioned earlier, though Ezri did save his life, they were awkward with each other instead of fighting with each other. While Hera face-palmed herself at Kanan's overprotectiveness, he was not taking any chances. Yes, he was being protective, again but Kanan trusted that Zeb would keep her safe and out of trouble with anyone who may do Ezri harm.


"it's not safe for any of us to be alone. Besides that, she might need your help."


Zeb grumbled. "Fine." Though he and the kid were awkward with each other and despite the fact she apologized two weeks ago after the incident with the droid, there was no way that kid was getting captured again. The Lasat stepped off the Ghost while Ezri remained on board as she sneered at her Master.


"Kanan, I don't need a babysitter."


"Zeb's not your babysitter, he is helping you.


"I can do this by myself."


"Kiddo, please just work with me here," Kanan begged, putting a hand on his Padawan's shoulder. "We've already lost you once, if you don't recall."


"Kid, come in, we don't have all day!" Zeb shouted. Ezri looked at the Lasat before giving one last glare at her master before she stepped off the ship. Hera looked at Kanan with a raised eyebrow and a smile. She just loved seeing him acting all protective over Ezri, despite only knowing her four nearly a month now, especially when it came to her Jedi Training.


"What?" Kanan asked her.


"Nothing," Hera said with a smile before she walked up to the cockpit. At least, with Zeb and Ezri together, Hera thought to herself, they'll be able to fix whatever awkwardness they've developed for each other and might get them closer.


Meanwhile.


Ezri didn't know what Hera was thinking. Yeah, sure, Ezri knew that Hera was not expecting a meiloorun, but she didn't. Every stall Zeb and I went to there were no meilooruns like Hera wanted. They split up to cover better ground to find that daft fruit. That and the fact that Ezri just wanted some space. Not that she didn't like Zeb like she did a few days ago, Ezri wanted to show Kanan she could take care of herself without a shadow watching her.


"Ezri?" Panic seized her as the girl stopped, wondering who knew her name, apart from the crew. Ezri looked at the vender, who looked familiar. "Is that Ezri Bridger?"


"Mr. Sumar?" Ezri asked, coming towards him.


"Ezri," Mr. Sumar said, he looked at her. To be fair, Ezri was only seven the last time she saw him. The last time when her parents were taken away from her. "Oh, look how you've grown. Here, have a jogan."


She couldn't believe he remembered that fruit, her absolute favorite.


"Thanks," she said, taking a bite from it. "Don't suppose you have any meilooruns?"


"Meilooruns?" Mr Sumar just laughed it off. "Meilooruns don't grow on Lothal."


"I know! Just a shot," Ezri muttered as she finished the jogan. "Looks like I'm going to have to find an off-world importer."


"I suppose you could, but it'd cost you." Mr Sumar said. "What have you been up to.


Ezri shrugged. "Nothing. It's just, I have a crew now. So, I'm not alone anymore."


Mr. Sumar smiled. "Still as strong as ever, just like your parents."


Ezri couldn't help but smile. "Right. Well, great seeing you again," He saw her smile and returned it. As soon as she walked away, she overheard an Imperial officer tormenting him. Really Ezri wanted to pulverize them, but Mr Sumar sent her a look to not get involved. So, she had no choice but to stand aside.


"Sumar! Have you changed your mind?" shouted the Imperial officer.


"No. I told you, I'm not selling my farm."


Ezri saw the officer's hand ball up into a fist as he glared at Mr Sumar.


"Very well." he hissed. Ezri watched as the Imperial walked away. Now, Ezri's mind burned. She wanted to do something to help Mr. Sumar. However, before she could say or do anything to help, Zeb tapped her on the shoulder. Ezri looked at him.


"I got everything but the meilooruns. Any luck?"


"They don't grow here," Ezri said. "Besides, we got everything, Zeb. Let's go."


She began walking away but Zeb grabbed her arm.


"Oh, come on kid, someone has got to be selling them somewhere!" Ezri stopped, crossing her arms over her chest and raising her eyebrow while her bag on her side weighed on her. Zeb knew that meilooruns were Hera's favorite, so they weren't leaving without a meiloorun.


"Here, take this," Zeb handed me one of the bags he was carrying. "I'll go find one."


"Zeb, Zeb, wait!" Ezri shouted, but she growled as the Lasat ignored her. She would hate Zeb for nearly getting her killed. Curse Kanan for making Zeb come along with her.


When she got back to the ship, she was staying as far away from him as much as possible.


But for now, she had to make sure that Zeb wouldn't get into any trouble.

Comment