Skipping down through the temple garden, a young padawan was finally able to breathe some fresh air since it had been nearly all morning trapped in her room meditating under her master's instructions. Zeporah was not much like the other Jedi. She didn't fit in with most of her peers, resulting in her not having many friends. Her master had tried to help her fit in, but their efforts were in vain. Still, Reetha Khan at least had her master to be by her side in trying times.

As a result, she often came to the garden to unwind. She'd bring her stringed instrument to play while sitting under the shade provided by her favourite tree. She'd also bring her drawing block to sketch the various flowers she saw and sometimes, the Coruscant skyline. Usually, her master would accompany her, but when she was busy Zeporah came down alone. 

Except, this time, she was not really alone.

A few other padawans had spotted young Zeporah then decided to pester her. 

"What are you doing there weirdo?" They snickered. Zeporah stopped, head dropping dowl low. An auburn-haired padawan stepped forward and pushed Zeporah's side harshly, making her drop her belongings. 

"Cut it out!" Zeporah demanded, but the other padawan took it as a challenge. 

"What? You're going to stand up for yourself?"Zeporah tried to stand up but was pushed down by another padawan. She didn't try to fight back. 

"Huh, that's what I thought. Just so you remember this lesson, I might just destroy this thing.." 

The auburn head picked up Zeporah's instrument and instructed another to grip her face and made Zeporah watch the scene. "I'm going to break this like you broken dreams so you know not to cross us, you hear me." 

Zeporah teared up and pleaded. The instrument you see was a gift from her master, but the padawans made it clear that they would destroy her happiness when her master wasn't around. No other padawan's dared to interfere because they didn't want to face the same consequences. 

The bullies began waving around the wooden instrument and threatening to break it upon the marble floors. Zeporah tried to fight back with only led to the amusement of the others. The auburn raised the instrument high into the air and brought it down for a final blow. That was, that it never reached the ground. All the padawans look for the interference and found a gloved hand gripping onto the instrument, just strong enough to tear it from the bullies hands and save it. 

"I'd rethink my decision if I were you." 

In front, four clones stood, adorning their beautifully decorated armour. The one in grey held the instrument. The one wearing blue stepped up. "I suggest you leave your friend alone." 

"Or what? You're just clones. You cannot do anything to us." 

"Hmmm, do anything they do not want to. However, tell your master's about your behaviour, I will." 

The bully padawans gasped. Master Yoda, the Grand Jedi Master had arrived, with another clone with red armour behind him. 

"Upset I with your behaviour, I am. Apologize toZeporah, you will." 

Cowering under the Jedi's and the clones' gaze, the padawan hurriedly apologized. Yoda hummed in satisfaction then turned his attention to Zeporah, who was sniffling. Yoda reached out to wipe her tears. "Cry you should not." Looking up to the five clones, Yoda smiled. "Get to know them you should, young Zeporah." 

The green master waddled off, dragging the bullies with him. 

Still sitting o the ground, Zeporah tucked her legs to herself. The clone in grey bent down and gently spoke. "Hey kid, you okay?" 

Zeporah raised her head to take a peek. She noticed the grey clone had a scar on his right eye. She nodded and the clone smiled. The one in red who arrived with Master Yoda then joined his brother's side. "Let's get you under the shade, kid. Follow us." 

Zeporah only nodded. The grey clone held her instrument, the one in blue and the other in orange collected her art tools that were scattered on the floor. One in yellow offered his hand and a smile, Zeporah sniffled and reached up to take it. For some reason, she felt like she could trust them. The one in red led them to a big tree that offered enough shade for all six of them. 

Once they settled, the clones watched as Zeporah slowly gathered her things close to her. She seemed scared still, so the one in blue approached her. 

"Is it okay if I sit here?" He pointed to the spot next to her. 

"Yeah, it's okay." Her small voice brought a smile to the blue and his brothers. 

"Hey there. My names Rex." 

Zeporah waved shyly, then noticed the pauldron on his shoulder and the kamas he wore. "You're a captain." She recognized. Rex chuckled "Yeah. Captain Rex, of the 501st." 

She turned to the others expectantly. Rex caught on. 

"These here are my brothers." As Rex introduced them, Zeporah made it her goal to remember each clones' name. The one in orange is Cody, the one in yellow's Bly, the one in grey is Wolffe and the one in red is Fox. 

The boys either waved their hands or offered it for a shake, or saluted the young girl. Zeporah surprisingly didn't feel threatened by them. She enjoyed their company, and they seemed to enjoy her's.  

After a moment of silence, the one named Fox brought up a conversation. "So, what was with those jerks?" Zeporah laughed, it was the first time anyone called them jerks. 

"They usually pick on me." 

The others nodded. "Don't you have any friends to hang out with?" Cody asked. Zeporah shook her head, no. 

The clones turned to themselves, feeling sad for the padawan. "The others think I'm weird because I'm not into the same things as they are. I like my art and instrument, so I usually come here to relax." The words slipped out of her mouth with such ease. It never happened before but she welcomed it because it felt right and natural and safe when these clones were around. 

The boys noticed this so they encourage her to converse. Bly noticed her instrument. "May I?" He asked, Zeporah nodded, releasing her legs from her chest to fold them. 

Bly examined the instrument. "It's called a balalaika. It's a string instrument that my master got for me as a gift. I've been learning how to use it. It's really easy once you get a hang of it." 

The clone smiled, happy and relieved that Zeporah was slowly unwinding. Rex spotted the two books in the ground. Some sketches were sticking out of it. "You draw?" 

Zeporah hummed, smiling brighter than before. "I come here to sketch the skyline and flowers. Sometimes, I draw the people that come to visit the garden." Rex nodded and asked if he could see it. Zeporah hesitated but obliged anyway. 

"Woah.." Rex was awed by the number of sketches he found in the book. They were intricate and so detailed, flawless even. "This is amazing..." 

"Zeporah" she offered her name. Rex smiled. "This is amazing Reetha." 

The other boys asked if they could see it as well, and from Rex's reaction, she could tell that was genuine. Zeporah, in a long time finally allowed herself to completely relax in the presence of others. Already liking the new chance of friendship that was offered to her. 

While they sat there, they continued to exchange conversation among each other, Bly even attempted to play the balalaika, courtesy of Zeporah teaching him. Fox and Wolffe were more interested in her sketches, commenting on how accurately the lines and shades were done. 

At one point, Zeporah couldn't help but smile at her five new acquaintances. The boys slowly caught her smile because it was infectious. "You seem cheerful," Wolffe said, which only made her grin wider. 

"Well, yeah. It's been a long time since I had friends. Well, actually I never had friends before- " She caught herself, thinking if she should ask them. 

"W-would, would you guys be my friends?" Her timidness began to show, a result of being cast aside. She was prepared for a 'no' but was surprised when they cheerfully said 'yes'.

If time had slowed down, the clones would want the moment to last, because the smile on the young girl's face was something money could not buy. The glee on her face and the crinkles of the skin around her soft eyes proved that the smile she wore mirrored the brightest start in the galaxy. She was happy, and they were happy. 

The six continued through the evening, they had a picnic to pass the time. While they watched the sunset a soft voice called for Zeporah. "Master Taala. Hello!" 

The mirialan Jedi smirked when the five clones who accompanied her padawan stood at immediate attention and saluted her. Zeporah looked at them confused. 

"Relax guys, she's just my master." 

Rex sighed, still at attention. "Yeah, kid. She's our superior." The mirialan chuckled. 

"At ease men. I'm more of the relaxed Jedi around. I don't really care for protocols." 

"Yes, general." The clones stuttered. 

Zeporah looked at her master and laughed. "Guys, for real. Relax, for me at least." 

At her pleading, they softened. "Well, if you say so." 

"I hope I'm not crashing the party, but Zeporah should come in now. It's getting late." 

Looking back up at her master Zeporah sighed. "Aww, do we have to?" 

The clones smiled. Fox gave her an encouraging nod. "It's alright kid. You should listen to your master. It's getting late and you should get some dinner." 

Dinner, Zeporah thought. "Master, can we join them for dinner?" 

The Taala's brows quircked. "Sure. If they're alright with it?" She looked to the five. 

"Not at all general," Bly replied, his smile focused on Zeporah and gave her a quick wink, making the young padawan squeal. 

"Thank you. Oh, and please call me Taala." 

The now seven friends walked to the mess hall together, while Zeporah introduced the clones to her master. Watching her master and her new friends, Zeporah knew this was just the start of her happy beginnings.

//ahhh I am back!!! And I am happy to be back. I plan to write a part 2 to this, let me know if I should. Maybe a little story for Rex and Taala, and also my new OC for just this minisodes book, Zeporah. I'm not sure if I want her to be a human to mirialan, if I do make her mirialan, she might have a mother-daughter relationship with Taala. Anyways, hope yall enjoy this minisode. Se yall soon, take care!!//