A returning Echo

Chapter Four

You woke to the sound of your holotransceiver going off. You rolled over to answer it, not bothering to open your eyes to see who it was.
"Good morning, y/n" you heard Kwol's voice emit from the device.
"Mhmm," you mumbled, rolling back over to get comfy again.
"Really? That's the kind of response you give your best friend when he calls you?"
"It's too early," you mumbled into your pillow.
"It's 9:27 on Coruscant," he countered.
"Late night."
"Well, I was just wanting to know if you were coming to see the twins for their birthday tomorrow," Kwol said, causing you to shoot open your eyes.
"Shit, that is tomorrow," you said, sitting up and looking at Kwol's projected figure.
"Did you forget?"
"No, I just have a lot on my mind," you said defensively. "Being a Jedi and a queen during a galactic war isn't exactly easy, you know. Especially when the king doesn't help with any diplomatic issues."
"Hey," he shot back, "I do some diplomatic things."
"Really? Like what?" You asked while folding your arms.
"I deal with the local issues, like disputes between cities over who gets what land and such."
"Woooow, so diplomatic of you. I can't believe I over looked such an important thing!" You said sarcastically as you rolled your eyes.
"Hey, it's something. And besides, commanding troops isn't as easy as it sounds," Kwol stated before he realized what he said, making him sound like an idiot.
"Yeah, Kwol. I know. General Jinn of the 17th battalion here."
"Yeah, well, it's not an entire planet's military," he added.
"Whatever," you said, brushing off the conversation. "And don't worry, I'll fly over today. I just have to pack up and make sure I won't be needed."
"Okay, I'll see you later then," he said before ending the call. You stretched as you stood up, making your way to the kitchen for breakfast. You saw a piece of deqish on the floor and smiled to yourself, remembering the events of the previous night.
After you ate breakfast, you quickly got ready for the day and headed out, looking for your old master.
"Codo!" You said, waving to him when you finally found him.
"Y/n, my child. Planning on starting another food fight today?" He joked. You laughed as well, shaking your head.
"Actually, I was wondering if you were busy for the next few days."
"Not unless something comes up," he replied after thinking for a second.
"Great! It's the twins' birthday tomorrow," you told him.
"Ah, it is! Are you going to see them?"
"Yeah, and I was wondering if you would like to come with me. You haven't been to Dohbar in a while, and everyone would be excited to see you."
"Yes, I think I could make arrangements to go with you."
"Great!" You said, clapping your hands together. "I'm leaving in two hours on the royal transport. Don't be late!" You called as you ran down the hall.
"Y/n!" You heard Codo shout. "I need more than just two hours to prepare!" When you didn't stop or respond, he shook his head and mumbled to himself. "I guess I better hurry."

You made your way to the hanger, planning to head into the city to buy the twins some gifts. You saw Ahsoka and Rex talking and you waved at them both.
"Ahsoka, Rex! How are you guys?"
"We're doing just fine, General Jinn," Rex responded. "I heard you had a guest for dinner last night."
"A guest?" Ahsoka asked.
"Yes. General Jinn here had been getting close to someone we know," he teased.
"Y/n, you like someone?" Ahsoka exclaimed a little too loudly.
"Shh, don't tell everyone in the hanger. But, yeah, I'm getting to know someone." You couldn't hide the smile that split your lips when you thought about him.
"Who is it?" She wondered. "Is it Master Fisto?"
"Master Fisto?" You responded, sounding a little too objected to the idea. "No, it's not any Jedi," you said.
"A clone? Y/n!" She exclaimed again, "are you into Commander Sans?!"
"No!" You said, "it's not any of my men either."
She held her chin for a moment, before she tried, "did you finally manage to convince Cody to have dinner with you?" You huffed and shook your head.
"That man is as stubborn as a Hutt," you joked.
Ahsoka was just confused now. "Well, if not one of your men, and not Cody, then who-"
"Rex! Ahsoka!" You heard from behind you. You bit your lip and smiled as you heard the familiar voice. Ahsoka didn't seem to notice your reaction though, and you turned around to see Echo approaching. His eyes lit up when they found you, before he said, "y/n! What a lovely surprise this is. I didn't know you were joining us on our little trip. I guess you couldn't stay away for long after last night."
Ahsoka's mouth dropped. "Echo?!" She said, shock lacing her tone.
"Me, what?" He asked, confused by something he had clearly missed.
"It's nothing," you said. "I was just talking about last night and having a surprise guest, that's all."
"Oh," he said, not sounding entirely convinced. "Is that all?"
"Mhmm," you responded. He raised an eyebrow in questioning but dismissed it anyways. "I'm not actually joining you on your trip either. I was coming to get my speeder so I could go to the shops."
"Oh," he said a little disappointedly. "Well, how long will you be? If I have time, I'll happily join you."
"No time for that," Rex said. "We need to be on our way, Anakin is already waiting for us."
"Oh, well, sorry then, y/n," he said.
"No worries, Echo. I'll be fine by myself," you reassured him.
"Have fun, then, darling," he said before turning to leave with the others. You blushed hearing the little nickname he had been using for you.
"Have a safe trip!" You called as they boarded a ship. They all waved to you as the ramp closed. You watched as they flew off before you walked over to your speeder. If you were being honest, you had no idea what to get the twins for gifts. As a child, the only person who ever gifted you anything was Codo. Ahnimaka and Kwol had been too young to buy you anything themselves, and the king and queen didn't care enough to bother with gifts. Qui-Gon would send you small items, but you hadn't known it was him until you met him, right before he died on Naboo. You had always just thought it was some random person that would send you a gift. You wandered around a clothing store, wondering if Tayah, their daughter, would like a dress. You looked around briefly, finding some that looked different from what you may see on Dohbar. You remembered that Tayah didn't like to stand out though, and so decided to look elsewhere for a gift.