Tahl and Bant seemed to be growing apart up until Tahl's death, in my opinion. This fic kind of shows it…
I don't own Jedi Apprentice.
It seemed like it would last forever. The monotony of every day, when Bant would go to Tahl and Tahl would mentor her.
Except for the times Tahl left Bant to go on solo missions. Didn't she care about her? Why didn't she want her there?
Tahl was notorious for her independence. No one offered her help, because everyone knew the answer would be no.
Their relationship had seemed stronger before she became Tahl's Padawan. Now it was fading, as Tahl pushed Bant and Bant fought her independence.
Tahl was elusive, and Bant was her shadow. She was paid little attention, though Tahl was a kind Master. She was left alone at the Temple as Tahl set off to other worlds, leaving her shadow behind. There were no shadows in space; for the most part they were unnecessary.
Was that all Bant was; a shadow? Or something else, someone to make her look good?
They were growing apart. Tahl reluctantly took her on more missions at Yoda's request. Bant didn't like it. Yoda didn't like it. Qui-Gon didn't like it. No one liked it, not even Tahl. But she did nothing to stop it. Conversations were tense and dull.
It had gotten to the point Bant no longer cared. Her master was a faint presence in her life. She envied Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's bond.
The reality was painful; not even Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had been this distant at the start. As Bant felt physical growing pains, Tahl brought on emotional growing pains, with each and every solitary mission and every awkward conversation. Bant considered requesting a new master. But Tahl was the Master she had wanted; and she had gotten her wish.
If only she had known what was going to happen to her, she would have felt differently. She would have coped better and given Tahl a chance. But she never did. All she could focus on was the painful neglect Tahl was giving her. She never noticed her attempts at a better, stronger bond.
Bant became a Knight under the mentoring of Kit Fisto. But her memories of Tahl, mired in frustration and hurt, came back to haunt her. The growing pains still pierced her heart. But this time, even though Tahl had joined the force, she felt a new connection with her old Master.
Not my best work, but can you please review?