First EncountersPart1
I'm not sure I understand, Master."
Qui-Gon had never expected the experience of training a Padawan to be particularly easy. After all, he had been anything but a model Padawan. Headstrong and inquisitive, he had often tried the patience of Master and teachers alike.
Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was a meticulously obedient thirteen-year-old who questioned anything that violated the Jedi Code.
That was never more apparent than today, when Qui-Gon first mentioned that the Noela he had spoken of frequently was something a little more complicated than a diplomatic contact.
"You are familiar with the yearly event of escorting a member of the opposite sex," Qui-Gon said patiently. "Noela Ovorp of the Alderaanian Senatorial delegation has a long-standing relation with the Jedi in that regard."
Obi-Wan scowled as if facing a particularly obstinate foe. "She has a long-standing relation with you," he corrected. "I thought that was counter to the purpose of that activity."
"The purpose of the activity is to maintain diplomatic ties and improve the image of the Jedi," Qui-Gon recited. "Noela would..."
"You don't even call her Senator, Master," Obi-Wan protested. "That's improper."
"I call her Senator in the appropriate situations, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon insisted. "In more informal settings, however, I certainly am at liberty to treat her as the friend that she is."
This clearly was something that flew in the face of whatever lecture the crechemasters had given his Padawan when facing this situation last year and, not surprisingly, it was more than Obi-Wan could tolerate.
"She's not a friend," Obi-Wan stated. "She's an...an..."
His face screwed up rather dramatically into an expression of horror that would have been comical on anyone else.
"An attachment," Obi-Wan accused at last.
Qui-Gon blinked in what he could only honestly describe as confused indifference as his Padawan seethed silently in anticipation of his response. Feeling some sort of response was warranted, he clasped his hands serenely in front of him and regarded Obi-Wan with an open stare.
"You take that back," he offered politely.
"Master," Obi-Wan burst out, "she's an attachment!"
"You're an attachment if it comes to that," Qui-Gon reminded. "I've grown rather attached to you despite your inability to understand basic principles of friendship."
"I'm an attachment because of the will of the Force," Obi-Wan countered. "Why hasn't Yoda stopped this?"
"He's tried!"
That was certainly not what Obi-Wan had expected. He rocked back on his heels, looking as if he'd been slapped in the face. It was a rather unnecessary reaction to the fact that the Council recognized what Obi-Wan could not.
"He's tried?" Obi-Wan stammered. "You overrode…"
"I did nothing of the sort," Qui-Gon assured him. "The Council deemed that I should be assigned to another party several times and I have abided by their wishes on every occasion. Moreover, I have never comported myself in an unseemly manner or had any inclination to do so."
Allowing himself a small smirk, he looked Obi-Wan straight in the eye and the younger man at least had the decency to flinch. "I've gained Master Yoda's trust in this matter," he explained at last. "I would hope that it would be enough for you."
Obi-Wan sighed heavily at last and with obvious reluctance, but nodded. "It just doesn't seem right," Obi-Wan admitted.
"I know," Qui-Gon soothed, "but perhaps this 'attachment' as you put it is just as much the will of the Force as your apprenticeship is." As always, the day of assignments came with great anticipation, but Obi-Wan managed to pass out well before the datacards were delivered. Qui-Gon managed to haul him to bed and then retreated to the repulsorchair closest to the door with a hot mug of tisane.
Certainly, he was not alone. Even the youngest of the chosen had the tendency to wait with great anticipation for the assignments, as other children might want to stay up until midnight for the advent of the new year. There was no suspense this year, however, since one thing had already gone right at the very least.
Finally, around 0215, the packet slid beneath the door and Qui-Gon summoned it to his hand. His own datacard went into the datapadd for later perusal, but he crossed to Obi-Wan's door and slipped it through the crack at the bottom, already knowing what it said.
Padawan Kenobi, We thank you for your
willingness to cooperate in the yearly public relations effort to be
held on the fourteenth day of the second month. We know it will be an
excellent learning experience as it has been for the Jedi in the last
three hundred years. This year, it is the wish of the
Alderaanian consulate that you liaise with Senator Noela Ovorp,
Senior Senator of Alderaan. She awaits your contact to make the
necessary arrangements. We anticipate that you will bring
honor to the Jedi in this time-honored tradition and that your
efforts will only further our cause of promoting good relations
between our Order and the peoples whom we serve. Again, we
thank you for your efforts. Sincerely,
The Jedi Council