SEE ME, SEE YOU: Series Two

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y

"Let's begin." Ahsoka nodded. "Let's see what knowledge is lurking inside that little mind." She smoothly scooped up a small pebble and held it out in front of her on her open palm. A moment later, swaying her fingers, it rose from her hand. Reina and Mando watched the stone magically float across the space between the Jedi and Grogu, who raised his own little hand and grasped it mid-air with a coo of delight.

"Amazing..." Reina breathed, the sudden excitement shivered throughout her whole body. Her hand sprang and clung to Mando's cape. The Mandalorian took notice, but remained silent as he watched Ahsoka and Grogu.

"Now," Ahsoka said, "return the stone to me, Grogu."

The child didn't move. He stared at the pebble in his three tiny fingers. To Reina, he seemed to be struggling...

"The stone, Grogu." Ahsoka instructed again with a little more force in his tone.

Instead, Grogu huffed a faint grunt and tossed the rock away, then sank down, looking sad in his silence. "What's wrong with him?" Reina asked, walking up and kneeling by the child's side, holding his hand between two of her fingers. Ahsoka joined her side and took his other hand. "I sense much fear in him." she said. "He's hidden his abilities to survive over the years, making him hesistant to reveal them, unless..." She glanced over at Reina. "Let's try something else." She gently grabbed Reina's arm and they both rose to their feet.

"Stand here, next to him." Ahsoka placed her in between Mando and Grogu. She picked up the same pebble the child dropped and walked a fee paces back. Holding it out in front of her once more, she nodded. "I want you to take the stone, Reina."

"But—I don't know how."

"You've done it before."

"You have?" Mando chimed in.

"I—I don't know how I did it, though." Reina said.

"Tell me," Ahsoka said. "What did you feel before it happened?"

"I saw the poor man being tortured and felt like I had to do something about it." Reina explained slowly, piecing every detail of the incident in her mind. "I noticed the loose bolt in the mechanism and my hand stretched out on its own. Before I knew it, the bolt was in my fist."

Ahsoka nodded like she understood. "Take the stone, Reina."

Reina opened her mouth to ask her how, but considered it a waste of breath. She watched the Jedi, patiently waiting for her with her open palm out to her. Reina looked over at Mando, who was staring back. He nodded, assuring her to try. She turned her head down to Grogu, and she got the same feeling from his soft coo. Reina faced forward and inhaled and exhaled deeply. She raised her open hand and focused on the pebble both physically and mentally. She inhaled again, imagining the pebble moving to her, and exhaled, picturing it in her palm.

Her fist snapped close. She felt the solid rock digging into her skin inside.

"Yes! Reina, you did it!" Mando said. He walked up to her and touched her arm. He noticed she was trembling, but not from fear. Ahsoka smiled but then frowned.

"That was incredible, Reina." She could feel Mando's praise radiating and it made her smile, though she was comprehending what just happened.

"Indeed." Ahsoka agreed. "No training and you managed to control your feelings and focus them on what you wanted to accomplish. It is an impressive feat. But now," she looked down at Grogu. "I need to know if you can do the same. Mandalorian, stand here please."

"Why?"

"He has seen it demonstrated. Now, I want to see if he'll listen to you."

"That'll be the first." Mando huffed.

"I like firsts." Ahsoka smiled. "Good or bad, they're always memorable."

"Try it, Mando." Reina urged, giving him the pebble.

Sighing in defeat, the Mandalorian took his place. Reina then received a gut feeling. "Wait, use the metal ball from the Crest."

Mando understood, and slowly retrieved it from the pouch on his hip. "Hey, kid, want this? Go on, take it." The shifter knob shined in Mando's palm, but the child only stared at it. Ahsoka began to move forward to assist, but was beaten by Reina, who jumped to her partner's side. "Call him by his name. Call him Grogu."

Mando cleared his throat. "Grogu," The child reacted, his pointed ears perked. "Go on, Grogu, take the ball. You can have it."

"Go on, Grogu." Reina smiled. "You can do it. Just like me." They watched together as Grogu stretched out his hand, like he really wanted it.

Come on, I know you can do it. Reina nodded. I've seen achieve greater feats with your power.

The metal ball suddenly flew from Mando's palm to Grogu's grasp in one fell swoop.

"Good job!" Mando cheered. "Good job, kid! You see that? I knew he could do it! That's right, kid!" Reina was beaming at Mando's praise just as much as Grogu was, the child's happy noises said enough.

All along, Ahsoka had watched the whole scene. How the three of them responded and reacted to one another. She foretold it was hopeless in her mind, but her heart urged her to help nonetheless. Reina had impressed her the most.

"What did I tell you?" Mando approached the Jedi.

"Both Reina and Grogu have formed a strong attachment with each other and with you." Ahsoka sighed. "I cannot train him."

"What?"