Chapter Text
Ahsoka sighed. She had hardly seen Ester in the few weeks since her rescue and Mimin’s demise. She had some contact with the Cardinal crew, but they had to leave on a mission a few days ago and Ester hasn’t had human interaction since. Ahsoka was truly concerned for the health of her padawan. Taking a breath to prepare for what may come, Ahsoka palmed open the door to Ester’s quarters.
Eyes adjusting to the pitch-black room, Ahsoka noticed Ester bent in upon herself, holding Mimin’s badge that proclaimed her as a Rebellion Member. She stood in the entryway for a bit before asking, “I could really use your help gathering some intel if you want to come.”
After waiting a minute and seeing no movement in the teenager, she turned to leave but a hoarse reply stopped her.
“I want to leave.”
“Pardon?” Ahsoka asked, unsure if she had heard correctly.
“I want to leave.”
“This room?”
“No, the Rebellion, Jedi, everything!” Ester wound herself up, gesturing in all directions before deflating again.
Seeing that the girl was once again calm, she asked, “Are you sure that this is the best idea? You have a family here.”
“My family is dead,” Ester replied, nearly sneering.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“The Rebellion doesn’t need me.”
Ahsoka responded with a flat look.
“I just…” Ester trailed off in frustration, trying to find the right words. “I just need to find my own path, away from all of this.”
Such familiar words brought Ahsoka back to a similar day when she herself had said nearly the same words. She had been even younger than Ester was now, so it would be rather hypocritical to pull that card. But still, this wasn't the time of the Republic. She would be in more danger. She could be hunted down. However, Ahsoka mused, perhaps Ester would be safer away from being around so many Force users. Perhaps she would be less noticeable by herself. Ahsoka nearly laughed at how much the Master-like-Padawan saying still stood. She began to wonder if that is why she failed, is because of how her master was-is. But she shook that thought off before replying after an extended silence. “If that’s what you feel is best. But I want you to wait at least another week, see the rebellion’s therapist, and have a plan of what you are going to do before you leave.”
Ester nodded in agreement.
><><><><
One week later, after a joint meditation, Ahsoka asked Ester again, “You still thinking of leaving?”
Ester nodded, “Yes, and I’m ready to say my goodbyes.”
“But not forever. Correct?”
Ester smiled, and though it wasn’t as bright as it used to be, it was certainly brighter than the feeble attempt had been a week ago.
“Yes,” she responded, standing up before bowing to Ahsoka. “Thank you, my master, it has been an honor to learn from you.”
Ahsoka stood up and bowed back, “The pleasure is all mine, padawan.”
Ester straightened up and left the room waving goodbye to find Kanan and Hera.
As she approached, she caught the last stings of their conversation, likely about her.
“-I’m worried, Kanan.”
“I’m sure everything will work out fine.”
Ester entered the cockpit of the Ghost to find Kanan’s hand on Hera’s shoulder. The two of them turned to face her, eager to listen.
“I’m leaving,” Ester said evenly.
“What?” Kanan asked, surprised.
“I’m leaving the Rebellion.”
“Why?” Hera asked in her concerned, motherly way.
“This isn’t the path I’m meant to be on. Mi…” Ester had to swallow past the lump in her throat. “Mimin was always the one about saving the galaxy. I’m not so sure I care about the big picture as much.”
“Are you sure?”
Ester nodded resolutely before responding firmly, “Yes. I am. I talked it over with Ahsoka and she agreed. I need to find my own path.”
Hera stood up, walked forward, and tugged the girl into a warm embrace. “We will only be a holo call away if you need us.” Ester nodded into the older woman’s shoulder holding back tears.
><><><><
“What why?” Sabine asked incredulously while Ester stormed out of the common room. The rest of the Ghost crew did not take the news of her leaving as well as Kanan and Hera had.
“I need time away,” Ester responded.
“Why?” Zeb asked.
Ester’s mouth hung open for a second, unsure of how to put her thoughts. Sabine took the time to glance at Kanan and Hera and seeing their nod, to wrap the younger girl in a hug saying, “Be safe ok?”
Ester nodded, responding, “Yeah.”
Once the Mandolorian released her, Zeb stepped forward, giving the girl a bone-crushing hug, before breaking the embrace saying, “bye kit,” while trying to be tough.
Chopper beeped something along the lines of, “You better be good or I’ll end you.” Ester laughed and patted the droid on the head.
Hera, who was standing next to Kanan as they oversaw the conversation, moved to follow Ezra. Ester stopped her with a look conveying the message that she would talk to Ezra. Ester waved to the group as she exited, going to find the other teenaged Jedi.
After searching for a bit, she found Ezra sitting outside the Ghost, facing the dual moons. Ester approached, sitting next to him; not saying anything. There they sat for a few precious moments before Ezra broke the silence by asking in a near-whisper, “Why?
So broken was his question that Ester almost considered taking everything back and staying. She eventually responded, “I can’t continue in the rebellion without Mimin…” She let out a shuddering breath before continuing, “And I can’t bear to see another loved one die.” She determinedly looked at her hands in her lap, ignoring Ezra’s sharp turn and gaze.
“And who do you love?” Ezra asked, full of anguish.
Ester responded by grabbing his collar and pulling him in for a kiss. It was sweet, innocent, but still filled with longing and strife. Ezra closed his eyes to savor the moment and by the time he opened them again, she was gone.
><><><><
Ester waved at the shrinking form of the ship that Ahsoka was piloting away. Once it was too small to see, Ester turned to face the growing port world she had chosen as her starting point. With a bag containing a handful of credits, a blaster, and a com with the numbers of the various people of her family, she turned from her old life to her new, ready to find out who she would become.