'Well, I can't really say that I anticipated this.' She thought ruefully, methodically flipping her knife over her knuckles.
The worn bone handle was smooth as she twirled it. The matte blade was dull beneath the artificial light of the Jedi Temple and she clenched it tightly in her fist as she brought up her free hand to run at her tired eyes.
Her sweaty hair matted and framed her thinning face. How much more would she have to go through to show her new M-master that she was worthy, that she could be a Jedi?
Exhaustion washed over her in a stunning wave, but she locked her knees and stood still, waited for it to pass. Fatigue pulled at her very soul, but the stubborn determination that Kai-Al had always cursed her for won out, and she stayed standing.
Qui-Gon glared silently at her from the balcony situated above the training area.
His new apprentice was proving to be impossible and he wondered how he would ever be able to keep his word that he would train her. She was ruthless, rapid in her strikes, and held little back. She had all, and none of the makings of a Jedi. With a scowl threatening his face, he recalled their meeting with the council.
Yoda's face had twisted into confusion as Qui-Gon introduced his new apprentice.
"Thought, I did, that no apprentice would you be taking." Yoda said pensively.
"Let the child come forward." Mace had requested reasonably, watching his friends face.
Qui-Gon winced unnoticeably as Obi-Wan stepped forward and dropped to her knees to bow.
Snapping out of it, Qui-Gon glanced down to see his apprentice stretch and yawn loudly. With a fit of irritation he waved his hand to fling three more practice droids at her open stance.
Without surprise, he watched as she let herself fall in a controlled motion to the mats and reach with her heels to capture a droid and send it spiraling into another. Two down. With a smooth roll, she dodged the third and flipped to her feet. He heard her breath leave her as the droid then smacked itself firmly into her stomach and heaved her backwards several feet.
She fell boneless to the floor. The floating droid twittered in confusion, and Qui-Gon almost missed the girl flinging herself to the two other droids. He watched then as she grabbed one of the heavy things and lug it at the beeping one. He heard the crunch of metal and knew that she had accidently used the force in her throw.
He inhaled noisily and rubbed at his temple. Opening his eyes he met Obi-Wan's irritated gaze.
As it was…
It seemed that they had a long, long way to go.