Knock
Knock
Knock
Who would that be? Who in the force would that-?
"Master Tahl," Obi-Wan Kenobi's young, quiet voice greeted respectfully. "I was wondering if I may…have a few words with you." There was something strange in his voice; Tahl perceived that much.
"Of course; come in," Tahl gestured to her small living quarters. "Would you like some tea-?"
"No, thank you," Obi-Wan said quickly. He sounded a bit shaky.
Tahl frowned. "If this is about your Master, I wish not to discuss it now." Qui-Gon and she had been fighting for months; their friendship and emotions tangled together so intricately one misplaced word set the prologue for a day's long argument.
Obi-Wan assured, "It is not about Qui-Gon-rather-I have come seeking advice or an opinion." She heard him sit in a chair. Tahl pulled up one opposite. She heard the seriousness in his tone; in fact, it radiated off him in tense waves."Alright." He took a small breath. "Whatdoyouthinkoftheruleofnoattachment?"
"Pardon me?" Tahl furrowed her brow. "Obi-Wan-"
"What…do…you…think…of…the…rule…of…no…attachment?" Obi-Wan repeated, slower and more uncertain than ever.
"Rule of no attachment?" Tahl echoed. Why was he asking this? And why now? "I suppose…I don't understand; any specific type of attachment? Friendship or romantic or teacher and-"
"Romantic," Obi-Wan interrupted. Tahl counted it as his third time interrupting. He was up to something, and Tahl had an odd feeling she did not want to know what it was.
"What do you think of it?" Obi-Wan pressed. Tahl felt his eyes, never leaving her, looking her over with admiration…and something else…something she could not pinpoint.
"Romantic attachments interfere with our abilities to serve the Republic and the force," Tahl quoted from some famous master she couldn't recall at the moment. "Hasn't your master told you this?"
"He has, I just wanted a second opinion," Obi-Wan explained matter-of-factly. His chair scraped the floor. "That is all, thank you."
Tahl would not let him leave so easily. He had caught her curiosity and she was determined to satisfy it. "Obi-Wan wait." She waited until his chair scraped the floor again and she was sure he was seated. "Any other reason?"
"No." It was a very solid 'no,' too solid for Tahl's opinion.
"I don't believe that," Tahl prodded. "Perhaps you have feelings for someone?"
"No!" This time the 'no' was defiant, obviously hiding something. It might as well have been a yes.
Despite Tahl's rivalry with him, she longed to tell Obi-Wan to go to Qui-Gon. He could help a teenage boy more than her; she barely knew what to do with her own Padawan. But Tahl could not say that; it was clear Obi-Wan had come to her for a reason.
"Why don't you try occupying yourself with meditation or training?" Tahl suggested. "Your idleness just breeds these thoughts."
A small surge of anger was released from him. "I know."
"You needed my advice; therefore I am permitted to give as much of it as I want," Tahl argued.
"Fine."
"Is it Siri."
"No." Obi-Wan did not move, keeping still. But she knew this was the part he dreaded the most.
"Why did you come to me? I think I have the right to know; given I'm giving advice." She prodded.
"Because I love someone who will never love me," Obi-Wan lamented.
Tahl reminded him firmly, "Jedi are not allowed to love."
"I know."
"Who is it? Tell me," Tahl demanded, feeling particularly annoyed.
"You, Tahl," he whispered, voice wavering slightly.
Tahl's head spun. Her? How could he love her? He was sixteen, she was…well, old! She took her time to respond, despite the fact her cheeks were growing hot. She took minutes to reply, Obi-Wan waiting with failing patience.
"I see," was all she could muster. She had nothing more to say, excluding the dozens of questions she could not ask.
Obi-Wan appeared to accept this, for he continued, "I-I don't know how, or why, it just…it just is that way."
"Why?" Tahl murmured subconsciously.
Obi-Wan spoke slower, shyer, and a little more adult-like, trying to sound confident. "I don't know."
"You're sixteen, Obi-Wan. We can't do this," Tahl tried to gently dissuade.
She envisioned Obi-Wan shaking his head. "I know."
Tahl hesitated. "Perhaps a talk with Yoda would help?"
"I don't want help." Obi-Wan stood. "I just wanted you to know. Goodbye, Master Tahl." She heard his footsteps and her door slide open.
Chapter 2 coming soon! Please review!